Games with more than 50% listening/reading

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PrinceVince Aug 27, 2021 @ 12:49pm

I am looking for games that have massive amounts of input (reading or listening). I also like open-world but that's not required. This is for the purpose of learning languages. I'm thinking of Bethesda games and other RPG games that are very story-driven. Ideally, the gameplay ratio should consist of at least 50% reading/listening.

I've played Divinity Original Sin and that was great for a co-op language learning experience. Lots of input and then while you're not getting input you're communicating with your friends to strategize. That's a perfect balance.

I'm looking at Horizon Zero Dawn as a solo experience. I'm just not sure about the gameplay ratio. Seems like there's a lot silent exploring as well as a lot of combat, but also a long involved story with lots of characters.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Showing 1-15 of 16 comments

sfnhltb Aug 27, 2021 @ 1:35pm

Some of the Metal Gear Solid series pass this threshold I think.

Prof.Jackie Aug 27, 2021 @ 1:45pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/
Really text-heavy and the final cut is fully voiced iirc.

Anonymous Helper Aug 27, 2021 @ 3:33pm

Last edited by Anonymous Helper; Aug 27, 2021 @ 3:34pm

Anonymous Helper Aug 27, 2021 @ 3:34pm

Kargor Aug 27, 2021 @ 3:58pm

I don't know about percentages, but JRPG can be rather story-heavy in some cases. The downside in your case might be their English being a bit weird occasionally...

☆ƧQυiяяєL♫ Aug 27, 2021 @ 4:54pm

Mass Effect has a storyline option when starting a new campaign.
Dragon Age: Inquisition has a lot of dialogue.

Dark Souls Remastered has some dialogue but a lot of cryptic lore.

Last edited by ☆ƧQυiяяєL♫; Aug 27, 2021 @ 4:55pm

Aachen Aug 27, 2021 @ 5:36pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/774201
https://store.steampowered.com/app/300550
https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1240050
https://store.steampowered.com/app/794540
https://store.steampowered.com/app/291650
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1080750
https://store.steampowered.com/app/491950
https://store.steampowered.com/app/853500
https://store.steampowered.com/app/890720

Last edited by Aachen; Aug 27, 2021 @ 5:39pm

Bee🐝 Aug 27, 2021 @ 5:51pm

So, Planescape Torment and Disco Elysium are the obvious picks here, and both games are phenomenal.

But I'll also second Anonymous Helper's list because the Spiderweb Software's games are basically just what you're looking for - open worlds, with loads of world-building, with lots of reading. They might not be a 10 in the looks department but they have so much personality. Best of all? You get hours of play for the price of a fancy latte.

I'll add: https://store.steampowered.com/app/112100/Avadon_The_Black_Fortress/?curator_clanid=32967543
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1058130/Queens_Wish_The_Conqueror/?curator_clanid=32967543
As for which one? Avernum and Avadon are very similar in feel, while Geneforge is very much its own thing and I love it for it.

Last edited by Bee🐝; Aug 27, 2021 @ 5:51pm

crunchyfrog Aug 27, 2021 @ 6:11pm

Well, you missed out a very important aspect in your request - WHAT language?

If you're talking about English, then sure western RPGs are going to be your best bet, and you are on the right track with Bethesda games, for example.

One of the better ones I would recommend is Obsidian's The Outer Worlds. Not only is it the same sort of thing, but Obsidian tell stories better, and their use of language, slang and so on is FAR better than Bethesda. So you may get a richer, more usable experience out of going that route.

Likewise, you could go for their older Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 titles. Granted they're older, and especially the second one, rather buggy (but there are fan patches to fix these up), but they are thoroughly worthwhile.

I'd also recommend games like the three Shadowrun reboots from recent years too. Excellent turn based RPGs in an isometric view, and very text heavy with fabulous storytelling. Should be right up your street.

So, for a start have a nose at these:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/578650/The_Outer_Worlds/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/22380/Fallout_New_Vegas/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/32370/STAR_WARS__Knights_of_the_Old_Republic/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/208580/STAR_WARS_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic_II__The_Sith_Lords/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/234650/Shadowrun_Returns/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/300550/Shadowrun_Dragonfall__Directors_Cut/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/346940/Shadowrun_Hong_Kong__Extended_Edition/

Zekiran Aug 27, 2021 @ 6:22pm

For a completely different angle on this:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/844590/Hypnospace_Outlaw/

#10

☆ƧQυiяяєL♫ Aug 27, 2021 @ 10:24pm

The Longest Journey and Syberia

#11

Quint the Alligator Snapper Aug 28, 2021 @ 12:34am

Originally posted by Kargor:
I don't know about percentages, but JRPG can be rather story-heavy in some cases. The downside in your case might be their English being a bit weird occasionally...

English in JRPGs is pretty decent, from what I've seen. It's actual native English-speakers doing the localization.

The only times English (or some other language) can get weird are when you have certain names which the Japanese came up with that use English (or any other language) awkwardly and then the English (or whatever language) localization staff just keep that phrase as-is. Happens occasionally with things like magic spell names or location names.

Also, OP, if you're okay with stuff that's basically 100% reading, there's always visual novels.

Last edited by Quint the Alligator Snapper; Aug 28, 2021 @ 12:35am

#12

PrinceVince Aug 29, 2021 @ 8:58pm

Thank you very much for all the suggestions! I am looking for games in Spanish for myself, however, I'm always looking for stuff in English as well for my students. This list will keep me busy for a while!

#13