#& there's this undertone that the PC can never have basic human decency without also being a complete and utter doormat with no boundaries

[thefrogpoet]

My biggest videogames pet peeve is when you're playing a game with very linear quests but it still gives you dialog options and without fail it's only two options and it looks like this:

NPC: Please help me my beloved pet fantasy creature is lost in the Spooky Forest

Option 1: Of course! I'd do anything for you! There is no reason to pay or compensate me in any way because I am a real hero and love helping people!!! I'll get started right away and I will not sleep until Mr. Fluffernutter is returned to you. I swear this on my life!

Option 2: Tch. What's in it for me? I'll look for your stupid cat or whatever but I bet it's already dead. You better pay me well for this. Also has anyone ever told you that you are ugly and stupid? Yeah well they should have. I'll be back whenever I feel like it with your dumb pet's corpse.