Narrative
Ongoing coverage on Narrative.
Latest coverage
Luna Abyss Interview – Inspirations, Gameplay, Narrative, Console Performance, and More
Kwalee Labs developers Hollie Emery, Benni Hill, and John Reynolds discuss their upcoming game Luna Abyss, a narrative-focused bullet hell shooter. Inspirations include Nier: Automata, BLAME!, and Metroid Prime, with a focus on unique environments and fluid combat. The game targets 1920x1080 resolution and 60 framerates across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X, with upscaling used for Series S and Steam Deck.
Review: Coffee Talk Tokyo (Switch) - An Enjoyable, Bittersweet Third Blend
Coffee Talk Tokyo, the third entry in Toge Productions' visual novel series, offers an enjoyable, bittersweet experience set in Japan. The game retains its core loop of making drinks for fantastical customers and helping them navigate life struggles, featuring a new cast of characters based on Japanese yōkai. While the gameplay systems are iterative, the game excels through its presentation, well-written characters, and nuanced exploration of hard-hitting topics.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies review – The game that came in from the cold
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a narrative-driven game that explores the complexities of spy fiction, drawing comparisons to Disco Elysium. Players step into the shoes of Hershel Wilk, a former spy called back into service, navigating a world of mystery, dialogue, and psychological stats like Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium. Despite its similarities to Disco Elysium and the challenges presented by its mechanics, the game is praised for its writing and engaging gameplay loop, making it a worthwhile experience that encourages replayability.
EDEN95 Announced - A Narrative Survivorlike Set Inside a Windows 95 Desktop
EDEN95 is a new narrative survivorlike game set within a simulated Windows 95 desktop environment. Players pilot a mech with recoil-based movement, engage in strategic shooting with a customizable magazine, and progress through roguelite elements and quest-based levels. The game challenges players to uncover the truth behind the Eden Group's mysterious mission.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Review - Cascading Choices
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a richly detailed RPG that, while at times imitating Disco Elysium, stands on its own with a compelling narrative and unique mechanics. The game features a spy thriller tone, a complex world in the city of Portofiro, and a systemic approach to character ailments that adds a layer of strategic depth. Despite occasional moments that feel like imitation, its strong writing and interconnected quests make it a captivating experience.
Order Of The Sinking Star, From Braid Creator Jonathan Blow, Is Coming To Switch 2
Arc Games announced that Order of the Sinking Star, the new puzzle game from Braid and The Witness director Jonathan Blow, will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year. The game features over 1,000 puzzles across four distinct worlds with a strong narrative focus and multiple playable characters. Blow noted that the Switch 2's portability makes it a natural fit for the game.
WILL: Follow the Light Review – A Personal Adventure
WILL: Follow the Light is a narrative-driven adventure game from TomorrowHead Studio that excels in its atmospheric execution and unique gameplay mechanics. The game features a personal story of the protagonist Will, set against the backdrop of a stormy lighthouse, with engaging mechanics like sailing and dog sledding. Despite its focus on story, the game is well-optimized for PC, offering stable framerates and strong voice acting.
Killing a main character in Baldur's Gate 3 on his second playthrough had a massive impact on how BioShock creator…
BioShock creator Ken Levine discussed how his experience with Baldur's Gate 3, particularly losing a main character in a second playthrough, has influenced his approach to player choice in his upcoming game, Judas. He highlighted the power of emergent narrative possibilities and how this contrasts with the more linear storytelling of his previous works like BioShock.
The Talos Principle 3 promises an 'epic grand finale' to the tale of humanity's rebirth
The Talos Principle 3 has been officially announced as the final chapter in the puzzle series, promising an 'epic grand finale' to humanity's rebirth narrative. The game will explore a mysterious anomaly where physics laws do not apply and will feature over 12 worlds. While not requiring prior game knowledge, familiarity with The Talos Principle and The Talos Principle 2 will enhance the experience. The game is coming soon to Steam and PlayStation 5.
Call of the Elder Gods Review - You must close the loop
Call of the Elder Gods is a well-designed puzzle adventure game that offers an engaging story with interesting twists and well-developed characters. While some plot threads are dropped, the puzzles are consistently challenging and organically integrated into the world. The game features beautiful stylization and effective use of music to enhance the atmosphere across its diverse locales.
How to save everyone in Directive 8020: Best ending guide
This guide details how to achieve the best ending in Directive 8020 by saving all playable characters and unlocking specific Destinies. It breaks down crucial choices and turning points across eight episodes, emphasizing dialogue options and quick-time events that impact character fates and narrative outcomes.
Review: Wax Heads Tasks Us With Paying Attention
Wax Heads is a narrative-driven puzzle game where players assist customers at a record store by deciphering clues to find the correct music recommendations. The game offers adjustable difficulty through accessibility options, allowing players to choose between a more realistic 'No Refunds' mode or a forgiving 'The Customer is Always Right' mode. Despite minor performance issues on the Nintendo Switch, the game provides an immersive experience with a distinctive art style and soundtrack, available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Review: inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories (Switch 2) - Easygoing Shopkeeping With Too Many Empty Shelves
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories is a shopkeeping simulation game set in a 1993 Japanese convenience store. While it offers a relaxed pace and charming atmosphere, the narrative elements are shallow and the gameplay lacks depth. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.
Wisdom of Nym: Impressions of Final Fantasy XIV’s Trail to the Heavens story
This analysis delves into the "Trail to the Heavens" story arc within Final Fantasy XIV, exploring its narrative revelations and thematic connections. The article discusses how the patch's story elements, particularly those related to Vana'diel and the division of shards, offer emotional resonance and raise significant questions about the game's overarching lore and future plot developments.
Directive 8020 review: "Twisty terrors make for sublime corpo-space drama, but I've seen this movie before"
Directive 8020, the latest installment in The Dark Pictures Anthology from Supermassive Games, offers a tense survival horror experience set on a spaceship. While it introduces new mechanics like stealth and player agency, the game is hampered by pacing issues, inconsistent voice acting, and derivative elements from other horror titles. Despite its flaws, the narrative remains engaging, making it a solid, albeit not groundbreaking, 10-hour adventure.
The Gaming Deaths That Still Haunt Us
This article discusses six of the most tragic character deaths in video game history, including Aerith from Final Fantasy VII, Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption II, and Joel from The Last of Us Part II. It explores the emotional impact these moments had on players and how they contributed to the games' narratives and legacies.
SURREAL SHAPESHIFTING ADVENTURE BURDEN STREET STATION LAUNCHES MAY 21 ON STEAM
Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX and developer IODINE announced that the surreal narrative adventure game Burden Street Station will launch on Steam on May 21. The game features shapeshifting mechanics, quirky dialogues, and a cosmic mystery in a world inspired by '90s adventure games. A free demo is available on Steam.
SOEDESCO announces May 29 Steam release for Truck Driver: The American Dream
SOEDESCO and developer Kyodai announced that Truck Driver: The American Dream will launch on Steam on May 29, 2026, following its release on PlayStation and Xbox. The PC version will include updates such as new missions, steering wheel support, a hunger system, and hardware ray tracing support, alongside a dedicated Steam Deck profile.
SOEDESCO® announces May 29 Steam release for Truck Driver: The American Dream
SOEDESCO and developer Kyodai announced that Truck Driver: The American Dream will launch on Steam for PC on May 29, 2026. The game, already available on PlayStation and Xbox, will receive simultaneous updates including new missions, steering wheel support, a hunger system, and graphical enhancements like ray tracing and DLSS/FSR support.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Hands-on Preview - Flying high
A hands-on preview of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight reveals a surprising focus on narrative and character development, aiming to rival its cinematic counterparts. The game features open-world exploration, Arkham-style combat, and extensive customization options. It is set to release on May 22, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
