For a proper flirting interaction, what about we make small examples to help devs? I am not the seduction-lord, but as far as I go about it, much of the things we like from another person comes from details, body language, timing, mutuality, empathy, uniqueness.
Some of the conversation that would evolve well some flirting is done through e-mail. I think that’s cool, even, but that should be mostly complimentary. I remember Vetra sending me a loving e-mail with <3 as title. She was saying that she was told it was a good thing, when writing that symbol to someone you like. It was super cute! A detail, a caress. I wanted to cuddle her at that moment. But there was no follow up. You’ll never answer that e-mail.
I found Vetra very likely the way I would expect her to be, although there were many times I would go over to her between missions, and only the same starting options would appear. That’s where it needs being fixed. I’ll give an example:
FLIRT: You have anyone special?
Vetra: Oh, you mean … Oh!
Right now I won’t remember the exact words, but she says she didn’t expect you to be romantic. After that conversation, it takes a looooong while for another flirting, and all their talk is basically resumed to academic and the starting conversation.
After that conversation, she sends you an e-mail explaining better about why she is with your crew, and she express her loyalty very clearly.
You could have means to answer those e-mails back, and the flirting option could appear. It doesn’t require voice acting, and you could embellish a bit all the context. Sometimes you could ask her to join you in the galley. Depending on the timing, she could feel uncomfortable, but depending on other flirting moments, she could go, feeling less sheepish.
The scene that you say you love her, Ryder’s facial expression doesn’t help in the slightest, and it also snowballs too fast. You had little interaction with Vetra, and it is very unlikely having an expressionless countenance to express something so important.
Details, attention on details, body language, small favours, small talk, prompt the player into action, and allow the player to prompt back, to answer, interact. That’s what’s missing. Perhaps you don’t need to add more NPCs to have sex or whatever else, if enough and convincing improvements are made upon what we already have.
I really didn't expect seeing an explicit scene between Ryder and Vetra; the evolution of their love would be enough for the feeling of accomplishment. Imagination plays a role there too, and happy ending is rewarding, because you go through hell for the small and good things in life.
Another example: you pick Vetra and Drack for a field trip on Elaaden. You get close to a flower or something like that surviving under the scorching sun. Vetra would comment, "Wow, flowers here, really?"
Which you would reply, "You're here, aren't you?" With a voice as if speaking with something fluffy and cute. She would give that little reserved laugh of hers, and Drack could say: "Awwww...".
