Max is described in promotional material as being unambitious and a class clown. Although his being rejected from college is sad, it is genuinely sweet that he put in the effort to make good grades and write a "great essay" (Laura's words) so that he could attend the same school as Laura despite his own lack of direction.
In the beginning, Abi can find a cute stuffed bear that one of the little kids left behind. If the player chooses to keep it, she wants to ensure the toy gets back to its owner.
Ryan offers to share his headphones with Dylan. While Ryan is a genuinely kind person, he is a reserved and quiet individual who prefers to spend time alone, so this is a surprising aware and thoughtful gesture - especially when one remembers Dylan's massive crush on Ryan.
Pictures in multiple places in the camp showcase Chris as a good dad who loves to spend time with his two little ones, Caleb and Kaylee.
Ryan's in a really rough spot regarding his family, as his mother is basically a no-show in his life (his father is never mentioned) so he has to step up and be there for his sister, Sarah. He's really concerned about studying animation because it would leave Sarah with her grandparents. Chris Hackett is the man who gives him direction and focus.
If the player has Ryan choose truth for his truth or dare turn, Emma will ask him why he was in Chris's office. Having Ryan answer earnestly will result in him admitting he was asking for life advice, but refusing to elaborate. The usually cheeky and mischievous Emma will tell him in a gentle tone that maybe the group can help him out if they know what he’s dealing with, and Ryan will reply that he doesn't want to bother the others when "you've all got your own shit going on." It's a nice little moment reinforcing that while nominally coworkers, the Hacketeers have grown into a friend group and come to genuinely care about each other over the summer; and also reflects Emma's desire not to see anyone unhappy despite her penchant for drama.
It is revealed that Kaitlyn and Jacob are childhood friends and she sees him like a brother, which makes their constant teasing and bickering seem more endearing in retrospect.
Emma kissing Nick during truth or dare definitely comes off as bitchy at first, with most assuming she only did it to make Jacob jealous, but she later admits that her actual intention was to motivate Nick and Abi to make a move on each other. It shows that, even if her methods leave a lot to be desired, she does want her friend to be happy and pursue the things she wants.
If the player doesn’t have Abi go in for a kiss with Nick in her segment after the truth or dare scene, the two will instead finally have an honest, direct conversation about their feelings for each other. Abi will admit that she thought Nick seemed like an asshole when she first met him, as he barely acknowledged her when she said hello to him. But the next time they interacted, it was when he helped out a camper who'd had an accident efficiently and respectfully whereas most of the other counselors tend to tease their charges, and "that's when I knew I wanted to kiss you." In return, Nick apologizes for his social awkwardness but tells her that he likes her, too. It's a sweet, endearingly and relatably bumbling scene of inexperienced romance - that, albeit, takes place the moment before all hell breaks loose.
Emma reflects on her relationship with Jacob on the island, in a Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene. She muses that breaking up is for the best, but she loved the time they had together and wonders if she'll meet him again in the future.
The game makes it evident that, in spite of all her teasing and venting, Emma does still hold some affection for Jacob. She speaks fondly of him when alone with Abi and decides to humor his desires with some late-night swimming as "summer isn't over yet."
YMMV but, while they're not dating anymore, it is sweet to hear Jacob refer to Emma as his girlfriend before he attempts to go save her.
Abigail can find a very cute photo of a younger Ryan with Caleb and Kaylee at camp, a relic of their long-standing friendship.
A more bittersweet example, but when watching Max transform, Laura can be compassionate or clinical towards him. While the infection will cause Max to be aggressive with her if she is clinical, he will tell her he doesn't want to get too close to her regardless of what she says, as he is scared that he might hurt her.
When he sees the surveillance footage of himself in his werewolf form clawing her eye out, he is guilt-ridden and apologizes even if she reassures him that it wasn't his fault. Laura then promises that she will cure him, and furiously dedicates herself to that promise regardless of whether their relationship has become tense or not.
The lengths that Laura is willing to go in order to guarantee the survival and longevity of her boyfriend. While a darker example as she's shown a willingness to kill in order to guarantee it, the fact that she throws herself into a life-or-death scenario for his sake is nothing short of heartwarming, as she could have cut her losses upon their escape and try to live a normal life leaving him to his fate.
Upon Max transforming back into a human after Chris's death, one of the first things he says is that he's gotta find Laura. The fact she's on his mind first and foremost really shows the love and concern he has for her. What's more, he ends up needing to wear her spare clothes after his transformation, and not only does he have no gripes about this despite their size and not exactly conventionally manly style beyond his initial exasperation at the situation, he completes the ensemble by putting on Laura's hat when he finds it later. It comes across as a reflection of the characters being close and comfortable with each other.
Abigail can ask Emma why she likes to vlog. In response, Emma admits that many, including her at first, start doing it for attention. But at the end of the day, there's not a huge difference between a few thousand and a few hundred thousand interactions on what she posts. What she likes, however, is for her fans to be happy. In fact, she loves it when people are happy. It’s a heartwarming insight into the character that many players with similar hobbies or jobs often find especially sweet, and the game tops everything off with whipped cream at the end of the conversation by noting that amidst everything going on at this late-game stage, Emma is enjoying her best friend’s company.
Alternatively, Abi can also be annoyed and hostile to Emma in the aforementioned scene. Putting aside her constant need to perform and dramatize, Emma allows herself to be vulnerable with Abi and admits that she considers her to be her best friend, and is afraid that she doesn't need Emma as much as Emma needs her.
Ryan is very close with Chris and his kids and looks up to him for guidance, telling Laura that Chris helped him with some personal struggles when he was younger. He describes the camp as a "second home" and had been attending for years as a camper before becoming a counselor. Although it makes the end much sadder when he has lost his safe haven and close friends, it's nice to think about Ryan having ever been given the experience in the first place.
Kaitlyn and Dylan are both quite aware that the other harbors a crush on Ryan, but it's apparent that there's no bitterness between them over it, even if Ryan chooses to kiss one of them during the game of truth or dare. In fact, when paired up later in the game they'll commiserate over the fact that Ryan seems more interested in Laura than he ever was in either of them, treating it as a mutual disappointment regardless of whether you pushed Ryan more towards one or the other.
Dylan's reaction to being kissed is adorable. He has a very satisfied smile on his face afterwards, looking down after a moment as if he's feeling bashful over just how big it is or like he's trying to hide a blush, and while Kaitlyn looks slightly sad for a moment, it doesn't last any longer than that before she's smiling along with him, even giving him an encouraging "Woo!"
At the scrapyard, Dylan is quite depressed over the loss of his left hand, stating that no one will treat him the same. Kaitlyn reflects that some people will, but they don't matter, so fuck them.
Abi and Emma risking Caleb's attention and their secure shelter to give Kaitlyn the silver buckshot she needs.
If Laura does not shoot Travis while escaping the jail, he will hesitate to kill her when she transforms into a werewolf later on. If Ryan succeeds in killing Chris and curing Laura, she and Travis will stare awkwardly at one another for a few seconds before she thanks him for not killing her; he will likewise thank her for not killing him. It's a surprisingly heartwarming moment between two people who have had a particularly contentious relationship with one another thus far.
If Abigail is in the bunker with an infected Emma, Emma will initially snap at her when Abigail is indecisive about going up the ladder. Immediately after, Emma seems to realize what is happening to her and, with a look of concern, attempts to put distance between her and Abigail before it's too late.
Similarly, an infected Dylan will yell at Kaitlyn to get away from him in the scrapyard, knowing that he is about to turn.
The wild piglet that Abi and Nick happen upon is pretty adorable, as is Abi squeeing over and immediately going to pet it.
If Ryan succumbs to his stab wound after shooting Chris and Laura kills Travis on the Hackett Estate, there’s a silver lining provided that Max is still alive: the player will get to see Laura reunite with her boyfriend on the island, her goal realized, the couple beaming at each other with fondness and engaging in a bit of banter before sharing a warm hug. Aww!
A bit YMMV, but if you follow Eliza's instructions and help her get revenge on the Hacketts while keeping her son, Silas, safe, she gives you a genuinely heartfelt thank-you and promises to never forget how much you've helped her before departing.
Even as an antagonist it was heartwarming to see Bobby, after he got thrown into a wall and fell to the floor by his werewolf older brother Chris, will himself up and throw himself back at his brother to hold him in place to protect their parents. A small reminder that even with all the things they've done, they've done it out of love for each family, for each other. Makes the golden ending where they all live (sans Chris) more heartwarming knowing their efforts weren't for naught.
