20 Best Video Game Storylines Of The Decade (So Far)

Nier: Automata is not a game you can easily sum up in 200 words. Initially telling the basic story of a battle between humans and aliens (the former of which use machines to do all the fighting for them), the game eventually morphs into something far more complex, completely undermining everything you thought you knew about its narrative. You need to play it three times just to scratch the surface of what’s going on - that’s not an exaggeration.

Though some titles are obtuse for the sake of it, Automata earns just how convoluted its story can get. It all eventually makes sense, and it’s wrapped up in some of the most likeable protagonists of the generation. Despite being robots, A2 and 9S in particular showcase more personality than most human heroes, having to deal with huge questions surrounding the meaning of life, all the while trying not to be killed by giant murder machines.

This is all on top of amazing side-quests as well, each telling their own isolated narratives. In many ways this is where the game shines the most, as trying to help suicidal robots understand their place in the world never gets old.