Honestly, I'd argue that this story has largely reached its inevitable end. I'm surprised that it doesn't have a completed tag, as any continuation of THIS story will be a disservice to what we have. That's not to say their stories can't be iterated upon, just that the events leading up to this point have concluded as cleanly as they ever could. From here, we will have to return to a state of escalation rather than resolution. And while I'd say this story could be refined and even slightly expanded upon, it's too near perfect for what it is to just continue on.
From both a storytelling and business level, it makes sense to wrap up anything here that isn't quite resolved (that list is very short) and just start a direct sequel. Something I prefer over seasons, optically. It's easier for us to separate iterations from continuations. Ghostbusters being objectively superior to Ghostbusters 2 doesn't detract from those movies, but GoT seasons 7 and 8 ABSOLUTELY detract from the series as a whole.
And if Hillside falls off from this point, where there is already a near perfect resolution to events from the information we currently have, it could destroy what Hillside has established. As it is, to build on what we have we have to go back through the process of escalation. And it's going to have to be a much harder to resolve problem, as we are now moving into systemic problems and away from just the peripheral ones we've experience so far.
I also hate to say it, but Charlotte's ex also has to return bc he's at the heart of the problems, even if indirectly. He's the one that broke Charlotte, which lead to the systemic problems she has allowed herself to endure, even if while trying (and failing) to protect others from them. And for her to have any chance to truly resolve the systemic problems she desires to take on, she will have to resolve the one that started it all or else put herself and those around her at even greater risk.
The only writer I'd trust more in this space is Drifty. And a big part of that is him knowing it was time to move on to U4IA. I don't even think I'd suggest a remaster of this game, unless it was just to future tighten up the dialogue or give the player more decisions to and flexibility to pursue Lucy or Charlotte. Maybe an option to stay professional through this entire game while maintaining the option to pursue Charlotte, Lucy, Emma, Suzi in any further stories. Or maybe even someone else. Personally, I could understand a path with any of Charlotte, Lucy or Emma (I don't find Suzi physically attractive and short of a breaking/corruption arc, I find her personality abhorrent.) Those 3, while flawed, have some amazing individual strengths and relatable weaknesses. Unlike Suzi, they're fully fleshed out characters who you get to see at their best and worst and you know any of them would die to protect the ones they love. Suzi is definitely the exception. Her actions/behavior could very well have caused great harm to those she alleges to care about and never once truly stopped to consider that possibility.
Let me tell you a little secret. Every story consists of some elements, such as prologue, exposition, introduction, development, culmination, resolution, and epilogue. We're at the development point now. What does culmination mean? Culmination is the highest point of tension in the story, which is what you mean:
“From here, we will have to return to a state of escalation rather than resolution”. But there doesn't have to be one culmination, there can be several of them. It all depends on the author's wishes and the size of the work.
I'm even curious about where you read about the continuation of the story.... We haven't finished Hillside 1 yet, and you're already thinking about Hillside 2. Let's not run in front of the carriage.
The story is excellent for this genre of games, because DB - the author of this game and the plot - does his amazing job, he wanted to do it and share his work with the world, not because he wants to make easy money. This is palpable and visible, clear as a day. And the people gathered here, on this forum, understand that.
Whether the author divides his work into seasons or releases it as a part/version (whatever), it is always the author's decision.
“[…]it makes sense to wrap up anything here that isn't quite resolved (that list is very short) and just start a direct sequel”. – I dare to assume that you also don’t follow through with your work, because you say such things.
“[…] It's easier for us to separate iterations from continuations”. – Did you understand what you said?
“And it's going to have to be much harder to resolve problems, as we are now moving into systemic problems and away from just the peripheral ones we've experienced so far.” – Who told you, and why did you assume that “peripheral” problems will not be solved?
Charlie's ex-boyfriend doesn't need to return physically (they shouldn't meet), but he should be included in the plot in Charlie's memories, in her comparison of the MC with her ex. Charlie's ex-boyfriend is not the main cause of Charlie's PTSD. Have you even read the text of the game, delved into the plot?
What do you consider a “systemic problem”, and a peripheral one? Is Charlie's main problem a systemic problem? How is it systemic? Open the dictionary and read the meaning of the word "systemic". Her main problem is not that her daughters' father left her (read the text of the game! Jeez...) How will she put herself and those around her at risk? What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!
I’m sorry, but it is difficult to reply seriously to the rest of your comment – it’s just some ravings.
Although you wrote a lot, it is all about nothing...
