> This is such a weird statement to make.
Not really.
> Either play the game and form your own opinion (which, to be frank, will be that this interactive fiction is incredibly well-written with likeable characters and a great setting)
Sorry but you don't get to dictate other people's opinions. Speaking of rude.
> or just don't say anything?
Nor do you get to silence people who don't agree with your opinions. Again, so rude.
> What have you contributed by saying this other than being a rude POS?
They have contributed their opinion, as is their right, as is everyone's right, whether you agree with it or not.
I don't. I think MC has quite an interesting role, while I dislike the ROs. But that doesn't mean I think they are written poorly, rather that they are written well as unlikable characters.
<SPOILER>
Notice how they all treat MC poorly when they first meet them: Irus looks down on MC because of their social status and clothes, Oren threatens MC if they don't take responsibility for a fight initiated by his lackey, Elora threatens MC for not bowing to her (much like her mother later on), and Anu is just a racist little b**** who assaults you as soon as her father's back is turned.
</SPOILER>
But the author takes all that into account by allowing MC to hold grudges and not be friendly towards them, much less romance them. Now that is good writing - and something IFs like A Tale of Crowns and Crown of Ashes and Flames could learn a lot from!
But enough of my opinions - What have you contributed by saying this?
Because make no mistake, there is only one person here being a "rude POS", and it's not OP, nor the author, nor even myself - though I will readily admit that you sorely tempt me to respond to you in kind.