People confuse stupidity with personality. None of the LIs are stupid. They're all, in one form or another, vulnerable, that's what makes the corruption/dark routes work so well. If they were all founts of independence and self-confidence and knew what they wanted and what was good for them, we wouldn't really have a game here.
Characters like Nicki, Mason, Risa, and Brit were all abused or neglected in their youth. Abuse and neglect at a young age develops personality issues. People with personality issues don't assert themselves in healthy ways. That's why a lot of them hover around people that abuse or devalue them. It's a coping mechanism that was ingrained in them in their formative years. When someone treats them like shit, their instinct is to blame themselves instead of the abuser, because that's what they did as children; that's what children do, they internalize their environment.
I also think people are kinda missing that like.. The characters are growing. Nicki starts off as someone who just puts her head down when Brent calls her stupid. She grows into someone who finds her voice and screams at him, when he does it upon his return.
We're finding all the characters at the start of their journeys. Ashe is struggling to assert herself and be taken seriously, facing a toxic workplace fomented by her insecure boss. Gabby's trying to chart her own course, but familial duty keeps pulling at her time and attention. Pepper's built walls around herself after being hurt. Brittani's struggling with her identity, adapting to be what's required of her at that moment.
I think it's easy to be like, "Ugh! These are some real
messy bitches!" But that's
why the player is here. Their actions will ultimately shape these relationships, these people, and this world. If everyone started off fully put-together and healthy, they have nowhere to go but down.
As always, appreciate your analysis Phil!
For me the only real problem is the lack of competition for Nicki - before guy got rich, she was your closest friend, you share the same hobbies and interests, you were always into each other but nobody made a move. (In a way Nicki being with Brent is partially Guy's fault. She's very submissive, trusts Guy's judgment and Guy encouraged her to go out with him.) The others are all very young, share zero hobbies and interests with Guy (other than Ashe who shares some sexual kinks with him), and have problems only he can solve. They make nice arm candy, but that's about it. I mean they're nice girls but what are Brittani and Guy, or Gabi and Guy, or even Risa and Guy going to do or talk about when they're not fucking?
I think there's some argument for this, but I don't think it's entirely because Nicki is just so completely perfect for Guy. Instead, I think it's the same problem that I always have playing RPGs. Usually you start out, and you get an NPC in your party who's closely related to you -- a childhood friend, a close peer, whatever. And even though I have the option to swap them out, I never do because.. C'mon. That's my dude! They've been there since the beginning, I can't just change them out now.
I think Nicki just seems like the best/only real option, due to the fact she's been around the longest. But, I think that year-long gap (and Nicki's initial reluctance to date) provides enough cover for Guy to look seriously at other women, and agree that he and Nicki are better off just being friends. Sometimes you've got the right person, but stuff just doesn't line up. It sucks, but it happens.
Ultimately, I think the choice of love interest just depends on what type of relationship you
want to have. A character like Carolina challenges Guy to step up and step into the role of pseudo-dad, and maybe (eventually) actual step-dad, which I think could be appealing for some people. Brittani and Gabby are younger, and give Guy the opportunity to relive his wasted 20s, while also trying to shepherd them through life's rough spots. Risa presents the option for a very free-love, zero responsibility, open relationship.
If someone's only interest is in a grand, fated sort of romance.. Nicki might be the best choice! But other people may want other things. Including just being kind of a degenerate with a harem of sugarbabies. >_>
It is weird to me that the people working in the building have +- unfettered access to his apartment, making keys, coming inside to drop the mail off. Probably the same weirdness as Valet service.
Where i live even the fanciest apartment buildings don't have such things as standard.'
Seems that not all continuity errors were phased out.
Nicki shouldn't know where the bathroom is on the platonic 1st ep.
MC has been working at Barron books for a month now, so he should know the way.
Well, given he was gone for several months, and Carolina works in the building, he would've arranged that service. Nicki has a key because she lived there, and Guy trusts her enough to let her come and go as she wants.
First one's not really a continuity error. It can just be assumed Guy gives her a tour between the time she comes into the apartment, and when they're together in the gameroom.
The Gabby stuff is a goof. I fixed that on at least one of the paths, but apparently missed it here. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
