The jealousy system really did a lot for me for developing the romances. What about y'all, did any of the love triangle, or any kind of octagon, make or break any of the romances for you?
I think the Saren + Draco + Amukiki triangle made for a compelling story and added a lot to the characters. The only problem is that the main romance dialogue and the huge romance scene at the end don't acknowledge that it happened.
Saren supposedly doesn't realize he has feelings for Draco until the culmination of the romance. Except he totally does in the jealousy scene. Amukiki certainly knows what's going on - he calls Draco Saren's "mate." We're expected to believe Saren has never even thought about that? And that he isn't aware that Draco feels the same way? Please.
The game has a few of these issues, where some of the writing isn't matching what has already happened in the game.
Little BirdieOct 08, 2014
Well let me just start by saying that I didn't care much for Loren's romance in general. I like her as a character, and I love her development over the course of the game, but for whatever reason her romance route just did not interest me. I think it had a lot to do with me being kinda wigged out by the whole former slave/princess dynamic she had going with the MC. Every praise Saren/Elenor sang of Loren, in the beginning at least, rang a bit hollow for me, and I couldn't help feeling that the MC was somewhat...brainwashed is too strong a word, but certainly influenced by their respective social standings. And that was something I could never really shake off for the remainder of the game, despite the growth both parties underwent. I have no idea why.
To actually answer your question, I would say I prefer Elenor's version of the romance to Saren's, simply
because given the nature of the Amazons, this dynamic that was weirding me out so much felt a lot more pronounced with Saren. I felt like Elenor, being female, could have at least some semblance of equal standing to Loren by the end, whereas I didn't really feel that with Saren. But then, I never actually got around to finishing Loren's route with Saren (I did with Elenor), so maybe I missed something.
Yup, all this pretty much, though can narrow it down to specific scenes that bothered me.
How Saren/Elenor was so willing to give up sleeping on a fur while claiming s/he was feeling a bit nostalgic over past treatment. Then towards the end of the game, at least in the Saren guard path, that he willingly went back to slave labor... and Loren literally ran away.
The whole Loren acting disgusted every time Saren/Elenor touched her during the romantic lines didn't really help either.
I greatly enjoyed the jealousy dialogue, since it tended to give a clearer picture of where certain characters were emotionally. Also, yay inter-party interactions. Thought the dialogue of when Chambara points out you've romanced everybody in camp to be hilarious.
AsonderOct 08, 2014
Thought the dialogue of when Chambara points out you've romanced everybody in camp to be hilarious.
Eeyup. The one time I played as Saren I just made him a shameless flirt who refused to commit until he was forced to so I think(?) I witnessed all of his jealousy scenes. Although in the only Draco x Saren x Amukiki one I remember, Draco wasn't even involved in the conversation. Would have been interesting to see how he, ah...competes for a lover's affection. Especially against someone as intimidating as Amukiki.
I liked that they didn't always paint the love interests in an endearing "aww look they're fighting over me" light. Sometimes it was just like guys wtf are you doing Like others have said, it gives us an idea of where the characters are at emotionally, for better or worse. The Myrth x Chambara scene was one of those for me.
I could be completely mis-remembering this (it has been a while), but I seem to remember Myrth just flipping out on Chambara for pretty much no reason. I was just sitting there like, "uuuhHHH Myrth? Didn't you just finish epically shooting me down? And now you're trying to kill this other chick cause she looked at me funny? Myrth stahp." In any case, I do remember that being the moment that completely turned me off to her romance, whatever actually happened. Maybe someday I'll finish it, if I can ever be bothered to do another Saren playthrough.
The Rei x Mesphit one was the toughest for me. I mean obviously I knew how they felt about each other, but Rei is just so sad if you reject him. I somehow wasn't expecting him to react that strongly. Mesphit at least seems like he was kind of expecting it. Or he's just better at hiding his shock than Rei.
Anyway. *quietly takes off fangirl hat*
ChokladOct 10, 2014
Anyway. *quietly takes off fangirl hat*
*loudly puts on fangirl glitter cape*
Eeyup. The one time I played as Saren I just made him a shameless flirt who refused to commit until he was forced to so I think(?) I witnessed all of his jealousy scenes. Although in the only Draco x Saren x Amukiki one I remember, Draco wasn't even involved in the conversation. Would have been interesting to see how he, ah...competes for a lover's affection. Especially against someone as intimidating as Amukiki.
He doesn't.
He has his own conversation with Saren. I believe his words were along the lines of "I feel like I should leave you alone. I'm just getting in the way." He's 100% sure that Saren will say "yes, please stop hanging 'round me so much." He looks like a sad puppy.
AsonderOct 10, 2014
Ah, I remember that part now. I was thinking more along the lines of a direct confrontation like with some of the other love interests, but I guess that answers my question
ILoveiLsMaRiEOct 31, 2014
I'm sorry to be reviving this (well, it's not that old anyway), but I really wanted to give my opinion.
The first time I played through the game, I did it with Saren, and I romanced Loren. It was a really sweet and beautiful relationship. I really liked it, and felt the connection between the two characters. I was chasing Myrth too, so the scene Myrth vs Loren was a really tough choice. I have to admit I saved to see the two outcomes... Loren sad was really... devastating. But that scene was just great! It really shows that not everthing is always good and happy. Love can be a really sad and hard thing too. And that scene just showed that perfectly.
I shed a few tears with SarenxLoren. I think normally it would have been at the ending, right? With the first or third option.
But the first time I did it, I think it was in the battle against the Drake. There were so much emotions there. It was, again, beautiful. Love conquers all, right? At least that time.
I think Loren is the best love interest because it goes really well with the plot, and it just feels right. And how her character grows slowly through the game is really good. And isn't she just really sweet sometimes?
It really got to me when at the end if you decide to sacrifice yourself, she says she would never love anyone again, and that Saren would be the only one. Maybe is wrong for a few of you, but I always liked that kind of devotion in a character.
The romance with Myrth is just SO cute and sweet. I loved it. She's really lovely. She's a little innocent, and pure, and... just lovely. I think that's the kind of character you do when you try to atract male gamers, but it felt so much better with her. She wasn't just "I'm here so that you can like me. Oh, and I'm also hot (that she is )". It felt like a real character and not just an excuse to give the player a quick "romanceable" character. I can say that does not happen in all games.
So, point for Myrth.
And last but no less... Chambara. Oh, Chambara, my sweet dark witch. I LOVE Chambara. I really do. It was a really tough choice between her and Loren in the poll.
What can I say? I obviously like how she flirts with Saren all the time. But she was a misunderstood character since the beginning. She's not evil at all! She helped Loren without asking for anything in return, and even also didn't want her gratitude because she was helping indirectly. I think deep down she is the fragile and vulnerable girl in need of someone that she one time says she isn't.
But I think the moment when I started to really love her was when I realized how much she could care for another, how she needed someone (even if she wanted to admit it). I'm talking about the scene when she confronts Myrth.
That one time when you have to chose one... I chosed Myrth. Almost without having to think about it.
And that's when she says it. Something like "How would you love someone like me when you love things beautiful as a flower?" She was really sad and hurt. And I was, too. Those words broke my heart. It was really painful and made me realize how wrong I were about her. So, Ironically, I learned how beautiful she was as a person when I rejecter her.
And I really think I like her more over Loren.
Yes, I think I do.
So... Let's be clear. I like Chambara more than Loren as love interest, but... I think the romance itself between Saren and Loren is a little better. More charming and... realistic, maybe?
So I'm changing my mind and giving my vote to Chambara (because the poll is about love interest and not romance as a whole). How would I like to hold her in my arms!
Gosh, this got really long! I'm sorry! I doubt anyone would read all this much
But well, I wanted to say what I thought.
aeroprismNov 05, 2014
I had my fun checking a few romance scenes thanks to the cheat feature you unlock when you complete the game.
My love interest was Myrth and I regret nothing. She is absolutely, completely my type: cute, shy, gentle. She's also hot. Very hot. Yup. *cough*
Funny enough, my wife watched me play and preferred the Saren/Loren scene. Granted, my wife is the silent type and she tends to speak with her actions rather than with her words, just like Saren and Loren. Oh and she's called Loren too, which is why the game's title initially grabbed my attention on Steam.
Anyways, Myrth. <3
Edit: Oh and I checked Draco's scene for giggles. It was utterly adorable. Seriously: well done. Draco is awesome.
iWeasleNov 06, 2014
I'm sorry to be reviving this (well, it's not that old anyway), but I really wanted to give my opinion.
The first time I played through the game, I did it with Saren, and I romanced Loren. It was a really sweet and beautiful relationship. I really liked it, and felt the connection between the two characters. I was chasing Myrth too, so the scene Myrth vs Loren was a really tough choice. I have to admit I saved to see the two outcomes... Loren sad was really... devastating. But that scene was just great! It really shows that not everthing is always good and happy. Love can be a really sad and hard thing too. And that scene just showed that perfectly.
I shed a few tears with SarenxLoren. I think normally it would have been at the ending, right? With the first or third option. [spoiler]But the first time I did it, I think it was in the battle against the Drake. There were so much emotions there. It was, again, beautiful. Love conquers all, right? At least that time.
I think Loren is the best love interest because it goes really well with the plot, and it just feels right. And how her character grows slowly through the game is really good. And isn't she just really sweet sometimes?
It really got to me when at the end if you decide to sacrifice yourself, she says she would never love anyone again, and that Saren would be the only one. Maybe is wrong for a few of you, but I always liked that kind of devotion in a character.
The romance with Myrth is just SO cute and sweet. I loved it. She's really lovely. She's a little innocent, and pure, and... just lovely. I think that's the kind of character you do when you try to atract male gamers, but it felt so much better with her. She wasn't just "I'm here so that you can like me. Oh, and I'm also hot (that she is )". It felt like a real character and not just an excuse to give the player a quick "romanceable" character. I can say that does not happen in all games.
So, point for Myrth.
And last but no less... Chambara. Oh, Chambara, my sweet dark witch. I LOVE Chambara. I really do. It was a really tough choice between her and Loren in the poll.
What can I say? I obviously like how she flirts with Saren all the time. But she was a misunderstood character since the beginning. She's not evil at all! She helped Loren without asking for anything in return, and even also didn't want her gratitude because she was helping indirectly. I think deep down she is the fragile and vulnerable girl in need of someone that she one time says she isn't.
But I think the moment when I started to really love her was when I realized how much she could care for another, how she needed someone (even if she wanted to admit it). I'm talking about the scene when she confronts Myrth.
That one time when you have to chose one... I chosed Myrth. Almost without having to think about it.
And that's when she says it. Something like "How would you love someone like me when you love things beautiful as a flower?" She was really sad and hurt. And I was, too. Those words broke my heart. It was really painful and made me realize how wrong I were about her. So, Ironically, I learned how beautiful she was as a person when I rejecter her.
And I really think I like her more over Loren.
Yes, I think I do.
So... Let's be clear. I like Chambara more than Loren as love interest, but... I think the romance itself between Saren and Loren is a little better. More charming and... realistic, maybe?
So I'm changing my mind and giving my vote to Chambara (because the poll is about love interest and not romance as a whole). How would I like to hold her in my arms!
[/spoiler]
Gosh, this got really long! I'm sorry! I doubt anyone would read all this much
But well, I wanted to say what I thought.
Read it all, mainly to prove you wrong, but you also had some good analysis , I can't comment on the specifics as much because I've only played Saren so far for the sole purpose of romancing Myrth , I much prefer playing Elenor, but Loren and Chambara are great with her and I'm betting they're great with Saren too .
TroyenNov 06, 2014
I actually liked Karen/Elenor better than Loren/Elenor
(even better if you use Loren to complete the tragedy)
. Of course, I also liked Chambara and Myrth. Couldn't bring myself to do the others. Well, maybe I'll try Volcano next time I play.
MelandrhildFeb 12, 2015
I also liked KarenxElenor best.
DangerPandaMay 04, 2015
Personally, I like Rei x Elenor the best, though, I haven't played through the Mesphit romance yet.
ValHallenMay 06, 2015
So now we know who is the Jack's favorite romance, now we need to know: LorenxSaren or LorenxElenor Jack?
But honestly for me was hard to pick one, since I like almost all of them!
weaseltonMay 31, 2015
It is pretty much a toss up for me between Elenor and Loren or Elenor and Karen.
Not that it matters much cause in my play through so Elenor is not going to let either of them die. If she is with Karen the very thought of letting her beloved's child die is unthinkable. Possibly even more so than to live after allowing Karen to die. Conversely if she is with Loren the thought of letting her die is out of the picture as is the idea of allowing Karen to die only to always be reminded of the incident through out the years.
kadakithisJun 20, 2015
After I played all the lesbian options, (And man I adored Karen who had a kind of maturity that is pretty rare in these type of games and a cool intensity) I played all the male options, and Draco was pretty hard to romance because he was a bit of a woobie and evoked motherly/sisterly feelings. Amunkiki was actually really great for his intensity as well, and his relationship with Saren growing from a rival relationship. Mesphit was interesting, and I liked how he was done, especially since I killed him off in my first playthrough and that was a really interesting thing to explore.
So not counting Mryth and Rei
1)Loren because of her importance
2) karen
3)Amunkiki
4)Mesphit tied with Chambara for different reasons
6)Draco
P_TigrasJun 26, 2015
If I were to rank the romances I tried out in terms of which I enjoyed most, it would probably go something like:
1 ) Loren-Saren (lots of character development, interesting gender-reversal, great ending)
2 ) Chambara-Elenor (edgy and deliciously taboo)
3 ) Karen-Elenor (very sweet without being too sweet, you have an extremely meaningful impact on her, enabling this sad Queen to shine brightly)
4 ) Rei-Elenor (his actions speak more eloquently than his initially irritating words)
5 ) Loren-Elenor (Would have been higher were it not for the very sad epilogue)
6 ) Chambara-Saren (She continually abandons him in the epilogue)
7 ) Myrth-Saren (So sweet it made my teeth rot, and her continual whining seriously got on my nerves)
8 ) Mesphit-Elenor (As a man, this one caused me to roll my eyes a lot)
9 ) Amukiki-Elenor (As a man, this one also caused me to roll my eyes a lot)
I enjoyed all the ones I played aside from the last two, and it is true that I'm pickier about F-M's than I am M-F's or F-F's, no doubt because I'm a straight male. My full review of the romances from 2 years ago can be found here: http://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2382&start=250#p13958
ValHallenJun 26, 2015
If I were to rank the romances I tried out in terms of which I enjoyed most, it would probably go something like:
1 ) Loren-Saren (lots of character development, interesting gender-reversal, great ending)
6 ) Chambara-Saren (She continually abandons him in the epilogue)
7 ) Myrth-Saren (So sweet it made my teeth rot, and her continual whining seriously got on my nerves)
I enjoyed all the ones I played aside from the last two, and it is true that I'm pickier about F-M's than I am M-F's or F-F's, no doubt because I'm a straight male. My full review of the romances from 2 years ago can be found here: http://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2382&start=250#p13958
I agree with you, Saren x Loren is perfect, specially if you choose Royal Guard as your background. The scenes with the Queens from the past and the scene with the slaves in chapter 4, made a superb character development for Loren. Its my favorite romance from WW.
Saren x Chambara was good until the epilogue, destroyed her romance for me, still like her as character.
Myrth was annoying, the whole "I'm faiting" get old fast, it made her look like a burden for the group, the romance was not much better too. The "I can't be with you" is not my cup, she almost killing Chambara made me dislike her ans her CG is pretty bad.
ElysianSep 26, 2015
I think this poll's a little unbalanced, since the bisexual characters have twice as many chances to get a vote as the others – or maybe I'm just sad that my own favourite doesn't rank higher, haha.
Personally, I thought the Saren/Draco romance was wonderful. Draco is such an endearing character, with his dorky sense of humour, his kindness and bravery, the way he's a cheerful airhead on the surface, but underneath that he's painfully insecure and lonely. Despite having 'supreme magical talent', his favourite use for it is simply to make people smile. He offers himself as a hostage in Saren's (or Elenor's) place, even when he isn't sure they like him enough to come back for him. He takes pity on an orphaned hellhound and adopts it into the party. He faces off against a giant dragon single-handedly! He has such a good heart, but he's so unaccustomed to being given anything back.
The growth from their first meeting, to friendship, to love, felt well-paced and natural. They might not have the dramatic tension that comes from a clash of personalities, but instead the relationship is clearly a positive, healing thing for both of them (I particularly like how, after Saren said that Draco shouldn't hide himself, his character portrait changed and his ears were never hidden again). Their final romance scene was pure fluff that plays on one of the most popular shipping tropes, and I'm totally okay with that, because it made sense for their personalities. The happy epilogue put a huge smile on my face (and then that last part, with the white light, punched me right in the heart).
On my second playthrough, I tried out most of the other romance options for Saren, but the only one that impressed me was Loren. Myrth was cute, but when she started insisting they couldn't be together, it seemed best to leave her alone. Mesphit was interesting, but ultimately it just felt like a bunch of running/chasing that wasn't doing Saren any good. I dropped Chambara after her creepy 'hurr I bet those Amazons couldn't keep their hands off you' conversation. ...And then I ended up picking Draco over everybody else for a second time, because his jealousy talk was another punch in the heart.
So, this has been my tl;dr appreciation of Draco Firestarter. Sweetest m/m romance in any game I've played, and one of my favourite romances in anything ever. Developers, thank you for creating him.
Now I need to do a playthrough as Elenor and see how her options play out!
ChokladSep 28, 2015
Yes to all of the above. Draco Firestarter is one of my favorite characters in anything I've ever played. <3
