Game Review: We should talk. (Xbox Series X)

From developer Whitethorn Games comes We should talk. A dialogue-driven game about relationships and one that promises depth, but ends up feeling quite empty.

You play a character who regularly spends nights out, much to the concern of your partner. This relationship is already a bit rocky, and it’s these problems the game will explore. All while additional characters threaten to throw even more spanners in the working gears of the relationship.

It’s a solid idea, and the story comes from a modern and realistic perspective. This relationship feels real, and the enjoyment of the game comes from exploring the different paths available. You see, how you respond to your partner, and the people you meet in the bar, has impact on the relationship. Meaning you can play through the game several times and experience different outcomes.

It’s what gives We should talk. its replay value as each playthrough is only around 30-45 minutes long. That being said, after a couple of playthroughs it becomes quite clear that the game isn’t as full of choice and direction as it first seems. In fact, it’s more like the illusion of choice, as the many dialogue options often result in the same path being taken. In fact, some sections are scripted to the point that the conversation starts to feel a bit unnatural and forced.

Considering gameplay is limited to choosing dialogue options, this is a bit of a problem.

What’s also a problem is the lack of depth to the characters, where underlying issues are barely explored. There are times when long term things are hinted at, but the game always seems in a rush to get you to the next section, rather than explore what is being said.

Your partner reveals anxiety about having work people over? Forgotten about a minute later. Your partner reveals her lack of trust in you? Dull dialogue responses result in resolutions, one way or another. Your character might not be as committed as you should be, based upon an interaction with an ex? Focus on jokes about his show. It all feels so vapid.

Which could be twisted to show how the main relationship is failing because the characters are ignoring the problems. Except, it doesn’t explore this well, and even when it does venture in that direction, it’s part of the ending frame. So, it hardly matters.

Perhaps though, We should talk.’s biggest problem is that overall, it’s pretty dull, and this just increases playthrough after playthrough. If you do want to see all the endings, even though there’s not a lot between them, you’re going to have to deal with a lot of repetition. In a completely dialogue-driven game, that’s not good enough.