No NTR. At some Eric will show up and be after the Max' mom. If you have to see it or not is unknown, but most likely it's part of the story so Max can decide if he wants to team up with Eric and by long term join the fun or if he'll fight him to his painful teethless death.
I think Eric is needed in the particular game. What is not needed to me however is
1) The duration of his presence in the game.
2) The intensity and complexity needed of the MC’s/player the neutralize his influence in the game.
3) The absolute need the clearly settle matters with him and move on to the next adversary or issue.
I have said before the storyline is set up for so much but every dev remaking this story falls into to trap of focusing solely and wholly on Eric. I have yet to see evidence that he is the main boss unless the storyline is completely rewritten from jump.