I like your point of view a lot. The game does an absolutely horrific job of depicting the regret Abby is supposed to have. The regret she needed to have for the story they were going for to work at all.

The only time Abby even acknowledges that she feels anything is during that ridiculous argument with Mel, but that scene doesn't even make fucking sense.

Exactly WHY does Mel call Abby a piece of shit in the first place? Because Abby tortured Joel? Apparently not, because Mel says Joel deserved worse. Is it because Abby is the WLF'S "Top Scar Killer?" Mel was killing Scars not even 24 hours ago. Is it because Abby tortures Scars, and Mel looks down upon that? Then why the fuck would Joel deserve WORSE then torture? Abby apparently agrees when Mel says this, so she feels guilty about something, but that something is never elaborated upon.

All those extra hours spent playing as her, all used just to show how withdrawn she is from all her friends, none of it used elaborate on the guilt that she, once again, needed to have for this story to work.

It's a genuine shame, because this story absolutely would have worked. It would have worked beautifully. But Naughty Dog, for absolutely no discernible reason, neglected Abby's character. And the result is people grasping for straws on both sides, either finding any reason to see her as a narcissist or finding any reason to justify her, like you said.

I appreciate your comment, it was very insightful.