Expanded romance dynamics

[osea_sweden]

Hi, I loved the intra-group dynamics in BG2 where evil NPCs would clash with good and certain relationships would arise. I was also in particular fond of the romance system which was, although limited, very satisfying.

If there ever will be a new BG game this should be implemented for greater variety

- Same sex relationships with PC and NPC
- More possible romances (thus more jealousy and more conflict resolution)
- Available options to speak (and flirt) and purchase gifts to flatter your romance partner not just passively wait for a dialogue window to pop up.


I know for a fact that Planescape Torment had the option to speak to NPCs and thus flirt with them. I think in general you should be able to converse freely with your companions as to develop a greater relationship with them and learn something about their personality.

**EDIT**

I think NPCs should show some interest and interact automatically with the PC while you as the PC are free to choose whom to pay attention to (that would imply that if a romance fails and you have rejected an alternative romance previously it will be much harder to try and win over the one you rejected). I also think some rules should determine the success of a romance relating to charisma, strenghts, wisdom, intelligence, race etc of the PC. So that a mage NPC for example would be more attracted to a PC with high intelligence and thus entail different conversations of say highly eloquent nature.

[Kipi]

You have good points there.
I myself liked the romance system also, made things more interesting.

I also agree with you points about how some things should be changed, and here are some additions I can think of:
It was at times a bit annoying to just get those pop-up-dialogies, especially when those didn't actually check if the time would be good for such discussion. Once I got such dialogie with Jaheira in the middle of fight
IMO a bit bad situation of talking dreams and relations...

Also, like you said, it was too NPC-oriented. You didn't have much change to affect when and where those discussions came up, you just had to make correct statements when those situations rose up. A bit non-realistic if you ask me. That's why I also liked your idea of being able to purchase things to attract someone.

But in general those romances were interesting, and should be implied to new game also. But some changes must be done, in the way those were in BG2 it won't do. And also, in BG2 the romances were VERY buggy, making sometimes it even more attractive to NOT have a romance, when you wasn't able to be sure if you are going to face bug that may even ruin your whole game.

[Sononara]

Really? I've never experience any bugs.
I agree with you both, it was annoying just having to wait for the convo's. With kesley, they had taken a step in the right direction, actually letting you interact with him at will, but they failed to take it further, unfortunatley.

[Alatáriel]

Personally I would like to see more romance options for those of us playing as female characters. In BGII the only option is a romance with Anomen. I find Anomen equally annoying as mosquitos, therefore I never have him in my party - and never have tried the romance-part, although I've played the game several time over the years. I actually considered playing as a male character once, just to experience a romance.

So I hope they make more romance options for BGIII. That would be cool.

[TheCrazdPariah]

Yeah the timing for romances was slightly glitchy at best. I understand that romances should take some time but it shouldn't take so long. I was romancing aerie on my first play through and beat the game before she ever gave birth. That's the birth of my son i missed. It also might be nice to exchange gifts instead of you getting everything, she/he might also have something for you once you get to a certain point. Good points from everyone though.