Buzz
Video games often aim to mimic aspects of real life, and one recurring activity in these digital spaces is drinking. Many titles offer players the chance to consume large amounts of alcohol, causing their in-game characters to become hilariously intoxicated. Of course, this often leads to clumsy moments as you stagger through the virtual world. However, it's not always as fun as it seems.
Getting drunk in a game can actually make the experience more challenging. To create a more realistic feel, some game developers alter gameplay mechanics, making actions harder to perform. Simple tasks can become incredibly frustrating. Soon enough, you might regret that last drink, but perhaps the short-lived amusement is worth the struggle.
10. Red Dead Redemption
Saloons are a hallmark of the Old West, and both Red Dead Redemption titles let you enjoy a drink at these classic establishments. Most towns feature a saloon, where you can stroll in and order a shot. If you’ve got the cash, the drinks keep flowing. But be cautious—getting too drunk can lead to trouble.
The locals aren’t fond of drunks. Overindulging in alcohol causes a dizzy effect on your screen, making it difficult to walk steadily. It also impacts your interactions with passersby, possibly provoking them into challenging you to a duel. Needless to say, it's nearly impossible to win a quick-draw battle when your vision is impaired. Of course, you might pass out from the alcohol before any of these confrontations even occur.
9. The Witcher
Geralt, the genetically-enhanced monster hunter, may be stronger than the average human, but he’s still susceptible to getting drunk. Throughout The Witcher games, Geralt can visit inns and indulge in several drinks. Drinking too much causes a blurred screen and a wobbly walk. This isn’t usually dangerous, as the townsfolk aren’t likely to challenge a witcher. The only risks are thugs and thieves who might lurk in dark alleys. Even they aren’t much of a threat. As a result, drinking is a rather harmless bit of fun.
The first game even turns drinking into a sport. Geralt can compete in drinking contests against both allies and strangers. Not only is it essential for certain quests, but winning can earn you rewards. The goal is simple: drink until either your opponent gives in or Geralt passes out. You can even use the effects of alcohol to numb Geralt's pain, making him more lethal in battle. That’s the magic of witcher biology!
8. Like a Dragon
These quirky games are all about fun side activities, practically encouraging players to get drunk. In the Yakuza (Like a Dragon) series, alcohol is more accessible than ever. Convenience stores sell cheap booze for your inventory, while swankier spots like cabaret clubs offer premium drinks. The higher the drink's cost, the more it boosts your alcohol level. While the screen doesn’t distort like in other games, it’s still tough to walk straight. But you can always use that to your advantage.
Being drunk could actually help in combat. Some character upgrades let you fill your Heat meter faster while intoxicated. This energy allows you to perform powerful finishing moves that deplete enemy health bars in seconds. Certain characters even have unique Heat actions that only unlock with a high level of alcohol. Who wouldn’t want to be a drunken martial arts master?
7. Grand Theft Auto
Given that both Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption are made by the same developer, it’s no surprise that drunkenness is handled in a similar way in both. Head to a bar and down shots until your vision’s a blur. Once again, the screen and controls become distorted, making it harder to function. However, this silly state of mind might be more dangerous in a modern city than in the Old West. The true danger lies in simple navigation. In GTA, getting around means driving, and the cars already have clunky handling. Add alcohol to the mix, and the driving gets exponentially worse. Crashing at any speed can send you flying through the windshield or into an explosion. So drink at your own risk.
6. Bioshock
In most games, you have to buy alcohol, but Bioshock flips the script. In this dystopian world, alcohol is simply lying around, waiting to be picked up. These drinks are scattered across the desolate environments and can restore some of your health. However, they also drain your EVE energy, which powers your magical abilities. But that’s not all the negative impact they have on you.
Drinking too much causes your screen to blur, which is nothing new for video games. But in Bioshock, this effect is even more damaging. As a first-person shooter, your field of view is already limited. Add in the blurry effect, and it becomes incredibly hard to aim, or even know where you are. This makes you an easy target for enemies. While alcohol may help you survive a little longer, it may ultimately be what gets you killed.
5. Assassin’s Creed
You might think alcohol would be a hindrance for the sharp killers of Assassin’s Creed, but that’s not always the case. In Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Edward Kenway can indulge in a little drinking at a tavern and turn into a drunken pirate. You’ll find these bars in most port towns, but first, you need to unlock them by fighting the local bandits. Yes, the drinking only happens after the brawl.
That’s not the case in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Much like The Witcher, this Viking saga has its fair share of drinking challenges scattered across the land. As Eivor, you’ll be racing to finish your horn of mead before your opponent. You can even wager silver coins to make things more interesting. But beware—after the drink, you’ll have to deal with the familiar dizziness and blurred vision. It’s not the behavior you’d expect from a trained assassin, but maybe it’s what helps them fit in.
4. Dead Rising
A zombie apocalypse might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about drinking, but in Dead Rising, alcohol serves as one of the most effective healing items. Much like Bioshock, drinks are scattered around as random pickups. The key difference is that the bottles in Dead Rising heal a massive five bars of health. A few quick sips can bring you back from the brink of death and restore you to full health. In short, these drinks are incredibly potent.
However, this strength comes with a serious drawback. Overindulging in these drinks can lead to a vomiting episode. While brief, this moment of vulnerability could be the difference between life and death. The zombie hordes never stop, and some of them are surprisingly fast and deadly. You can’t afford to waste time puking, or else you risk being overtaken and overwhelmed by the undead.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is yet another challenging RPG where drunkenness results in a specific status effect. The game offers a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including wine, rum, beer, and tonic, all of which can be found in taverns, inns, and camps. While these drinks can help build camaraderie with your party members, be cautious not to overdo it, as drinking too much can have unintended consequences.
When depicting drunkenness, Baldur’s Gate 3 takes a more practical approach rather than focusing on flashy visuals. The effects of inebriation extend both to combat and interactions. First, your Charisma takes a hit, limiting your dialogue choices and reducing your ability to win verbal exchanges. Additionally, your Dexterity suffers. This affects not only how frequently your ranged attacks land but also how well you can withstand damage. Even the smallest dip in these stats can change the outcome of both quests and battles, so keeping them high is essential. Why risk these consequences by getting drunk?
2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Like many great RPGs, Kingdom Come: Deliverance features an extensive system of stats that govern how you interact with the world. Alcohol plays a unique role in affecting these stats, especially when you make a quick stop at the tavern. Drunkenness is tracked by a meter, and each drink adds to this gauge. When the meter is less than half full, alcohol boosts your Speech, Vitality, and Charisma by up to two points. But things change once you cross that threshold.
Once the meter exceeds halfway, the benefits start to turn into drawbacks. Alcohol begins to lower your previously enhanced stats. Furthermore, you’ll be dealing with a hangover that negatively impacts other traits like Agility, Strength, and Conspicuousness. In short, moderation is key. This is good advice for both the game and real life. You don’t want to end up as the local drunk.
1. Mass Effect 2
The Mass Effect galaxy is filled with a variety of alien species, each with their own preferred drinks. You can try out these unique concoctions at many of the major urban hubs like the Citadel and Omega. The best part is that they’re affordable, costing only a few galactic credits. However, as with anything tempting, it’s easy to overindulge.
This idea is fully explored in Mass Effect 2. Besides the typical slurred speech, getting drunk unlocks unique interactions. For example, overindulging at the Afterlife club leads to a blackout, and you wake up next to Aria—the ruthless club owner. Back on your ship, after securing the requested brandy for your doctor, you can drunkenly reminisce with her about past events. The characters are one of Mass Effect’s greatest strengths, so sharing a few drinks is worth the inevitable hangover.
