(Damn I wrote a lot, sorry about that.)
I think what a lot of people are missing with the choice in the shop is that while it doesn't necesseraly means a lot from Jack's PoV, it does from Cassie's. And they have a hard time to put themselves in her shoes.
The mn Jack and Eve decide to be together on that route he ignores her a couple of times. Of course from his PoV it's not from him not caring, but from hers ? Imagine what she must think ? I assure you she would have had the movie of the last two days replaying in repeat since she surprised them that morning.
There are also some very crucial informations being given in the shop by Cassie that Jack reuses. Is it random ? Yes, sure, but so is life.
Hey, I guess in truth we agree in many points here.
First, valid point about trying to put ourselves in Cassie's shoulders, by the comments I remember reading here on the thread it indeed is something that tends to be overshadowed. IIRC in the dual love path Cassie doesn't know that Jack went to talk with Eve over she, it would be another story if she Indeed had known that, so that's not something that Cassie would think about later. That was my first impression, but after reading Cap. reply about the same point made me willing to rethink my perspectives of this scene.
On the same side, when thinking that going to talk with Cassie would have some sort of positive outcome since their talk is meaningful AND it wasn't something planned as you said. As you said² the randomness sometimes is part of life, I have no objection to that neither find any trouble with that
It's also important to understand why not trying to have sexy fun but instead talk to Cassie is so important the previous night. Again, you learn some stuff about her.
About here, I think it's the same point I made to Captain on my reply. I believe we are on the same page here, it's pretty evident that choosing the sexy fun implies how Jack sees Cassie and the whole situation, how he prioritizes his own interests over the well being of other people. That's was my point that maybe I didn't make myself clear on my first post (not a native english sp... blah blah blah). This "sexy fun" moment and the others where Jack deflects Cassie (things that also happen on the Solo Cassie love path) like the " I'm sorry vs so how was the shower" make very clear how Jack is dealing with the whole situation and how he is a self-centered person who gives zero fucks about others, yet they differ in.. "intensity" let's say from the other ones.
The lingerie and "I don't accept" just... don't prove this same thing that Jack doesn't give a fuck, - That Much at least -. Let's say that in my perspective the first examples shows a big asshole while these other two are an low-to-average asshole hah. But as you said, maybe I didn't pay the necessary level of attention to understand that these scenarios are not that different at all, also Cap gave me some food for tought.
Is it a lot of informations that make sense in retrospect ? Sure. But ask yourself this ? Did you pay attention the first time ? Or did you just try to get both girls and didn't really thought "well that could go wrong" and just cruised ?
By reading the thread I guess it's fair to say that the majority of players who complained about the bad ending fitted the second case you said, the reflection the bad ending provokes it's a hard pill to swallow for the player. Yet I believe in some few specific cases people who complained were aware of the dichotomy of jack lack of empathy and emotional responsability over others (even if he questions about that and his attitudes sometimes) VS the gradually improving Jack, yet felt bad for the harshness of the ending.
So, my point may seem irrelevant at all but I hope I'm being clearer now. I guess it's important to recognize that not everyone who complained about the bad ending is necessarly complaining because they got disappointed that their harem fuckfest didn't happen. Assuming & Pointing out that everyone who felt bad about the ending fits on this same bag solely by complaining doesn't seem to be a good way to start productve discussions, wich I think it's one of the greatest qualities of this VN, it inspires into thinking about human relations and discussing with other people.
About my experience, the Dual Love route was my second play, I'm almost sure that when I got to the Key choice between Eve and Cassie I "cheated" and read both outcomes then decided for Cassie due to the quality of the interaction. Personally, my first route was Eve solo Love after avoiding the start of Cassie dom path, since I played the most close to how I would act in real life (call me a chicken, I wouldn't kiss cassie hah).
I didn't felt bothered by the game and the events at all, got me more intrigued I think. If something got close to bother I would say it's the full asshole and the Psychotic Knight one, yet this last one has a unique sad moment about Jack wich I think it's crucial to the game and to understand Jack Psyche, it bothered me more of the sadness and probable outcomes it will have, nothing on the sense of rage quitting or disagreeing with the narrative.
