These past few pages are so negative. What did everyone LIKE about the story?
I actually found Kid Mantis to be one of my favorite parts of the story. A super powerful psychic who gets fiddle'd by others because he's an innocent kid. They made Volgin coming back seem plausible. Mantis' story arc with crashing the plane when V woke up was really interesting (this is being talked about on the radio the second time V wakes up if you listen). He looks way cooler than than any other character sans Ponytail Snake. Him bonding with Eli was a nice touch. I loved how he took on the visual characteristics of the people he was channeling at the time.
As for the bolded, if it had been handled better Quiet's story was excellent. In many ways she was the best thing about the game.
The main story beats:
1. She's a Cipher assassin, sent to kill BB, but fails and is essentially burned alive. (Note: Interesting set-up for a character, she potential motivations for various actions regarding Skullface and BB/Venom already)
2. Skullface uses magic (parasites) to make her into a superhuman, and sends her back to kill BB (who's now actually Venom).
3. She tries to snipe Venom but fails again. However he spares her life. (Note: this kind of important moment between two characters setting up a dynamic relationship essentially NEVER happens in this game other than now.) This obviously sets up a conflict as her mission is still to kill him.
4. There is intrigue at her reluctance to talk. Venom decides to keep her around but acknowledges he might have to kill her. (Now we know both characters might kill the other, but both have reasons not to. Venom because he's a nice guy and would like info on Cipher, Quiet because her life has been saved.)
5. As the parasite thing comes to light, it becomes clear that Quiet is infected, and this is why she does not speak. The early intrigue successfully resolved in a way that makes sense.
6. Due to the last point, she could kill them all with words (clever plot by Skullface here) but is choosing not to. A noble sacrifice, which is obviously because she refuses to kill Venom because of him sparing her life. The assassin is reforming. Scene with Code Talker where she finally speaks confirms this.
7. Various cutscenes as well as the ingame missions show her bond with Venom growing, and them making an awesome team. The relationship grows. The player, too, grows attached to her.
8. The virus mutates leading to disaster, and it becomes clear to Quiet that she is still a threat. She leaves. Again, a noble decision, but one they can't let stand as she's dangerous. Something needs to be done. She's promptly captured for whatever reason.
9. Venom goes after her and it's unsure whether he'll kill or save her. (Well, it's supposed to be.) They save each other's lives in an epic showdown.
10. Venom is fatally wounded and the only thing that can save him is a medivac. The medivac only speaks English. This is the perfect culmination of the entire arc - All of the above points, from her original mission, to the infection, to her relationship with boss, mean you can see the gears turning as she struggles with the idea of sacrificing herself.
11. She does, and in doing so removes the threat of the virus and essentially ends her own life, for reasons that make complete sense and were shown step by step through the game. The player, like Venom, is left with the pain of losing her. The plot arc leaves no threads hanging.
THAT is reasonable storytelling. THAT worked. Each beat made sense and they were spread out properly. Now, seeing her frolick with Boss in the rain but be tortured by him 5 minutes later after a sideop is why I'm saying it's not perfect. The most fully realised character in the game being used mostly for ridiculous fanservice is why it's not perfect. But it was the best part of the entire story. Sometimes it felt like the entire game was about Quiet, to be honest.
