Mass Effect

The best dialogue and story writing in an RPG since Torment. I'm a little embarrassed at how excited I became at every opportunity to flirt with and romance the main love interest...But only a little, because the character is written as an actual, specific human being who does not exist merely for you to make sex with. All Mario has to do to get the girl is jump on some turtles. In Mass Effect you have to share your feelings, and respect hers. The development of relationships with and between NPCs is sophisticated and subtle, and not just in the love triangle but throughout the cast of a dozen major crew members, Citadel officials and villains. Outstanding voice acting lends an authenticity to the writing that you rarely get in American RPGs and never in JRPGs.