Each of the routes and characters are so well fleshed out, and it's evident that the devs went out of their way to create an overarching culture of respect and consent in the way the characters interact and the choices that are available.
I'm generally not a fan of wide-eyed ingenue protagonists who are petulant, naïve, and talentless - especially when it's a young woman (which was the pronoun I chose) - but I appreciate that the devs tried to compensate for this by giving the MC moments of agency and opportunities to level up. I'd love further opportunities to flex the MC's maturity and pre-existing skills. Maybe go on a killing spree à la Damon? Defuse a bomb? Plot out military tactics while hovering over a plotting table? I don't know! Something that shows that the MC has unique value-add that will come in clutch for the team.
All this being said, I really can't help falling in love with this game. I'm especially enamoured by Bash, Damon, and Calderon.
Bash is emotionally available, kind, easygoing, and well-rounded (he bakes!!!). Not to mention his glowy tattoos. He'd be the perfect IRL boyfriend. Can't wait til his *ahem* scene comes out.
Damon is so irresistibly sexy and fun and he fits the tried and true bad boy/secret softie romcom tropes. I felt that the game gently encouraged me to choose him out of all the LIs, but I didn't mind at all.
I really wasn't inclined to go for Calderon, because when I was pursuing Bash or Damon in my first few playthroughs Cal seemed like an annoying dad figure I tended to ignore. BUT once I got past the rude and aloof exterior, he surprised me with sexy innuendoes and subtle moments of jealousy that were kind of endearing. Totally didn't expect this to happen, but he ended up being my fave.
Thanks devs/writers/artists who were involved in this project! I appreciate you.