RPGs Where Skipping Dialogue Can Quietly Change Your Entire Playthrough

I get it, not everyone has the patience to sit through every single conversation in a game, especially considering that some characters are just determined to talk your ear off. Although skipping a few conversations might seem like a harmless thing to do, some RPGs have an unpleasant way of using this against you later on.

In fact, when it comes to some titles, paying attention to the dialogue can be just as important as making the right decision during combat. In other words, missing an important part of the game’s conversations can not only cost you some valuable opportunities, but it can also dramatically alter the outcome of the entire storyline.

Disco Elysium

Every Conversation Can Change Your Investigation

Disco Elysium is not like most RPGs, as it does not feature a traditional combat system like we are used to seeing. It revolves around investigations, conversations, and skill checks. You basically spend a lot of time interviewing witnesses, questioning suspects, and conducting investigations until you’re eventually able to piece together all the information around the murder.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)


Start

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)Start

Dialogue isn’t just the way to get information; it’s also connected to your progression. Harry du Bois has 24 skills which represent different aspects of his personality and abilities. These skills can interrupt conversations with suggestions or warnings, and depending on your level, you may gain dialogue options that would not be available for other builds.

Disco Elysium also features the aptly-named Thought Cabinet, which allows you to internalize ideas discovered through conversations. These can alter skill statistics and unlock even more dialogue options. Considering all of this, it’s safe to conclude that rushing through conversations can actually make you overlook more than just some interesting background information, as you might miss important clues, optional investigations, and character development opportunities that help your progress.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Overlooked Dialogue Can Close Off Entire Questlines

One of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s defining features is the way conversations often influence events. Dialogue choices often determine who will become your ally, who will become your enemy, and even play an important role in whether conflicts end peacefully or not. For example, during the first act, players discover the Emerald Grove, home to both a circle of druids and tiefling refugees. However, the druid leader wants the outsiders gone.

Players can investigate the leader’s behavior and discover evidence that connects her to the Shadow Druids, which creates the perfect opportunity to confront her and use dialogue to convince her to turn against the Shadow Druids. That said, if you don’t pay attention to the dialogue, you’ll completely miss this alternate story path. Moreover, skipping conversations with your party members will directly influence your relationships with them, so just like in real life, it’s always a good idea to make those around you feel seen.

Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Missing Key Conversations Can Lock You Out Of Mythic Paths

In Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, the story takes place in a world threatened by demons, and players have to create a character who eventually becomes the commander of a crusade against these creatures. Sure, the game features plenty of combat, but its dialogue system is just as important. Conversations can influence not only important quest outcomes but also relationships and the protagonist’s development.

This becomes especially important when the protagonist gains extraordinary powers, and you have to choose between a few deific identities that provide unique abilities. This is the Mythic Path system, and if you want to unlock all the Mythic Paths, you must complete some specific interactions. This means that if you ignore early conversations, you might discover much later on that your ideal progression route is unavailable.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Some Conversations Have Consequences That Play Out Much Later On

If you’ve never heard of Geralt of Rivia, congratulations, you’ve been living under a rock. He’s a professional monster hunter in The Witcher 3:Wild Hunt, searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is being pursued by a supernatural force called the Wild Hunt. Now that the main premise is out of the way, it’s important to mention that some of Geralt’s encounters have pretty serious consequences that matter immensely in the long term. Although this is one of my favorite things about the game, you should be aware that this is exactly the reason why skipping dialogue could get you into trouble.

For example, when Geralt meets Keira Metz, a sorceress hiding from the authorities, he discovers that she intends to approach Radovid with research concerning a dangerous plague. She believes that this will convince the king to pardon her, but Geralt knows better. In their final conversation, Geralt can convince her to abandon the plan, or allow her to approach Radovid, which ultimately leads to her being executed. There’s also a third possibility, but it triggers a confrontation that makes Geralt kill her himself. Considering all of this, it’s good to set a new rule when it comes to The Witcher 3: don’t skip dialogue!

Mass Effect 2

Overlooking Dialogue Can Have Deadly Consequences

Commander Shepard is a human soldier in Mass Effect 2 who must assemble a team to fight a dangerous alien threat. Throughout the story, Shepard manages to recruit companions with distinct personalities, problems, and goals. Although these characters go on missions with him, they also spend a lot of time aboard the protagonist’s spaceship. This means that between missions, players can converse with their teammates.

During these conversations, your companions can eventually ask Shepard to help them resolve some of their personal issues. Completing these tasks earns the respective companion’s loyalty, which becomes extremely important during the final stages of the game. However, neglecting these conversations and the loyalty missions they unlock can put your teammates at much greater risk during one of the best final levels in gaming.