Flower
First is a game that, while not having a narrative in a traditional sense, still manages to pack one heck of an emotional punch. Not only are there no characters or an explicit storyline, there’s actually only a grand total of two controls: aim and… make the wind blow.
Easily the most abstract game on this list, Flower sees you literally play as a petal, flying though air, collecting other petals as you go. Set loose on drab, dead surroundings, every petal you collect eventually breaths life back into the world. It’s a simple premise, but as you venture from picturesque nature into the ugly horror of industry and cramped cities, it becomes a sweeping, emotional journey.
With an incredible musical score that actually builds throughout each level with each petal you collect, Flower showcases the power of intense visuals when paired with the right music. It’s something developer ThatGameCompany would then go on to explore to even a greater degree in their next game, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves.
