Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about video games with unreliable narrators.
What does "unreliable narrator" mean in the context of video games?
It describes a game where the character or voice guiding your understanding of the story—through dialogue, journal entries, or environmental cues—deliberately or unknowingly distorts the truth. The player must piece together what actually happened versus what the narrator claims, often realizing mid- or post-game that their entire perception was shaped by a flawed source.
What are the most commonly cited examples of this technique?
Titles like Heavy Rain, The Stanley Parable, and Silent Hill 2 are frequently mentioned, alongside narrative-driven games such as Disco Elysium and the Metal Gear Solid series. In the horror space, games like Outlast and Until Dawn use the device to reframe earlier events in a jarring way.
How is an unreliable narrator different from a simple plot twist?
A twist reveals hidden information at a single climactic moment, while an unreliable narrator undermines the player's trust in their information source across the entire playthrough. The distortion is structural and ongoing rather than a one-time surprise reveal.
Where should a newcomer start if they want to experience this technique?
The Stanley Parable is a short, comedic, and very accessible entry point that plays with the narrator concept in a lighthearted way. For a deeper, more emotionally invested experience, Disco Elysium or Heavy Rain offer longer takes that let the unreliability build over many hours.
Why does this technique land differently in games than in books or film?
In games, the player is complicit in the deception because they actively followed the narrator's instructions and made choices based on that flawed guidance. This creates a unique sense of personal betrayal or self-doubt that passive media, where the audience simply watches, cannot replicate.
Which developers or designers are most associated with this approach?
Quantic Dream (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls) and Tarsier Studios (The Stanley Parable) are often highlighted, as are ZA/UM for Disco Elysium and Konami's Hideo Kojima for the Metal Gear Solid series. Indie developers working in psychological horror also frequently employ the device.
What are the most common techniques games use to signal unreliability?
Contradictions in dialogue, environmental details that don't match the narrator's description, and recurring motifs that gain new meaning in retrospect are all staples. Some games also use audio cues, color shifts, or gameplay mechanics that become subtly inconsistent as the player progresses.
Is there a single moment in the genre that fans most frequently reference?
The revelation in Heavy Rain where the player realizes which character's perspective has been the unreliable one is a frequently cited touchstone. Similarly, the late-game narration breakdown in Disco Elysium, where the player's own internal voice is called into question, is a go-to example in fan discussions.
How does player agency interact with the unreliable narrator concept?
The player's freedom to explore and make choices can either reinforce or subvert the narrator's version of events, making the unreliability feel personal rather than purely scripted. This interactivity means the "lie" is partly the player's own doing, adding a layer of guilt or self-doubt unique to the medium.
What's the difference between an unreliable narrator and a red herring in games?
A red herring is a specific piece of misdirection about one fact that eventually gets resolved, while an unreliable narrator is a systemic flaw in how all information is delivered to the player. Red herrings mislead you about a detail; unreliable narrators make you question whether you can trust any of what you've been told.