Why didn't Esther & Alex get an alternative version?

[MycoLogical]

Not enough time? Or is this something that may come in the pipeline as an update?

 

Also, Olivia and Derek?

[Cyberboy2000]

I think you meant to say Olivia, not Oliver.

[WilliamGreywind]

If Esther and Alex had archived, Esther's should actually be one that uses a disguise mechanic, and Alex should be pre-augmented version. Who when compared to Sharp, is VERY VERY weak in comparison. Like a challenge agent for those who are crazy.

 

And Olivia and Derek should have their Archived variants be when they were with the Pan-Euro Infosec Agency. That would be fun.

[Szjara]

Even more of a problem is the fact that the four last characters can never be found in Detention centers. It makes sense for the last two in Story mode, but in Endless it just means you have a 33% chance of finding a useless agent in a detention center (Decker and Shalem), and that if you want them, you'll need to choose them from the start. It severely impairs replayability. Same with Archive versions. It makes sense for a narrative standpoint, but it makes the game a whole less interesting than it could be.

 

Having said that, there's a really huge problem with character balance, Archive versions are just crappy most of the time. The only ones that are remotely as good as their On File versions are Xu and Nika.

[hera35]

Having said that, there's a really huge problem with character balance, Archive versions are just crappy most of the time. The only ones that are remotely as good as their On File versions are Xu and Nika.

 

Archive Banks is also fantastic. You won't be missing her regular abilities when you're swimming in money and buying skill points, all sorts of endgame gear and programs from the very beginning. With Fusion and Parasite you don't even need consoles for PWR which is made even better if you end up finding a server farm with PWR abilities for sale.