Shooters with a good story?

[Gunstar Green]

I'm going to second Tyrian for the PC. Best of all it's free at GOG.com.

[BoringSupreez]

Don't forget Half Life 2 (& episodes.) It's a mixture of story and atmosphere, and not text based. Not worth playing for story alone, though.

[Hobie-wan]

Don't forget Half Life 2 (& episodes.) It's a mixture of story and atmosphere, and not text based. Not worth playing for story alone, though.

Not FPS sir.

[dunpeal2064]

Don't forget Half Life 2 (& episodes.) It's a mixture of story and atmosphere, and not text based. Not worth playing for story alone, though.

Not FPS sir.

Gah, someone mistaking shoot 'em ups and fps is like nails on a chalkboard.

I was just playing MUSHA last night (fucking sweet ass game)

It seems to have more story than most, but sadly, the only affordable copy I could find was jp, so I don't know if the story is actually good or not.

Thunder Force V has a lot of cool information about the bosses and your mission and such in each level.

[EllertMichael]

Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku Tachi (2003, CAVE)

In the year 2054, chaos spreads over the globe as global warming finally exacts its toll on Earth: the ice caps quickly melt, causing a tremendous series of cataclysms and for entire nations to disappear under the sea. The near apocalyptic setting and the quickly depleting resources of the remaining dry lands force nations into constant war, eventually culminating into World War III; all efforts by the United Nations to cease hostilities are twarthed by a seemingly endless supply of technologically advanced weaponry being sold to each side of every conflict. After investigation, the source is tracked back to EVAC Industry co.ltd, an arms dealer who's been reaping tremendously high profits from the situation, at times directly intervening to fuel the hostilities with utter disregard towards human lives; any attempt to negotiate with the board of directors has utterly failed, the earnings having proven high enough for the company to build its own cities, shipyards, defensive emplacements and even a private airport, to the point of assembling its own army of extremely well equipped mercenary troops.

Being unable to enter the fray officially, the UN sets up a strike team of four pilots, each pair given one of two advanced helicopters: the plan is to simulate a rebellion within EVAC forces and bring down the company's headquarters, where research on a series of tremendous warmachines is taking place; for this reason, the planes both bear EVAC insignia and callsigns and are built according to stolen prototype blueprints - by no means, in success or failure, must the operation be traced back to the United Nations. However, for all this secrecy to be effective, even in victories the assault choppers will have to be destroyed... and the pilots killed. However, to compensate for their sacrifice, the UN shall fulfill one of their wishes, no matter what it is. And this, onboard a stolen EVAC carrier plane, is how the story begins...

So, even if you win the game, your pilot is still killed. Heavy.

[dunpeal2064]

Damn, Ketsui is so savage. Thanks for that! It goes so well with the dreary feel that you get playing it.

I always wondered what the hell is going on in Dodonpachi. I don't notice any story in any of them (probably because I can't 1cc them), but it seems like shit is going down.

Don't Ketsui and DDP take place in the same universe? I remember reading that somewhere. Then again, I also remember reading that time-travel happens in DDP, so who knows.

[Gunstar Green]

Don't forget Half Life 2 (& episodes.) It's a mixture of story and atmosphere, and not text based. Not worth playing for story alone, though.

Not FPS sir.

Gah, someone mistaking shoot 'em ups and fps is like nails on a chalkboard.

I was just playing MUSHA last night (fucking sweet ass game)

It seems to have more story than most, but sadly, the only affordable copy I could find was jp, so I don't know if the story is actually good or not.

Thunder Force V has a lot of cool information about the bosses and your mission and such in each level.

There's really not much story to speak of in the English version of MUSHA anyway. Still a fantastic game though.

However, Gaiares for the Genesis actually has quite a bit of story if I recall.

[dunpeal2064]

Thats right, Gaiares does have a crazy story. So damn difficult too.

[scarper]

Radiant Silvergun, if you can speak asian language and avert having to pay for an actual copy. Shooters typically have "excuse plots" since development is more focused on action and killing you.

Some of the later Parodius games for hilarious plots. Also, Parodius for it being a hilarious series.

[dunpeal2064]

Radiant Silvergun, if you can speak asian language and avert having to pay for an actual copy. Shooters typically have "excuse plots" since development is more focused on action and killing you.

Actually, if you have access to XBLA, you can get Radiant Silvergun for $15, and that one has subtitles.