This might be a bit of a cop-out answer, but I like to think, through following the story—and experiencing the state of the city, the MC’s mindset, their upbringing and mother’s past—is how we come to know why the MC became a vigilante.
I would argue that all of your suggestions already have examples present in the story.
Boiling down the reason for becoming a hero to a selection of singular choices—this early in the story too, I feel would weaken that narrative thread.
As it stands now, I like to think there’s a lot of room to analyse why the MC does what they do—and, in turn, a lot of room for the player to apply their own headcanons and reasonings.
That being said, in the future, there will of course be options for the player to nail-down some of those reasons with their own choices—on the back of having experienced the story up until that point.
I see exactly where you’re coming from with the feedback—and this is just where I’m coming from.
Wouldn’t you argue that 5’2"-5’8"-6’3" was already a range in of itself? And that offering a specific height from said range provides the player more agency than a vaguer parameter?
Also, in terms of reactivity in the story, a specific number gives me a much better handle on that. It tells me which characters are categorically taller than the MC, and which are shorter.
Believe me, I’m very much aware of how controversial a best friend character has the potential to be. And I’ve had my own misgivings with stories where the player’s affection is forced upon a character I myself am not fond of.
I write Foster’s character with avoiding those exact dangers in mind. They’re not the assigned best friend—they’re their own character, who is your best friend. So far, I’m happy to report, I’ve had a lot of positive feedback about them.
This is kind of a matter of personal preference, because “no choice but to promise a lie” is kind of one of the founding pillars of the story—as much as superheroes or slice-of-life.
The story is about that struggle, maintaining that lie—and whether it’s right or wrong, and who it’s right and wrong for. If you view that as shoehorned, and I say this with no intent to be rude (curse these emotionless letters), then this story might not be for you.
Romance is a part of the narrative—though it is in no way enforced. This story is character-driven, and romance is an aspect of that—but only if the players chooses as much.
The opening is actually spoken by a character—and they have their reasons for viewing affection as something so simple as a weakness.
Again, we’re coming into personal preference. I like to write the MC with a bit of their own agency—especially early in the game—to give the player a defined vessel within the world to inhabit.
Obviously, that doesn’t mean certain decisions will never be available to the player—but, in this instance, keeping the guard locked in that closet/cabinet (I actually can’t remember either) is to show that the MC harbours a portion of arrogance when it comes to their vigilante-work
A “hero complex”, if you will.
In their mind, they were making a subtle approach into the situation—and having another person with them, with a potentially make-do amount of actual training, would be a hindrance, not a help.
I’m fairly certain I alluded to as much in the actual writing, but correct me if I’m wrong.
Also, the other guard downstairs, there wasn’t really much choice in involving him in the situation.
The MC took a shotgun to the gut for that intervention—something which, again, might compound their thinking of going it alone.
Even though he was just trying to help.
Another instance of that hero complex. If the MC’d just have planned to work with the guards in the first place…
But they didn’t. And that says something about their character.
And, hopefully, provides a richer vessel for the player to play with. Because, they ultimately get to decide what these indicators mean.
Damn you weren’t pulling punches (unlike the hero) this time around. It felt like the honeymoon phase was over and now starts the trauma and trials of balancing hero life XD
I don’t want to compare our hero with anyone but the scenes with Bonnie I immediately thought about all the struggles Tobey’s Spiderman had to go through and how sad I was when I first watched it
I’ve got to give you some praise for the hotel chapter. Feels like its straight ripped out of a Batman Year One. Am I right to assume that it always goes to shit, no matter your choices?
But let’s talk about and such, though.
