The "Ugly Bastard" trope serves a specific psychological purpose. If the rival were handsome and kind, the betrayal would be sad, but rational. By making the rival a sweaty, hairy, arrogant brute, the game maximizes the protagonist's humiliation. "She left me for THAT?" It amplifies the feeling of inadequacy. It isn't about love; it is about raw, animalistic dominance. The art isn't bad; it is viscerally effective .
Even experienced creators falter. Here is a checklist of what makes an worse , not better:
If you need help optimizing specific character routes or locations, please tell me: Which you are currently stuck on? Your current Knowledge Level and bank balance ?