TechRaptor - Mass Effects Dialogue Wheel

TechRaptor has an interesting editorial on Mass Effects dialogue wheel and its effects on rpgs. This is contrasted to what games like Pillars of Eternity and Shadowrun Returns attempt to do.

The basic layout of the dialogue wheel in Mass Effect.

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This is the dialogue wheel's greatest strength in the end: controlling tone. Many have cited the problem with the dialogue wheel was that tone would be inconsistent with the character, and while in some extreme cases, most notably in Dragon Age II, this can be argued as true, the tonal shifts also add another layer to characters by showcasing the gamut of emotions-or how realistic people would act in such situations. If someone is criticizing you, you could instead act aggressive towards them, then shift back to diplomatic when they get the hint. Tone also gives each conversation texture to it; it provides feedback to players how NPCs would react to your character, in effect giving you direct feedback of their response and possibly intention.