This year’s releases saw so many great story-driven titles release to gamers around the world. While gameplay and graphics are seen as so important to so many, sometimes nothing beats solid characters, an intriguing storyline and even a twist ending.
Here are the nominees for best story:
Heavy Rain
Alan Wake
Mass Effect 2
Red Dead Redemption
Enslaved
And the award goes to:
Winner: Heavy Rain
While we were treated to some fantastic stories this year, none was quite as engrossing as the tale spun in Heavy Rain’s serial killer mystery. What made it even more impressive is that even though the story was altered by the actions of the player, the outcomes and different paths were still equally as impressive.
Runner-Up: Mass Effect 2
Last Updated: December 15, 2010
RSA-Ace
December 15, 2010 at 07:47
Finally a winner I can comment on because I actually played the game!
Heavy Rain was incredible. It was by no means perfect -especially if you made ‘mistakes’, the story would end up having some major plot holes.
It just goes to show you that games with great story telling (and limited gameplay mechanics) can still do really well.
TT25
December 15, 2010 at 07:52
Ok I sort of agree, Never played Heavy Rain but watch it like a movie while someone else plays….. However been the fan I am … I would so have to say, Mass Effect 2, is my game of the year is this category.
Krypty
December 15, 2010 at 07:59
I totally agree TT, Mass Effect was and is the most compelling story line for me personally on the Xbox360.
Even with gameplay problems etc this game pulled me in from the start and I cannot wait for ME3.
This is a perfect storyline for Film.
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 08:20
Couldn’t agree more. While Heavy Rain isn’t necessarily the best game I have ever played, it is undoubtedly the most engrossing game. Loved every second of it, and the Mrs even watched me play the whole game!
StigSmash
December 15, 2010 at 08:34
I have not had much game time with Heavy Rain but it does look promising. Personally my winner would have had to have been Mass Effect 2.
invitro7
December 15, 2010 at 08:46
I also loved how engrossing it was! The game made your realy thinks before making a decision, because every decision you made effected you some where in the game.
Rez
December 15, 2010 at 08:50
I haven’t played Heavy Rain but I wiki’d the story like I do with most interesting sounding PS3 games. It sounds like an interesting story.
However I think Alan Wake deserved the award. It was the one game that was on the list that created an actual atmosphere and a sense of urgency. There story itself could have been written by Stephen King and really kept me interested until the very end which is rare. Even ME 2 I got a bit bored with half way through because the story was pretty much predictable.
I can’t wait for Alan Wake 2.
NiteFenix
December 15, 2010 at 08:58
I can’t say that I’ve played Heavy Rain, but Alan Wake, woah, now there’s a game I thoroughly enjoyed, it grabbed me by the testies right from the get-go.
Rez
December 15, 2010 at 08:59
Also the one game which should have been on the list because I just enjoyed the story so much was Assassins Creed Brotherhood.
It created so much intrigue with whether you can really trust Machiavelli and I believe the Subject 16 puzzles were extremely well thought out and provides some interesting debate on capitalism and how it is used as a system of control. Also one of the major side mission actually linked up with the present day story.
Dooza
December 15, 2010 at 09:04
I have to agree with Rez, Assassins Creed Brotherhood needed to be on that list, never liked Heavy Rain but it would make a good movie so I guess it has the best story
SojournZA
December 15, 2010 at 09:06
Happy to see Heavy Rain as the winner and agree with Mass Effect 2 coming 2nd, as Heavy Rain brought something new to the table, and ME2 story has been done before.
Both excellent games
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 09:09
The atmosphere created in Heavy Rain was amazing also, accompanied by a perfect soundtrack (imo), the game had the perfect balance. From the intriguing storyline(s) to the seriously intense atmosphere, this game made my PS3 purchase worth the money spent!
Uncle
December 15, 2010 at 09:13
I really need to get my hands on PS3 & Heavy Rain 😀
Uberutang
December 15, 2010 at 09:15
The interactive Movie did have the best story…. just.
ReAVeR
December 15, 2010 at 09:41
Can’t really agree about Mass Effect 2. It certainly has the most fleshed out universe, and the loyalty missions had great little side-stories, but the main plot was very generic sci-fi fair. Strip away all the other distractions and character interactions, and you’re left with a very straightforward plot, that doesn’t take that much thinking. Hell even the first game’s plot – which was ripped off wholeheartedly from Alastair Reynolds’ Redemption Space series of books – had a bit more meat to it.
Noodle
December 15, 2010 at 09:42
From all the past awards I have gone through so far, I have realised…. I’m a ME2 fanboi, with good reason.
JohkerZA
December 15, 2010 at 09:44
All 5 nominations had excellent stories for different reasons and I find it difficult to pick only one winner, but if a story is judged on emotional depth then Heavy Rain has to be the winner.
eXpZA
December 15, 2010 at 09:55
Heavy rain brings a solid experience to us, however there were some plot holes. I do agree that Heavy Rain should get the best story, but I honestly believe that Mass Effect 2 is equally as good. Heavy Rain takes the lead in the sense that decisions make a huge difference to the outcome of the story, whereas Mass Effect 2’s only real ‘changes’ are affected by how much you upgrade your ship. Not so much ‘decision based’ story splits as ‘how gangster is your ship’ story splits.
Flameboy
December 15, 2010 at 10:01
Too each his own but I would also vote for Mass Effect 2. It was the most gripping story I’ve experienced in a game in the last 5 years.
Aequitas
December 15, 2010 at 10:05
I haven’t played Heavy Rain, but that is a good set of nominees. Alan Wake and Mass Effect *really* kept me engaged throughout.
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 10:12
Mass Effect 2 is like a huge intergalactic soapie of awesomeness. Stuff like leveling up, building up your team and exploring un-explored planets/galaxies are what keeps the game going.
GooseZA
December 15, 2010 at 10:36
Heavy Rain is one of the games that makes me wish I had a PS3 (along with God of War 3). Everyone I’ve spoken to that’s played it says it’s simply incredible. Out of the rest of the list I’ve only completed Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead. Busy with Alan Wake at the moment.
I LOOOVE the Mass Effect Series and ME2 was probably my game of the year (followed EXTREMELY closely by Red Dead). I have to agree with Reaver though, the ME1 story was better than ME2.
GreenAvitus
December 15, 2010 at 10:41
ME2 FTW, you guys seem to have a Heavy Rain obsession, not gonna be better than ME2 for me in any category
Aslam Levy
December 15, 2010 at 11:00
Dont have a PS so cant comment on Heavy Rain..
But ME2 was awesome.. There was that HOLY SHIT moment when your one team mate kills another (Sorry those who havent played yet).
BLEW. MY. BRAINS. OUT.
I was like “what the hell?” I was planning to use that character in missions.
Loved it!
GooseZA
December 15, 2010 at 11:05
I just started playing it last night. The story looks great so far.
Scratchy
December 15, 2010 at 11:10
Was there any ever doubt?
onelargeprawn
December 15, 2010 at 11:19
I haven’t played ME2 so I can’t comment there but Heavy Rain did provide the most compelling experience for me. I was a little irritated by the banal domesticity in the beginning but I’m glad I stuck with the story.
mitas
December 15, 2010 at 11:50
Glad heavy rain made it ! its really a journey more than a game ! and i like it more cuz it really gives us “gamers” ammo when ppl ask that stupid question ” can games be art ? ” , we now get to say , yes they can be both art and a emotional journey all wrapped up in one !
Arc316
December 15, 2010 at 12:54
It was a let down that the killer does not change. Not really a point in playing it again.
Milesh Bhana
December 15, 2010 at 12:59
i would have a hard time choosing best story between Heavy Rain and ME2, both were amazing for different reasons. Heavy Rain for all the emotional involvement, and ME2 for sheer epic-ness.
Enslaved was also pretty well done, but nowhere close to the others.
Milesh Bhana
December 15, 2010 at 12:59
borrow one from someone and play Heavy Rain in 1 weekened. It’s worth the schlep.
xdvd
December 15, 2010 at 20:23
I’m sorry but Mass Effect 2 all the way.
M@GE
December 15, 2010 at 23:17
Are you F****** kidding me?! Heavy Rain storyline better than ME2? WTF? :blink:
BigBird
December 16, 2010 at 12:09
Unfortunately I haven’t played any of them.
Rez
December 17, 2010 at 10:04
I finished COD: Black Ops and any game that gives you a John Nash moment and not the good kind deserves a nomination at least.