The character creator is never going to be perfect unless the game is in a 3d engine with full sliders. Even then, games with those you can still complain about a lack of missing options like body hair. For example, I can throw more wood onto this pile by saying only having 4 short hairstyles isn't enough, especially when one of those is just bald, and 2 are very similar. Let alone the absence of facial hair for anyone wanting to be a more masculine presenting character. It's easy to snowball from here. And the unfortunate thing too, is that it is loads and heaps better then the first game's CC.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the rival crew though. They did just roll up out of nowhere acting like complete arses. Haven't tried a friendly rival yet though to get that juxtaposition. I was actually surprised they were introduced so soon, really before you get to know your potential teammates much at all. It just feels rushed, and by that I mean just the introduction to the game's cast. Also at this point so early in the game, you should just let the MC talk to all of them. Instead of 3 out of 4. There is not much reason to even talk to the rival when the other three choices let you meet three characters each.

As for Divine acting the way they do. I think it is fine actually. People like that do exist and really aren't that uncommon. I would have preferred Jynx defending herself though and not the MC. Especially in such a cancerous way as threatening with cancel culture. It just makes the savior thing a bit too much on the nose, imo. And less about Jynx, the person. That whole interaction tree is just a minefield of oofs and near oofs though, tbh. The Domino choices were a whole can of wtf I was not prepared for. It's funny to me that pulling the cord of the game, the most neutral option, is apparently the one that pisses Divine off the most. At least according to the MC's thoughts on the aftermath of the interaction.

Edit: Missing article

Also, the first game was hardly all sunshine and rainbows either. It just didn't come out at you in the opening act, outside of the MC's near crippling depression.

All of this is valid and makes perfect sense. Am I expecting perfection? Of course not. It just never hurts to get your opinion out there in case it can make a difference. If it doesn't it'll be a solid game. I'll only say this first impression wasn't as impressive as the first game's so addressed what I personally felt why. It probably won't make a difference though, but one can dream. I am at least glad I'm not alone in thinking the main "bad team" comes in a little too hot--at least for that early in the story, you need to ease into these things especially (personal opinion) in a story like this.

I did check out the "friendly rival" bit and it's okay. It's kind of annoying that they act like your friend but do nothing, but also in the context of the story it makes sense. That's one I can only say might just need more context.

I only bring up Divine because my girlfriend (a big fan too and also not well physically abled herself) was really triggered by it and just wanted to touch base. Yeah people like that exist, she's aware, and she doesn't believe it'll mar the whole game either. It simply doesn't hurt to bring it up in case maybe it could be toned down especially so early in the campaign. Like rather than "malicious tw*t" sounding she can sound more "ignorant jerk". That's of course up to my personal views anyway maybe to others that doesn't seem as bad. I do appreciate your notes and at least doubling down on some things to show I'm at least not totally crazy.

Edit: added rival comment and this tl;dr

Tl;dr - this was all just my opinion, you're free to disagree. The game is really far out and if they can take the time to address them; super! If not; who cares, it'll be fun anyway. I just feel it's fractionally close to being perfect and it's either in my head and the game will prove me wrong or now's the time to tweak some things. That's all, I'm not a big online debater so take that for what you will.

I do apologize if I came across as combative. I do agree with you on Divine, but I personally find the bigger issue to lie elsewhere in the interaction. I think it is a very delicate issue and honestly a lot more gutsy to tackle than what they tried to do with Ashley in the first game. In regards to Jynx, I just don't want her to be a prop for the sake of inclusion. As this is more than an one and one conversation and has implications in the actual world of the game, as well as reflects what some people experience in real life.

As for the character creator, I do hope they address some requests some people have had, such as yours and another person's I saw on this forum. It would be nice to address the things I said too. However, it is a lot of work to do such things as it has to be reflected in all of the artwork of the game. We still don't know if there will be CGs in this game where multiple assets will mean making like 1000+ variants of a single still image to accurately reflect the model of the character. If I remember right that is the reason they hardly had the MC appear on screen in the first game. But, yes. As much as this is a major improvement compared to the first. It would be greatly appreciated by others if such requests were addressed.

My intention was not to shut you down, and I again apologize if my language came across that way.

Apologies for getting to this thread *checks* four months late, oi... life is weird.

The body types are likely locked in and won't be changing -- every body type requires multiple arm positions with matching shirt sleeves as well as other modifications like cheeks and face shape edits which affect hair, etc. It's currently in the triple digits in terms of files on disk. So we tried to cover a few broad archetypes as best we could. It's a step up from the one-bodytype approach of the first game. (The sacrifice being we have no individualized CG moments, unlike the first game, which had a dozen plus of them. If we had thousands and thousands of dollars and multiple artists believe me we'd do more, but indie life, yo.)

There is a CW on the game now for folks who need it, which does warn of the scene involving Divine. Rest assured she isn't a major part of the plot, just a general part of the rivalry between teams and an example of toxicity in gaming in general. The goal with the demo was to present a set of scenes similar to the "birthday party" from the first game, where you have to solve problems and deal with conflicts -- but instead of lots of little kiddies and customer service issues, you deal with your rivals. I'd say the bit with Divine is similar to the angry parent... basically an unwinnable, ugly situation. Gotta have some trouble for the drama.

Hope you enjoy the full game!

Originally posted by Twoflower:

Apologies for getting to this thread *checks* four months late, oi... life is weird.

The body types are likely locked in and won't be changing -- every body type requires multiple arm positions with matching shirt sleeves as well as other modifications like cheeks and face shape edits which affect hair, etc. It's currently in the triple digits in terms of files on disk. So we tried to cover a few broad archetypes as best we could. It's a step up from the one-bodytype approach of the first game. (The sacrifice being we have no individualized CG moments, unlike the first game, which had a dozen plus of them. If we had thousands and thousands of dollars and multiple artists believe me we'd do more, but indie life, yo.)

There is a CW on the game now for folks who need it, which does warn of the scene involving Divine. Rest assured she isn't a major part of the plot, just a general part of the rivalry between teams and an example of toxicity in gaming in general. The goal with the demo was to present a set of scenes similar to the "birthday party" from the first game, where you have to solve problems and deal with conflicts -- but instead of lots of little kiddies and customer service issues, you deal with your rivals. I'd say the bit with Divine is similar to the angry parent... basically an unwinnable, ugly situation. Gotta have some trouble for the drama.

Hope you enjoy the full game!

Wish Steve the ASS returned instead of Queen Bee...