Highlights

  • Difficult game decisions impact player attachment to story and characters, leading to real-life consequences within the game world.
  • In RPGs like Dragon Age and Mass Effect, choices can have unforeseen, life or death consequences for beloved characters.
  • Players face tough dilemmas in games like Fable 3 and Skyrim, questioning morality, ethics, and loyalty in immersive storylines.

Making decisions can be fun, but sometimes it can also be incredibly difficult. That is a real-life fact, but what about decisions in video games? There are some people out there who would say, “How could making a choice be difficult? It’s just a game with no real-life consequence.” The thing is, what they don't take into account is that the player is deeply attached to the story and characters.

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While their choice will have no consequence on reality, it will have a consequence on the characters and the story within the game. If they find they do not like the consequence based on their choice, it’s possible they'll turn off the game and restart from the beginning. That’s a real-life consequence. So here is a list of some of the most difficult decisions players had to make in video games.

Updated on February 24, 2024, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: We all love RPG games because we can freely explore them and enjoy the adventure. But what about when they include choices that affect the story? This list is updated with new formatting and added new entries to some of the most difficult decisions in an RPG game.

12 Dragon Age: Inquisition

What To Do At The Well Of Sorrows?

Dragon Age Inquisition - Abelas at the Well of Sorrows

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PC
Released
November 18, 2014

In this instance from Dragon Age: Inquisition, all you know going in is that drinking from the Well of Sorrows will bestow power upon you. Depending on the companions you bring, you get different amounts of information. For example, Cole tells you that you will always be hearing voices. Sera thinks the water will possess you. Solas wants nothing to do with it and will not elaborate as to why either.

You have the choice between you or Morrigan drinking from the well, and Morrigan is more than willing. So not only are you measuring the consequences on both of these characters, but you also have to decide whether you trust Morrigan with the power or not.

11 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Which House Should You Pick?

Fire Emblem Three Houses the three young leaders of different nations

Platform(s)
Switch
Released
July 26, 2019

While there were a few people who already picked out a favorite leader from the marketing, it’s probably fair to say that most people had no clue who to choose when it came time to pick a house in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Every choice is equally good, and each brings with it a whole host of fascinating friends to make.

The fact that you get to spend time getting to know each of the leaders while also going around to speak to the various students lets you see who you’ll connect best with. If you’re like most people, you just don’t want to have to leave a cool friend like Bernadetta or Ingrid out of all the fun.

10 Mass Effect 2

Who Takes Risks On The Suicide Mission?

The Normandy rushes through space to reach its final terrifying destination

Platform(s)
PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC
Released
November 20, 2007

The Mass Effect series is filled with difficult decisions that have huge unforeseen consequences down the road. While a list like this could be home to more than a few of those decisions, one of the absolute toughest is actually a series of decisions that come at you rapid fire in the Suicide Mission.

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Forget a single choice, the final segment of Mass Effect 2 throws multiple choices at you that directly impact who will live and who will die. Considering most Paragon Shepards aren’t going to want to lose any of their crewmates, delegating which member will undertake which job becomes an unnerving affair.

9 Undertale

To Pacifist, Or Not To Pacifist?

Undertale Screenshot Of Flowey Remembers Your Actions And Says You Regret It

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS Vita , Xbox One , Switch , PC
Released
September 15, 2015

Most people may not think of Undertale as one of those games filled with difficult choices, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Considering the game has a number of endings to experience based on your actions, it’s clear that making the decision to either be a maniacal murderer or an expert conversationalist won’t be easy.

At this point, Undertale has become famous for the unique ways you can play it, leading many players to weigh their options. Whether it is best to experience the game as peacefully as possible, or better to play it as you would any other RPG is a question that only you can answer, but it’ll be a struggle.

8 Fable 3

Save Everyone Or Let Them Die?

Fable 3's cover art of a man with a flintlock reaching for a crown

A huge ethical question humanity has dealt with is "Do the ends justify the means?" Fable 3 took that question and made it the driving force of the game's plot. The decision is an umbrella over a bunch of little decisions. All you know is a devastating threat called the Darkness is coming to Albion, so you need gold to fund Albion's defenses.

The easiest way to get gold is through obvious evil choices, such as destroying land for gold or turning an orphanage into a brothel. If you pick a good decision, you lose gold, even if it's better for the world. By the end of the game, you may not even be sure if the choice you made was the right one.

7 Stardew Valley

Who Should You Marry?

Two Characters Getting Married in a Ceremony in Stardew Valley
VIA: Reddit

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , PC , iOS , Android , PS Vita
Released
February 26, 2016

Pretty much everyone who picks up Stardew Valley ends up falling in love with the game sooner or later. While there’s a lot to love from a gameplay standpoint, there’s all the more to love about the many town inhabitants and their unique stories.

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As you make the best farm this side of JojaMart, you’ll begin befriending the many villagers, and eventually, find you have some affection for them. Deciding exactly who should you put a ring on is no easy task thanks to just how wonderful the whole cast of characters ends up being.

6 Baldur's Gate 3

Who Should You Romance?

Baldur's Gate 3 Karlach Romance Scene

Platform(s)
PC , PS5
Released
August 3, 2023

Baldur's Gate 3 is packed with choices, big and small, that greatly impact the story's direction. The options for exploration and decision-making feel nearly limitless, but one of the toughest decisions revolves around choosing a romance partner.

With numerous companions available for romance, it can take longer than expected to decide who to pursue. Each player's preferences shape this choice differently, as they consider what qualities they seek in a romantic partner. While it may seem like a small decision, choosing a romance profoundly influences the relationship dynamics between the characters. Trust us, it's a big deal.

5 The Witcher 2

Vernon Roche Or Iorveth?

Vernon Roache arrives alongside Geralt

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox 360 , Linux , macOS
Released
May 17, 2011

This choice from The Witcher 2 is about whose companionship is more desired. Geralt has to choose between two fan-favorite characters, Roche or Iorveth, to spend a solid chunk of the game with. What makes this decision difficult is that it determines many of the things that happen to you throughout the game.

Your choice will take you to a completely different area with unique characters and quests for you to find. Besides choosing different paths, which guy do you like hanging out with more? Then there's the question of which cause is more righteous. Is helping the oppressed elves or advancing Temerian interest more important to you?

4 Skyrim

Should You Kill Paarthurnax?

Skyrim Paarthurnax Sitting On A Word Wall

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox One X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , PS5 , Switch
Released
November 11, 2011

The real decision behind whether or not you kill the mighty dragon Paarthurnax in Skyrim is really whether you want to hang out with the Greybeards or the Blades. It's also worth pointing out that there is a bit of a moral implication in the choice as well. Paarthurnax has committed horrific acts against humanity in the past, and the Blades think that he should pay for those crimes.

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However, Paarthurnax mentions that he is a changed dragon in his attempts to sway you. In his attempts he poses an interesting question, is it better to always be good or to be transformed from bad to good? If you kill him, the Greybeards will no longer speak with you. If you do not kill him, the Blades will no longer speak with you.

3 Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden

What Would You Do When It Comes To Love?

Antea and Red holding hands - Banishers Ghosts of New Eden

Platform(s)
PS5 , Xbox Series X|S , PC
Released
February 12, 2024

Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden is the latest game from DONTNOD, known for crafting story-driven experiences filled with choices that shape the narrative. In this game, decisions span from the very beginning to the end, but one pivotal choice stands out: whether to bring back your beloved Antea from the dead after she turns into a ghost, or will you let her ascend like other ghosts?

Each choice carries consequences, making this decision particularly challenging. Will you let go and move forward with your life, or will you risk everything, including the lives of others, to perform the ritual and resurrect her? It's a tough call that will truly test your resolve.

2 Fallout 4

What Should The Fate Of The Institute Be?

The hallways of the Institute in Fallout 4

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
November 10, 2015

The first part of the plot in Fallout 4 is to find your son who was taken by the Institute, a highly advanced group that influences the wasteland from the shadows. Throughout your base-building journey, you learn of the many atrocities they committed, like the small matter of murdering entire settlements.

However, when you find your son, you learn that he is now an old man and the leader of the Institute. With that sudden revelation, you are left with a tough choice. Do you now join your son, who was your entire reason for braving the wasteland? Or do you take down the Institute and make your own son your enemy?

1 Nier: Automata

Delete Your Game?

Promo art featuring characters from NieR: Automata

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Switch
Released
March 7, 2017

Once you get the true ending of Nier: Automata, you get to take on a heavy choice as a gamer. Do you delete your save file and all the progress you have made in order to help other players beat the game? This could be easy for some players.

Those who do not pick up a game again once they beat it probably won't have an issue with such a move. However, it can be hard for others who like to keep a game's progress as complete as possible. Deleting your save data goes go to a good cause, as the ending of the game is severely difficult to uncover without help from other players, but you might now be ready to make such a sacrifice.

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