Western developed games that tackle high concept subject matter and themes?

Submitted by Call_It_Luck t3_z8xhyz in gaming

Hey there. Ive been curious recently, what are some of the upper echelon games, created by Western devs, that tackle some deeper themes, concepts, and philosophies? Many times, people tend to look towards the Japanese market, and JRPGs in particular. Many JRPGs are able to expound on these concepts due to having much lengthier stories than many western counterparts.

Some examples might be:

Ecoterrorism in FF VII

Freudian and Jungian psychological concepts in Xenogears (along with a ton of other themes)

Existentialism in Chrono Trigger

Racism and Class Division in Chrono Cross

The realities of war and the military industrial complex in Metal Gear Solid

etc.

Im curious what western developed games tackle higher end material like this? I know that Bioshock 1 discusses Ayn Rand. Anything else in particular that yall can think of? Also, bonus points if the game mentioned tackles X theme(s) by way of compelling narrative.

I look forward to the suggestions and insight. Thanks!

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eeeeeeeeEeeEEeeeE6 t1_iydvmi4 wrote

themes of loss, regret, redemption, single fatherhood, abuse of power and class, long term effects of war, tyranny, environmentalism, etc.

god of war, and god of war Ragnarok.

themes of mental illness, unreliable narrator, deeper philosophies on the afterlife.

hellblade senuas sacrifice.

themes of narratives themselves, reality control or lack thereof, destiny, Fate unavoidable prewritten circumstance.

Stanley parable, also god of war Ragnarok.

themes of deep subversion and status quo challenging, pacifism, nihilism and the philosophical ramifications of both, deeper insights into consequence itself.

Undertale.

seriously deep existentialism.

soma.

war, exodus and refugee status, balancing of tyrannical government and human empathy.

papers please.

perspectivism, age, insight, wisdom, time and lifespan etc etc.

the way of life.

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strangr_legnd_martyr t1_iydvng7 wrote

Bioshock, as you mentioned, imagines a city governed by the principles of Objectivism, but also heavily features themes like free will.

Bioshock Infinite has themes of American jingoism, religious revival, and class struggle alongside quantum superposition and multiverse theory (the latter of which is core to the game's narrative and mechanics).

Detroit: Become Human explores concepts like free will, self-determination, and what it means to be alive/sentient.

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ricardo9505 t1_iydvtno wrote

Far Cry 5, Religious extremism and 6 , fascism justified by capitalism. The Division series, Viral outbreaks and downfall of society, gain of function research and the dangers, all before COVID happened.

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Aphela t1_iye310t wrote

Planescape torment

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Nova-Drone t1_iydyggj wrote

Some excellent ones have already been mentioned; Detroit, Red Dead 2 and Hellblade are the three I was going to mention

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JaggersLips t1_iye429t wrote

Observer System Redux (Humanism/Consciousness).

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