Games are an incredible vehicle for storytelling. Over the years, characters in gaming have become more complex and interesting; both protagonists and side characters have a story of their own to tell. Narrative-driven games are particularly good at displaying inner growth. Characters go on journeys (sometimes very painful ones) and have to dig deep in order to grow.
From beautiful, heartbreaking love stories exploring grief and restoration to coming-of-age tales about growing up and moving on, the following games have characters that go on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
6 Unpacking (2021)
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Unpacking is a calming, zen-like puzzle game in which the player must slowly unpack items into a new home. Starting in a childhood bedroom sometime in the '90s, then carrying on through to adulthood, the player will follow the unnamed protagonist as they move from home to home, transitioning through university, then a house share, and romantic relationships (some more successful than others).
Unpacking's storytelling is subtle and quiet; the placement of certain objects gives the player clues, which they can choose to interpret the way they want to. In one level, the main character is moving in with a partner, and it becomes obvious that she is not fully comfortable there. But, just as she can't stay in that place physically, she can't stay there emotionally, either. A surprising and subtle game about the steady process of growing up and finding a place in the world.
5 When The Past Was Around (2020)
A gorgeous, slightly surreal game from developer Mojiken, When The Past Was Around is a beautiful exploration of grief. With gorgeous, hand-drawn scenes by artist Brigitta Rena, this is a point-and-click game where players must discover hidden items and solve puzzles as the story slowly unfolds.
When The Past Was Around tells the story of Eda, living in the aftermath of grief after losing her true love (depicted, in the game, as an owl-man). The owl helps her to move on as Eda delves into her memories in order to heal herself. It's a beautiful story of how to honor a departed loved one, and while it is incredibly sad, it's also lovely to see Eda growing in the face of her grief.
4 Life Is Strange: True Colors (2021)
Alex Chen goes through a lot in Life Is Strange: True Colors. From moving to a new town and trying to find her feet as an adult to grief, heartache, and betrayal, Alex's story is complicated. A huge part of her story is learning to cope with her unusual power: to correctly identify other people's emotions and even take them on herself. Empathy in the extreme.
Alex has to come to terms with her powers, despite never asking for them, learning to wield them responsibly. However, more importantly, she has to be brave enough to delve into her past and, with total, unflinching honesty, revisit what happened to her as she grew up. Watching Alex come into her power all by herself is a moving and emotional experience.
3 Last Call (2021)
An emotionally charged indie game by Starmaidgames, Last Call is a beautiful game on Itch.io that explores developer Nina Freeman's former relationship. Players must explore a half-packed apartment, navigating through boxes lit by slowly flickering flames. Clicking on the flaming boxes reveals items and memories: little chunks of Nina's relationship with her abusive ex begin to unfold, bit by bit.
It's a heartbreaking story at points, as the relationship becomes more hostile and dangerous. Players must speak affirming words into their microphones, phrases like "I see" and "I understand." As the game progresses, Nina realizes she must make an escape plan. Watching her come to this conclusion - and eventually enjoy her freedom - is a beautiful demonstration of self-growth and how, even after the most emotionally devastating thing can happen, people can move on.
2 Life Is Strange (2015)
In the first Life Is Strange game, the player controls Max, a shy, nervous girl who discovers she can rewind time. Of course, these new powers greatly impact Max's life, and she soon learns that using her time-rewinding skills can have potentially devastating consequences.
While Max goes through a period of self-growth in this game - she learns to find her voice and seems to understand herself a little better in the end - it's Max's best friend Chloe that goes through the most dramatic transformation. Chloe is rebellious, out of control, and sometimes extremely selfish. However, as Chloe and Max face a terrifying decision at the end of the game, Chloe shows unprecedented bravery and self-sacrifice, demonstrating how much she has grown as a person.
1 Florence (2020)
Florence is a short, unique game about a woman stuck in a rut. Florence's life is all about routine, and she's bored, unsure of what to do next. Then she meets Krish, and her relationship with him changes everything. Players can watch Florence and Krish's relationship blossom and, eventually, witness how they grow apart.
While Florence has some difficult times, she also learns to pick herself back up again. At the end of the game, she is almost unrecognizable from the woman she was before: braver, more assertive, and more herself than ever. A truly lovely story about letting go and going boldly into the next stage of life.