Boy, there is going to be a huge amount of editing just to narrow down points. LOL =) (Added the numbers just to stick to key points and counterpoints. Hope you don't mind.)
1) I don't necessarily agree that he holds Lena's job over her head. While it's easy to conclude it based on the outcome, it's not what happened. ..... He has a white knight complex. While being manipulative, he tries to present himself as or actually believes to be a nice guy.
2) Before pushing the limits, Robert tries to test the waters first before doing anything.
3) You see, he plays the long game and doesn't want to end it in just a one-night stand, and definitely doesn't want to give Lena any chance to blame him for anything if it goes wrong (white knight complex at play).
4) Robert wouldn't do that because it would shatter his good-guy image. .
5) No, I'd have to disagree about Ian for now. From what this game has shown us thus far, we can't change Ian's personality too much and turn him into anything we desire.
1) Depending on the options that you pick. If you decide to skip the visit to the bar, he basically tells you that your hours are being cut and there is nothing he could do about it. But the simple fact that he WITHHOLDS that information of your job from you UNLESS you go to the bar with him? Well, that isn't just manipulative, it's kind of borderline blackmail. At least in regards to having to go out with him just to GET him to tell you about your job issues in the first place. Second point is that at the bar, he can (again depending on options picked) hide the fact that he KNOWS you are a model and been looking at your pictures online. So, he's already starting off with a huge "negative vibe" against him simple because of what he is willing to remain silent about if you don't bring it up first. Which also gets into a more "negative vibe" when you consider that you can still play that bar scene with Robert where you have been feeling a little 'put off' about him all along. As seen when discussing your personal life with Ivy(?) at the gym earlier.
2) Keep in mind, I completely agree that he isn't a "complete jerk" by any means. Just that he has already shown (or at least in a way that is playable) to withhold information from you that could make it easier to get along better with him. And when it comes to the 'first time'? Well, seeing how he has withheld information and later actions? I still think that he would have at least asked if you could consider trying something THEN instead of later on. Even if it is just getting a BJ before going to sleep instead of waiting the next morning. At least that would make more sense to me. That when Robert gets the green light to get physical but suddenly has to stop due to no condom? Well, he has struck me from the start as someone who would bring up a bj then and there, or at least seeing how firm your convictions are. But NOT go to sleep and THEN see if anything happens the next morning. That is the part that really bugs me.... the 'waiting' portion.
3) Yeah, at first I really did think he was a "White Knight" over what he did when Alex showed up. But, again depending on how you play, that can also be completely wiped out by the way that he tries to use that aspect to get you to go to the bar as well. It isn't a "huge weapon' in his arsenal, but it is a bit of a 'dagger' to use in order to hold over you all along. And if you think about it, that itself could be seen as "White Knight now, In the sack later" type of thinking on his part. It's there, no doubt, but I honestly don't see him being the 'white knight type' considering that he then gets you to give him a bj while at work WITH customers waiting on you to finish. That kind of cancels that aspect out too.
3-4) I agree that he wants something more than just a one-night stand. But he will also tell you that he isn't really in any sort of 'serious' relationship himself. Which gives him the vibe of more 'f-buddy than dating material". I mean, repeated booty-calls, but nothing 'serious' in the long run either. And as far as his 'good guy image"? A lot of that gets diminished by either his actions before or after your first night together. (Either by actions or what he says about himself.)
I guess the best way to really condense my issue is to present it like this: Robert heads up to the room. No condom is available. Robert can then do one of the following and it will be more "believable" both as a character and situation.
1) He immediately shuts down and decides to go home with a 'snide" comment down the lines of "Well, when you are sure you are ready, let me know." As he heads out the door. This leaves the no-condom concept hanging in the air without a direct discussion taking place.
2) Goes for an "oral only" evening. He goes down, you go down, he goes home. Depending on spit/swallow is how content he is. Meaning if you spit, he makes a comment like number 1, if you swallow he is satisfied ... for now, but goes home.
3) He does a direct push, just to see how far you are willing to go but not a direct "no condom at all" approach. Just a "are you sure? I mean, I can stop just before...." and leaving it there.
But ONE of these 3 should have been available instead of spending the night and THEN getting BJ. That seems to be a little too much effort on his part with too little in return.
5) I agree that Ian is somewhat limited at the moment. But it SHOULD be something that can be explored a bit more as your stats increase. That was what I meant about Ian. That when you get a high enough willpower/physical stat level, you can then play Ian more 'dom' or 'sub' depending on your mood. Higher levels means more dominate in general, lower stats means more submissive and not taking the lead or pushing boundaries at all. For now, yes, he is limited. But those limits should pick up as he goes along, especially if you are trying to play the 'playboy' type character and being with as many people as you can be with. Again, that is more 'how you play Ian" than how he is directly written.
Again, I DO LOVE this game. It is really well thought out and presents a lot of options that alters a lot of character interactions. I just think that the "go to sleep and in the morning" approach with Robert was mishandled. Or at least, a little disappointing to me in regards to how I viewed Robert at that point. Outside of THAT one moment (both leading up to it and after), everything else has been done amazingly well and I can't really find any other faults that concerns me.
