Many seem to believe that Valko merely “copies” elements from pre-existing LIs, particularly Sylus and Rafayel. However, a closer examination of his characterization reveals that it is a misconception. Let us take a closer look at what Valko’s character is truly about, shall we?
🐲 The archetypal dynamic of Sylus and SylusMC’s relationship is that of “Nemesis”, which means ‘life-long enemies’. They exist in a perpetual struggle, driven by an insatiable yearning to consume one another. Much like Mehen, the ever-coiling cosmic serpent devouring His own tail. Each bears one half of the other’s soul, leaving them eternally famished for the piece they have lost. Unable to truly satisfy their primordial hunger, they seek solace in mortal pleasures to quell the longing that binds them. Whether through finely aged liquor, or the intimacy of lovemaking.
🐾 However, the specific word used in Valko’s trailer was “Foe”, which simply denotes an ‘opponent’ rather than a lifelong enemy. A foe is often a temporary, situational adversary, making it entirely impersonal. This is further reinforced by the fact that Valko refers to ValkoMC as a “Friend” while speaking with his family member over the phone. Their interactions are also notably playful, carrying the easy rapport of close friends. Therefore, “Friends to Lovers” feels like a far more fitting description of their dynamic. And yes, well-adjusted adults are perfectly capable of forming meaningful friendships later in life.
🔃 Personality-wise, Sylus is reserved, whereas Valko is unabashedly expressive. While both are businessmen, their roles and worlds are fundamentally different. Sylus operates as the leader of a powerful Mafia organization, with his affairs rooted in the underworld. By contrast, Valko serves as the Chairman of a legitimate company, conducting his business entirely within the bounds of the law. Beyond their shared business acumen, they differ in almost every respect.
🧜🏻♂️Rafayel is portrayed as a “Young God”, a title that is deeply reflected in his characterization. In MC’s presence, he is playful, teasing, and full of youthful charm on the surface. However, beneath that facade lies a brooding artist who increasingly embraces his sirenic nature whenever MC is absent. Those sirenic qualities stem from the higher consciousness he harbours within himself, one that can overwhelm his own sense of self. In those moments, it is MC alone who can draw him back by using their bond mark, to restore his awareness and anchor him to reality.
🐾 In contrast, Valko initially presents himself as a brooding chairman burdened by immense responsibility. However, beneath that composed exterior lies a genuinely playful man who delights in indulging MC’s every whim. Their mate-bond compels him towards unwavering devotion, making it almost instinctive for him to yield to her wishes. For Valko, indulging her is not an obligation. Surrendering himself entirely to her whims is simply his nature.
🔃 • Rafayel maintains contact with his family from time to time, although he generally prefers the solitude of his studio where he immerses himself in his art. By contrast, Valko is almost always surrounded by his large family, even as he carries out his duties as a lone vigilante under the cover of night.
• Rafayel allows MC to believe she holds the upper hand, subtly guiding the course of their interactions through his charm and the devotion fostered by their divine bond. On the other hand, Valko willingly yields to MC after becoming imprinted upon her scent. Their mate-bond urges him to regard following her commands as second nature.
• Rafayel’s affection is possessively clingy, much like a beast towards their chosen human. By contrast, Valko’s affection is playfully clingy, reminiscent of a loyal dog devoted to it’s beloved human.
🐺 I would say, Rafayel and Valko serve as perfect foils to one another. And Valko shares more than a few intriguing parallels with Sylus. It has certainly piqued my curiosity, and I look forward to delve into his story upon release. 💚
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: The Main Story of ‘Love And Deepspace’ is now 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝘇𝗲𝗻. Valko is not an optional addition to the narrative, he is a foundational pillar of it. The game’s lore was meticulously constructed around 6 LIs from the very beginning, making his presence indispensable (please refer to my article here). The game introduced the Light-Trio (Xavier, Zayne, Rafayel) at launch, followed later by their counterparts, the Dark-Trio (Sylus, Caleb, Valko).
This game has always intended to feature 6 LIs as the foundation of it’s worldbuilding. Valko was never a newly conceived character, his presence had been subtly woven throughout the Main Story from the very beginning — a detail the zealots overlooked because they evidently paid no attention to the narrative. Even the game’s UI was designed with 6 LIs in mind. The 6 Stellactrums, each corresponding to a LI’s eye colour, further reinforces that this 6-character structure was planned from the outset —
💙 Sapphire (blue): Xavier
❤️ Ruby (red): Sylus
💚 Emerald (green): Zayne
💜 Violet (purple): Caleb
🩷 Pearl (pink): Rafayel
💛 Amber (yellow): Valko
The next Main Story chapters were intended to begin immediately after Valko’s arc. Without that crucial segment, the narrative cannot naturally advance. The much-awaited Main Story updates for Sylus and Caleb were meant to follow, leading into the ‘Timelock Event’ featuring Caleb and Valko, before culminating in a major Dark-Trio storyline. Removing Valko disrupts that entire narrative progression.
And now, Otome games are being mass-targeted by high-ranking officials in China who reportedly harbours disdain for a genre primarily catered to women [more information here]. Paper Games itself is being targeted after the zealots escalated this situation by filing false reports, seemingly unable to distinguish fiction from reality [evidence here].
What makes the situation even more disheartening is that instead of reinforcing their policies against harassment and defending creative freedom of the developers, Paper Games seems to be yielding to the demands of a vocal minority who are infamous for mass-harassing players across both the Global and Chinese fandoms.
Today, it is ‘Love And Deepspace’. Tomorrow, it could be other Chinese Otome games. If they believe removing Valko will somehow keep the other LIs safe, they are gravely mistaken. If anything, everyone stands to lose the games they have come to cherish and find comfort in.
The irony is difficult to ignore. Those who insisted Valko “came out of nowhere” merely revealed how they pay no attention to the narrative. The clues were there all along, given his presence had been subtly embedded throughout the Main Story from the very beginning — a fact which escaped the very people who speak most confidently about the game’s lore.
Once again, Valko is the narrative bridge. 🐾 Without him, the Main Story cannot advance. Not for Sylus, not for Caleb, and not for anyone else.
Sign the petitions here —
1) iPetitions
2) Change.org
[⚠️ Please note: Should the attached links not work, please feel free to visit the post on my X account for further details on the matter.]
Three LIs have Standard Myths rooted in another lifetime, and have been present on Earth since the beginning of their current lives (Zayne, Rafayel, Caleb). In contrast, the other three LIs (Xavier, Sylus, Valko) have their Standard Myths set within the present timeline, arriving on Earth after traversing through Deepspace.
If this pattern holds true, then my prediction may indeed come to fruition. I look forward to discovering how the writers have forged Valko’s storyline, and how it completes the greater tapestry of the lore. 💚
So PaperGames/Infold chose to yield to the demands of people who appear to be in need of urgent psychological support, rather than standing firmly by their own decision.
Have I understood that correctly?
If so, I expect Valko’s release to proceed as originally scheduled for the rest of us well-adjusted players, rather than being altered to accommodate the demands of a loud minority.
A gentleman in a finely tailored suit has always been my greatest weakness. Needless to say, Valko has my heart captivated! 💚 That suit is staying on in the café indefinitely. (˶❛⩊❛˵)
