By Britt Poteet
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RPG
Related
Fallout 4: 10 Most Memorable Quests
Games Where Your Choices Have Actual Consequences
8 Best Open World Games Where You Travel In A Party
Key Takeaways
- Engage in meaningful dialogue choices to shape the story and your character's personality in open-world RPGs.
- NPCs and companions in games like Skyrim, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, and Dragon Age: Inquisition offer rich dialogue experiences.
- Explore immersive worlds like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3 through well-written, character-driven dialogue interactions.
Open-world games, when done well, offer players an immersive world to explore. With side quests and NPC encounters, you have a lot of opportunities to interact with your environment. With a high amount of autonomy, you typically have various dialogue choices to pick from.
Related
10 Open World Games That Are Best Played Linearly
While these games do offer a whole world for you to explore, it's best if you follow the set path.
Dialogue can make or break a game’s success. As an important aspect of the story, you must speak with NPCs and companions to discover new opportunities. Character reactions, voice actors, and the residual impact of your lines are key to the role-playing experience. Here are some open-world games with the best dialogue systems.
10 Skyrim
Skyrim
RPG
Action
Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:81/100 Critics Recommend:83%
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox One X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , PS5 , Switch
- Released
- November 11, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Creation
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes
- Expansions
- Skyrim: Dragonborn , Skyrim: Hearthfire , Skyrim: Dawnguard
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 29 GB (December 2023)
- Metascore
- 73
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
When Skyrim was first released, it was considered a game-changer for open-world RPGs. Full of unique dialogue, NPCs respond to you with their views and personality, with certain lines resulting in aggression and violence.
The vast dialogue choices throughout the story help with world-building and immersion. The game is still quoted today, with memorable lines like “I used to be an adventurer like you” sticking with players.
9 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Action RPG
Open-World
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:83%
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC , Stadia
- Released
- October 15, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- anvilnext
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 75 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 143 Hours
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey was the first big role-playing game of the series. With a variety of dialogue choices that impact various endings, the dialogue leads to a captivating gaming experience.
The conversations you have help you understand your characters better, and the voice actors provided impressive performances as Axios and Cassandra. With hundreds of NPCs vowing for your attention, you’ll never get bored of trying out various lines.
8 Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Action RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:92%
- Franchise
- Dragon Age
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PC
- Released
- November 18, 2014
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Frostbite
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 45 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 89 (PS4); 85 (Xbox One & PC)
The conversation trees in Dragon Age: Inquisition impact the plot and your relationship with different characters. The dialogue is well-written, providing beloved companions you enjoy engaging with.
Related
Dragon Age Inquisition: 15 Things To Do After You Beat The Game
Dragon Age: Inquisition is such a rich open world RPG that even after you beat the game, there's plenty to be done. Here's what to do!
The dialogue wheel includes icons indicating your tone. This game mechanic allows you to choose various paraphrases that lead to a fully voiced dialogue, with different ways to react and follow up on your choices. Your choices determine the personality of your Inquisitor. While the wheel is controversial among fans, it’s unique and worth highlighting.
7 Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
Action
Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:94%
- Franchise
- Red Dead Redemption
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
- Released
- October 26, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- RAGE
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- yes
- Metascore
- 97
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Cross Save
- N/A
- Cross-Platform Play
- N/A
Red Dead Redemption 2 is seemingly unending, as players are encouraged to forge their path. Praised for its attention to detail, the complex characters you encounter have engaging, unique dialogue that makes you want to learn more about the world around you.
Arthur Morgan, the main character, has some deeply powerful quotes as you get to know his personality through dialogue with other characters you encounter on your travels. Whether speaking to an enemy or a friend, you will hear masterfully crafted character interactions.
6 Fallout 4
Fallout 4 dialogue
Fallout 4
RPG
Action
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:87/100 Critics Recommend:89%
- Franchise
- Fallout
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 10, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Creation
- ESRB
- M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
- X|S Enhanced
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 51 GB (December 2023)
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Cross Save
- no
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
The Fallout franchise has some standout quotes, particularly from the fourth installment in the series. Fallout 4 has a radically different dialogue system than the previous games, including a fully voiced protagonist and various responses in conversations.
Related
Fallout 4: 10 Most Memorable Quests
These memorable quests are must do tasks on your Fallout 4 journey.
These conversation choices are powerful and can impact the way the scenario at hand plays out, particularly when you attempt persuasive lines. Some players wanted to enhance the mechanics and created various mods you can use to further impact the dialogue options.
5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
RPG
Action
Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:93/100 Critics Recommend:95%
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch , PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- May 19, 2015
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 3
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone , The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
- How Long To Beat
- 52 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- yes
- Metascore
- 94
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- verified
- Cross Save
- yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- yes
The Witcher 3 is another open-world RPG full of choices that impact the world around you. The dialogue is straightforward but well-written, and the game warns you if your choice is about to drastically change the story arc.
Throughout the game, seemingly small line choices can change the outcome of the scenario you are in. The NPCs Geralt encounters are more complex, grounding you in the fictional world. The third installment was a massive dialogue improvement from the first games in the series.
4 Life Is Strange: True Colors
Life Is Strange: True Colors
Adventure
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:81/100 Critics Recommend:82%
- Franchise
- Life is Strange
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , PC , Switch
- Released
- December 7, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Deck Nine
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Life Is Strange: True Colors is the first game in the series to offer a true open-world experience. The world is small, but full of complex, well-written characters and situations. Choices and consequences are key to the Life is Strange games, so whenever you choose a line to say you should weigh your options carefully.
Related
Games Where Your Choices Have Actual Consequences
Decisions weigh more heavily when they have real consequences.
As Alex Chen speaks with the residents of Haven Springs, she can feel their emotions and choose to alter them. With various romantic pairings and game endings available, there is a huge amount of potential dialogue for you to uncover.
3 Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium
RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:92/100 Critics Recommend:96%
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia
- Released
- October 15, 2019
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Publisher(s)
- ZA/UM
- Engine
- Unity
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- Metascore
- 89
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
Disco Elysium offers players a chance to change the main character, Harry’s, inner monologue. The police detective has amnesia, so you are in control of the narrative. You make dialogue choices when speaking with other characters as well as hearing your narrated thoughts.
The massive amounts of dialogue trees help determine the outcome of your murder investigation. Various interactions with suspects and criminals are richly crafted, immersing you in the story.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
RPG
Action
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:76/100 Critics Recommend:65%
- Franchise
- Cyberpunk
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox One , Stadia , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 4
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- Xbox Series X|S players can also download Update 2.1 and enjoy all the new content available in the game
- Metascore
- 75
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Cross Save
- yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps, xbox, pc
See at Amazon
Cyberpunk 2077 has a rocky release, but as fans have embraced the open-world game, they have praised it for how well-written and immersive the dialogue is. Your past will change your options, including deception and persuasion, so carefully choose V’s background at the start.
In most scenarios, the dialogue heavily determines the outcome. You can either act with aggression or try to defuse the situation. Color-coded lines indicate whether the option will give you more world-building context or keep the conversation going.
1 Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3
RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:98%
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- yes
- Metascore
- 96
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- Cross Save
- yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't support crossplay
The dialogue in Baldur’s Gate 3 is unmatched by other open-world RPGs. Interacting with characters opens a dialogue cutscene with multiple choices, which may require an ability check. Failing or succeeding can drastically alter the outcome of the conversation.
Outside of cutscenes, party members banter and make offhand remarks, and the cast nailed their voice work. Upon your second playthrough, you will discover dialogue you didn’t hear the first time. The flexibility of the dialogue in the face of so many player-based decisions and party combinations is impressive.
Next
8 Best Open World Games Where You Travel In A Party
Sometimes it's better to explore a vast, open world with a few close friends, rather than go at it alone.
- Triple-A Games
- RPG
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