OK, Soooo... I finished this slice of the update and I have to say, I think I shouldn't play this until all paths are finished.
A rundown:
Steph: The explanation was not as eye-rolling as I expected but it was close (there is no way that she could stall a mission for nearly 3 years, especially as a junior agent, without someone coming to check up on her. That's just not how it works). Also WitSec doesn't work that way either.
Cece: She seems to enjoy causing pain (and stealing coffee) which is making her far less attractive to me, each and every update. My attention is actually shifting to Lexi more, but we don't have that option until later.
Linda: A lot of us thought Chris was the friend who was meeting Steph and keeping secrets. Turns out it was the other friend who was betraying James. She is out as a love interest just based on that. Which is sad because I was starting to enjoy the idea of the rekindling of a childhood relationship.
Kira & Robin: Both of them have merits but I don't like the idea of being in a throuple that potentially ends with James having to pick one of them. Doesn't seem like it will end well. If it wasn't a "modern" "sex is a hobby" relationship I would be pursuing Kira. There is a small part of me that is wondering if Kira/Cece/Robin could be finagled into a mini-harem but I don't see Drifty doing that.
Lexi: She's sweet and more innocent than expected but also most likely too busy to be serious with a nobody like James. We shall have to see. I liked the flashback which let us learn more about her. Definitely is climbing the ladder to the top spot though.
Holly: The hot and sane friend who talks some sense into people. I am impressed. Too bad she can't tell Steph to send James a quick text or something to let him know she's alive and still loves him prior to trying to fuck his brains out.
Chris: The dorky but lovable goofball shtick is kind of wearing thin. He needs more depth. And really, he was dating a girl named Christine? Chris and Christine? That's nauseatingly cute. I'd like to see him pursue her, try to get her back.
Melvin: So we are to believe that for 1-2 years Steph spent every waking moment with this man, including multiple times being naked and nothing happened? While undercover they never had to do anything besides kiss? Are we going to meet this guy or is he just going to be a name?
Kevin: Seems like a standup guy, I look forward to more Kevin helping out James in getting Cece's present.
I don't know where this story goes after this. I mean, depending on the player's decisions, James decides on someone to be with this update (though if you aren't into either Cece or Steph you have to wait until later). I am hopeful this doesn't become a "spy" or "crime" story. Just had another game I love suddenly take a left turn into a crime drama and I was disappointed to see that.
Anyway, I think I should wait until the entire update is posted so I can explore all of the options. It seems like Steph was supposed to be the story but too many of us objected to it and now her story feels like it is really important but we can ignore it (though doing so makes me think we will miss out on a lot of content). Just my perceptions.
Don't know how to describe it, I feel disappointed by this update but also satisfied... Worried about what comes next but also wanting to see how the relationships continue to develop.