u/FreshPine_MangoWine

I like both of these variants, this is just something I've noticed.

Over the last year or so, people have been talking about both these variants a lot. In the case of Flaxan Mark, people have been pointing to his Flaxan armor (saying that it implies age and or experience) and that he was one of the smarter Marks for attacking an important building like the GDA. Likely only dying due to the fact that Cecil knew of Mark's sound weakness.

Other people think that Flaxan Mark isn't even stronger than the immortal. I'm personally iffy on Flaxan Mark. Cool design. And probably a bit stronger than people give him credit for. But I find it hard to believe that he's a top 5 variant like some of speculated. Especially considering Donald's statment in the show.

Prisoner Mark is a little more weird. And more straight forward. Recently people have been saying he's

*objectively* the strongest variant because it's somewhat implied he died first due to the fact that his Skeleton was the most decomposed, and that Mohawk makes a statement saying that they killed the most annoying variant first (if we’re being real they probably killed Target Mark first if it was based off annoyance) and Ryan Ottley saying they made him look like the toughest on purpose. This one is slightly more believable. I could see prisoner mark being one of, if not the strongest variant in terms of raw strength and potential. But what do you all think?

I think it’s because Javier is already his own, established character. He isn’t a blank slate like most other Telltale or choice game protagonists. While most choice games have the complaint of “your choices don’t really matter” , Javier felt like a guy that you occasionally made minor decisions for. Depending on your choices, he’s still the same guy with maybe an extra quirk or two. Which I didn’t personally mind too much. I liked Javier and New Frontier, but I think that might be one of the reasons why people dislike this season. Even subconsciously. Look at a game like dispatch. The main complaint is that people felt as if they’re choices didn’t matter in the long run. Most if not nobody complains about Robert’s character because you choose how your Robert is.

Going to TWD S1, 2, and 4 Clementine and Lee’s character and relationships are completely up to you. Granted. Most characters’s fates are sealed regardless of choices, but they are much more of blank slates. In S4 you can encourage AJ to be a killer or someone with compassion. In S1 Lee can be best friends with Kenny and always try to save everyone, or he can be someone who only cares about himself and Clementine and gets aggressive with everyone else. In S3, Javier has Gabe. Whom the game sort of implies you’re supposed to be a mentor to. Aside from the possible endings, Gabe doesn’t really have character development throughout the game. Javier’s choices affect people’s fate directly, but rarely people’s perception of you as a character.

Even going to the original 2 life is strange games, they’re also a great example of “blank slate” main characters. Both Max and Sean are completely dependent on how you choose to act throughout the game.

Overall. If I could make a change to New Frontier, I’d make Javier’s personality more flexible. Season 2 is already a bit of a mess but maybe even having Javier in season 2 with a role that actually encourages more people to care about him and his family. Also giving Gabe more character development, and for the love of god. Another love interest besides your Brother’s wife. While I do think a lot people didn’t wanna give the game a chance because Clem wasn’t the main character, I think a lot of criticisms of the game are valid. This season is definitely looked on a tad more favorably than it was a few years ago, which is nice

(Similar to what the GDA does with Donald)