I don't agree with you.
For example, Gale and Astarion are popular as romance characters, Wyll is not so popular. So, make Astarion or Gale gay, and you'll see the crowd come out with torches, figuratively speaking. The same thing will happen if you close Gale or Astarion for LGBT, the hype will be incredible. In a bad way ofc. I've already seen this on Mass Effect forum. Believe me. Anyway I believe that all characters can be traced to their true tastes. But give possibility of romance to everyone, and at least no one will complain.
Are they popular with male or female players? With male or female main characters? How popular is popular? Do 70% of the players romance them? More? Less? Do you have those numbers?
In regards to the crowd and torches, I agree. But that says nothing about what the majority of players want. It just acknowledges a vocal, aggressive group.
Larian has these numbers. And they have already said that the most romanceable character is Gale, and the most discussed (or popular) is Astarion. It was in one of their posts. Just statistics. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine the gender, because women can play male characters and man can play female characters. So trying to find out the gender statistics is pretty useless.
The weight of discussion 'romance' in this game generates is comical out of proportion.
Nothing new? Romance are the most discussed thing if game have this. Or do you think the popularity bioware games came from a deep plot or mechanics? Please, we just wanted to kiss lizard.
The story of Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 were absolutely the draw.
It wasn't the romance.
The romances in BG2 make an absolute embarrassment of this games romance options BTW.
The draw to you maybe. You're in no position to generalise about everyone else.
The main story to BG2 isn't that complex. Mad wizard abducts you, you escape, rescue Imoen, get back your soul, kill baddie. The story to one is even more bare. You go through 60% of the game before you hear the name Sarevok and 90% before you realise he's the same guy you met that killed Gorion. Nothing drives you as a player to follow the main story, except quest givers and it's a videogame, so why not?
What made them popular to my mind was they were first games that married (for then) decent graphics, with videogame concepts and the world of d%d and Faerun. Done with humour. And, when it came to BG2 great characters. And yes, romance. I remember reviews making a big deal of it back then.
Story wise Planescape Torment and Mask of the Betrayer are better arguably thematically with more player agency, a more complex central conceit. But BG is regarded as more of a classic. That's because BG did other things right too, especially 2. Great battles, puzzles, a great performance from David Warner, a few superb dungeons, interesting enemies.
Overall you have to look at BG as a whole, 2 1/2 games to judge its story. You're comparing this to one act of EA. The story of BG3 is the thing that's got me most excited.
Also, if you rate the romances in BG2, try out Anomen's. You're in for a shock.
I quite like the Shadowheart scene. You share a bottle of wine, looked at the stars and she may or may not confide a bit in you
A lot of people enjoy dnd because it let's you roleplay a character. Kinda sounds like you look down on these types of people.
