Narration creates more depth to a story and to a playthrough, especially to those who have a hard time imagining things. Some video games have mastered the art of narration by giving us memorable voices to mimic for years to come. Other games could have benefited from an intriguing narrator whether it be to enhance the storyline or to add more entertainment in general.
Playing video games place you into a world that you would otherwise be watching on a big screen or reading from a novel. Narration adds just another level of immersion that changes your overall experience. So here are 5 games that have the best narrators and 5 that could have used one!
10 BEST: Bastion
SuperGiant Games is known for putting a lot of effort into the overall atmosphere and feel of their games. That includes soundtrack, voice acting, and of course narration.
In Bastion, the narrator almost sounds like a western uncle retelling a tale to his nephew on a cold, winter night. He isn’t just repeating what you see, he’s telling us a story with every step we take.
9 NEEDS: Frog Detective
A goofy game deserves a goofy narrator. Frog Detective is complete in its own right, but with a narrator, that sometimes interacts with the detective in his head perhaps, comedy would increase exceptionally!
A self-aware narrator or one who interacts with the detective himself would be highly entertaining. There isn’t any voice acting in the game and being that Grace Bruxner made the entire game herself, it would probably cost more money to have multiple different actors. One single narrator, though…
8 BEST: Divinity: Original Sin II
This narrator is constantly involved in every little part of your experience in Divinity: Original Sin II. From narrating your personal storyline, random encounters that happen to you, to narrating what your lover is doing to you… He’s always there.
It’s almost like you don’t see the disembodied voice as a narrator, or that he is even disembodied at all. The experience flows so smoothly it feels like it’s all part of the same one creative masterpiece. You don’t think about the narrator, he’s just there and it wouldn’t be the same if he weren’t.
7 NEEDS: For The King
With satisfying combat and attractive art design, For The King just needs one more thing… A husky man or a sly woman telling us what’s going on!
While there is a story for all the different modes you can choose in the game, most people aren’t too invested in it and just play for the tactics and action of it all. The game isn’t supposed to be some story-rich genre, but a narrator could add a lot in terms of speaking fighting moves and actions rather than lore.
6 BEST: Battleblock Theater
People weren’t ready for what was in store when this game came out. Taken by surprise, new players were met with an absolutely nutty narrator that they just couldn’t get enough of.
Stamper (the amazing voice behind the game) creates a unique character that drove everyone to purchase the game even if the gameplay wasn’t their style. A cartoonish, fun video game deserves a fun, goofy narrator. Most games go for a serious, manly voice and it’s a breath of fresh air to hear something different.
5 NEEDS: Another Sight
An intriguing tale is unveiled as you play through this game and experience the dark and mysterious atmosphere it has to offer. With the leading lady chiming in here and there to recount memories and state her curiousness, the game never fails to reel you in.
There are a handful of moments in the game where you sit in silence as you traverse through a level and figure out what to do, though. Having someone narrate her curious situation and introduce the moments where she begins to talk herself would add even more depth.
4 BEST: The Binding Of Isaac
A thriller classic such as The Binding Of Isaac was beloved for numerous reasons. One of those reasons could have been that off the bat, you get reeled into a crazy world with the help of an intriguing voice.
The narrator in this game, along with the soundtrack, takes you to another world. It feels as if you just switched on the TV to a dark fantasy movie and you have no idea what’s in store. It’s almost nostalgic in the way that he presents the story.
3 NEEDS: Rusty Lake Paradise
An unsettling, gripping point-and-click. Rusty Lake Paradise is full of challenging puzzles and a sad, strange story about a strange family. Playthroughs of the game are often quiet as there is not a ton of voice acting and you are left to your own devices.
That silence, along with the stares and mutters of these characters, adds to the unsettling and mysteriousness of it all. A full-voiced recount of the story could take away from the eerie feeling, though a narration doesn’t necessarily mean one type of narrating. There are different ways to add more voice to this piece that could enhance the player experience.
2 BEST: Darkest Dungeon
Narrators add depth and understanding to games, but they can also add excitement and encouragement. In Darkest Dungeon, our esteemed voice shouts out our victories and our defeats.
This type of narrating doesn’t take or give away too much from the game. It adds just the right amount to create an addictive and entertaining experience.
1 NEEDS: Cat Quest
Meowing is adorable. We love to hear it, whether it’s from a real cat or a video game one! But with such a cute and addicting game, having a dramatic-anime voice or a burly man’s voice recount the happenings of a kitty game could be what we need next.
Cat Quest is very much elementary for newcomers to gaming, and well, for kids. With an overly-dramatic and self-aware narrator, it might interest even more of the older gamers out there if the cuteness overload wasn’t enough.
NEXT: Disco Elysium Characters Ranked By Intelligence
