#and i really realllllly saw how terrible louis' choices are

[zvkos]

The Problem With Bias In S4 of TWDG

I'm sure this topic has been spoken about before, but I need to get this out of my system because my GOODNESS the choices in season 4 (in regards to Louis and Violet) suck ass! There's a clear bias between the two and I'm going to explain how below.

OKAY! SO! Going into TWDG s4, playing it for the VERY first time without learning about any of the new characters, we come from three previous games about survival. In one of them, we play as Lee, trying our best to survive, protecting Clementine, and teaching her about survival. In another, we play as Clementine trying her best to survive. In another, we see Clementine on her own as a hardened survivor. For THREE games, we -- as a player -- are trained to put survival first and foremost.

Then comes season 4.

Clem is new to the boarding school and for the first time, is surrounded by her peers. Very quickly, we learn a little bit about Louis and a little bit about Violet. It's not until Marlon gives Clem the choice to either hunt with Louis & Aasim or fish with Violet & Brody that we have to opportunity to really learn about them.

This is the first instance of bias.

When Marlon is describing the different trips, he says something like: Violet and Brody are going to go fishing, hopefully they get along enough to get some work done. When describing the hunting trip, he says: Louis and Aasim are heading to the hunting grounds. Well, Aasim will, anyway. Louis... I just hope he shows up.

We learn two things about Louis and Violet here -- One, Violet doesn't get along with Brody. Two, Louis slacks off.

Hmmmm. I don't know about you, but to me, one outweighs the other. Especially as a player who has learned to prioritize survival. Violet doesn't get along with Brody? That's fine, Clem has been in groups before where not everyone has gotten along. However, if we go with Aasim and Louis, he might not even show up -- which leaves us short a man, putting us more at risk.

Now you might be thinking: "Wow, you're thinking really hard about this choice. It's not that serious." Except IT IS. For the simple fact that whoever you choose in this decision is the character you learn the most about. If you go with Violet, you learn why she's so closed off and bitter. If you go with Louis, you learn why he goofs off and doesn't take much seriously. This choice is literally the first step down whatever route you decide to do.

I've seen soooooo many people decide to go with Violet due to the fact that Marlon says “Louis might not even show up.” A LOT of people miss the opportunity to learn more about why Louis acts the way he does, therefore leaving him as a one-note, slacker, class clown type. He barely has any depth. He's just the guy that flirts with Clementine. That's it. There's no real reason to appeal to him since you spent the least amount of time with him. (Oh yeah! AND Marlon is his best friend!)

AND THEN COMES EPISODE 2.

A.J shoots Marlon dead, Louis is PISSED at A.J and Clementine. (Rightfully so, I might add.) Violet, however, sticks up for Clem. She's on her side because she's pissed at what Marlon did. (Rightfully so, I will add again.) Once again, I've seen MAJORITY of people write Louis off in this episode. They're pissed that he's pissed at Clem & A.J. They don't want anything to do with him. Meanwhile, Violet is by your side throughout the episode.

In what UNIVERSE does a brand new player see this, and is like: "Well, I still like Louis better." I haven't seen a single one. It doesn't even make any sense to put the romance option in this episode because of the CRAZY imbalance between characters.

Should you romance Violet, the girl who wanted you to stay, who defended you, who (up until this point) likes you the most?

Or should you romance Louis, the guy who is pissed at you and A.J, who voted to kick you out, who demanded A.J give him the gun before you both left for the wilderness, and ignored you for a bit when you were back?

HELLO? In what WORLD are these routes equal?

Yes, Louis apologizes later, but by this point most people have a grudge against him and don't take it seriously. Or worse, they tell him to fuck off.

AND THEN to make matters WORSE, the big branching off decision is in THIS EPISODE. And, wow... Wow, this choice is literally one of the most biased choices I've ever seen in a decision-based game!!!!

You can either: check the defenses with Violet before the big fight, OR, play piano with Louis.

Before the big fight that will get people killed. You can either: CHECK THE DEFENSES WITH VIOLET OR PLAY PIANO WITH LOUIS.

PLAY PIANO? BEFORE A WAR?

WHAT?

Who in their ABSOLUTE RIGHT MIND would chose to play piano with Louis? Hell, I wouldn't choose to go with Louis and he's my favorite character in the game!!!! Once AGAIN, majority of people go with Violet (because it makes the most sense!!) and they lose the opportunity to learn more about Louis and bond with him. At this point, you're on Violet’s path -- whether it's platonic or romantic.

I know K*nt said the difference between Violet and Louis is "staying alive vs. feeling alive" but they went about it soooo completely wrong it BOGGLES my mind how they thought their routes were equal. I'd love to go more in depth on how I would've set their paths up, but this post is already super long and I'm rambling. Also, before I get any hate, I want everyone to know I DO NOT hate Violet. I do NOT hate Violentine. I think Vi is a great character, and if you like Violet and Clem over Clem and Louis, hey! That's awesome. I just personally believe the game is tilted towards her and wanted to share my frustrations.

tl;dr -- season 4 of twdg has terrible, biased choices in regards to Violet and Louis, the game is always pushing you to Violet and gives you no reason to choose Louis.