We have the same saying where I live, Argentina, where we speak spanish..If you get to choose between two options, it might indeed not be 'open', but it's still multiple-choice. If one choice is lacking - both plot and content wise - why is that choice there at all? We have a saying here in the Netherlands that roughly translates to: 'do something well, or don't do it at all' - which I feel is perfectly applicable here.
All we are doing is advocating for the second choice to be done well - which is in our opinion not the case at the moment. Just to be clear, it is not a comparative problem. We do not feel Yen is done better, so Triss has to be done better, no. We just want Triss to be done right - she deserves it.
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This is not a not a quality argument whatsoever. No one here is complaining about how the Triss scenes were done. If anything we have nothing but praise for them.
This has to do about quantity, or lack thereof. And how that lack is replaced with scenes from apparently other routes.
Regarding choices and consequences, I can understand (and love) that the unexpected might happen sometimes. A prime example of unforeseen consequences could be the fate of the baron, depending on what you with a certain decision. While you a doing that quest, you have no clue about what might happen. In hindsight though, the results make perfect sense.
Which bring us to Triss and the whole topic idea behind this thread. Take for example the memorable scene at the docks. She is leaving, Sigi asks you if you are going to ask her to stay.
You have three options. Bid her farewell, ask her to stay (which opens another choice for either path) and I love you. So essentially it boils down to two paths.
She stays or not.
Triss has been making her heart stronger so she can try move on. Then Geralt comes along and turns her world upside down again.
And on that port, she's on the verge, wants to stay badly but doesn't know if Geralt will welcome her or if he will return with Yen.
It is literally the moment of truth for both of them.
If you tell her to go, I'll miss you, then she understands their story is finally over. She moves on, goes with the mages to Kovir and starts a new life. Very sad outcome but makes perfect sense.
If you tell her those three words, which apparently Geralt has a very hard time uttering, she stays. She understands this time Geralt has already reunited with Yennefer and yet has still chosen her.
No more deception, amnesia, nothing. Both are aware of that. Geralt knows what Yen fully well means to him, knows what Triss means to him and he chooses Triss. Freely and willingly.
Whatever she felt upon their reunion, Triss is made aware, clearly, that Geralt felt the same. She has her answer. Her feeling are reciprocated. And so she stays with Geralt and bids the mages and whatever alternative life she planning goodbye. Because she is getting what she wants now and doesn't have to move on, she can stay where she'll find happiness.
They go to the lighthouse, share a pleasant conversation, have an intimate moment. And yet, she cannot stay and help him find Ciri (her sister), because, she has shit to do?. Ok, she was leaving on the boat, leaving everything behind, clearly implying she had no unfinished business in this area of the world.
And now that finally her wishes have come true, the man she loves has reciprocated and he is in an important mission to find someone very dear to him, who incidentally happens to be very dear to her as well, she suddenly, can't help. Either I'm missing something very important or this doesn't make sense logically at all.
Anyway, moving on, let's assume she has MORE important stuff to do that she just remembered. And somehow that stuff is more important that staying with the man she loves and finding her sister. Ok, actually I can't assume but let's just continue for the sake of argument.
So she goes on to do that "important stuff" and they agree to meet in Kaer Morhen. Except she goes to Kovir anyway and doesn't return until Yennefer somehow reminds her that there was a situation at home and her help would be welcome. WHAT?
For real, I dare anyone to find a reasonable explanation, in character and within context, for these two things to happen. Even in hindsight, after the epilogue and having seen everything the story has to offer in this regard, I draw a blank.
No unforeseen consequences or information that Geralt wasn't privy at the time.
Only option that could make sense in the two scenarios is that everything she said is a lie and she doesn't really care about Geralt or Ciri, which directly contradicts with both her actions prior to the lighthouse and after the batlle of KM. Not to mention it invalidates the whole arc with her and destroys her character.
Another option that somebody might bring up is that she had to "secure" employment in Kovir as soon as possible and couldn't wait. Not even mentioning the ridiculousness of the idea, that she would somehow prioritize that over risking the lives of both the love of her life and her sister by leaving them alone against an overpowered enemy, that situation "in hindsight." is already answered in the fountain scene.
First, because she explains she had already contacted the king before her whole exodus plan was put in motion. So there was no actual need for her to go.
Second, because she states that even though she would love to get into politics, upon Geralt needing more time she replies, "If you don't want this. I'll turn it down. What I really want is you. To be together." And Geralt then confirms she doesn't have to give up on anything. Another beautiful scene between the two.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, I just wanted to get the point across. What they made, it was perfect. It is what they didn't, creating a hole in the narrative, that's the problem.
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Basically my point is that there needs to be case made and not just an outcry for Triss content because you're left sad at the end. It's about creating a pitch to convince the devs AND the rest of the player base and not just about making a lot of noise.
The case is simple, the narrative is flawed and is harming the experience of an otherwise excellent game.
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