08-06-18, 11:32 | #1 | ||
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In defense of Reyes, and why I think she's a great character
One thing I don't get is all the hate Joslin Reyes gets. Most people reduce her to being an "Angry Black Woman" stereotype, but I think that's not true at all. Yes, she's cold and bitter, but the reason as to why she is the way she is is why I find her interesting.
Even when not taking the comics into account, and strictly looking at the journals she wrote, I think her behavior towards Lara is not justified but understandable. Reyes went on this expedition for mainly two reasons, to help support her daughter, and for Roth's sake. For further evidence, here's the letter Reyes wrote to her daughter: Quote:
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Now as to why Reyes is the way she is. Reyes joined the police force at a young age and partnered with an old cop, who taught her everything she knew and all the values of being a good cop. She was a happy individual back then. It all ended during a shootout with a bunch of drug dealers however. She promised her mentor's family that she will make things right, but the drug dealers ended up getting away with it. She quit the force and carried out her own way of justice by killing the dealers. She then worked at her brother's garage, enjoying the machinery because it calmed her. Reyes and Lara's relationship in the comics was also compelling. She was still bitter at Lara for the deaths that happened at Yamatai. While running from Solarii worshipers she says the following to Lara: It's only until Reyes's daughter Alisha convinces her that she needs to stop being nasty to Lara that their relationship starts to heal. Reyes even acknowledges Lara as her "pain in the ass friend" when saving her from being killed by one of the Solarii worshipers. I think what put Lara and Reyes on good terms was the shared memory of Roth. They both really cared about him. One thing I found really endearing was Lara and Reyes going on a hike together at Snowden, the same mountain that Lara and Roth climbed together. They dig up a hole and place a picture of him, in a sweet moment. Reyes is also all around much happier person after the events of Rise. I find it really endearing how Lara and Reyes go kickboxing together. It shows that they have become great friends. I'm of the opinion that Reyes and Lara's relationship is the most compelling one in the reboot series. I like how Reyes actually questions Lara and puts her in her own place, rather than simply blindly following her every wish. I think these two always share interesting moments. Last edited by biscuits; 08-06-18 at 11:35. |
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08-06-18, 12:09 | #2 |
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Exactly all of this. Also nobody would have left the island if Reyes didn't fix that PT boat. She gets way too much hate because she's angry at the the protagonist you grew up with guess what that protagonist is also human. Reyes is a great character and I'd love to have her back in any way. If not, she's still worthy of being mentioned once or twice in this game considering it's the last in the trilogy. Sam too. And Kaz. Thank you for this thread <3
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08-06-18, 12:59 | #3 | |||
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I understand what Reyes says about keeping Lara in line, but her attitude always felt like thinly veiled jealousy over Roth treating her like a daughter to me. Quote:
I also felt pretty bad for Roth; his sacrifice and loss speech seems prompted by the journal you find at his old campfire containing Reyes’s confession that Alisha is his daughter. It was a choice made for him, a loss you can see in his eyes as Lara walks away, like he wasn’t really talking about her but himself. It just feels hypocritical for Reyes to be such a hardass on everyone while she makes her own mistakes. Quote:
Their hike together on Snowden post-Yamatai looks like a really nice scene, but that “I have to get my baby away from you” panel is everything wrong with Reyes to me. Projecting everything onto Lara when Yamatai, Roth and even her own parents’ deaths weren’t her fault. |
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08-06-18, 14:57 | #4 |
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The fact that you have to point to the comics at all simply validates how poorly the character is written in the game.
In Reyes's defense, the whole game is poorly written and all of the characters are ciphers simply to react to Lara. No one says anything real people would actually say in that situation. Everyone alternately pumps up Lara or is mean to her. They really have no other function. |
08-06-18, 15:06 | #5 |
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Joined: Nov 2016
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I think the game has good writing. I also thought Reyes was a well written character before I even read the comics. I simply used them because I thought it did a good job of expanding the character.
I do somewhat agree on the supporting cast being rather undercooked. The narrative wasn't handled in an organised matter at all. The writing team and the gameplay designers frequently butted heads with one another. That being said, I still love the story. |
08-06-18, 17:06 | #6 | |
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The structure and pacing is fine, the characters are unique enough and serve a purpose. The problem is simply the theme and the focus. They gave Lara a good support cast but then put the strongest focus on her, the island and most of all on the "survivor" aspect of the story. That is why in the end the support characters fell a bit flat while they are incredible well developed in the comics. |
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09-06-18, 04:02 | #7 |
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Joined: Apr 2018
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I don't want to bring social justice into it. Maybe this is a mistake posting this but both Reyes and Nadine Ross from Uncharted get equal hate as "angry black women". Usually when it comes to gaming and politics I roll my eyes but I can't help but feel like this isn't a coincidence? If I'm thinking too hard than someone stop me but I actually liked these two, I feel like if Reyes was a different character but had the exact same narrative and mines the situation would be treated differently and it's not fair.
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09-06-18, 13:09 | #8 | |
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the gaming community isn’t exactly the most inclusive and open-minded of communities unfortunately, although it is getting better. but still, so many people are quick to yell “damn SJWs1!1!1!1” as soon as a character in a game isn’t a white male. |
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09-06-18, 15:12 | #9 |
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Not just Reyes. Sam is a cipher for cute Asian girl.
Really, the writing is terrible in the game. Almost everything that leaves anyone's mouth is terrible. I think there were only two or three moments where I felt someone was telling the truth. |
09-06-18, 15:37 | #10 |
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Joined: Aug 2011
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compared to the other characters Reyes was interesting because she's one of the few good guys who didn't admire Lara. But by herself she's still pretty flat in game. If you didn't stumble upon a journal she mostly just seemed pissed off, and of course it didn't help that the Endurance Crew's animations weren't as good as Lara's.
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