Regarding the improvements for Astarion romance I want to add some things for the epilogue:
1. More dialogue with Spawn Astarion, his conversation is very short when you romance him and I want to be able to choose more dialogue options without discarding the rest. Also add a kiss for him, would be perfect to have both options (Hug and kiss) Like other companions.
2. Ascended Astarion deserve at least a kiss. Would be nice to add a line of dialogue that says "I love you" and kiss him in the epilogue. In the entire game you can't tell him that you love him even once.
It bothers me how our character doesn't have any line of dialogue that shows our feelings for him (AA). There is only one option "I want you. I want your body" after the ascension and it's horrible. I remember choosing this the first time I did the ascension and feeling bad because there is no other option that would allow me to tell him that I love him. It's kind of sad they push the players to think this way, think of him as if he was just a piece of meat when in the narrative we have always supported the opposite, that he is much more than that. We don't care if hes an evil lord vampire, our feelings doesn't change.
Ascended romance is very interesting and complex but seems like they wasted the opportunity to do a dark romance between two evil characters who want to support each other in their way to rule the world. I think AA romance is not well developed. Clarify, I think he is well written and developed but not his romance interactions with Tav/Durge. And I can see the intention behind this. Again make us see that we have failed him (some people may feel that way, but other people don't) so I strongly disagree with that scene, it is not natural, Astarion has changed but our character and feelings remains the same. More dialogue options are necessary there to show him love, the game only allow us to show interest in having sex or becoming his spawn...I don't expect them to change that scene or the options but I want to highlight it because for me it is not a good way to develop their romance, player is just being controlled by a dialogue that does not fit the situation. That's my opinion and how I feel about it.
And again, for me it's a serious mistake to turn him into an abuser towards his partner. Astarion being evil it's okay but turning his romantic partner into a victim of abuse is not. Your character should be able to enjoy the kisses and their relationship. I think we all agree on that.
I am disappointed with AA romance but at the same time I am understanding that not everything can turn out well. Even so, I really hope for more changes and improvements for Astarion that can make everyone happy with the desitions they make in game and enjoy it. If we send constructive feedback and avoid hate I'm sure everything will be easier. This game is huge and I love it, that's why I'm in this forum, I want to be able to express myself and if it is possible they can continue improving it.
