Cyber-Romantic Letdown?

Something that consistently happens while I'm gaming is that I will be trying to find a solution or some info and I will stumble upon an intriguing thread or series of opinions.  (FYI:  The Cyberpunk 2077 obsession is still going strong.  It feels weird to enjoy something so much that so many people find extremely disappointing--but I'm just gonna bask in my obsession until the feeling wanes) I was haplessly Googling if there was a bug with Judy's text messages (because in one of the exchanges you tell her to send pics and those pics never show up...I just want my damn Judy pics!) and I noticed a large number of threads about how disappointing many players found the romantic options in Cyberpunk 2077.  Romantic options in video games are one strange area that people seem to care A LOT about--I find that interesting, and, I will admit that it's also something that I enjoy.  I can't say that my initial reaction was to be disappointed, but I can agree with some of the arguments that many of the threads made.  However, I don't agree with all of the arguments.

One of the first things I considered was the nature of the story in Cyberpunk 2077.  Central to the story is the idea that V is living on borrowed time--a narrative part of the game that is conflicting (V needs to find a solution...STAT!  But, you know, not before he/she has done 900 gigs...it's definitely a part of the story where you have to suspend reality).  Does V have time for a big, involved relationship (which was an argument I saw over and over--that the romances lack depth)?  Sure, there was a part of me that wanted more interaction with my LI of choice (AKA Judy), but does V have the time to be arranging romantic dates and spending time doing non-mercenary activities?  Seems like a bit of a stretch to me, but we can all dream.  Let's let this be an exercise in an argument that doesn't make a ton of narrative sense.

Kerry and Us Cracks

Another major criticism was about the lack of romantic options and the need for more choices.  Players get one lesbian/gay choice (Judy for female V; Kerry for male V) and one straight choice (River for female V; Panam for male V)...and that's it.  Each romanceable character gets a series of side missions (Judy and Panam are also involved in the main storyline, so there are more interactions with them) that help establish backstory, establish the relationship, and then seal the deal with a sexual encounter.  I think it would be fun to have more choices--especially choices that seem to align with V's lifepath choices. 

Here are some other options floating around in my Cyberpunk addled brain:

1.) Another mercenary--maybe someone you bump into in the Afterlife or run into while doing a job.  Think of how much V and fictional LI mercenary would have in common?  They're trying to climb the NC mercenary ladder too; they're an expert at killing and/or light maiming (I prefer non-lethal options)--just imagine the possibilities!  Maybe it could provide some opportunities for joint mercenary work?  I like it!  Now, start piecing together your headcanon smokin' hot mercenary LI in your brain.  I picture a mission gone wrong, lots of gunfire, a well-timed rescue combined with some light flirtation...that's how it begins.

Theo and Brendan--a doomed friendship

2.) Theo!  Poor girl just lost her best friend (a vending machine with a powerfully tuned conversation algorithm that allowed it essentially become a therapist that could also dispense tasty drinks) and her current relationship seems to be falling apart.  She seems nice...maybe a little too nice for V, but I just feel bad for her.

3.) Characters with ties to specific gangs.  Maybe dating someone from Maelstrom or an Animal is too weird (Dum Dum does get those fancy teeth though....or maybe you have a special kink for roided out physiques...), but it could be interesting to find a Tyger Claw, Valentino, or 6th Street option.  Gang involvement could provide some decent story material and/or conflicts.

4.) A corpo.  It's the one option with ties to one of V's lifepath choices that needs a correlating relationship choice.  Corpos are all sorts of horrible, but maybe it could be one who's not a hopeless asshat?  Maybe someone who hires V for some sort of corpo espionage type thing and then gets attached?  For me, this seems like another narrative stretch, but I've seen lots of clamoring for this option.

Here are some suggestions I saw that I don't like:

Takemura is not 'ship material!

1.) Takemura.  Really?  I like Takemura as a character, but it's very clear he has one concern and one concern only--Arasaka and his loyalty to them.  He opens up to V and you get the opportunity to learn about him, but it's clear that his involvement with V is one of necessity...and that's it.  He views V as an idiot street thief who was dumb enough to try to steal from the most powerful corp in the world.  V is a means to an end and that's it.  (*If you rescue Takemura and then choose the non-Arasaka ending he leaves you a nasty holo message that you view during the credits--saving his life but sinking his beloved corp is a brutal end to your relationship).

2.) Misty.  Look, Misty is cute, sweet, and caring...bur she's your best friend's girl!  That's just wrong on so many levels.  It doesn't matter that Jackie's not around any more...clear that thought from your gonk brains!

A serious "romance in video games" topic that I think warrants more discussion and/or analysis is male LI's.  I've noticed a definite trend in RPG's that provide "romantic" scenarios that there are fewer male options and that those options tend to be fairly bland.  In Cyberpunk it's clear that Judy and Panam are the standout relationship options and they both get fleshed out storylines and a lot of attention.  River and Kerry get a chain of side missions, but nowhere near the level of detail as the female LI's.  I am curious as to why this is the case--I'm almost completely sure it's because the player base tends to skew male.  I did find it interesting that they made Judy the female-only choice as she's a fan favorite.

Personally, I would like to see some better male options (gay or straight) in video games.  It feels like the hetero-male relationship always falls along a "good guy" kind of storyline--River is the "good" cop; he's invested in his family--he's a stellar example. (*I will fully concede that playing Big Trouble in Heywood with River's niece and nephew is one of my favorite moments in the game.)  That archetype has been played out and I want some variety!  (This is where my fictional corpo could come in!) I find Kerry to be more interesting, but I don't have the background knowledge to say what makes a good gay option.

One part of the game (romance-wise) that I did feel disappointed in was the fact that most of the endings don't include a good sense of closure with your romantic partner.  V gets one phone call to tie things up...and, depending on the ending you choose, differing levels of closure.  (Buuut, is the game really about V finding love?  Should I care about this at all?  It seems dumb, but I think it says something about the quality of the writing and characters that it was something that I found myself concerned about)