Is it just me or is hero route really unsatisfying to play? At first the fact that you cant be utilizing the main characters' passives for pure route seems like a good increase in difficulty that would make the hero ending more satisfying, but it feels like the gameplay becomes just statchecking and healing on repeat, not more strategically difficult. You cant utilize male companions other than meat shields without them being close and protected by Gwen, Gwen loses her identity as a tank, and its still best to play with Carwin away from the group as he's way too weak without his lone wolf passive. You only gain a passive that promotes him and Gwen staying close in the end game. It would be good to have some kind of passive change if you're on hero route earlier. Kobold Joe helps with this issue too, but you get him mid game.
Still, this passive ideea and interaction really shines in ntr routes, really helps develop the corruption naturally and makes the gameplay fun to play.
I really was looking forward to female Carwin, slut Gwen route, so I tried hard difficulty, but female Carwin also has some issues. She doesnt have class changes, and I think exp gain really slows down the higher level you are, which mean you're gonna be pretty weak later on, nevermind the fact that she does big damage only against the minotaurs, as they're weak to fire. The passive change is great though, really changes the character's identity, but its been a pain in the ass to actually activate it consistently. Maybe it would get easier later on, but I got destroyed against the harpies bosses and I gave up.