It’s clear that The Last of Us is now a prime example of what modern video games can achieve, largely because Naughty Dog created a game that resonated with millions as something more than just a fun pastime.
The story of Joel and Ellie resonated deeply with players, stirring up a lot of feelings. However, it’s not necessarily the only game to successfully do that.
I appreciate how it’s helped show video games can be artistic, but I don’t think it brings anything completely new to the table, particularly when it comes to the story.
I’ve put together a list of ten indie games with stories that are even more memorable than The Last of Us, and I’d love for you to check them out.
10. To the Moon
A Truly Heartfelt Tale
Despite some problems with the pacing and straightforward plot of To the Moon, it’s widely considered one of the most emotionally powerful stories ever created by an independent game developer.
Eva Rosalene and Neil Watts’ game is incredibly touching, focusing on rebuilding the memories of a man facing death. It’s so emotionally powerful that most players find themselves crying before the end.
Exploring the damaged man’s memories – a past obscured by trauma and fear – is just as difficult as figuring out his next steps, and the story’s way of unfolding continues to be debated by readers online.
Though it’s part of a simple game, To the Moon stands out because of its beautifully written story, which completely draws players in from beginning to end.
9. SOMA
Discerning the Transmundane
Unexpected plot twists are a favorite part of video games, which is why SOMA is considered one of the best indie games ever made.
The game isn’t just surprising because of its twists, but because of how it slowly reveals its secrets. It’s the gradual unfolding of the story that truly stands out.
The story builds to an incredible climax, expertly increasing the stakes, dangers, and emotional impact throughout. The pacing is perfect – not a moment feels unnecessary or rushed.
The game SOMA provides profound philosophical reflections on what it means to be human, exploring themes of consciousness and the drive to survive. Unlike The Last of Us, SOMA is widely praised for its excellent ending and how effectively the story leads to it – there’s a broad agreement on its quality.
8. GRIS
The Colors of Life
Many works of art, including video games, explore the topic of grief. However, GRIS stands out as one of the most unique and memorable portrayals of loss in gaming.
This game tells its story through its visuals and gameplay, not through words or traditional menus. It’s a cinematic platformer that avoids obvious storytelling, letting players piece things together from the world around them.
The animation, setting, colors, and how things move all combine with the music to reveal everything about the world and what’s happening in it. This makes you feel truly involved in the story and creates a deep connection, which is something you don’t often experience.
I rarely cry when I play video games, but GRIS managed to move me to tears without using any dialogue – it’s one of the most powerfully told stories I’ve ever experienced in a video game.
7. What Remains of Edith Finch
The Tragic Beauty of Nostalgia
Nostalgia can be a painful thing, and in the game What Remains of Edith Finch, it takes the form of a haunting family curse. This family seems unusually connected to death, and their history suggests a tragic destiny.
Truly understanding the Finch family – feeling their deaths and grappling with what drove them – created a level of empathy I haven’t experienced in years, across any form of entertainment.
It’s incredibly hard to watch a family fall apart, especially when they face so much hardship. Even though the game handles their story with grace and sensitivity, almost like magic, it’s still a deeply moving and hopeful experience.
From moments of wonder to scenes you’ll never forget, What Remains of Edith Finch explores what it means to be human in countless ways. Luckily, experiencing it all only takes an afternoon, and it’s an afternoon that could truly stay with you.
6. The Red Strings Club
Humanity at Bay
Both The Last of Us and The Red Strings Club delve into what it means to be human during difficult times. While The Last of Us portrays this through intense and raw experiences, The Red Strings Club takes a more nuanced and ultimately more powerful approach.
The show’s violent scenes of people battling each other to survive the virus were intense, but what really stuck with me was a conversation with a character who willingly had a chip implanted in her brain to get rid of feelings like anxiety and sadness.
Perhaps it’s because one outcome feels much more realistic and frightening than the other, but through its characters, conversations, and choices, The Red Strings Club really makes you think deeply about free will, what it means to be social creatures, and whether humanity is capable of progress.
Although the game presents two very different visions of the future, The Red Strings Club introduced ideas that have stayed with me for nearly ten years after I played it.
5. Undertale
The Importance of How
Naughty Dog brilliantly captures the bleakness of its post-apocalyptic world in games like The Last of Us, particularly through its gameplay and impressive technology. However, I personally struggled to connect with the story because the act of killing felt commonplace, rather than a difficult or impactful experience.
Unlike many games, Undertale brilliantly combines gameplay and story. It uses player choices and interaction as the central element, crafting a unique message tailored to each person’s experience as they progress through the game.
The game makes you realize why the story and gameplay are designed the way they are when you find it’s much harder to save monsters than to defeat them. It requires learning their stories, understanding their situations, and skillfully avoiding their attacks – a far more involved process than simply fighting.
Undertale stands out because of its fantastic story and characters you truly care about. What makes it special is how it tells that story – by using gameplay mechanics that only video games can offer, instead of relying on techniques from movies or other forms of entertainment.
With this type of storytelling, how a story is told is frequently just as crucial—or even more so—than the story itself, and this title is a prime example of that approach in modern media.
4. NORCO
Magical Realism at its Peak
When it comes to creating believable stories in well-developed worlds, NORCO is among the best I’ve experienced – it’s far more effective at capturing a specific mood than most big-budget games that try to do the same thing.
Despite powerfully depicting difficult human experiences – like the way large industries can control our lives and create a sense of helplessness, treating people as mere products – the work still manages to weave in imaginative and creative fantastical elements without losing impact.
NORCO expertly blends fantastical elements with a grounded sense of reality. Its vision of the apocalypse isn’t about monsters, but something much scarier and more believable: the destructive power of unchecked corporate influence and the deceptive nature of the digital world.
Despite being a classic point-and-click adventure game, this indie gem features a story and conversations that stay with you long after you finish playing, prompting deep thought about the future and where society is going.
3. Night in the Woods
A Life-Changing Experience
Seeing a character that feels like you in a video game can be incredibly powerful. And for those of us navigating a complicated world filled with social, political, and economic challenges, Night in the Woods feels like a true reflection of our own anxieties and uncertainties.
It’s unusual to compare a game about surviving a ruined world with one set in a peaceful, charming town, but I definitely know which story resonated with me more deeply.
Life often feels stranger than fiction, and the game Night in the Woods surprisingly captures the struggles of becoming an adult, gaining independence, and simply surviving in a world that seems determined to hold you back.
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I’m not talking about mythical creatures or over-the-top monsters, but the real problem the game highlights: a society built on outdated ideas that no longer work for the world.
Despite dealing with serious themes, Night in the Woods isn’t overwhelmingly depressing. The game focuses heavily on the power of friendship, building strong communities, and helping each other, especially when things are tough. This creates a hopeful balance that makes the story relatable to a wide range of players.
2. Outer Wilds
Smiling at the End of the World
Video games once desperately tried to prove they could be a serious art form, resulting in a lot of dark and complex stories. Thankfully, games like Outer Wilds showed us that we didn’t need all that gloom and could explore more hopeful and unique ideas.
Facing life-or-death struggles is difficult, but the idea of battling across endless lifetimes to stop the universe from ending is truly extraordinary.
Playing Outer Wilds felt deeply moving because it showed how even though our efforts might ultimately be small in the grand scheme of things, the constant human drive to build a better future for those who come after us is a powerful and beautiful idea. It’s one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in a game.
I was more deeply touched by a brief exchange – written in an alien language on a wall – between two scientists in love during a cosmic disaster, than by anything that happened in the entire story of The Last of Us. And that’s high praise, considering how compelling The Last of Us is.
What sets Outer Wilds apart is how it feels truly lived-in. The game encourages a natural progression where you develop as an explorer, a character, and a friend, ultimately reaching a point where you can peacefully accept the end.
1. Disco Elysium
The Greatest Interactive Story Ever Told
I truly believe that Disco Elysium offers the best interactive story ever created, and it’s comparable to the quality of great films and books.
ZA/UM’s creation is a truly impressive artistic achievement, tackling both grand themes and intimate details. It tells a story of sadness, worry, desire, and hardship in a way that major, big-budget games haven’t managed to capture.
Even without considering how your choices change the game, Disco Elysium stands out thanks to its unforgettable characters, conversations, and story. It’s a detective adventure where you’re not only solving a crime, but also figuring out your own place in the world.
From its vibrant streets and atmosphere to gameplay mechanics that beautifully support the story – like the Thought Cabinet and how you develop your character’s skills – this game is truly exceptional.
While The Last of Us features more action and impressive visuals, Disco Elysium offers a much deeper and more complex experience with its rich storytelling, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes. Considering everything, I believe Disco Elysium ultimately offers more.
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2026-05-23 18:46