#maytalk

About the MC

The complaints I’ve seen were about their naivety, being “dramatic” and trusting others easily. I can partially agree with that, but I also think people aren’t diving deeper into a psychological and contextual analysis

The MC is in most backgrounds a sheltered person, who’s never been in this city before (second night til the end of chapter 1), and Eridia requires a price for information. The only thing they have is their secret (which is too valuable to hand it out first talk) and maybe a coin or two

So having these hot strangers flirt with you, offer free stuff (Leander), be territorial but also seductive (Ais) only contributes to a sense of confusion for a person who is well, touchstarved (lol), out of place both in mind and hierarchy and has nothing of value on them. Having to swallow emotions about their curse and long for intimacy and understanding for a whille might result in outbursts, and dramatic moments (like in Ais route). They’ve also been through a bunch of shocking events, like Soulless attacks, driving that one guy insane and almost getting punched at the bar.

There is a sense of desperation clear in their character, even if they try to act snarky and composed at times. So even if they can be dramatic (the fight with Ais, which even he said was kind of stupid), it’s not out of nowhere.

Though I do agree the touching part can be inconsistent, like with touching Vere’s ears (correct me if I’m wrong). But in Mhin’s route, they were wearing gloves, so there’s that.

Mhin: pacing, characterization, and that one scene

I found these complaints valid but a few of them surged from a lack of understanding of Mhin’s character

About the fast pace of their romance, I can agree and think that Mhin could show more of a skittish attitude after a moment of affection (as if they’re trying to fight to reject it), but a few interactions seemed too natural.

Now, when we talk about them asking the MC for help and “trusting them”, I mostly disagree. They were reluctant and evasive when speaking to the MC, and in the demo, it’s clear that they’re presented as two outsiders that are in fact, desperate (mhin just hides it better, since they’ve been there for a bit longer and have more anatomical and fighting knowledge). So I don’t think this desperation is out of a character at all, even the MC tells that to their face in the demo.

About the kiss, I don’t mind it since it was an impulse born from the situation they were in. But I do think Mhin acted a bit too naturally afterwards and was way too willing (so I think the writers could show more of a struggle of accepting affection born from their self-consciousness)

And them getting stabbed? Their knowledge is two in the canon chart, so they might not be as street savvy as they seem. Though I think more distrust with the NPC fulfilling their part would serve well

I also disagree that they were turned into an uwu smol bean— their snark aloofness and passionate nerd rants are still very much present

Vere: pet the ears

I haven’t seen many complaints about Vere at all despite the intimacy. But I actually…don’t see how that’s misaligned with his character??

Vere is a very “give and take” type of character. The MC sticks around, give him a chance to probe on their curse (as see in the alley scene, it was his plan all along) and he, in exchange, builds up their trust with affection (Like Leander said: “don’t be fooled by his pretty face”) gifts and flirtation.

His route was the best written in my opinion apart from a tiny grammar mistaken. But then again, it’s a preview.

Ais: kitten, brothel and lovebombing

Ok, so this one is a bit tricky in my opinion because it has a lot to do with my own personal taste too

I’m not a fan of the “kitten/pup” and flirt and tease dynamic and I do think the dialogues were a bit on the nose some times (different from the descriptions, which were very well written).

I think the brothel gimmick just serves to show a lack of morality on Ais part (followed by the head thingy). Though, it’s fair that people are turned off by it, but I don’t find it necessarily distateful in a writing stance.

About the intimacy and how he views the MC, it’s very clear that he sees the MC as an opportunity, since his reputation is tainted and he’s lonely. He says to the MC in the demo: “I want to have a conversation with you without you looking like you’re about to piss yourself” (something like that) and how he didn’t want to make a bad impression. Since the MC is an outsider, human but also different, it brings out a need of wanting to be understood without bias while also feeling a need to protect someone he sees as weaker

Ais has been described as easily getting attached and letting his emotions get the best of him, so I can comprehend his reaction. But, I do think the head-revelation and fight and make up with MC were all too fast paced

In my opinion, it’d be better if the chapter built up MC’s attraction to him (“too good to be true” feels), make the Ocudeus revelation in the end (or show his lack of morality) and then, cut.

Leander: trust, branding and lovebombing

This route is very in tune with the demo, I don’t find his behavior divergent from it at all.

I do think sometimes the writer/s was/were just yelling in circles about how much of a liar and attached guy he is, it’d be better to try and play with confusion — what the MC thinks is real and is not, and what can be held onto and what can’t (it was done in a way, but mostly in the last part with a tiny fight that felt a bit unfulfilling). They in a way, gave the whole pack of butter and forgot to fully clean the bread knife

The lovebombing seems pretty on brand, Leander has been like that since the first demo and the rework. And with the way he treated MC, it’s reasonable for them to feel like they owe him comprehension and the benefit of the doubt in return.

Kuras: what is shown, true nature and flow

This route seemed particularly insightful in subtle ways. The conversation about Kuras loneliness was up my alley.

I think they did a good job in showcasing a sense of uncanny valley, need for contact with humans but also a lack of patience with trivialities.

I do agree his nature was shown too quickly, though. I think it’d be better if the MC could slowly catch on or be immune to one of his powers/ see through of it instead of just handling BE NOT AFRAID in this first chapter.

Culture

About the culture mesh and representation, I have to admit I’m quite ignorant about specific cultures in architecture, clothing etc. I can understand the offense in a way, but I think explicitly showcasing a nationality would mean the team would have to adhere to the representation as perfectly as possible and this would also take us out of the ambiguity of the universe and put a knife to their throat. And besides all, it’s a fantasy setting

I’ve seen a book criticized for using a language and simply chopping it, or reorganizing existings maps in a wacky way. And I think what happens here is more of a sprinkle of representation and what can be recognized by people of those nationalities + from the devs themselves. Correct me if I’m wrong