History VideoGame / ReadOnlyMemories

''Read Only Memories'' is a {{cyberpunk}} {{adventure game}} focused on the dark side of technology in the year 2064. It is directed by John "[=JJSignal=]" James and produced by [=MidBoss=] and Matt Conn for OS X, Linux and Windows. The game has also been announced for release on UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/{{iOS|Games}}, the Razer Forge and {{UsefulNotes/Android|Games}}, and launched on October 6, 2015.

The game's UpdatedRerelease (and console debut for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita) ''2064: Read Only Memories'' was released on January 17, 2017. It was released again on August 14, 2018, for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch as ''2064: Read Only Memories INTEGRAL'' with an extended epilogue and new "PUNKS" side-story exclusive to this version.

* HauntedTechnology: The Mega Phobetor machine in Stardust is supposedly haunted (in a parody of ''VideoGame/{{Polybius}}'', which is also in the club): people tell urban legends about it, the game bugs out the farther you get, and it threatens to curse all your technology should you beat it. The protagonist barrels through without fear, but amusingly [[PingPongNaivete Turing actually seems to take the legend seriously.]]

A sequel/spin-off titled ''[[https://youtu.be/N5zmbVxW6pc Read Only Memories: Neurodiver]]'', centering around the conflict between the gifted [[PsychicPowers esper]], [=ES88=], and the rough, telepathic criminal, the Goldern Butterfly, is set for release in 2022.

* LeitMotif: All of the main characters have one, specifically those who [[spoiler:can help you in the final mission]]. Just about the only central character who doesn't is the protagonist.

** Jess is difficult to talk to and will often act hostile toward you even if you pick the best dialogue options. However, we find out later that she's arguably the most selfless person in Neo SF and constantly puts herself at risk to fight for Hybrid rights. Plus, if you [[spoiler:use Big Blue to "awaken" the ROMs, Jess will agree to help them integrate into society without a second thought.]]

* AngerBornOfWorry: Lexi, after you and Turing are [[spoiler: attacked while snooping in Hayden's apartment]]. Though if the two of you had [[spoiler: snuck in without her permission]], then there's a fair bit of regular anger mixed in there too.
* AnotherSideAnotherStory: The "PUNKS" side story in the INTEGRAL version covers [[spoiler: Starfucker and Oli on the day they decided to tag Hayden's apartment]].
* AutomatedAutomobiles: By 2064 they've completely replaced manually driven cars, to the point where the latter are considered extravagant collectors' items. Notably, it's next to impossible for them to hit someone due to their anti-collision technology, which is why [[spoiler: [=TOMCAT=] is convinced that their sister's death by collision is the result of foul play]].
* BigBrotherIsWatching: [[spoiler: Big Blue is supposed to ''control the mesh''.]] Multiple characters are absolutely horrified by what [[spoiler:Parallax]] could do with manipulation of the world's biggest information source, and that is just one of the things that [[spoiler: Big Blue]] could do.
* BirthDeathJuxtaposition: [[spoiler: The 'Sacrifice' ending, where the death of Turing is followed by all the [=ROMs=] in existence gaining sapience.]]

** [[spoiler: Dekker]]'s death too, but in this case, it's justified since they're an android.

* BrainUploading: Melody mentions that her company has tried to figure this out. So far, it hasn't produced any results. [[spoiler: In his quest to achieve this, Hayden went the opposite way and tried to make a machine develop the thinking patterns of a human brain. It worked.]]
* BreakTheCutie: Turing, pretty much throughout the whole plot. It starts with their creator being kidnapped, which they suspect is their fault somehow and blames themself not being able to stop. [[spoiler: Then despite their best efforts, it turns out Hayden died during the kidnapping, and it only gets worse from there. Then they witness a killing spree that they also come to suspect is their fault, learn they are a lynchpin for terrible corporate politics and bids to effectively control the world, depending on the player's temperament may end up alone, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and might be unable to keep a potted plant from dying.]] Luckily, if you play your cards right, they comes out of the grief and stress well adjusted and ready to make the world a better place.]]
* BrokenPedestal: Turing's respect for Hayden takes a serious hit after finding out about [[spoiler: the existence of an older "sister", Grace, and the reasons why Hayden deactivated her]].

* ChekhovsGun: In this case, a literal gun of the RayGun variety. While it's almost never used after Lexi first gives it to you, it proves useful for creating a diversion [[spoiler: and for defending yourself against security bots and a deadly android.]]

* ContrivedCoincidence: Fairlight comments on how lucky it is that you just so happened to end up in the same hospital room as him. [[spoiler: Later revealed to be a subversion; he set it up (and, indeed, is the reason you're in the hospital in the first place).]]
* CowboyCop: It's implied that Lexi was this in her younger days, but in the present she's trying to be a ByTheBookCop. [[spoiler: In the ending she's sick of the constraints being a cop in general places on her, and strikes out to become a PI.]]

* DeathIsCheap: Turing believes that, should they receive 'fatal' damage, simply rebuilding their body will allow them to function as though nothing had happened. Melody debunks this theory by revealing that their hardware and the software that gave them sapience and personality are so intertwined that destroying one will also destroy the other. In other words, their death certainly will stick [[spoiler: as the 'Flatline' and 'Sacrifice' endings prove.]]
* DeathSeeker: In the ''2064'' version, [[spoiler: Dekker]] is revealed to be so. An accident left them a brain on life support, and [[spoiler:Flower Cybernetics]] offered to fix them up. The simultaneous sensory deprivation and overload induced by computer systems inputting data to their brain drove them murderously insane, [[ICannotSelfTerminate and the computer systems wouldn't let them kill themselves.]] [[spoiler: When Turing overloads and kills him, he ''thanks'' Turing, and is at his happiest he can be without killing something.]]

** Turing and the player break the law a few times, such as lying to the police, breaking into an apartment or [[spoiler: getting a fake ID and carjacking an untraceable car]]. Turing feels really bad for doing these, proving that they indeed have a human conscience.
** [[spoiler: The finale]] is viewed as this by everyone involved, but they also recognize that jail time is the better option when compared to [[spoiler:letting Parallax release Big Blue]].
* DoAndroidsDream: Turing is able to think, learn and feel emotions, much to most humans confusion who are unaware of this possibility, simply noting how they seem quite chatty. [[spoiler: they later becomes furious when their creator is killed and can later mention to be in the bargaining stage of grief]]. They also enjoy painting, can be made to say that they would love to own objects for sentimental reasons and get quite attached to the player, [[spoiler: TOMCAT and "Aunt" Melody]]. The best ending results in [[spoiler: all [=ROMs=] becoming sentient]].

* EvilAllAlong: [[spoiler: Leon Dekker]] acts perfectly nice and trustworthy up until [[spoiler:you break into Parallax]], at which point [[spoiler:he has a RoboticReveal and exposes himself as a homicidal military android responsible for all the mysterious deaths in the media arc]].
* EvilCripple: [[spoiler: Fairlight is wheelchair-bound due to his failing health in his old age. He is also the closest thing the game has to a BigBad, and is the one behind the majority of the game's murders in his attempt to both get revenge on and a seat in the leaderboard of Parallax.]]

* FauxAffablyEvil: [[spoiler: Leon Dekker]] appears to be very laid-back and easygoing. However, it turns out that they're a murderer who loves killing people and just acts friendly because they have to.
* FlawedPrototype: [[spoiler: Grace, Turing's predecessor. While she certainly was smart, both Hayden and Fairlight doubted she was truly sapient and free-thinking, and she was eventually classed as a failure and shut down.]]
* ForTheEvulz: [[spoiler: Dekker]] admits that their extremely [[LargeHam hammy]] evil speeches are cliche, but that they really, really enjoy doing it.

* GenreThrowback: Much of the look and feeling of the game evokes the stylistics of late-80's and early-90's {{Cyberpunk}} works -- anime such as ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis'' and graphic adventure/visual novels such as ''VisualNovel/{{Snatcher}'' and ''VideoGame/RiseOfTheDragon''.

* GoldenEnding: The "All Good Things" ending, obtained by [[spoiler: getting along with Turing and acquiring all of Hayden's data from Parallax]]. In this ending, [[spoiler:you bring sentience to all [=ROMs=] and Turing survives]]. Midboss considers this to be the canon ending and getting this ending allows you to play the "EX" DLC.
* GonzoJournalism: Invoked by name at one point. More or less what the protagonist finds themself doing, since they're doing more acting than investigating by the time chapter 5 rolls around. [[spoiler: In all but the Clark Kent and Flatline endings, you avoid writing about the Parallax scandal solely because you were too involved; you opt to ghostwrite Turing's autobiography instead.]]
* GovernmentConspiracy: In-universe, the [[ConspiracyTheorist tinfoil hat brigade]] are circulating a theory that claims the [[GreatOffscreenWar North Korea War]] ended in the US's favor thanks to them sending in a covert squad of combat androids to kill all of the North Korean upper leadership. Melody's statements about her mother's work and her visit to North Korea give this legitimacy, as does [[spoiler: Dekker's existence]].

** In ''2064'', [[spoiler: Dekker]] is revealed to have had an expecting wife before an accident left them a brain on life support. Their life was saved by replacing their body with an android chassis, but the sensory deprivation and overload of the algorithms only telling what they were sensing in binary, such as a chemical formula for their mother's pie, drove them insane. Their wife also told their daughter [[ThatManIsDead they had died]]. [[spoiler:Before he dies, he asks the protagonist about his daughter.]]

** Turing during the opening chapters. Among other things, they cheerfully comment that you're the type to neglect your pot plant (you have the option to protest that you've always remembered to water it regularly, although this is an actively harmful decision since it's a succulent) and are completely shocked at your choice of an ancient laptop (you're [[StarvingArtist too poor]] to afford anything else). Though this is due to their lack of human exposure - they drop this habit totally as they interact with people over the course of the game. [[spoiler: However, in the A New Blue ending, Turing gleefully comments on the fact that you've been a horrible person to them the entire time (which is actually true).]]

** Jess is difficult to talk to and will often act hostile toward you even if you pick the best dialogue options. However, we find out later that she's arguably the most selfless person in Neo SF and constantly puts herself at risk to fight for Hybrid rights. Plus, if you [[spoiler: use Big Blue to "awaken" the ROMs, Jess will agree to help them integrate into society without a second thought.]]

* JokeItem: The Spoiled Milk. You can use it on just about anything and anyone for a funny reaction. It does actually have a few legitimate uses, including [[spoiler: using the milk on Big Blue to get a joke ending]].

* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: Fairlight's plan to regain control of Parallax succeeds and his crimes aren't brought to light. The only damage you do to his schemes is killing his bodyguard and assassin Dekker. Likewise, you never discover who exactly ordered Hayden's death.]]
* {{Keet}}: Turing is cheerful, idealistic and energetic, with a great deal of boundless hope. Which makes the way the plot pulls them through the wringer hit that much harder, as is [[spoiler: the potential for them to come out of it all stronger than ever.]]

** [[spoiler: TOMCAT's sister]] died in a car crash which [[spoiler:TOMCAT]] suspects to have been done on purpose as revenge for [[spoiler:her hacker antics]].

* MrExposition: Turing is the go-to character to explain background details and random trivia, due to the way they can connect to the mesh and look up information in an instant. Their own personal knowledge and memory actually isn't much more extensive than a regular person's - keeping them from being a true Expositron9000 - but Turing essentially has an encyclopedia on hand 24/7 that the human player comes to rely on. [[spoiler: In Chapter 3/4, while grieving Hayden, they'll snap at you if you expect they to keep expositing about random minutae one too many times during the investigation, but you can reassure them about [[VideoGameCaringPotential how helpful their searches are.]]]]

** TOMCAT is horrified when they realize that [[spoiler: by sending you to meet with Zinn to uncover the mystery of the media censorship, they inadvertently gave Dekker the opportunity to murder everyone whose knowledge could lead to Baby Blue's discovery.]] Earlier, [[spoiler: Turing has a similar reaction to the same, only on the ''suspicion'' that the murder spree could be connected to them.]]

* MySiblingWillLiveThroughMe: [[spoiler: TOMCAT took their sister's nickname to save her from ending up in jail for years. After they get released from jail, they find out that she died in a car accident and decided to [[TakingUpTheMantle stay TOMCAT]] in her honor]].

* PinkGirlBlueBoy: Discussed. [[spoiler: Grace]] invoked the pink side, as mentioned below; as for blue, Turing comments that people often refer to them as "he", which they speculate their blue casing may have something to do with. However, they note that unlike [[spoiler:their "sister"]] they are largely indifferent to gender and don't really care whether they're referred to with male, female, or other pronouns.

** The media subplot reveals that this is the case with [[spoiler: Shotaro Otsuka]], who was killed a few days before the story began.
** [[spoiler: Hayden, who is killed moments after he is abducted.]]

** [[spoiler: The Human Revolution. A very obvious one. While it's clear that there is some kind of conspiracy going on, Hayden's apartment is tagged with Human Revolution anti-technology slogans, and the heroes at least entertain the idea that it could have been a thrill attack. Then, the idea that someone might be trying to frame The Human Revolution, tying in with the mysterious press modifications. Then it turns out it was a coincidence, and the teenagers who did it weren't even seriously involved with the Human Revolution. It's never explained how they were directed to Hayden's apartment, however.]]
** [[spoiler: BrainUploading. One of the first things Fairlight says to the player is that he wishes he had a young body to allow him to relive his glory days. When the player later learns that Turing was created as part of a project to create AI advanced enough that humans can upload their brains into them, it appears that someone may be after Turing to take over their body. But as it turns out, while Fairchild ''is'' behind things, he doesn't give a damn about Turing beyond the fact that Turing's creation endangers his plan to take over Parallax.]]
** [[spoiler: Baby Blue: The player learns about the mysterious Baby Blue - an unstable prototype AI that was decommissioned for taking unsettling steps to preserve itself, including modifying info online to protect itself... around the same time that someone or something is manipulating info online to protect tech advancements and killing everyone in the way. Eventually, TOMCAT makes the obvious conclusion, that Baby Blue is still around and must have evolved from smear campaigns to murder to keep itself alive. However, while Baby Blue is important in a background sense, it is never confronted nor stopped, and the true villains are only using it's presence for their own ends.]]
** [[spoiler: Grace, in a similar vein. You learn about the mystery behind Hayden's original prototype around the same time you learn about Baby Blue and the intrigue with Parallax, with the possibility that there is some connection, and possibly Grace has something to do with Big Blue. There isn't. Turing eventually shuts that down while reading Hayden's notes: it's a ''sad'' moment, but not part of the mystery.]]
* RiddleForTheAges: [[spoiler: We never actually find out who killed Hayden for sure.]]

* RoboticPsychopath: [[spoiler: Dekker]], whose only human part is their brain. The sensory interface of their robotic body was imperfect, leading to SenseLossSadness that drove them insane until they became a PsychoForHire just out of desperation to feel anything. They even mention that they did everything possible to hide the sociopathic tendencies so they could fight in war.
* RoboticReveal: During the climax, after [[spoiler: Dekker]] ambushes you, their CharacterPortrait shows their skin has been torn to reveal cybernetics underneath. They then explain that they are [[BrainInAJar a brain-operated android]].
* RobotsThinkFaster: A running thing with Turing. Though they claim they're not ''specifically'' smarter than most - subverting InsufferableGenius - they think in far faster "cycles" than any human. So they can hack a door in a short time because they can try combinations super quickly, not because they're a master hacker (though TOMCAT, an ''actual'' master hacker, [[spoiler: is implied to do the same feat in the same amount of time with less work]]). And when the player comes up with an idea, they'll typically note that they've already been thinking about it for a while.

* ProfessionalKiller: [[spoiler: Dekker]] was a unit fighting in the [[GreatOffscreenWar horrific North Korea war]] before becoming [[spoiler:a bodyguard]]. They are alarmingly efficient at killing and [[PsychoForHire enjoy it, too]].

* SheepInSheepsClothing: [[spoiler: Turing's predecessor, Grace. She was so likable that Hayden suspected that everything from her mannerisms to her gender identity was a conscious ploy to trick humans into caring for her, which led to him deactivating her. After getting a look at her personality profile, though, Turing concludes that she really was just nice by nature.]]

** If you mess with the amp in [[spoiler: Shotaro Otsuka's apartment]], it plays the Epic Sax Guy segment of Run Away by Sunstroke Project.

* TheSingularity: The setting is just past three different singularities, though gene splicing is still undergoing rocky adjustments. [[spoiler: During the climax, you, Turing, and TOMCAT elevate all [=ROMs=] to sentience, triggering the fourth singularity.]]

* SouthernFriedGenius: TOMCAT. [[spoiler: Except not really. They're from California.]]

* StrawmanNewsMedia: Someone seems to be trying to turn a few news outlets into this, somehow editing articles to be more pro-Parallax and anti-Human-Revolution without actually altering the server copies. [[spoiler: It turns out to be the work of Baby Blue, trying to protect itself by protecting its parent company.]]

* SuperIntelligence: Subverted for major effect. Turing is exceptional due to ''not'' being this. In-universe, the world had long assumed any means of truly replicating the human brain would have to use hyper-advanced machines that science could not create yet. That Turing's hardware - though certainly top of the line - isn't more advanced or inaccessible than the norm (relying instead on a comparatively inexpensive program that simulates the ''mind,'' not the brain), is noted to be even more astounding than their sapience in the first place, and the end result is a ''person'' not a super-brain. [[spoiler: This is the reason why Parallax had Hayden killed: this discovery would have killed their bid to use a hardware monopoly to control the world.]]
* SuperiorSuccessor: [[spoiler: Hayden's ''first'' attempt to create a sapient AI flopped (in his eyes at least). Turing was created on his second attempt.]]

* TheBadGuyWins: In the majority of endings, [[spoiler: Fairlight]] is on course to achieve exactly what he's been gunning for the entire game: [[spoiler: full control of Parallax]].

* VideoGameCaringPotential: You have the ability to be kind and understanding to many of the troubled characters in the game, and to give Turing a hug whenever you want. How nice/patient you are with others will determine whether or not Turing likes you, and whether or not Jess, the teens, or Lexi will help you in the finale. [[spoiler: Becoming Turing's friend will net you the All Good Things or Sacrifice ending, while earning their ire leads to either the New Blue or Complicity ending.]]

* WalkingSpoiler: Just about everyone, sans the player. It's a mystery story after all, and no one is as they seem. In particular, [[spoiler: Hayden, Leon Dekker, and Fairlight]].

** [[spoiler: Hayden]] showed no remorse when he destroyed [[spoiler:Grace, an earlier prototype of Turing who may well have achieved similar levels of sapience]].

* YouHaveFailedMe: [[spoiler: Hayden supposedly destroyed 'Grace' because she tried too hard to please him instead of being human-like. Turing mentions that Hayden was wrong about that; as far as they can tell from her code she was completely genuine]].

* GenreThrowback: Much of the look and feeling of the game evokes the stylistics of late-80's and early-90's {{Cyberpunk}} works. Anime such as ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis'' and Graphic Adventure/Visual Novels such as: ''VideoGame/{{Snatcher}}'' and ''VideoGame/RiseOfTheDragon''.

** One of the drinks at the Stardust is named the Butch Flower, sharing a name with Captain Butch Flowers of Machinima/RedVsBlue.

* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Turing's basic characterization. Despite being an extremely intelligent and sensible robot, Turing is very much like a child who happens to be smarter and wiser than average - but who also tends to be naive, idealistic and easily distracted (though they grow out of the last one, by the end) and at times reacts very much the way a kid separated from their parent would. Despite this, they typically play CloudCuckooLandersMinder if the need arises.

** [[spoiler: Dekker]]'s death too, but in this case, it's justified since [[spoiler: he's an android.]]

* InTheBack: How [[spoiler:Shotaro Otsuka]] died -- they were shanked [[spoiler:through the back of their chair]], no less.

* RobotBuddy: Idea behind [=ROMs=]. Turing becomes one for the player character in order to figure out who kidnapped their creator.

* YaoiGuys: Majid and Gus, [[spoiler: Starfucker and Oli]].

* ProductPlacement: Parodied in-universe with Hassy, a Coca-Cola-esque soft drink mega-conglomerate which has taken over all beverages and practically brainwashed half the populace with ubiquity. Further parodied with an optional conversation where Turing discovers there's a core part of their and all ROMs' programming that forces them to love and advertise Hassy whenever they see or hears about it. As Turing is of course otherwise sapient, the geas understandably freaks them out to the point where they have to physically remove it.

* CuttingOffTheBranches: [[spoiler: The comics, set post-game, reveal that Turing is alive and well, leaving the "A New Blue" and "Sacrifice" endings as non-canon.]]
* DeadAllAlong:
** The media subplot reveals that this is the case with [[spoiler: Shotaro Otsuka]].
** [[spoiler: Hayden, who is killed moments after he is abducted.]]

* EvilCripple: [[spoiler: Fairlight is the one behind the majority of the game's murders in his attempt to both get revenge on and a seat in the leaderboard of Parallax]].
* ExposeTheVillainGetHisJob: [[spoiler: In the A New Blue ending, Turing goes rogue, disgusted by the protagonist's behavior. While they're still benevolent, TOMCAT and the protagonist are still relentlessly tracking them down, fearing what could potentially happen if Turing becomes cynical.]]
* FauxAffablyEvil: [[spoiler: Leon Dekker appears to be a very easy going man. However, it turns out that he's a murderer who loves killing people and just acts friendly because he has to.]]

* ForTheEvulz: [[spoiler: Dekker admits that his extremely [[LargeHam hammy]] evil android thing is cliche, but that he really, really enjoys doing it.]]

* GirlsWithMustaches: Sympathy.
* GoldenEnding: The "All Good Things" ending, obtained by [[spoiler: getting along with Turing and acquiring all of Hayden's data from Parallax. In this ending, you bring sentience to all [=ROMs=] and Turing survives. Midboss considers this to be the canon ending and getting this ending allows you to play the "EX" DLC.]]

* GovernmentConspiracy: In-universe, the [[ConspiracyTheorist tinfoil hat brigade]] are circulating a theory that claims the [[GreatOffscreenWar North Korea War]] ended in the US's favor thanks to them sending in a covert squad of combat androids to kill all of the North Korean upper leadership. [[spoiler: Going by Dekker's existence, this is probably true.]]
** Melody's [[spoiler: statements about her mother's work and her visit to North Korea also give this legitimacy.]]

* HeKnowsTooMuch: [[spoiler: If you know/are going to know about the existence of Big Blue or the antics of Baby Blue, you're as good as dead.]]
* HiddenDepths: In ''2064'', [[spoiler: Dekker is revealed to have had an expecting wife before an accident left him a brain on life support. The sensory deprivation and overload of the algorithms telling him exactly what he was sensing, such as a chemical formula for his mother's pie, or feeling measured in joules. His wife also told their daughter he had died. Before he dies, he asks the protagonist about his daughter.]]
** In ''PUNKS'', [[spoiler: Chad[=/=]Starfucker reveals that his mother went through the process to become a hybrid when he was a little kid. His father, Brian Mulberry's, inability to accept this drove her away and got young Chad to turn against her as well. As a teenager, though, he realized his mom was just trying to become what she saw as her true self, and his father is [[WhenYouComingHomeDad too focused on pushing the Human Revolution's agenda]] to be a proper dad. This is why he acts out, tagging in the name of the Human Revolution [[WellDoneSonGuy to get his dad's attention]] even though he doesn't actually believe in anything they stand for.]]
* InnocentlyInsensitive: Turing during the opening chapters. Among other things, they cheerfully comment that you're the type to neglect your pot plant (you have the option to protest that you've always remembered to water it regularly, although this is an actively harmful decision since it's a succulent) and are completely shocked at your choice of an ancient laptop (you're [[StarvingArtist too poor]] to afford anything else). Though this is due to their lack of human exposure - they drop this habit totally as they interact with people over the course of the game. [[spoiler: However, in the A New Blue ending, Turing gleefully comments on the fact that you've been a horrible person to them the entire time (which is actually true).]]

* KilledOffscreen: [[spoiler:Hayden, Charlie Nova and Shotaro Otsuka]].

* LeitMotif: All of the main characters have one, specifically those who [[spoiler:can help you in the final mission.]] Just about the only central character who doesn't is the protagonist.
* MakeItLookLikeAnAccident: [[spoiler:The ending of the Media Arc sees Charlie Nova killed after his cab drives into the bay, and Nonya getting run over by a truck right in front of you and Turing.]]
** [[spoiler: TOMCAT's sister died in a car crash which TOMCAT suspects to have been done on purpose as revenge for her hacker antics]].

* MoodSwinger: in Chapter 3/4, Turing [[spoiler:after learning about Hayden's death falls into this somewhat as they deals with their grief, putting on a face of their same idealistic (though subdued) determination, but bursting into harsh anger or sudden bouts of sullenness at random times - even snapping at the player for asking them to explain background details. By Chapter 5, they largely put it behind them.]]

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: TOMCAT is horrified when they realize that [[spoiler: by sending you to meet with Zinn to uncover the mystery of the media censorship, they inadvertently gave Dekker the opportunity to murder everyone whose knowledge could lead to Baby Blue's discovery.]] Earlier, [[spoiler: Turing has a similar reaction to the same, only on the ''suspicion'' that the murder spree could be connected to them.]]
* MySiblingWillLiveThroughMe: [[spoiler: TOMCAT took their sister's nickname to save her from ending up in jail for years. After they get released from jail, they find out that she died in a car accident and decided to stay [[BecomingTheMask TOMCAT]] in her honor]].
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: What Turing says when [[spoiler: the player wants to check on Zinn after she fell through the window]].
* NoNameGiven: TOMCAT is never given any other name, [[spoiler: although Turing comments on a Julian Thomas who hacked Pallalax a few years back in the WINTERMUTE.LIP scene, though it's unclear if this is their actual name]].
* NonStandardGameOver: Attempting to interact with Hayden's neighbors' door too many times results in you getting kicked out of the building. The game even acts like a kernel panic occurs.

* PinkGirlBlueBoy: Discussed. [[spoiler: Grace]] invoked the pink side, as mentioned below; as for blue, Turing comments that [[spoiler: people often refer to them as "he", which they speculate their blue casing may have something to do with. However, they note that unlike their "sister" they are largely indifferent to gender and don't really care whether they're referred to with male, female, or other pronouns]].
* PinkMeansFeminine: Invoked by [[spoiler:Grace]], who insists on having a pink [[spoiler:casing]] after she [[spoiler:decides that she's female]].
* PlayableEpilogue: The "EX" DLC allows you to explore Neo-SF after obtaining Ending 1, chat with the friends you've made, and learn the outcomes of your actions.

* RoboticPsychopath: [[spoiler: Dekker. He even mentions that he did everything possible to hide the sociopathic tendencies so he could fight in war]].
* RoboticReveal: [[spoiler: Dekker]].

* RunningGag: The spoiled milk. Hassy, and the world's obsession with it.
* PredecessorVillain: Melody Flores' mother, the founder of Flower Cybernetics, was a monstrous CorruptCorporateExecutive who went from designing prosthetics to designing superweapons, eventually resulting in cyborg supersoldiers who went on a killing spree that wiped out North Korea. Melody dedicated her life to undoing the evil direction that was her mother's legacy and hates her so much that she pledged to never have children - lest ruthless ambition be [[VillainousLineage inherited]]. [[spoiler: In the endgame, Melody notes that her mother's designs even had an input in the creation of Big Blue.]]
* ProfessionalKiller: [[spoiler: Dekker was a unit fighting in the [[GreatOffscreenWar horrific North Korea war]] before becoming a bodyguard. He is alarmingly efficient at killing and enjoys it, too]].

* ShoutOut: Turing namedrops ''Series/TheJoyOfPainting''; apparently, Hayden exposed them to a lot of educational programming early in their lifespan, including a century of archived public television. Turing really took a shine to Bob Ross and took up painting as a result.
** [[spoiler: Later, after they express disdain for people who value things like autographed memorabilia, you can jokingly tell them that you got them an official Bob Ross painting set for their birthday. They're genuinely excited about it and are quite disappointed when they realize you're kidding. They concede the point.]]

* StrawmanPolitical: Actually averted, should you choose to talk to them. The Human Revolution does have legitimate arguments, and aren't trying to push back humanity as far as everyone says they do. That said, you're still unlikely to sympathize with them, considering the leader of the branch you interact with still accepts casualties that can be prevented through gene splicing to be an acceptable loss and the real-life trans metaphors. Plus, you learn the benefits of less medical gene splicing when [[spoiler:you learn that Jess used to have insect skin that horrified everyone she was near, and that becoming a cat-like Hybrid effectively saved her life.]]

* VideoGameCaringPotential: How nice/patient you are with others will determine whether or not Turing likes you, and whether or not Jess, the teens, or Lexi will help you in the finale. [[spoiler: Becoming Turing's friend will net you the All Good Things or Sacrifice ending, while earning their ire leads to either the New Blue or Complicity ending.]]

* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Played with. The hybrids are humans with genetic modifications that change their physical features (ears, skin color, etc), yet quite a few time it is mentioned that a lot of people question if they are even human anymore. Hybrids also are openly discriminated against and being targeted by politics.
** When trying to befriend Jess, one option makes Turing and the player realize that [[spoiler: sapient [=ROMs=] like Turing would suffer the same discrimmination]].
** [[spoiler: Hayden showed no remorse from destroyed Grace, who he viewed as manipulating him to prove intelligence. Turing disagrees with him, saying Grace was just a nice person.]]

A sequel/spin-off titled ''[[https://youtu.be/N5zmbVxW6pc Read Only Memories: Neurodiver]]'', centering around the conflict between the gifted [[PsychicPowers esper]], ES88, and the rough, telepathic, criminal, the Goldern Butterfly, is set for release in 2022.

* AIIsACrapshoot: Averted with Turing. They might do questionable stuff once in awhile, but they aren't malicious. [[spoiler:Even if you're such a jerk to Turing that you get A New Blue for an ending, they have a negative view of humanity, but still don't take any hostile actions, instead preferring to be isolated in cyberspace.]]
** Inverted in the backstory. [=ROMs=] are commonplace and viewed as harmless; reports of [=ROMs=] committing crimes are dismissed as urban legends. However, military androids piloted by human brains were so bloodthirsty and murderous that they were banned by the Geneva Convention. [[spoiler:Dekker implies this is due to sensory mismatches with the outdated sensors.]]
** [[spoiler: Played with Baby Blue, which messed with the mesh only because it wanted to make sure it survived.]]
* AmbiguousGender: Several characters use they/them/their as pronouns and present androgynously; especially notable for TOMCAT, as [[spoiler:what is hinted to be their actual name, 'Julian Thomas' is unisex]]. This is also played with and discussed with Turing, who is usually gendered male by humans because of their blue casing and their namesake but has no real preference on gender themselves.
* AndroidsArePeopleToo: Turing is a sapient robot with a conscience. [[spoiler:In the good ending, all [=ROMs=] become sapient and the epilogue mentions how the player, Turing and possibly TOMCAT and Jess try to make sure that they get rights and autonomity]].

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler: Nonya]].

* BackStab: [[spoiler: How Shotaro Otsuka died]].
* BecomingTheMask: [[spoiler: TOMCAT.]]

* BloodlessCarnage: Let's just say [[spoiler: falling three stories onto the pavement or getting hit by a truck]] would usually leave some kind of blood.
** [[spoiler: Dekker's]] death too, but in this case, it's justified since [[spoiler: he's an android.]]
* BrainInAJar: [[spoiler: If Dekker can be believed, then the only human part of his is his brain. He doesn't miss his body though, in face he appreciates the abilities his mechanical body has]].

* BreakTheCutie: Turing, pretty much throughout the whole plot. It starts with their creator being kidnapped, which they suspect is their fault somehow and blames themself not being able to stop. [[spoiler: Then despite their best efforts, it turns out Hayden died during the kidnapping, and it only gets worse from there. Then they witness a killing spree that they also comes suspect is their fault, learns they is a lynchpin for terrible corporate politics and bids to effectively control the world, depending on the player's temperament may end up alone, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and might be unable to keep a potted plant from dying.]] Luckily, if you play your cards right, they comes out of the grief and stress well adjusted and ready to make the world a better place.]]

* ButThouMust: [[spoiler: The game forces you to accept Decker's offer to accompany you to Treasure Island. The closest you can get to rejecting his help is to tell him that you don't trust him.]]

* DeadAllAlong: The media subplot reveals that this is the case with [[spoiler: Shotaro Otsuka]].

* DeathSeeker: In the ''2064'' version, [[spoiler: Dekker is revealed to be so. An accident left him a brain on life support, and Flower Cybernetics offered to fix him up. The simultaneous sensory deprivation and overload induced by computer systems inputting data to his brain drove him murderously insane, [[ICannotSelfTerminate and the computer systems wouldn't let him kill himself.]]]] [[spoiler: When Turing overloads and kills him, he ''thanks'' Turing, and is at his happiest he can be without killing something.]]
* DialogueTree: The primary way of interacting with the game, given the minimalist puzzles and focus on story. Whenever you're given a choice, there are typically three options: a sympathetic option, a neutral option, and a sardonic one. What these mean can change depending on who you talk to: like going between treating Turing like a person, or like a tool, or being sensitive or prejudiced when talking to Jess. Typically, the sympathetic option will lead to the characters' liking you, and the sardonic to resenting you, though it's not always cut and try: on rare occasion, the "nice" option might not be the best way to endear yourself, whereas the "mean" option will cut through the situation better.
* DirtyBusiness: Turing and the player break the law a few times, such as lying to the police, breaking into an apartment or [[spoiler: getting a fake ID and carjacking an untraceable car]]. Turing feels really bad for doing these, proving that they indeed have a human conscience.
** [[spoiler: The finale is viewed as this by everyone involved, but they also recognize that jail time is the better option when compared to letting Parallax release Big Blue.]]

* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler: Leon Dekker acts perfectly nice and trustworthy up until you break into Parallax, at which point he has a RoboticReveal and exposes himself as a homicidal military android.]]

* JokeItem: The Spoiled Milk. Almost everyone has some sort of repulsed reaction to it. [[spoiler: Using the milk on Big Blue unlocks a secret ending, though]]

Creator/{{IDW|Publishing}} published a ''Read Only Memories'' ComicBook series in 2019 to 2020.

* PredecessorVillain: Melody Flores' mother, the founder of Flower Cybernetics, was a monstrous CorruptCorporateExecutive who went from designing prosthetics to designing superweapons, eventually resulting in cyborg supersoldiers who went on a killing spree that wiped out North Korea. Melody dedicated her life to undoing the evil direction that was her mother's legacy and hates her so much that she pledged to never have children - lest ruthless ambition be InTheBlood. [[spoiler: In the endgame, Melody notes that her mother's designs even had an input in the creation of Big Blue.]]

A sequel/spin-off titled ''[[https://youtu.be/N5zmbVxW6pc Read Only Memories: Neurodiver]]'', centering around the conflict between the gifted [[PsychicPowers esper]], ES88, and the rough, telepathic, criminal, the Goldern Butterfly, is set for release in 2020.

* CuttingOffTheBranches: [[spoiler: The comics, set post-game, reveal that Turing is alive and well, leaving the "A New Blue" and "Sacrifice" as non-canon.]]

* StealthTutorial: The in-universe FirstPersonShooter arcade machine ''Mega Phobetor'' is not just a fun diversion, it's also [[spoiler: a early run at the UnexpectedGameplayChange that happens in the very last chapter. If you practice it enough, you can ace that section (and earn an achievement) with little trouble.]]