I'm back, and as promised, I'm going to share my point of view on MGs positioning in the game, their main or secondary roles in plot and story as well as bringing up one of the very unpopular and unpleasant "canon" - "non canon" topic.
I decided to collect and structurize most of my thoughts and observations in one huge post.
My opinion and the way of how do I see all these things, often generates a negative reactions from fans of Bella, Sage, Jill and most of SGs. You can consider me J&M biased, as a their blind fan, etc, but it's not true. I always play all routes and enjoy every of them. I, personally, have a lot of fun by playing every route in this game and it helps me to explore all parts and sides of story, which is told to us from different perspectives, and to find all pieces of a whole puzzle. I can't say that I hate or dislike any of MG/SG characters, as well. I just like J&M more, but that's all.
Usually, I'm being downvoted for such posts or it's parts on Reddit. Can't blame them, though. So, let's try it here and see how and where it will go
Since DPC said himself for a while, like, there are no canon LI, routes, etc in BADIK. As for me, I doesn't share this view and facts doesn't add up most of times, even if DPC said otherwise.
I will do my best to substantiate my words with facts, with a little exceptions it will be my own thoughts or guesses that can be considered neutral, which can't be substantiated or doesn't need to be. And I'll mark my personal point of view or "imo" parts with orange.
1. Let's start from BADIK & Acting Lessons comparison.
This is important to substantiate my point of view and to begin with. And the fact that they made by the same author and that, apparently, BADIK is the embodiment of a real idea and plans that the author hatched. AL looks like a "trial of the pen" and early experience. Initially, it was even planned to intertwine both games worlds, but the author abandoned this idea.
֍ Could we consider Megan & Melissa as a canon LIs in AL? Definitely. Story was built around them and a couple of antagonists mostly. Without these two characters, there would be no story as such, as well as the main plot twist. Their relationship with MC looks natural and expected ("canonic", if you like), if you pay attention to how MC himself thinks about it (or author, if you like). If we still decide to pursue Rena or one of the SGs, then we have to literally float against the flow. We have to betray Megan and Melissa at the most lowest point of their life and also doom MC best friend to death, to be able to end up with Rena. Going for her leads to a very bitter ending with a least of sugar in it. SGs endings leads to the same with an exception, that we are able to help Liam in a part of them. But "true" and mostly happy endings can be achieved only with "canon" LIs - Megan or Melissa.
I can't say that a similar technique is 100% reused in BADIK, but there are so much vast and visible traces, as well as some pure statistics and facts, allows me to assume that this is true, mostly. Let's check for the facts:
- Josy & Maya occupy a larger part of the plot and story in all, story begins with their characters, and significant part of the story is closely intertwined with their characters. BADIK is bigger than AL, so it's more diluted with alternative LIs, as well as options. But this does not change the essence.
- Josy & Maya in numbers of renders, scenes and dialogues with them exceeds any other MGs in this part.
- What's BADIK opening scene? Since MC haven't, yet, reached the place he intended to be, according to the further story, and where the major part of the story takes place later:
- Josy is a copy of Megan in terms of love with MC. She is the first girl he met (at some mini-market here and there, btw) and had a crush on:
- Maya is a copy of Melissa. She is the second one, both she & MC felt that spark, too:
- Both girls express their feelings and emotions differently, according to personalities and life experience, but both truly crush on MC. Both girls here and there are best friends, but in BADIK they are in relationships as well:
- Both games gives us a Throuple thing. In AL it leads to numerous of different endings. In BADIK J&M and Throuple outperforms any other MG branch with options amount, so far. It's also a base and material for numerous different endings:
Throuple with balanced or biased affection to one of girls (it's not fully clear with consequences at the moment);
Friends & feelings for one of girls with a ponential single paths (opening in near future, probably);
Friends & no feelings (safest way of going for other MGs/SGs, probably);
Break up with Throuple (consequences absolutely unclear at this moment).
I see a potential for more than 10 base scenarios based on the options above.
Does any other MGs have such variability? Nope.
Multiply it with other outcomes and previous choices and here we are.
- Breaking up with J&M, even at the middle of the game is the saddest scene and potential consequences of doing this feels bad. At least so far. Same in AL, but at the end. Compare this break up with any other MGs. Bella & Sage have got a few renders and several lines, that's all. Only Jill got something more significant and heart touching, but even her scene doesn't stand near J&M. DPC invested a lot of work, sensitivity, and very noticable symbolysm into it. It will be explained below, closer to the end.
- Going for Bella or Sage feels the same as going for Rena. Going for Others (SGs) is the same as going for Ana (or Leah, lol, who knows, at least with some of SGs). Since at the moment we know only a part of the story from different points of view and characters perspectives. It doesn't mean a bad ending (at least now), but it feels bad. I'll explain it below, closer to the end.
It's useless to keep comparing these two games. BADIK have much more options, variativity and possible permutations, but we start at the same point in both games - that's what have sense and the most important thing to remember.
2. Let's take a good look at the BADIK.
֍ From time to time we read the MCs narrator's lines and his thoughts through his inner voice, so this can be seen as the author's point of view on specific events, and this is the point of view that you cannot reject or ignore. Because it's the same as denying lines that you've read in some book. One small difference is that "BADIK" is not a classic familiar book, but like any other visual novels, it is an "interactive book". But even interactive books have their limits, and they just lead you to a lot of endings, instead of one in any familiar book.
- MC confessed in his love to Josy and opened to her at their first date, before he came to B&R and she reciprocated him;
- MC can tell Maya that he likes her, sooner than to anyone else (except the Josy), and later confirm it again when she asks him this question at Gender classes;
- MC was really happy to join & participate in Throuple, since he had feelings for both of them, it was clearly mutual, and it was the option where he hadn't to choice only one of them;
- Josy is the only one MG so far, whom MC is called "My girl" twice, even before they became official. After committing to J&M and becoming official in EP9, MC calls them both "My girls";
This happens with Riona too, but MC had to be drunk at the dorm party to say so, I refuse to score it equally.
- MC said several times, how happy he feel himself with Josy, how unbelievable it is to lie near her, etc.
The game starts with the opening scene before we come up with the MC's name:
At that moment, it was just MC's imagination, but soon we'll find out that this is the case and all she said was true.
js "Haha! You're so silly!"
js "You wanna know something...?"
js "I've always had a crush on you..."
js "What?"
js "You've been in love with me all this time, too?"
js "You're so sweet..."
js "Come closer..."
js "I wanna feel your soft lips pressed against mine..."
js "Kiss me..."
MC's thoughts when he looks at Josy in mini-mart:
This is MC's expression of his feelings.
mc "(Josy...)"
mc "(I've been in love with her since I first saw her two months ago.)"
mc "(If it wasn't for her, I never would have stayed at this crappy summer job.)"
mc "(She's so beautiful...)"
mc "(I could watch her smile all day long...)"
MC's conversation with his dad, before he leaves home and moves to college:
Don't forget, MC lost his best friend and girlfriend Zoey a while ago. His dad compared Josy to Lynette and recommended him to not keep emotions locked up, give it a best try, bc regrets can come back to haunt him later in life.
dad "As I never went to college, I can't imagine how exciting this must feel for you."
mc "Yeah..."
dad "Something the matter?"
mc "Well, there's this girl...Josy."
mc "I have a crush on her, and now I'm moving away from here."
mc "I feel pretty bad about it."
dad "Uh-huh. I see."
dad "Let me tell you something I've learned."
dad "As you know, I already worked in construction when I met your mom."
dad "Her dad, who was filthy rich, hired me to help him build a hotel."
dad "Your mom was a very beautiful woman. I was 24, and she had just turned 18."
dad "Her dad disapproved of me being with his daughter. In his eyes, I was of a lower class."
dad "Your mother didn't see it that way. She looked past all that, and we fell in love."
dad "To her father's dismay, he couldn't get her to stop seeing me."
dad "But he knew that once the hotel was built, there was no reason for me to stay and work in that town."
dad "And when that day came, I left. I had to make a living after all."
dad "So, with a heavy heart, I left Lynette."
dad "But before doing so, I gave her the best kiss I ever could have given her."
dad "To me...that was it."
dad "The last time I would ever gaze upon her."
dad "But your mom, stubborn as a mule, didn't give up that easily."
dad "It took her three days to run away from home and track me down."
dad "She didn't want her dad's life or his money..."
dad "She wanted me."
dad "If something's meant to be, it will happen, son."
dad "But make sure that you give it your best try and that you leave without regrets."
dad "Because regrets can come back to haunt you later in life."
dad "Tell Josy how you feel, son. That's my advice."
dad "Don't keep your emotions locked up."
After MC quarreled with J&M and didn't know what to do, he called his father and asked for advice once again. And dad advised to follow his heart. Which MC did later:
mc "(What am I doing...?)"
mc "Hey..."
dad "Son, I'm a bit busy at the moment."
dad "Did something happen? Is it important?"
mc "Dad, I-"
mc "No... It's not important."
mc "I had a bit of a dilemma..."
mc "My mind is going back and forth when I think about it and I don't know which way to go."
dad "You know exactly what to do, son."
dad "Do what I always taught you to do."
dad "Follow your heart."
mc "Follow my heart... Right..."
mc "Thanks, dad."
Library scene:
You can call me one-sided or manipulative. And that I have given only one dialogue option, while there are 3 of them. But even if the MC rejects them and offers only friendship, or they reject him and eventually remain friends, this does not change much. Both girls will not accept this in any way, and the MC himself will continue to doubt and will have the opportunity to preserve feelings for one of the girls.
mc "Maya..."
mc "Josy..."
mc "I don't hate you."
mc "It's been the opposite..."
mc "I wanted to see if I could love you."
mc "And I did feel something..."
mc "I want to give you another chance..."
mc "...but a part of me wishes that there's something more than friendship waiting for me down that road..."
mc "...and that's what makes this situation so damned complicated."
my "I can't say what I feel about this in front of you..."
js "Do you think I can?"
js "It would be such a huge risk."
my "It would..."
js "I don't want to lose you."
my "You wouldn't."
js "You say that now...but what about later? Are you really sure?"
mc "I don't know if this helps you at all, but..."
mc "Whenever I wasn't sure of what to do in life, my dad told me that making choices..."
mc "...while following your heart, will take you exactly where you're supposed to be."
mc "And that it is why some choices are harder to make than others..."
mc "...especially when your heart tells you to go against the grain."
mc "The biggest choices in life may be of great risk and promise a great reward."
mc "The scariest part about making these big choices..."
mc "...is that you have no clue if there's a turning back, if the outcome wasn't what you desired."
mc "But even how scary it may feel...just remember that first part..."
mc "Following your heart...will take you exactly where you're supposed to be."
mc "What did you decide?"
my "This..."
js "Haha! What the hell are we doing?"
my "We are following our hearts!"
js "We are?"
mc "(Is this a dream?)"
mc "(I just took a huge risk and got something I wanted...)"
mc "(I have no idea what will happen now...)"
mc "(All I know is that I don't have to feel sad anymore...)"
mc "(I followed my heart...)"
mc "(Dad...)"
mc "(Thank you.)"
What does it mean? MC doesn't have so many inner thoughts about all the other MGs. He never asked dad for advice, except for J&M.
3. What makes J&M so special and unique?
֍ DPC once mentioned that he allows his wife to test the game during the episode development cycle and after that. And he said his wife hates Josy. The DPC himself has never mentioned that J&M is something special to him or that he likes them more or less than the rest of MGs or SGs.
I understand why this is so, but words intended for the public don't always reflect the inner feelings and thoughts of the author. He have to stay neutral, at least publicly. It's a common thing with a lot of authors of books, tv shows, movies, whatever else.
We know that DPC likes to do what he likes. Whatever it means, but we see the manifestation and reflection of his words in various moments of the game and its various aspects.
He mentioned that he had a whole plot and story of BADIK in his head when he was working on AL, and breathe life into this idea and realize it was his dream. As we know and saw in the early announcements and the teaser, which is played at the very end of AL, Jill character was not originally planned. He added her character at the very last moment. I suppose this was done in order to balance the situation and make the story more complicated and not so similar to AL. At least in terms of schematic and play technics.
He shown some time ago a very early WIP renders of a several of characters:
Maya & Zoey hadn't changed, while Josy got absolutely different apperiance, as well as Sage, Quinn and some other characters.
He made Josy look like a younger version of Ana from AL. And Quinn's looks like a copy of Elise. Sage just got improved look, Bella is not shown, probably her model wasn't ready at that stage of development. And Jill was added at the latest moment.
Assuming DPC loves J&M as much as the rest of the characters, or even less, then a lot doesn't add up. I think it's exactly the opposite. He is not able to admit it openly and publicly, for obvious reasons. But a lot of facts, as well as indirect signs, only confirm this.
Going back to AL for a moment, what would you say about Megan and Melissa? Most of attention was focused on them. There are much more characters in BADIK, including the side ones,
but as for me, rest of MGs & SGs (with an except of Jill) got the same role as Rena and the others in AL.
֍ J&M is the only MGs that have RP check and use RP system as it is. This is a common thing for AVNs, but while in BADIK, all MGs, as well as frats and some side characters like Derek, collects RPs, but nevertheless, only J&M have benefits of this.
This may change in the future, but as for me, it's too late.
Their RP usage covers almost all aspects of game moments: common scenes, lewd scene options, and a few more. I even don't mention their lewd scenes selection options in EP5 & EP7, which is a huge thing with different consequences and outcomes. Other MGs doesn't offer something similar and even stand close.
If all MG's were "equal" (which is important), then either these details would not exist at all, or all MG's would have them, right? If the DPC didn't like J&M or didn't treat them in a special way, he would hardly have created such small details and sought to invest so much sense through RP or previous player choises. Knowing DPC, he usually do extra things, work on them, or whatever else, when he likes something or he is inspired with. Isn't this proof that the DPC likes J&M a lot, actually ?
- EP5, Josy lewd scene in Maya's dorm, Josy allows to fuck her in boobs and between the buttocks if her RP is enough, otherwise she refures to have a try:
- EP5, hang-out, Josy allows MC to touch her much more when her RP is enough, while Maya kisses MC or not:
- EP6, Math classes, Josy flashes her panties for MC when her RP is enough, otherwise scene is played in the same way, when MC is not in Throuple:
EP8, MC room at the morning, if summ of RP for both girls is enough, they sit on the bed not covering their boobs, otherwise they cover boobs with hands:
֍ DPC attention to every little detail and previous choices with J&M. Some other MGs also use this mechanics, but it's mostly about dialogues, while I mean much more, and dialogues are only a small part of it. Influence on lewd scenes and different outfits, displaying the attitude to the MC in various scene & renders, and much more.
- EP2, date with Josy, MC can find out in advance from Josy what she would like more as a small gift, and we see her reaction to it later.
- EP4, Maya dorm, right after reconciliation and forming the Throuple thing. If MC was intimate only with one of the girls, he have to choice one to sleep with. If he was intimate with both, then he may choice to sleep with both.
- EP5, lewd scene selection with Josy OR Maya, game remembers this for further permutations and outcomes purposes.
- EP6, scavenger hunt fake threesome outdoors. Scene plays in a different ways, which depends on previous MC choices - help Maya with some of scavenger or not. Also a lot of renders depend on being intimate with Josy before this scene. If she hadn't seen MC "magic stick" up to the moment, it's also reflected in renders used in scene. Attention to details is a common DPCs behaviour, but the way it's done with J&M impresses a lot:
- EP6, Major choice of fight / don't fight with Tommy. We all know the consequences if MC doesn't fight with him:
- EP7, lewd scene selection with Josy OR Maya, game remembers this for further permutations and outcomes purposes. Ignoring both girls here blocks further EP8 scene of their private date in MC room, as well as scene with Derek in a mart.
- EP7, HOTs party, a lot of options with Josy, both for Throuple and for friends paths. From making her to leave the party to kiss her being only a friend to her.
- EP7, Josy & MC in gym, if you haven't intimate with her enough, is played in the same way, when MC is not in Throuple:
- EP8, walking between classes scene after Tybalt presentation, Josy outfit depends on lewd scenes with her and previous choices. She wear MCs red sweater, which he gave her at their first date, if MC was intimate with her 3 times during EP7, otherwise she wear gray top and scene played in the same way, when MC is not in Throuple:
- EP8, MCs room, girls comes to stay for night, same red sweater / gray top as above, but this time scene is played only in Throuple path:
- EP8, swim and spa, lewd scene played depending on whom MC was selected in EP7.
- EP8, Pink Rose, if MC have DIK affinity, he may ask Lily to take a photo with strippers and post it in Rooster. Doing this have a special outcome, if MC is in Throuple.
- EP8, dorm party, the way Maya's lewd scene is played depends on selecting her or Josy in EP7.
- EP9, Josy flashes her boobs for MC when he have a DIK or Neutral status (not an affinity, but this scene is locked with Chick affinity, since status is always Chick with perm Chick affinity):
- EP9, Maya doesn't hold MC's hand during photoshoot, unless he followed her and had sex at a dorm party after dancing with her:
- EP9, drinking game, absolutely unique choices of interaction options with both girls, as well as outcomes.
֍ MC can avoid most of J&M lewd scenes with a very little of exceptions, while other MGs don't give you such options and you just float with the flow when you're on particular path/branch. It was actual in S1-2, but continued in S3 as well.
Don't ask me about the purposes of doing this, but treat it as possibilities and extra variability.
4. A lot of to think about and some suggestive points as well.
֍ Why is their path so unique in every sense - whether it's a Throuple or friendship, feelings for one of them or their absence, all these small but important details in almost every episode. No other MG has a branching like this, and if there are some minor details, then it's just a couple of scenes, and most often it's just various replicas in dialogues.
֍ Choosing J&M path literally saves MC from many "wrong" actions. And if in some cases it is more a question of morality and a kind of "loyalty", then in other cases it's literally a natural protection from doing stupid things and what he might regret in the future (Jade, Cathy and Nora are excellent examples, in fact, all potential affairs with teachers are getting blocked). Even Jill doesn't "save" him so good as J&M does.
- MC automatically picks J&M if he has dated them only. SGs doesn't count and doesn't affect anything in this case. The same for Jill.
- Why, being on the J&M path, as well as on Jill's one, MC can no longer "fool around", and access to Others path is blocked? Following Others path means the MCs abandoning the idea of any serious relationship.
Thus, both J&M & Jill paths are "true" or "canonical". He has no or much less doubts than in any other case, and he sincerely wants one of this relationship.
- If he rejects someone else or getting rejected himself, he regrets much less and behave more coolly or don't regret at all.
- MC's inner thoughts about J&M in Crossroads (EP8):
When MC picked them:
mc "(I've grown closest to Josy and Maya.)"
mc "(I want to be with them...)"
mc "(Technically, I'm still dating more than one, but we're all in on it.)"
mc "(What we started, I want to see it through. I'd be an idiot to jeopardize it by going for someone else.)"
mc "(I need to tell them.)"
When MC rejected Throuple or got rejected, but feelings left for Josy or Maya:
mc "(I still have feelings for Maya, but since that's not an option...)"
mc "(I still have feelings for Josy, but since that's not an option...)"
mc "(My heart tells me I'm not ready for something serious with anyone else.)"
When MC dated several MGs, but picked someone else over J&M:
mc "(Maya and Josy won't like hearing this... They might be devastated, but I have to stay true to myself.)"
mc "(Maybe I'll be able to keep them as friends?)"
֍ Break up with J&M is the severest scene in the whole game, at least up to the moment. I think we will see something worse later, but nevertheless it's so, at the moment.
- Compare this one to the Bella and Sage break up scenes. It was just a few renders and lines of dialogue. Everything happened easily both from the MC's side and from the girls side. With Bella, they did not go so far as to cause severe pain, and both, in their hearts, knew that it was rather for the best, and Sage herself was not sure what she wanted, and was happy with MC in any state - both as a boyfriend and as a friend, without any second thoughts or regrets. Only a break up with Jill can make some kind of competition here. But even though this scene is also very sad, doesn't stand near with J&M. Jill's scene is made via flashback, before the Jill herself arrives to the party and even after that we see her warmed up a bit to MC and mostly forgived him.
- If the MC is planning to break up with them, then the preparation for this and, in general, the entire playthrough of the EP9 feels like a kind of sadism on the part of the DPC, instead of quickly cutting off the head, he cuts it off very slowly. An episode that was supposed to be fun, instead makes you feel like a pile of shit and have a hammer hanging under your head, and you have to wait throughout the whole episode for it to finally hit you.
- That inexplicable sense of guilt conveyed through the MC's comments and some scenes, as well as the awareness and expectation of how this is going to end sadly and badly - I give DPC credit, he knows how to find the right key to the player's feelings in order to evoke the right emotions in him.
DPC has invested so much sense, bringing up small details and, most importantly, symbolism in just one of the branching scenarios with their path.
- By symbolism, I mean that some scenes, especially the last ones (the last conversation) take place in exactly the same places where they started similar conversation in EP4. The hall is not far from Derek's room and lounge and the library itself, finally. They called library as their "magic" or "happy" room.
- Contrast between playing J&M branch in EP9 and playing another one with a burden of break up is so vivid. Only Bella branch with a Jill break up in it is able to compete here.
- And the DPC has not finished punishing the player yet, because in fact the MC only talked to Maya, the conversation with Josy should be similar to the scene with Jill. So, it lasts for a 2 episodes for such a "trifle", huh?
- Imo, having spent so much attention on a small potential offshoot of the plot, DPC once again emphasized that J&M are the "main" MGs in the game. And Jill is right behind them, in second place.
Summarizing the above, I'll raise this question again - why is all this so, since J&M supposed to be "equal" to other MGs ?
5. Reasons, pros and cons for different MG choices and basis for potential endings.
This part has nothing to do with the facts and this is just speculations, because the end is still very far away and we can only guess what options we will have in each case. One thing is clear, that the number of endings will be incredible. A relatively small AL had 22 of them.
I can safely assume that there will be at least twice as many in BADIK, but most likely closer to 100.
Lastly, I want to speculate about the potential reasons for plausible happy ends and MG choices itself, since a bad ones, which mostly would be a result of MCs & player fuck ups doesn't worth to be discussed here. Most of us will go for them especially with a completionist motivation, some of us will get them unexpectedly during blind playthroughs, etc. And, perhaps, the DPC will make all endings bittersweet, regardless of our choices and actions during playthrough. Personally, I would like to have a various endings based on my previous actions and choices, but in the end, bittersweet is also a good option. This adds drama and saves the player's mouth and teeth from excessive sugar and sweetness, which eventually leads to a loss of good taste over time.
Everything that you will read below is purely my personal point of view and a look at the relationships in the game.
֍ J&M. Troubled road? Yeah. Worth it? Absolutely.
Pros:
- They are all fresh students, they would probably graduate at the same time and year. Why it's important? Because they will be able to spend time together while they study at college. It's very important in terms for relationship perspectives and for the last years in college for MC.
- The social level of their families is approximately the same, yes, the situation of the girls families is slightly better, but it is not as different as in the case of Jill and Sage.
- They have some troubles, including ones with their families, but there are no secrets or something similar, at least so far.
- They definitely have real and enduring feelings for each other. The examples above and the hints that the DPC gives us from time to time, allow me to safely say this. The uniqueness of their relationship also makes it particularly valuable.
- They have a good emotional level connection and understanding. Maya finds MC feminine, while Josy is able to share her minx side with him. And all together they're compatible in all senses.
- They don't have much experience in sex, but they are ready to experiment and feel good about it. It's such a good base to start with. Finally, it's a legal and regular threesomes. Would you personally refuse such an option being a young man or a student? Or at least, would you even not give a try? I won't believe you, my friend.
- In terms of real life, who of you would personally pick a "traditional" relationships over a group, being a young freshman or in shoes of the MC? MC finds it exciting and unbelievable. "My girls... wow..."
- Both girls have relatives in the MC fraternity. While it creates additional tension at the beginning, but in perspective it's an opposite, it helps to bond better, including their families.
- TWO girls at the same time, who have nothing much to flaunt and brag about and nothing creates reasons for envy among people around, except the most important thing - THIS DUDE HAS 2 HOT GIRLS! And it's not a one-night stand. He is a fucking relationships with them. The envy levels of people around flies into the sky. MC becomes a true legend of the college, and the realization of the fact that he is already one literally strengthens his position and reputation among students and frats.
Cons:
- Maya's father. Until this problem and the problem of her student loan itself are solved, they are under constant pressure and in danger.
- Throuple relationship itself. And the lesbian part as a bonus. They may work it out and have a better chances to do so after graduation, but until that moment it will always be a very complicated thing to them. We will see how it will be played off. At least, I expect they would be able to be themselves among the DIKs & HOTs, that would be quite enough to be happy until their graduation.
- Polyamorous relationships can be a real challenge even for adults and mature people who are on their feet and have a stable income. It is very important to maintain balance and openness in them, not to lie and not to give preference to one person, otherwise it will collapse sooner or later. That's why we already have signs and possibilities of "balancing" the relationship with them.
֍ Jill. Connected road. Give it a try? Definitely.
Pros:
- Fairy tale vibes. It's good and bad at the same time, but since we are playing the game and not with our real personal life - why not? At least we are able to repeat MCs father experience if things will go to hell and I have almost no doubt that this will be the case. DPC loves drama, symbolism and is perfectly able to implement all this and give to the player.
- Connected road? Well, we are still waiting MC & Jill families connections to unfold. It's a good reason to play this branch and route, as for me. The whole MC family at the moment is his father, finding a kindred spirit who was familiar or somehow connected with his mother is quite touching and exciting.
- Jill is a good match for MC. They understand each other, and despite some differences and belonging to different strata of society, this doesn't interfere with their mutual understanding. They share a lot of interests and their love and feelings to each other develops gradually and consciously.
- Jill was a virgin. Some people don't care, some find it a disadvantage, but in general it can hardly be considered as her disadvantage. It's old-fashioned, but still being the first is kind of a bonus.
Cons:
- She is on her 3rd year in college. This creates potential problems, given what kind of family she is from. You can't just run away like that, unless the MC wants to finish college and not waste the time and money he has already invested in it for nothing.
- MC, probably would be accepted as a good friend of her and family, but not as a "couple" to her. Maybe families connection unfold may fix this, or vice versa will create additional tension and pressure.
- Her lewd scenes is boring, but it's plausible and feels right. Just a fact. And since we are here (or most of us) for the plot, then it's not so significant. In time she'll obviously grow in this terms. I wouldn't buy it if she started to fuck like a rabbit instantly, as if that's all she's been doing all her life. Plausibility is an important quality that allows you to believe what is happening and immerse yourself in the plot.
֍ Bella. Bumpy road. It all depends on the bumps size and amount that you will encounter on the road, some of them may push you into a ditch...
Pros:
- I never thought it would be so hard to find at least one pros of this particular relationship.
MC grew up without a mother, and Bella's attitude to him is such that she sometimes replaces his mother. It's weird, but it's true. Perhaps it's a single pros (if it can be called that at all) of this relationship. And since they have become friends anyway and periodically spend time together, I strongly doubt the need for a intimate relationship and compatibility of this mother-substitution thing and such relationships. When it comes to intimate part, it sound to me more like a cons, than a pros. But if MC is weirdo, who imagine that he is banging his mother, even if it's not the case, then it's ok and let it be.
- And while I was writing what is written above, I still found another pros, albeit also controversial. She has no problems with her family and parents, because they are dead. But damn it, why is everything about Bella is so creepy? What happened to them? She said that they died (but when?) and she lives in house for 10 years already. Old age could not have caused their death purely physically, and nobody die from diseases simultaneously. There are only options with an accident, disaster or murder then. It seemed to me that there was absolutely no emotions on her face when she talked about it. I understand that she's an adult woman and adults are usually better at controlling their emotions, but damn it...
Cons:
- We rarely read and see MC narrator lines from the future. First time it was at the beginning of the game and was quite innocent. This is the next one and the last up to the moment: "But if I had known the real reasons to her tears...and to her persona... I wouldn't have kissed her that night. I would have called out for help." I don't know what MC meant and for whom he wanted to call out for help, as well as what kind of help he meant... but for me it sounded creepy as fuck. What could make a young student say something like that, what he found out or saw, what secret she was keeping? This is clearly something dark or very bad, otherwise there is no point for narrator in saying such a thing with a voice from the future. It was a warning. Fortunately, at this point, this relationship can be terminated. I just hope it's not an another Leah from AL or something similar.
- 2 x age gap. It's not such a big problem when it's just about fucking. But serious relationships and long term plans sound weird in any sense in such circumstances, at least for a freshman.
- MC is a student, Bella is his teacher and college employee. Even if it's not prohibited by the B&R regulations, it's the most uncomfortable situation for both. There are potential taunts from classmates, and for Bella it's a constant awkwardness feeling. Her flashback in the library in EP8 showed that she feels extremely uncomfortable in the workplace when it comes to expressing her feelings and even just making out. Bella and James had no problems with the age gap as well. If it's prohibited, then one of them have to leave B&R and it would be probably Bella.
- Even "clean" and faithful relationships with Bella ruines her friendship with Jill. This can't be avoided.
- They will never be able to be themselves on public while both of them stay in B&R.
- It is difficult to start a relationship without knowing for sure what happened to her husband and where he is, if he is alive. She never said whether she was officially divorced or whether it was not necessary because of his demise.
- She is the only one, who may become a real "joker" card if MC dated several MGs, but picked her over them. MC may fully ruin their friendship with Jill, MC may devastate Josy & Maya and when the truth will be revealed, I doubt they would remain a friends too. Too much damage done and while they would be ok with Jill and Sage, at least after some time, but Bella seems as unacceptable excuse and reason.
֍ Sage. In lieu of a flower. Whatever it means...
Tbh, I never "googled" for this particular phrase before. I was quite surprised, to say the least. This made me think a lot about the sense that DPC put into this phrase.
Pros:
- Sage is an easy going girl. She is smart and always ready to give MC good advice or help him out. MC for her is a person who can listen to her and let her pour out her soul, which she needed so much.
- This is a relationship that can grow from sex buddies or friends with benefits, if you want, into something more serious. But it remains to be seen whether Sage herself wants this.
- She is obsessed with sex, and it suits both of them. In addition, after several years spent with Chad, and because of the imminent graduation, she wants to try "everything" so these last months will be remembered for a lifetime. So that there is no feeling of missed opportunities and regrets later. Well, why not?
Cons:
- Her family. Especially her father. Jade shouldn't cause a troubles, until MC doesn't touch this can with worms. At least for now or in short perspective. I don't think Jade is involved with Stephen dark business and prostitution ring. And while she is a bit crazy or could be very vindictive, she a reasonable women, mostly.
- She is in her 4th and final year of college. We are in a 6 months from her graduation. This creates potential problems, especially considering what we know about her family. I almost don't see their relationship developing if MC not leaves the B&R. She have to start her new life after graduating from college, put into practice the knowledge that she received and for which she studied in college. When Stephen "business" will be revealed and everything secret will become clear, I don't even want to think about how much damage it could inflict to her.
- It would be a bummer if she won't consider their relationship seriously and will narrow it to sex and intimate things only. But it's a case only if she will get him a hopes up, and then simply disappears from his life. If they will honestly discuss everything, then it will be a short but a vivid sex journey for both of them. I don't think either of them will regret anything afterwards. MC will have a lot of girls to choose from later.
- "In lieu of flowers". I have no fucking idea what the hell DPC meant by this, but it sounds both weird and scary. Who is going to pass away, etc. But all this does not sound encouraging and positive, as for me.
6. Music. Girls "themes".
- J&M have a lot of personified music tracks for different moments and circumstances. This applies to both canon scenes, lewd and a thematic ones.
- Jill, the same as J&M.
- Bella have some of them too, but much less than J&M and Jill. It may be ironic, but the words of the first music track dedicated to her suggests us to run. It is unclear whether in the direction of her or vice versa.
- Sage has the least or none of them at all. The only and one unique music track for her scene plays when she tells MC about her past and that she was adopted.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
I'll probably stop here. I started with 20 kb of text, then the post grew to 30 kb, and I'm finishing it with 40 kb, lol.
The last working week was intense for me, I was almost not on the forum. In total, I spent about 15 hours in total trying to make the text readable and protect the eyes of potential post readers. As I have already said, English is not my native language, so the texts turn out to be clumsy and I have to put them in order for a long time, although even after that I know that there are a lot of mistakes, typos, etc, for which I apologize.
Thank you in advance for reading, I'll be happy to listen for your feedback and criticism.
p.s.2 fixed the attachments under spoilers
