If the alternative is chaos, I fear must stick with the devil we know.
Lucia Wesson
Wasteland 3 is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game developed by inXile Entertainment. It is set in a harsh, frozen wasteland where the remnants of society struggle to survive. As a member of the Desert Rangers, you embark on a perilous journey to save your homeland of Arizona from a tyrannical threat.
Throughout Wasteland 3, you will encounter numerous hard choices that have significant consequences for both gameplay and the story. These choices often involve moral dilemmas, political conflicts, and alliances with various factions. Here are some examples:
- Faction Allegiances: You will encounter several factions in the game, each with its own goals and ideologies. Choosing to align with one faction may lead to conflict with another, altering the balance of power and affecting how NPCs interact with you. These choices can influence the story’s direction and determine which allies or enemies you have.
- Character Actions: The choices made by your party members can impact their relationships with each other and the overall narrative. They may have conflicting personalities or personal agendas, and their actions can lead to consequences that may help or hinder your progress.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Wasteland 3 presents you with morally challenging decisions that test your principles. For example, you might come across a settlement where the inhabitants are starving. You must choose between helping them by providing your own limited supplies or leaving them to fend for themselves. These choices shape your character’s reputation and can influence future encounters.
- Sacrifices and Losses: In some situations, you may have to make sacrifices to achieve your objectives. These sacrifices can involve sacrificing the lives of your characters, innocent NPCs, or even entire factions. These decisions can be emotionally challenging, as they can permanently impact your party’s composition and alter the game’s outcome.
- Consequences of Combat: Engaging in combat has consequences beyond immediate victory or defeat. For instance, you might encounter a group of raiders who are terrorizing a nearby settlement. Choosing to kill or spare them will affect the settlement’s future and how they perceive you.
Overall, the hard choices in Wasteland 3 add depth to the game’s narrative, encouraging players to consider the ramifications of their actions. They influence the branching storyline, alter relationships with characters and factions, and shape the wasteland according to your decisions. Your choices in Wasteland 3 truly matter, making it a compelling and immersive post-apocalyptic role-playing experience.
As I set on the last part of the game, the words from Lucia hit me and made me smile. After making all the hard choices I did exactly as she said – I chose the devil I know. Throughout the game you notice that everyone has an agenda, nobody is perfect and if you want to be the good guy you will have to choose the lesser of 2 evils. You can imagine in a harsh wasteland, survival comes first. Some people handle that responsibly better then overs.
