The One Problem With The Witcher Franchise...

[endtherapture]

I find it

The only issue I had with the game in terms of story is that Geralt is more or less forced to choose to aid the lesser evil in both games.

In the first game, he has to either help the Flaming Rose or the Scoia'tael.

In the second game, he has to either help Roche or Iorveth.

The thing is, you're never really given any incentive to join the elves, both sides are racist and do things to escalate the situation. But the Scoia'tael are always the worst of the bunch, robbing banks, holding children hostage, etc...

In the second game it really takes the cake, you meet and interact with Roche long before getting a chance to meet Iorveth, and when you do meet him, he tries to kill you. When you finally get the chance to choose sides, he still hasn't given you a good reason to join him, and considering he tried to kill you, why the hell would you join him?

I had little trouble siding with Iorveth. You're obligated to work with him at one point, and if you'd just been left to your own devices you'd have solved the game's plot then and there (IE: when yourself and the Scoia'tael corner Letho and Roche decides it would be a wonderful idea to start an open battle with them right before you finish him off). And seeing as how Iorveth seems perfectly happy to cooperate with you provided you gave him his sword, and his only crimes are killing the jerkoff plebians I made this thread to hate on? Working with him didn't present much of a problem for me. Besides, he's charismatic.

Vernon Roche on the other hand? I met him, saved the king's life *twice* in his presence, and then when it was convenient for him he had me thrown in prison and beaten like dusty rug for 24 hours. Shortly thereafter he press-ganged me into service under the threat of torture and death. And when I told him that both he and his maggot collection of a king no longer concerned me? He got in my face like I was betraying *his* trust. I wish I'd had the option to feed the prick to the Kayran.

I found it very hard to side with Iorveth. Roche isn't a noble, so he doesn't have his blood to protect him or Foltest anymore. He's pretty much putting his life and livelihood on the line to gamble with Geralt and take a chance on helping him. He puts himself out so much for Geralt, and just betraying him for Iorveth feels incredibly wrong.

 

[Chaosut]

You're reaction is basically the trope 'Darkness-induced Audience Syndrome'. Not sure if that helps to point it out though.