The Butterfly Effect. The idea is that a tiny butterfly beating its wings could cause a tornado. All decisions have consequences. But when those consequences could mean the death of everyone you love, things get a bit complicated. We’ve compiled a list of our top favourite choice-based games. These are all filled to the brim with lovable characters and heart-wrenching decisions. So, are you ready to accept the consequences of your actions?
10. Life is Strange
Bae or Bay?
Here we have one of my all-time personal favourites! Life is Strange is a choice-based narrative game that follows the story of Max, a young photography student who realises she has the power to turn back time. With the help of your childhood best friend, Chloe, you’ll have to find out why you’ve been given these mysterious abilities. However, as you dig beneath the surface of Arcadia Bay, you’ll find that the secrets it holds are much darker than you thought.
The choices you make completely underpin Life is Strange. With this game, it’s important not to underestimate the power of little decisions. Small dialogue choices affect your story just as much as the bigger ones. I also love the subtlety of some of the consequences, as the game doesn’t only rely on huge game-changing events. Another unique mechanic of Life is Strange is your time-travelling ability, briefly giving you the chance to change your decisions.
9. The Walking Dead
Walker? I hardly even know her!
The Walking Dead is a comic-style choice-based narrative game set at the start of a zombie apocalypse. You play as Lee, a convict whose trip to jail gets interrupted. In this game, you’ll be tasked with the protection of Clementine, a little girl trying to find her parents, as the two of you navigate through a zombie-ridden world. This classic and gripping story is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings.
In The Walking Dead, you’ll have to be careful about who you trust and the information you choose to give away. You’ll be able to build up relationships with characters, choosing who you want to prioritise. Of course, this will impact the future choices they make, too. You know what they say: treat people how you want to be treated. Interestingly, some of the choices you make in the first game actually carry through into the next instalments! So, if you don’t want your decisions to come back to bite you in the next games, watch your mouth.
8. Detroit: Become Human
How far would you go to be free?
Detroit: Become Human puts you in the shoes of 3 androids as they explore overwhelming new emotions. With each character having their own unique stories that intertwine and action scenes that keep you on your toes, this game is a must-play for any choice-based lovers!
Detroit: Become Human has an incredibly intricate pathway system, offering an impressive 40 unique endings. Traversing through a civil war between humans and androids is no easy feat, and you’ll have to choose between getting your message across peacefully or forcefully. You’ll face difficult moral decisions that could completely alter the future of mankind. Remember, there are lives at stake. Choose wisely…
7. Lies of P
It’s just one little white lie. How much damage could it do?
Lies of P is a Souls-style choice-based game where you play as a puppet being guided through the city of Krat. A city plagued by bloodlust and horrific monsters. You’ll have to fight your way through the bloody streets to uncover the secrets of sinister elites. This is an interesting reimagining of the famous character Pinnochio with a unique combat system, making Lies of P perfect for those looking for fast-paced action.
The decision mechanic in this game is based on telling truths and lies. You’ll face untrustworthy characters and difficult situations as you navigate the dark city. You’ll have to choose between comforting people in times of despair or lying to make them feel better. Your story will be carved out by the lies you tell. Or the ones you choose not to tell…
6. Disco Elysium
Yes, I’m a detective. Yes, I sell drugs to kids.
Disco Elysium is an extremely unique RPG where you play as a detective who has the ability to either become a human or a completely chaotic disaster. You’ll be interrogating unique and highly entertaining characters, solving cases, or taking bribes and completely screwing everything up. This game is absolutely hilarious, and it’s definitely something you have to play at least once.
You get massive amounts of freedom in Disco Elysium. With vast amounts of dialogue and action options, you can choose whether you want to flirt, fight, intimidate, dance, or even sing karaoke. You can decide whether you want to actually do your job, become a millionaire, or mess around and have fun. Your life is completely up to you, and absolutely anything could happen. It also has a great community of fans who thoroughly enjoy sharing the wild lives they’ve created for themselves.
5. The Stanley Parable
The only thing that could make this game better is a bucket.
The Stanley Parable is probably one of this list's most unique and baffling first-person exploration games. You play as Stanley, an office worker whose day isn’t going quite as usual. You’ll explore the mysterious disappearance of all your coworkers whilst your every move is being narrated by an unknown voice. You’ll find yourself eager to explore each and every path, enjoying the narrator’s meta-humour as you go along.
Whilst the game’s choice mechanic isn’t as overt as picking between dialogues and actions, it provides considerable freedom. As the narrator guides you through the story, you’ll have the choice of whether you want to follow his direction or not. There are plenty of things to do and endings to explore, with the narrator interacting with you in every path you choose to take. There are 19 endings in The Stanley Parable, and 24 if you choose to play the new Deluxe Edition.
4. Cyberpunk 2077
Have you ever beaten someone to death with a purple dildo?
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world RPG set in the futuristic Night City. You’ll play as V, a mercenary dealing with the consequences of a heist that went wrong. Night City is full of powerful figures and dark secrets, so you’ll need to kit up with cybernetic upgrades if you want to survive the harsh metal jungle.
There are a total of 5 endings in Cyberpunk 2077, including a secret ending. At the very start, you’ll have to choose which life you want. Corpo, Street kid, or Nomad. These will affect your story, relationships, and dialogue. Throughout the game, you can make choices regarding yourself and the people around you. Your choices affect how characters react to future requests and events, so be mindful about who you want on your side. You’ll have the opportunity to romance several characters, so let’s see just how much rizz you have.
3. Baldur's Gate 3
You might get addicted to this one. Just a warning.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a party-based RPG set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. If you’ve been looking for a great fantasy adventure to sink your teeth into, then this is perfect for you. There is corruption inside of you. A parasite. Slowly turning you into a monster. You’ll have to explore a vast and unforgiving world, trying to gain control of your new-found powers as a way to survive.
There are plenty of choices to be made in Baldur’s Gate 3. As the parasite in your head grows stronger, you’ll have the opportunity to fight for your goodness or let evil consume you. This game is full of deep and complex romance paths. Your actions will have an effect on the characters around you, and those closest to you will react differently to whichever path you choose. These relationships are vital to the story and will add weight to your decisions.
2. Dark Pictures Anthology
What’s better than one scary game? Eight scary games.
The Dark Pictures Anthology is a collection of stand-alone horror games all created by the same studio. Once completed, there will be a total of eight games. Meaning that there are still plenty of new ones to come! In these games, you’ll navigate through chilling stories, all with their own unique characters and twists. The anthology can be enjoyed in any order, so don’t worry about figuring out which one to play first.
Choices mean everything in these games. They’ll carve out your story. The fate of you and the characters around you rests in the decisions you make. Many of these decisions are difficult and complex, whilst some appear subtle but have huge impacts on the future. Each game consists of various different endings, so remember to tread carefully and choose wisely. How many games can you survive?
1. The Quarry
The Quarry is a brilliant, new choice-based horror where you control the lives of a group of summer camp counsellors. Unfortunately, you’re stuck in the camp a night longer than expected. What could happen in one night? A lot, apparently. Especially when that night happens to fall on a full moon.
The Quarry is heavily choice-based. Your decisions will completely shape your story, affecting the lives and possible deaths of your characters and those around them. The life of every single person in the camp is in your hands, and the game won’t stop if someone dies. However, the game generously offers a few limited opportunities to redo your decisions if someone meets an unfortunate end. Will you be able to keep everyone alive by the end of the night?
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