I don't know if there's a new game plus, if there is, that would explain why there are frequent checks you can't possibly pass early on. "Yielding" is what gives a boost to social stuff, but "Depressed" seems to be a blanket penalty.
Anyway, that and Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea.
I managed to beat Long live the Queen finally, I killed the main bad guy with magic and swords.