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Character affection/"bipolar" Kenny... dissapointed (Spoilers)

StoibsStoibs
edited July 2012 in The Walking Dead
So is anyone else as disappointed as me to how the "affection" for characters is working so far?

SPOILERS FOR EP 2



So I saved Kenny's son at Hershel's Farm, Took his side at the drug store, He helped me up at the end of ep. 1 and was basically my best friend, I gave him and his family the food in ep. 2, didn't call him out and generally agreed with him that we should snoop around the barn.... but because I chose to do what I believe any rational person would do and make sure someone is actually dead before doing anything rash (Like say I dunno, chucking a motherfucking cinderblock through someone's face...) I'm all of a sudden the scum of the earth scumbag?

Every single dialog from then onwards is "Fuck you lee, Asshole"... Seriously? And Lilly is now all chummy with me despite treating both her and her dad like absolute shit so far (just returning the treatment I'm receiving)

This was pretty poor IMO. Feels way too "binary", way too computer gamey; ie "You chose action x - ergo this npc hates you to death regardless of everything else you've done up until this point." I absolutely loved this episode and the game as a whole so far but hoping the relationship system gets a looking at.

Comments

  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    I agree on this matter as i've constantly said when the weather outside if Fair Kennys your friend but when the storm comes he turns on you so he's just a Fair Weather friend.c
  • derelladerella
    edited June 2012
    I was surprised by how quickly Kenny went from being my closest ally to hating my guts. I'm hoping in Episode 3 there is some dialogue between Lee and Kenny that results in some sort of apology.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    Kenny vs Lee fist fight ending in a new friendship
  • zenstratazenstrata
    edited June 2012
    I was really disappointed with kenny's attitude as well. He only cares for people who exactly follow what he wants. The moment someone goes against him in the slightest he swaps over instantly to being completely unreliable. Even going to the extent of betraying the player in life and death situations and trying to get them killed!

    So far the most reliable characters in my game has been carley/doug and clementine. It does feel way too binary as another poster mentioned.
  • MilosuperspeshMilosuperspesh
    edited June 2012
    glad i'm not the only one here who thinks ttg have messed up kenny..

    i think the way it should get sorted is for lee to save kenny or beat the crap out of him to save someone else.. kenny has gone off the deep end...
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    Well we did say we wanted to see other sides to characters So it's really our fault
  • DWCastlesDWCastles
    edited June 2012
    Yeah, the affection system is kind of lackluster. From what I've seen so far, if a character likes you or is affectionate towards you, it adds/changes a line or two of dialogue. It's nothing too amazing, but I'm willing to bare with it, there isn't much you can improve on with a system like unless you want to recording a ridiculous amount of dialogue.

    However, I strongly disagree with people who say TTG messed up Kenny this episode. The Walking Dead as a whole is essentially a story that is morally gray. The characters should match the story. I feel like they're developing Kenny's character correctly.

    In the first episode I had a feeling that there would be a "paragon" storyline and a "renegade" storyline. Kenny's story would be the "paragon," and Larry/Lilly would be the "renegade." I was kind of disappointed after the first episode because I was really looking for a morally gray story and I didn't think I was going to get it.

    In episode two you learn that there really isn't a "paragon" and "renegade" storyline. The game is in fact morally gray and every character has the potential to perform good or bad actions. You can love a character one moment than hate them the next. That blew my mind, you rarely get to see that in games. I applaud TTG for the way they're developing Kenny's character and I hope to see more in the coming episodes.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    Kenny obviously never listened to lee in episode 1. "learn to let it go"
  • BearculesBearcules
    edited June 2012
    I was surprised to by Kenny's behavior too, but at the end of episode two I found myself agreeing a lot more with Lilly and Larry (gasp) than I was with Kenny. Kenny's interest extends only so far as directly protecting his family. He came up short with
    the walkers at Hershel's farm, the first brother at the dairy farm, and smashed in the face of a man having a heart attack. Sure he picked me up off the ground in the drug store,
    but I just don't trust Kenny anymore.
  • Gratefully DeadGratefully Dead
    edited June 2012
    We barely caught a glimpse of these people in episode one. We're starting to see them become more unfolded before our eyes. So to say anyone is 'messed up' is a little off-base I think.

    We knew Kenny before Ep. 2 for about 2 days? Seems like we have a lot to learn... about everyone!
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    try talking to kaatja after helping her with her "patient"
  • macilmacil
    edited June 2012
    I somewhat agree with the OP (but not completely). I do think the character affections may swing a little too hard one way or the other, although I have done a believable job of keeping the peace with everyone in my particular game.

    The radical shift in Kenny's behavior feels somewhat forced, but it could simply be a flaw of his character (rather than a flaw of writing) because (at least in my game) Kenny has now made at least five pretty serious screw-ups:
    #1. Did not attempt to save Hershel's son after Duck was safe,
    #2. Shouted (as in SHOUTED) in the middle of a zombie-infested city (to a zombie): "Hey, how's it going?"
    #3. Killed Larry before confirming he was dead (and didn't instead just wait with the block over his head),
    #4. Rushed to confront Danny / brothers without forming a plan with Lee,
    #5. Didn't lift a finger to help Lee when he was fighting with Danny.
    On top of it, he's now all "Lee you suck, I forgot all about all the stuff you did for me, go to hell."

    At the very least, Kenny is not really the dependable type and I certainly wouldn't want him watching my back. At worst, he's a complete wild card.
  • NessaTNessaT
    edited June 2012
    @ Macil: Funny enough, in my playthough, Kenny helped me with Danny. Lilly on the other hand, didn't help at all and let me fend of Andy on my own. But then again, I helped Kenny kill Larry, so maybe she's mad at me.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited June 2012
    One thing I thing we can agree on is Lilys rescue of Lee with the Scythe is BAD ASS
  • GoldenkrowGoldenkrow
    edited June 2012
    Ah yeah I had this same thing. Has telltale said anything about fixing it? This could turn into a serious issue down the line. I dont mind replaying whatever episodes I need to replay in order to get this fixed
  • StromkoStromko
    edited June 2012
    It made no sense that Kenny turned on Lee that fast. Kenny got his way anyway, Larry got salt-lick'd anyway, and yet that completely changed his opinion of Lee so it's not worth saving him? Wow.

    I think this was an example of the story-split being done too crudely. Obviously if you'd killed Larry, his daughter wouldn't be very happy with you and might hesitate to save you, and this would seem acceptable coming from someone who just lost their only family and only reason to go on. So in that instance Kenny saves you instead.

    But reversed, with Kenny hesitating and Lilly helping you, it makes no sense. His situation is completely different, he still has his family to save. Does he think letting you get killed will help that somehow? I don't think so.

    So in the end, Kenny comes off as a worthless coward or betrayer or both, if you don't take his side on that ONE decision.
  • MilosuperspeshMilosuperspesh
    edited June 2012
    my thoughts are;

    since kenny was worried about his family he went crazy trying to get out and help them, he was helpless locked in a confined space with no way out then suddenly larry 'snuffs' it due to the fact they where locked in he'd just eaten marks legs and possibly worried about the group.

    kenny also may have history of mental problems..

    so in shear blind rage/fury/ anger/ fustration/ or panic he kills larry purely on survival instinct....his reasoning was right if he turned they are all screwed but his timing sucked..
  • GoldenkrowGoldenkrow
    edited June 2012
    Im fine if Larry is a coward, that was the thing I got from him anyway, just thinking about himself and his family. What bothers me is that the game dosnt really seem to recognize the things you did in episode1
  • MarleysativaMarleysativa
    edited June 2012
    You could kind of see this coming in the first episode. Kenny just doesn't have the right tools to lead. He's pretty cowardly and childish. Lilly was a hard ass but she is/was an effective leader. It's hilarious how fast he turned to the behavior he condemned in the first episode.
  • Steve2911Steve2911
    edited June 2012
    I had the exact same experience, sticking with Kenny through and through until he tried to take things too far. I don't see anything wrong with what he DID (I was under no illusions about him being a perfect person while helping him, he obviously cares more for his own family and supporters than everyone else), but his reaction to your decision is way over the top. After he was such a dick to me I decided not to help him loot the car, which was no big deal really.

    Hopefully his character will be expanded a bit in future episodes. I'd still like to reconcile with him at some point.
  • mooneysuzukimooneysuzuki
    edited June 2012
    In my game, i decided to side with Kenny and kill Larry, and it was actually Kenny who saved me during the fight with Danny. Also during the fight with Andy, he had my neck to the fence and Lilly had a shot at Andy but didn't take it. That bitch is dead to me now haha. Kenny's my boy
  • genericHenlegenericHenle
    edited June 2012
    Someone brought up Kenny actually going crazy. I can see this since right after Kenny throws the salt lick/Brick he immediately says, "Im sorry... I didn't mean to... I don't know why..." or something of the sort. So it is plausible that he is just going mad.
  • GoldenkrowGoldenkrow
    edited June 2012
    Im just frustrated that he didnt think I helped protect Duck -.- I helped him out twice! Threatened larry even. Just becouse I suggested we reason with him he is so pissed off? wtf
  • DukeofRandomcatDukeofRandomcat
    edited June 2012
    Yeah, I find myself having to choose between Lilly, Kenny or the right thing. I mean, both of them have character flaws and I try to be rational, but Kenny blew it in the last episode. I really wanted Lee to have a knock at him. I mean, Lee said, "We reason with him" in episode 1. REASON WITH HIM, but that automatically meant I was against Kenny, even though Kenny thanked me for having his back at the end of episode 1.

    The thing is, Lilly pretty much had a change of heart with my Lee after Kenny killed Larry and in retrospect, she does seem like a pretty rational character.
  • NeonBladeNeonBlade
    edited June 2012
    I actually did not treat Lilly or Larry badly. In EP1 I avoided them, I never brought up any conversation with them much, except once with Lilly in Episode 1.

    In Episode 2, I spoke to Lilly and Kenny equally, and I only directly intitiated a conversation with Larry once.

    I act, as I would act in real life. I would avoid you, I wouldn't trust you but I wouldn't out right treat you like a dirt bag. There's no need to constantly cause conflict.

    In anycase my bro for life is Doug, not Kenny. I side with Kenny only when it makes sense, and if it doesn't I make up my own mind. I don't try to please anyone, or get on anyone's side. I try do what is right at the time.
  • WestyboyWestyboy
    edited June 2012
    Definitely agree. The current bug where some of your choices in EP 1 doesn't carry over (IE Kenny saying you endangered his son even though you stood up for Duck...) just adds to the frustration. I ended up hating Kenny at the end of Ep 2, when I came out liking him in Ep 1 and felt like I'd got my permanent apocalyptic buddy.
  • Mr._WokMr._Wok
    edited June 2012
    Stoibs wrote: »
    So is anyone else as disappointed as me to how the "affection" for characters is working so far?

    SPOILERS FOR EP 2



    So I saved Kenny's son at Hershel's Farm, Took his side at the drug store, He helped me up at the end of ep. 1 and was basically my best friend, I gave him and his family the food in ep. 2, didn't call him out and generally agreed with him that we should snoop around the barn.... but because I chose to do what I believe any rational person would do and make sure someone is actually dead before doing anything rash (Like say I dunno, chucking a motherfucking cinderblock through someone's face...) I'm all of a sudden the scum of the earth scumbag?

    Every single dialog from then onwards is "Fuck you lee, Asshole"... Seriously? And Lilly is now all chummy with me despite treating both her and her dad like absolute shit so far (just returning the treatment I'm receiving)

    This was pretty poor IMO. Feels way too "binary", way too computer gamey; ie "You chose action x - ergo this npc hates you to death regardless of everything else you've done up until this point." I absolutely loved this episode and the game as a whole so far but hoping the relationship system gets a looking at.

    The Earth is Bipolar :)
  • TMLCTMLC
    edited July 2012
    macil wrote: »

    #1. Did not attempt to save Hershel's son after Duck was safe,
    #2. Shouted (as in SHOUTED) in the middle of a zombie-infested city (to a zombie): "Hey, how's it going?"
    #3. Killed Larry before confirming he was dead (and didn't instead just wait with the block over his head),
    #4. Rushed to confront Danny / brothers without forming a plan with Lee,
    #5. Didn't lift a finger to help Lee when he was fighting with Danny.

    On top of it, he's now all "Lee you suck, I forgot all about all the stuff you did for me, go to hell."

    You can add to that the fact that at the drugstore, if you try to reason with Larry (what is basically a tentative to waste time until Kaajtia shows that Duck is ok) Kenny puts you at the corner.

    He is very blind when he thinks his family is at risk and he can't see the whole situation. Also, we can say that his is not very trustful. Just hope we argue with him in the future about this event like at the first episode.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited July 2012
    I hope in the next episode
    Kenny: Look we can only have one leader and i think it's obvious who that is
    Lily angrily: Yes it is
    Lee: Your right it is obvious.... It's Me! I'm the one who has to make the hard choices here
  • TMLCTMLC
    edited July 2012
    CapnJay wrote: »
    I hope in the next episode
    Kenny: Look we can only have one leader and i think it's obvious who that is
    Lily angrily: Yes it is
    Lee: Your right it is obvious.... It's Me! I'm the one who has to make the hard choices here

    With Carly/Doug and her gun/laser (Lol) at one side and that new guy at the other this would be easy! :cool:
  • SkippyMcSkipsterSkippyMcSkipster
    edited July 2012
    Kenny is emo, Doug 4 Life
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