Oh, good. Well, we'll have to agree to disagree as I think you're exaggerating the situation and these 'implications'. All I hope for is that you can see that I (and potentially others) don't necessarily see the same extent or significance of romantic implications you do in the art and title. If it wasn't for the fact that Larian explicitly wrote about the potential to be lovers (on a couple of occasions, not a hundred) I wouldn't be expecting any 'romance' at all as it is commonly understood. Make of that what you will.
I agree that Larian will need to tread carefully to avoid a -1 honesty and -2 accountability to their reputation, if they indeed have removed this feature; as they did say it would be in the game, regardless of individual expectations about how it may be implemented. Hell, that was what got me to post ITT in the first place. I greatly respect Larian's honesty and transparency and so would call them out on it if it turns out to be the case, even if I don't particularly want romance in the game. I just really doubt it has been cut for the reasons I've previously described.
What I make of it? At the absolute best I think you're ignoring a mountain because it all looks like dirt to you.....except it's kind of big and kind of a pain to sweep under the rug of "if they hadn't said it I'd totally never see any of it"....what with all the boulders and the trees and the animals, not to mention the insects.....but it's challenge accepted in your eyes because by the gods you'll make it all fit under the door rug if it's the last thing you do.
I'm not exaggerating one bit...if I had to point to one painting that best described the biblical story of Original Sin this would be it....that's right this, not the silly pictures of naked people sharing apples....those actually look kind of normal, lovers share all sorts of food in every conceivable way...that's just people being people. But this...this has all the makings of Original Sin...a man and a woman walking hand in hand through ruin and chaos with steely looks of determination and an air of seriousness and gravity that would perfectly fit an act of rebellion that is sure to be met with severe and unavoidable punishment. The colors are gone, everything is bleak except the taint....the highly suggestive red that symbolizes both blood and passion. A picture that evokes feelings that are easy to understand, romantic love and attachment is strong beyond reason or logical sense and a lot of people not only can do a lot of extremely dumb things in the name of because they're willing to risk it all for the slightest chance of success.
