Who is the best Love Interest?

[jack1974]

There are the scene mentioned by Choklad, I can remember some with Rei as well when she was afraid of falling down, or with Mesphit.
Overall I don't think she was "so weak", maybe more "uncertain" and not sure about her strength in some scenes (remember that she started as a slave). The Amukiki scene as far as I can remember is the "worst" one. I don't think is a problem though if there are A FEW scenes in which a character (be it male or female) shows some weaknesses. The real problem is that in 99% of games you're used to see weak females, so whenever you see it in my games you think "ah! weak female!" then the fact that there are other characters in the story like a super killing machine like Loren, a seductive/witty/cocky witch like Chambara and so on seems that doesn't matter anymore.
What I'm trying to say is that is OK to have some weak moment, everyone has them (again, be them male or female, doesn't matter)

And nullzero yes please wait to replay because next month might have Loren Steam beta to test and need some help

[Lonestar51]

Elenor did not seem that weak for me. Not where it did matter.

Maybe there were a few "weak scenes"; also she backed down against Loren, one being the slave and the other being the princess. And the annoying choices: Does Loren say it nice, jokingly or forceful? But no way to say "keep him" or "ditch him". (N'Mar is a lot better than the base game in that regard.) This not being allowed to choose does not make Elenor seem stronger either.

But seeing as she killed and maimed her way though Aravorn, "weak" really does not fit her. Staring down Fost - not weak. Keeping both elves and humans in line - maybe you get the idea

[Aleema]

I don't consider her a weak character, which is why it felt so jarring in certain romance scenes for her to regress into a sexist stereotype. I'm going to monitor how I write her better.

[nullzero]

And nullzero yes please wait to replay because next month might have Loren Steam beta to test and need some help

Take your time. I'll be ready and waiting.

[Choklad]

There are the scene mentioned by Choklad, I can remember some with Rei as well when she was afraid of falling down, or with Mesphit.
Overall I don't think she was "so weak", maybe more "uncertain" and not sure about her strength in some scenes (remember that she started as a slave). The Amukiki scene as far as I can remember is the "worst" one. I don't think is a problem though if there are A FEW scenes in which a character (be it male or female) shows some weaknesses. The real problem is that in 99% of games you're used to see weak females, so whenever you see it in my games you think "ah! weak female!" then the fact that there are other characters in the story like a super killing machine like Loren, a seductive/witty/cocky witch like Chambara and so on seems that doesn't matter anymore.
What I'm trying to say is that is OK to have some weak moment, everyone has them (again, be them male or female, doesn't matter)

And nullzero yes please wait to replay because next month might have Loren Steam beta to test and need some help

Oh, I loved all the cool female characters. <3 And I don't have anything against uncertain female characters per se. (Or male ones - Draco rocks!) But I don't want to play as them, especially not in a romance. Definitely not in a romance where a lot of the content is handled through cutscenes, where I can't control how my character is acting.

I don't consider her a weak character, which is why it felt so jarring in certain romance scenes for her to regress into a sexist stereotype.

Exactly! some scenes were frustrating because I generally consider Elenor kind of badass, but suddenly the game took her out of my control and made her make a fool of herself in a few particular scenes.

I'm happy to hear you'll keep the issue in mind when writing for Loren 2, Aleema!

[P_Tigras]

There are the scene mentioned by Choklad, I can remember some with Rei as well when she was afraid of falling down, or with Mesphit.
Overall I don't think she was "so weak", maybe more "uncertain" and not sure about her strength in some scenes (remember that she started as a slave). The Amukiki scene as far as I can remember is the "worst" one. I don't think is a problem though if there are A FEW scenes in which a character (be it male or female) shows some weaknesses. The real problem is that in 99% of games you're used to see weak females, so whenever you see it in my games you think "ah! weak female!" then the fact that there are other characters in the story like a super killing machine like Loren, a seductive/witty/cocky witch like Chambara and so on seems that doesn't matter anymore.

My issue with the Amukiki scene wasn't what happened, but the way it happened. It would have been much more fun, and a lot less of a stretch, if the player had been given a choice to fake the fall and the injury in order to stir his protective instinct and get him to carry her in his strong arms, instead of suddenly turning into a klutz just to advance the storyline, regardless of her stats or her skills.

What I'm trying to say is that is OK to have some weak moment, everyone has them (again, be them male or female, doesn't matter)

Agreed. That isn't really the issue. The issue is forcing the character to behave in a way that may be out of character to advance the romance plot. The fact that it fit an outdated stereotype makes it more noticeable, and for some, adds insult to injury.

And nullzero yes please wait to replay because next month might have Loren Steam beta to test and need some help

I'm looking forward to it.

[ill_intent]

The best love interest in my opinion, was not chosen based on my own personal taste in women/men. Nor even from the point of view of the hero/heroine and their personality....but from the point of view of the person chosen:

Karen.
This is why:

Spoiler:

First, she has to give up throne and ever seeing her friends, her people or even her own daughter ever again (as well as accepting the shame of betraying her very way of life) to be with someone she loves.
Then she suffers the shame of being unable to protect him or herself and ends up captured.
Then she finds herself rescued while her lover died (massive survivor's guilt)...on top of this, the rescuer is her own daughter who now gets to witness her shame.
Then she finds herself being shown forgiveness and compassion by (and even being attracted to) someone new (who is not even of the same race) before the embers of her lover's funeral pyre are even cold.
Then Elenor--this new source or longing and torment-- saves her from taking her own life and rob her of the one honourable escape she has left.
Then she has to deal with the fact that Elenor shows signs that she feels the same attraction to her.
Then she had to deal with the fact that (if you go that story path) her own daughter not only also cares about Elenor, but owes much of how she's grown as a person and a leader to being with her.
Then a war breaks out and Karen can't even get any distance from either of them and is forced to be around both of them constantly.
THEN (I know, it just keeps going) after betraying her daughter once by abandoning her, must now betray her again by having her feelings for Elenor be realized by Loren. (worse still as Elenor chooses Karen over Lauren)
And finally, (again, if you go this way) to have to live with the knowledge that her daughter (whom she tried to sacrifice so much for) may now have to give up her life in order to save the world.
....leaving Karen alive.....with the person she now loves and who loves her....."happy".......forever haunted by a shadow that will constantly be whispering to her that she deserves none of it.

I have no idea if her story line was originally intended to go down such a dark road, but I thank everyone involved in creating it. It was a refreshing joy to play.

[jack1974]

Thanks. However, if you play the DLC the road becomes less dark, in particular the final stages (no one has to die!)

[ill_intent]

Yeah, I know. As I said, IF you go that route....

Anywho....kudos and great job regardless.

[jack1974]

Ah ok, missed it! Thanks