Bioshock.

I finished it three days ago and compared to most other games I play (Halo grade plots) it was just amazing. It would have been better if my friends had not blurted out key spoilers while I was playing through party chat.

I like the Mass Effect plot. It's a lot deeper than it looks and has so much room for development.

Serious Sam.

Plot "Hey look Sam, bad guys!"

#moments silence#

"Get 'em Sam!"

captain awesome 12:

Areani:
I don't care what Yahtzee says: I still think that the plot in the Metal Gear Solid series is the best EVAR!

I'd have to agree that the basic plot to them is great. However it's the complicated filler and poor writing that pollutes an otherwise fantastic story.

Poor writing?

Actually I find it quite fun trying to figure out what the whole point of "the complicated filler" is.

To be honest I would go for the Bioshock/Gears of war both of these have a pretty decent story line, if these two games made love it would be a beautiful child.

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:
I don't care what Yahtzee says: I still think that the plot in the Metal Gear Solid series is the best EVAR!

I'd have to agree that the basic plot to them is great. However it's the complicated filler and poor writing that pollutes an otherwise fantastic story.

Poor writing?

Actually I find it quite fun trying to figure out what the whole point of "the complicated filler" is.

Many consider the dialogue and such to be poorly written. It's been documented in detail in other threads so it wouldn't make sense to write it out now. The main point is that it takes an hour to explain something that could have only taken a few minutes, and the player isn't really allowed to discover the plot for themselves, they have to run around until another cut scene tells them everything. For most though, "the complicated filler", like having every character in the series make a cameo in MGS4, isn't fun for most people. I sometimes enjoy following it, but it can seem so oppressive. The one knock people can honestly give Metal Gear Solid is that its plot is overly complicated and twisted, and it's like that because of poor writing. If Hideo Kojima would stick to the main plot and keep it clean, throw in a few twists, and boot the 90 minute cut scenes out the door the game would have been more approachable by new players.

harhol:
Objectively: Silent Hill 2

I wouldn't be able to narrow it down to an individual storyline that I thought was better than all others. But the Silent Hill series is easily one of my all time favorites. In fact, I think that the entirety of SH 1-3 were all quite fantastic. But, as I said, I wouldn't be able to choose one game or series that I thought was far superior enough to justify them being my favorite. Not saying that none of them are good, by any stretch of the imagination, but some of my favorites are as follows:

SH Series- You already knew this, I chose this simply because the story really is fantastic. It focuses a lot on the protagonist as they fail in few endeavors, and succeed in even less. However, the story line still makes adequate room for its supporting characters to be further developed. Most of the time, it's pretty damn unsettling, and more often than not, downright scary. Interestingly enough, some of the character progression helps to push this along. Also, it's one of my favorite series anyway, so really, I couldn't not mention it.

Call of Cthulhu:Dark Corners of the Earth- My reason for this was, though the story was far from an accurate rendition of the original H.P. Lovecraft masterpiece, it was sort of mixed and matched with other novels of Lovecraft's in time for it's video game debut. Though, this could easily have been the biggest mistake the writers even made during production, somehow, it wasn't. This mixing of several of Lovecraft's novels didn't hinder the story as it very well could have, but instead, it had the appearance of making the entirety of the Lovecraft universe come together. It literally brought a great number of Lovecraft's novels to life, and God was it fun to finally see what the Shaggoth actually looked like.

There are, of course more, knowing me, I've probably got some lengthy patch of text to accompany it, but I really can't think of anything else at time of writing.

CoverYourHead:
The original KOTOR. Some of the best characters ever, and the plot was outstanding.

Agreed. Being the Bioware fanboy that I am, I also have to say Mass Effect.

October Country:
In my opinion Gun had a very good story and interesting characters as did Fahrenheit (Indigo Propehcy).

Agreed on Indigo Prophecy. Its too bad all the subtlety left halfway through. And I'm not quoting Yahtzee, it really did.

xitel:
I am ashamed that none of you have mentioned Breakdown yet. That is far and away the greatest video game plot ever conceived.

I liked breakdown, the weird mindtrips were creepy.

darkstone:

xitel:
I am ashamed that none of you have mentioned Breakdown yet. That is far and away the greatest video game plot ever conceived.

I liked breakdown, the weird mindtrips were creepy.

Like the one where are your flesh comes off your arm? Or my personal favorite, the one where you walk into a destroyed room with a bunch of talking blood spatters on the columns.

FFVII, Shenmue II

captain awesome 12:

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:
I don't care what Yahtzee says: I still think that the plot in the Metal Gear Solid series is the best EVAR!

I'd have to agree that the basic plot to them is great. However it's the complicated filler and poor writing that pollutes an otherwise fantastic story.

Poor writing?

Actually I find it quite fun trying to figure out what the whole point of "the complicated filler" is.

Many consider the dialogue and such to be poorly written. It's been documented in detail in other threads so it wouldn't make sense to write it out now. The main point is that it takes an hour to explain something that could have only taken a few minutes, and the player isn't really allowed to discover the plot for themselves, they have to run around until another cut scene tells them everything. For most though, "the complicated filler", like having every character in the series make a cameo in MGS4, isn't fun for most people. I sometimes enjoy following it, but it can seem so oppressive. The one knock people can honestly give Metal Gear Solid is that its plot is overly complicated and twisted, and it's like that because of poor writing. If Hideo Kojima would stick to the main plot and keep it clean, throw in a few twists, and boot the 90 minute cut scenes out the door the game would have been more approachable by new players.

Hrmph! I don't like seeing my favourite game-series being bashed upon, even if it's more of a slight poking than bashing, but I understand what you mean and I won't disagree.

For me it comes down to either Half-Life or Mass Effect for personal favorite.

I tend to love a games plot for for its presentation than anything, like in Half-Life you are simply the guy in the middle of it all, but you really don't know whats going on. Where did the combine come from? You don't know, and you don't have to know. It's nice not being the all seeing eye for once.

As for Mass Effect, I absolutely adore the somewhat cliché sci-fi universe which, if you take your time and read through everything given to you, is much deeper than is needed for the main story. Throw in a superb, unpredictable main story, fantastic characters and relationships, and Bioware's innovative new way of presenting dialogue, and you have an amazing story with an amazing presentation.

MGS DOES have a good story, but besides MGS3, I find the drawn out cutscenes, the multitude of characters, and all the little things you have to keep up on in order to understand the story just a little confusing. Maybe it's because I've only beat MGS3, watched MGS4, and never gotten very far on MGS2, but I find it just a little hard to follow.

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:
I don't care what Yahtzee says: I still think that the plot in the Metal Gear Solid series is the best EVAR!

I'd have to agree that the basic plot to them is great. However it's the complicated filler and poor writing that pollutes an otherwise fantastic story.

Poor writing?

Actually I find it quite fun trying to figure out what the whole point of "the complicated filler" is.

Many consider the dialogue and such to be poorly written. It's been documented in detail in other threads so it wouldn't make sense to write it out now. The main point is that it takes an hour to explain something that could have only taken a few minutes, and the player isn't really allowed to discover the plot for themselves, they have to run around until another cut scene tells them everything. For most though, "the complicated filler", like having every character in the series make a cameo in MGS4, isn't fun for most people. I sometimes enjoy following it, but it can seem so oppressive. The one knock people can honestly give Metal Gear Solid is that its plot is overly complicated and twisted, and it's like that because of poor writing. If Hideo Kojima would stick to the main plot and keep it clean, throw in a few twists, and boot the 90 minute cut scenes out the door the game would have been more approachable by new players.

Hrmph! I don't like seeing my favourite game-series being bashed upon, even if it's more of a slight poking than bashing, but I understand what you mean and I won't disagree.

Oh no I love Metal Gear Solid. I'm not bashing or poking it really, I'm merely pointing out some of its shortcomings (okay kind of a poke). I believe it is one of the best games series ever, and I definitely think that Metal Gear Solid 4 deserved GOTY honors, instead of GTA4. The characters are some of the best in gaming (I love Solid Snake), and the cinematic moments are fantastic. The game is beautiful, the missions diverse, I just wish there were more of them.

To avoid repeating what others have already said: Legacy of Kain! Yeah, ok, Blood Omen 2 sucked big time, but the rest were good, at least as far as the plot goes.

Star Ocean 2 was amazing until we hit that bullshitty revelation that our world is a giant video game made by people from the fourth dimension (there, I just saved you the quickest and most disappointing cutscene in the game).

And of course we can never forget the classic princess-saving antics of Mario, now, can we? <3

Mostly Harmless:
Grim Fandango was fantastic. It still has the my favorite plot line in a video game after all this time. The character were great the locals were excellent and some of the themes in the game were very thought provoking. Tying in death with flowers? That's just messed up. And I loved it.

Right there with you!

Silent Hill 2 has the most perfect horror plot ever.

Chrono Trigger is brilliant simplicity.

Xenosaga is pretty good if you like complicated storytelling.

MsDevin92:
Star Ocean 2 was amazing until we hit that bullshitty revelation that our world is a giant video game made by people from the fourth dimension (there, I just saved you the quickest and most disappointing cutscene in the game).

And Dragon Quest VIII, because it seemed like a cross between an extremely classic fairy tale (palace guard teams up with thief, magician, and healer to save transformed princess he loves from evil sorcerer) and yet something that was experimenting with the classic fairy tale (like, say, the demon-possessed dog).

And of course we can never forget the classic princess-saving antics of Mario, now, can we? <3

Lets not forget that the good guys lose horribly until the very last battle.

Halo. Super soldier, aliens and stuff.

captain awesome 12:

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:

captain awesome 12:

Areani:
I don't care what Yahtzee says: I still think that the plot in the Metal Gear Solid series is the best EVAR!

I'd have to agree that the basic plot to them is great. However it's the complicated filler and poor writing that pollutes an otherwise fantastic story.

Poor writing?

Actually I find it quite fun trying to figure out what the whole point of "the complicated filler" is.

Many consider the dialogue and such to be poorly written. It's been documented in detail in other threads so it wouldn't make sense to write it out now. The main point is that it takes an hour to explain something that could have only taken a few minutes, and the player isn't really allowed to discover the plot for themselves, they have to run around until another cut scene tells them everything. For most though, "the complicated filler", like having every character in the series make a cameo in MGS4, isn't fun for most people. I sometimes enjoy following it, but it can seem so oppressive. The one knock people can honestly give Metal Gear Solid is that its plot is overly complicated and twisted, and it's like that because of poor writing. If Hideo Kojima would stick to the main plot and keep it clean, throw in a few twists, and boot the 90 minute cut scenes out the door the game would have been more approachable by new players.

Hrmph! I don't like seeing my favourite game-series being bashed upon, even if it's more of a slight poking than bashing, but I understand what you mean and I won't disagree.

Oh no I love Metal Gear Solid. I'm not bashing or poking it really, I'm merely pointing out some of its shortcomings (okay kind of a poke). I believe it is one of the best games series ever, and I definitely think that Metal Gear Solid 4 deserved GOTY honors, instead of GTA4. The characters are some of the best in gaming (I love Solid Snake), and the cinematic moments are fantastic. The game is beautiful, the missions diverse, I just wish there were more of them.

You had me speechless with this last one, so I'm just gonna let a happy face express myself.

:D

I like Metal Gear's story the best, it taught philosophy to me! It had well developed characters, and you actually cared about them. Even though I never played MGS4, I heard people mashed triangle at the microwave scene, cause they wanted Snake to live. I think that shows that Snake is that developed, and that gamers would sacrifice their thumbs so Snake could save the world.

Blair Bennett:

harhol:
Objectively: Silent Hill 2

I wouldn't be able to narrow it down to an individual storyline that I thought was better than all others. But the Silent Hill series is easily one of my all time favorites. In fact, I think that the entirety of SH 1-3 were all quite fantastic. But, as I said, I wouldn't be able to choose one game or series that I thought was far superior enough to justify them being my favorite. Not saying that none of them are good, by any stretch of the imagination, but some of my favorites are as follows:

SH Series- You already knew this, I chose this simply because the story really is fantastic. It focuses a lot on the protagonist as they fail in few endeavors, and succeed in even less. However, the story line still makes adequate room for its supporting characters to be further developed. Most of the time, it's pretty damn unsettling, and more often than not, downright scary. Interestingly enough, some of the character progression helps to push this along. Also, it's one of my favorite series anyway, so really, I couldn't not mention it.

Although I enjoy each of the storylines for the series, Silent Hill 2 is head, shoulders and chest above the others. The corridor before the final fight almost made me cry.

Gets my vote.

I'm going with Silent Hill 2. It's a psychological game and after finishing it you still aren't sure of what happened or what to believe. Loved it.

Silent Hill has some great stories, but in terms of plot, I think 4 might be my favorite (heresy, I know). I also loved the storyline in No More Heroes, Kingdom Hearts, Loz: Majora's Mask, and even SSBB.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.

The entire game is just a story being told by the prince (except for the final battle), and in the end, nothing happens between him and Farah, or at least it never happened after that big rewind.

So you actually really feel disappointed as if you were the prince himself.

Saphatorael:
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.

The entire game is just a story being told by the prince (except for the final battle), and in the end, nothing happens between him and Farah, or at least it never happened after that big rewind.

So you actually really feel disappointed as if you were the prince himself.

I second this. SoT is my faviourite story line in a game, and my faviourite game. People will tell you that the main story is about The Prince and Fara trying to shut away the sands of time and stop it from speading all over the world. Buts thats not it at all. Its a love story, one thats told in a simple, funny, cute way.

Its not awequad or annoying, as its not long sinfully boring speaches or anything. Its a believable relationship in a bizarra fantastical situation. Its only helps that Fara and the Prince are both very well characterised, the prince especially, the lovable prick. One of the few situations in a game where the main character is twat and you love him, because he's very humanly flawed.

CoverYourHead:
The original KOTOR. Some of the best characters ever, and the plot was outstanding.

Oh! Nearly forgot that one!

windfish:
Link's Awakening. Back in 1994, it made us think, like, hard, about the consequences of our actions.

Damn... forgot this one as well.

I cried a little at the ending... it's an amazing game for being on the Gameboy.

ORiginal KOTOR, before KOTOR 2 when when their wasnt a a story, it was almost like original trilogy quality

Bioshock, Fable 2, Portal, Gears 2 and Mass Effect.

I would definitely go with Fire Emblem 7 because of the immensity of it all and that all characters have a back story and they are all unique!!!

Stubbs the Zombie: Rebel Without a Pulse has a cute storyline. I smiled at the ending

I recently fell in love with Persona 4. It's nice to play a JRPG where I'm not saving the world for a change of pace.

Halo Fanboy:
Halo. Super soldier, aliens and stuff.

Halo's story was good until the second game. After that it went downhill.

Mass Effect, Bioshock, KotOR, and GTA 4 all had great plots. It won't get much better.