Segnbora

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In a more ambitious narrative, Klaus could've meant something. An honest, unstinting examination of whether Haley's attachment to her brother was authentic or born of trauma. Or both? It would be utterly fascinating to see an incest game really dig into the "why" of it all. A truly brave one might, and though I've never had an idea for a game despite all my writing, this might've given me one. But the devs clearly checked out soon after Klaus was introduced, lacking interest in following through on the extreme provocation, and the rest was "let's just get this done as quickly as possible." What purpose did Haley 2 serve? None at all, save to send Haley 1 to therapy. She wasn't old enough to be an LI. Did she end up okay? Who knows? After that, a casually panicked "who are our beards?" to scramble towards the endings and then nothing but tepid semi-resolutions.

Yes, I'm annoyed at the way this all played out. Haley and her brother were one of the most brilliant and believable brother-sister relationships ever, sexual or not. And they threw that all away.
 

Segnbora

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I'm pretty sure they're done with it forever. And what would the sequel be, anyway? Fatherhood? Changing diapers? For it to be interesting, either Haley (or Sandra, if you're with her, or any of the other beards) would have to be put in some sort of relationship peril, and this really wouldn't work as a cheating/swinging/netorare game. The setting just doesn't allow for it. I say this as someone who doesn't dislike any of those things, necessarily, but there's no actual story if it's just Haley and the MC being faithful adults. It's just "more sex scenes," and that's boring as hell.
 

Yngling

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In a more ambitious narrative, Klaus could've meant something. An honest, unstinting examination of whether Haley's attachment to her brother was authentic or born of trauma. Or both? It would be utterly fascinating to see an incest game really dig into the "why" of it all.
I'm not sure if Klaus was that important. There was a connection between the MC and Haley way before Klaus, which didn't turn physical but IIRC both already fantasized about it.

I think that there can be a couple of "why's" when it comes to incest. When it comes to sibling incest, I think it's mostly just experimenting and getting sexual gratification out of each other, rather than the true romance we see in this game. But yeah, it would have been really nice to have had it fleshed out more.

Haley and her brother were one of the most brilliant and believable brother-sister relationships ever, sexual or not.
(y)
 
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Segnbora

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I'm not sure if Klaus was that important. There was a connection between the MC and Haley way before Klaus, which didn't turn physical but IIRC both already fantasized about it.
Ultimately, Klaus wasn't important because the devs gave up on his story. But Haley makes the connection between what he did to her and subsequently clinging to her brother (when they were both much younger) explicit, and it's fairly clear that her mother isn't blind to the timing of the connection...even if she doesn't know how it manifested.

I have a deep and ongoing annoyance with most incest games because almost none of them attempt to justify flipping the attraction switch (much less following through on it) outside porn logic; there's a boy, there's a sister/mother/aunt, and they will inevitably fuck because Reasons. Far too many of them advance plots with things like sleep rape, because the authors aren't mature or sexually experienced enough to conceive of any other possible reason that a woman would want to have sex with someone who'd previously been considered off-limits. I'd find these games a lot more interesting if there were reasonable justifications in the narrative. And I'm certainly not saying that I want incest games to be tortured psychodramas about childhood trauma, the Westermarck Effect/sexual imprinting, or crushing waves of guilt that only decades of therapy can solve, because no one would play games like that.

But one of the reasons I was willing to give the Klaus story the benefit of the doubt — a wasted benefit, as it turned out — was because it could've forced Haley to examine the actual source of her obvious attraction to her brother. A little psychodrama. Some therapy. Some dealing with the guilt. Not taking over the story, but an internal conflict that has to be resolved before she can move forward with their relationship. It could've taken a story and characterization that was already stupendous and made it legendary. They still could've ended up together (with or without beards), but with a much more solid foundation that we actually got.

Obviously, it ended as nothing of the sort. But it remains a wasted opportunity.
 

Quetzzz

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Ultimately, Klaus wasn't important because the devs gave up on his story. But Haley makes the connection between what he did to her and subsequently clinging to her brother (when they were both much younger) explicit, and it's fairly clear that her mother isn't blind to the timing of the connection...even if she doesn't know how it manifested.
Not trying to fact-check you, but do you remember how Haley makes that connection? I remember them talking about Haley having had feelings for the MC for a long time, and the MC admitting that he thought of her in a sexual way only once. But I missed her making that connection to Klaus.

Their mother knows what happened with Klaus, since she put a stop to it. She even encourages the MC to stay with his sister, when dad talks about them splitting ways. I think she also makes a remark about "dating an older man", when the topic comes up about Haley breaking up with her lover.
I don't think the mother knows that the siblings are intimate, and her motivation has more to do with having little trust in Haley's life choices.

I have a deep and ongoing annoyance with most incest games because almost none of them attempt to justify flipping the attraction switch (much less following through on it) outside porn logic; there's a boy, there's a sister/mother/aunt, and they will inevitably fuck because Reasons. Far too many of them advance plots with things like sleep rape, because the authors aren't mature or sexually experienced enough to conceive of any other possible reason that a woman would want to have sex with someone who'd previously been considered off-limits. I'd find these games a lot more interesting if there were reasonable justifications in the narrative. And I'm certainly not saying that I want incest games to be tortured psychodramas about childhood trauma, the Westermarck Effect/sexual imprinting, or crushing waves of guilt that only decades of therapy can solve, because no one would play games like that.
You're absolutely right about this. Guy leaves home for 6 months, after returning, all females in his vicinity want to jump his bones... Exploring actual reasons would be interesting. It doesn't have to be trauma, it could be a boy stepping up and taking care of his family, becoming an attractive man to them. Exploring those conflicting emotions, the push and pull, could make for an interesting and erotic story. Hell, it doesn't even need to be incest related. A boy stepping up and becoming a man is in itself is a reason to suddenly get the attention from women.
 

Segnbora

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Not trying to fact-check you, but do you remember how Haley makes that connection?
I could swear that there was a conversation between two someones in which Haley's attraction to her brother escalated post-Klaus. But I'm not going to go back to the game (which I no longer have on my hard drive) to check, so maybe I'm making the whole thing up.

Their mother knows what happened with Klaus, since she put a stop to it. [...] I don't think the mother knows that the siblings are intimate, and her motivation has more to do with having little trust in Haley's life choices.
I'm not saying that she knows about the siblings' actual activities, but that she has a very specific view of Haley's decision-making abilities and why she needs to rely on her brother, while at the same time having a negative view of that reliance because she doesn't respect her daughter. That, to me, suggests that she understands (perhaps subconsciously) that there's something dysfunctional about the siblings' relationship.

You're absolutely right about this. Guy leaves home for 6 months, after returning, all females in his vicinity want to jump his bones... Exploring actual reasons would be interesting.
Exactly.
 
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Quetzzz

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I'm not saying that she knows about the siblings' actual activities, but that she has a very specific view of Haley's decision-making abilities and why she needs to rely on her brother, while at the same time having a negative view of that reliance because she doesn't respect her daughter. That, to me, suggests that she understands (perhaps subconsciously) that there's something dysfunctional about the siblings' relationship.
Oh right, In that case we agree completely. :LOL: I would've loved exploring her motivations more. I wouldn't be surprised if it's caused by the "keeping up appearances"-syndrome, and using her son to avoid the daughter bringing shame to the family (again).
 

Segnbora

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I wouldn't be surprised if it's caused by the "keeping up appearances"-syndrome, and using her son to avoid the daughter bringing shame to the family (again).
Haley's dad, of course, rather strongly suspects something's going on, and acts accordingly.

I would just love to see a game that took the inevitable reluctance seriously. I don't mean that the game has to be a massive slow burn — one sister could be "I've always wanted my brother, because (let's have the game give us some reasons other than he's been touching her while she sleeps") while the other proves a difficult puzzle to unlock — but make it make sense, at least.
 
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Quetzzz

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Haley's dad, of course, rather strongly suspects something's going on, and acts accordingly.
But he also does this in a boundary crossing way. I get that he's worried, but checking up on her while she's at therapy? That's a big red flag. I don't understand why Haley wasn't mad at that intrusion.
And if their father didn't suspect actual sexual activity, he will as soon as the MC gives him the "Do you really want to know what we're doing?"-speech.

Again, so many missed opportunities for characterization, to have people actually talk out their issues.

I would just love to see a game that took the inevitable reluctance seriously. I don't mean that the game has to be a massive slow burn — one sister could be "I've always wanted my brother, because (let's have the game give us some reasons other than he's been touching her while she sleeps)" while the other proves a difficult puzzle to unlock — but make it make sense, at least.
From what I remember, Sisterly Lust does this, somewhat. It's been a while, so I could be entirely wrong. The path with the older sister is more difficult and longer, with her love path opening by taking care of her and being there for her, and a submission path using blackmail. (I suspect this game started that whole trope, but I can't be sure.)
I think the nightly visits are entirely optional, at least.
 
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Beduin123

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From what I remember, Sisterly Lust does this, somewhat. It's been a while, so I could be entirely wrong.
Exactly. That game also came to my mind when I read Segnbora's comment. But I recalled of the middle sister Bella. On the other hand, Bella's tsundere behavior doesn't last long in the game. Very soon she goes either full sub or lovey-dovey type of relationship.
Speaking of Lisa, she is the most timid of the three when it comes to relationships in spite of being the eldest sister. Unfortunately, the renders of her aren't very pleasing to the eye, she looks like a cow type of girl :rolleyes:, which makes her the least desirable for me in my playthough

coming back to discussion about Haley, I agree that everything is a matter of personal preference, and here I strongly differ from Kadajko and the likes. I'm more of a protective, taking the responsibility type of guy, so for me the vulnerable Haley needing protection is even more attractive than a confident or prickly one.
 
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Quetzzz

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coming back to discussion about Haley, I agree that everything is a matter of personal preference, and here I strongly differ from Kadajko and the likes. I'm more of a protective, taking the responsibility type of guy, so for me the vulnerable Haley needing protection is even more attractive than a confident or prickly one.
I can relate to that... But her bratty/prickly side made it difficult for me to wanting to be there for her.

An example I made a note of while playing:
After the squash match with Haley, she teases the MC again about being gay:
MC: "For fuck's sake!"
Haley: "Relax, I'm just joking!"
MC: "Jesus!"
Haley: "Wash the sand out of your vagina, will you?"
I'm now presented with the choice "Do you offer a massage: Yes/No", After that interaction, she can fuck off.
 
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Beduin123

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I can relate to that... But her bratty/prickly side made it difficult for me to wanting to be there for her.
It is just her external protection to hide her vulnerability. In spite of all this (sometimes harsh) teasing she is very fragile inside. At least I can see it. She is checking if you are afraid of her teasing or not. If you aren't, you are mature enough to protect both of you. It is purely female stuff, happens quite often IRL.

There is nothing women value more in men than well grounded self-confidence. Not appearance, not money, not even social status. They have a special sense for that.
 

Yngling

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Ultimately, Klaus wasn't important because the devs gave up on his story. But Haley makes the connection between what he did to her and subsequently clinging to her brother (when they were both much younger) explicit, and it's fairly clear that her mother isn't blind to the timing of the connection...even if she doesn't know how it manifested.
I'm not so sure about that. Klaus definitely had some sort of impact on Haley but whether or not it had an impact on her relationship with the MC or not, that's the question.

I have a deep and ongoing annoyance with most incest games because almost none of them attempt to justify flipping the attraction switch (much less following through on it) outside porn logic; there's a boy, there's a sister/mother/aunt, and they will inevitably fuck because Reasons. Far too many of them advance plots with things like sleep rape, because the authors aren't mature or sexually experienced enough to conceive of any other possible reason that a woman would want to have sex with someone who'd previously been considered off-limits.
You are absolutely right about that.

I'd find these games a lot more interesting if there were reasonable justifications in the narrative. And I'm certainly not saying that I want incest games to be tortured psychodramas about childhood trauma, the Westermarck Effect/sexual imprinting, or crushing waves of guilt that only decades of therapy can solve, because no one would play games like that.
You are right about that as well. Most people won't want to play something so dark as what actual IRL incest often is. But justification why the incest happens would be really nice. Sibling incest is especially interesting in this respect because there are less power dynamics compared to parent-child incest.

Some games do delve into it, like Our Fate. Some others also approach the topic rather realistically like Intimate Relations.

But you are right, it's unfortunately rare, even though it could really improve depth of the story and the characters.

But one of the reasons I was willing to give the Klaus story the benefit of the doubt — a wasted benefit, as it turned out — was because it could've forced Haley to examine the actual source of her obvious attraction to her brother. A little psychodrama. Some therapy. Some dealing with the guilt. Not taking over the story, but an internal conflict that has to be resolved before she can move forward with their relationship. It could've taken a story and characterization that was already stupendous and made it legendary. They still could've ended up together (with or without beards), but with a much more solid foundation that we actually got.

Obviously, it ended as nothing of the sort. But it remains a wasted opportunity.
I think the question is Klaus was the right vehicle for that, and, in retrospect, I don't think so.

Without Klaus, it would have been a happy romance, with good and likeable characters, which is what, I think, most players wanted.

And a bit of soul searching would have been possible without Klaus as well. For example, by using the parents more.
 

Walter Victor

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I think the question is Klaus was the right vehicle for that, and, in retrospect, I don't think so.
Right or wrong, Klaus was the vehicle the developers wanted to utilize. It was their story.
Without Klaus, it would have been a happy romance, with good and likeable characters, which is what, I think, most players wanted.
Undoubtedly, although I must say that the revelation of what Klaus had done caused a much more empathetic reaction from ME toward Haley, especially as the details of how it happened were revealed. Other reactions obviously varied.
 

Quetzzz

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It is just her external protection to hide her vulnerability. In spite of all this (sometimes harsh) teasing she is very fragile inside. At least I can see it. She is checking if you are afraid of her teasing or not. If you aren't, you are mature enough to protect both of you. It is purely female stuff, happens quite often IRL.
I'm not sure about that. Somewhere near the end of the game, Haley insults and negs the MC, then says (paraphrasing) "I'm glad I can be myself around you."
She's a brat, and is (literally) begging to be manhandled. When women tease you like this, and you retreat, you lose man-points.
 
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