Others thoughts on Shadowheart romance as whole

[Sethmeister]

*spoilers obviously*

I am just curious of seeing other people's thoughts on romancing Shadowheart or romance in general for the game.

I can't help but feel disappointed and say the romance was very lackluster for a otherwise amazing game. It almost felt like it was an afterthought added last minute. It seems you only get two romance scenes with Shadowheart (drinking wine in Act 1 & the swimming in Act 3) and a few romantic conversations throughout the entirety of the game.

The only filler you get is requesting a kiss or her saying how glad she is to have met you. I know I am not going into full detail, but she is supposed to be one of the most fleshed out companions/romance options in the game which does bold well for playing through other romance options.

The store page labels the romance in the game as "romances with complexity & depth" so I think it's fair to poke at it. Besides the the lack of a proper ending, it's really my only complaint with the game. I am glad for the games massive success and the praise Larian is receiving. I will post my quick review of the acts below.

[Sethmeister]

I picked Shart as my romance option because she was my favorite from EA. You have a nice build up with her in act 1 with frequent new conversation popping up through out and ending it as a potential couple together with a nice little one on one scene.

Then immediately get thrown to the curve in act 2 for her story motives. Which I get is more for her character development but also it sucks because it's essentially a whole act without romance besides given her a night orchid.

Act 3 you finally get to pick up where you were going at the end of act 1 with the whole romance thing. You do at least get an inmate scene halfway through the act. Then you realize what feels like something you just started is already about to end with her last quest already on the horizon. Then the ending you get a few sentences from her and that's all she wrote.

[ITNoetic]

I didn't even get to swim. I turned down so many eager advances from other characters. But how many immortals does a protagonist have to kill to get his partner to do more than a quick peck? lmao

One of those advances, I save scummed just to see what would happen, and she said something to the effect of "I have needs too, y'know" but like she clearly doesn't. Maybe another bug...

[Ad Victoriam]

Shadowheart's character is one that is mysterious, feels fleeting, superficial and whimsical. After my first playthrough I can't see the player character having a happy ending with her sadly, as it feels like trying to catch light in your hand.

She is a tragic heroine, toyed with by two gods and those she trusted. I could do a deep dive on her mental health, but if you have romanced her you will understand. She hasn't walked a path of roses. The road she has walked has made cracks in her porcelain.

Trying to romance her a second playthrough my gut tells me to run (When you know her lore and story, the lyrics "The damage is done, so I guess I'll be leaving" type vibes).

[Hawke]

Haven't romanced SH specifically, but the Origins seem to get 2 scenes (+2 dialogues with them and several with other companions), non-Origins 1 or 2, +1 final scene in the epilogue that may or may not trigger. It becomes even more transparent when you go through an act without resting, then spam it before the point of no return.

My issue with the system is not the number of scenes, but the conditions to trigger on Long Rests and only one per rest (unless it has been patched).

[Remnant Melody]

The characters are well performed/mostly well written.
The romances are well performed/uh... kinda empty.

Cute at first, but it feels so cheap in the end. There is no inbetween things to do, no connecting more permanently.. always re-affirming which is just lazy-dialogue filler. Be thankful they haven't censored your scenes.. Minthara gets all the motion, but a bit of friction with Ascended Astarion was an absolute no. Ahh.. big ol candle.. might as well add images of waves and volcanoes. Then the final endings which is very like.. 'thats it..?' no closure for anyone, no meetup with your entire team of traumatized misfits you raised the entire way. Just.. empty.

The romances are NOT as involved and interesting as they made it out to seem, for sure. We need better neutral/friendly dialogues with them all. We should be able to comfort them in there more intense story scenes if we have approval. There just isn't much connection.. just your character standing there very much 'Head Empty, No Thoughts' mode most of the time and it feels so wrong during the harshest parts of their stories. Let alone the kinda dim-witted dialogue options at times that can utterly just ruin a character's growth by reducing them to comical villains or co-dependent unsure bag of uwu boring.

I doubt they'll improve any of it.. It is, as you say, just bonus flavor. Its almost better to just play as an Origin.. if it weren't for losing the amazing VA performances for it.. sighs.

[victorvnv]

It’s more than what most other games are getting.

This isn’t a daring simulator, the romance options are there for a bit for extra flavor and something to make your trip with the companions abit more personal.

I remember the old games where romancing someone lead to a black screen for a second and that’s it, what we get in BG3 is at least something.

Plus once you have sex with the companion what then- different poses every time ?

Lol