Today, I will be introducing how to increase affinity in The Sword and the Storm. In the world of The Sword and the Storm, every adventure is accompanied by encounters and interactions with various NPCs. The affinity system is a crucial mechanism that ties these interactions together. This system is not just about simple numerical changes; it is deeply integrated into the core aspects of story progression, character development, and unlocking gameplay features, influencing the relationship status between the player and NPCs. Let's take a closer look.

Affinity can mainly be increased through two methods: giving gifts is the most direct way. When interacting with NPCs, players can give items via a dedicated button, and different NPCs have clear preferences for gifts. These preferred items can be widely obtained, such as defeating small monsters near where the NPC frequently appears, which may yield the desired props. Players can accumulate such resources through daily exploration and combat, targeting the specific NPCs to raise their affinity. Another method is closely related to plot choices. At key points in the main or side stories, the decisions made by the player will directly affect the change in NPC affinity.

When choosing options that align with the NPC's stance or interests, affinity will significantly increase. If the choice is contrary, affinity will decrease accordingly. It's worth noting that, in addition to meeting the affinity requirement, some NPCs also need to satisfy specific prerequisites before they can join the team. The accumulation of affinity has multi-dimensional practical effects during the game. When affinity reaches the basic threshold, players will unlock the privilege to spar with the NPC. By winning spars, not only can players gain martial arts points for upgrading skills, but they can also randomly obtain some of the items carried by the NPC, providing a stable channel for resource accumulation.

As affinity further increases to the standard level, players can invite the NPC to join the adventure team, enhancing the team's strength with their unique skills and combat styles to face more challenging dungeons and enemies. For members already on the team, as affinity continues to rise to a higher stage, exclusive side quests will be triggered. These quests often revolve around the character's background story, and upon completion, rare items or martial arts manuals can be obtained. In terms of learning martial arts, high affinity also plays a critical role. When affinity reaches a high level, asking the NPC for martial arts guidance will trigger special combat trials. Passing these trials can greatly increase the proficiency of the corresponding martial arts, accelerating combat power growth. Additionally, for key plot characters like Ouyang Xue and Yao Ji, when affinity reaches its maximum, it will directly influence the direction of the game's ending, unlocking different story branches and providing players with a varied plot experience.

The content on how to increase affinity in The Sword and the Storm has been introduced. Through the flexible use of the affinity system, players can establish closer relationships with characters in the adventures, unlock a wealth of gameplay content, and at the same time, drive the plot towards a more diverse direction, making the entire gaming experience more three-dimensional and rich.