The game’s scope and replayability are mindblowing so many paths to chose from, I’m always having tough time even deciding who to hang out with, steel to tell him off for not pursuing his investigation, herald to let our MC see that there are people who genuinely and openly can care for them, argent for this angsty romance path and insight into her abilites, ortega due to shared past or Mortum who has the wholly unique dynamic due to puppet’s relationship with them.
Anyway, I’ve seen so many points discussed, but I don’t think anyone yet talked about some troubeling repercussions of having force/subterfuge over 80. On one hand, it lets us avoid getting threaded by HG, but on the other, we start to alter other people’s memories/behaviours wihout even noticing
Here are some examples:
The most jarring one during conversation with steel when we try to brush him off after noticing his suspicion of our behaviour:
Summary
#“You’re being weirder than usual,” I say with a laugh.
“You’re being weirder than usual,” you say with a laugh. If there’s a hint of suspicion, you can’t let him get to you. Play innocent. You have nothing to hide.
*if subterfuge >= 80
“I suppose I am.” Chen frowns as he looks at you, but the frown softens into a smile as you pretend innocence. “Don’t mind me. We’ve been talking too much. Old memories.” He rubs his face and continues to walk. “I know what you mean.” You once more fall in step next to him. “And I’m sorry. I’ll try to be less of…well, you know. Me.” “That’s my line,” he says, the smile now fully soft. Just a stray suspicion, nothing to worry about. You’re a former hero. His friend. “I guess neither of us is used to getting along.” “We can work on it.” You shrug. “That’s all we can do, really.” “That’s true.” A flash of a smile, half teasing, half fond. “At least Spoon likes you.” And maybe that’s the only approval he really needs.
*set steel_clue 0
but also smaller things like getting rid of the crowd and noises while being overwhelmed:
Summary
#My shields are fraying fast.
In the middle of the crowd.
Surrounded by thoughts.
A thousand voices screaming in your ears.
*if willpower = "calm"
*set willpower "rattled"
*if force > 80
Why can't you shut them up? Your shields are strong; you're more powerful than ever. Why are they fraying? Why won't they shut up?
Why can't you just…
[i]aaahh
There it is. The quiet. The crowd is gone. Somewhere.
Not where you are.
Shaking hands. Dry mouth.
Notice that both of those choices don’t initially indicate that we will use our powers, especially in steeel’s scene. This is some scary prospect, will MC even notice it themselves at some point? Will they be able to control it with powers on that level or will we become like Killgrave from Jessica Jones, everyone’s wills bended to ours (let’s take into account that steel is described as someone disciplined with strong mental shields)
Yeah, sure, it won’t be bad!