For some, gameplay is the main tell of a quality video game. For others, story is king. A great narrative can be what pushes you through an otherwise dreary set of mechanics and systems, with the prospect of another plot twist on the horizon just enough to keep you going. And the best thing is that those very stories are only getting better and better as the gaming industry matures — 2020 is proof of that. While some developers took risks, others stuck to their guns and delivered another worthwhile narrative for fans. Either approach is a good one, but there can only be one winner. Here are the best PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 stories of the year.
Bronze Trophy: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
It was time for Kazuma Kiryu to take a well-earned rest, but the Yakuza franchise stops for nothing. Newcomer Ichiban Kasuga takes up the reigns as protagonist in a quest (quite literally since he loves Dragon Quest so much) to uncover why he was betrayed by a former boss, resulting in a long 18-year stint in prison. It might sound like Yakuza: Like a Dragon has a fairly serious narrative then, but in true series fashion, the weird and rather bizarre side of Isezaki Ijincho very quickly reveals itself with wacky, optional objectives and hilarious plot points. If you've played a Yakuza game before, you know exactly what we're talking about. This eighth mainline instalment continues the tradition, delivering on everything you could possibly hope for.
For more information, check out our Yakuza: Like a Dragon PS4 review.
Silver Trophy: Cyberpunk 2077
While you may have to put up with one or two console crashes and far too many bugs to get to it, there's no denying that the plot of Cyberpunk 2077 is a memorable one. V's journey through Night City, accompanied by the holographic Johnny Silverhand, takes the protagonist to the big leagues and then all the way back down again. The story — one packed full of mystery and intrigue — never lets up with surprising plot twists and a degree of choice to let you shape your ending. With side quests that fully flesh out the futuristic take on the USA, it's easy to get lost in Cyberpunk 2077 as rock-solid storytelling keeps you coming back for more and more.
For more information, check out our Cyberpunk 2077 PS4 review.
Gold Trophy: The Last of Us: Part II
Naughty Dog dared to do something different with the follow-up to its masterful PlayStation 3 original, putting together a two-pronged narrative that tells the events of Ellie's journey through Seattle from both her side and the opposing force. The result is an incredible plot completely justifiable on both fronts as Abby reveals the reasoning for her actions, while Ellie and Dina work to put an end to her. Controversial for some, but completely understandable for most. And when it all looks this good, The Last of Us: Part II manages to tell such a human tale in a world ravaged by the infected hordes. One for the record books as Sony's premier first-party studio once again proves how far ahead of the gaming industry it really is.
For more information, check out our The Last of Us: Part II PS4 review.
Platinum Trophy: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a marvel of storytelling. Split between the lives of 13 different protagonists, it's a complex and intricate narrative, but one that hooks you early on and refuses to let you go. It's packed with sci-fi specifics, but every single character has a role to play, and the twists are often mind-blowing. Even for what is mostly a visual novel, the scope and ambition of 13 Sentinels' story is seriously impressive — and the fact that it all holds together until the credits roll is an outstanding achievement. Not just the best story of the year — this is one of the best stories on PS4, period.
For more information, check out our 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim PS4 review.
Do you agree with our selections? What PS5 and PS4 stories do you think were the best in 2020? Place your vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments 30
My "favourite" story was Ghost of Tsushima, but TLOU and 13 Sentinels definitely had better stories. I couldn't argue with that.
I haven’t played 13 Sentinels but keep hearing amazing things about it.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim keeps popping up so it must be good. I can't really fairly judge as the only game I have played on that list is Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and even then, I am only 7 chapters in. Ichiban is not Kiryu, but I think Ichiban has such outstanding personality that I am looking forward to the rest of the game with him.
Pretty decent list! While I still think LOU2 is a good game and I like the story to an extent, fair play to putting 13 Sentinels as number 1. An excellent story and one of my GOTY.
TLOU2 for me but 13 Sentinels is up there too. Love the stories in both of them.
The last of us part 2 for me then yakuza. I brought 13 sentinels during a sale and I’m very much looking forward to it, just got to finish off fire emblem 3 houses first.
I’m currently playing 13 Sentinels. It’s definitely got me hooked. Probably play Yakuza: Like a Dragon once I’m done with 13 Sentinels.
Really close call between Last of Us 2 and Yakuza 7. Both had stories that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I Can't speak for Cyberpunk 2077 yet because I've only just started act 3 after 139 hours! That said, a lot the side stories have been really good.
The Last Of Us 2's story of revenge vs revenge was great stuff.
I'm "playing" 13 Sentinels now and enjoying the story. It's definitely in the vein of a visual novel, but the branching story lines and characters keep it engaging. The turn based strategy portions and character juggling, while meeting combat requirements and Sentinel loadouts for bonuses are a lot of fun as well.
The name 13 sentinels kind of rings a bell, but I've never looked at it closely. Another game on my radar, great job PS! That's not ironic, great job peaking my interest, and to another year being distracted from the lockdown by your beautiful site (still no irony, I love it here).
Best story for me was Ghost of thushima. Best Gameplay Hades, Best graphics and sound TLOU2.
Wow, 13 Sentinels...well done
Ok 13 sentinals goes on my to play list not really my thing but i'll give it a go for the story
13 Sentinels getting the love it deserves. Amazing narrative.
Yakuza stories are usually a bit hit and miss for me, getting too complex and wacky, but this one was great, the characters and themes really tied together nicely.
And LOU2 is on another level entirely for a video game.
13 sentinels is def on my to play list now though. Is there much of a game-play element to it? Or is it strictly in the visual novel genre?
@Starkei
It's broken into 3 segments. One where your learn about the characters and how they become the Sentinel pilots (visual novel), another is a turn based strategy gameplay where you can upgrade and unlock weaponry based on the points you've gained, and the last is reading through the information revealed from segment 1 and 2.
So, yes, there is actual gameplay with the turn based strategy. You're limited on the number of Sentinels you can deploy, and as explained in the story portion, you have to rest team members, which creates a party management system. There's a RPG aspect in that you can unlock and upgrade skills. Finally, they give you goals to meet, which could be as simple as keeping damage down to a certain percentage, or have a specific person as a part of the attack team.
It's fun. I bought 50% off from Best Buy.
Cold steel 4. The rest do not to deserve stand in its shadow.
How is it most votes go to GOT on most websites voted by fans but website editors don’t vote that way???
I voted Miles Morales. I thought it was a great introduction to a character I knew very little about. That’s how you do it! Really looking forward to Spider-man 2 now, which will hopefully have both Spider-mans (Spider-men?) as playable characters taking on Venom 😬 Hoping they also introduce Spider-Gwen at some point. There are so many places they could go with the story in the Spider-man universe and it couldn’t be in better hands than Insomniac games.
Damn yous!!
So many platitudes for 13 sentinels. Just grabbed it.
@lacerz thanks for the reply. Sounds intriguing!
I’ve never heard of 13 Sentinels but colour me intrigued. If a game can successfully transport me to another world, I can overlook a lot of narrative and/or gameplay missteps. World building, tonal consistency and thematic weight are king for me.
Glad to see Cyberpunk being recognized for things it does well and not just piled on for a botched launch.
My vote is Cyberpunk 2077. You have to go through some mind numbing glitches and crashes to get to see it, but wow. Second place for me is TLoU2. I haven't played 13 Sentinels, but it just went on my watchlist, since great stories is an essential part of great gaming for me.
13 Sentinels without question anybody picking TLOU2 over 13 is either biased or hasn't played it
I am not into visual novels, so I took a risk with 13 sentinels.
After dozens of hours in, I am proud to say that 13 sentinels is my first platinum in the years I had my PS4. Amazing game.
Surprised to see 13 Sentinels picked over The Last of Us II given both equally rely on their story, but appear in vastly different spots in the GOTY rankings (TLoU II being the GOTY, 13 Sentinels not even appearing in the top 10) but I'm guessing there's a reason for that.
In any case, as I never finished most of the picks listed here (I started TLoU II recently, but outside of the fact I've barely played it, I'm not too much of a fan of the characters or the basic story framework) so my choice would have to be FFVII Remake, mostly for it's characters, but also how well the characters fit in with the overall story.
TLOU2 has one of the worst stories I have ever experienced. I've never before come across a story so poorly written it made me feel legitimately angry
Wasteland 3 was a great 2020 story
13 Sentinels. Might've gone to Yakuza: Like a Dragon but I'm holding out for the PS5 version so can't select it.
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