I'm looking for games with complex NPCs who are able to have in-depth conversations, especially if conversation options change based on other events in the game. The Ur-example is, of course, Galatea, but I'd also like to see games where conversation is just one of MANY components/mechanics. Parser games preferred, but I certainly won't turn away interesting choice-based suggestions.
Alabaster, by John Cater, Rob Dubbin, Eric Eve, Elizabeth Heller, Jayzee, Kazuki Mishima, Sarah Morayati, Mark Musante, Emily Short, Adam Thornton, Ziv Wities 2 votes "Also by Emily..." [+]"Also by Emily Short (and many others), this could be considered the next step in her conversation design after Galatea. Source code also available. " --Robert Patten... (No comment) [+](No comment) ( - Full review) --Jade68... Vote for this game | |
Pytho's Mask, by Emily Short 2 votes "Detective mystery in a fantasy swashbuckling adventure" [+]"Detective mystery in a fantasy swashbuckling adventure: 80% of the game revolves around complex conversations with numerous NPCs gathered at a party, with dialog options changing as more information is uncovered. And then there are a few traditional puzzles too, for good measure. Did I mention the exquisite worldbuilding?" () --Felix Pleșoianu... "Fantasy romance" [+]"Fantasy romance: Walk around a party and talk to the guests to figure out who's got bad motives. Really loved Valkir and Avril's rivalry." ( - Full review) --Lance Cirone... Vote for this game | |
Best of Three, by Emily Short 2 votes "Grant feels like a real person" [+]"Grant feels like a real person: Grant's expressions and posture change as you talk to him, and certain topics will naturally lead into other ones." ( - Full review) --Lance Cirone... "The whole game is..." [+]"The whole game is basically a conversation with an NPC. Another Short game." --Cryptic Puffin... Vote for this game | |
Violet, by Jeremy Freese 1 vote "Not sure if this..." [+]"Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but the entire game is kind of/sort of a conversation with the narrator. Plus, it's laugh-out-loud funny." --Robert Patten... Vote for this game | |
Blighted Isle, by Eric Eve 1 vote "Many, many topics to be explored aside from the suggested ones." [+]"Many, many topics to be explored aside from the suggested ones." ( - Full review) --Rovarsson... Vote for this game | |
Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires, by Emery Joyce and N. Cormier 1 vote "A really fun..." [+]"A really fun choice-based game in which the primary (but not only) mechanic is choosing the right way to approach a conversation to someone to best achieve your objectives as a glamorous master thief." () --Cryptic Puffin... Vote for this game | |
Blue Lacuna, by Aaron A. Reed 1 vote "One character is..." [+]"One character is very fleshed out. If you want to know the technical details, see the source code and Aaron Reed's paper at http://aaronareed.net/overview-paper-elo.pdf " --Robert Patten... Vote for this game | |
Shogun, by James Clavell, Dave Lebling 1 vote ""Complex social interactions" was my first impression" [+]""Complex social interactions" was my first impression: This story was based on the book of the same name, so of course the NPCs had to be as true to the original work as possible." --mjhayes... Vote for this game | |
Poll created on November 30, 2021