I don't like how horny all of the companions are.

[SortaBad]

I get they're trying to appeal to a certain audience of neckbeard virgins, but why can't my character just have FRIENDS without having to turn down advances? It seems like once you form a bond with the side characters, they want to fondle you. It doesn't matter what your character race/sex is, everyone is pansexual apparently. Frankly, it's just really uncomfortable, and I hope that it is either changed somehow in a patch, or a mod is released to change it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a gay lover in a game, but having to actively reject it all the time is gross and weird. I'm considering not interacting with Gale at all, for the simple fact that he is CONSTANTLY trying to romance me. Maybe a sexuality setting during character creation, to determine who is able to be romanced?

[SortaBad]

Originally posted by Gwynhara:

Adding icons that indicate what will generate more intense pursuit would be fine, since people seem confused by that, I think.

In general, though, this should not be on an opt-out, because that basically makes homosexuality disappear from the game, which is the point of having it done the way it's done -- to make it visible, whether you're straight or gay or what have you. To give it visible representation, and not hide it away under a toggle, just like you don't get to opt out of gay people hitting on you in real life.

I don't play the romance game in the game, it is cringey to me, so I don't have an investment in how it works for my own enjoyment ... I just avoid it, and use the responses that, to me at least, avoid it. But I don't think it should be blockable by a toggle.

Why not? do you believe that gay people feel the need to have their sexuality constantly (and undesirably) foisted on people trying to enjoy an RPG? Representation is not the issue here, unimmersive and uncomfortable advances from characters I do not want that type of relationship with are. In real life, unwanted flirting and advances are negative experiences we have to deal with because that's the nature of human beings. It doesn't need to be that way in a videogame where money can bring back the dead, and most problems can be solved with a magic spell. I'd actually say that the current state of romance in the game is LESS inclusive than it would be with something like fixed sexualities for characters. Currently, there aren't any gay, straight, or bi characters that are playable. they all want to sleep with you, no matter what your gender or race is.

[SortaBad]

Originally posted by MrSaturn69420:

Originally posted by SortaBad:

I get they're trying to appeal to a certain audience of neckbeard virgins, but why can't my character just have FRIENDS without having to turn down advances? It seems like once you form a bond with the side characters, they want to fondle you. It doesn't matter what your character race/sex is, everyone is pansexual apparently. Frankly, it's just really uncomfortable, and I hope that it is either changed somehow in a patch, or a mod is released to change it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a gay lover in a game, but having to actively reject it all the time is gross and weird. I'm considering not interacting with Gale at all, for the simple fact that he is CONSTANTLY trying to romance me. Maybe a sexuality setting during character creation, to determine who is able to be romanced?

If you were my friend, and you called someone else a neckbeard virgin, I'd have a word with you about that.

Then it's likely we would never be friends in the first place. :P

[Jack the Roamer]

Originally posted by SortaBad:

Originally posted by Jack the Roamer:

That already exists... it's in the dialogue.. do you have a hard time differentiating romantically suggestive things you can say from normal conversation? Or turn down people like Astarion?

Normally? no. in this game? Absolutely. the romance options are NOT marked, and they aren't always obvious. I am interested in forming a strong bond with my party members, but often asking them about themselves leads directly into romance options or rejection. It's just tedious and annoying.

Unfortunately that's the hurdle we have to overcome, even IRL people think being nice is an indicator that you're open for romance, and if you're not? Drops you like a rock. At least in this game they're forced to stay in your camp due to the situation. But yeah it would be nice to have a wholesome BFF relationship instead, but it's possible.

[Jonas™]

Originally posted by Kain:

But if I"m being honest now, I do wonder if the companions are ultra thirsty because Larian can't write good romance or because it's supposed to be a selling point.

Overall Larian are good writters, but, romance usually requires someone skilled in it, to make it work.

*insert "Why not both?" gif*

They are bad/ham-fisted writers and because they can't write good companions they have spent the last 6mo relying on shock value, sex and memes to push units. It's not that hard to figure out.

Originally posted by MrSaturn69420:

Only, they don't. When I played the beginning, nobody was concerned with that. You really should choose different dialogue options, instead of choosing the romance ones then blaming the game for your choice.

Numerous people are stating they are getting propositioned by multiple companions within 3 rests after having barely talked to the companions and not indicated romantic interest previously. So yeah, it's either super thirsty or the system is buggy as all hell.

Again *insert "Why not both?" gif*

[Henry Cavill]

I know what you mean. Was talking to Gale about his cat and answered if he also liked having his belly rubbed thinking it a funny little remark. Apparently it was meant to be flirtatious though and now he's just lusting for me because of that one interaction and the game thinks I'm romantically involved with him^^

[SortaBad]

Originally posted by Jack the Roamer:

Originally posted by SortaBad:

Normally? no. in this game? Absolutely. the romance options are NOT marked, and they aren't always obvious. I am interested in forming a strong bond with my party members, but often asking them about themselves leads directly into romance options or rejection. It's just tedious and annoying.

Unfortunately that's the hurdle we have to overcome, even IRL people think being nice is an indicator that you're open for romance, and if you're not? Drops you like a rock. At least in this game they're forced to stay in your camp due to the situation. But yeah it would be nice to have a wholesome BFF relationship instead, but it's possible.

Yeah but we don't really have to because it's a videogame. Plenty of really good role playing games have romance indicators in their dialogue, and it costs nothing to add one. that's my main concern, whereas in many games it can be a challenge to romance companions, in this one it's a challenge to avoid it. For no reason.

[SortaBad]

Originally posted by Hypnotic:

I know what you mean. Was talking to Gale about his cat and answered if he also liked having his belly rubbed thinking it a funny little remark. Apparently it was meant to be flirtatious though and now he's just lusting for me because of that one interaction and the game thinks I'm romantically involved with him^^

Apparently being funny and friendly is an invitation. I think a lot of people have trouble telling the difference IRL, and that's why so many people are unbothered by this.

[Myrden]

It's amazing to me that with all the free prawn in the world anyone would even want this in their game. Different folks and all that but damn it just seems tacked on here with no subtlety nor trickery to any of it... which is odd considering the rest of the game.

[Henry Cavill]

Originally posted by SortaBad:

Originally posted by Hypnotic:

I know what you mean. Was talking to Gale about his cat and answered if he also liked having his belly rubbed thinking it a funny little remark. Apparently it was meant to be flirtatious though and now he's just lusting for me because of that one interaction and the game thinks I'm romantically involved with him^^

Apparently being funny and friendly is an invitation. I think a lot of people have trouble telling the difference IRL, and that's why so many people are unbothered by this.

Seems so yeah. Just an option to show disinterest in the next conversation to clear things up would be nice but so far I've been forced to just accept every thirsty remark he gives me after that.

[Minnzy]

Too be honest, Karlach being so upfront makes the most sense, girl's pretty pent up so her suddenly telling me she wants to ride me had me like "Yeah ok, a few years in hell and I'd probably be like that too"

[ChompyRiley]

My only real issue with the 'turning down people' is that there's no 'just be friends option'. It's always '♥♥♥♥ me, ♥♥♥♥ me now', 'flirt desperately', or 'be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥'. People can be friends without sexing it up.

[Jonas™]

Originally posted by Minnzy:

Too be honest, Karlach being so upfront makes the most sense, girl's pretty pent up so her suddenly telling me she wants to ride me had me like "Yeah ok, a few years in hell and I'd probably be like that too"

That's because she is the only one where it's actually a process and the relationship/romance develops over time, that's why it's so jarring and sticks out. Whereas every other companion the romance is like two horny cats randomly meeting each other in an alley behind a pizza joint.

[Henry Cavill]

Originally posted by Minnzy:

Too be honest, Karlach being so upfront makes the most sense, girl's pretty pent up so her suddenly telling me she wants to ride me had me like "Yeah ok, a few years in hell and I'd probably be like that too"

Agreed. She at least has a somewhat understandable reason for being so forward. Gale's character especially though feels very forced in that regard. Dude managed to sleep with a literal goddess but I make one funny remark and he's down bad for little old me^^

[Gopher]

When I was in my early 20's life was like this as well. Even guy friends (as a guy) would go out to the bar with me and at some point would make an advance. Now that I'm older and fat, I don't deal with it anymore but honestly it's very realistic lol

[ChompyRiley]

Originally posted by Sweaty Gopher:

When I was in my early 20's life was like this as well. Even guy friends (as a guy) would go out to the bar with me and at some point would make an advance. Now that I'm older and fat, I don't deal with it anymore but honestly it's very realistic lol

*presses x to doubt*