VN Ren'Py Friends in Need [S1 v0.85c] [NeonGhosts]

[Quetzzz]

I wouldn't go as far as to say she is a terrible person

Someone can be a good person and still be a walking disaster. That she made bad choices doesn't make her malicious, but it also makes me not wanting to have her around.

I do have a thing for LI that has some kind of trauma or going through some shit as it makes me want to be there for them and help them no matter what

This appeals to me as well, but I'm so tired of the authors sugarcoating things. It's never really her mistake, LIs need to remain pure. Same with Nicki, Brent dug the hole they were in, and everything else happened to her out of desperation. I'd love, for once, to see an LI who actually made bad choices and owns up to them. Like in University of Problems, its writer had such an opportunity with Carol. She could've prostituted herself and risen in the ranks, now regretting it. But no, she was blackmailed and put in her position as a figurehead.

Edit: Just played through the good/kindness path, and I'm pleasantly surprised with how Nicki does take ownership of her mistakes. She says she knew what Brent was like, but still went back anyway, and that she needed to fix her mistakes herself. Good girl.

 

[Simpgor]

Keep in mind that Guy is only a millionaire.


The one of a philanthropist who has an image to protect. As soon as she opens her mouth, she'd embarrass him.


Are you referencing the dead bedroom? Because regardless of that, he isn't wrong, they were still in a relationship, and she cheated on Brent with Guy (at least if you pick the top option).

1. Ah my mistake. Plesse replace Bill with Mill and nothing else changes.

2. A philanthropist with "ditzy" "arm candy" is not uncommon? Even batman (bruce wayne) uses ditzy arm candy and nobody bats an eye. Who do you think a philanthropist should have in their circle? And how often do you think that is done irl much less in fiction?

Edit: wait don't they meet at a specifically philanthropic event? Ashe didn't look out of place there iirc?

3. Critiquing a character for a choice the player has to make does not help their criticism at all and imo hurts it. I would call them out if they said "ashe is stupid for not thinking that Guy on the good path would drug her with allergy pills he found in someone else's bathroom"

 

[Quetzzz]

A philanthropist with "ditzy" "arm candy" is not uncommon? Even batman (bruce wayne) uses ditzy arm candy and nobody bats an eye. Who do you think a philanthropist should have in their circle? And how often do you think that is done irl much less in fiction?

The fact that the term "arm candy" exists proves otherwise. It's derogatory in a way, and has a negative connotation for both the woman and the man. Keep in mind that Bruce Wayne uses arm candy for a purpose. He can't be in a relationship with a normie without blowing his cover. That he has different arm candy at different events makes people regard him as a playboy. It's the image he wants. Guy doesn't necessarily want this image. (It would attract gold diggers, and regardless of the path, Guy only wants to give money to those in need.)

Critiquing a character for a choice the player has to make does not help their criticism at all and imo hurts it. I would call them out if they said "ashe is stupid for not thinking that Guy on the good path would drug her with allergy pills he found in someone else's bathroom"

If this is about what I said, I specifically said it wasn't a critique, just my first thoughts and remarks while playing... My reasons for not having Guy invite Ashe to the condo, or why I (as the player) aren't interested in a friendship with her. I don't think Guy has use for her (dark path) in the long term. Guy needs companionship, someone who can hold her own, like Madison. He feels lonely and isolated.

Edit:

wait don't they meet at a specifically philanthropic event? Ashe didn't look out of place there iirc?

Yeah, the event was to gather money for the museum where Ashe works. In that context, she wouldn't be out of place because she could discuss the art, like she does when she gives a tour.

 

[Simpgor]

The fact that the term "arm candy" exists proves otherwise. It's derogatory in a way, and has a negative connotation for both the woman and the man. Keep in mind that Bruce Wayne uses arm candy for a purpose. He can't be in a relationship with a normie without blowing his cover. That he has different arm candy at different events makes people regard him as a playboy. It's the image he wants. Guy doesn't necessarily want this image. (It would attract gold diggers, and regardless of the path, Guy only wants to give money to those in need.)


If this is about what I said, I specifically said it wasn't a critique, just my first thoughts and remarks while playing... My reasons for not having Guy invite Ashe to the condo, or why I (as the player) aren't interested in a friendship with her. I don't think Guy has use for her (dark path) in the long term. Guy needs companionship, someone who can hold her own, like Madison. He feels lonely and isolated.

The second part (the critique) is about the other guy who based a large portion of their post on the idea that Nicki and Guy have to fuck and how it's all part of Nickis plan. You not inviting ashe over is perfectly valid, if you were to base stuff (about her character) on the fact that you didn't invite her over that would be a bad critique. Sorry for not being more clear about who was doing a poor critique.

I don't think ashe is "arm candy" thus the quotes but even if I did it would be with heavy qualifiers. Does ashe get finance? No (Guy pays people for that) Does Ashe get the management side of philanthropy? No (Guy had to start paying people for that). Does Ashe get art? Yeah enough to have a job at a museum (Guy couldn't reach that "high" without getting plot device money )

I don't see how she's any "less" than Guy personally, we see several times that Guy is just as "ditzy" with things like the cutting edge technology that is "live streaming". Almost like people have different interests/knowledge.

 

[Quetzzz]

I don't see how she's any "less" than Guy personally, we see several times that Guy is just as "ditzy" with things like the cutting edge technology that is "live streaming". Almost like people have different interests/knowledge.

Oh absolutely. The way Guy handles money will make him go broke in no-time. Even with 22 million in the bank. Those 250k the museum raised is nothing, realistically he'd need the same amount of money to renovate the bookstore.
If Guy wants to keep his charity going, he'll need an influx of money. That's what he should (in the real world) use these events for, to connect with other rich people and network. His ideal partner would be a social butterfly who can strike up a conversation with anyone, and (by proxy) gives them a good impression about Guy. After all, the quality of a woman reflects onto the man she's dating.

 

[Ottoeight]

As usual, the most "extreme" players are the most vocal.

I see this pattern in almost every game thread.

 

[Simpgor]

After all, the quality of a woman reflects onto the man she's dating.

Unironically I think ashe might be "best" in that regard

the other choices are teens, someone with a daughter that isnt his (could be seen as negative), someone who doesn't speak fluent English, a homeless trans teen, the wife of a felon, a tradesperson (hot tub lady)?, and maybe his sister?

Ashe/her friend and Risa are the only ones who wouldn't instantly look out of place or "reflect negatively" on Guy imo

 

[Quetzzz]

Ashe/her friend and Risa are the only ones who wouldn't instantly look out of place or "reflect negatively" on Guy imo

When you look at it like that, out of the available options, you're right. And from what others are saying, it sounds like Ashe can grow as a person too (if the MC lets her). I'm only in chapter 3, so I don't have the power of hindsight yet.

 

[MilesEdgeworth]

Unironically I think ashe might be "best" in that regard

the other choices are teens, someone with a daughter that isnt his (could be seen as negative), someone who doesn't speak fluent English, a homeless trans teen, the wife of a felon, a tradesperson (hot tub lady)?, and maybe his sister?

Ashe/her friend and Risa are the only ones who wouldn't instantly look out of place or "reflect negatively" on Guy imo

I'll agree with most but the single mother isn't really seen as a negative. Not even for politicians nowadays

 

[Simpgor]

I'll agree with most but the single mother isn't really seen as a negative. Not even for politicians nowadays

I dont think any of the reasons are valid (unless you set teens to underage) but putting my mind in the headspace of someone who would consider those things you could absolutely see a single mom as being a slut (for having a child outside of marriage), an idiot (for not being able to keep a man), or some soft of feminist! (if the person judging is an incel)

I dont personally think those are valid in any situation (nor do they apply to the person in question) but then again i dont think that large amounts of money moving between people should have "who they are bumping uglies with" as a criteria (unless its illegal)

Edit Culture could have to do with views on single mother im sure east vs west have vastly different views on the subject

 

[MilesEdgeworth]

I dont think any of the reasons are valid (unless you set teens to underage) but putting my mind in the headspace of someone who would consider those things you could absolutely see a single mom as being a slut (for having a child outside of marriage), an idiot (for not being able to keep a man), or some soft of feminist! (if the person judging is an incel)

I dont personally think those are valid in any situation (nor do they apply to the person in question) but then again i dont think that large amounts of money moving between people should have "who they are bumping uglies with" as a criteria (unless its illegal)

Edit Culture could have to do with views on single mother im sure east vs west have vastly different views on the subject

I believe their default age is 18, so we'll say that's the intended age. A millionaire Guy's age rocking an 18-year-old on his arm is weird; with the homeless teen , there's a power imbalance, and banging anybody's wife is adultery and should be frowned upon. Honestly, even if one isn't an incel those choices would be problematic for Guy in the real world.

 

[Maviarab]

I believe their default age is 18, so we'll say that's the intended age. A millionaire Guy's age rocking an 18-year-old on his arm is weird; with the homeless teen , there's a power imbalance, and banging anybody's wife is adultery and should be frowned upon. Honestly, even if one isn't an incel those choices would be problematic for Guy in the real world.

I think I'd have to disagree with most of this.

Homeless teen (trans at that) would cause major problems. 18yo...other than the echo chamber crowd of Reddit, or perhaps conservative Americans (because for some reason, Americans are obessed with a woman's age when she dates for some reason and infantilising a legal adult) no one would give a shit. Look at Dicaprio as a prime example. Villified on the likes of Reddit...in the real world..no one really cares and most men just think, good for you..lucky bastard and obviously, the women themselves don't care either.. Most of the world has no issue with Age Gap dating.

Married woman? Again...it would blow over quicker than the paparazzi could snap a photo of Taylor Swift walking into a dollar store. No would care, except again, the same minority crowd...and the woman's husband (for..well, obvious reasons lol). Rich people get away with all sorts of morally grey shit (I say morals, because there is nothing illegal with an older guy dating an 18yo, there is nothing illegal about adultary, no matter how one feels about it)...they do it every day..the world moves on...people forget/stop caring.

Mason however, because of the world we live in...would cause him major, major issues I can imagine.

 

[Ciaran8023]

The people defending Nikki are fucking wild. Dude she made like just one bad decision after another.

She meets a completely trashy self-involved douche bag piece of shit loser (Brent), and decides to spread her legs for him. She continues to stay with him despite him constantly pulling idiotic shit, and generally behaving like a low class asshole (including, notably, the way he is constantly rude to the MC who is supposed to be her 'best friend' right?)

Then she goes to MC to ask for money to bail out this douche nozzle boyfriend of hers, then cheats on him (Brent) with the MC, and by the way doesn't use a condom, nothing LMAO - then goes back to the motherfucker and basically ghosts the MC.

Shit man, I've seen so many people in this thread that have apparently never heard of a thing called Stockholm Syndrome. Just an FYI, it happens to both dudes and women. Moreover, this also ties in with what Nikki decides to do to the MC as Brent told her to "get his help in any way possible" and Brent knew that MC was into Nikki. To put this bluntly, Brent essentially sent her to whore herself out to get money.

The later stint with her avoiding MC and pulling some shitty decisions is simply basic human pride in wanting to avoid being indebted to someone she feels doesn't deserve the baggage. No it isn't logical, humans aren't logical, and every twist and turn of hers mirror real life actions extremely well.

You are pissed because you are looking at this from a third person perspective with zero emotional attachment (as why would you have to just a game character?) but that doesn't mean that she's a shit person or that any of this would've been clear and logical to her as emotional manipulation is very much a real thing and that's something Brent took full advantage of. She's too innocent and trusting for her own good, and she's too prideful to ask for help when she really needed it. None of this makes her a shitty human, it simply just makes her human.

I'm not one to defend her either, in fact I'm one of those people that only gives a single chance before I completely cut someone out of my life, I'm just looking at this through a lens of having seen very similar stories play out through acquaintances and "friends" in real life.

 

[Simpgor]

I believe their default age is 18, so we'll say that's the intended age. A millionaire Guy's age rocking an 18-year-old on his arm is weird; with the homeless teen , there's a power imbalance, and banging anybody's wife is adultery and should be frowned upon. Honestly, even if one isn't an incel those choices would be problematic for Guy in the real world.

Theres a huge power imbalance in every single one of the relationships, he is either way older and either directly or indirectly paying the teens (funding the bookstore,the photo shoot, letting mason live in extra space), or you are directly their boss or have authority over them (nicki, the congeries, viola your maid, own the place pepper works etc) once again it appears as if ashe stays winning in this regard since you only donate to her workplace not own it

like Maviarab said Mason would (sadly) be the one that most people would care/pay any attention to. I dont think someone being unfaithful to their convict (currently imprisoned) husband would get enough coverage unless she was fucking someone way more important than Guy.

 

[Sharpshooter890]

Personally I think Viola would be the best choice for Guy. She's a bit timid, but in a charming kind of way. She can speak a little bit of english, which is more than most immigrants and shows dedication (she will improve her skills 100%). She's from a humble home, which is a plus in the eyes of most people (not a spoiled bimbo brat). And she can play music!

So with her Guy would look compassionate, caring and genuine, which is important. And the power dynamic is totally in his favor to stroke his ego if he so desires. Besides, Viola strikes me as more of a submissive type, so she'll probably be fine with it.

 

[Joshy92]

If I was Guy, I wouldn't give a shit what people think of my relationship with Mason.
Mason's happiness is all I care about.

 

[MilesEdgeworth]

I think I'd have to disagree with most of this.

Homeless teen (trans at that) would cause major problems. 18yo...other than the echo chamber crowd of Reddit, or perhaps conservative Americans (because for some reason, Americans are obessed with a woman's age when she dates for some reason and infantilising a legal adult) no one would give a shit. Look at Dicaprio as a prime example. Villified on the likes of Reddit...in the real world..no one really cares and most men just think, good for you..lucky bastard and obviously, the women themselves don't care either.. Most of the world has no issue with Age Gap dating.

Married woman? Again...it would blow over quicker than the paparazzi could snap a photo of Taylor Swift walking into a dollar store. No would care, except again, the same minority crowd...and the woman's husband (for..well, obvious reasons lol). Rich people get away with all sorts of morally grey shit (I say morals, because there is nothing illegal with an older guy dating an 18yo, there is nothing illegal about adultary, no matter how one feels about it)...they do it every day..the world moves on...people forget/stop caring.

Mason, however, because of the world we live in...would cause him major, major issues, I can imagine.

Dicaprio gets shit all the time, and he doesn't even go as low as 18 for his women. The thing is, 18 is too close to illegal, so people start wondering when you really started dating them. Dance Cook and his wife are an example of this. From an image perspective, it's a bad look. It might even cost him a few sponsors, but yes, it won't cause trouble in everyday life.

I'll give you the married woman; it will blow over if she's not married to a business partner.

Mason isn't as problematic depending on Guy's actions. If Guy is gay, Mason being trans isn't really an issue. If Guy isn't, then he'd just force Mason to be a girl in public, it won't affect Guy much unless the truth somehow got out.

 

[Simpgor]

Mason isn't as problematic depending on Guy's actions. If Guy is gay, Mason being trans isn't really an issue. If Guy isn't, then he'd just force Mason to be a girl in public, it won't affect Guy much unless the truth somehow got out.

ah yes mason the perfect act..act...actor who left home because of trans related issues.....I dont see who could possibly see mason and want to punish/hurt them that also knows that they are trans

 

[hoshimota]

Dicaprio gets shit all the time, and he doesn't even go as low as 18 for his women. The thing is, 18 is too close to illegal, so people start wondering when you really started dating them. Dance Cook and his wife are an example of this. From an image perspective, it's a bad look. It might even cost him a few sponsors, but yes, it won't cause trouble in everyday life.

I'll give you the married woman; it will blow over if she's not married to a business partner.

Mason isn't as problematic depending on Guy's actions. If Guy is gay, Mason being trans isn't really an issue. If Guy isn't, then he'd just force Mason to be a girl in public, it won't affect Guy much unless the truth somehow got out.

Yeah it's funny that people are pretending DiCaprio doesn't get mountains of hate for dating younger women. He absolutely does.

Also it's not like people see a teenager and can instantly know their age. Some people would be thinking holy shit is that guy strutting around with an underage girl? And there's a foil effect going on, him being older will make her look even younger standing next to each other.

 

[Maviarab]

Yeah it's funny that people are pretending DiCaprio doesn't get mountains of hate for dating younger women. He absolutely does.

Once again...from a certain demographic...in a certain country. Trust me, no one else cares enough to care what he is doing, who with, where and with what, much less any other celebrity.

Also obviously not mountainous enough to cause him enough issues for him to stop or even keep it less public....