Summary
- Tough choices in RPGs force players to make agonizing decisions with far-reaching consequences.
- Dilemmas like saving family or friends add layers to games, investing fans in emotional narratives.
- RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age pose difficult choices that tug at players' emotions, immersing them in the story.
Role-playing games are known for featuring incredible stories that will keep players on the edge of their seats. Most of these titles involve plots with massive scopes and immensely high stakes.
8 Games That Redefined Player Choice and Consequence
Manhy modern games now put player agency and consequence of choice at the center, but there are some titles that helped define this gameplay mechanic.
Some of the best RPGs that players can get their hands on involve some agonizing decisions that are very hard to make. Most players will either be pondering these choices for a while or check online to figure out the pros and cons of each decision, making it clear that these games succeeded in getting fans invested with their writing.
Does Wyll Sign Over His Soul To Mizora To Save His Father?
Either Way, This Character Won't Have A Happy Ending
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Wyll is one of the more interesting characters in Baldur's Gate 3, having signed a contract with Mizora, a demon who grants him powers but also requires him to obey her will. This leads to a turning point in Act 3, where Mizora will either help the player save Wyll's father or doom him to an early grave.
Both decisions are hard to make, even if players have the option to save Wyll's father without Mizora's help. However, not only will she make things harder for the player, but it's implied that she will continue to haunt Wyll even if he succeeds in this goal.
Let Buddy Be Mutilated Or Lose Three Party Members
LISA Is Full Of Such Painful Choices
LISA: The Painful
- Released
- December 15, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- RPG
LISA: The Painful doesn't shy away from forcing players to make tough choices. Players are pushed into situations where they must choose between a person's life or Brad's belongings, his arm, or anything else along the same lines.
However, the toughest decision is when Brad must choose between three of his companions' lives or letting Buddy be mutilated. It's a harrowing decision that hammers home the bleak nature of this world and forces players to make an awfully hard decision.
Choose A Culprit In Every Act
Makes Pentiment A Truly Heartbreaking RPG
Pentiment
- Released
- November 15, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Pentiment is a game full of tough choices. Players have limited time to investigate during every act before they must eventually point out a suspect with the clues they have. However, Andreas will almost never have the full picture and must deduce his target based on incomplete information.
7 Games That Make You Do Awful Things
These games push players to make horrible decisions by doing despicable things.
The game doesn't give any closure on whether Andreas pointed out the right culprit or not until the very end, which can be agonizing. Players must ensure that their investigations are thorough before they can single out a suspect, following which they'll doom someone who is probably innocent to an early grave.
Save Kaiden Alenko Or Ashley Williams
A Tough Choice To Make Midway Through The First Mass Effect
Mass Effect
- Released
- November 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Mass Effect wasted no time in ingratiating people to its world and the characters that live in it. It also forces players to make many tough decisions, including an infamous moment in Virmire where players must decide the fate of two squadmates.
Depending on Shepard's choices, either Ashley or Kaiden will die during this mission after coming under heavy fire. It's not an easy choice to make, especially if players aren't romantically inclined towards either character because of Liara's supremacy.
Decide Which Parent Dies
A Surprisingly Tough Choice In A Comedy Game
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
- Released
- October 17, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Mature Humor, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
As hilarious as South Park: The Fractured But Whole is, fans will be surprised when they have to make an agonizing decision when it comes to their parents. Both their mother and father have been fighting throughout the game, culminating in a scene where players must gather a DNA sample from one of the two parents, effectively killing them in the process.
To add to the scene's disturbing hilarity, both parents hate each other so much that they'll actively wish for their spouse's death. As one would expect, killing either parent makes for a brutal sight that is perfectly in line with South Park's twisted brand of humor.
Marry Off Asalia To An Abusive King Or Face A Siege With Limited Forces
One Of The Many Tough Choices To Make In Yes, Your Grace
Yes, Your Grace
- Released
- March 6, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Sexual Content
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Life Simulation, Management
Yes, Your Grace is an excellent amalgamation of genres that's held up by a riveting story and beautiful pixel art. The final stretch of the game sees King Eryk preparing for an invasion as they form allies and try to withstand a siege for multiple days.
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This makes for a challenging end to the game, where players can choose to form an unsavory alliance with a king who is guaranteed to treat their daughter horribly. However, for the sake of their survival, players must either marry Asalia off against her will or take their chances against an invading force that can tear them apart.
Save Hawke Or Alistair
Long-Time Dragon Age Fans Will Remember Struggling With This Choice
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Long-time fans of the Dragon Age series hate one particular decision in Dragon Age: Inquisition that made them tear their hair out. During a tense story mission, the Inquisitor must make the choice of leaving either Alistair or Hawke in the Fade.
This is a very tough decision to make. Alistair is a companion players spend many hours with in Dragon Age: Origins, while Hawke is the protagonist of Dragon Age 2 and a character many players will have a personal connection with. It's understandable if players pause the game to take a moment before making this horrid decision.
Rewrite Or Destroy The Geth Heretics
The Paragon Or Renegade Bifurcation Doesn't Do Justice To This Tough Decision
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Mass Effect 2 is full of amazing story beats that will leave fans wanting more. If players don't mind sacrificing a few of their crew members, they can aid Legion in a Loyalty quest where players must tackle a bunch of Geth heretics who can poison their hive mind.
This will lead to a decision where players can either brainwash or destroy these heretics. None of these decisions are easy to make, and the Paragon-Renegade divide seems like it's mocking players at this very moment.
35 RPGs With The Most Romance Options
One of the standout features of an RPG is the option to do anything you want, even fall in love. These titles feature a wide array of romance options.