Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Optional Character Scene

 Optional Character Scene
type
FeatureClass
 Optional Character Scene
label
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene
page
OptionalCharacterScene
 Optional Character Scene
comment
A video game trope in which a scene or dialogue only plays out if a certain character or characters was brought along with the main characters (though usually it depends on being in the party). Mostly used for Character Development but may also be used for humor or to make an otherwise flat location more important.
Often ties in with other "Optional" tropes. Compare/contrast Companion-Specific Sidequest, where the game includes an entire optional mission centered on a particular companion NPC.

Examples
 Optional Character Scene
fetched
2024-02-10T19:45:37Z
 Optional Character Scene
parsed
2024-02-10T19:45:37Z
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to FinalBoss: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to GuideDangIt: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to IdentityAmnesia: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to LoveInterest: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to LoveableRogue: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to Mooks: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to RelationshipValues: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to UpdatedRerelease: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to WorthyOpponent: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingComment
Dropped link to thepollyanna: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Optional Character Scene
processingUnknown
LoveInterest
 Optional Character Scene
processingUnknown
PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver
 Optional Character Scene
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Optional Character Scene / int_1aacbbc9
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_1aacbbc9
comment
Dragon Age:
There's a wide variety of character interactions in Dragon Age: Origins (and Awakening) between different companions in different locations. When entering the Fade to rescue Connor's soul, you can pick from a number of companions or supporting characters to give A Day in the Limelight to.
Dragon Age II takes this trope to a slightly different conclusion, where the characters in your party can sometimes join in on a conversation and effect its outcome. E.g. Varric can outright lie and charm to get out of trouble, Merrill and Anders will offer magey advice, Fenris punches through people's chests. The Player Character has similar options depending on what class they are, or what personality (Diplomatic, Charming, Aggressive) they establish.
The "Legacy" DLC is based around a mysterious link between Hawke's father and the Grey Wardens, so your surviving sibling and ex-Warden Anders have the most to say. In "Mark of the Assassin", Isabela and Aveline get the most detailed sidequests. Isabela gets to save (or not) some pirates turned to stone by a curse, while Aveline stumbles upon a mystery to do with her family's roots in Orlais.
Dragon Age: Inquisition naturally has a few moments like this as well, although they don't usually alter the outcome of whole quests.
 Optional Character Scene / int_1aacbbc9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_1aacbbc9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Age (Franchise)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_1aacbbc9
 Optional Character Scene / int_1d2eacd1
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_1d2eacd1
comment
In Romancing SaGa, there are a few of these, often linked to various Sidequests.
During a certain period of time around the mid-game, resting at an Inn with Claudia in your party leads to her having a strange dream asking her to return to Mazewood. Agreeing to go with her leads to a special Sidequest that reveals her Secret Legacy. On a wider scale, simply having her in the party can trigger various extra dialogue and mini-scenes during various quests in Melvir, as well as getting attacked without any explanation by the assassins patrolling the capital's streets.
While her presence isn't required for completing the related Sidequest, taking Aisha back to the Taralian Camp after a certain point leads to her temporarily leaving the party to search the deserted village, followed by your leader giving her a short pep-talk. She also has an extended scene if you take her along to Merholm, in which she copes with learning about her heritage and deciding not to remain in the Hidden Elf Village with her grandfather and people.
Near the end of Jamil's prologue, a short scene triggers with Dowd where he asks to stay behind in South Estamir rather than be dragged along. Agreeing to this sets up a chain of events necessary for making Dowd recruitable in other scenarios, entailing meeting him again later on as a Brainwashed and Crazy masked assassin whom Jamil fatally wounds before learning the truth, making the related Sidequest more personal.
Triggering these with Darque is key to his Sidequest, as all of his scenes involve him regaining different memories until he finally discovers who he was. (Which is harder than it sounds, considering he actually has two sets of memories due to being possessed by another's soul, who can completely takeover if you favor her over him.)
 Optional Character Scene / int_1d2eacd1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_1d2eacd1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Romancing SaGa (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_1d2eacd1
 Optional Character Scene / int_2192aeb3
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_2192aeb3
comment
The support/base conversations of the later Fire Emblem games fill this role quite nicely, and are a large part of the series's appeal.
 Optional Character Scene / int_2192aeb3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_2192aeb3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fire Emblem (Franchise)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_2192aeb3
 Optional Character Scene / int_283badac
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_283badac
comment
Dark Cloud has an example. When doing the georama in Queens, You will meet a Gangster named "King" complete his house and he'll "Reward" you with a lamp that contains a very spirited genie named Ruby. She will be added to your party. If you go to Jack's house without having Ruby in your party, you won't get anything from Jack for completing his house. If she is with you he'll explain that he does not give out items but his expression will change to a fearful one when Ruby approaches. He will be very generous given that Ruby is King's Wife.
 Optional Character Scene / int_283badac
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_283badac
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dark Cloud (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_283badac
 Optional Character Scene / int_31e1eca3
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_31e1eca3
comment
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl require you to have Registeel, Regice and Regirock in order to awaken (and fight) Regigigas in Snowpoint Temple.
Platinum reverts this: with a Regigigas that you can receive in a Nintendo event, you can fight the other three Regis. Naturally, as Platinum is an Updated Re-release of Diamond and Pearl, you can use the three Regis that you've caught in this way to awaken the Regigigas in Snowpoint Temple. Moreover, you can receive a Gracidea Flower from a girl in Floaroma Town if you show her a Shaymin (that can equally be received only through a Nintendo Event). The Gracidea changes Shaymin between its Land and Sky Forme.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver have even more of these. You can again receive the Gracidea, this time by showing a Shaymin to a girl in the Goldenrod Flower Shop. Then you can receive a peculiar Pichu (one with a fluff of fur over its right ear, properly called the Spiky-Eared Pichu) by examining the shrine in Ilex Forest while having a Nintendo event shiny Pichu in the first slot of the party. You can unlock a new place, the Sinjoh Ruins, by having an Arceus (itself obtainable only through a Nintendo event, again) in the first slot of the party and talking to a person in the Ruins of Alph. This way, you can watch one weird ritual of summoning and receive either a Dialga, Palkia or Giratina at level 1, each holding its signature Orb. Finally, you can unlock a rather important story cutscene (and battle) if you bring a Nintendo event Celebi to the Ilex Shrine.
In Pokémon Black and White, you can transfer four Nintendo event Pokémon - the three shiny beasts Entei, Suicune and Raikou, and Celebi - from a Generation IV game through the Transfer Machine (they're the only 4 Pokémon that can be ported in this way). Transferring one of the shiny beasts unlocks the Illusion Forest where Zoroark can be caught, while if you show the Celebi to a girl in one of the Castelia City gates you'll receive a Zorua.
 Optional Character Scene / int_31e1eca3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_31e1eca3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_31e1eca3
 Optional Character Scene / int_39fe00f1
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_39fe00f1
comment
Dragon Age: Inquisition naturally has a few moments like this as well, although they don't usually alter the outcome of whole quests.
 Optional Character Scene / int_39fe00f1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_39fe00f1
featureConfidence
1.0
 DragonAgeInquisition
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_39fe00f1
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a87cb3
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a87cb3
comment
Final Fantasy VII: Upon entering Nibelheim in the present day for the first time, the scene is slightly extended if you have brought Tifa, the other Nibelheim native, along with you.
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a87cb3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a87cb3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy VII (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_49a87cb3
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a88442
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a88442
comment
In the Shadowbringers expansion of Final Fantasy XIV, a new Trust system is introduced which allows the player to bring along NPC party members into dungeons. You have to choose three to bring along, which usually leaves one or two behind, and depending on who you bring you can see them interact differently to each other or react to things happening in the dungeon.
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a88442
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_49a88442
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy XIV (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_49a88442
 Optional Character Scene / int_59da62aa
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_59da62aa
comment
Plentiful in Fallout: New Vegas, as these are usually lead ins or events as part of that companion's particular loyalty quest. These can range from the game's usual Black Comedy to absolute Tear Jerker in terms of content. Your canine companion also has a unique non-quest Timmy in a Well event that only triggers if you elected to flip the Silliness Switch at the start of the game.
 Optional Character Scene / int_59da62aa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_59da62aa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fallout: New Vegas (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_59da62aa
 Optional Character Scene / int_5bd6bb99
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_5bd6bb99
comment
Late in Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, the route split for the true endings essentially determines the party composition for the rest of the game; specifically, the party stays full on Bonds, but is almost empty on Anarchy because Nanashi murdered them all. One sidequest that takes place on the same day as the route split has two different scripts; if the party is full or mostly full (pre-route split or Bonds), the party will be unusually chatty, and comment every time they search a room. If the party is mostly empty, the narration takes over instead.
 Optional Character Scene / int_5bd6bb99
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_5bd6bb99
featureConfidence
1.0
 Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_5bd6bb99
 Optional Character Scene / int_629cd094
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_629cd094
comment
There's a wide variety of character interactions in Dragon Age: Origins (and Awakening) between different companions in different locations. When entering the Fade to rescue Connor's soul, you can pick from a number of companions or supporting characters to give A Day in the Limelight to.
 Optional Character Scene / int_629cd094
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_629cd094
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Age: Origins (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_629cd094
 Optional Character Scene / int_63efdfd1
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_63efdfd1
comment
The Tales of... series has featured these since the second game in the form of skits.
 Optional Character Scene / int_63efdfd1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_63efdfd1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Tales Of
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_63efdfd1
 Optional Character Scene / int_6715932e
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_6715932e
comment
Spirit Hunter: NG:
Depending on who he saves in the Kubitarou case, Akira can get a unique scene with either Seiji or Kaoru later in the game. Seiji's scene contains a unique CG and a rendition of an idol song from Seiji's VA, while Kaoru's scene has her and Akira pretend to be a couple to lure out a spirit.
To a lesser extent, there's a CG in Kubitarou's case that can only be seen if Akira takes Seiji along to the final confrontation with the spirit.
 Optional Character Scene / int_6715932e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_6715932e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Spirit Hunter: NG (Visual Novel)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_6715932e
 Optional Character Scene / int_6963387f
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_6963387f
comment
Lenna's Inception: Paige is the only partner who can talk, so she adds extra dialogue to major cutscenes if she's currently following Lenna.
 Optional Character Scene / int_6963387f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_6963387f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Lenna's Inception (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_6963387f
 Optional Character Scene / int_6f1bcb62
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_6f1bcb62
comment
Path of Radiance goes to particular lengths with this trope, with many scenes having a huge amount of variations depending on character survival. Even some Support Conversations change to reflect specific character deaths! But by far the biggest example in the game, and possibly the entire series, is Chapter 20. Previously, it was possible to recruit Jill, a Wyvern Rider from the country you're fighting. The enemy commander in this chapter is her father. Dialogue here changes depending on:
If Jill is deployed. This is also affected by whether or not you viewed an optional conversation with her last chapter, or if she's formed a friendship with Mist.
If she is, having Jill fight the generic enemy Mooks results in dialogue, where they yell at her for being a traitor.
Shiharam's speech to his second-in-command changes depending on if Jill was recruited or not.
And by far the biggest and most shocking: it's possible for Jill to speak to her father. If you didn't develop her Relationship Values just right, it's actually possible for her to switch sides and join the enemy. If this happens, there's no going back: you'll have to kill her.
 Optional Character Scene / int_6f1bcb62
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_6f1bcb62
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_6f1bcb62
 Optional Character Scene / int_73b74949
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_73b74949
comment
In the Borderlands series, The Pre-Sequel and Borderlands 3 features the selected Vault Hunter with their own given dialogue for all events they are taking part in. The former even had other characters' dialogue change depending on the selected Vault Hunter.
 Optional Character Scene / int_73b74949
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_73b74949
featureConfidence
1.0
 Borderlands (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_73b74949
 Optional Character Scene / int_76686539
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_76686539
comment
Mass Effect: Bringing Liara along to Noveria or Ilos, taking Ashley to Homecoming or Our Own Worst Enemy. Many elevator conversations will also happen with specific squad mate combinations, such as Garrus and Tali chastising each other's races. A very easily-missed scene on the Citadel only occurs on your first visit there with Kaidan and Ashley, before you recruit Garrus and/or Wrex, meaning there's only a tiny window to see it.
 Optional Character Scene / int_76686539
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_76686539
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_76686539
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653a
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653a
comment
Mass Effect 2: Bringing Legion to Tali's Missions or the Overlord DLC, taking Garrus and/or Grunt into Mordin's recruitment mission and Tali to his Loyalty Mission, bringing Jacob or Miranda to Jack's Loyalty Mission. There are also points where specific characters voice their opinions in the hub worlds that are expanded by having another squad mate, such as Thane and Garrus in the C-Sec hallway on the Citadel. Of note is this a conversation between Garrus and Tali on a specific staircase in the Citadel, in a Call-Back to the Scrappy Mechanic:
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect 2 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_7668653a
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653b
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653b
comment
Mass Effect 3: Bringing your Virmire Survivor to Tuchanka: Bomb, Garrus or Liara to Sur'Kesh, EDI to the Geth Dreadnought, and practically anybody to any Mission in the Citadel DLC. Javik will also tend to give a lot of information about his cycle in the Dreadnought and Thessia Missions, which was notable at the time because he was a Download-only character and a pre-order bonus.
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_7668653b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect 3 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_7668653b
 Optional Character Scene / int_7988cb68
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_7988cb68
comment
Mass Effect is positively STUFFED with these, where bringing along a certain squad mate will give dialogue and sometimes even whole scenes just for them, especially if you're Romancing them. Many of these also take into account actions you've performed earlier in the story, or even in preceding games. Notable examples include:
Mass Effect: Bringing Liara along to Noveria or Ilos, taking Ashley to Homecoming or Our Own Worst Enemy. Many elevator conversations will also happen with specific squad mate combinations, such as Garrus and Tali chastising each other's races. A very easily-missed scene on the Citadel only occurs on your first visit there with Kaidan and Ashley, before you recruit Garrus and/or Wrex, meaning there's only a tiny window to see it.
Mass Effect 2: Bringing Legion to Tali's Missions or the Overlord DLC, taking Garrus and/or Grunt into Mordin's recruitment mission and Tali to his Loyalty Mission, bringing Jacob or Miranda to Jack's Loyalty Mission. There are also points where specific characters voice their opinions in the hub worlds that are expanded by having another squad mate, such as Thane and Garrus in the C-Sec hallway on the Citadel. Of note is this a conversation between Garrus and Tali on a specific staircase in the Citadel, in a Call-Back to the Scrappy Mechanic:
Mass Effect 3: Bringing your Virmire Survivor to Tuchanka: Bomb, Garrus or Liara to Sur'Kesh, EDI to the Geth Dreadnought, and practically anybody to any Mission in the Citadel DLC. Javik will also tend to give a lot of information about his cycle in the Dreadnought and Thessia Missions, which was notable at the time because he was a Download-only character and a pre-order bonus.
 Optional Character Scene / int_7988cb68
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_7988cb68
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect (Franchise)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_7988cb68
 Optional Character Scene / int_86227105
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_86227105
comment
Cassette Beasts: Each partner has different dialogue for story events that don't have a Required Party Member. If you beat an archangel with Barkley as your partner, Kayleigh will talk about the latest clue in Morgante's Song at Gramophone Café instead.
 Optional Character Scene / int_86227105
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_86227105
featureConfidence
1.0
 Cassette Beasts (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_86227105
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814cd2
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814cd2
comment
Final Fantasy IX - Quan's Dwelling in has an extra scene if you return there with Vivi and Quina in your party at a certain point of the game. In fact, the game's main conceit is the ability to view scenes with characters you don't have with you. All of these are optional, but can sometimes net the player a nice item or piece of equipment via the offscreen characters actions.
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814cd2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814cd2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy IX (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_86814cd2
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814e56
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814e56
comment
Final Fantasy VI - Multiple for example Bringing Cyan to the Dinner in Vector will make General Leo address him specifically and apologize for Doma. There's another rather odd one; the optional scene where Gau confronts his father has to be triggered by Sabin for some reason, though Gau must be there too. The dialogue changes depending on the other characters in the active party, but some only get lines if they're not active.
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814e56
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_86814e56
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy VI (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_86814e56
 Optional Character Scene / int_8ec33a86
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_8ec33a86
comment
Almost all of the sidequests given out by named NPCs in Xenoblade Chronicles 1 have one specific member of the party chiming in with additional dialogue. There's no benefit to doing so, and it can be a bit of a Guide Dang It! when you can only have three party members active at a time, there's no hint at which party member will give dialogue, and some of the quests can be acquired before getting the party member who chimes in.
 Optional Character Scene / int_8ec33a86
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_8ec33a86
featureConfidence
1.0
 Xenoblade Chronicles 1 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_8ec33a86
 Optional Character Scene / int_91684031
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_91684031
comment
In Pokémon Black and White, you can transfer four Nintendo event Pokémon - the three shiny beasts Entei, Suicune and Raikou, and Celebi - from a Generation IV game through the Transfer Machine (they're the only 4 Pokémon that can be ported in this way). Transferring one of the shiny beasts unlocks the Illusion Forest where Zoroark can be caught, while if you show the Celebi to a girl in one of the Castelia City gates you'll receive a Zorua.
 Optional Character Scene / int_91684031
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_91684031
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pokémon Black and White (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_91684031
 Optional Character Scene / int_924b6d63
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_924b6d63
comment
Xenogears has an optional dungeon near the end where you not only get an extra scene for having Emeralda in group, she grows up, or at least takes an adult looking form. The main gameplay benefit this has is giving her vastly improved stat gains when she levels up. The developers seem to have expected you to view this scene, because Emeralda appears grown-up in the ending.
 Optional Character Scene / int_924b6d63
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_924b6d63
featureConfidence
1.0
 Xenogears (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_924b6d63
 Optional Character Scene / int_935a39be
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_935a39be
comment
Super Smash Bros. Brawl: The Subspace Emissary mode features variants of alternative scenes with different characters, such as if Kirby decides to free Peach or Zelda in the opening level. Unlocking the other scenes would require a second playthrough.
 Optional Character Scene / int_935a39be
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_935a39be
featureConfidence
1.0
 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_935a39be
 Optional Character Scene / int_93fc1d2b
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_93fc1d2b
comment
In the first three Paper Mario games, every party member has a set of dialogue for any event they're taking place in. This format was dropped in all subsequent titles since Sticker Star.
 Optional Character Scene / int_93fc1d2b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_93fc1d2b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Paper Mario (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_93fc1d2b
 Optional Character Scene / int_984982f6
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_984982f6
comment
Extensively used in Ogre Battle, where you not only get additional dialogue for having optional characters in party (often ones who were optional themselves to even recruit), but for having them be the specific character to lead certain attacks - and to top it off, recruiting certain characters or getting certain items (including ending-affecting items) can be dependent on who you have in your army and who you send to fight key enemies.
 Optional Character Scene / int_984982f6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_984982f6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ogre Battle (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_984982f6
 Optional Character Scene / int_a81325d3
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_a81325d3
comment
Final Fantasy:
Final Fantasy VI - Multiple for example Bringing Cyan to the Dinner in Vector will make General Leo address him specifically and apologize for Doma. There's another rather odd one; the optional scene where Gau confronts his father has to be triggered by Sabin for some reason, though Gau must be there too. The dialogue changes depending on the other characters in the active party, but some only get lines if they're not active.
Also throughout the game in certain cutscenes a certain character will be given certain lines. If that character is not present, then it will simply be a generic line in quotation marks. For example, when the party meets Ramuh, if Locke is present he'll remark that his grandmother told him about Espers. If Locke isn't there, the line will be said but attributed to no one.
If Edgar and Sabin are in the party during the opera sequence, a significant twist is revealed about the coin used for Setzer's coin flip... which was used once before.
The first time the game let you form a team, if you have Sabin in your party, he is going to leave you as soon as you set a foot on Figaro's Castle, rejoining you when you leave. However, if you have both, Sabin and Edgar, a cutscene will be triggered if you sleep in the castle, and after this Sabin will not leave you party anymore when you wander Figaro. Also, for this same trip, if Locke is with you, when you go to Kohlingen you get to see some scenes of Rachel. Now, if Celes is with you here, and she saw Locke reminiscing about Rachel, she (Celes) will linger a little bit more after the party leaves, staring at Rachel's corpse and wondering about Locke's pain.
Before the fight with Kefka, most party members will make a speech. Depending on how many and which characters you brought along, the result can range from moving, to narmy, to surreal.
Final Fantasy VII: Upon entering Nibelheim in the present day for the first time, the scene is slightly extended if you have brought Tifa, the other Nibelheim native, along with you.
Aeris' death has whoever came with Cloud showing their own reaction.
If you don't have both Tifa and (especially) Aeris in your party the first time you talk to Zack's parents in Gongaga, you'll miss out on finding out that Zack was Aeris's boyfriend, an important detail merely implied elsewhere. It doesn't help that there's nothing suggesting you should have those party members, or that it's entirely possible to accidentally skip Gongaga altogether until after Aeris has run away at the end of Disc 1. There are two later scenes which hint at Zack and Aeris's involvement, but both of those are also easy to miss.
Costa Del Sol is full of funny character development scenes of the party members causing chaos in a holiday resort, but only if you don't have them in your party (and the last time you could change party members was before a boss battle). This is obviously unappealing if the reason you had those characters in your party is because they were your favorites.
The scene in Lucrecia's cave only takes place if you bring Vincent with you.
Of special note is a single line of dialogue delivered exclusively by Aeris if you hack her back into the party after the Forgotten City. This is a combination of the Square preparing for any technical problems with characters who shouldn't be in a given scene, and scaling back Aeris's death from the Northern Cave Crater.
Yuffie also has a single line of dialogue written for her before it's possible to have her join the party.
Final Fantasy VIII: During the Galbadian occupation of Zell's hometown, the party gets a chance to rest up in his room. Depending on which optional party member you bring along, the scene changes drastically. Selphie messes up Zell's bed, Quistis tells an embarrassing anecdote, Irvine tests out Zell's antique gun collection, and Rinoa asks about Zell's grandfather.
At the Deep Sea Research Facility, if Zell is in your party prior to entering the ruins, he'll solve a puzzle for you, and allow you to reach Ultima Weapon more easily.
Final Fantasy IX - Quan's Dwelling in has an extra scene if you return there with Vivi and Quina in your party at a certain point of the game. In fact, the game's main conceit is the ability to view scenes with characters you don't have with you. All of these are optional, but can sometimes net the player a nice item or piece of equipment via the offscreen characters actions.
In the Shadowbringers expansion of Final Fantasy XIV, a new Trust system is introduced which allows the player to bring along NPC party members into dungeons. You have to choose three to bring along, which usually leaves one or two behind, and depending on who you bring you can see them interact differently to each other or react to things happening in the dungeon.
 Optional Character Scene / int_a81325d3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_a81325d3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy (Franchise)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_a81325d3
 Optional Character Scene / int_a993be1f
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_a993be1f
comment
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords - Bringing certain party members to the tomb of Freedon Nadd will bring up a scene where they are tempted by the dark energy there.
 Optional Character Scene / int_a993be1f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_a993be1f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_a993be1f
 Optional Character Scene / int_c0c57462
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_c0c57462
comment
In Chrono Trigger, most characters get variations on the same line, but there's quite a bit of this as well.
Most notably, after Crono's death is reversed, Marle or Lucca will hug Crono and relay how much they missed him; if you have both Marle and Lucca, Marle is given top priority and you miss out on Lucca's scene; and if neither character is in the active party, Frog or Robo will simply welcome him back.
The next most notable incident is during the Final Boss battle, where each character you bring gets their own "No More Holding Back" Speech (except Crono).
Also done with the enemy- one room in Magus' Keep has a shapeshifter enemy who turns into a trusted figure of whoever's in front (Queen Leene for Frog, Lucca's father for Lucca, etc.) and gives a different line for each. They don't attack you... at first.
 Optional Character Scene / int_c0c57462
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_c0c57462
featureConfidence
1.0
 Chrono Trigger (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_c0c57462
 Optional Character Scene / int_c2d7e755
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_c2d7e755
comment
Steven Universe: Save The Light gives each character in the party a comment on whichever area they are at during the main story.
 Optional Character Scene / int_c2d7e755
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_c2d7e755
featureConfidence
1.0
 Save the Light (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_c2d7e755
 Optional Character Scene / int_cf82131a
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_cf82131a
comment
In Marvel Ultimate Alliance, various player characters have dialogues with different NPCs, usually ones they have some connection to.
 Optional Character Scene / int_cf82131a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_cf82131a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_cf82131a
 Optional Character Scene / int_d29994ae
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_d29994ae
comment
Live A Live will only show a scene (continuing a Running Gag) in the Martial Arts chapter if you picked Hong as the martial arts inheritor.
 Optional Character Scene / int_d29994ae
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_d29994ae
featureConfidence
1.0
 Live A Live (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_d29994ae
 Optional Character Scene / int_d3c4a6ce
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_d3c4a6ce
comment
There are various scenes in Trials of Mana that have different lines of dialogue depending not only on who your party members are, but when they joined your party. In addition to scenes where certain party members gain priority depending on if they're relevant to the other characters present and the scene itself, there are scenes that play a generic piece of dialogue for a party member in a designated slot, with the selection being consistent across each playthrough.
 Optional Character Scene / int_d3c4a6ce
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_d3c4a6ce
featureConfidence
1.0
 Trials of Mana (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_d3c4a6ce
 Optional Character Scene / int_da72cf97
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_da72cf97
comment
The Legend of Heroes - Trails franchise gives every playable character a unique optional scene dependent on whether they are currently in the party. This also extends to conversations; for example in Trails in the Sky - Second Chapter after the group escape the Lotus-Eater Machine, the player can ask whoever was in the party to learn what they experienced during that time.
 Optional Character Scene / int_da72cf97
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_da72cf97
featureConfidence
1.0
 Trails Series (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_da72cf97
 Optional Character Scene / int_e144ba19
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_e144ba19
comment
Dragon Age II takes this trope to a slightly different conclusion, where the characters in your party can sometimes join in on a conversation and effect its outcome. E.g. Varric can outright lie and charm to get out of trouble, Merrill and Anders will offer magey advice, Fenris punches through people's chests. The Player Character has similar options depending on what class they are, or what personality (Diplomatic, Charming, Aggressive) they establish.
 Optional Character Scene / int_e144ba19
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_e144ba19
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Age II (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_e144ba19
 Optional Character Scene / int_eb6719f6
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_eb6719f6
comment
Final Fantasy VIII: During the Galbadian occupation of Zell's hometown, the party gets a chance to rest up in his room. Depending on which optional party member you bring along, the scene changes drastically. Selphie messes up Zell's bed, Quistis tells an embarrassing anecdote, Irvine tests out Zell's antique gun collection, and Rinoa asks about Zell's grandfather.
At the Deep Sea Research Facility, if Zell is in your party prior to entering the ruins, he'll solve a puzzle for you, and allow you to reach Ultima Weapon more easily.
 Optional Character Scene / int_eb6719f6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_eb6719f6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy VIII (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_eb6719f6
 Optional Character Scene / int_f3cbb86a
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_f3cbb86a
comment
In BoxxyQuest: The Gathering Storm, a few sidequests will play out ever-so-slightly differently depending on who you have in the party. For example, if Tyalie is present during the Christmas sale quest, then she’ll end the scene by wishing the player a Happy Easter. Also, you can’t trigger the Beach Episode in the epilogue (or gain access to the Sky Abyss) unless everyone is with you.
 Optional Character Scene / int_f3cbb86a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_f3cbb86a
featureConfidence
1.0
 BoxxyQuest: The Gathering Storm (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_f3cbb86a
 Optional Character Scene / int_f7c8e36e
type
Optional Character Scene
 Optional Character Scene / int_f7c8e36e
comment
Octopath Traveler:
Starting from a character's second chapter, the player may be able to activate one-on-one events depending on their party's composition during key events. For example, during Tressa's second chapter, Cyrus can tell her how actually seeing rare stones is different from merely reading about them, Primrose gives Tressa a pep talk when a rival merchant takes her customers, and Therion can suggest just leaving Ali to die when Mr. Morlock captures him.
There are additional scenes between up to four characters at a time available in taverns after finishing any of the characters' quests. These tend to be more light hearted, including drinking contests and the like.
 Optional Character Scene / int_f7c8e36e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Optional Character Scene / int_f7c8e36e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Octopath Traveler (Video Game)
hasFeature
Optional Character Scene / int_f7c8e36e

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Optional Character Scene
processingCategory2
Interactive Storytelling Tropes
 Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Tabletop Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Alien vs. Predator (Capcom) (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Baldur's Gate II (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 BoxxyQuest: The Gathering Storm (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Final Fantasy VI (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Octopath Traveler (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Ogre Battle 64 (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Paper Mario (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Persona (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 SOS (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Sword Art Online (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Tales Series (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Telepath RPG (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Trails Series (Video Game) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene
 Spirit Hunter: NG (Visual Novel) / int_d514d688
type
Optional Character Scene