The gaming world is vast and diverse, with plenty of stories being told in different genres. One particular element that some developers have delved into is the concept of memory, which is not only a deep part of the human experience but a very interesting gameplay device when used well.
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There are a few titles that stand out in this seemingly niche subset of games, excelling in their goal of providing compelling narratives and riveting ways of implementing the idea of memory. We dive into the best games about memories, and how they all tackle the idea while being substantial releases in their own right.
10A Memoir Blue
A Memoir Blue is a very short and sweet adventure, having a runtime that should be no longer than an hour even if you’re a completionist. The art and soundtrack are beautiful, with simple gameplay that manages to be unique in how it moves the game forward.
The story is compelling to go through and finds immersive ways of drawing you into the protagonist’s story by way of her memories. The way you get connected from one memory to another is interesting each time, and you can’t help but feel entranced from start to finish. As you go through the ups and downs in Miriam’s life, you can’t help but feel the magic, heartbreak, and wonder of it all.
9Remember Me
Remember Me is a great cyberpunk action-adventure that still holds up a decade after its release. The game itself is fun as it blends different mechanics and elements to build the world around it. The narrative also draws a thought-provoking look at how memories can be commodified.
The whole driving factor that affects society inthis dystopian futureis the Sensen implant, which lets users upload and remove memories from their mind as they please. On that note, protagonist Nilin is a rebel whose own memories have been wiped. One of the most engaging mechanics in this game is the memory remix, which is the ability to significantly alter an individual’s memory in order to affect their disposition and other factors. The mechanic itself is innovative and fun with plenty of outcomes, but its moral implications also make good food for thought.
8Observer: System Redux
InObserver: System Redux, you are a “neural detective” that uses tech implants to scan people’s minds and hack into their own brain implants. A major method of finding out clues and interrogating people is by way of memory hacks. Given that this is actually a re-release ofObserver, there are even more quests to discover.
The memory hack is implemented in a really cool way in the game, especially when things start messing up due to both mechanical issues and the state of the individual’s psyches. These psychologically driven sequences arevery much horror-oriented, so it’s always a tense experience getting through each one.
7Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
TheSilent Hillseries has long been a hallmark of quality horror gaming. The scares are genuine and feel earned, the monster design is well thought-out, the stories are gripping, and the environment is constantly unsettling.Silent Hill: Shattered Memoriesamps up the series’ feelings of helplessness and themes of suppressed memories by introducing psychotherapy segments that affect the rest of the game and completely removing the ability to attack the monsters that plague you.
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Although this is one of the more forgotten titles in the series, it’s still a top-tier ride in terms of its story and scare factor. It’s worth noting that it’s also largely considered as not canon, but that doesn’t take away from the interesting perspective it brings.
6The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
If you’re looking for a game full of mystery and eggs you on to explore, then you’ll want to check outThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter. There’s a mix of clue-finding and supernatural interaction here, but it essentially combines these elements to go through the memories and past interactions of the major characters that make up the main issue you are trying to solve.
Every beat of this game can keep your attention, even as the tale gets increasingly grim notes added on as you go. Although the gameplay is minimal, the whole journey is beautiful in large part to its environment and story.
5Mind Scanners
Mind Scanners is all about, well, the mind. As a Scanner, you treat different mental illnesses among the population toserve your government. Whether you do your best to follow the Hippocratic Oath or you end up being a slave to propaganda depends on your own choices.
There are multiple threads in this game that can lead to vastly different endings, but it all boils down to who you interact with and how you approach treatment. With the various tools you have to “cure” such afflictions, you always run the risk of erasing memories, depleting personalities, and causing physical harm to your patients. Cost, risk, and morality all come into play when dealing with such fragile things as sanity and memory.
4Stories Untold
What makes Stories Untold so good is that you may enjoy the various “tapes” on their own separately, but they become even better when taken on in succession. Each tape introduces its own style and gameplay mechanics that fit the story being told, but the threat that connects all of these together is how they deal with the mind and how our brain deals with traumatic memories.
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It’s best to go into this game without knowing any explicit details, especially since it does a great job of combining meaningful gameplay with rich atmospheres that get under your skin. Whether or not you like the retro vibe, this is one of those games you simply cannot miss.
3Unpacking
Unpackingis simple, adorable, and relaxing. All you have to do is unpack boxes as you decorate the various homes of the protagonist at different stages of her life, making it the perfectcozy game to chill with on the couch. After each level, you get a snapshot of your handiwork that marks another chapter in the scrapbook.
It’s a cool way of telling a story without any need for dialogue, relying on how powerful the environment and one’s stuff can be in showing major changes and giving minute details. It’s quite fascinating to see how such a seemingly simple game manages to go through memories to paint a whole picture of the person you’re playing and how their feelings and interests have shifted over time.
2Observation
You’re not actually a human in Observation. Despite that, the game still finds a way to make memories a crucial aspect of your gameplay.
Here, you take on the role of SAM, an artificial intelligence on a space station that has had a catastrophic event. Now, you must find out what happened to the system and the crew by going through the paste and trying to recover your own memory cores. The story is great and creates a palpable uneasiness throughout the game, which is only served further by some engaging mechanics and splendid voice work.
1Hindsight
The entire premise of Hindsight is looking into the past. It does this in a genuinely artistic way, using perspective to peer into various objects that connect to relevant memories. From the moment you start up this game, you are immediately drawn in by how it plays with movement and angles to tell its tale.
The actual gameplay never feels complicated, so you are left to mostly take in the visuals, sounds, and narrative being presented to you. It feels more like an interactive art piece but sets it up in a way that doesn’t feel lacking. There are many trippy elements and relatable topics in this game, so it’s truly immersive despite the minimal mechanics.
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