Fallout 4 - New dialogue system

A momentary Fallout

Let's talk about the dialogue system in Fallout 4, more specifically what's different. Unlike the last two Fallout games where you were shown a list of all your responses in full, here you get one or two word hints at what the actual piece of dialogue is you respond with, with only 4 choices at any one time. It's not a great change, visually it's more streamlined and appealing but oftentimes it's hard to ascertain what your full reply will be. Sometimes you'll choose a option that simply reads 'sarcastic' with the intention of being lighthearted or charming but instead your character says something that just insults the other person. Also, whereas in 3 and New Vegas you had the option of going through every dialogue option and deciding when to end the interaction, here though you often only get to choose one option before the conversation moves on - locking out any other things you wanted to ask. I understand the intention, it makes conversations flow better, feels more organic and is in line with the likes of Bioware dialogue trees. Honestly it's because we're so used to how it worked in the other games it's quite confusing that it doesn't work the same, not helped by the fact that the game makes no attempt to explain how it works. It's muddy and I'm not sure I really understand it yet. The X button dialogue option always seems to be the nicest and most agreeable route to go whereas O (circle) appears to be the arsehole route or disagree. Triangle most often than not asks a question or is  being inquisitive, leading to sub sets of dialogue options, whereas square often has sarcastic ascribed to it or jokes. This is vague I know, but again the game doesn't really signpost or inform how the new system works. One things certain, dialogue is infinitely better written than Fallout 3 and is on par with obsidian's effect with New Vegas, dark humour is back. More on this tomorrow.