10 Quick-Time Events That Made Video Games BETTER

5. Doubling Down On Your Alignment - Mass Effect 2

Roleplaying games don’t tend to lend themselves to quick-time events, but the paragon and renegade QTE actions available in Mass Effect fit in surprisingly well.

Mass Effect is all about choices. You choose your appearance, your alignment, your interactions, your class, so it stands to reason there would be another layer on top of that to drive home precisely what kind of Shepard you’ve decided to be. The game’s QTEs execute this really well by essentially letting you push your point or interrupt a conversation. Whether you’re trying to successfully convey a paragon dialogue choice, or you just want to smack someone in the face because you’re done with their crap, the QTEs get it done.

They also help you feel like you have more agency over your choices which is important as it’s vital that you care about Shepard and relationship building with your crew to be invested in the journey they’re on. Though the prompts are pretty quick and come up so rarely you aren’t always ready for them, they both keep you engaged with the conversation you’re in and the characterisation of your Shepard.

These QTEs also don’t overstay their welcome, they don’t appear too often, and they’re not compulsory. Just the way we like them.