Can you give an in-depth analysis of the Chiara friendship side quest, the Beauxbaton side quest, the Celestial Ball side quest, and the First Date Sidequest?
Oh my… “in-depth analysis”? I’m not even sure I know what you’re expecting. But I’ll try my best!
“Lone Wolf” TLSQ
It was a good side quest overall.
The situation with breaking through to Chiara was pretty similar to Talbott, but at the same time, her backstory was unique enough that it didn’t feel like repetition. And Chiara is an interesting, well-rounded character. I also really liked Snape’s role in all of that and his relationship with Chiara.
There were two things that I didn’t like. First, the fact that the quest triggers both for people who didn’t complete the previous Halloween TLSQ and those who did. As a result, they had to adjust the plot to situations where MC knows and doesn’t know about Chiara being a werewolf. And in my opinion, if MC knows about that, it took them way too long to connect the situation to Chiara, simply making them look dim. I think it could’ve been avoided by making Chiara’s quest trigger only if you completed the Halloween one – so the way it is for Talbott. Of course, then we run into a problem because the Halloween TLSQ activates only once a year when it’s also Halloween in real life, but it wouldn’t be a problem if it triggered simply when you reach a certain point in the story – as it should be.
The second thing I’d like to talk about is Remus Lupin. I know a lot of people were very excited to see him, but for me? Eh, I could live without it. It just was a bit strange once you realised it’s Tonks’s future husband. But more importantly, I think that his reaction and advice for MC were kind of odd and irresponsible. I mean, yes, the whole talk about the power of friendship was sweet and whatnot… But your friends weren’t spending the nights with you in their human forms, Remus. That was the reason why they became Animagi – because werewolves are far less dangerous for animals. Lupin didn’t know if MC is an Animagus, and MC themselves clearly didn’t think to use it. Telling a kid to spend a night with a transformed werewolf who shouldn’t have any control over herself could end up really bad. Lupin was the most qualified to help Chiara to not hurt herself or anyone else, so I believe he should’ve been the one to stay with her. Sure, it could create stupid implications that an adult man is spending the night with a teenage girl, but like… we’re risking the kid’s life otherwise. Or they could’ve come up with an entirely different solution. Just, don’t tell me Lupin’s advice was to tame a werewolf with the power of friendship…
“Hosting The Beauxbatons” TLSQ
It was… all right? It might not be my favourite, but it wasn’t bad.
I was a bit annoyed by Penny’s involvement, but it’s mostly because of her general overexposure. Still, I believe she could’ve been easily replaced by another character. Also, I think that the whole cover about the transfer to Hogwarts was unnecessary and, in fact, should’ve worked in Aurélie’s disadvantage. Rowling actually stated that Hogwarts, in particular, serves only Britain and Ireland, so technically, such transfer was rather unlikely to happen. I think they could’ve said that it’s simply the exchange. Rowan would notice that Aurélie acts weirdly anyway. Oh, and MC was pretty dim with figuring it out again. I’d just like them to be a little brighter sometimes, y’know.
While I can’t say I’m Aurélie’s biggest fan, she definitely grew on me as a character throughout the story – and I suppose it was the intention so I’d say it’s a job well done here. The addition of her brother as the motivation for her research was a pretty neat idea, even if comparing it to MC and Jacob felt a bit like a reaching, in my opinion. Part of me also wishes Aurélie was a boy, simply to remind people that Beauxbatons is not a female-only school, despite what was shown in the movie.
Finally, I quite enjoyed the whole plot with Nicholas Flamel. It was a pretty good mix of small mystery and fanservice. I’ve also seen a theory that it could be the Philosopher’s Stone that’s in the final Cursed Vault (check it here!). Personally, I prefer if anything that’s inside there was an entirely original idea – just as the Vaults themselves – but still, it’s something worth to consider.
The Celestial Ball TLSQ
I enjoyed a big part of this quest, and my biggest complaint about it is that they turned it into the romance quest when the majority of it was simply about friendship.
The part I enjoyed the most was probably Rowan and Ben, and I actually don’t see it as “forcing” them to go the Celestial Ball. In my opinion, it was shown well that the main reason why they didn’t want to go at first was because they thought they’re not good enough: they talked about things like nobody would want to go with them, that they’re too awkward. And that’s what MC was working on later – not just on changing their minds, but mainly on their self-confidence. Both Rowan and Ben definitely need that so it was pretty great to see it. Another character who was treated nicely here was Bill who overcame his rejection from Emily Tyler. It was just delightful to watch if you ask me.
Unfortunately, it was kind of ruined by the requirement of choosing a date for the last part. I still think that it’s such a shame that we didn’t get a route where MC could decide that they just want to have fun with all their friends. Especially that everyone else went single. Jam City basically said that you can’t enjoy the school dance without a date, and it’s kind of ridiculous.
I also think that placing this quest in year 4 was rather an odd decision, even if only because both Merula and Ismelda were datable options. Don’t get me wrong, I do love Ismelda as a character, and if you want to romance Merula – you do you. However, MC’s relationship with both of those girls was still definitely more negative in the main story at that time, so it just is rather out of place. It’d make more sense to happen in year 5, although, then we have a problem with Beatrice being trapped, and it’d be odd to organise the ball when all school is afraid of the Portrait Curse… which brings me to the next point.
“First Date!” TLSQ
Dating was never very high on my priority list for this game. I thought it could be fun but no pressure from me, y’know. But now, I see that Jam City is not handling it very well, reducing romanceable options etc. So to be honest, I think it’d be better to not introduce romance to the story at all. Just leave it to people’s headcanons. Of course, you can say that the players were demanding that, but I believe it was mostly because the devs declared very early on that there will be dating. And it was a mistake, in my opinion, as it created expectations they’re not prepared for.
I simply think that it’d be better to invest time and work from dating content into something everyone can enjoy, and what could potentially have a bigger impact on the main story. Develop characters in general, develop their friendships with MC AND between each other. Show us our friends who rarely interact with each other. Perhaps there’d be some conflicts between them, or on the contrary, they’d discover that they get along surprisingly well!
But that being said, let’s move to the quest since that’s what the question was about. I played it myself only recently on my replay account. In general, I’d say that it was a mix of cringy and adorable, and to be fair, I suppose it’s pretty much how teenage romance is. I was probably the most bothered by the whole note situation, yet I know it’s something a teenager could do so… The quest could’ve been initiated differently and better, but I can accept it. Surprisingly, I wasn’t really troubled by the situation with Tonks. I mean, yes, it wasn’t the right thing to do. However, I feel like friends/older siblings checking on a protagonist’s date is a pretty common cliché in teenage stories, and the quest is basically a bunch of such clichés, so I guess I can as well just deal with them all.
I hope I covered at least part of the things you were expecting. If I didn’t address something you’re interested in, feel free to ask!
17 notes
·
View notes