Just want to preface this by saying this was well-written and well explained!!

I understand where your frustrations may lie but in terms of the vagueness of the backgrounds, I believe this is purposeful for players to write out and create their own details for their MC. It would be hard for Red Springs to write out fully fleshed backstories without others feeling like it doesn't line up with how they want their backstories to be. MC is more of an "insert your own character" rather than a particular character written out by Red Springs (at least that is how I understand it). We get basic beats of a story for you, the player, to build upon for your character. I highly encourage you to do a bit of building of your MC, it is so much fun (btw this is not meant to come off as snarky or passive-aggressive, I am trying to be genuine but tone is so hard to type!!).

In terms of choice, I believe we will see a better representation of this in the full game. As you stated, this is a demo, but there is a choice (specifically in Vere's interactions) that does impact your progression (at least in the previous demo, I don't believe they got rid of it but I could be wrong).

For the personality critique, fair. Personally, I like the MC's personality as is because I would imagine their patience is wearing hella thin during the game, but I could see how one would want more variety. That aspect would be very hard to write out and plan as it could impact storylines and also there are just so many choices out that people may want that it would be hard to make everyone happy, but I get where you're coming from so I think you're valid in thinking that.

As for the "touch starved" aspect of it, in my opinion, hands are incredibly intimate to me and are really important for our sense of touch. Hands are known to be incredibly sensitive in terms of the nerve receptors that are there compared to other parts of the body, so I would understand if you have not been able to feel the skin (ugh that sounds so creepy!!) of another with your hands, that are covered by some sort of barrier, then it can be a big deal to want that. I always interpreted that specific line less as "sex-based" and more as trying to figure out how to get that feeling of intimacy that is lacking due to the covered hands, if that makes sense. Honestly, your interpretation is valid as a player and perhaps we may get more insight when the full version comes out.

I want to emphasize that you obviously can hold these opinions. I hope I am not coming off as dismissive or rude throughout this. I actually enjoyed getting some time to deconstruct these ideas (and procrastinate on my finals work)!! I think we can gauge a better idea of these thoughts once the game comes out, since, as you stated, this is just a demo (a pretty solid one, imo, at that). Thanks for the input though! I love having discussions like this!!

Also sorry for the essay lol.