Games with average storylines but great gameplay
Some games make up for a lackluster story with good gameplay. These are some games with average storylines but great gameplay. A truly admirable game is one with a brilliant story as well as great gameplay that doesn’t get boring. But there are some real gems that gamers should try, despite the story being simply… okay.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
I don’t imply that Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen’s story is bad in any way. However, it felt nonexistent at most times. There were only a few characters that truly felt unique, and the lack of content that connected to the story is disappointing. Admittedly, this game tried to tell a marvelously deep and philosophical story that can be really impactful. The plot itself is really good, and the story the developers had planned is also stellar. The storytelling is where it got messed up.
As for its gameplay, the richness and depth of RPG combat in Dragon’s Dogma are only rivaled by games like Elden Ring. You see games that attempt to reach the goodness of FromSoftware games often, but they all use the Soulslike formula. But Dragon’s Dogma is not Soulslike. It’s an RPG of its own class. In fact, there are very few RPGs with as good of combat systems as this.
Just Cause 3
There isn’t really much to say about the story of Just Cause 3. It’s the good old “I must free my country from the dictator” trope. The gameplay, however, is where the fun lies in the Just Cause games (especially JC2 and 3, because they’re the best in the series).
Just Cause 3 takes place on the huge island of Medici which is packed with settlements, towns, cities, and enemy outposts. The best and most well-known and loved part of the Just Cause games is the gameplay freedom they offer. You can completely destroy enemy structures in a spectacular manner. This is the quintessential Micheal Bay game, except he didn’t have a hand in the development process. It’s a joy to explore the vibrant world and come up with creative ways to crumble the enemy force.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly
Some might argue that Anomaly doesn’t have a story, but that’d be wrong. There are storylines (four of them, in fact). But you must know that this free-to-play game is non-canon, and the storylines are not associated with the brilliant trilogy by GSC Game World.
While I personally consider the original trilogy to be far superior to Anomaly, there is no denying that Anomaly’s gameplay is the best. That’s especially true because you can completely customize the experience. Installing various mod packs can overhaul the entire game. I highly recommend S.T.A.L.K.E.R. GAMMA mod pack.
There really isn’t any other survival FPS game that’s as in-depth and excellent as Anomaly. Plus, it’s completely free. That’s why S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly is the best free-to-play survival horror FPS.
Forza Horizon 5
Okay, so you probably would not expect a racing game to have a good story. Forza Horizon 5 has a plot of sorts, and your character is voiced; which is an unusual but welcome surprise in a game like this. Many story segments throughout the game connect with each chapter, but there’s nothing exceptional to be found there.
The joy of Forza Horizon is in the racing. There are a ton of vehicles at your disposal, each of which can be customized and upgraded to a great degree. The beautiful and dynamic setting of Mexico is probably the best location in a Horizon game to date. You can play this masterpiece for more than a hundred hours and still find a lot of fun activities to engage in. I think it’s safe to say that Forza Horizon is the best racing game franchise today.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a game where you start off as a nobody and rise to the top. The possibilities in the game are practically endless. Almost. There are stories and quests, but that’s certainly not the part that’s most attractive.
While the combat can feel clunky at times, it can be incredibly satisfying to defeat enemies. There’s a wide selection of weapons and armor, which you can upgrade and customize.
Also, one other thing that’s very immersive about Bannerlord (or the previous M&B game, in fact) is the way the world dynamically changes. Politics, warfare, and trading are major parts of the gameplay, and mastering them can take time. But it’s certainly rewarding to master the aspects of the game. The factions of this game are based on real-life ones, and that makes this even more interesting. This is the ultimate game where you forge your own story.
