So, I don't believe romances are necessary for any RPG and I don't think they're necessary for this game.
However, when they're added to these games and they tie into understanding characters on a different level, I think it adds much needed flavor to the development and progression and connection we can have with characters.
Once of the best examples I can think of is Solas from DA:I.
When I first played that game, I thought Solas was the most indignant elitist son of a bitch I'd ever seen. His elfy "I'm the best" attitude rubbed me in the complete wrong way.
But then I got curious as I do with Bioware companions and decided to romance him. And DAMN.
His story was expanded, my view on him changed completely, and it opened my eyes to avenues I never thought I'd get with a character. He is now one of my most beloved and cherished characters from that game to-date.
I believe a lot of the romances in BG3 do that for the characters as well. There's so much vulnerability on display with Astarion's, Minthara's, and Lae'zel's romances that my eyes are opened to them on a whole new level. The romances added so much context as to how they act and why they do what they do that wouldn't have been there otherwise.
I still would've bought the game without the romances. I still would've thought it was a great game. But the romances are such a wonderful part of the whole picture that I wouldn't have loved this game nearly as much as I do without them.
EDIT: I also wanted to comment on the whole "waiting until Act 3 for sex scenes" idea. I get completely that most people thrive in healthy relationships by waiting to have sex and that, often times, it's viewed as necessary to get to the know the person.
But reality doesn't speak to that all the time.
Most people connect sexually in the first few dates and I know that I, personally, have a thriving, going-on-11 years together relationship and we had sex on the 2nd date.
Sex means a lot of things to different people and I don't know that it would add much depth to a character's romance to wait; especially if that's the rule for every companion. Astarion is the most stark example of this given that most of his story has to do with him using sex as a defense mechanism and you breaking down those walls. Having sex with him as quickly as you do adds to his character and the romance and I don't believe it would've been very good for people to have to wait forever; it would wreck the character progression.
Just my 2 cents though.
Last edited by vx_phoenix_vx; 18/12/23 07:28 PM.
