As smn who traveled to some countries where "harems" do exist. Believe me it's not that unrealistic. It's just that we (occident ppl) weren't born with this culture. Personally I play games, read and watch shows to "try multiple lives" (as a warrior, a mage, an assassin, a superhuman...). I don't do them bc they are the most realistic thing but bc they merge our views on reality with unlimited possibilities.
I do it for the dreamy part, the one I prbbly won't get to experience IRL (this can be a genre preference but I'll assume you like fantasy since you're here). Also, I like to think abt it this way, if the ppl in the harem are ok with it and they love the person they gave their heart to. I don't see where's the prblm, especially when you think abt all the women being deceived, cheated on... Like after some research, I read that abt 50% of married couples in the US cheat at least 1 time during their marriage, honestly a scary stat. I'm not saying harems are for everyone, it should be a choice and not as taboo as we make it seem, some travels can be eye opening and I'm glad I got to experience how grand the world truly is.
I'm just saying that for those who can live with it and have the ability to take care of it, it might be better. At least in this case they know what they're going for b4 comitting.
If everyone is happy you shouldn't feel bad abt them. For exemple I feel bad abt women being abused (if we didn't stop Jake who know what could have happened to Nina, my man was litteraly going crazy), manipulated, forced marriage (could have been the case for Alice who knows)... This also applies IRL
Not true, those guys are in college. Why would they commit to one person whey they go party all night and know they'll pbbly cheat on their beloved. It's often hinted that the side characters get some chicks during some events. WW just doesn't show them bc they're irrelevent to the story. I'll take myself as an exemple, I think every group of friend is different, in my group I don't rly know any side fucks my friends have. Neither do I want to know abt them. The only ones I know abt are those who are in an actual relationship with them.
All of this to say, the characters don't seem like "non existent or ultra virgins", well some are (poor Jake for exemple lol) but that's normal even IRL you got guys like this. However, wether they are virgins bc they want it or not. That doesn't change anything abt the fact that they exist and should be respected nonetheless.
The keywords you used are "don't really identify myself as the mc". Personally I always put a bit of myself in characters when I play a choice based game in general and I feel like I'm the one living that adventure with the whole crew.
If the reason why you can't is simply bc of the harem then just date 1 girl and that's it. I think WW offer that possibily (correct me if I'm wrong). There you go, now you'll prbbly be able to identify yourself as the mc a bit more (there's alway a gallery unlocker if you're curious).
You can't compare your "peaceful world" with theirs. So many things are different yet so many things are the same too. Every person's different, maybe they aren't searching LIs for themselves. For exemple Deryl's obviously obsessed with his research so side chicks're perfect for him. One of MC's friend was dating Ella 'till they "broke up". Michael is fight obsessed and doesn't do well with emotions (but I feel like MC will have an impact on him like hinted by some previous choices)...
Plus, personally I wouldn't give a damn if a lot of renders were wasted to show me a spin off of a side character having his love story, bc I play as the mc not another side character. Only case that could have some value to me is if it brings smt to the story (backstory, a character is going to be killed and the author does that to make the reader feel that death...)
Like you said Amber broke up with Deryl bc he cheated on her. The difference between MC and Deryl is that she know what's going and is ok with it. It's not cheating, I'm not saying WW hasn't made up some random excuses for some characters to be ok with it but he atleast made the said excuses believable.
Only thing I would have a complaint abt is MC sometimes not being upfront abt it.
There's one thing I'm affraid of though. When you tell Alice you're dating other ppl at the same time. She says smt like it's ok, I don't have much time to think/for that NOW. The now is scaring me, especially when we saw a scene where the MC is being married to white haired nepo that's got a power related to time (in a dream I think or power thingy I don't rly remember).
The thing I'm affraid is if dev/s decide to make mono ending only and doesn't include a harem ending.
I have seen so many games go down that way, it leaves a rly sour and bad aftertatse and you never rly get rid of it. I'm always readying myself in case it happens and no matter how many times it happened it still leaves the same frustration (nowadays I just drop those b4 the ending lol).
Btw, most complete game I've seen in terms of endings is Fetish Locator lol.
I hope I helped bring another maybe newer perspective to you mate, enjoy
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This message took me quite some time and when that happens I often do smt on the side, that's why it might contains what you wrote b4 you if you did edit your com. So sry in advance if that's the case
Personally I got quite attached to them, I find both super interesting and as lovable as Alice. I love their story th flashbacks we got from them post superhuman. In the end, it's a matter of preferences. Like you said it's early, now, I don't think they have anything to envy Alice or any other side characters.
Plus it's quite normal for them not to get that much attention early Mc alrdy had a "relationship" with them and it wasn't their arc anyway. I still think WW managed to keep them in our mind pretty well given how much attention Alice received at some point. Honestly, if I was asked to choose between them I'd rather quit lol
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THX
