Line #42 Main/NPCRoadblock


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9	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wooloo_9.jpg]]]]
10	[[caption-width-right:350:Don't try to walk through those gaps either. Your footsteps will wake them up.]]
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15	->''I'm Mr. King Dice, I'm the gamest in the land\
16	I never play nice, I'm the Devil's right hand man\
17	I can't let you pass 'cause you ain't done everything\
18	Bring me those contracts, come on, bring 'em to the king''
19	-->-- '''"Die House"''', ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}''
20
21	A NonPlayerCharacter that prevents the PlayerCharacter from passing through a certain door or passage, [[BrokenBridge effectively blocking it off]]. This means that the player will have to accomplish some task to gain access. The question of why the protagonist [[GameplayAndStorySegregation can't simply force the NPC to move]] is rarely brought up. In some cases, an option for attempting to evade or even fight the NPC does exist, but results in a NonStandardGameOver (such as getting arrested and thrown in jail). In cases where you could choose to fight the NPC, you can guarantee it is a HopelessBossFight, even when it's implausible for the specific NPC.
22
23	A SubTrope of BrokenBridge. A favorite tactic of the CityGuards. See also InsurmountableWaistHeightFence. Can lead to a ChainOfDeals. Compare and contrast BeefGate, where the character will simply kill you instead of just stopping you, until you can kill it. CashGate is a specific sub-trope.
24	----
25	!!Examples:
26	[[foldercontrol]]
27
28	[[folder:Action Adventure Games]]
29	* ''VideoGame/AliceMadnessReturns'' has a lot of obstructive characters in the London areas, forcing you to go through scripted areas.
30	* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': At each of the major cities, there are various citizens blocking routes to further areas and new shops until [[AbandonedLaboratory Freeway 42]] has been completed.
31	* Jack from ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' blocks the doorway to mimiga cemetery due to fungi outbreak out there. Telling him that Toroko has been kidnapped will make him move out of the way.
32	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
33	** The old man in the original ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'' won't let you go past the entrance of Ganon's lair until you get all pieces of the Triforce.
34	** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' has the River Devil who blocks the north-south road of Eastern Hyrule. In order to get rid of him you must play the flute.
35	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'':
36	*** The kid who blocks the exit to Kokiri Forest at the beginning of the game. The passage he's blocking is pretty big, so he sidesteps back and forth, always standing exactly in front of you. Mido does the same at various points: first to stop you from going to meet the Great Deku Tree unless you have a sword and shield on you (even though ''the Deku Tree himself summoned Link'', but then again, [[JerkassHasAPoint the Tree]] ''[[JerkassHasAPoint is]]'' [[JerkassHasAPoint infested with monsters]]), then after you finish the Deku Tree dungeon for some reason (you just need to talk to him to make him move, though), and finally when you venture into the Lost Woods to get to the Forest Temple as an adult (again, he will move if you talk to him).
37	*** The ridiculously fat King Zora who blocks the entrance to Zora's Fountain, and takes an extremely long time to move out of the way once you free him. Other characters in the game pull off the same living BrokenBridge stunt, but none with quite the elan of King Zora. [[GoodBadBugs Fortunately, most can be bypassed by various glitches]].
38	*** The first time you become Adult Link, Sheik will stand in front of the Master Sword's pedestal, [[PlotTunnel preventing you from returning to Young Link's timeline]]. Only by completing the Forest Temple will Sheik move from her spot.
39	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'': In Clock Town, guards block all four exits and refuse to let Link through when he's a Deku Scrub ("It's too dangerous out there!"). When he becomes a human again, they initially block him, but relent when they see that he has a sword. If Link happens to be a Goron or Zora, they won't even attempt to block him.
40	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures'' has the Village of the Blue Maiden. In front of the Seeker's Guild HQ, there's a long line of obstructing [=NPCs=] blocking the way to an agent. To actually talk to the agent on the other side of the line, you have to use the Pegasus Boots to crash into the wall and scatter the [=NPCs=] and go through the gaps before they manage to return in line. The game also has a woman obstructing another important house. To get in you actually have to manually push the woman to the side.
41	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap'':
42	*** Once you beat the first dungeon, you are unable to get past the guard blocking the west exit until you learn the Spin Attack. He, and the guards blocking the north and east exits, will run/walk parallel to you, preventing you from passing. Similarly, before going to Hyrule Castle for the first time, [=NPCs=] block off each of the town's areas so you have to follow Zelda around.
43	*** Once the endgame starts, guards start appearing in various places around Hyrule Town, telling you that it's too dangerous to proceed. Bafflingly, one such soldier is placed in front of the entrance to the library, leading one to wonder exactly what's dangerous about it.
44	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': The "line of [=NPCs=]" variety gets its use when a strangely cohesive queue for water blocks South Hyrule Field during the period when Castle Town is shrouded in twilight.
45	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': A bunch of women chatting after laundry was done blocks the residential area of Skyloft during the game's ProlongedPrologue.
46	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'':
47	*** The Gerudo guards keep Link from entering Gerudo Town unless he's DisguisedInDrag. You ''can'' climb the walls and try to jump into town anyway, but they'll still detect you and throw you out.
48	*** One shrine in the desert is blocked off by a dehydrated Gerudo who has decided to drape herself over the Slate reader, forcing you to return to the city to get her a cocktail so she'll move out of the way.
49	*** The shrine atop Gut Check Rock is guarded by a Goron, who will not let you enter until you pass his challenge.
50	* In ''VideoGame/SoulBlazer'', a mole in [=GreenWood=] won't budge from in front of another mole until you give him a ribbon that belonged to his beloved. Once you do so, he literally vanishes; the "trapped" mole explains that he was a ghost and had no idea what had happened to him before giving you the Shield Bracelet.
51	* ''VideoGame/{{Spectrobes}}'' averts this trope by having every last NPC being both intangible and immobile.
52	* In ''[[VideoGame/ThePhantomMenace Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]'', at Mos Espa Arena, the path from the 7-Gee Lounge to the stands will be blocked by drunken fans. They will move after bets have been placed with Watto.
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Adventure Games]]
56	* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', after her laboratory becomes available in Chapter 2, Maki stands guard outside and refuses to let anyone enter [[spoiler:in order to hide her real talent, which would be revealed to anyone who saw what's inside]].
57	* In ''VideoGame/HamtaroHamHamsUnite'', in one level, there's a hole you need to get through to get Cappy, but there's this one hamster who gets in the way and won't let you through, because he's "scared".
58	* ''VideoGame/OneChance'': On day 1, a construction guy blocks the entrance to the roof. He's not there on any other day.
59	* ''VideoGame/PeasantsQuest'' has a guard blocking access to Trogdor's mountain for most of the game, until Rather Dashing can convince him that he's a peasant.
60	--> '''Guard''': "You're not ''dressed'' like a peasant, you don't ''stink'' like a peasant, and you most certainly are not ''on fire'' like a peasant!"
61	* ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'' has a man in a troll costume blocking the path to Stan's Used Ship Emporium and Captain Smirk's Pirate Gym until you give him the item he is looking for.
62	* ''VideoGame/TitanicAdventureOutOfTime'': Three crewmembers will bar your access to the bridge, the engine room, and the cargo hold unless you gain permission to these areas. During the sinking, they seal off the lower decks.
63	[[/folder]]
64
65	[[folder:First-Person Shooters]]
66	* Often happened unintentionally in ''VideoGame/{{Marathon}}'' thanks to the terrible AI of the friendly NPC "[=BOBs=]". The developers had this to say on the subject: "BOB jam? [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential Apply grenades liberally!]]"
67	* In ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonorFrontline'', two guys block your path upstairs at the Golden Lion pub, and you must tip the piano player to play a song to distract them.
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Platform Games]]
71	* In ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'', Wozza the Walrus is scared of Banjo, and will not allow the bear entry into his cave. If you approach Wozza while Banjo is transformed into a walrus, Wozza will happily retreat into his cave, allowing Banjo to enter the cave when he turns back into a bear.
72	* ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie'':
73	** In Mayahem Temple, [[MeaningfulName Officer Unogopaz]] will not let Banjo and Kazooie into the Kickball Stadium, as only Stonies are allowed inside. After Banjo and Kazooie turn into a Stony, Officer Unogopaz will still recognize the duo, but will allow them inside the stadium anyway due to the Stonies being low on players.
74	** In Terrydactyland, a member of the Unga Bunga tribe will be blocking the entrance to the Oogle Boogle's cave. Only by scaring him away with the roar of the Daddy T-Rex transformation will this guard leave his post. Another Unga Bunga is blocking the entrance to his own tribe's cave. While this Unga Bunga ''will'' allow Banjo and Kazooie into his cave, he will not permit them entry if they are wearing the Springy-Step Shoes.
75	** In Hailfire Peaks, Biggafoot is blocking access to a pair of Claw Clamber Boots, which you need to reach Chilly Willy's area. Biggafoot can't even ''wear'' the boots, and will only kick you if you get too close to him. Hang around near Biggafoot long enough and [[LaserGuidedKarma one of Chilly Willy's attacks will hit Biggafoot's over-sized foot]], forcing the yeti to hop away in pain.
76	* The Gargoyle in ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' is guarding the stone bridge that leads to the Windy area, and won't let Conker in. Thus, the eponymous character will have to come later with a weapon (a frying pan) to get him out of the way.
77	* ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'': [[TheDragon King Dice]] acts as this, preventing Cuphead and Mugman from reaching the next area until they've completed the current one. Oddly, though amazingly, he has a VillainSong explicitly for this role.
78	* Nearly the entirety of ''VideoGame/KaoTheKangaroo Round 2'' revolves around collecting enough coins to bribe the guard who is blocking the way to the BigBad's ship. If you try to walk by without paying, he shoves you away. No, you cannot just knock him out, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation even though throughout the game you defeat lots of other mooks like him with no problem]].
79	* There are three examples in ''VideoGame/McDonaldsTreasureLandAdventure'', each one requiring Ronald to give up several of his magic jewels.
80	** In the [[LocomotiveLevel Circus Train level]], Ronald has to give the jewels to a captured Birdie so that she can break free from her cage and fly away, opening the hatch leading to the top of the carriage.
81	** In the [[GangplankGalleon Pirate Ship level]], Ronald has to give the jewels to Grimace, who is blocking the doorway and is so tired, he can hardly move.
82	** In the [[SpaceZone Alien King's spaceship]], just before the final battle with the Alien King himself, Ronald has to give several jewels to the Guard so he will fall asleep and he can set the Fry Kids free so they can form a bridge for him to walk across.
83	* ''VideoGame/ShantaeRiskysRevenge'': A Golem is blocking the way to Mermaid Cliffs, and instead of getting it to move, CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption and it must be smashed.
84	[[/folder]]
85
86	[[folder:Puzzle Games]]
87	* ''VideoGame/SpellingJungle'': Elephants and Zebras. Both stand in the way until they're bribed; Elephants have to be pushed out of the way and will return to their original location when it wears off, while Zebras have to be led away and stay where they are when the bribe wears off.
88	[[/folder]]
89
90	[[folder:Role-Playing Games]]
91	* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'': The Forbidden Woods, which allow you access to areas other than Yharnam proper, is blocked by a wall, and the gatekeeper won't let you through without the pass phrase, which you learn after killing Vicar Amelia. [[spoiler: After you enter the Woods, you'll find that the gatekeeper was DeadAllAlong, and apparently has been for some time. No explanation is ever given about how he spoke to you and opened the door.]]
92	* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': When [[spoiler:the Ant Kingdom is invaded by the Wasps]] in-between Chapters 4 and 5, all the paths that lead to the Bugaria Outskirts are blocked by [=NPCs=] standing there, taking up just enough width to prevent the party from moving past them.
93	* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'':
94	** Geno Dome, in the far future, contains a one-eyed guard bot that won't let you through to claim a key. There's no slipping past until you find a deactivated unit of the same model, give it a jump, and lead it back to short-circuit the guard and lock them both into a permanent staring contest.
95	** Another example occurs early in the game right after Crono's jailbreak, when the guards chase the party into Guardia Forest and cut off the exit. What makes this example particularly JustForFun/{{Egregious}} is that you were flattening guards left and right not two minutes ago.
96	* The ''Franchise/CodeGeass'' RPG for UsefulNotes/NintendoDS has a few instances of guards blocking item boxes (including the one containing the [[GameBreaker Guren Mk-II Kai parts]]). Talking to them goes into a [[CompellingVoice Geass]] sequence: ordering them to sleep or dance permanently blocks the item, while ordering them to commit suicide or go home clears the way.
97	* ''VideoGame/CthulhuSavesTheWorld'':
98	** Parodied by sailors who stand in front of buildings of [[PortTown Kingsport port]]. All they say is "This building is for sailors only". Eventually, when you inspect the last sailor, Cthulhu and other members of his group start wondering is there anything behind this door. Eventually, Cthulhu guesses that the developer just stuck in those sailors to block doors [[SelfDeprecation because he was too lazy to make actual maps for these buildings]].
99	--->''Shoot! We've been found out!''
100	** However, this trope is played straight in the Innsmouth. When you try to enter Marsh Foundry before sleeping in the inn (for the [[InnSecurity inevitable]] to happen, given [[Literature/TheShadowOverInnsmouth the referenced particular work]]), there will be a citizen standing in front, telling you that the Marsh Foundry is off-limits for outsiders, but [[SchmuckBait then offers you to visit their lovely inn]]. StupidityIsTheOnlyOption here.
101	* ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' has High Priestess Emma, who will give you the items needed to get to Lothric Castle when the plot wants you there, and no sooner. [[spoiler:You can {{sequence break\|ing}} by killing her... if you don't mind having the Dancer of the Boreal Valley (ThatOneBoss even when fought at the appropriate level) turn you inside-out repeatedly.]]
102	* In ''VideoGame/DiabloII'', Kaelan and the nameless second guard block the entrance to Jerhyn's palace in Lut Gholein until the player completes the Tainted Sun quest, after which they step away.
103	* ''VideoGame/DinkSmallwood'' feature an NPC blocking a bridge to the second continent, demanding two gold for passage (money isn't featured in the game at all until the player is "allowed" to cross it). You are free to try and punch him set him on fire, all he'll say is "Did something touch me? A fly, perhaps?"
104	* The ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series has [=NPCs=] blocking the pathways to special rooms that are reached by getting a certain amount of Medals. In ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy3'', they guard various rooms to the sides of each area and vanish when the amount of Medals is obtained. In ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy5'', they guard rooms in the Grand Gallery, and move to the side after getting the required Medal amount.
105	* ''VideoGame/JaysJourney'':
106	** There's a guard that is rigged to only walk back and forth through a narrow corridor (which is a shortcut out of the area that was accessible earlier in the game). When Jay speaks to this guard, he tells the guard to move... but is only met with [[WelcomeToCorneria a single useless phrase over and over again]].
107	-->'''Guard:''' We're renovating the tower!\
108	'''Jay:''' That's nice. Could you move? The shortcut's over there.\
109	'''Guard:''' [[WelcomeToCorneria We're renovating the tower!]]\
110	'''Jay:''' ...stupid NPC.
111	** And later, if you decide to take the staircase at the other end of the shortcut up...
112	--->'''Guard:''' We're renovating the tower!\
113	'''Jay:''' Are you STILL here?!
114	* Subverted in Beast's Castle in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. The wardrobe is standing in front of a door. You can push her out of the way, but if you wake her up doing so she'll complain and move back into position. Move her fully out of the way and then she'll wake up and engage you in a friendly chat.
115	* When you first arrive in ''VideoGame/LakeviewValley'', one of the central paths is blocked off by a gigantic cow who's gotten stuck in some debris. The cow doesn't appear to be in any immediate distress, happily eating the nearby grass... which is just as well, as the equipment necessary to extract her safely won't arrive for several days. The player ''can'' opt to speed up the process by [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential taking matters into their own hands]]...
116	* ''[[VideoGame/TrailsSeries The Legend of Heroes - Trails]]'': [=NPCs=] throughout the series occasionally stand by to prevent passage towards a major area until that location becomes available for exploration.
117	* ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' features a sort of puzzle in the Prehistoric Chapter. You come into a room with one caveman. You talk to the caveman, and another one shows up. Now both are running around frantically. Talk to one of them and a third one will run in. Keep this up and eventually the room will be overrun with cavemen running around, making it quite hard to navigate. This is not a large room, by the way. Finally, your goal is to talk to the twentieth cavemen (this despite the fact that all of them are identical). If you get it right, you'll get a reward and all but one of the cavemen will leave. Get it wrong and they'll just leave, making you start over. Try to leave the room in the middle and you'll find it all but impossible.
118	* A particularly funny example in the ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' [=RPGs=] for the GBA. In the first town, there are four exits leading to other areas. Four [=NPCs=] will be standing in front of them for no apparent reason, going away as the plot progresses. One of them is actually justifiable, as the path is still under construction and it can be assumed the guy was hired to stay there. The others? "I heard Medaropolis has huge markets! I wish I could go shopping there someday!" One assumes that her rationale is that if she can't go, then ''no one else will, goddamnit!''
119	* In ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}'', the Serious Soldier won't let you go to Greenhorne Castle (and thus, the rest of the game) until you get the Mayor's Introduction. In the demo version, he marks the end of the demo, even if you gave him the aforementioned key item.
120	* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':
121	** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4 Ultimate'': A lance guardian in the city of Dundorma is located next to a large staircase that leads to the Elder Hall, and won't let the player's character go that way until after they've completed the final High Rank urgent quest in Val Habar's Gathering Hall. The reason is because the Elder Hall only hosts G Rank quests, so the hunter has to rank up to accept them.
122	** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations Ultimate'': A Felyne located in the Soaratorium is blocking the path to the Hunters Pub, and will only let the hunter pass after they've completed all key and urgent quests in Bherna's Gathering Hall and qualified for G Rank missions.
123	* ''VideoGame/{{Mother}}'':
124	** Done unintentionally in ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings''. In the town of Merrysville you can find an NPC walking in front of the Department store, and there's a chance that he might stop ''[[https://i.redd.it/vrqnszhl8o821.png right in front of its entrance]]'', preventing you from going inside, thus forcing you to wait until he moves again.
125	** ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound\|1994}}'':
126	*** There is a maze made of NPC cultists. You have to shift certain ones aside by talking to them (though some of them get angry and battle you).
127	*** It's {{Lampshade\|Hanging}}d in the first town with the Onett Police Force, who are famous for their road blocks and proud of it. One cop even claims they're going for the record, while a number of other {{Non Player Character}}s complain about how pointless and stupid the roadblocks are and wish the cops would actually do something worthwhile with their time.
128	* In ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'', several hidden items and treasure chests are guarded by [=NPCs=] standing in front of doors. Nonetheless, you can actually do something about it: Either have Olberic challenge the NPC to a duel or have H'aanit sic one of her captured monsters on them. Regardless of the way, once the NPC is defeated, you'll gain access to the building they were blocking.
129	* ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}'' often uses [=NPCs=] to block off passages. One of them even {{lampshade\|hanging}}s the fact that it's big enough to block one path by itself.
130	* ''VideoGame/{{Pentiment}}'': On the first day, a number of the Bauer family's escaped sheep have flooded into town, blocking Andreas from exploring most of it. (This is to make sure he goes straight to the monastery instead of wandering.)
131	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' is [[CharacteristicTrope all about this]].
132	** The cranky Old Man in Viridian City won't let you pass until [[MustHaveCaffeine his coffee takes away the grumpiness]]. (In the original he's drunk and needs to wait until he's sobered up.) ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee'' replace him with Jessie, James, and Meowth on "guard duty".
133	** The guards at each of the four entrances to Saffron City won't let you through at all, simply saying that the road is closed. Bizarrely, you can't pass through until you share one of the beverages you can get from the vending machines atop the Celadon City Department Store, at which point they will automatically let you through, saying they will share the drink with all the other guards. And the only hint the game gives you as to how to make them let you pass is when they say "Gee I'm thirsty, though..."
134	** When Saffron City is under siege, several buildings are blocked by Team Rocket members standing in front of the door. Bizarrely, you can only get past one when he ''falls asleep'' and somehow moves one square to the right (Or in ''Yellow'', randomly disappears instead).
135	** A man prevents you from entering Cerulean Cave/Unknown Dungeon (where you find Mewtwo) in R/B/G/Y until you're the Pokémon League Champion because there are dangerous Pokémon inside. Said NPC is rather famous among the Pokémon fans, both because of both this very blatant case, and because of the fact that his black hair blended spectacularly with the door behind him, leading to the nickname "Afroman."
136	** Sometimes a stubborn Pokémon blocks your path in the same way. In Kanto, two Snorlax can be found sleeping in inconvenient places, and won't budge until you play a Poké Flute at it (in ''Gold and Silver'', you instead use a radio station playing the Poké Flute's song to make a new one move). Johto in ''Gold and Silver'' used Sudowoodo, an impassable "dancing tree" until you spray water at it [[CommonplaceRare with a special water bottle]]. Sinnoh in ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' have a horde of Psyduck blocking a path until you bring them a special potion to cure their headaches (these ones don't need to be fought).
137	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', a police officer in Kanto's Radio Tower (formerly Pokémon Tower) will not let you ascend to any floors above the first, no matter what else you do, citing tightened security measures in the wake of the Goldenrod Radio Tower hijacking earlier in the game. Likewise, a guard stops you from going higher than the ground floor of Silph Co. because of increased security (in the originals) or because the elevator is out of order (in ''[=HeartGold/SoulSilver=]'').
138	** In the same games, there is a NPC at the south exit of Violet City who will not let you pass until you defeat Falkner, Violet City's Gym Leader. Fortunately, he will give you a free item, Miracle Seed, once you do.
139	** Similarly, there is a salesman in Mahogany Town that sells Rage Candy Bars at the Eastern exit. The problem is that he feels the need to get in your way and push you back towards town if you try to walk past him just so that he can sell them to you, whether you buy his stuff or not. What's even more ridiculous is that he'll still do this even when it gets to the point in the game where he's planning to pack up and leave since the stock's run out. In other words, he's still blocking up traffic just to tell us he's run out of the stuff he was blocking up traffic for ''in the first place''.
140	** Also in Mahogany, a man blocks the gym's door, telling you to go sightseeing in the originals and talking about Lance in the remakes, and only leaves once you take care of the Red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage and defeat Team Rocket in their hideout.
141	** ''[=HeartGold=] and [=SoulSilver=]'' have a guy in the Ice Path who complains about losing his HM and won't let you pass until you find it. He literally shoves you back if you try to go past him. And once you get it, he basically just lets you keep it and does nothing else.
142	** ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' actually made a OptionalBoss required. In ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and ''Crystal'', you could just stick to the main quest and leave Ho-Oh/Lugia alone, but the remakes make it an involved mandatory part of the game. Ethan/Lyra block your way to Kanto and keep standing there until you go fight the version mascot.
143	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', there's an NPC in the very first town who won't let you leave to the west because he's sketching some rare Pokémon footprints and doesn't want you to step on them. Later on it turns out that they were actually his own.
144	** In the fourth generation games, there's a man that blocks access to Sunnyshore City because... there's a blackout. Exactly ''why'' that would make it dangerous to go to the city is a mystery.
145	** And then there's someone who escorts you to see Brock's Gym. Several times. As in, until you actually beat him, the bastard ''will not let you onto the next route''.
146	** Another particularly annoying one: in ''Platinum'' you're chasing a Team Galactic Grunt who just SET OFF A BOMB. He leaves the vision of the player, but if you follow the path which you saw him leave from, you come to the entrance to Lake Valor blocked by two men with cameras who tell you they're trying to get footage of the legendary Pokémon said to live in the lake. Guess where Team Galactic sets off another bomb...
147	** ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'': you've just gotten the bike, and you want to go back to Floaroma Town to check the trees you smeared with honey. Cue an NPC who wants you to go on the Cycling Road and simply will not let you pass until you go down it and come back. What's especially funny is that there doesn't appear to be ''any reason'' for him to be there - he's not even preventing you from SequenceBreaking, because you are trying to go back ''the way you came''.
148	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonPlatinum'', once you defeat Crasher Wake and have the ability to surf, trade a Pokémon with one that already knows Surf, then head straight to Canalave City before actually getting the HM for Surf (you need to do a quest to get to Celestic Town, which is where the HM is located), [[DevelopersForesight two battling trainers will be blocking the way, preventing you from getting into Canalave City]].
149	** A very obnoxious one in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' involves a policeman standing at the entrance to a post-game route who refuses to let you past. His reason for not doing so? "There is something ahead, and the road is closed now." Nothing in the entire Pokémon canon hints as to what this mysterious "something" is.
150	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'', in a borderline LampshadeHanging of the ridiculous extents that this trope can go a group of guys are blocking off the northern path to Black City/White Forest, claiming to be dancing for no reason and that someday they will disappear for no reason. In the same game, there are several instances where the enemy is blocking the path, perfectly awake, yet you are unable to fight your way past, despite doing so throughout normal gameplay.
151	** In Lumiose City in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', when you first enter there will be all these mechanics stopping you from accessing a good bit of the town because of a blackout (which you won't be fixing until after you get your fourth badge). With the wonky camera angles in the town, it's safe to say you'll want to punch them in the face after the 9000th time they get to you. It doesn't help that the lights in the buildings just behind them are clearly working just fine, and [=NPCs=] pass between the open and closed zones freely.
152	** Red in ''WebVideo/TwitchPlaysPokemonRed'' walks in just the right place when the Burglar sees him and approaches him, so after the Burglar is defeated he just stands there, blocking the way out, as Red was in between the wall and a table. This is very problematic, since in ''Pokémon'' [=NPCs=] don't move after they are defeated...
153	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' along with [[VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon their enhanced versions]], a Stoutland-riding NPC in Heahea City keeps you from accessing half of the city because he's searching for items and refuses to let you pass until he's done. Defeating Lana's trial grants access to the rest of the city ... only for the NPC to now block off the exit to Hano Grand Resort. Clearing Olivia's Grand Trial finally moves the NPC to Hano Beach itself, no longer obstructing the path, where he [[WelcomeToCorneria repeats the same line]] about him and Stoutland trying to find the hidden treasures on the beach (which he will never do, as the items respawn constantly there). Later, Hau blocks the fastest route to Professor Kukui by standing on a bridge and looking around for the professor (who's maybe thirty feet away), forcing you to walk around the entire outer edge of the park to reach him.
154	** Justified in most instances in ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'', as the people blocking your way forward will almost always be Team Yell Grunts. Their mission is to slow down every Gym Challenger except for Marnie, which means they will prevent ''you'' from progressing until certain event flags trigger that cause them to go away...after which they will obstruct your path again a little bit further down. It also explains why other characters can freely travel about--they allow non-Challengers to pass through. Notably, after defeating Team Yell's leader, [[spoiler:Piers]], Team Yell Grunts stop blocking your path. Other cases do pop up unrelated to Team Yell, however. For example, as shown in the page image, on your way to get the Pokedex, a herd of Wooloo fall asleep in the middle of the road to force the player to take the long way to the Pokemon research lab in Wedgehurst.
155	* One of these in ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'' blocks the way back to the main character's hometown. You can exploit a glitch to get past him, but all that's there is a shop selling weak early-game equipment and a bunch of [=NPCs=] repeating the same dialogue you heard back in the beginning.
156	* ''VideoGame/SlimeForestAdventure'' has moving [=NPCs=], one of which found its way into a corridor. That NPC mentions he doesn't know which way he's going, and despite being able to move, will never leave the corridor when pushed using the whistle. Other [=NPCs=] also block access to other parts of the castle.
157	* In ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'', there is a particular NPC in Airyglyph who just doesn't seem to get the point that you need to get through that door, dammit!
158	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
159	** In ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'', you cannot leave Shiver City during the whole murder mystery segment. Penguins will be blocking both the pipe back to Toad Town Tunnels, as well as the eastern exit out of town.
160	** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'':
161	*** An irate Zess T. will block a door to the west side of Rogueport because you stepped on her contact lens. You can order a replacement lens ''immediately'' after the incident, but if you forget to, you won't be able to purchase one until after Chapter 1, leaving her blocking your way for some time.
162	*** During Chapter 4, there is a guard blocking the gate out of Twilight Town who will not let you pass without the mayor's permission. Your partner will [[LampshadeHanging even remark on the situation]]. When you go to ask the mayor for permission, he will have turned into a pig, and be unable to help you. Fortunately for you, the gatekeeper will then ''also'' turn into a pig, and will be unable to stop you from passing through the gate.
163	** In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'', there are multiple large Koopas standing in areas just narrow enough that you can't go around them. You can't do anything with them until Mario and Luigi learn the fire dash maneuver, which allows them to ram the Koopa so hard that he gets knocked over, after which point he gets up and stands in a more convenient location.
164	-->"Derr...No matter what you hit me with, you can't knock me down!...I think."
165	** In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRun'', Thwomps cover up sections of the Kingdom Builder maps, preventing items from being placed on them. Using a hammer (obtained by clearing a world) will knock them away.
166	* ''[[VideoGame/TalesSeries Tales Of]]'':
167	** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'', there's a crab in the Alvanista port that is there specifically to block your access to a chest (at least in the PSX version). Talking to it cause Cless to lash out at it.
168	-->"What do you want from me, crab?!"
169	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'': Werites Beacon has some [=NPCs=] placed in very convenient places, preventing Senel to fully explore the city. This includes a couple fighting or some guy taking a sunbath in a bridge.
170	* A RunningGag in the ''VideoGame/TouhouMother'' crossover are the "ants at your feet", which block paths for plot reasons. The player characters refuse to step on them because that would kill them (they don't seem to think of stepping ''over'' the ants... or [[ForgotICouldFly flying]]). This is {{Lampshaded}} repeatedly throughout the game, such as when they are found in a building ("What? Here? Get back to the forest!") or when they give you a gift near the end for being kind enough to never step on them. This is a direct reference to ''VideoGame/Mother3'', which often blocks off areas you aren't supposed to visit yet with the same message and for the same reasons.
171	* ''VideoGame/UltimaIII'' has a rather odd example where you need to talk to a vital NPC who is nevertheless blocked off by other, neutral [=NPCs=]. The only way to get past them is to murder them in cold blood.
172	* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'':
173	** When you first enter Hotland, a duo of Royal Guards are blocking the way to a side path which [[DoorToBefore turns into a shortcut after you explore further]]. You can't fight the guards here, but they show up later in another area to fight you. In the Genocide route, which transforms your character into a fearless killer that scares most of the population away, the guards' temporary presence here is replaced with SomeKindOfForceField.
174	** In a few scripted events, a NPC's presence temporarily prevents you from backtracking until the event is really over (not just seemingly over), most obviously Alphys at the end of the Core.
175	** In ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'', an NPC in the Hometown library (or "Librarby" as it's called there) tells you that there are some interesting books to read upstairs. Unfortunately, they're blocking the way to said stairs, so you can't go up there. In Chapter 2, you'll be able to go up there... only to find that same NPC now blocking the way to the rest of the room, so you can only read the books on 2 of the shelves.
176	* ''Winged Warrior'' (an old PC RPG-style game) has a few of these in the form of town guards and civilians throughout the game. Most notable in the Forest level where your titular character is outside the Cave Crab's lair (a DiscOneFinalBoss), with a civilian blocking the other path outside telling you "the crab is watching our every move" making your battle against the Cave Crab a ButThouMust After defeating the crab, ''another'' civilian shows up at the cave's entrance telling you "we've come to help, are you alright?"... and simply refuses to budge, thereby forcing you to venture into the cave.
177	* In ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'', there's a mix of this and BrokenBridge.
178	-->'''Bart:''' That Margie! Leaving a stuffed animal in a place like this! Because of this, we can't get into the bridge.
179	* Lampshaded by a guard in Arieda Village in the FanTranslation of ''VideoGame/YsIVTheDawnOfYs'':
180	-->"Even though you know our leader, I still can't let you pass for no reason."
181	* Played with in ''VideoGame/YumeNikki'', you can stab every single NPC Roadblock with a knife, but everything comes with [[VideoGameCrueltyPunishment consequences]].
182	[[/folder]]
183
184	[[folder:Survival Horror Games]]
185	* ''VideoGame/BaldisBasicsInEducationAndLearning'' has It’s A Bully, who will block off hallways unless the player gives him an item, a rare case of the NPC in question being movable. However, he can also be forcibly removed if Principal of the Thing catches him bullying and sends him to detention, providing another way to get around the character.
186	* ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' has the Glutton in the Hilltop Center Otherworld. In true Silent Hill fashion, neither Heather nor the player ever learn what it is; it can neither attack nor be attacked, it just sits there blocking the way out until Heather finds the incantation to banish it.
187	[[/folder]]
188
189	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
190	* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}''. The presence of living creatures (including plants) can block travel by astral entities. Some companies use walls of ivy or even a soup of astrally active bacteria to block astral intrusion into their facilities.
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Turn-Based Strategy]]
194	* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar'' has yellow NPC units that will block you from entering a new area until your lord seizes a certain castle.
195	* The ''VideoGame/ShiningSeries'' is covered with this trope blocking doors and leading the party down paths where events are taking place.
196	** The first ''VideoGame/ShiningForce'' has an interesting bug in the first town where two guards who actively block your path can themselves be blocked by a fellow townsperson, letting you leave town earlier than intended, without the rest of your starting party.
197	** Early in ''VideoGame/ShiningForceIII'', a bomb goes off and you're expected to rush back to your HQ. There are two routes but the first one is blocked by a civilian who when talked to comments on being too shocked to move, apologizing, and asking you to take the long way around. This is so you'll trigger a cutscene with the [[HeroesOfAnotherStory main characters from Scenario 2]].
198	** ''VideoGame/ShiningWisdom'' has this in a form of a tutorial for the sprinting mechanic; where your grandpa blocks the way right at the start and the only way to get past is to run full speed at him knocking him over and almost breaking his neck. Grandpa spends the rest of the game in bed because of this.
199	* ''VideoGame/YuGiOhMonsterCapsuleGB'' has this in the RPG worlds. Some [=NPCs=] just won't move until you either convince them to leave or find ways around them.
200	[[/folder]]

Context Main / NPCRoadblock