I don't think I understand your definition of failure then? To me a failure would be any time things don't just automatically go his way, despite his intentions or desire. Things are never easy street for him, as I stated before most of chapter one felt like two steps forward would always add on step back. Progress, but with repeated setbacks.None of this is his fault. The game makes clear that Wendis' death isn't his fault. Wynn is the one who lost the friendship, because of the whole "desecrating the bodies of loved ones". His defeat in the prologue is shown as the Chosen's fault for being a little shit.
And there was no negative consequences whatsoever. It's also shown as being Megail's fault. She's the one who ends up apologizing when she realizes she was being silly for no reason. But I still liked this part, since it's the closest to an actual mistake on Simon's part.
I wouldn't call that a failure on his part. He did his very best given the hand he was delt. He made absolutely no mistake or error, he just got terribly unlucky.
My point exactly.
To be fair, he's sort of given very discreet character arcs. He comments on his psychological blindspots, try to correct them, etc. But it's just fluff in some dialogues, with very little overall impact.
Is your criticism Simon has never made a completely and utterly wrong and fool hardy action in a event that could have completely been avoided and no one else was involved or to blame except for him?
I guess he's never decided to do anything like slam his erect cock in a door for no reason so that makes him a Gary stu? But I don't know why you single him out, as it is not like anyone else makes over the top mistakes like that. It's not like Aka has ever decided to yolo it and murder the wrong person. And Robin doesn't set children on fire.
The only "Big" mistake I can see like that in the game is Ginasta getting mind warped by the fucklord and wrecking havoc. But using your logic I could just counter and say "She wasn't at fault, it was the Fucklord who made her do it."
So again, I really do not understand what you are looking for in the "Failure" that would stop making Simon a gary Stu. But I would love to know an example.
To me, A gary/Mary stu is a character who is effortlessly the best and loved by everyone almost instantly. And that doesn't really apply to Simon. Let's remember it took him THREE CHAPTERS (and several in-game years) to beat his first Incubus King. And even then it was quite clearly the victory of several nations of the content, not just Simon alone. To me a Gary stu would be if someone saw "Oh you peeps have been at war for 40 years, Wabam I killed the Incubus King in one day, I'm da best." Things don't just come effortlessly to Simon, it always feels earned.
And the same goes for Simon's social interactions, yes Women do tend to fling themselves at his dick, but it's not always so easy. The fact that the Empress literally made Simon eat his own cum at one point should disqualify him from Gary stu status forever!
Lastly I think I didn't properly explain what I meant with solo arcs. I meant that NO ONE has solo arcs. Every Arc is someone & Simon. Everyone who has had their arc, has had it WITH Simon.
The Empress learns to enjoy life again- because of Simon.
Nalili learns to grow up- with Simon.
Carina works through her faith- Talking with Simon.
Wynn and Simon work through their grief.
So Simon doesn't have one big solo arc, he is part of the subplot arc of every other character in the game. You can call these arcs "fluff" if you'd like, but I like them almost as much as I do the Pron. Almost.