Video games have redefined how I experience storytelling

Comment - Oskar Haugen

At a community summit regarding the future of Destiny 2, one of the creators said they were considering shifting towards video essays about narratively focused games. To emphasize this, they said that “games are the best medium to experience great stories”. This quote has been on my mind ever since, because I agree with them.

Concept art of a fantastical environment in Destiny 2 for the expansion Final Shape. Photo: Eric Pfeiffer / Bungie

Vast, fantastical experiences

Games are an incredibly interactive medium. The way they let you intimately explore these vast, detailed worlds filled with life, while experiencing fantastic stories that really stick with you. The majority of narratives that I remember very fondly come from games, as they let me really experience the world they’re set in through the eyes of my own character, or from the perspective of the main character.

In some games, such as Destiny 2, Elden Ring, and Baldur’s Gate 3, you — the player — and your character become the central figure in the story. In contrast, other games place you in the role of a pre-written character, allowing you to experience their journey and narrative arc. Examples of this include Joel from The Last of Us, Kratos from the God of War series, and Geralt from The Witcher series.

These games, and many more, have stories and experiences I fondly and vividly remember, and have become some of my favorite narratives across gaming, cinema, TV, etc. Scenes like the heartbreaking prologue from The Last of Us, the exhilarating heist on Arasaka Tower in Cyberpunk 2077, or the intimate memories you make during your playtime in Breath of the Wild. These games are in many respects very different, but have still provided me with standout moments in gaming that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Elden Ring is a stellar example among many of the expansive worlds and stories video games allow players to lose themself in. Photo: FromSoftware

Eyes up, Guardian!

A very recent moment for me that I want to highlight, that I know will stick with me forever, was the final fight against the Witness at the end of the Final Shape expansion for Destiny 2, and the cutscenes that followed. This was the culmination of nearly ten years of storytelling, with the last five years being fantastic to experience. I started playing when the expansion Shadowkeep was released in 2019, but quickly caught up with the story and lore, as the universe created by Destiny 2 developer Bungie quickly became one of my favorite fictional universes.

Deep lore that spans back millions of years in-game, combined with the fantastic storytelling that came out with each season and expansion I played, hooked me right away. Experiencing stories that hit close to home in their themes, deep characters and character arcs, having my own character experience everything that unfolds, making allies with former enemy factions, etc. Having all this conclude in a phenomenal and emotional ending, is something I’ll always remember and look back on fondly. I’ve cried from stories in games before, but that ending really hit me. All the emotion from the years past, combined with a highly engaging mission, incredible music, and finally winning after all these years. It was one of those endings where after it was all over, I just sat there, speechless, eyes dry from ugly-crying for the past 15 minutes. I’ll never forget it.

Destiny 2 has cemented itself as my favorite game, with one of the best stories I’ve ever experienced. Bravo to Bungie for creating — and continuing to craft — such a deeply engaging story for as long as I’ve played the game. A true once in a lifetime gaming experience for me.

The characters (from left to right) Zavala, Ikora, Crow, and my Guardian and Ghost celebrating the defeat of "The Witness" at the end of The Final Shape in Destiny 2.
Screenshot: Oskar Haugen. Copyright: Bungie

Go play great games!

As a final note, I want to circle back to that initial quote. To me, video games have become an important part of the media I interact with on a regular basis. Not only is it my hobby, but gaming has become my favorite way to experience a narrative. I’ll always love stories presented through TV and film, but personally I find that the way games make you intimately experience these narratives make me enjoy said stories even more.

I highly recommend checking out narrative gaming experiences, especially those from within the last 10 to 15 years. You won’t regret it.