Choice and Consequence
Ongoing coverage on Choice and Consequence.
Latest coverage
Exodus Receives 40-Minute Gameplay That Dives Deep Into Paladin and Immortal Choices
Archetype Entertainment has released a 40-minute gameplay video for their upcoming RPG, Exodus, showcasing a mission involving difficult choices between a 'Paladin' and 'Immortal' path. The video also features an updated look for the male protagonist, Jun, with the developer expected to reveal the female version and character creation details soon. Exodus is slated for release on April 7th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Mass Effect: Universe Would Involve a Multiverse by Including All Choices From the Originals – Rumor
Details have emerged regarding the canceled Mass Effect sequel, reportedly titled Mass Effect: Universe, which would have incorporated player choices from previous games to create parallel timelines and alternate universes. Former developers discussed the ambitious scope, which included a new customizable protagonist, a galaxy set 600 years after Mass Effect 3 with new factions, and gameplay elements inspired by Hitman and John Wick. The article also touches on the potential for a live-action TV adaptation and the future of the Mass Effect IP.
Mass Effect 5 would have let players generate alternate timelines based on their choices in previous games, according to…
Details have emerged about BioWare's cancelled Mass Effect 5, which would have featured a sophisticated system for importing player choices from the original trilogy to generate alternate timelines. Franchise Technical Director Romain Toutain explained that the game, initially codenamed Mass Effect Universe, aimed to give players "absolute autonomy" by dynamically solving logical equations based on player decisions. The ambitious plans for handling player choice and its consequences have led to disappointment over the game's cancellation.
Farewell BioWare, you inspired so many of us, and you deserved so much better than this
BioWare, the acclaimed developer behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Baldur's Gate, has been closed by Electronic Arts. The studio's closure follows a history of critical and commercial disappointments like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, despite its significant contributions to the RPG genre. The article laments the loss of a studio that shaped industry trends and created deeply emotional experiences for players.
The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Will Have Differences if You Finish Blood and Wine First
The upcoming expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled Songs of the Past, will feature story differences based on whether players have completed the Blood and Wine expansion. Developer Fool's Theory confirmed that while players can start the new content after the base game, choices and dialogue will reflect prior expansion completion. The expansion, set to release in 2027, aims to explore Geralt's relationship with Dandelion.
New Growth walkthrough and Underhill choice guide for Control Resonant
This guide provides a walkthrough for the 'New Growth' quest in Control: Resonant, focusing on helping Doctor Underhill with her experiments. It details the steps to collect test equipment and track down test subjects, and explains the choices players can make regarding reporting Underhill to the FBC or allowing her to continue her work. The guide notes that the choices have no long-term consequences and that players receive the same rewards regardless of their decision.
CD Projekt Red worked backwards from Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's brutal final choice "and rewrote scenes…
CD Projekt Red's associate game director Pawel Sasko discussed the development of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, highlighting the shift to multidisciplinary teams and the inspiration drawn from spy fiction. He detailed how the team worked backward from the expansion's final choices, ensuring clearer consequences for player decisions compared to the base game.
Ontos is a game about rats, liars, and lying rats. At least, I think that's what it is
Ontos is a narrative-driven game that explores themes of deception and moral ambiguity through difficult choices, as experienced in a Gamescom preview. Players encounter numerous rats and must decide their fate, with options ranging from freeing them to causing them harm. The game aims to present players with weighty decisions that may have significant repercussions, though the preview suggests the decision-making might be too obvious at times.
Exodus steps out of Mass Effect's shadow with combat that builds on BioWare's RPG and a galaxy that I'm…
Exodus, a new RPG from Archetype Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast, shows promise as a spiritual successor to Mass Effect. A 60-minute combat-focused demo highlighted engaging gameplay mechanics, a compelling cast of companions, and a deep universe with unique 'Awakened' species. While the full impact of its choice and consequence system remains to be seen, the game is shaping up to be a highly anticipated RPG.
Should You Spare Isbrand In The Blood Of Dawnwalker – Our Rotten Roots Guide
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker details the "Our Rotten Roots" quest, focusing on the decision of whether to spare or abandon the ancient vampire lord Isbrand. It outlines the quest's progression, including the battle against Isbrand and the choices players can make regarding his fate, with rewards such as the Piercing Shriek ability regardless of the outcome.
Should you free Franco in the Judge and Executioner mission? - The Blood of Dawnwalker
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker's 'Judge and Executioner' mission details the choice regarding the character Franco. The article explains that freeing Franco leads to the betrayal and death of the group, advising players to keep him imprisoned for a safer outcome.
Dispatch Developer Helped Craft Until Dawn 2’s “Deeply Layered” Story
Firesprite has partnered with AdHoc Studio, the developer of Dispatch, to craft the deeply layered narrative for Until Dawn 2. The game promises rich characters, tough decisions, and gruesome deaths, with choices impacting the story down the line. Until Dawn 2 is set to launch on January 28th, 2027, exclusively for PlayStation 5.
Should you take or destroy the blood in Ambrus' blood cellars? - The Blood of Dawnwalker
In The Blood of Dawnwalker, players face a choice in Ambrus' blood cellars: destroy the blood or collect it. Collecting the blood provides vital healing vials for combat, which is described as difficult. The article notes that the consequences of this choice are not yet clear, but suggests destroying the blood is the moral option while collecting it is pragmatic.
Should you spare Xanthe in The Blood of Dawnwalker?
This guide for Blood of Dawnwalker details the consequences of sparing the vampire Xanthe during The Cycle of Love quest. Sparing her avoids certain enemy encounters and a nightmare sequence in the final castle assault, but killing her unlocks the Blood Surge ability. The article also discusses the fate of Xanthe's daughter, Chariklea, depending on the player's choice.
Should you throw Leonica's notes in the fire in The Blood of Dawnwalker?
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker explains the choice between burning Leonica's notes or giving them to Anca. While both options have minor narrative consequences, letting Anca have the notes successfully dispels the magic, though it's implied she suffers for it. The choice ultimately has little mechanical impact on gameplay or romances.
Should you stay to learn latin with Anca or go in The Blood of Dawnwalker?
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker advises players on the choice between studying Latin with Anca or proceeding directly to Mass. It recommends choosing to go, as studying Latin offers no apparent in-game benefits and consumes valuable time.
Should you force feed your mother in The Blood of Dawnwalker?
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker explains the choice regarding whether to force-feed your mother, Esme. The article details the in-game dialogue options and concludes that both choices lead to the same outcome, suggesting players avoid the distressing sequence of force-feeding.
Should you invite Ambrus in The Blood of Dawnwalker?
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker discusses the choice of whether to invite the character Ambrus. Inviting Ambrus results in him making comments throughout the game and offers minor assistance in the final boss fight, with no significant impact on abilities or corruption. The decision hinges on whether the player believes Ambrus deserves redemption.
The Blood of Dawnwalker review: Protect ya neck
The Blood of Dawnwalker from Rebel Wolves offers an ambitious take on the action RPG genre, blending vampire themes with a narrative structure that emphasizes player choice and consequence. Despite some frustrating combat and movement issues, the game's engaging story, strong voice acting, and impactful decisions make it a compelling experience.
Recension – The Blood of Dawnwalker
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a strong debut action RPG from Rebel Wolves, featuring vampires, difficult choices, and a ticking clock, despite a shaky start and technical issues. The game draws comparisons to The Witcher 3 due to its developers' backgrounds and its dark, Eastern European folklore-inspired setting.
