WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD2023 was an absolute feast when it came to rich, well-crafted video game stories. From the chilling horror of Alan Wake 2 to the epic fantasy of Final Fantasy 16 and Baldur's Gate 3, from Cal Kestis' journey through the galaxy in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor to the eight protagonists of Octopath Traveler 2's journey across Solistia, the year was filled with memorable stories that will stick with players long after they have put the controller down.
There were tales of betrayal, death, and destruction, but also stories of friendship and love that reminded players never to give up even in the darkest of times. Presented in alphabetical order, here are the top 10 best video game stories of 2023.
Alan Wake 2
FBI agent Saga Anderson is sent to the town of Bright Falls to investigate a series of mysterious ritual murders. There, she will discover the horrifying truth behind the strange disappearance of the author Alan Wake. In this dual narrative, which lets players switch between controlling Alan and Saga, players will discover the many terrors lurking in both the seemingly idyllic Bright Falls and the sinister Dark Place. The story that unravels in Alan Wake 2 is a terrifying one, centering around the persuasive power of cults, the dark secrets everyone hides within themselves, and the difficulty of ultimately facing one's darkness.
Baldur's Gate 3
Read Game Rant's Baldur's Gate 3 Review
The story of Baldur's Gate 3 starts out deceptively simply: a group of adventurers, thrown together by fate, must seek a cure for the illithid tadpoles implanted in their brains. From there, Larian Studios effectively utilizes the choice-based mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons to create an epic, branching story that encompasses political intrigue, mystery, horror, tough decisions, found family, and possibly even love. From its massive overarching narrative to the smallest side quests and the heartstring-tugging character stories, Baldur's Gate 3 truly offers a little bit of everything.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Read Game Rant's Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review
Players returned to Night City in 2023 with Phantom Liberty, an expansive new DLC story for Cyberpunk 2077. The President of the New United States of America is in danger, and V is the only one who can help. The story of Phantom Liberty is reminiscent of a spy thriller, filled with political intrigue and tense moments as players explore the mean streets of Dogtown, Night City's most dangerous district. The pace is breakneck, the new characters are memorable, and, ultimately, Phantom Liberty is a worthy addition to the Cyberpunk universe.
Final Fantasy 16
Read Game Rant's Final Fantasy 16 Review
Set in the complex and magic-rich world of Valisthea, Final Fantasy 16 follows Clive Rosfield, who journeys alongside old friends to learn the truth behind the mysterious Ifrit, a magical being who suddenly and destructively emerged when Clive was young. But Final Fantasy 16 isn't just an epic high fantasy tale of battles and adventures. It includes themes of family bonds, rebellion against authority, and establishing one's own identity while also serving as the vessel for a powerful being beyond imagination.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Hyrule has begun to rebuild from the many years of Calamity when disaster strikes again. The Demon King Ganondorf returns, mysterious islands appear in the sky, and gloom-filled chasms lead to long-dormant underground caves. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Link journeys through a Hyrule torn asunder and a busy sky above, but finds that he does not have to do it alone as he is reunited with old friends and connects with figures from the kingdom's past. The story Tears of the Kingdom tells is one of keeping hope alive, staying strong, and coming together in the face of seemingly overwhelming disaster.
Lies of P
Read Game Rant's Lies of P Review
The story of Pinocchio is one everyone knows: a wooden puppet, carved with love by his master, desires to someday become a real boy. Lies of P is a new, dark take on the story, in which a robotic Pinocchio journeys through the city of Krat to learn more about why he was created and attempt to earn his humanity. Lies of P features multiple endings depending on the player's choices - including, of course, whether Pinocchio tells lies (an ability that he, as a puppet, is not even supposed to possess) or remains truthful. Lies of P is a story about identity, a story about what makes someone truly human - and, still, at its core, the tale of a lonely puppet who hopes to be a real boy.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Read Game Rant's Spider-Man 2 Review
Peter Parker is back, once again called upon to defend New York City from a variety of iconic foes, but this time, he's not alone. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 tells the intertwined stories of two people who both step into the role of Spider-Man: Peter Parker and Miles Morales. In addition to Peter and Miles, the game features a huge ensemble cast of both new and familiar faces, including Mary Jane, Venom, Kraven the Hunter, the Prowler, and more. While fighting New York's most powerful baddies, Peter confronts his inner darkness, Miles struggles to connect with his heritage, and together, the two tell one of 2023's most memorable stories.
Octopath Traveler 2
Read Game Rant's Octopath Traveler 2 Review
Octopath Traveler 2 doesn't just offer one great video game story - it has eight of them. Eight individuals, each drawn to their journey for different reasons, find themselves traveling together across the rich and complex world of Solistia. From Hikari the warrior seeking both revenge and absolution to Temenos the cleric who desires truth no matter what the cost, each traveler's story stands on its own as one worth telling. When all eight come together in the game's conclusion, the result is something truly special.
Sea of Stars
Read Game Rant's Sea of Stars Review
Sea of Stars tells the tale of the seemingly endless conflict between the heroic Solstice Warriors and the monstrous Dwellers, ultimately revealed to be a small facet of the greater battle between magical rivals. Players will gather a group of heroes to take down the Fleshmancer, a being of unspeakable power, traveling to multiple richly realized worlds in the process. Sea of Stars' narrative asks several key questions, most notably "How far are you willing to go to protect your home, friends, and family?" Among the epic conflict is also a heartwarming tale about a group of friends having a truly memorable adventure together.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Read Game Rant's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review
The latest game in the Star Wars Jedi franchise reunites players with Jedi Knight Cal Kestis five years after the events of the previous game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Survivor once again highlights the conflict between the light and dark sides of the Force, the Jedi and the Galactic Empire, with Cal now in the role of a resistance fighter who will go to any extreme to take the Empire down. It's exactly the kind of sprawling, galaxy-spanning story players have come to expect, delivering the epic space exploration scenes and lightsaber battles, while still also telling a relatable tale of a desperate but ultimately heroic man who will do what it takes to survive and take down evil.