Best RPGs with Complex Relationship Mechanics

Role-playing games have become all the rage for players who want to embark on grand adventures and save the world from an evil villain. Some RPGs prefer to tone down this scale, letting players deal with personal problems in a journey that is just as riveting, despite the lack of any high stakes.

Players love RPGs with complex relationship mechanics that let them interact with characters in new and interesting ways. It’s a great way to ensure that players will be invested in important characters as they strive to see these relationships flourish by any means necessary.

8

Crusader Kings 3

Numerous Metrics Govern Who Loves, Hates, Or Is Indifferent About The Current Playable Ruler

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Released

September 1, 2020

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OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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One of the most engaging grand strategy games of all time with RPG elements, Crusader Kings 3 is a must-play for fans of intense medieval titles that strive to be realistic. Players must help their ruler be as successful as possible while letting them live a long life.

This entails being as diplomatic as can be, with players being encouraged to keep their powerful vassals and other members of the court happy. If these relationships deteriorate, then there’s a greater chance of powerful allies rebelling against the current ruler. Other kings should also be satiated if players don’t want wars to ravage their kingdom.

7

Persona 5

Confidants Deepen Joker’s Bond With Other Characters And Let Him Enjoy Certain Perks Too

Not only is Persona 5 one of the best JRPGs players can check out in modern times, but it also improves the Social Link from previous games. Instead of bonding with people just to enjoy higher bonuses on Persona Fusions, Joker’s bond with his Confidants can have a major impact on gameplay.

The Phantom Thief can enjoy a bevy of gameplay benefits from either his party members or other notable NPCs in Tokyo. This encourages players to spend time with certain Confidants to enjoy their benefits, making it easier for players to optimize their playthrough in the long run.

6

Mass Effect 2

Players Must Build Up Loyalties, But They Can Also Be Lost In Certain Instances

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Released

January 26, 2010

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The Loyalty mechanic is a simple yet devilishly clever way to incentivize players to bond with their squad as much as possible in Mass Effect 2. Completing their loyalty missions is recommended, but Shepard can’t rest on their laurels after this.

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There are moments when some party members can argue, forcing players to take sides if their Paragon or Renegade levels aren’t high enough. This causes the other party member to lose their loyalty, making it more likely for them to die during the Suicide Mission.

5

Vampyr

Players Can Either Feed On Certain Important NPCs To Get Strong Or Form A Bond With Them

Vampyr tries something unique with its relationship dynamics and intertwines it with player progression. Throughout Jonathan’s adventures, he’ll meet some special NPCs with whom he can form a bond.

The catch here is that these NPCs can be fed on to help Jonathan increase his powers. However, players can go through the game without embracing their vampiric side, although this will make it hard to level up and deal with the game’s stronger foes.

4

Alpha Protocol

Michael Thorton Can Form Several Relationships That Can Be Strengthened Or Broken Based On His Actions

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Michael Thorton’s espionage adventures are wildly unappreciated, and it’s a shame that Alpha Protocol never got the time of day even after players looked past its many bugs. The game lets players complete missions in whatever manner they see fit, allowing them to circumvent combat altogether if they wish.

Along with this, Michael will meet several important characters whom he can form a bond with and even romance. These characters can live or die based on Thornton’s actions, including a bombastic finale where players must go out of their way to save certain love interests if they don’t want to be alone by the end of this wild ride.

3

Pyre

Players Bond With Characters And Must Choose Who Stays In Purgatory And Who Gets To Enjoy Freedom

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Released

July 25, 2017

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OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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A fun sports RPG with a captivating premise, Pyre‘s story-driven approach and unique gameplay make it another hit for Supergiant Games, albeit one that is way more experimental than any other title released by the developer. The main goal here is to win Rites and help characters earn their freedom after numerous victories.

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The catch here is that players will lose out on certain players if they send them away, but it’s inhumane to deny them their freedom for this reason. Given that every character has reasons to leave, the player’s relationship with the group complicates matters and makes every decision agonizingly hard in this regard. To make things worse, opposing members also have admirable motivations of their own that players can entertain if they wish.

2

Wildermyth

Witnessing Rivalries, Friendships, And Romances Develop Organically Is Great

Despite its reliance on procedural generation, it’s amazing to see how lively the heroes of Wildermyth are. Heroes can form friendships, romances, or rivalries as they explore the world.

It’s completely organic and helps each character feel unique, especially given that they have unique personalities of their own too. The best part is that these relationships have additional effects in battle, encouraging people to make the most of these synergies.

1

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Companions Can Either Gel With Each Other Or Straight Up Leave The Party Based On The Player’s Actions

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Obsidian Entertainment took many risks with Pillars of Eternity 2, making choices and companions more meaningful than ever. Even if certain party members are at odds with each other, the player can either step in as a mediator and help them become steadfast friends or watch on as their relationship deteriorates in no time.

Along with this, players can choose to align themselves with a certain faction at the cost of alienating their companions. Some party members may outright leave if players go against their faction, which can be irritating but shows that Obsidian wanted choices to be as meaningful as possible.

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