Total War: Warhammer II. With a rich lore based on the Warhammer Fantasy universe, the campaign mode has a long - running story. You control different factions, each with their own goals and storylines, and the battles and political machinations create a complex and engaging narrative.
Fallout 4. Set in a post - apocalyptic world, it offers a long - form story. You are searching for your kidnapped son while exploring a desolate yet interesting world full of factions, mutants, and quests that contribute to the overall narrative.
'Plague Inc.' has an interesting story from a different perspective. As a pathogen, your goal is to infect and wipe out humanity. The game progresses with various strategies you can employ, and as you do so, there are little snippets of news and information that build up a sort of 'story' of the global pandemic you're creating. It's a unique take on strategy and storytelling.
Civilization VI. It has a great single - player experience with a story that unfolds as you build your civilization. You start from the Stone Age and progress through different eras, facing various challenges like wars, diplomacy issues, and technological advancements. Each decision you make shapes the story of your civilization, and there are also historical events and leaders that add depth to the narrative.
For strategy lovers, RimWorld is a great choice. It offers deep strategic gameplay in terms of colonist management, combat, and base building. You need to plan carefully to ensure the survival and growth of your colony. Another is Anno series. These games focus on building and managing a large - scale civilization, with elements of economy, trade, and military strategy. Stonehearth is also good as it requires strategic thinking in building your settlement and protecting it from threats.
One of the best is 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'. It has an incredibly rich and immersive story. You play as Geralt, a monster hunter, in a vast open world filled with political intrigue, moral choices, and complex characters. The main story quests are engaging, and the side quests often have their own mini - stories that are just as captivating.
For action lovers, 'Apex Legends' is a great free Steam game with a story. It's set in a sci - fi universe where teams compete in a battle royale. While the main focus is on the fast - paced action, there's an underlying story about the different legends, their abilities, and how they came to be in this competition. It gives a bit of depth to the otherwise action - packed gameplay.
Civilization VI has a great story in the sense that as you play, you're writing the history of your civilization. You start from a small tribe and build it up over time. The interactions with other civilizations, the technological advancements, and the historical events that occur as you progress all contribute to a unique story that is different every time you play.
Stardew Valley is a wonderful choice. It has a simple yet charming story. You inherit a run - down farm and work to build it up. Along the way, you interact with the local villagers, form relationships, and uncover little secrets about the town. It's very easy to get into and has a relaxing story.
For me, 'Bioshock Infinite' has one of the best stories on Steam. It takes place in the floating city of Columbia, with a plot full of twists and turns. You get to explore a unique and beautifully designed world while uncovering the mystery behind the city. 'Mass Effect' series is also notable. It offers a vast and immersive story where your choices actually matter and can shape the outcome of the entire galaxy. 'Portal 2' is great too. The story, although not as grand in scale as some others, is really clever, with a lot of humor and interesting characters as you solve puzzles in the Aperture Science facility.
The 'Tomb Raider' series on Steam also has great stories for adventure fans. In the rebooted series, Lara Croft's origin story is told in a very engaging way. She starts as a young and inexperienced adventurer but grows into a tough and resourceful heroine. The exploration of ancient tombs and the mysteries within them are all part of a great adventure story.