These are all relatively simple things that can easily be improved. There is a lot i like about the game. I initially thought characters are very bland looking and lack any personality, except Laezel, based only on the visual design. But the voices, the quirky personal facial expressions and the thinking and dialogue each bring really enhanced their personalities and brings them to life. Thats why these few moments i mention at the very start of the game seem all the more negative and jarring.
If i didnt like what im seeing in general i wouldn't waste time here.
I would add that it seems best to me if Laezel just remains in the party since the get go, when we meet in the Nautiloid. Theres really no good reason why she must disappear so we find her again in the cage, which i commented on above.
With some improvements on how we meet and corrections to few other scenes in the intro i mentioned she can remain the "Who is this funky babe - damn she seems capable - hmm, hmm, looks the same as those Dragon riders, hmm, hmm..." companion.
Let her just wake up on the beach next to or near our character, and if we play with her as player character it will fit anyway.
Also, just to repeat once more, the situation in Nautiloid should be used more prominently to establish the starting adventuring group of strangers banding together to survive under "immensely dangerous conditions".
We should be able to form at least a three party group (or more) in the Nautiloid itself.
And i would add some simple tasks where we have to use several characters to open a path or circumvent some obstacle or a danger or a destroyed part of the ship - to present how cooperation is necessary.
