Opinions on Yennefer(as compared with book)

[Winds Howling]

So finishing the The Last Wish and starting the Sword of Destiny I've discovered that Yen is essentially a humpback without the magic illusion? She is pretty awful at the start towards Geralt and seems still very unappealing in the second book. She is considered greedy, nasty and bad. The Yennefer in the game doesn't seem comparable except maybe the snobby attitude or that she is a Lady of the Court. Needless to say I'm still waiting for the appeal. It seems as people have said that Geralt is pushed in the direction of Yennefer in the game and as I'm unsure what love interest to pursue finally at endgame I wondered peoples opinion on Yennefer as a character with some mix in with the books?

[AzureTheGamerKobold]

My issue with Yen isn't that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥, its that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥ toward geralt, hardly shows him any affection, she treats geralt like trash from start to finish, and never a moment where i felt any connection between yen and geralt... i realize he's suppose to end up with yen but for ♥♥♥♥ sake... its like they set out to cram her down your throat while at the same time making her meaniest nastiest woman in the whole series toward geralt.

there in lies my problem... it is how she treats geralt, and never any love or affection between them... ever in fact seems quite the opposite from my stand point, meanwhile Triss actually knows how to show affection, hoe to be loving yet serious and stern when needed. She can be flirty and joke around, but is a definate attraction between them and its from both sides.

I never ever got the affection side of yen... because treat me like a douchebag and i'll return the favor... frankly i am sad was no option to stick a knife into yen... how bad i hated her by the end of the game.

[zioste81]

Well... Yen's affection in the game is subtle but it's there. See her smile when she watches Geralt and Ciri laugh together on the ship. See her heartbroken reaction if you tell her you don't love her anymore... or the sweet moment if you say you do.

She's not inclined to express her emotions as much as Triss.

[Winds Howling]

Messaggio originale di LordLokai:

My issue with Yen isn't that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥, its that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥ toward geralt, hardly shows him any affection, she treats geralt like trash from start to finish, and never a moment where i felt any connection between yen and geralt... i realize he's suppose to end up with yen but for ♥♥♥♥ sake... its like they set out to cram her down your throat while at the same time making her meaniest nastiest woman in the whole series toward geralt.

there in lies my problem... it is how she treats geralt, and never any love or affection between them... ever in fact seems quite the opposite from my stand point, meanwhile Triss actually knows how to show affection, hoe to be loving yet serious and stern when needed. She can be flirty and joke around, but is a definate attraction between them and its from both sides.

I never ever got the affection side of yen... because treat me like a douchebag and i'll return the favor... frankly i am sad was no option to stick a knife into yen... how bad i hated her by the end of the game.

Minus the knifing of Yen lol I feel much the same way towards Triss, she is serious when needed, supportive and decent to Geralt. Why we have a case of opposites attract with Yen and Geralt but Geralt and Triss are similar. Again it depends on a person to person deal. I still havent read through the history of Yen and Geralt in its entirety so may feel different when finished the books and then maybe commit to a second playthrough.

[Winds Howling]

Messaggio originale di petr_sfv:

Well... Yen's affection in the game is subtle but it's there. See her smile when she watches Geralt and Ciri laugh together on the ship. See her heartbroken reaction if you tell her you don't love her anymore... or the sweet moment if you say you do.

She's not inclined to express her emotions as much as Triss.

Maybe the subtly of it is the problem here slightly as you say, Triss is more forward and open. Lots of people can appreciate that but I also appreciate what your getting at.

[Dead2Rights]

Messaggio originale di D_88 the discontented:

Why we have a case of opposites attract with Yen and Geralt but Geralt and Triss are similar.

Yes, I pretty strongly agree with this. In the video game, the characters of Triss and Geralt are portrayed in such a way that they seem to have more in common than Geralt and Yennifer. The one thing that really puts it over the edge for me is that for some reason Yennifer comes off as someone who would be likely go ahead with what she thinks is the "right thing to do" even if it hurt her friends or put them in danger. Similarly, the way Geralt and Triss are portrayed in the game is almost exactly the opposite of that sort of approach - Geralt especially comes off as someone who would really give a damn about "saving the world", but if his friends are in trouble - then you better watch out.

Personally I think since Yennifer wasn't in the last game, her character really never had fully enough time to develop as it probably should have. I can see where they are going with her, but it doesn't quite come off as intended if you just go by what's presented in the game.

[Winds Howling]

Messaggio originale di Dead2Rights:

Messaggio originale di D_88 the discontented:

Why we have a case of opposites attract with Yen and Geralt but Geralt and Triss are similar.

Yes, I pretty strongly agree with this. In the video game, the characters of Triss and Geralt are portrayed in such a way that they seem to have more in common than Geralt and Yennifer. The one thing that really puts it over the edge for me is that for some reason Yennifer comes off as someone who would be likely go ahead with what she thinks is the "right thing to do" even if it hurt her friends or put them in danger. Similarly, the way Geralt and Triss are portrayed in the game is almost exactly the opposite of that sort of approach - Geralt especially comes off as someone who would really give a damn about "saving the world", but if his friends are in trouble - then you better watch out.

Personally I think since Yennifer wasn't in the last game, her character really never had fully enough time to develop as it probably should have. I can see where they are going with her, but it doesn't quite come off as intended if you just go by what's presented in the game.

I think she should have been present in the Witcher 2 for sure because a huge focus was put on Triss and gamers started to really pay attention to the Witcher game series after Assassin of Kings. Yen isn't intially coming off any better in the books but as I've been told she will develop into someone you could give a damn about and see why Geralt loves her etc. In the game however that effect isnt as strong, she may have subtle caring moments but compared with Triss having the strength of the second game and now still in the third as being straight forward and in love with Geralt its not hard to see why most prefer her. I'd say again though I can appreciate the geniune love Yen may have for Geralt. In the game before he searched for her for 6 months after getting a message they were not together for how long. Within the 2nd book sword of destiny she hates Geralt and they hadnt seen each other for 4 years or so? So even if there love does develop in later books and shes she racks up some good points, I can see how they will always have this back and fourth of being seperated and together. The point you make about Yen doing what she thinks is right no matter the cost certainly to me rings true in the game and books. Geralt is not the same in that respect.

[Black Sheep Wall]

The entire series is about questioning labels.
What is a monster?
What is a human?

Yennefer is a blend of many things.
She isn't a perfect archtype for anything.

More than anything she is the mirror image of Geralt, except using feminine shades instead of masculine shades.

What is interesting here is that when you compare the two characters, it's easy to fault Yennefer for something, but when you look at Geralts actions in similar situations, it's easy to see him as being justified, if not a hero.

There's alot here that speaks about the double standards that exist between the sexes.
There's also alot here about understanding that people have different aspects to their personalities. Trying to shoehorn them into a single sterotype doesn't always work.
Yennefer is an incredibly complex character, and it's really hard to tell what REALLY motivates her.

Ultimately I don't like her, because while she does mirror Geralt in many ways, she is also the darker reflection. She crosses lines he won't, and gives up more of her humanity in persuit of her ambitions than I care for.

That being said, the character has developed and evolved over the entire series.
She isn't the same person as she was in The Last Wish.
The (possible) ending for her reflects that maybe she did alot of growing up.

It's also interesting to consider that it's a fictional character.
She acts as a VERY interesting rorschach test.

[M2B]

Messaggio originale di LordLokai:

My issue with Yen isn't that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥, its that she's a ♥♥♥♥♥ toward geralt, hardly shows him any affection, she treats geralt like trash from start to finish, and never a moment where i felt any connection between yen and geralt... i realize he's suppose to end up with yen but for ♥♥♥♥ sake... its like they set out to cram her down your throat while at the same time making her meaniest nastiest woman in the whole series toward geralt.

there in lies my problem... it is how she treats geralt, and never any love or affection between them... ever in fact seems quite the opposite from my stand point, meanwhile Triss actually knows how to show affection, hoe to be loving yet serious and stern when needed. She can be flirty and joke around, but is a definate attraction between them and its from both sides.

I never ever got the affection side of yen... because treat me like a douchebag and i'll return the favor... frankly i am sad was no option to stick a knife into yen... how bad i hated her by the end of the game.

I actually feel the complete opposite. Between Triss and her, I feel like Yen is the one that shows the most genuine form of affection. Her almost non-existant manners and sassy personality may mask her affection towards Geralt but you also must consider the circumstances she's under. Ciri, pretty much the closest thing to a daughter that she could get, is missing and now there are leads pointing to her return. Her goal now is to find her daughter and nothing will get in the way of that. Because of her anxiety towards her goal to find Ciri, we see Yen throughout the game as acting "♥♥♥♥♥♥" or "rude" towards others and even her lover, Geralt.

On certain occasions though, we can see how she truly feels towards Geralt. For example, if you tell her that you don't "feel the magic" anymore after The Last Wish quest, she looks absolutely devastated and can't believe it. There are numerous other non-specific moments where you can see Yen just look at Geralt and smile without saying a word. Once you do find Ciri, and you all re-unite at Kaer Morhen, she is finally relieved of her anxiety. She hugs Ciri remarking about how beautiful she's grown then just stares at Geralt. Before he can really say anything, she immediatly gives him a big kiss (one of my favorite moments in this game :D)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr9Jf9e_zYk

If you succesfully romance her, she sneaks back into Geralts tent. She she worries that he might not return and tell's him how all she wants is to give up her life of scheming and politics to live with him forever. I hardly see how she "hardly shows him any affection" as you state.

[nyanko]

You need to read blood of elves and see her relationship with Ciri. Then you will understand more who she is.

[M2B]

Messaggio originale di Ronnie Law:

-Snip-
More than anything she is the mirror image of Geralt, except using feminine shades instead of masculine shades.
-Snip-

She isn't the mirror image of Geralt. She's the complete opposite. I would describe them as Night and Day. They are the anti-thesis to the other but complement eachother at the same time. Yen can be described as outspoken and stubborn, Geralt, on the other hand, is more of a reserved stoic. Like stated before, opposites seem to attract. We can see this when Geralt says "You know you don't have to always be so mean" and Yen responds "I could, but then I wouldn't be the woman you fell in love with."