Marking 10 years of Narrative Games

Narrative video games are known for their compelling storytelling and ability to create memorable experiences. Staying with a player long after the game has ended these games continually engage and inspire audiences in new and exciting ways.

Ahead of the 10th Narrative Game Award being given out this year we take a quick look back at some of the games that have won before…

The first game to be awarded the Narrative Game BAFTA was Inside in 2017. A puzzle platform horror game where you play as a boy who is hunted and alone it draws you into a world for intrigue and brain bending challenges.

More recently, in 2025, fantasy role-playing game Metaphor: ReFantazio sees players drawn into a journey, complete with fairy companion, to lift a curse from a kingdom’s lost prince. Full of adventures focused on facing fears and awakening magical powers.

Other narrative games that have captured the imagination in the past decade include adventure led Night in the Woods, full of exploration and the discovery of hometown secrets. Mystical combat adventure where you battle Norse creatures God of War, and Dungeons and Dragonsesque role playing saga Baldur’s Gate 3.

• The Alters
• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Reflecting on this year’s entries and nominees Des Gayle, Deputy Chair of the BAFTA Games Committee, says: “One of my key observations is just how different each of these games are from one another. We have a combination of AAA and indie, established brands and new IPs, experienced developers and first attempts fitting on a spectrum of light to dark storylines. To see such a diverse crop reach this phase is a strong signal that the industry’s narrative creativity flows freely, and that excellence- our key and only judging criteria- surfaces independently and objectively, uninfluenced by advertising or the weight of a brand.”

Discussing the power of narrative in games Greg Kasavin, Creative Director of 2021 Narrative Game winning Hades says:

“The interactive nature of video games means they can let us experience a character’s trials and tribulations almost as though they were our own, creating powerful stories and emotional experiences. The BAFTA Games Award for Narrative recognises these pioneering achievements, which push the medium to new heights.”

And Wren Brier, Creative Director of 2022 Narrative Game winning Unpacking, adds:

“BAFTA’s Narrative category is special because it gives blockbuster games with epic cinematic stories, and small experimental games trying to do something new with the medium, an equal opportunity to shine.”

The 2026 BAFTA Games Awards with Google Play winners will be announced on Friday 17 April on Twitch and YouTube. The awards, which are voted for by our expert membership of over 1,400 experienced professionals, celebrate the very best games of the past year and the talent who make them.

Get ready ahead of time by exploring this year’s nominees and share which games you are most excited about with us on socials by tagging @BAFTAGames.