7 Best Open-World Games with Branching Dialogue Trees, Ranked

Open-world games are full of possibilities for players, as they allow them to choose their own path, use different weapons, and customize their characters and attire to the highest degree. While some titles focus on facing mythical beasts and discovering fantastic worlds, others are more grounded on reality and prism players with interesting narratives that hit close to home.

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Demolishing hordes of enemies and combat can be very entertaining, but having the option to deal with situations through words and diplomacy is also quite welcome—especially when certain words and actions have permanent consequences. Here are some of the best open-world games with branching dialogue trees.

7

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Not The Best Mass Effect Game, But The Dialogue Options Are Interesting

• Players can play as either Sara or Scott Ryder
• Multiple dialogue options available

Although Mass Effect: Andromeda is not the best installment in the franchise, it still presents players with some interesting situations and enticing dialogue options. During the story, players can take on the role of either Sara or Scott Ryder, depending on their preferences.

As it happens in other Mass Effect games, dialogue matters, so players will have to choose their words carefully in every situation to make the most out of it and avoid conflict wherever possible. Granted, sometimes there’s no other option, but it’s a rare occurrence.

6

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Decisions Matter In The Middle Ages More Than Anywhere Else

• Players can take on various roles
• Actions and words help improve stats

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is set during a war in Bohemia in the early 15th century. This game has been critically acclaimed thanks to its RPG mechanics and vast open-world environment that allows players to take on various roles, including Bard, Thief, Warrior and even a hybrid of more than one of these roles.

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One of the best things about this game is that the branching dialogue trees in it not only serve as part of the narrative, but also allow players to increase their stats depending on what they say. This, along with the various bows and other weapons available, makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance a title everyone must play at least once.

5

The Outer Worlds

Exploring The Galaxy While Making Conversation Is Key

• Space exploration with tons of options
• Various weapons to choose from

The Outer Worlds is one of those space exploration games that feels like a combination of Fallout, Star Wars, and basically every RPG with discoverable maps and quirky interactions. Like other open-world titles, The Outer Worlds allows players to explore vast areas with their companions while wielding powerful weapons that they can use to defend themselves.

Spoken interactions are also almost always interesting and allow for various branching dialogue options that will be either locked or unlocked, depending on what players have to say.

4

Cyberpunk 2077

V’s Words Matter For Both Romance And Conflict

• Dystopian futuristic society full of crime and gangs
• Romances rely heavily on words, so players must speak carefully

There’s no denying that many players still consider The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to be CD Projekt RED’s magnum opus. However, when it comes to futuristic dystopian societies run by evil corporations, Cyberpunk 2077 takes the cake, no question.

The game not only features a very interesting narrative with multiple endings, but also powerful weapons, interesting NPCs, and dozens of main and side quests that will keep players invested for hours. Throughout the story, players will have many chances to use their words to handle different situations. Sometimes, saying the wrong thing can even end a potential romance, so every conversation counts.

3

Fallout 4

Sometimes, Diplomacy Goes Farther Than Weapons In A Nuclear Wasteland

• Romance relies heavily on players’ words
• The Boston Commonwealth has many powerful weapons for when negotiations fail

One would think that, in a nuclear wasteland during a post-apocalyptic era, words would not matter as much as ammunition and weapons. However, as Fallout 4 goes to show, having a silver tongue still matters even when every other etiquette rule has gone out the window.

Similarly to Cyberpunk 2077, Fallout 4 relies heavily on what players say to handle different situations and make their companions fall for them romantically. Players can increase their Charisma stat to convince others more easily, allowing them to be more diplomatic and charming. And if words fail, there are several powerful melee weapons to do the talking instead.

2

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Some Monsters Can Be Reasoned With

• If Geralt says the wrong thing, Triss, Yen, and any other romantic partner will take a walk
• Branching dialogue trees means different outcomes for various situations

The Witcher 3 is, without a doubt, one of the best fantasy RPGs of the last decade, as it presents players with a compelling narrative that is only made better by the various side quests available and the powerful steel and silver swords at Geralt’s disposal.

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Geralt’s specialty is killing monsters, not being good with words. However, players must choose their dialogue carefully, as otherwise, any romantic possibilities with characters like Yen, Triss, Shani, and even Keira Metz will be off the table. Not to mention that several other situations will take a turn for the worse for everyone involved in them.

Advanced Speech And A Silver Tongue Can Go A Long Way

• Investing in the Speech Skill can go a long way
• Dialogue can determine the outcome of many situations

Lastly, there’s Skyrim, which, at this point, is not only a timeless classic, but also a game that, despite its outdated RPG mechanics, still manages to shine and keep thousands of players interested month after month.

The Speech Skill plays a pivotal role in many of Skyrim’s aspects, as even some of the best merchants will agree to lower their prices if it’s high enough. Besides, who doesn’t like to have to option to resist the guards in Whiterun and choose to die free rather than live imprisoned?

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