1. The Last of Us (Naughty Dog Studios)
One of the top-selling and highest rated titles of 2013, this PlayStation exclusive chronicles the journey of Joel and Ellie, a gruff survivor and a wide-eyed young girl, across a United States that has been ravaged by a fungal, zombie-like plague. This game has received acclaim from critics and gamers alike for its powerful narrative, compelling characters and ending that makes a player think about the actions they have taken within the game.

2. Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar Games)
In this quintessential Wild West gaming experience, gamers take John Marston through an open world as he hunts down members of his former outlaw band for the government, permitting him to quietly settle on his farm with his wife. A complicated tale of questionable morals, revenge and salvation with a shocking ending that has kept gamers buzzing for years, Rockstar Games' Western opus is truly one of the finest tales told in games.

3. Bioshock Infinite (Irrational Games)
“Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt” — this sentence kicks off one of the most compelling video game stories that players have ever seen. The player controls Booker DeWitt, a private investigator dispatched to the floating city of Columbia in order to retrieve a mysterious girl for his employers. First-class vocal performances and animation work to bring Columbia to life in a way that many video games have only strived to accomplish.

4. Batman Arkham City (Rocksteady Studios)
The authorities have taken the downtown core of Gotham City and turned it into a giant prison, designed to hold thugs, criminals and some of the most dangerous enemies that Batman has ever faced. Players are able to take control over the world's greatest detective as he investigates the troubles that are brewing behind the prison walls. Featuring foes such as The Joker, Two-Face and Ra's al Ghul, this game stands not only as the high point of licenced games, but one of the best Batman stories written this decade.

5. Mass Effect (Bioware)
This three-game sprawling space epic follows Commander Shepard and his (or her) crew as they aim to protect the universe from extraterrestrial threats. A game where the choices you make are clearly reflected in the outcome of the galaxy and in the fates of the many characters, Mass Effect quickly rose to popularity among gamers for its engaging story and replayability.