The Best Examples of Environmental Storytelling

Introduction

Environmental storytelling is a powerful narrative technique that uses a game’s, film’s, or book’s setting to convey lore, emotion, and meaning without explicit exposition. Instead of relying on dialogue or text, it immerses the audience in a world where every detail—architecture, weather, abandoned objects—tells a story. This approach invites curiosity, rewards exploration, and deepens emotional engagement. Below, we explore some of the finest examples of environmental storytelling across different media.

1. “The Last of Us” – A World Left Behind

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us masterfully employs environmental storytelling to depict a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a fungal pandemic. Abandoned homes, overgrown streets, and makeshift quarantine zones silently speak of societal collapse. One particularly poignant moment occurs when Joel and Ellie explore a derelict house, uncovering notes and belongings that hint at a family’s desperate struggle before their tragic end. The environment doesn’t just set the scene—it makes the apocalypse feel personal.

2. “Dark Souls” – Lore Etched in Ruins

FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series is legendary for its cryptic yet rich storytelling, much of which is embedded in its world design. Crumbling castles, forgotten graves, and eerie statues all hint at a once-glorious kingdom now in decay. The placement of enemies, item descriptions, and even the architecture itself reveal the history of Lordran. For instance, the descent into Blighttown tells a story of neglect and suffering, with its rotting wooden structures and poisoned swamps reflecting a society abandoned by its rulers.

3. “BioShock” – Rapture’s Fall from Grace

The underwater city of Rapture in BioShock is a stunning example of environmental storytelling. Art Deco halls now flooded, bloodstained surgical theaters, and haunting audio logs paint a vivid picture of a utopia undone by hubris and genetic experimentation. The environment itself becomes a character, with every corridor whispering secrets of Andrew Ryan’s doomed dream. The iconic phrase, “Would you kindly?” gains even more weight when players realize how much of Rapture’s story was silently guiding them all along.

4. “Journey” – Wordless Emotion in the Sands

Thatgamecompany’s Journey proves that environmental storytelling doesn’t need text, dialogue, or even clear lore to be impactful. The vast desert, ancient ruins, and shifting sands evoke a sense of wonder and melancholy. The towering mountain in the distance serves as both a goal and a metaphor—struggle, perseverance, and transcendence are all communicated through the environment’s beauty and desolation. Players feel the story rather than being told it.

5. “Inside” – A Dystopian Puzzle

Playdead’s Inside is a masterclass in minimalist storytelling. The game’s oppressive, monochromatic world—filled with mind-controlled humans, eerie laboratories, and unsettling underwater sequences—creates an atmosphere of dread and mystery. The lack of explicit narrative forces players to piece together the dystopian reality through visual cues, making every discovery feel like uncovering a dark secret.

Conclusion

Environmental storytelling transforms passive settings into active narrators, enriching the audience’s experience through subtlety and immersion. Whether it’s the decaying grandeur of Dark Souls, the haunting ruins of The Last of Us, or the silent beauty of Journey, these examples demonstrate how powerful a well-crafted world can be. By leaving stories to be discovered rather than dictated, creators invite deeper engagement and emotional resonance—proving that sometimes, the most compelling tales are those whispered by the environment itself.