Actually, you gave a good example to my point. Victoria's tragedy happens in game. I agree the game is about healing. Not all helaing need to come from past tragedies.
A lot of conflict and drama can happen from interaction in game.
Nami being in love with her brother is a source of drama and conflict no needing past drama too.
Zara need not be competitive because her mother abused her, but could simply be her character and her conflict could come from not allowing anyone stand by her side without matching her ridiculous expectatiins.
Again, point was not to write my own novel. Just to point out the "too much broken past characters" situation that I am seeing.
While I agree with your overall sentiment that this game tends to be overly dramatic and each character has their own demons from the past, I still think you're misreading Zara's character a little. This is not about her competitiveness itself, which is a result of her past negative experiences, it's not the real Zara's problem. Many of the characters are competetive too, Nadia, Nami, the MC, basically most of the college athletes.
Her problem is fear of failure, dependence on authority, and therefore problem of making real friends. Because she has an unconscious need to prove herself to others, and this manifests itself in constant trials and challenges to the people around her. It makes it difficult for them to be comfortable with her. Nadia is probably her only true friend, because she understands her and is similar in some ways. The rest are not very good, although many appreciate her positive qualities, Vic and Bella as an example, but nevertheless Zara's difficult character prevents them from getting closer. Even Vanessa gets annoyed by her sometimes.
I don't think Zara became competitive because her mother abused her, she probably always liked to compete. But because her mother planted some fears in her subconscious as a child, it affected her adult life and made it difficult for her now. And I like that the MC can help her because he understands people. And I love that he acts with confidence, he knows what he is doing and what outcome he expects and comments on it to us through his internal monologue. And I absolutely love that if the MC decides to be kind to Zara and try to help her, he ends up making the wonderful loyal friend, and maybe even more than just a friend.
No, I don't agree that there are too much broken past characters. Citing Amber "Facing our fears is one of the biggest challenges in life." I think this phrase could become the refrain of the game, for me this is exactly what SG is about. All the characters do is fighting their fears, the MC, Mila, Vic, Nami, Bella, Nia, even shorty Beanpole. Zara is no exception.
Oh, and of course, this game is also about boobs. About big, huge, gigantic, enormous, unimaginable boobs. This is the second very important point of the game.
