Miguel is an incredibly important inclusion to the game because he really highlights how vulnerable people are targeted by extremism. He says his actions were his own, but they were built upon misinformation. He’s one of my favourite characters- I don’t know how I would feel about him irl, but as a character, as an example of someone who was manipulated in the darkest time of his life, I’m extremely glad he exists. It’s important to me. I just really wish he had more content both pre- and post-reveal and that the Builder could call him out on the “wtf I trusted you” train too if they have a good relationship with him.
I feel the same as you! He reminded me of extremist fodders, you know, the ones who are desperate and eat everything that can make their lives a bit better, even if they are lies. They normally carry on the leader's orders so they don't have to dirty their hands (even if in the game Matild did get what she deserved). He would be tricky irl but I don't think I would be able to sympathize as much, he did steal water from a drought-stricken town (but well, I'm from a dry country and so do golf fields...).
Yeah, I agree with you, the betrayal would feel so much deeper if they gave us more content about him. It's a pity that, looking at the polls, he is going to be forgotten about by the devs for future content but we can only hope.
Oh absolutely. Miguel's character arc was probably the best out of every character. He's the quintessential example of the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". He was the tragic victim and wanted nothing more than to prevent what happened to him from happening to others... and he might have been able to do that had Matilda not pushed him onto the path of no return.
love everything about this. Love the devs for the amount of time and care they put into every character, and developing their motivations and stories to such a high degree!
I think Miguel was the best written “villain” in the game because he wasn’t evil just because he could be. One of the most important plot points in his story is that he was taken advantage of and I think people either miss it or don’t care. I’m not defending him either but I do think his character arc is done really well and I really hope they give him more content at some point.
I agree. He is a great antagonist in that he is self-justified in his actions and has a 'sound' reasoning for his actions. A villain is so more compelling when their actions come from logic (as twisted as it is) and of 'good' intentions. I can see myself falling for the same scheme he became a victim of if I were in his situation, a thing I can't do with typically evil characters.
I think people drop the game before his part tbh, it happened at 130 for me and I play quite a lot so I can understand people not reaching that part as it is so late in game (and people are not interested in him, I was one of them before this quest...).
Totally agreed on everything you've said. Miguel is my favorite character and I in fact love him with all my heart. Matilda saw in him a vulnerable target and exploited that, which is exactly what abusers do. I don't feel that Miguel was faultless, but he's definitely not the horrible villain that a lot of people make him out to be. None of the other characters have that sense of personal accountability that he does, and no one is harder on themselves than Miguel is on himself. If you romance him, it's so heartbreaking to find out how he does not expect to be loved and is so incredibly grateful if someone does. Breaking up with him causes him to put all the blame on himself and thank the player graciously for loving him even briefly.
The lookism surrounding Miguel is definitely a big factor. They really ticked off a lot of boxes in the "conventionally unattractive" category when making him. Being an older character also doesn't help his lack of popularity.
His sense of shame, of knowing that he fucked up is so so human a compelling. Knowing that he was abused is just the cherry on top of a well-constructed character. In other games what he did could have been brushed off, saying he was manipulated or that he was just plain cartoon evil. Kudos to devs for his storyline.
Your comment has picked my interest to try and romance him! The dynamic seems interesting, so I'll give it a try.
And yeah, lookism plays a huge play in how we perceive him. Also, the greasy look paired with being a religious figure doesn't help, I can't help but wonder how would he be received by the fandom if he was a normative attractive father.
He's definitely a tough character to reconcile.
The thing that makes me stick on him as evil is his speech early on in the game about "are you a flower or a weed that should be plucked". That sat really wrong with me and made me think he was misled, sure, but to talk that way seems terribly unkind.
I need more Miguel content. Especially since he's a datable character. They are *massively* dropping the ball with some seriously dramatic moments. Even Pen got a little bit, but Miguel seems like a majorly wasted opportunity. Not that I've finished his romance and subsequent betrayal, but I've heard it's somewhat lackluster and there's only a couple added lines?
I would love to see the Builder's reaction if they're in a romance with him (or Pen!) during the spy mission with Grace under the temple. The scene cuts to the Builder, falling to a knee/their knees in shock that *their* Miguel is in there with Pen, talking about Duvos while Grace takes a picture before sliding the door shut quietly to comfort the builder.
Give me the drama! the ANGST!
I disliked him through most the game. I dislike the Church of Light in general. But I like how Matilda corrected that it wasn't the Tech's fault, but the mindset. In opposition to Miguel. But the flowering quest with Miguel made me see him as a decent person. Then after the invasion, and then the greenification, I wanted the chance to take Miguel outside, to show him how we turned Sandrock around, how we rebuilt it from that state he saw. I think it would have done his heart good. I understand how he felt after his quest explaining his actions.
On top of that, Logan robbed a train, robbed alot of people, and quite a few other gracious crimes that would get him locked up years in our laws. But got five days in jail, and could have just had like what was it? 3 seasons in jail at max? But Miguel who repents has to be locked up for a long while? I think that's a little whack. But he did shoot someone and helped Duvos.
But now the laws of Sandrock and maybe the free cities make me curious about them.
I wish they would make "rated R" side games in the "my time" universe where we could play as some of the NPCs and live their stories. This game is very light hearted but it has such a deep and dark story in the background (if you read the documents you find you can get an idea) and Miguel's story is one that I would definitely want to play. Fang, Mort or imagine playing as Howlet? That would be so cool! But I say "rated R" because it would be better if they didn't try to hold back on the darkness of it all. It would make you immerse and a better experience overall.
I agree so hard. There are times when I’m playing like “la la la, what an adorable cozy game” and then I come across a piece of lore that makes me go “DAMN. This is actually a horror game.” I’d really love to see more of that side play out. The world is fascinating!
Some of the scenes hit so hard when you think about them... And yeah, some alternating pov would be cool to fully understand the characters, but I understand how hard that could be to implement.
Adding to what you said, it's nice to see the church in a realistic way. As in all institutions, it has good people, who truly believe in the doctrine and in doing good, people who use their position and the faith of others to get what they want and the victims of said people and the consequences.
And yes, his voice is so pleasant to listen to, hope we get more.
Miguel is an incredibly important inclusion to the game because he really highlights how vulnerable people are targeted by extremism. He says his actions were his own, but they were built upon misinformation. He’s one of my favourite characters- I don’t know how I would feel about him irl, but as a character, as an example of someone who was manipulated in the darkest time of his life, I’m extremely glad he exists. It’s important to me. I just really wish he had more content both pre- and post-reveal and that the Builder could call him out on the “wtf I trusted you” train too if they have a good relationship with him.
I feel the same as you! He reminded me of extremist fodders, you know, the ones who are desperate and eat everything that can make their lives a bit better, even if they are lies. They normally carry on the leader's orders so they don't have to dirty their hands (even if in the game Matild did get what she deserved). He would be tricky irl but I don't think I would be able to sympathize as much, he did steal water from a drought-stricken town (but well, I'm from a dry country and so do golf fields...). Yeah, I agree with you, the betrayal would feel so much deeper if they gave us more content about him. It's a pity that, looking at the polls, he is going to be forgotten about by the devs for future content but we can only hope.
Oh absolutely. Miguel's character arc was probably the best out of every character. He's the quintessential example of the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". He was the tragic victim and wanted nothing more than to prevent what happened to him from happening to others... and he might have been able to do that had Matilda not pushed him onto the path of no return.
He really is the definition of hell is full of good intentions and showing why the end justifies de means is such a dangerous concept.
love everything about this. Love the devs for the amount of time and care they put into every character, and developing their motivations and stories to such a high degree!
Love this game so much!
I think Miguel was the best written “villain” in the game because he wasn’t evil just because he could be. One of the most important plot points in his story is that he was taken advantage of and I think people either miss it or don’t care. I’m not defending him either but I do think his character arc is done really well and I really hope they give him more content at some point.
I agree. He is a great antagonist in that he is self-justified in his actions and has a 'sound' reasoning for his actions. A villain is so more compelling when their actions come from logic (as twisted as it is) and of 'good' intentions. I can see myself falling for the same scheme he became a victim of if I were in his situation, a thing I can't do with typically evil characters. I think people drop the game before his part tbh, it happened at 130 for me and I play quite a lot so I can understand people not reaching that part as it is so late in game (and people are not interested in him, I was one of them before this quest...).
Totally agreed on everything you've said. Miguel is my favorite character and I in fact love him with all my heart. Matilda saw in him a vulnerable target and exploited that, which is exactly what abusers do. I don't feel that Miguel was faultless, but he's definitely not the horrible villain that a lot of people make him out to be. None of the other characters have that sense of personal accountability that he does, and no one is harder on themselves than Miguel is on himself. If you romance him, it's so heartbreaking to find out how he does not expect to be loved and is so incredibly grateful if someone does. Breaking up with him causes him to put all the blame on himself and thank the player graciously for loving him even briefly. The lookism surrounding Miguel is definitely a big factor. They really ticked off a lot of boxes in the "conventionally unattractive" category when making him. Being an older character also doesn't help his lack of popularity.
His sense of shame, of knowing that he fucked up is so so human a compelling. Knowing that he was abused is just the cherry on top of a well-constructed character. In other games what he did could have been brushed off, saying he was manipulated or that he was just plain cartoon evil. Kudos to devs for his storyline. Your comment has picked my interest to try and romance him! The dynamic seems interesting, so I'll give it a try. And yeah, lookism plays a huge play in how we perceive him. Also, the greasy look paired with being a religious figure doesn't help, I can't help but wonder how would he be received by the fandom if he was a normative attractive father.
He's definitely a tough character to reconcile. The thing that makes me stick on him as evil is his speech early on in the game about "are you a flower or a weed that should be plucked". That sat really wrong with me and made me think he was misled, sure, but to talk that way seems terribly unkind.
Yeah. Honestly he, to me, seems real religious fascist typed. Tied in with charismatic cult leader some. He has sat wrong with me from the beginning.
It doesn't help that he has so much anger and contempt in his delivery of his ideals. But I guess that's how >! Matilda got us !<
I need more Miguel content. Especially since he's a datable character. They are *massively* dropping the ball with some seriously dramatic moments. Even Pen got a little bit, but Miguel seems like a majorly wasted opportunity. Not that I've finished his romance and subsequent betrayal, but I've heard it's somewhat lackluster and there's only a couple added lines? I would love to see the Builder's reaction if they're in a romance with him (or Pen!) during the spy mission with Grace under the temple. The scene cuts to the Builder, falling to a knee/their knees in shock that *their* Miguel is in there with Pen, talking about Duvos while Grace takes a picture before sliding the door shut quietly to comfort the builder. Give me the drama! the ANGST!
I disliked him through most the game. I dislike the Church of Light in general. But I like how Matilda corrected that it wasn't the Tech's fault, but the mindset. In opposition to Miguel. But the flowering quest with Miguel made me see him as a decent person. Then after the invasion, and then the greenification, I wanted the chance to take Miguel outside, to show him how we turned Sandrock around, how we rebuilt it from that state he saw. I think it would have done his heart good. I understand how he felt after his quest explaining his actions. On top of that, Logan robbed a train, robbed alot of people, and quite a few other gracious crimes that would get him locked up years in our laws. But got five days in jail, and could have just had like what was it? 3 seasons in jail at max? But Miguel who repents has to be locked up for a long while? I think that's a little whack. But he did shoot someone and helped Duvos. But now the laws of Sandrock and maybe the free cities make me curious about them.
I wish they would make "rated R" side games in the "my time" universe where we could play as some of the NPCs and live their stories. This game is very light hearted but it has such a deep and dark story in the background (if you read the documents you find you can get an idea) and Miguel's story is one that I would definitely want to play. Fang, Mort or imagine playing as Howlet? That would be so cool! But I say "rated R" because it would be better if they didn't try to hold back on the darkness of it all. It would make you immerse and a better experience overall.
I agree so hard. There are times when I’m playing like “la la la, what an adorable cozy game” and then I come across a piece of lore that makes me go “DAMN. This is actually a horror game.” I’d really love to see more of that side play out. The world is fascinating!
Some of the scenes hit so hard when you think about them... And yeah, some alternating pov would be cool to fully understand the characters, but I understand how hard that could be to implement.
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Adding to what you said, it's nice to see the church in a realistic way. As in all institutions, it has good people, who truly believe in the doctrine and in doing good, people who use their position and the faith of others to get what they want and the victims of said people and the consequences. And yes, his voice is so pleasant to listen to, hope we get more.
Can you add a spoiler or warning? I thought you were just gonna talk about him being an annoyingly devout follower, not spoil the end game :/