God of War Ragnarök’s release on November 9, 2022, marks the return of a narrative-based game in the landscape after quite some time. The title centers around Kratos and Atreus’ relationship and a lot of that is based on how they interact and communicate.

From adventure games like 2018’s God of War to indie titles such as Night in the Woods, many other games have also thrived in which character dynamics and immaculate dialogue elevate the gameplay and lore. Redditors have provided valid reasons why they think these games represent some of the finest dialogue and interactions, providing more context to how the characters feel and what their interactions mean for their journey ahead.

Mass Effect (2007)

Spacemen talking to each other in Mass Effect

Redditor lorlorlor666 singles out Mass Effect’s interactions due to “the bonds players can form with squadmates, the ways they can influence NPCs that make enormous changes in their lives.” The RPG title has a morality system where the manner in which players converse with NPCs affects the game’s outcome.

Mass Effect emphasizes the importance of decision-making by basing it around the bonds that the playable character makes with people out in space. The dialogue is bolstered by the performances, as the title is considered to have among the best voice acting in RPG games to date.

Disco Elysium (2019)

Men meeting in an abandoned town in Disco Elysium The Final Cut

Disco Elysium happens to be the highest-rated games released in the last decade, with the game centered entirely around dialogue. Redditor FaeDine thinks that the “writer of that game took the English language and made it into their own.”

Disco Elysium is a murder-mystery where players control a detective who has to figure out the culprit – it has dozens of dialogue trees that determine the outcome of the investigation. The interactions with suspects all carry a distinct pattern that is possible due to the richness of the dialogue.

Soul Reaver (1999)

A masked figure looks to his left in Soul Reaver

Soul Reaver followers the vampire-turned-wraith Raziel, who was betrayed by the vampire lord Kain and embarks on a journey of revenge. The game relies on its dialogue to humanize its protagonist, with Redditor 47Kittens claiming that it “is still one of the best-written games in history.”

Soul Reaver was released at a time when video games didn’t put much stock in characterization, but the title has numerous interactions between the main character and the vampiric supporting characters that are engrossing enough to suck players right into the action.

Planescape: Torment (1999)

A conversation box shown in Planescape Torment

Planescape: Torment is an RPG where players have to guide the protagonist through different realms as he seeks to regain his memories. Redditor Feisty-Interest-6163 claims that they “love that every answer that one can give is marked as a truth.”

The Redditor is referring to the interactions between the main character and those that he comes across in his journey. The NPCs offer answers that are largely ambiguous, yet they all relate to the protagonist in various ways that players have to interpret. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking experience to play Planescape: Torment all the way through.

Red Dead Redemption (2010)

John Marston talking to a woman in Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption is a Western shooter with a major focus on the protagonist’s interactions. John Marston is considered the best Red Dead Redemption character overall, with Redditor 408Lurker loving the game because it “has some of [their] all-time favorite dialogue paired with excellent delivery by Rob Wiethoff.”

Marston comes across all kinds of people in the American Frontier, during which he shares quite a few wise quotes that show how much he’s developed while fending for himself. Red Dead Redemption also features interactions between Marston and his enemies, and these are noteworthy for masterfully separating the outlaw’s heroism from his opponents’ evilness.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004)

A female vampire smiles in Vampire Bloodlines

Redditor Needabiggercoaster writes that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines “has to have some of, if not the best RPG character dialogue writing around.” The game follows the main character as she navigates through L.A. after she’s recently become a vampire.

The interactions with other beings of her new race set the protagonist on the path to accepting who she is now. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines also provides the option of solving problems through non-violent and even manipulative methods, giving the dialogue a multifaceted quality based on how players want to complete the game.

Hades (2020)

Athena talking to the player in Hades

Redditor Memfy writes that Hades is “one of the rare games where [they] looked forward more to what the characters will say than just the action gameplay.” Hades follows the main character’s ascent toward Mount Olympus, encountering many enemies and allies along the way.

The dungeon crawler has a diverse set of characters, with many interesting players capable of engaging in side missions due to their charisma. Those that are meant to be fought provide a solid reason to despise them, which is a testament to Hades’ screenplay as enemy or friend bonds are created purely through the dialogue box.

God Of War (2018)

Kratos and Atreus on a boat in God Of War 

It’s difficult to redeem video game characters meant to be despicable, with Kratos certainly being a detestable protagonist in the original series. Redditor sephone_north credits this change to “games that focus on the story have better dialogue.”

2018’s God of War shifted focus from hack-and-slash mechanics to the relationship between Kratos and his son, as the story is filled with interactions between them that soften their bond. God of War was lauded for focusing on character quality over action, which is entirely attributable to the quality dialogue in place.

Final Fantasy XII (2006)

Characters in the desert in Final Fantasy XII

Final Fantasy XII is set in a world where empires are waging an endless war, during which small-time protagonists become essential in saving their kingdom. Redditor ginja_ninja claims that Final Fantasy XII’s “dialogue is incredible, like a classical play."

The game's general aesthetic is quite striking, giving off a vibe of being set in the Classical Era, complete with character interactions befitting that timeline. Moreover, the dynamic between the protagonists is the story's core aspect, which is why the dialogue carries certain warmhearted sentiment.

Night in the Woods (2017)

Anthropomorphic animals sitting in a bar in Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods is about a young woman who returns to her hometown to find it’s changed dramatically. She gets sucked into an unlikely adventure and befriends people along the way, with the game highlighting these new friendships.

Redditor CaughttheDarkness loved the dialogue because it can go from “blisteringly funny to heartbreaking on a dime, sometimes several times in the same scene.” An aspect of Night in the Woods is the subtext of mental health, as the protagonist comes to terms with her issues through her group of friends. It’s a touching game that tackles its subject matter with appropriate grace.

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