Role-playing games where the world reacts to your appearance

Key conclusions

• NPCs in games like Skyrim, The Witcher 3, and Disco Elysium react to the player's appearance, increasing immersion.
• Detailed commentary on clothing, race, and physical characteristics from NPCs in these games add depth to the player's experience.
• In games such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Fallout: New Vegas, the player's appearance can affect interactions and game outcomes.

Character customization is one of the staples of the RPG genre – having a major impact on how your avatar feels as you journey into a new world. First impressions matter, and some games add finer details where NPCs actually comment on various aspects of the player character's appearance.

So whether they're mistreating the main character because of their tattered clothes or just making snide comments about how shiny their armor is, small appreciative comments from NPCs can help immerse the player even more in the world – especially for those who who is looking for an extra layer of role playing. Here are some games where the world reacts to the player's appearance.

Some characteristics stand out

Bethesda's iconic RPG sees various NPCs reacting to the player's appearance. If a Dragonborn just so happens to be, unfortunately, afflicted with vampirism, the guards will talk about his pale skin and hungry eyes. On the other hand, they often talk about the horrible smell of wet dog when the player is a werewolf.

Various characters will also comment on the Dragonborn's race, whether they're amazed that an Organian can cook, or simply intrigued by a large talking cat that seems to devour the souls of dragons and shout Housecarls from the cliffs.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild hunt

Toss the coin to the tailor

Geralt of Rivia is no stranger to constant remarks of disgust from strangers he meets. As a Witcher, Geralt underwent many mutations that left him physically unsettled, from snow-white hair to glowing yellow eyes.

Although, unless random NPCs always point out everything wrong with Geralt's appearance, there are several instances where Yennefer states that she doesn't like Geralt's long beard when the player hasn't shaved for too long. It's almost hard to get the world of CD Projekt Red's magnum opus to stop talking about the appearance of the main character.

3 Elysium discotheque

The coolest detective in town

Lens-like Harry Dubois has only two tools to get him out of most situations: his winning charm and his gun. Specific clothing choices in the game can usually affect Harry's characteristics, making certain dialogue choices viable and opening up new storylines.

Certain specific outfits throughout the game are subject to NPC reactions to the player's clothing, but most interactions are due to stat boosts that can greatly affect the player's conversational or investigative skills. Confidence is key for Harry Du Bois, and nice clothes matter.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Good armor matters

As a drunkard, blacksmith's son turned knight, protagonist Henry's appearance is of great importance when exploring the highly detailed open world Kingdom: Come Deliverance.

NPCs constantly comment on the state of Henry's clothing, whether it's damaged, torn, or dirty; it can also make it more likely that NPCs will become aggressive towards Henry or try to rob him. The main goal of this role-playing game is to completely immerse the player in the unfolding story, and the way the people around the main character constantly either belittle or compliment him based on his perceived social status is a great way to show growth Henry throughout history. .

5 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Nosferatus should probably follow the sewers

This cult classic set at The world of darkness has no shortage of exciting features. Young vampires who want to embark on their new journey in the vampire-run underground of Los Angeles must follow the rules of The Masquerade to continue to keep their existence a secret. Depending on the clan the player chooses, the living residents of Los Angeles may react differently to the player's deathly appearance.

Each clan in the game has its own strengths and weaknesses in dialogue, and those of the Nosferatu clan are no strangers to being shunned by the mortal world. Their transformations have made them so monstrous that simply being seen by humans violates the Masquerade – meaning players who wish to wield Nosferatu's stealth ability must stay in the shadows.

6 A series of fables

Why The Long Horns?

The main character's appearance is a core mechanic of every franchise. The player's choice greatly affects how the main character looks, as their physical characteristics resemble their moral characteristics. Those who get involved in all the evil aspects of Albion will grow horns, while its more honest citizens will gain their angelic halo and accompanying blond hair.

Physical beauty is also a feature of the series, and is defined by various statistics, from haircuts to clothing. These factors facilitate communication, finding romantic partners, and many side quests.

7 Fallout: New Vegas

Disguises are very useful

Obsidian's legendary entry into Precipitation the franchise has no shortage of ways for players to complete quests. While the player's base appearance won't affect the dialogue, his perks and armor can significantly change the odds in his favor.

Wearing a uniform belonging to certain factions can act as a disguise, with members treating the player as one of their own – making it easier to sneak into restricted areas undetected, provided the courier hasn't committed any murders.

8 Baldur's gate 3

It makes all the difference

Baldur's Gate 3 is filled with opportunities where character creation is useful, from breaking up a fight between tieflings and druids to infiltrating a goblin camp as a drow elf. Different companions can also warm up to the player a little faster if they both come from the same race.

More confident casters can use the Disguise Self spell to gain dialogue options that might not normally be available. They can also be used to extract information when talking to the dead, as corpses are generally less inclined to talk to their killer.