Ok, so, my favorite game of last year was Nier, because it was so unique; not in the combat, necessarily (though they do shift between perspectives like it was going out of style) but the storytelling... very very sad game. Didn't get a lot of very good press, though, because the combat could be considered boring by some (it was at times), some of the side quests were monsters (also true). Alpha Protocol was another one that was slightly busted in spots, but the story telling was phenomenal and the characters were hella rad. Deadly Premonition! sure, that game is straight up busted, but you can hardly say it wasn't unique.

This year, though, there hasn't been that game, nor does it look like there will be that game, looking at the releases. I mean, Radiant Historia would certainly fit the bill... but I got really burned out, some bad design choices plus the combat drained me to the point where I didn't even finish the dang thing, so it doesn't especially count (for me). E.Y.E., maybe, but the awesome parts about that game aren't necessarily the story telling. Honestly the most unique at this point is Witcher 2, and that's really only because of the choice before the second act. and looking at the releases list, I really don't see anything that'll be super unique in terms of story telling, so looks like I'm going to have to wait until 2012 for that; Metro: Last Light, Prey 2 looks like it could have some interesting story beats, Far Cry 3 if only for that awesome trailer (though I'll probably be dissappointed), Last Guardian...

I dunno, am I just crazy? (some people probably do think me crazy for liking AP and Nier as much as I do, but WHATEVER)

Did you even play Ghost Trick?

Does Portal 2 count as unique? Because I just finished that moments ago and I am truly shocked about how much I care about that world and characters considering the minimal storytelling and how you really have to pay attention to your surroundings so that you get the full story

That ending was awesome, now I'm checking around forums for things that I might have missed, and there is some terrific stuff in the Portal 2 forum

EDIT: I realise all Valve stories are like this but this truly blew me away, more than Half Life

@SethPhotopoulos said:

Did you even play Ghost Trick?

forgot about that, but I dunno... aside from the twist at the end, the story wasn't ALL that unique (the gameplay was the crazy part after all). I'd put it up above the witcher 2, but... eh I dunno. The story just isn't as good as Nier or AP or any of those other games.

@Venatio: the story was awesome, yes, but the story was just a continuation of portal 1 and a further exploration into the history of Aperture.

@Laketown said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

Did you even play Ghost Trick?

forgot about that, but I dunno... aside from the twist at the end, the story wasn't ALL that unique (the gameplay was the crazy part after all). I'd put it up above the witcher 2, but... eh I dunno. The story just isn't as good as Nier or AP or any of those other games.

When it comes to AP I'll disagree. Your saying a time travelling ghost story isn't unique?

Last Guardian is probably not til next year...

journey maybe?

Ico and SOTC if you haven't played them yet, not really new though.

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@Laketown said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

Did you even play Ghost Trick?

forgot about that, but I dunno... aside from the twist at the end, the story wasn't ALL that unique (the gameplay was the crazy part after all). I'd put it up above the witcher 2, but... eh I dunno. The story just isn't as good as Nier or AP or any of those other games.

When it comes to AP I'll disagree. Your saying a time travelling ghost story isn't unique?

I guess it's more.. the way the stories played out. AP was the most reactionary game I'd ever played (even you can admit that), Nier's NG+ was... the best implementation of that I had ever seen, plus the way the endings got more and more depressing. in Ghost Trick, the story was weird but the story still played out in a singular manner and besides the whole premise of it... I guess unique was PROBABLY the wrong word to use but my point still stands.

Bastion was a pretty unique storytelling experience. They filled out the world history and civilizations by having one of the characters basically give you a Quick Look of the whole game.

Did you play Bastion?

You should definitely play Alice Madness Returns. It goes places you're totally not expecting in the last chapter. Has the most memorable ending from any game I've played this year, kinda fucked me up emotionally.

It's one of those endings where you go, "No, no no. This is not happening. Oh fuck. Really? So that's the message of the story. Damn. I'm sad now, but it makes sense."

lolwut... you've got a bleedin' Catherine avatar, how can you say there hasn't been any unique story-telling experiences from this year? I haven't played it myself (and most likely never will, in all honesty), though even I will attest that it has one of the most unique tales for quite some time judging from the trailers and the reviews and such.

Question I have for you. Did you even play any video games this year? I am dead serious. Dead space 2, Portal 2, Dragon age 2, L.A. Noire, Deus ex human revolution, or anything else this year? Or are you ignoring all of these to just complain like how many others do? don't mean to be so mean. but honestly. Either actually start looking around for video games with stories or stop freaking saying such... well, unfactual things.

oh, and bastion is also awesome.

Did you play Radiant Historia?

I just want to clarify, are you talking about the way the story is told, or the story itself in games?

@david3cm said:

I just want to clarify, are you talking about the way the story is told, or the story itself in games?

Actually, this is a good point as well.

@MEATBALL said:

Did you play Bastion?

Bastion has the best story telling in years. Well implemented in the gameplay, short and snappy but still very very deep. Would love to see more in that style.

@david3cm said:

I just want to clarify, are you talking about the way the story is told, or the story itself in games?

first one I suppose. I mean the story has to be good obviously, but mostly hte first one

@Abyssfull said:

lolwut... you've got a bleedin' Catherine avatar, how can you say there hasn't been any unique story-telling experiences from this year? I haven't played it myself (and most likely never will, in all honesty), though even I will attest that it has one of the most unique tales for quite some time judging from the trailers and the reviews and such.

It's basically persona but with 30 year olds and 30 year old problems. Not to say that isn't good or we don't need more of that (we do), but it's still the basic atlus story (which I love, but... DDS and DDS2 are probably the weirdest games they've put out)

as far as Bastion, I dunno. the demo didn't sell me on the gameplay? also I don't want to play it and enjoy it since everyone else has pretty much enjoyed it (yes that does make me a terrible person) and Alice, it seems to be at 25 dollars on Amazon instant download... might as well

LA Noire anyone?

@FluxWaveZ said:

@Laketown: How is Catherine's story similar in any way to Persona 3 or Persona 4 other than the twist?

Don't say anything! I still haven't beaten them!

oh, and to the TC, play Dead Space 2, the entire game doesn't have a single loading screen other then starting the bugger up and the story is told amazingly well. Amazing video game.

@FluxWaveZ: it's solving personal problems by doing weird shit. In persona 4, you solve your friends problems by either; helping them accept themselves in crazy TV land, or you talk to them outside and help them realize that sewing bunnies is actually cool or whatever. In Catherine, You are trying to solve both your friends problems and your own, though mostly your own so I guess it is a little different, but it's still very reminiscent of it, because you still solve problems by talking to these weirdos in babel and in the stray sheep.

Deus Ex, the Witcher 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles all have really great story telling.

@WinterSnowblind said:

Deus Ex, the Witcher 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles all have really great story telling.

can't play xenoblade because I neither have a Wii nor am I european don't rub it in!

@FluxWaveZ: it's solving personal problems by doing weird shit. In persona 4, you solve your friends problems by either; helping them accept themselves in crazy TV land, or you talk to them outside and help them realize that sewing bunnies is actually cool or whatever. In Catherine, You are trying to solve both your friends problems and your own, though mostly your own so I guess it is a little different, but it's still very reminiscent of it, because you still solve problems by talking to these weirdos in babel and in the stray sheep.

Nothing I played this year was anywhere as unique as El Shaddai. The premise is insane, the characters are intriguing, and the soundtrack is amazing. It's nowhere near as long as Nier and it's linear as hell, but the story was strong enough to make me seek out it's source material to compare the difference.

Corpse Party looks like it's going to be unique.

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

@Laketown said:

@david3cm said:

I just want to clarify, are you talking about the way the story is told, or the story itself in games?

first one I suppose. I mean the story has to be good obviously, but mostly hte first one

@Abyssfull said:

lolwut... you've got a bleedin' Catherine avatar, how can you say there hasn't been any unique story-telling experiences from this year? I haven't played it myself (and most likely never will, in all honesty), though even I will attest that it has one of the most unique tales for quite some time judging from the trailers and the reviews and such.

It's basically persona but with 30 year olds and 30 year old problems. Not to say that isn't good or we don't need more of that (we do), but it's still the basic atlus story (which I love, but... DDS and DDS2 are probably the weirdest games they've put out)

as far as Bastion, I dunno. the demo didn't sell me on the gameplay? also I don't want to play it and enjoy it since everyone else has pretty much enjoyed it (yes that does make me a terrible person) and Alice, it seems to be at 25 dollars on Amazon instant download... might as well

I really recommend picking up Bastion if you're looking for one of the most unique and enjoyable stories of the year. The gameplay also gets continually better as the game goes on. While I absolutely recommend it at full price, at least keep it in mind if you see it go cheap.

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Xenoblade and El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron are pretty unique

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

I am hesitant on LA Noire because I've hated everything that rockstar has done past... well either Bully or SA (whatever came last), but I did want to play El Shaddai, so you people made me restart gamefly again D:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yeah, I just finished Bastion and I would highly recommend that just for the live narration storytelling.

"Hey Kid.

Get up, Kid..."

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

Don't worry, soon we'll have Call of Duty 8: Modern Warfare 3: The Modern Warfare.

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

@MooseyMcMan: I know right?

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

YOU GUYS ARE TEARING ME APART

Go play Stanley Parable.
 
It might be my favorite story in a game this year and it's like 15 minutes long.

@Abyssfull said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

WE ARE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CARS RUNNING OVER PEOPLE.

@Laketown said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

Did you even play Ghost Trick?

forgot about that, but I dunno... aside from the twist at the end, the story wasn't ALL that unique (the gameplay was the crazy part after all). I'd put it up above the witcher 2, but... eh I dunno. The story just isn't as good as Nier or AP or any of those other games.

When it comes to AP I'll disagree. Your saying a time travelling ghost story isn't unique?

yeah I get what you are saying.  I was hunting around for a unique and unusual story game this year too.  I haven't really found what I've been looking for, but I haven't played Dues Ex yet.  Maybe that will do it for me.  The Witcher 2 is pretty awesome.  I love the story and the odd setting and mechanics.  What I really want though is that $20 story-game with some busted gameplay mechanics and a story so crazy and weird it's one-of-a-kind.  E.Y.E. could have been it if it had some more core story to it.

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Abyssfull said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

WE ARE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CARS RUNNING OVER PEOPLE.

i ran dudes over a bunch in LA noire and i regret nothing

@AjayRaz said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Abyssfull said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

WE ARE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CARS RUNNING OVER PEOPLE.

i ran dudes over a bunch in LA noire and i regret nothing

Yeah, but I bet you got terrible ratings! I 5-starred everything! HA!

@MooseyMcMan said:

@AjayRaz said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Abyssfull said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

WE ARE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CARS RUNNING OVER PEOPLE.

i ran dudes over a bunch in LA noire and i regret nothing

Yeah, but I bet you got terrible ratings! I 5-starred everything! HA!

it's likely since i liked to drive on crime scenes and stuff so i always failed. i don't think i played that game right

@AjayRaz said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@AjayRaz said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Abyssfull said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@SethPhotopoulos said:

@MooseyMcMan said:

@Jay444111 said:

@Abyssfull said:

@Jay444111 said:

@shinigami420 said:

@President_Barackbar said:

LA Noire anyone?

If you like generic mediocre noir story telling and tedius gameplay then LA Noire is the game for you

I played through L.A. Noire, and I gotta say that this entire point you were trying to make is completely wrong in all fronts. the Noir story and it's telling in LA is better then the movie industry has even tried to do for many years now, and the gameplay actually makes sense in the video games universe, I am guessing you are one of the guys that wanted to kill pedestrains and have it be a GTA clone when in reality a cop can't freaking do that.

Nice. Hot troll on troll action!

Not a troll, just stating the fact that a cop that runs over peds and stuff would get his ass chewed out in a near instant.

Then that's your fault for running over the people. The game never forces you to run over people. It's your fault for playing poorly.

Yo guys. It's simple. He didn't like the game and his reaction was to be an ass about it on the internet.

WHAT?! Someone's opinion is different from mine, and he decided to talk about it in a rude fashion?! What has become of the internet!

I stand by my previous comment though.

What is even going on anymore

WE ARE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CARS RUNNING OVER PEOPLE.

i ran dudes over a bunch in LA noire and i regret nothing

Yeah, but I bet you got terrible ratings! I 5-starred everything! HA!

it's likely since i liked to drive on crime scenes and stuff so i always failed. i don't think i played that game right

IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO RUINED THE GAMES INDUSTRY.

Out: LA Noire, Bastion, Child of Eden, LittleBigPlanet 2, Mortal Kombat, Amnesia: Dark Descent, Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

Upcoming: Journey, The Old Republic, Minecraft

I'll gladly argue in-depth about any one of those game's ability to deliver story in an interesting or memorable way. And when I say "story," I do mean more abstract uses of the word as well (think: Minecraft).