I personally don’t understand why some feel there need to be multiple sets of facial expressions for kisses that were added as fan service during the Valentine’s Day patch. None of the other companions receive this level of treatment. I’d rather them do something with the Act 3 approvals to try to better reflect characters on their different arcs (good vs evil aligned paths).
The new facial expression are very neutral, and work for either style of playthrough (if you want your character to be into it versus if you want to portray them being unhappy / uncertain in the new dynamic of the relationship). I understand some are uncomfortable with the former interpretation, but it’s someone’s choice how they want to characterize these things in their own playthrough. The previous facial animations only showed fear which can limit roleplay.
Personally, I interpret this path differently than you - which is fine, of course. It’s a roleplaying game. I just want to be able to enjoy my campaigns where I design a character that will romance Ascended Astarion. These neutral facial expression work best overall to respect each players interpretation for their roleplay.
I agree regarding the good/evil aligned paths (why is Sharran Shadowheart and Ascended Astarion giving the same approval for the same things Selunite Shadowheart and Spawn Astarion are) but I disagree regarding the kisses being neutral. When I saw the gifs in the Larian update post (I think it was pre patch 7), I didn't make a fuss because the animations in the gif were pretty neutral. But I actually played the kisses out in-game and my tiefling Durge didn't have the neutral face - they were actually smiling. I never downloaded the smiling mod, so it was definitely frustrating to see the smiling expression instead of the neutral expression shown in the gif. You're right with the neutral expressions being a good compromise as well, because it's easier to roleplay like that. While I personally would prefer the "frightened" faces (because like I said in my initial post, it fits Larian's story better), the neutral expressions should've been the alternative to satisfy both Spawn Astarion and Ascended Astarion fans. If Larian said one wasn't working (the "frightened" face) then the other extreme shouldn't be okay either (the "smiling" face).
I definitely agree it's frustrating that none of the other companions are picked over this much.
Originally Posted by LiryFire
I suggest we make a choice in kissing - gently - roughly as already realized in the night of turning.
Also a good compromise IMO.
Originally Posted by Yharmeru
This, but I think it should be based on whether you backpedal out of the breakup. The node flags clearly label Astarion as being abusive in that scene, so it makes sense a Tav that is intimidated out of breaking up with him would be afraid in subsequent scenes.
The "You're starting to scare me" option during the post ascension scene would be another strong candidate for introducing the flag, as the player is able to straight up express fear / uncertainty.
I would recommend against the "make it hurt" vs "be gentle" line, because it would be very reasonable for a character with a trauma response to choose "make it hurt" and it otherwise doesn't really have any obvious association with whether or not the player's character feels afraid of him. Also, considering you can technically get these kisses before this scene, it would be better to tie in the option sooner.
Fair point regarding the "make it hurt" vs "be gentle" line that I hadn't considered; I also hadn't realized that you can kiss Astarion before you actually get his final romance scenes so you're right, it's probably best to have a fail safe in sooner. I definitely agree that the backpedal out of the breakup is probably the best place story wise to flip the facials as well, because it's one of Ascended Astarion's most abusive scenes (the other being the way he screams at you if you compare him to Cazador).
Originally Posted by celestielf
So, I think the neutral expressions are the right way to go because players can use their imagination about how their character feels about the kisses. Also, Astarion has gotten soooo much content compared to companions like Wyll, just let him be at this point and focus on other characters.
You responded at the same time I did, so I won't repeat what I said above, but the issue for me is not that it's a neutral face (which is fine IMO, it's the right balance so that anyone can project how they feel about their Tav/Durge's feelings) but it is is a smiling face. Like I said above, if the "frightened" one isn't okay, then the full-blown "smiling" shouldn't be either.
I agree regarding Wyll getting shafted; him having 8 hours of content in comparison to Astarion's 12 and Shadowheart's 11 is ridiculous. That being said, Larian thought that swapping Ascended Astarion's face was a priority for this patch and Wyll was once again left on the backburner; I don't see why they can't do a hotfix and offer options for Ascended Astarion, while making Wyll a priority for patch 8.
