Open-World RPGs With Choices That Can Shut Down Entire Questlines, Ranked
Maybe one of my favorite things about open-world RPGs is that they give you a lot of freedom, not only when it comes to exploration but also when making your own decisions. I agree that not every choice needs to be the…
Maybe one of my favorite things about open-world RPGs is that they give you a lot of freedom, not only when it comes to exploration but also when making your own decisions. I agree that not every choice needs to be the most important decision you ever make in your life, but sometimes it's refreshing to see that freedom taken seriously, even to the point where a choice could completely eliminate a questline.
Some open-world RPGs do exactly that, forcing you to make a decision that changes the way you experience the game going forward. This could mean anything from missing several missions, losing out on valuable gear, or even completely locking yourself out of one of the game's endings.
5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Refusing To Help Can Change Skellige's Future
One of the best things about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is that it gives you several opportunities to influence the political future of the world's different regions. One interesting example is Skellige. During the "King's Gambit" quest, Geralt attends a feast at Kaer Trolde where a few guests are brutally murdered. Once the massacre is over, you get to decide whether to help Cerys or Hjalmar investigate what happened.
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Time Left: 00:00Title
—Clues
—Results
0 POINTS — More GamesHowever, what's more important is that there is also a third option, which is to refuse to help either of them. Yes, I agree that staying out of conflict does seem like the most reasonable decision, but it could lead to serious consequences. Choosing not to help means that you are going to miss the opportunity to uncover the conspiracy in any way, so neither sibling will have the opportunity to become the next ruler of Skellige.
Instead, Svanrige becomes king, and you will lose access to "Coronation", the follow-up quest associated with supporting one of the siblings. In this case, you don't even have to participate actively in the game's events to change the political future of the region and lose access to the remaining succession-related quests.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 9/10Released May 19, 20154 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Betraying A Noble Family Can Destroy An Entire Plot Line
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will give you a lot of opportunities to make decisions, but one of the most notable examples of something that can change the way you experience the game is what you do during the "Necessary Evil" quest. Henry and Hans must report their findings about a group of bandits to Lord von Bergow. You can either choose to reveal the information you have or keep it a secret. However, if you reveal it, then von Bergow sends Burgrave Hashek and his soldiers to confront the family.
This is when you have to decide whether to support Hashek or defend the Semine family. In this case, no matter what you choose, the fortress is destroyed, and you will lose access to a sequence of side quests involving Gules, such as Canker, Casper, Handsome Charlie, and Johnny the Gob. The only way to still experience those quests is if you complete these missions before the settlement is destroyed. The good news here is you are not absolutely doomed, so take my advice and complete the side quests before locking yourself out of them permanently.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 10/10Released February 4, 20253 The Outer Worlds
Refusing A Corporate Order Can End A Storyline
Choosing an organization to support is a big decision in The Outer Worlds. One notable example involves Sophia Akande and the Board's storyline. During the "Comes Now the Power" quest, players need to decide how to distribute electricity between Edgewater and the Botanical Lab. In case Adelaide ends up controlling Edgewater, Akande eventually decides that the settlement is a problem, and during "Foundation", she orders the player to use the geothermal plant's automechanicals to eliminate the town's inhabitants.
You are not obliged to follow this order, but if you refuse and the confrontation turns hostile, the Board's personnel become your enemies. As a consequence, you lose access to the remaining storyline, which includes the quest "Kept Secret But Not Forgotten" and the objectives associated with the corporate route. In other words, you won't be able to experience the story from the Board's perspective, including its plans for the colony and the role it intends to play in its future. Be careful if you don't want to miss the Board-backed ending.
The Outer Worlds 9/10Released October 25, 20192 Cyberpunk 2077
Abandoning Panam Can Eliminate An Ending
Without a doubt, Panam Palmer is one of the most memorable characters in Cyberpunk 2077, and her storyline has a major influence on how V's adventure concludes. During "Riders on the Storm", she asks V to help rescue Saul. Even though you are expected to go on the mission, you can also decide to abandon the operation even after agreeing to help. However, if you drive away and don't return within the mission's time limit, Panam will eventually send an angry message and cut off contact with you.
This cannot be undone, and you will be banned from continuing her personal storyline. As a consequence, you will be locked out of not one, but two subsequent quests: "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Queen of the Highway". In other words, you will miss the Basilisk storyline and the opportunity to pursue a romance with Panam. In any case, perhaps the more significant consequence is that you will lose access to "The Star", which is the Aldecaldos-assisted ending path.
Cyberpunk 2077 6/10Released December 10, 20201 Fallout 4
One Decision Can Make An Entire Faction Your Enemy
In Fallout 4, you can generally cooperate with several factions, but this doesn't mean you'll be on good terms with all of them. Well, at least not forever. One of the most important turning points will happen during "Mass Fusion", when you have to decide how to retrieve the so-called Beryllium Agitator. You can decide to continue working with the Institute and use its relay to reach Mass Fusion, but if you do so, you'll upset the Brotherhood of Steel.
On the other hand, you can inform Proctor Ingram and board the Brotherhood's Vertibird during "Spoils of War", but if you do this, you will make the Institute your enemy instead. The good news is that the game will warn you before you actually make the decision. Either way, the betrayed faction's unfinished main quests will become inaccessible, and you won't be able to complete their storyline or obtain their ending.
No matter what you choose, you will miss something very important; ultimately, the decision is which ending you're willing to let go of. To be fair, considering how much of Fallout 4's campaign revolves around these factions, this is the most significant quest line lockouts on this list.
Fallout 4 9/10Released November 10, 2015