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Which titles do you think of when you look for games that include "superior narrative" and "tremendous atmosphere"? I can think of three different ones which all fit the bill. Games that reward you the more you invest yourself in them. Games with compelling theme that is realized through graphics, music and story in concert.
Low linearity, high RPG elements: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Medium linearity, medium RPG elements: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
High linearity, low RPG elements: BioShock Infinite
VTM - Bloodlines is a completely fleshed out RPG with a bit of a horror movie vibe. Very high replay value from a combination of different clan selection, character building and alternate ending choices. Don't be put off by the 2004 release date, the game has aged gracefully. The only reason you shouldn't play this is if you hate role playing games. For anyone else: This game is a triumph and completely awesome. Save the Malkavian or Nosferatu picks for your second/third playthrough for a wildly different experience. Also this game features probably the single best level design I have ever seen, you'll know what I mean once you complete that particular level (Ocean House).
What really brought DX: Human Revolution home for me, and got me hooked on the world and story, was the somehow very believable future it described. The controversy of "human augmentation" is the focal theme, but I enjoyed the commentary on power of national states versus multinational corporations perhaps even more. Tactical combat is perhaps the most enjoyable of the trio of games mentioned (if you like sneaking then you'll love what this game offers), and the music is a key selling point for me. Linearity is by comparison medium, with many optional objectives and always more than one way to accomplish the task at hand. The boss battles are a little out of touch with the rest of the game, but don't let that bother you.
BioShock Infinite is set in a similar action-shooter format as the other games mentioned, but as an experience it is quite different. A carefully crafted, intricate story and the way it is told makes the game almost like an interactive movie, but it's a bit more clever than that. Don't just rush through it - take it in slowly and reap richer rewards for doing so. Visually the bar is set very high indeed - I think I was running the game at "normal" settings on my Gefore GTX 560 and it looks like nothing I have ever seen in a videogame before (also struggling on the framerate every now and then).
So there you have it - three games with exceptional stories to experience, each with a slightly different focus on RPG elements and linearity. Personally I loved them all and wanted to share this in case you've missed any.
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