Varsapura has a branching dialogue system with skill checks, a first for any HoYoverse title. Conversations present multiple response options, some of which require passing a check in one of three social skills: Persuasion, Deception, and Empathy.
How Skill Checks Work
During dialogue, players see multiple response options. Standard responses are always available and advance the conversation normally. Skill-tagged responses offer alternative paths:
Persuasion options convince NPCs through logical argument or appeal to authority
Deception options lie to or mislead NPCs to extract information or avoid consequences
Empathy options connect with NPCs emotionally, gaining trust through understanding
Players must pass the skill check to use non-standard dialogue options. Failing a check means that dialogue path is unavailable. The exact mechanics of how checks are calculated, whether they use a dice roll, a stat threshold, or some other system, have not been detailed.
Consequences
Different dialogue choices lead to different outcomes. These can range from minor flavor changes to different quest paths or information reveals. The system gives players agency in how Hollowone interacts with the world beyond combat.
Protagonist Traits
Each Hollowone protagonist has distinct traits that can be leveraged in dialogue. These traits may make certain skill checks easier or unlock unique dialogue options not available to other character builds. The specifics of trait selection and how it ties into the skill check system are not yet confirmed.
Context in the Genre
Dialogue skill checks are common in Western RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Disco Elysium, but they are almost unheard of in the action RPG space HoYoverse operates in. Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail offer dialogue choices that are mostly cosmetic. Varsapura's skill check system suggests a much deeper focus on player agency in narrative, which could be one of the game's defining features if the choices have real consequences.