Video games are the most interactive media, where your choices matter. That’s something no book or movie can offer. You, the players, have the power to cause a change in the game’s narrative and story direction. Play your cards right, and you can even influence the fate of specific characters. That’s not something new; that’s a fact. But which games do this best that are worth checking out?
Well, today, we’re gonna give you a whole list of must-play titles you gotta check out if you love these types of games.
Which Games Where Choices Matter Should You Play?
For y’all complaining about shorter lists, today we’re gonna give you a big one. Yep, we’ve got 9 slots to fill, so plenty of room for your favorites to make it on our list of games where choices matter. We got one rule that we’re gonna stick to so that we can narrow down our picks. We only pick one game from every developer/company. Otherwise, the Persona games would just fill up every spot.
Alrighty then, time to unveil the surprises! Let’s find out which games made the cut. Here we go!
9.) Frostpunk
Kicking off the party of games where your choices matter, we got Frostpunk. Not only is Frostpunk’s opening theme iconic as heck, but the gameplay is surprisingly in-depth. The premise is grounded in a degree of realism and offers more complexity than we initially anticipated.
There’s an endless winter; the populace is limited to a handful of people (at least initially), and you gotta prioritize the common good. That last bit is where Frostpunk will get you good. Sometimes, the greater good requires juggling between the grey morality.
Do you put children in manual labor? Or set up a fun little recreational playground, costing precious resources and time, which you can spend elsewhere. This is just one example cause in Frostpunk, you’re basically creating a new world order. Your decisions will shape the morale of the people. The strategic management is on par with the best life simulation games around where choices matter.
8.) The Quarry – One of the Games Where Choices Greatly Matter
If you’re a horror junkie like us, you’ll love and appreciate what The Quarry offers. It’s not only one of the most fun takes on the horror genre, but it’s got deep mysteries like how Silas becomes a werewolf, exactly. Above all, the element of shaping the narrative with your choices and how they matter is what makes The Quarry one of the best games ever.
You literally decide the fate of the playable characters, whether they live, die, or become infected through your actions. Sometimes, you can even indirectly influence certain outcomes because of the butterfly effects of your choices in the early parts of the game. The Quarry pulls no punches; you see the gore and visceral deaths and how cunning the enemies are.
The Quarry is the perfect template for players who want top-tier terrifying horror games with choices that matter. There’s loads of replay value because of the several possible ending scenarios, so get playing.
7.) Lies Of P
Lies Of P is a very interesting entry on our list. You’re getting a blending of genres on top of being one of the best games where choices matter. If you love SoulsBorne games, Lies of P is definitely gonna appeal to you. The game puts its own unique spin on the choice-and-consequence mechanic.
Basically, the different NPCs you meet up with will ask you a question to which you can answer either truthfully or lie. Lies Of P isn’t gonna sugarcoat the fallout from your decisions; you’ll see the results impacting the way the story is shaped.
With 3 distinct endings possible, you gotta try Lies Of P multiple times and stick to either truths or lies. Plus, it’s a good excuse to try different builds and see which one works best for you. There are records you collect, but get this! Your choices really matter because Lies Of P is one of those games where your progress shapes the lore.
6.) Hogwarts Legacy
Single-player games like Hogwarts Legacy don’t usually spring to mind when compiling which ones have choices that matter. Guess what, though? Hogwarts Legacy subverted all expectations. Sure, some, in fact, most of the choices don’t really have that much impact on the overall narrative, but some deeply do.
You’ll see radically different points of view depending on which house you decide to align with. The way questlines open up and conclude also differ in execution as well. Of course, going down the dark path is also a choice that will ultimately alter the fate of the NPCs and Hogwarts at large.
Hogwarts Legacy is a testament to the enduring appeal and longevity of the fan demand for AAA one-in-done games. So, all the live-service enthusiasts executives, it’s time to wake up! People are still clamoring for games with choices that matter, so give us the darn sequel to Hogwarts Legacy already.
5.) Detroit: Become Human
Okay, when it comes to the greatest PS4 games of all time with choices that matter specifically, Detroit: Become Human takes the cake. This game is all about the cause-and-effect situation in every facet of its gameplay. You play as multiple characters with divergent storylines about sentient Androids that intersect. One’s choices drastically might rub the other’s the wrong way.
There are several scenarios where you gotta make split-second decisions in Detroit: Become Human. The fallout from those can be immediate or long-term, but it will happen, and you’ll want to go the other route next time. Thankfully, there’s a flowchart to track your choices so you can backtrack if you want.
Detroit: Become Human is one of the best showcases of games where choices really do matter. Mr. David Cage’s games might not be everyone’s cup of tea since they’re essentially interactive movies more than anything else, but we dig them. The visuals and storytelling are second to none.
4.) The Wolf Among Us
Do you like story-driven games where choices matter? Well, then, Telltale Games made an identity of this niche sub-genre of gaming. In fact, they’re so good that it was a close call between all of their offerings. But The Wolf Among Us stood out more than others. This game’s unique noir-esque aesthetic and presentation, plus the darker take on Fables lore, just made it too good to pass up.
Players take on the role of the sheriff of Fabletown, Bigby. Yep, the big bad wolf himself, except he’s the main character. Sure, some events, okay, most of them in Telltale games are inevitable regardless of your choice. However, in The Wolf Among Us, there are some really diverging outcomes you’ll discover through your actions.
Bigby can be a real humane and emphatic person, or he can be a cunning and deceptive one. Maybe he’s a hothead and gives in to his feral nature when provoked. All these possibilities make The Wolf Among Us one of the must-play games where your choices definitely matter.
3.) Person 5 Royal
Oh yeah, you know this was coming: a list of games where choices matter without Persona 5 Royal? Come on, you know better than that. Okay, so it’s not a traditionally straightforward RPG; Persona 5 Royal does offer plenty of content to check out, including multiple endings.
There’s both a dungeon-crawling and social sim element in Persona 5 Royal. Some of the decisions during critical junctures of the story will be vital. Also, when you find the one confidant you wanna pursue, pay attention to their style, their mannerisms, their aesthetic, their personality, their likes and dislikes. You’ll thank us later for the hint; that’s all we’ll say.
Persona 5 Royal is the definitive anime-style version of dating simulator games where your choices matter. This is truly the one that you’ll pour plenty of hours into. The dialogues, character animations, musical score, and story reveals are just pure spectacle. Every character is written so well that you can’t help but feel the need to dig deeper and learn more about them.
2.) Dragon Age Origins
We love our high fantasy-action RPGs; they’re the best type of games where player choices must matter. The king among them is Dragon Age Origins. This game is the peak fun of the roleplaying genre because you not only shape the fate of the world but also decide how things will play out in the story.
The characters are diverse, and the backstories of every companion and their questlines make them so compelling. Dragon Age Origins will have you at the edge of your seat, as there are twists and turns that you’ll never see coming. Depending on which race your character is, the other NPCs will react to them. Sometimes, you can even use that as an ice-breaker against hostiles.
The point is: Dragon Age Origins is one of the most content-heavy games, and your choices darn right matter. Expect plenty of surprises and different epilogues of all the choices you’ve made along the way. The combat is purely tactical, the visuals are gorgeous, and the musical score is hauntingly mesmerizing. Dragon Age Origins is one of those games that engrain in your memory and heart.
1.) Baldur’s Gate 3 – The King Among Games Where Choices Matter
And finally! We’re gonna cap off our list of top-tier games where your choices most definitely matter with Baldur’s Gate 3. Yeah, this game’s just the best and the most hot and trending RPG out there.
Part of the reason why everyone’s on the hype train for Baldur’s Gate 3 is the sheer diversity of character customization and world-building. But also because it’s one of the most fun RPGS with romance. There’s just no limit to the character pairings and steamy bits thereafter.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, several quests shape up with your decisions. Depending on your choices, every quest can be completed in unexpected ways, or you can fumble up and have to deal with the consequences. It’s these elements that made us propel Baldur’s Gate 3 to the top of our list of games where choices matter.
Final Thoughts On the Best Games Where Your Choices Matter
Well, that was certainly an interesting little collection of games where your choices matter and hold power, wasn’t it? We think so, but really, how do y’all feel about it? Could there be other titles to make it on here? Oh, absolutely, but we went with the 9 we felt embodied today’s theme. Having said that, feel free to express your opinions in the comments below; we look forward to the fireworks.
If you’re still hankering for more games within the same ballpark, don’t worry. We got suggestions for days that you can check out. For instance, take a gander at our top PS4 JRPGS; it’s within the same vibe as today’s list. Welp, that’s gonna do it for today; we’re gonna take off now, but please feel free to check back next time for more lists. Take care y’all, and happy gaming!
