- Dec 1, 2019
- 8,561
- 14,538
First: copying Ayhsel's disclaimer at least in spirit, the following is my opinion, not fact.
But it's also damned if you do, damned if you don't. Other games have had major things happen to well introduced characters, and the shitstorm came running (Haley's Story, Acting Lessons).
So no, it is not the "killer heartbreak" in and of itself, and actually it can't be. But as it is, I think it's par for the course. Other games introducing deaths or other traumata early on get similar results (Wicked Rouge and Sunshine Love come to mind, albeit the latter is only half your family moving away one day to the next). Professional series don't get better results. So I kinda see your point, but I don't think it's really avoidable, and I think the scene in question was well written in this game.
Admittedly, having a character act totally against type in a choice without further explanation can sometimes be jarring. The shy type suddenly being boastful, the outgoing successful lawyer not able to open his mouth. So I see what you mean.
Not saying your idea isn't feasible, but I just don't think it would solve the problem in question better without having other open questions to answer for.
You already mention with The Walking Dead kinda the example I would've been going for with another TV series, Star Trek. Sometimes you have to show that something is serious, so you have to get somebody killed. Not of the main cast, they're needed in future episodes. But not only the proverbial redshirt as well, because they're just collateral damage. So you introduce somebody, give 'em a bit of screentime, have a laugh with the captain and a heart-to-heart with Guinan about their mommy at home, maybe help O'Brien solve a minor problem. It still doesn't really work as a total heartbreak, people usually will not care enough. And it can't, you still need time for the heroes to save the day, there's never enough time to make people really care about the new guy. Admittedly, the time constraint does not exist in a VN, it could go on for as long as you want it to, but having a three hour introduction before the main story begins may also put people off. And the VN does not have the luxury of a bit-by-bit introduction in a couple of previous episodes.
But it's also damned if you do, damned if you don't. Other games have had major things happen to well introduced characters, and the shitstorm came running (Haley's Story, Acting Lessons).
So no, it is not the "killer heartbreak" in and of itself, and actually it can't be. But as it is, I think it's par for the course. Other games introducing deaths or other traumata early on get similar results (Wicked Rouge and Sunshine Love come to mind, albeit the latter is only half your family moving away one day to the next). Professional series don't get better results. So I kinda see your point, but I don't think it's really avoidable, and I think the scene in question was well written in this game.
As others have said, there are multiple issues with this scene yet to be resolved in game. At the same time, for me in VNs in general choices also have a retroactive aspect. You're not only saying what you say at that precise moment, but you also define the chemistry between the characters over the previous years, which can't be seen in game. So whether I make a snide comment at an old friend, or a sympathetic one, or a joke, or don't react at all, that's "how it's always been" to me, it's my chemistry with the character, this kind of banter is why we are friends in the first place, because we both know it works that way.
Admittedly, having a character act totally against type in a choice without further explanation can sometimes be jarring. The shy type suddenly being boastful, the outgoing successful lawyer not able to open his mouth. So I see what you mean.
I actually don't care much about the cliffhanger. It is, in the end, one novel. How a chapter ends doesn't mean much, when the book is finished I can immediately get my resolution. This is only interesting while the game is in development.
I doubt that everything else would be the same, the dynamics would be different. You would probably know your potential in-laws. Your friends and family would know about Gracie. So knowledge about your kids would have to be avoided by some convoluted reason. Also I don't think that "This is your gf of 5 years. You love her very much and care about her. Now she's dead. You're sad." would have more impact on the player.
Not saying your idea isn't feasible, but I just don't think it would solve the problem in question better without having other open questions to answer for.
