Warning - POTENTIAL SPOILERS
So my friend and I are playing the game in co op, and he warned me about paying attention to Mender Alden since he becomes an important NPC later. And he warned me because the first time he played, he missed him completely and had no idea who he was when it was time to defeat him. The game does foreshadowing, with him asking for help at S,acrament but its a blink and you miss it kind of situation.
And it’s something I notice with a lot of random npc. They seem characterised enough that it’s fun to speak with them, but I find myself wishing the game made quests involving many of the townsfolk and the dasha in the village of Marin.
I am spitballing here, but what if the players can help Mender Alden at least have an audience with the governor? He could still be refused aid, but at least we would get the chance to see the scene where the aid is refused, and he would stick in our minds more. Doesn’t even seem that hard, considering the models are there, and it would be just the chance to ask the governor to lend an ear to Mender. We are Cerim, he knows who we are, at least he would hear what we have to say.
I give this feedback because it feels like such a shame to leave all the work the animators put in npcs, facial animations, and voice acting to the sidelines because of poor quest design. I hope I don’t come across as too harsh. I genuinely want this game to succeed and improve.
Thanks in advance for reading this.
Kind Regards