In general, I think the other big thing that really kills me with route removal beyond removing a happy ending which is 95% of the reason why people play Otome games is there was still a lot of potential for their stories.
Lysander and Castiel were so close and I feel like of all the characters, Lysander also had a lot of passions we never really got to see in action. Even if he found a new respect on the farm through his love for his family (which was always clear) and I’m sure he’s still writing, I still can’t see him giving up his love of performing too. I think it would’ve been interesting to see him balance it all while learning to be more open with what he was struggling with. We only started seeing glimpses of that towards the end.
Kentin, even though he got a resolution with Candy, still had a lot to deal with in reference to his dad, but also trying to find that middleground between what he truly wanted and what he felt was expected of him as “a man” and those general masculinity issues. I think him dog training is absolutely good as he definitely loved being able to care for things and it also helped him use some of the things he learned from Military school in his own way. But it was also a good opportunity for him to grow separately from Candy to see her as an equal and not as something for him to worship on a pedestal. Of the three, he’s the only one I could see a break-up even kind of working with due to that reason, but they would absolutely get back together and it’d be love at first sight all over again.
Armin never got a resolution. And his job given was akin to thinking if someone really likes baking pastries, any job that involves baking/cooking is fine. Wanting to go into game development =/= any old computer job.
Armin’s arc focused on Alexy’s feelings. Armin’s spin-off focused on him making up with his brother and for some reason making Candy not understand his passions and once again forced to agree with Alexy at times because who knows why. Long distance should’ve been no issue and I just feel the general lack of properly talking about how Armin felt about his place in the family was a huge misstep on so many levels.
Also just imagine him using his hacking to help Nathaniel?? Makes way more sense than him just hacking whatever until he gets caught and thrown into a security job.
Not to mention maybe Candy wouldn’t be so inept with social media, games, and the internet if he actually stuck around so I could stop wanting to smack my head against something.
We learned about his childhood anxieties and so many of his hobbies, but we never really got to show how much of a priority he was and then he was just gone.
Plus all the random things thrown out?? Like how he was good with mom’s and had no issue getting caught? How many flings as he had? Castiel says outright that he had slept with Deborah, but we know nothing in reference to Armin (I would still say it never went that far as I think it would’ve been said if Castiel’s came up, but it just makes it weirder). There was still so much more to learn and be open about.
People complain his arc wasn’t romantic enough (which personally I liked– too much romance feels cheesy and forced to me– heck, even not very genuine), but I feel like we could’ve gotten more romantic moments in his own way if they didn’t cut him out entirely. He had really sweet moments and was always so observant of how Candy was feeling and I think he could’ve done some really great things and surprised her. But oh well.
Valkyon finally felt at peace and that in itself could’ve really opened him up for a full emotional connection over a more physical one. Him no longer having those weights on his shoulder. It’ a fantasy world for crying out loud, nobody has to stay dead.
And Ezarel… Saying how he wants to stop running away and does so again anyway completing reversing that character development including him going off on his own instead of depending on those who care for him. Everything with his hometown. Everything with Mary-Anne.
There were so many ways they could’ve had him react with Gardienne coming back. With him re-analyzing his actions. But instead he’s just gone. And there’s not a single way I can think of that going that isn’t tragic.
Also, quick note about Amber and Armin from someone who didn’t see their dialogue in 39- We don’t see them talking at the library in 40, so I guess in our universe that never happened. Yay for that
