So, finally got around to finishing up the latest update and whilst I have many, many thoughts about it and the girls, there is one thing that is on my mind more than anything else, so much so that I went and searched for comments and discussions about the thought that is stuck in my brain to see what other were saying about it and I'd like to address some of them with some thoughts of my own.
I don't see a hypocrisy here because generally speaking, these games will have just about every female character lusting after the MC and the MC only. Any other male characters are either bumbling sidekicks (like Chris) or repugnant assholes, neither of whom the female characters have any interest in. So, when you have these games where every female character only has eyes for the MC, why shouldn't they only be with him, or at least have him as their only (real) dick? It's not "demanding absolute fidelity" when the game makes it clear they dont want anyone else but the MC.
From my perspective, I think both the game and the MC suit a
harem ending.
The MC seems to have a tremendous capacity for love and caring and I think it's clear that he cares about and has feelings for all of these girls in different ways and yet he is also conflicted and struggling with the fact that he feels this way. The primary reason why, in my view, is exactly as it would be in the real world; he doesn't believe he can have more than one in a serious relationship because that's what society has told him he can't have. This leads to him, I guess, making the decision to only be with one (or 2), but it doesn't seem like much of a decision right now, at least from a player standpoint, and more like we're being forced on to a path very early on without any choice for more than this.
In any case, he might feel like he can't have all of them, because that's what society says, and he might feel like he would hurt many of their feelings if he tries to have relationships with all them and then gets found out, but I think this game has shown, whether intentionally or not, that there is a way in which they could all be happy to have a relationship with the MC at the same time.
Primarily, this feeling comes from how the girls have become such fast friends, almost forming a symbolic sort of sisterhood that is acutely referenced by Kira when she starts calling Cece "sister". They've quickly come to like each other and bond in a way that certainly makes it feel as though this bond and their shared feelings for the MC could allow them to cast aside any potential feelings of jealousy or uncertainty about all being with him. They're all certainly aware of their shared feelings too because Linda, on her path, makes it clear she's aware that all the girls like him, so if she's aware of that then they all are. The only thing really holding them back is not knowing how he feels about them, and if there were an opportunity for him to tell them all how strongly he feels for each of them, it could easily aleviate all of their worries and doubts.
So, the way I look at it, I feel like this game could quite easily have a
harem path and that there would be nothing about it that would feel out of place within this game as it has played out thus far.
Both SL and PL have, in my view, similar qualities to this game, but also a key defining difference. The similarity is in having female characters who all quickly fall in love with the MC and who, through that shared love and through the bond they share with each other, are able to accept a relationship where they can all have him without feeling that they are not all equally loved by the MC. Where they differ from LoF is that they had a character who through rationale and actions made the polyamoury OK; with SL it was the MC and with PL it was the MC's sister. This game lacks such a character, but at the same time it doesn't necessarily need one because all these girls seem so close already that they, collectively, could probably talk each other into the possibility of it and then see if that's also what the MC wants.
In terms of the "realism" of LoF where this is concerned, I only see that "realism" applying to some of the more gritty and emotional aspects of the characters personal stories, but not much else. Three quarters of the LIs have known the MC for less than a week and yet they're all seemingly head-over-heels in love with him and he seems to reciprocate that; the whole story about Steph working for CTU (nice TV reference, btw) and the explanation of how a sewer worker is so rich; and he and 5 other people who are complete strangers to Lexi have been personally invited and transported by her to spend time with her at her mansion home in Hollywood. If there were to be a
harem path in this game, it would not be so "urealistic" when compared to much of what is already in this game.
Same here. All these girls are great in their own way that it feels impossible for me to choose just one and break anybody's heart.
