Summary
RPGs are known for their rich writing and detailed worlds, and include some of the best games in the industry when it comes to immersion and roleplaying. Every player can expect great characters and deep,intricate narratives when it comes to RPGs, but another essential part of the genre comes in the form of reactive world events. There’s nothing that quite creates the same sense of immersion as direct results from a player’s action - and that’s exactly what reactive world events entail.
Whether it’s branching narrative choices, faction alliances, political decisions or completely random encounters, reactive world events are an essential part of what makes the RPG genre so good. It’s through the player’s decisions that the world around them is shaped. Whether for better or worse, the worlds in these video games will directly react to the player’s choices and gameplay. Some gamers might opt for a heroic route, creating ripples of positivity wherever they tread. Others might opt for a more chaotic route, plaguing their RPG worlds in complete darkness. There is endless fun and experimentation to be had when it comes to reactive world events in these fantastic RPGs.
WhilstAlpha Protocolreceived mixed reviews when it launched back in 2010, it was a revelation when it came to reactive world events, world building and player-based consequences. This is a lesser known espionage titledeveloped by Obsidian Entertainmentwhere every choice has an impact on the overall game world. A small example is different weapon customization and unlocks based on how the player opts to experience the game, either more stealth-oriented or all guns blazing.
Depending on dialogue choices, relationships with various characters will vary significantly, ultimately determining whether many NPCs become allies or enemies. This then has consequential effects on the rest of the world, including faction alliances and reputations. Positive responses might lead to new missions or negative responses might lead to restricted access. Choices such as saving or assassinating political figures, or hushing or exposing major conspiracies will inevitably affect the ending of the game, and change the whole world as the player sees it. More uniquely,Alpha Protocolalso features reactive world events where major organizations might shift their power dynamic based on the player’s decisions.
The Outer Worldsis a fantastic sci-fi RPG that gives the player complete freedom in how they approach the game. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment,The Outer Worldpresents a dystopian future focused on consumerism and corporate authority. This is a great title that perfectly uses reactive world events to impact both the narrative and gameplay. There are multiple forms of reactive world events present, but one of the best is the environmental consequences. Players will often see increased or lowered military presence based on their actions.
The player can choose to align themselves with a number of different factions, where their alliance choice will ultimately affect trade opportunities andcompanion friendship levels. There are also multiple choices presented to the player throughout both the main narrative and various side quests. The fate of multiple characters, and sometimes whole settlements, often hangs on these choices. Further reactive world events include consequences for the player’s reputation, where a higher reputation might mean better shop discounts, or increased hostility from NPCs if they have a lower reputation.
All theFallouttitlesinclude reactive world events in some shape or format, but it’sFallout: New Vegasthat carries the most weight and utilizes the most opportunities to present these. As with most RPG titles, narrative choices will ultimately affect the whole world, butFallout: New Vegasdelivers an even more nuanced take on reactive world events.
Quests, choices and endings are riddled with moral ambiguity, so the player might often be unsure whether they have made good or bad choices throughout their gameplay. It’s rare that players will complete a quest without a reactive world event playing out, often resulting in the untimely demise of certain NPCs. Decisions will often present environmental reactions, turning settlements against or in alliance with the player. This is an intricate, detailed world where the player actively contributes to its building and lore.
Dragon Age: Originspresents a unique way of approaching reactive world events from the very start of the game - the origin system. In thisfirst entry in theDragon Agefranchise, players can choose their own race and class, ranging from Humans to Elves and Dwarves. Each of these has an individual story and changes the way the world reacts to the player, including interactions with NPCs.
On a broader scale,Dragon Age: Originspresents multiple choices for the player to make which will directly affect the world around them. Forcing the player to choose between factions and ideologies presents the player with many difficult choices, all of which can change the ending of the narrative and the way the world treats the player. It’s an ever-evolving reactive world that is written as the player progresses.
Fable 2is the critically acclaimed sequel toFableand expanded on its predecessor in many great ways. One difference, in particular, was its greater focus on reactive world events, withFable 2creating a living and breathing world that directly changes based on the player’s choices and playstyle. These events include regular consequences, such asbranching narrative choicesand different quests, which are often found in the genre. However,Fable 2introduced further impacting mechanics to RPGs.
Some of the best examples of reactive world events inFable 2come in the form of both environmental and economic impacts. In the sequel, players can buy their own property and essentially manage a business, which in turn can ultimately affect the whole economy of a town based on how a player chooses to rent, buy or sell properties.Fable 2also presents the player with unique choices that directly ripple throughout the world. One such choice involves choosing to restore either the Temple of Light or Shadows. One will greatly benefit the town of Oakfield, the other, well, much less so! It’s a great use of a reactive world event that will stick with the player for the rest of the game.
One of the best RPG titles ever made,Planescape: Tormentis a fantastic example of how to effectively utilize reactive world events in a video game. This is a deep,multi-faceted and philosophical RPGdirectly revolving around player choices and consequences, and how the game world reacts to them. One of the best examples of reactive world events here is how players might choose to restore power in the Sigil. Based on these choices, new areas might open up and NPCs will treat the player differently.
Planescape: Tormentfeatures one of the most extensive dialogue trees in gaming, effectively allowing players to shape The Nameless One’s (protagonist) personality. This can affect the world through means of positive or negative reputations. If players have a lawful or evil alignment, the world will react in drastically different manners, ranging from different quest outcomes to hiring different companions. Each faction in the game has its own ideology which the player can choose to align with or discard. Certain alliances with factions can either benefit the overall world, or negatively impact the game by increasing enemies.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntpresents an array of reactive world events that spawn from the player’s decisions. One of the best RPGs made in recent years, players have grown extremely fond of Geralt and his incredible adventures, no doubt because of the rich and detailed world filled with branching narratives and unique quests. There are major decisions that drastically affect the outcome of the central narrative, whether for better or worse.
The choices and consequences are often severe, and many players will often regret their decisions almost immediately. Some great examples of how the world reacts are centered around the fate of Whoreson Junior and the leadership that resumes over Skellige. Sparing or killing Whoreson Junior will greatly impact the overall crime world in Novigrad, whilst the decisions made during the King’s Gambit questline will determine who rules the land of Skellige, an important part of the latter narrative. Whilst players progress through the game, their general approach will also cause the world to react. Killing or sparing certain monsters can influence the public perception of witchers. Clearing bandit camps can lead to new trade opportunities and allies. Thereactive open worldis constant and greatly detailed.
If there has ever been an RPG franchise most intricately connected to reactive world events, it would most certainly be theMass Effectseries. It’sMass Effect 3in particular that focuses the greatest amount on these events, not because it’s necessarily the best title in the franchise, but because it’s the culmination of the entire trilogy.
Every choice the player makes throughout all 3 entries is felt throughout the narrative in this conclusion. No matter if players have opted for paragon or renegade choices, reactive world events will play out regardless. From political tensions, alliances, and enemies, to full-scale wars, invasions, and character deaths, the reactive world events presented in this masterful franchise are effective, emotional, and incredibly impactful. There is weight to each and every decision the player makes, and these decisions ripple throughout the universe like the butterfly effect.
