True, BUT! Think about this: We're seeing Graham when he's young, and we're seeing him grow up as the chapters go along. But he's not the badass we know and love clearly in this first chapter (Bravery path or not), he's a dorky kid who is seen as the underdog to all these other Knights. That's why I like the branching paths thing for this new game- Graham's brave, humble and clever... but which do we emphasize here, hm? That sounds like character development, something even TSL didn't do, to me. Yes, he had a personality, but I never saw Graham grow or change as a character throughout the episodes so far. In this one, it's clear that they're actually trying to do that, just from what I've been reading in the articles.
I was actually talking to RK about it a few weeks ago, and he did bring up a few points where Graham showed personality in 5... Hang on, let me find it...
Aha!
"5 for the most part. It established Graham as humble (for example, not wanting to be called 'Your Majesty' or even 'King'), Graham was modest. Graham was compassionate - saving the rat from the cat, helping the ants and the bees - all the most defenseless creatures from big bullies - and Graham was brave. Graham was also tricky - sating the Witch's ego by giving her the Bottle - and he was snarky ("Oh, I didn't know this was a PRIVATE forest - do you OWN it?)"
I'm assuming the brave bit was the Mordack battle. I did say that it wasn't really noticeable all that much back then, and most probably wouldn't see it right away, because they were distracted by the hammy acting and the nonsensical puzzle solutions so much that they didn't care about the personality of Graham.
I will concede that he was a blank slate in the first two. I think the first AGI adventurer I saw that had a personality was Sonny Bonds. That's why I like the AGDI verse so much! Also, you forgot one moment in KQ2+: Getting rid of the Enchanter once you have the Emerald made! That is one of my FAVORITE scenes in the game!
I also concede that while yes, saving the rat and the bees is a nice thing to do, the problem that rises from that in his defense is that it's REQUIRED to do so to beat the game. If you don't help the bees or save the rat, you're f***** six ways to Sunday before you realize it. Compassion is going out of your way to help someone, yes, but this sense of compassion is forced upon us and thusly it feels more than a little cheap.
Compare this to, say, the Paladin from Quest for Glory. Yes, there are a few things that you must logically do to become one and if you screw that up, then you've missed out on it in the second game. But take the third game, for instance. Saving the Meerbat is required, yes, but that's for every class. However, one thing you can do that ISN'T required is use your Healing Pills after you rescue it, and the text outright says that you're putting their needs before yours even though you've been injured from the vines yourself.
I don't really remember him being all that annoyed with Cedric, save for the end. "Come ON, Cedric!"
But really, I've kinda taken Edward calling Graham his "finest Knight" with a grain of salt because, like you said, blank slate in KQ1. Looks like we'll be seeing if he's worthy of that title soon... July 28th can't come soon enough...
I had something else I wanted to say, but can't remember what it is.
