NPCs in games should turn and face the player naturally during interactions.

• 'Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War' features Helen Park, who turns to face the player with a unique animation.
• This mechanic is rarely used but adds to the immersion and realism of the game.

NPCs should have reactive behaviors and hidden reactions to repetitive player actions.

• 'Death Stranding' includes a character named Fragile who gets annoyed if used for fast travel too often.
• Such reactions are uncommon but add depth and believability to game characters.

Dialogue options in games should reflect the character's personality and backstory.

• 'Starfield' allows dialogue options based on the character's perks, such as the Extrovert perk.
• This gives the player a sense of their character's influence on the game world.

NPCs should be shown consuming food realistically, cutting and eating until their plate is clear.

• 'Red Dead Redemption 2' shows NPCs eating in a realistic manner, a detail that enhances immersion.
• This attention to detail is rare due to the additional work required from developers.

Climbing mechanics should be realistic, allowing for immersive parkour and movement.

• 'Assassin's Creed Mirage' features realistic wall ejecting that integrates seamlessly into movement.
• The mechanic is a return to the climbing styles of the earlier games in the series.

Players should be able to use realistic methods to bypass obstacles instead of game-specific items.

• The 'Resident Evil 4' remake allows players to use an RPG to blast through a collapsed mine tunnel.
• This gives players the freedom to choose an intuitive and realistic solution.

Players should have the choice to walk away from missions or dangerous situations.

• Games like 'Far Cry' and 'Cyberpunk' offer the option to end missions early by walking away.
• This mechanic is realistic and acknowledges the player's autonomy in the game world.

Puzzle challenges should have realistic solutions, like using a bomb arrow to hit a target.

• 'Tears of the Kingdom' allows players to bypass complex puzzles with simple, real-world solutions.
• More games should embrace the idea that any sufficient action can complete a task.

Games should simulate the realistic effect of eyes adjusting to dark environments over time.

• 'Metal Gear Solid 3' features a mechanic where the player's vision improves after spending time in darkness.
• This mechanic is rarely used in games but adds to the realism of navigating dark areas.

Games should offer the option to coexist peacefully with enemies instead of resorting to violence.

• 'The Forest' enables players to live in harmony with the island's natives by avoiding conflict.
• This realistic mechanic rewards players for choosing non-violent solutions in survival situations.