Long before realistic graphics and cinematic scenes, there were a bunch of pixelated experiences already delivering deep, unforgettable stories on consoles that could only run games up to one single megabyte in size—smaller than any photo on your phone right now.
Now, they are seen as “retro games” that, even with limited resources, use creativity as their main weapon to deliver memorable stories, worlds, characters, and twists that have completely marked our gaming lives.
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In this article, I would like to revisit some of these old, nostalgic stories that still manage to blow us away to this day, proving that good ideas do not depend on any kind of resolution or frame rate.
Let’s reminisce about 10retro games that are living proof that good stories never get oldand can be even better than many modern titles. Also, sorry if I make you feel a little old while reading it.
10Policenauts
Mr. Kojima’s First Steps
Policenauts
Before creatingMetal Gear Solidand changing the gaming industry forever (yes, I’m a fan), Hideo Kojima wrote a visual novel called Policenauts, which presents a quite interesting narrative.
It is a point-and-click adventure about a former space cop who wakes up in 2040 after being asleep for over 25 years thanks to a cryogenic freezing system. Then, he goes back home only to find out that his original life is gone – his friends are much older, and his wife is married to someone else.
That is the starting point for a story that deals with mysterious deaths, several dark secrets, a lot of cop corruption, and even organ trafficking. What I really like about it, though, is its world-building and melancholic atmosphere. To be honest, I actually prefer it overDeath Stranding, Kojima’s most recent franchise.
9Earthbound
A Bit of Emotional Damage
Earthbound
For me,Earthboundis a killer JRPG, and it is very creative from start to finish, despite having quite slow pacing and chaotic leveling stats.
However, we are here to praise its narrative. When the gameplay takes a backseat to this experience, the story finds its way to really shine with the charming premise of four children prophesied to save the world.
Unlike Mother 1, the sequence focuses purely on the wacky mishaps Ness and the gang encounter during their adventure itself, rather than the mission to defeat Giygas itself, so it has a much greater emotional impact on the player.
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Also, the writing of the dialogues is just amazing, making the world and the atmosphere feel very present and strong, especially because we have so many locations, characters, and situations that are pretty memorable.
I love how every NPC has something interesting to say, and you have no idea what is coming out of their mouths (it could be a pure random thing or actual real-world trivia), making you excited and curious to explore and find more people to talk with.
8System Shock 2
Space Horror
System Shock 2
System Shock 2brings to the table my favorite genres ever –science fiction and horror– and simply excels at mixing both, while telling a terrifying and deep story, but not in a conventional way.
Basically, you need to explore a spaceship that was completely taken over by alien parasites, who killed all of your companions. While exploring alone, you use your own curiosity to learn about the narrative and what is going on, since you get most of the information through details on the environments and multiple audio logs scattered throughout the scenarios.
It is very engaging to try to piece everything together about this tragedy, making every step you take terrifying. And the overall plot is excellent, getting you hooked from beginning to end.
7Grim Fandango
Ready For Resurrection Jokes
Grim Fandango
I think it is impossible to finishGrim Fandangowithout any guides or hints to help you – unless you have years to spare to play it patiently. When I first played it, I had the help of a friend who gave me some tips while progressing, and I was amazed by its absolutely wacky story.
In a setting that mixes the Mexican tradition “Día de los muertos” with a noir style, you play as a skeleton who works as a travel agent in a reaper-like way, helping other people make their way across the land of the dead and into the afterlife.
It sure is not an easy game and may not please everyone, but if you embrace all of its craziness, you will find a fantastic experience with unbelievable twists and great humor.
6Planescape: Torment
More Like Planescape: Bliss
Planescape: Torment
You know that feeling of not being a big fan of a specific genre, but you end up making an exception for a game because it is so highly praised by everyone?
Planescape: Tormentwas one of these cases for me, making mefall in love with CRPGsin the end. What makes it so special is its complex, tragic story, with well-written dialogues and incredible world-building, where you feel that talking to every NPC is worth it.
It blew my mind away how fantastic every main and optional plot is, even all of your companion stories, swimming deep in timeless and philosophical themes, such as the nature of a man and (im)mortality.
5Vagrant Story
Classic RPG From Valendia
Vagrant Story
I must confess that I never know where to start when talking aboutVagrant Storybecause its depth in practically every main element always impresses me.
Back when Squaresoft was known for fairy-tale-like stories, we surprisingly got a brand-new RPG that delivered an expertly written political thriller, with moral ambiguity and several intrigues, having super-social and economic comments at every turn.
Add that to some brilliantly multifaceted characters, a terrifying antagonist, and also a city that acts and feels as a major character – making my way through the labyrinthine underground, catacombs, and barren streets was such a treat.
Oh, and the game is not exactly a quick experience, yet the writing is so immersive and compelling that playing for one hour feels like five minutes since you pay attention to every little detail.
That story is even accompanied by a unique art direction and a deep and complex combat system, making everything so challenging and visually appealing – and one of the most impressive games on the PlayStation 1.
4Chrono Trigger
Partners in Time
Chrono Trigger
What makesChrono Triggerso special to me as an RPG is how every little detail, from the narrative to the small details of gameplay, adds something unique that forms an unforgettable experience.
But let’s talk about the story, which is particularly strong, with intertwined plots, different eras to jump into, and the exploration of deep, complex themes – such as the nature of time, the impact of technology, the relationship (or the lack of it) between humanity and nature, andthe consequences of messing with the past.
All of that even comes together in an experience that does not get heavy on dialogue, delivering a nice, pleasant pacing with a lot of epic character moments.
3Final Fantasy VII
Good To See You, Cloud
Final Fantasy 7
The story ofFinal Fantasy VIIis so dense – involving multiple character arcs, remarkable twists, and even different timelines – that is being updated and branched even more as we speak, with new titles, remakes, comics, spin-offs, and so on.
But it all began on the PlayStation 1, with a remarkable journey led by Cloud to save the world from the terrifying Sephiroth, creating a fantastic, mysterious atmosphere and exploring many amazing supporting characters along the way.
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It is epic from beginning to end, accompanied by a dedicated soundtrack that reinforces each event in the story, and a deep exploration of morality and environmentalism that became even more pertinent since the game came out.
2Metal Gear Solid
SNAAAAAAAAAAKE
Metal Gear Solid
For me, theMetal Gear Solidfranchise is probably the greatest work of fiction ever, especially for its very (and I mean it) complex story and philosophical themes – and the PlayStation 1 made history by running the first chapter more than 25 years ago.
Metal Gear Solid is a political thriller with situations and characters that are tightly connected to reality and our real world’s history, which makes every plot full of meaning and values that Hideo Kojima wants to tell the player.
And it manages to do all of that despite its supernatural and surreal elements and quirky sense of humor, and we need to thank the writing for that.
1The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Dark Zelda At Its Best
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
As a The Legend of Zelda fan, I gotta say thatMajora’s Maskis probably my favorite entryin the whole franchisesince it is Link’s most original (and darkest) adventure.
This is because the game has such incredible writing that not only gives the player countless plots to learn and handle, but it also manages to directly tie the narrative to the gameplay.
You need to find your way to progress in the main objective, while discovering secondary and intertwined plots scattered in every corner of Termina – and all within a loop cycle of only three days. For instance, every NPC has a hidden calendar system that you can learn to find out what (and when) they need from you, and it is better to keep a notebook on your side to keep up, as well as keep your curiosity sharp.
It is simply jaw-dropping how complex Majora’s Mask can be, while still maintaining a quite simple main plot that is “stop Skull Kid from destroying our city”.
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