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Like the title implies, I have a question about writing a story from multiple perspectives.

Basically, I have two "main" characters, which the player switches back and forth between in each chapter. The thing is, I'm wondering if doing it from the "you" (second person) perspective, for both characters, is really a good idea.

On the one hand, the choices feel more personal, but on the other, it may cause a disconnected between the player and the story if they suddenly have to switch minds.

To make matters worse, the characters themselves don't always have the other main character's best interest in mind, so it may end up with choices that make a player think they need to choose between the two characters.

What do you guys think?

Also, how well do you think voices inside someone's head would translate into a non-second person perspective?

For multiple characters, I would use third person so players don't get confused along the way. Second person for multiple people doesn't seem like a good idea, unless you're quoting character1 talking to character2. I see the problem, I have no idea how to explain it to not be confusing though.

Seems like switching between characters mid-story is the root of the problem. Maybe have it formatted to fit both characters in 3rd person view - such as chapters dedicated to one characters POV of a different event (if you're telling a story from multiple person's point of view, it's best not to go through the same situation more than once as a different person [unless they are separated and have different experiences])

Example:

Chapter 1 - Sarah's point of view

Sarah said to her friend Summer, "I think you should go over there."

As Summer walked over to where Sarah was pointing, she noticed something move in the darkness.

Suddenly - Summer was nowhere to be seen! Sarah shouted for reassurance that her friend was still alive - but to no reply. As Sarah stood still in the dark room, she heard a scream from below the floorboards...

Chapter 2 - Summer's point of view

Summer attempted to scream as she was swallowed by a mysterious beast, yet her screams went unheard.

She found herself in a different dark room... quieter than the one she had previously been in. She shouted "Hello?" - but no answer was to be heard.

In her panic, Summer began pacing around the room... when an unexpected arm had grabbed her. Summer was so startled she screamed in horror as something dragged her across the floor in the darkness!

:End Example

This can be applied to many situations where each character contains different knowledge - possibly working separate to solve a specific problem in the story.

If I haven't understood anything you've said, and I just gave you useless feedback - I apologize. It's very late and it's quite the problem to think about. I should really get sleep... I almost misspelled the word "Example"

I already planned to separate the change by chapters. The perspectives don't overlap at all, as in you won't hear the same event from two different perspectives.

My primary concern is just that the switch will be off-putting, and take away from the experience, rather than add to it.

I think it would be a good idea as long as there is enough to distinguish the characters from one another. From what i've seen you usually have the characters focusing on their own goals and thoughts that they would be having in any given part of the story.

Brandon Sanderson does this a lot so you could check his books as examples.

Also, regardless of how good/evil a character is; make them seem like the correct person in their chapters regardless of any proof in another characters chapters.

Think of it as Roleplaying two characters at once, one is a murderer while the other is a paladin for example.  Their goals and beliefs would be very unlikely to match so even if they work together to fight off a greater evil they will still have conflicts.

Hmm, the good/evil isn't so simple in this case. Both characters genuinely want to be good, but one is actually being manipulated (but they don't know).