What Games Are You Playing 2013?

[Grefter]

Do you think they like come up with the line during character plotting and decided to name him just for that line rather than the scene being "oh man we can call the youngest kid in the party Hope and it will be so great you guys.  Nailed it."

[Dark Holy Elf]

It's hard to argue that said particular line isn't comical; Hope even responds to it along the lines of "wtf that's just my name". Pretty sure Lightning even intended it as such; they are discussing some pretty dark shit so she tries to make a joke (and isn't very good at it).

No clue if the character's name predates the line or vice versa, but it doesn't really matter.

[VySaika]

While I haven't played the game myself, it is interesting to see one negative opinion of Xenoblade. Everything else I can remember seeing about it has ranged from "yeah, it's p.good" to "gushing lavish praise" with no dissenting opinions. I'll admit that does make me feel a bit better about my initial reaction to gameplay footage of it being "well this doesn't look engaging at all", but that's probably me really not liking MMO style gameplay!

Anyway, I play things too!

...kinda.

Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Downloaded this a couple weeks ago, played through it. Could stand to have a few more stages/areas and definately needed more places where the elephant form matters, but was overall a fun platformer and worth the cost. Spinning Death Balls > fire and cloud magics, no question.

Radiant Historia - Finally getting around to beating this. Just picked up Wind God Strike, will now proceed to murder everything with Gafka. ...okay, will now proceed to CONTINUE murdering everything with Gafka, since that's what I was doing anyway. Getting peeps into the center line is not hard.

Neverwinter Nights and NWN2 - Despite having already bought both games more then once over the course of time, I grabbed them AGAIN from the GOG winter sale so that I wouldn't have to jump through hoops to get them working on my Win8 machine. GOG is p.cool like that. Ignoring the main campaigns, I grab some modules for both and go to town with new stuff. Yay~ Of note, I got one NWN2 mod about being a badass monk and punching the shit out of everything, and you guys know how much I enjoy punching things, so that one has been pretty fun. Bad Habits, I think it's called. The respawn feature in it ticks me off a bit(you can just revive wherever you fall with no penalty at all, meaning you can basically win any fight with no strategy, just spam respawn at it when you die. That in and of itself doesn't irritate me, but the fact that it really feels like the designer used that as a crutch to not bother balancing encounter difficulty at ALL does.). Still having fun overall with it.

Pathfinder - What, this counts as a game, doesn't it? Actually finished a campaign recently, was pretty cool to play one to completion instead of it dying a premature death due to drama. My char was basically LVP the entire game, but that's because I actually listened when the GM asked us to not make broken twinked out optimized dudes. And I was the only one who listened. Rolling the worst stats in the party also helped there. But Lawrence still did his job(which was disarming traps, mostly) perfectly due to me sinking feats into his skills and such, so it was cool. The GM wants a break though, so next game will prolly be me running it. As the only ones willing to run are me and a guy with all the enthusiasm of a Meeple but all the overall competence of Euram Barrows.

[Luther Lansfeld]

PW5 - Finished the DLC case and case 3. Fuck case 4 with a rusty dildo so far, the defendant is so goddamn annoying. Still early, though.

[Meeplelard]

Radiant Historia Abridged:

Narrator: And so we join Stocke as...
Stocke: HEY GUYS! LET'S TALK TO VIOLA ABOUT THE NEXT MISSION!
Raynie: Why are you speaking so loud?
Stocke: To overpower the Narrator.
Narrator: (Jerk.)
Marco: What? Do you think something is wrong?
Stocke: Well, I feel like we should be doing something, let's go!
*they go to Viola*
Viola: *cough* *wheeze* So...yeah, we haven't heard from Rosch's crew, can you go catch up and see what's what?
Stocke: Yeah, I can do that, no sweat!  Where to?
Viola: Gran Plans.  I need you guys to hold the north, kind of important and all that.
Stocke: Right, enemy border, got it!
*Stocke and Co. head off, attacked by enemies*

Raynie: There seem to be a lot of enemy soldiers *sets one on fire as she says this*
Stocke: Well, we are kind of close to enemy lines *Stabs one in the face*
Marco: Shouldn't Rosch's team have dealt with this *gets punched in the face*
Stocke: Yeah, that worries me too..*kills two guys with one slash because bad ass*
*They move on until they come across a small group of enemies*
Enemy Commander: It's more Alisten!  If we've figured out anything, they will underestimate us! WE CAN DO THIS MEN! We may not be important enough for Nametags or unique sprites, but damn it, we have a-BLARGH!!!
Stocke: ...really, Raynie, you could have waited til he finished before hitting him with lightning bolts
Raynie: ...he was talking?
Marco: Say, what did they say about the Underestimate thing?
Stocke: ...are you implying those guys actually beat Rosch?
Marco: No, but there are probably stronger guys who may have...
Stocke: If only we had a sign...
Near-Dead Alisten Soldier: I'm not dead!
Stocke: Yes you are.
Near-Dead Alisten: ...can we not do that routine and just do the "Near dying vital information" thing?
Stocke: Oh, sorry, right.  Anyway, where's Rosch?
Near-Dead Alisten: He went south, things aren't looking well.
Stocke: So...Rosch is to the south, when he should have headed to the North like we're going?
Marco: Yeah, basically, either we follow Rosch and try to help him, putting the plan at jeopardy or go North and continue the mission.
Stocke: (I have to think carefully about this.) I have Faith in Rosch, LET'S GO NORTH!

Narrator: So Stocke was totally bad ass and kicked the crap out of enemies to the North.  Him and Viola became heroes and were promoted and Rosch sort of died.  Stocke became so busy, he forgot about the whole "Save the world" thing and screwed everyone.

*BAD END*

Stocke: Ok, what did I do wrong this time?
Teo: To be honest, nothing.  You made a brilliant military decision, though I don't think anyone could have anticipated that as a result.
Stocke: Basically, what you're saying is I can't be blamed for this one because I might as well as flipped a coin?
Teo: Yeah, pretty much.
Lippti: YOU BLEW IT BIG TIME! GO FIX IT NOW!
Stocke: Well, yes, that's what I was...
Lippti: SHUT UP AND GO NOW! GO SAVE ROSCH! DOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOIT!
Stocke: RIGHT! OFF! LATER!

*at the crossroads*
Stocke: Let's save Rosch, he's totally my best friend and I owe him one.  After doing so, we should have enough time to protect the North!
Marco: If you say so...
*they head south, see Rosch on the ground with some named bad guy whose name I forget so we're calling him Leonard*
Stocke: Rosch, NO!
Leonard: Mwahahahah! This guy was cake! That other guy was...uhh...what's worse than cake?
Stocke: Muffins?
Leonard: Yes! That other guy was MUFFINS!
Raynie: That's not really much of an insult.
Stocke: You hurt my friend, DIE!
Leonard: No, you hurt MY friend!
Stocke: ...no, I really didn't.
Leonard: ...look, I'm just going to run away now because this is a waste of both of our times, ok?
Stocke: Ok.
*Leonard leaves, drops note behind him*
Stocke: Rosch, are you alright.
Rosch: No, I'm going to die.  They somehow got the jump on us, sorry...*Rosch dies*
Stocke: ...so not matter what path I take, it's wrong...
Raynie: WHat are you talking about?
Stocke: If only there was someway I could find out how all this went down.
Marco: Hey! I found this note on this ground after that guy left which tells in exact detail that they were tipped off about this whole thing!
Stocke: Oh, wow! That's great! It's a pity you can't change the past...

*At the Historia*
Teo: So you're going to change the past?
Stocke: Yep.
Teo: Awesome!
Lippti: YES! TIME IS IN FLUX! HISTORY CAN BE REWRITTEN!
Stocke: ...cue to get going?
Teo: Cue to get going.

*backup to the Sand Fortress*
Stocke: Hey Viola, the enemy knows about Rosch's plans and is totally going to destroy his forces.
Viola: Oh, and how do you know about this?
Stocke: I use to be in SpecInt, I have my ways.
Viola: Fair enough.  Right, men, UNLEASH THE THAUMACHINES!
Stocke: Isn't sending giant mechas a little...severe?
Viola: Look, these are last minute plans, so it's either release them or come up with a plan that will be too late.
Stocke: ...right, giant death machines sounds like a good idea!

*fast-forward to Rosch scene because shut up*
Stocke: Hey look! Rosch is still alive and so is Kiel!
Leonard: AHA! YOU ARE WOUNDED! YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF BEATING ME!
Rosch: This doesn't look good...
Kiel: Any ideas how we can get out of this?
Rosch: We just gotta hope something unexpected happens...
Stocke: GERONIMO!!! *beats up the two mooks of Leonard*
Leonard: Who are you!?
Stocke: Friend of Rosch's, do you want to duel me or what?
Leonard: RETREAT!!! *runs away*
Stocke: Rosch, are you alright?
Kiel: He's injured but alive.
Stocke: Good, let's get him back to the Sand Fortress and play it by ear from there.
Rosch: Sounds like a plan.
*enemies appear*
Stocke: Umm...ok, there's no way we can outrun them while carrying Rosch...
Raynie: Go, Stocke, Marco and I'll will hold them off!
Stocke: ...NOT ARGUING GOOD BYE!
*They go, realize they're surrounded later*
Stocke: Ok, here's what's going to happen.  I'll fight the enemies head on and try to stall them because Raynie and Marco did the same, Kiel, you take Rosch to Alistel!
Kiel: NO! I'm going to fight them! I wanna be the hero for once! GOOD BYE! *he runs off*
Stocke: But...Kiel...I...wait, maybe I can talk him out of this by going back to the pa-*checks White Chronicle, no node* The hell? How come I can't go back?
Voice of Teo: Fixed Point in Time.  Sorry Stocke, but this is the natural course of time.
Stocke: The hell? You never told me about that!
Voice of Lippti: AHAHAHAH! YOU SCREWED UP! YOU SCREWED UP!!!

Kiel: *surrounded by armored guys* This isn't good...
Big Armored Dude: Look what we have here...
Kiel: Time for my SECRET PLAN!
Big Armored Dude: What are you trying to pull?
Kiel: *pulls a white flag* PLEASE DON'T HURT ME I HURT EASILY I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!
Big Armored Dude: ...
Kiel: ...
Big Armored Dude: ...pathetic.
Kiel: Well crap, I'm out of options...am I going to die?
Big Armored Dude: Yes, yes you are...


*back at Alistel*
Sonja: Rosch is alive but unconscious.
Stocke: Well, at least he's alive...
Rosch: Actually, I have 5 seconds of consciousness to tell you, Stocke, that IT'S ALL HUGO'S FAULT! *falls down again*
Stocke: How convenient!  Going to tell Raul now.
Sonja: Be careful!
Stocke: I'm not doing anything dang-*slips on a water puddle, cue laugh track*
*Raul's office*
Stocke: So...Hugo's a traitor.
Raul: well, I can't turn a blind eye forever, but I need proof before I do something about it.
Stocke: LEAVE EVERYTHING TO ME!
Raul: ...you're going to sneak into his office and find his document, aren't you?
Stocke: Oh hell yeah, that's what I do best!
Raul: Well, there's no way this can backfire, go ahead, he's not in there now!
*in Hugo's office*
Stocke: Let's see, if I was leading a country and betraying it at the same time for the sake of ABSOLUTE POWER, where would I hide a document like that...
Heiss: Right here of coure! *is holding it*
Stocke: Ah of course! Right...hey, where did you come from?
Heiss: I was always here!
Stocke: No, you really weren't; this room is small enough that you can see everything from the doorway.
Heiss: Oh, is that so? In that case, I'll be forced to kill you! *does disappearing Ninja tricks*
Stocke: Now that's just unfair!
*fight scene, ends in a stalemate*
Heiss: Persistent Bastard!
Stocke: Hey, Heiss, your shoes are untied!
Heiss: huh, what? *drops document*
Stocke: JUST AS PLANNED! *grabs Document, disappears and runs away*
Heiss: What the...damn it, oldest trick in the book...and he learned my invisibility powers just by watching it! Clever boy...
Hugo: What are you doing in my office?
Heiss: Chasing after a rat...
Hugo: Did you catch it?
Heiss: No...
Hugo: ...WELL GO GET IT! I hate rats.  They are ugly, and smell and usually bring diseases!

*back at Raul's office*
Stocke: Here's the document.
Raul: Thanks, though I think it's best you get out of here.  They know it's you, but don't know it's me...sorry, can't do much to protect you.
Stocke: Yeah, I'm getting out of here with Rosch like...now!
*at clinic*
Stocke: HisonjatakingroschacrosscountrybecausetraitorcomingbackneverIloveyoubye!
Sonja: Oh no you don't! Not without me you aren't! I'm the only one who can treat him!
Stocke: ...fine...
Sonja: Where are we taking him anyway?
Stocke: Sand Fortress.  Viola will know what to do.
Sonja: He won't make the journey.
Stocke: Do YOU have a better option?
Sonja: ...
Stocke: Thought so!

*out of town*
Stocke: Damn it Rosch, you're too damn heavy!
Sonja: Maybe we should have taken off his armor first?  we can still do that!
Stocke: No time for that! We must hurry!
Sonja: But...I...oh whatever...
Rosch: I think we're being attacked from behind.
Stocke: ...*sigh* Ok, Sonja, carry him alone, I gotta fight off an army single handedly...
Sonja: Isn't that suicide?
Stocke: Trust me, I got this!
*scene shift*
Sonja: Dead end, and I can't carry you much further.
??: Perhaps I can help.
Sonja: Huh? But you are...
*one scene later, 15 dead bodies on the ground*
Stocke: I...can still...fight...
Soldier: HE'S INHUMAN! RUN!
Stocke: Yeah, you run away, I can take anything you-*squish* oh god, there goes my organs. *Collapses*
??: This is him?
??#2: Yep, that's the description alright!

*White Chronicle*
Lippti: STOCKE! DO YOU WANT TO START CHAPTER 3!?
Stocke: Umm...I feel like I'm forgetting something...
Teo: no, you aren't, trust me...
Stocke: Really? Because I swear there was something else I had to...
Lippti: KILL THE BITCH!
Stocke: Oh, right! Gotta go assassinate someone in the other timeline!
Teo: Was hoping to avoid that...

*timeline jump*
Stocke: So...about sneaking around...I can turn invisible.
Raynie: Since when can you do that?
Stocke: Since shut up, that's when.
*searching the entire castle, the team comes across someone who they believe is Eruca*
Marco: There's something too easy about this...
Raynie: other than how we got lucky that Stocke pulled a power out of his ass to get us through this?
Marco: Yes, why would she just appear like that?
Stocke: ...IT'S A TRAP!
Soldiers: THERE THEY ARE! GET THEM!
Stocke: Quick! To the sewers everyone!
*They get to the sewers, it's barred off*
Stocke: ...someone ratted us out, I think...
Raynie: Double Agent?
Stocke: I think so...and now we're cornered...
Soldiers: Any last words?
Voice: HOLD YOUR BREATH!
*Sleeping gas*
Stocke: Who the hell are you?
??: Otto.  Now are you going to trust me or be on the receiving end of their pointed sticks?
Stocke: Trusting you sounds like a good idea, let's go!

*back in the bar somehow*
Stocke: Thank you Otto, but what is this?
Otto: Well, Pierre, you wanna explain this?
Pierre: VIVA LA RESISTANCE!
Raynie: Well that explains that...
Marco: But where was the princess?
Hooded Person: AAAH! Marie, it's hot in here, would you mind removing my hood?
Marie: Yes, milady.
*Eruca revealed*
Eruca: Hello Stocke, nice to meet you, now JOIN OR DIE!
Stocke: You do realize I can probably beat half of the people in the resistance without breaking a sweat right?
Eruca: ...ok, you're smarter than you look, time for plan B: Persuasion.
Marco: How do you plan on doing that?
Eruca: My step mother is not of Royal Blood, she's causing Desertification.  If Alistel Wins, it won't stop it.  I can do the RITUAL to stop it, at least temporarily, and we kind of need to.  Stupid bitch and her ruling this country when my father died and *grumbles*
Stocke: Ok, your story checks out.
Raynie: what? That sounds like an elaborate lie!
Stocke: Too elaborate if you ask me! (That and it fits in too perfectly with what the Time Elves have been saying...)
Voice of Lippti: KILL THE BITCH!
Eruca: Tell me, Stocke, what is this war to you?
Stocke: It's a job.
Eruca: Ok, so no emotional investment?
Stocke: No really no.
Eruca: If you don't trust me, then go to Cornet and talk to the elder there, he will explain everything.
Stocke: Ok.

*at Cornet Village*
Elder: Yes, Desertification is happening and it's all Queen Protea's fault...well, and partially that bastard Hugo's fault.
Stocke: Right, all I needed to hear!
Raynie: Wait, Stocke, you're saying we should join the resistance and BETRAY ALISTEL!?
Stocke: It involves saving the world.  The world's going to end in 10 years at this rate.  So when it comes down to saving the World vs. saving a country, I think the answer is obvious...
Marco: I agree with Stocke!  Raynie, you want to protect Alistel, but what use is protecting Alistel if the world is gone?
Raynie: ...you know, for a while the pathes weren't mutually exclusive but...can I have a moment to think about this?

*meanwhile, in Queen Protea's castle*
Protea: Selvan, go burn down the city to kill the resistance
Selvan: Where should I begin to start explaining how incredibly stupid an idea that is?
Protea: OFF WITH HIS HE-...
Selvan: Er...and by stupid, I mean GENIUS! YES! Burning down the town, on it!
*hallway*
Selvan: Ok, you, generic redshirt...
Soldier: Um, sir, my shirt is blue.
Selvan: SHUT UP!  Anyway, go spread a rumor about the resistance burning down the town, then burn down an uninhabitted section to let people escape while the entire city burns slowly
Soldier: Ok, my family will at least survive...
Dias: Wait, you're going to do what?
Selvan: Queen's orders, she's going insane, kind of want to keep my head...
Dias: Well it is our fault she's sitting on the throne...
Selvan: Can we just oust her already?  This is getting horrible after King Richard left...

*back are Cornet*
Villager: GRANORG IS BURNING!
Stocke: ...right, let's go help the princess, Marco, you're with me!
Raynie: Wait, take me with you!
Stocke: ok, fine...by the way, since we're no longer part of Alistel due to being traitors, we're now equals, you're not my subordinates...which means nothing really changes and I still get to push you around since I'm cooler than both of you.
Marco: Ok, fine.
*at Granorg, which by the way, entire city is on fire*
Stocke: Ok, where to first?
Aht: HELP ME!!!
Stocke: ...do we have to?
Raynie: Yes.
Marco: Pretty much.
Stocke: Damn it!
*they save Aht, Vanoss and Liese*
Vanoss: You sure he's THE ONE, Aht?
Aht: Yes! Definitely!
Liese: Stocke, take her with you!
Stocke: Can I say no?
Aht: NO YOU CANNOT!
Stocke: There's gotta be someway out of this...
Voice of Lippti: KILL THE BITCH!
Stocke: ...coming from you, Aht joining doesn't sound so bad anymore, let's go!
*at the bar*
Stocke: WHERE'S THE PRINCESS?
Pierre: Behind this wall!
Eruca: Yep, I'm fine, let me help you guys escape to the Sand Fortress so we can continue on!
Pierre: SORRY PRINCESS BUT I MUST BETRAY YOU NOW BECAUSE MY SISTER DIED AND WE AREN'T GETTING ANYWHERE!
Eruca: You're serious about betraying us?
Pierre: Yes! NOW DIE *shot in the face*
Stocke: WHOA! Princess, what the hell?
Eruca: What? Is it so weird that a princess carries a gun and knows how to use it?
Stocke: I...uh...er...remind me not to piss you off, is all.
Otto: I'll hold them off, get out of here!

*White Chronicle*
Teo: ok, Stocke, what are you doing here?
Stocke:  I just thought I'd do some side quests now, is all!
Teo: Really? NOW of all times?
Stocke: Look, I can go right back to that moment whenever I want!
Teo: *Sigh* Fine, just don't get yourself killed.
*Multiple sidequests and bad ends later, even ones including produce somehow*
Teo: Can we get back to really saving the world now?
Stocke: Yes, yes we can.

*Sand Fortress Border*
Stocke: We're here, princess.
Aht: Think that guy made it?
Raynie: I doubt Otto could survive...
Otto: I'M NOT DEAD!
Stocke: Yes you are!
Otto: I'm not!
Stocke: You're injured, you won't last.
Otto: I'm getting better!
Stocke: You'll be stone dead in a moment!
*Marco heals him*
Stocke: ...or not...seriously Marco, why?
Marco: I feel like we prevented this routine earlier, but can't place it why...almost like there's another me...maybe there's a whole other time based off different choices we make, leading to infinite possibilities.  Maybe this is just one of those moments and every decision we make changes the very nature of reality!
Stocke: That's just plain stupid, Marco.  I'm embarrassed you're even on my team.
Voice of Teo: Says the man who is jumping between timelines at whim, thus knows for a fact that everything Marco says is completelhy true.
Stocke: Do you want me to reveal the truth of the White Chronicle?
Voice of Teo: ...right, carry on with the denial!

Narrator: And so with that argument done, Stocke and co., after healing Otto, set off to do...uhh...wait, what are you guys suppose to be doing again?
Eruca: We WERE going to discuss that, but you decided to cut us off before we had a chance to gather ourselves.  Seriously, the nerve of some people!

[Fudozukushi]

Fallout New Vegas: The Avenger is the bane of marked men, it just tears them up so bad.  Satchel charges are a monstrous pain with heavy armor though.  I take like, 300 damage and literally can't disarm any of them.  If I hadn't saved two dozen doctor's bags it'd be even worse.  Things mostly went easy breezy until I got to fighting Deathclaws.  the SURPRISE at the High Road killed me, then the two at the start of the area outside the Temple killed me about three times, including once in one hit from full health.  Oh the otherside, Courier's Mile went quick and easy, and Rawr went down fast too.  Still getting new dialogue from Ullysses, I love it.  Economy is still broken beyond all belief, I went in with like, 72 caps and ended with over 200,000.  That's gonna be a lot of 5mm rounds and gov't for Raul.  Before I get my ghoul back I go do Long 15 to get the Scoched Sierra Power Armor and take the next step to ultimate power.  I step in, consume my drugs and... move like a damn snail.  I'm under my weight limit what's going on?  Ugh, whatever, charge.  The ghouls are useless, but the Heavy Armor Troopers somehow get their DT against the Avenger's JSP rounds and I'm damn low on AP.  Survivalist Rifle can't do anything either since all I have are Hollowpoints.  I waste most of my ammo cutting through them, but the minigun troopers drop some AP for my fight against Colonel Royez.  Thankfully I knock aside his plasma caster and he draws his knife and sits there and takes a full box of AP to the face.  Hello delicious bear pauldron armor.  Swap that on and slowly return to the Mojave Outpost.  I check online for any movement bugs.  OHHEY I HIT CAPSLOCK AND WAS WALKING THE WHOLE TIME.  /suicide.  Anyway, dumped stuff off in Novac, grabbed EDE and Raul and returned to Long 15 for loot because I'm greedy.  Fixed up Raul's gear before going on the world tour of ammo.  Went from 700 5mm JSP to 4500.  Delicious.

I actually prefer using the Avenger to snipe targets since I have the ammo now.  I can actually trace the bullets to see if they hit instead of random missing with other guns.

[Dark Holy Elf]

Legend of Dragoon - Beaten again. Level 40, around 38 hours or so.

Random thoughts:

The battle system is pretty good; the game is overall too easy for it. Nothing new here. I do really appreciate that the game put in optional fights such as the fallen dragoons and the divine dragon spirit (the best way to be a good boss in LoD? Be dead) which actually will test the player some. i just wish the game had done a better job of challenging fights in the maingame. What's weird is that midgame, with Lenus and then a few disc 3 bosses it seems to find its way, then the chapter 4 required bosses uniformly suck, outside Melbu who is merely a slow grind which can kill you if you screw up but overall is still disappointingly easy.

While I do enjoy the game a fair deal, it's easy to see why one might not. If you like timed hits it's good fun. If you don't, then attacks will feel annoyingly slow in that FF9 way, to go with the long loading times the game has. The game also has long animation times for certain enemy spells, which I don't really mind because they suit the battles they're in; randoms use almost entirely basic physicals and unboosted magic which animate very quickly. Funny how big a difference the timed hit mechanic makes to the overall perception of whether the game's battles drag.

LoD inventory is interesting and I'd like to see another JRPG try something like it. It's limited by design; restocking it is cheap so you really think more about what items you want to carry. This allows them to make the items good without feeling overpowered, and you get lots of choices between types of healing items, attack items, repeatable items, etc... what's worth your inventory? I do think it was a good decision to give the best mages healing magic, so if you use one you can shift to using less healing items and more attack items, nice little built-in balance. Oh yeah and the whole system would suck if equipment cluttered the inventory, so thank goodness it's separate. I do wish the menu for accessing items was better though; it's a bit cumbersome (doesn't combine items except in battle, doesn't save cursor position, etc.).


Next up on my list of RPGs to replay which I haven't played in years is Xenogears, but that will wait until the new year. For now...


Civ 5 - Is fun. I haven't played Civ in over a decade, wasn't sure if it would trigger the same general response... but it seems to. Certainly are a few key differences compared to Civ 2; the biggest I've noticed is that cities are much harder to conquer (which well probably reduces the risk of losing before turn 20 which Civ 2 had at least). I'm also annoyed that you can't control unit movement entirely with the keyboard any more, but that's not too big a deal.

Super Mario Kart - So I randomly started playing this last week and was struggling to win on 150 cc. I'm rusty at the game and it is wonderful! SMK's pretty much my favourite so it's actually pretty great that the skills at it have decayed enough for it to be a legitimate challenge again.

[Dhyerwolf]

Interested how you think XG will hold up, because I tried replaying that one a few years back and was constantly battling sleep myself.

[superaielman]

I doubt XG will hold up at all. Story driven game+PSX translation+unfinished to start with. Liking the game helps overlook issues like that (I really enjoyed FF7 on the replay, even with the awful translation).


Related! I'm on a replay kick. SO2- Just got down with the herb fetching quest for Bowman.  Still love the combat, just wish there was sceneskip. The last of the textdumps is coming up soon though (Lacour front lines).  Running a Claude/Rena/Precis/Opera team. I got the eternal sphere on disk 1 for the first time ever. I got the minus sword on the first try (Tried to get it on a whim as I had the mithril lying around and was just dicking around after failing to get silvance). Getting the ES after took some time, bu hey.

I'm running on universe. Randoms can and will posterize you if you don't take them seriously. It's definitely fun, I haven't played through SO2 in over a decade.

[Meeplelard]

Joining the replaying of PS1 RPGs bandwagon...

Valkyrie Profile: Just beat Chap 5!  Well, no, still have to send someone up and see sacred phase but shh!

[Grefter]

I really need to get back to that...

Also I fully expect XG to hold up for the Elfmans.  He knows quite well what he is getting in for with the parts he doesn't like and if he still had that positive a response to LoD I can't see XG having that much of an aversion either.  All the reasons he liked it are still there.  Like Disc 2 change will probably be "REALLY this took this long?  it was this much of a text dump?" but that is only because it is truly ridiculous and you remember it being long, just not how long it actually is.  On the other hand though the Soylent System is still the Soylent system and that part really does hold up.

Edit - Also of course some of this is personality types coming in to play.  Elf is a really positive guy under the sarcasm where lets be frank here, the three of us (Dhyer, Super and I) are all huge bitches.

[Dark Holy Elf]

I quite enjoyed the XG disc 2 text dump and imagine I will again; oh noes it is reading. I have also watched much (but not all) of the game a few years ago when I saw a friend play through it, so I know roughly what I'm getting into on that front. The real question is how much things like Babel Tower and the final dungeon will piss me off when I'm the one who actually has to play them, though.

[Grefter]

I wouldn't bet on it being enough to really lower  your opinion much though!  You know why they suck.

 The text dump is more bad because of how much of a hit it is to the pacing of the game and that it is so much tell rather than show (because budget obviously), not because it is text in your PS1 RPG >_>.

WA5 - So I have realised I missed chances to put the villains in the same naming conventions as the protagonists.  Shitty Strider (Fereydoon) is kind of boring, Shitty Villain Alucard (Volsung) is dumb and I understand Niu's reaction, Shitty Niu is Duo obv, Shitty , Shitty Bondage Childerich is the worst thing so far(Kartikeya).

Did Ice Queen fight.  Wouldn't vote based on that form personally but whatever me voting isn't important at all.  Asgard is a really pointless boring system to have in the game.  I think it might be worse than the Sand Crawler or whatever it's called in WA3.  We are also only at 2 boss fights that are actually plot impacting that you didn't autolose so far, Nigtburn and Ice Queen.  This is getting pretty weird.

[Fudozukushi]

Fallout New Vegas: Slow progress in OWB.  Running through ammo at a dizzying rate.  Sink takes forever to restock.  Also fought the SECRET GREAT LORD OF THE NIGHTSTALKERS because how the hell did a random-ass nightstalker nearly kill me through 46 DT and 400+ HP.

[Random Consonant]

I think it might be worse than the Sand Crawler or whatever it's called in WA3.

At least you could control your dudes in sand crawler combat in WA3.  WA5 Asgard combat you just go off and make a sandwich while things trundle and punch each other.  It is also completely irrelevent since hovering skips randoms and none of the three forced fights matter which begs the question of why even have it in the first place.

[Meeplelard]

Radiant Historia Abridged:

Narrator: ...is he here?  No? Good!  So we join Stocke and co. as they travel through the Sand Fortress, deciding what to do next.
Eruca: So...we should go to Cygnus...just saying.
Stocke: Sure, works for me; Aht, got any ideas where we can camp on the way there?
Aht: Does a random cave in the middle of nowhere with an Oasis in there count as a good place?
Stocke: Why yes, yes it does!

*they reach the cave*
Aht: We're here! SEE THE SKYLIGHT!? IT'S AWESOME!
Stocke: So...we should probably start preparing.
Raynie: Right! I'll go prepare the tent, Marco is coming with me.
Marco: Ok.
Raynie: And we need someone to watch the fire, CONGRATULATIONS STOCKE!
Stocke: HEy, I didn't sign up for it!
Raynie: Psst! YOU WANT TO TALK TO ERUCA RIGHT!? IT'S IMPORTANT YOU DO IT ALONE AND YOU MAY NOT GET THE CHANCE!
Stocke: If you're try to keep it a secret, why are you shouting?
Raynie: Because it forces everyone to cover their ears due to how loud I am, thereby keeping it a secret!
Stocke: ...how strangely logical, anyway, you're right!
Marco: Yes! I'll help wtih the Campfire!
Raynie: No, you won't.
Marco: Yes, I will!
Stocke: (I have to think carefully about this.) Let's...give him a chance to prove himself?
Marco: Yay!
*Campfire*
Marco: So...uhh...princess...do you like...tennis?
Eruca: ...
Marco: ...neither do I...
Eruca: ...
Marco: Wait, there's something in the woods...I'll protect you!
*Screen shift*
Stocke: What happened over...*Stocke sees Marco, Eruca and Rosch dead* Oh god, What DID happen!?
Rosch: I came to assassinate the Princess because I heard rumors about you betraying us.  Marco jumped onto my lance and died, Princess fought back much better than I expected...now I die.

*BAD END*
Teo: So...can you explain why you thought Marco can be trusted with this?
Stocke: I gambled with him having a chance, I was wrong.  This is the nature of casinos.
Lippti: TIME IS NOT A CASINO! DO NOT GAMBLE WITH FATE!
Teo: ...well, technically she's right.  Stocke, go back and tell Marco he can't do it.
Stocke: Right-o.
*Stocke backtracks*
Stocke: So uh...Marco...no.  I'll watch it.
Marco: Oh darn!
*campfire*
Stocke: So...Princess...why me?
Eruca: You look like my brother and he was killed by my father because unlike my father he was a GOOD MAN and my father apparently had a NO DECENT PERSON rule in our family.
Stocke: How'd you live?
Eruca: I kicked the family dog every once in a while to disguise my decency...and shot a bird in the face by accident but claimed it was on purpose.
Stocke: Ouch, you had a hard life.
Eruca: Tell me about it.
*Rustle in the woods*
Stocke: Stand back princess, I'll handle this!
Rosch: Stocke! It is you!
Stocke: Rosch? What are you doing here?
Rosch: Making sure you're completing your mission of assassinating the princess...
Stocke: That was my mission?
Memory Voice of Lippti: KILL THE BITCH!
Stocke: ...oh, right, it was.  Look, I decided saving the world is more important than our home country, and she's kind of necessary for it.
Rosch: Since when were you so idealistic?
Stocke: Since shut up.
Rosch: If you won't kill her, I WILL!
Stocke: Gotta get through me first!
Rosch: Dude, look, I can walk over you, do you know how easy that is?
Stocke: ...you're right, please, be my guest...
*Stocke trips Rosch in the high school method*
Stocke: HA! NOW SURRENDER!
Rosch: NEVER!
Stocke: Ok *Stabs Rosch* ...wait, WHAT HAVE I DONE!?
Rosch: You killed me.  I didn't want to believe it, but you killed me!
Stocke: I knew this was coming but I couldn't prevent it...just what was I suppose to do?  Now I know how Shulk feels.  There's nothing I can do...nothing...
Teo: Or you can go back to the alternate timeline and get that Rosch to turn on Alistel, making that bleed over into this timeline and thus he may sympathize with your situation.
Stocke: Or I can...hey wait a minute, that's a great idea! Thank you Time Travel!
Lippti: DON'T FORGET TO TAKE HIS ARM IT IS IMPORTANT DOITDOIT!
Stocke: Why would I do that?
Teo: Well, let's put it this way: If you don't do it, you're not going to hear the end of it from my sister.
Lippti: DOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOIT!!!!
Stocke: ...fair enough!
*Jump to the Alternate History, Stocke wakes up in a weird area*

Stocke: So...where am I?
Aht: YOU'RE IN CELESTIA!
Stocke: Oh, thanks Aht.
Aht: You're wel-...hey! How do you know my name!?
Stocke: Umm...it's on your name tag!? (I hope she doesn't realize she's not wearing one...)
Aht: Oh ok...
Stocke: (Phew, dodged a bullet there!)  So how did I get here?
Aht: Me and Gafka found you.
Gafka: Yes, Big One and Red One were down, the girl was fine.
Stocke: So we're all fine and dandy in Celestia?
Gafka: That is correct.
Sonja: Stocke! You're OK!
Stocke: Yes, yes I am...how's Rosch?
Sonja: Alive and uh...well, go talk to him at some point.
Stocke: Ok, I guess I'll go do that now...
Gafka: NO! Go talk to Elder first!
Stocke: Before I do, can I ask one simple question?
Gafka: Yes?
Stocke: Why is it that every time an RPG Protagonist comes to a new village, we always have to talk to the Elder?  I mean, it's not like they know us but immediately trust us.
Gafka: That is a good point.  Go ask the Elder about it.
Stocke: Maybe I will!
*Elder's house*
Stocke: Yo, Elder, why do we, that is jRPG heroes, always need to talk to you guys, that being elders, every time we enter a new village?
Elder: Because we are contractually obligated to help you guys.  How else do we get our paychecks?
Stocke: Ah, ok...and who is the woman?
Elm: HUMAN SCUM!
Stocke: Wuh?
Elder: That's Elm, leader of our scout forces...and she doesn't like humans...to say the least...
Elm: I WILL RIP OUT YOUR FLESH AND ROAST YOUR ORGANS AND FEED THEM TO MONKEYS!
Stocke: ...I get the feeling I am unwanted here...
Elder: You'll get use to it...
Elm: NEVER FORGET!!!!
Stocke: Umm...yeah, I'm going to talk to my friends now...
Elder: Probably for the best...
Elm: AND IF I SEE YOU AGAIN I WILL SLICE OUT YOUR LUNGS AND PLAY THEM LIKE A VIOLIN!

*At the back pond*
Stocke: Hey, Rosch, what's up buddy?
Rosch: Oh, hi...Stocke...
Stocke: Is something wrong?
Rosch: Well, let's see.  My entire brigade of rookie soldiers that trusted me with their life is dead, I nearly died on the battle field, my mechanical arm doesn't work anymore, and we're surrounded by a race of people who probably would prefer we're dead.  Did I mention we're probably branded traitors and our superior officer was setting us up to die?
Stocke: So...everything's fine?
Rosch: ...why couldn't it be me to die on the battlefield...
Stocke: Ok, NO! You are NOT pulling this survivor's guilt crap on me.  Yes, it's sad, but they all put their lives on the line because they believe in you!  Now you can either sit here moping about it, or you can...
Rosch: ;_;
Stocke: ...you know what, I'm going to talk to Sonja, screw you!
*with Sonja*
Stocke: So what's up with him?
Sonja: His arm got destroyed.  He was chosen as a rookie soldier because my brother trusted him and...you know, I'm not sure why I'm telling you this.
Stocke: IF we repair his arm, think that might cheer him up?
Sonja: WE CAN'T REPAIR IT OK!? WE NEED ANOTHER SAMPLE AND THEY'RE ALL BACK IN ALISTEL!
Stocke: You mean like...THIS!?
Sonja: Where'd you get that!?
Stocke: Oh, I have my ways...
Sonja: ...unfortunately, I lack the tools to do it.  I can extra the core, but only with my tools in Alistel, and good luck getting back there.
Stocke: Alistel you say...

*Stocke jumps back to the prologue*
Stocke: Hey Sonja, think you can extract the core from this arm?
Sonja: Sure I can, but...why and where the heck did you get this?
Stocke: Don't have time to explain, just do it!
Voice of Lippti: YOU HAVE INFINITE TIME!  THAT EXCUSE IS STUPID!
Stocke's Mental Voice: Shut up! I'm trying to save the world here!
Voice of Lippti: NO! YOU SHUT UP!
Sonja: And done!  Oh, by the way, take these tools, you'll probably need them for whatever it is you're doing.
Stocke: Right, thank you!

*back to where he was before*
Stocke: Hey, Sonja, think you can use this to repair Rosch's arm?
Sonja: Hey, isn't that the core I extracted from the arm you gave me a while back?
Stocke: Yes, yes it is!  I also still have those tools you gave me!
Sonja: Right, leave everything to me!
Stocke's Mind: Cha-ching!
Gafka: Red One, Elder wants you again!
Stocke: Ah nuts...
*Elder's house*
Elm: YOU WILL PAY FOR RETURNING HERE, YOU SON OF MAN!
Elder: Um, yeah, there are more enemies than expected, we think our Scout troupe is caught, think you can aide them?
Stocke: Ok, leave everything to me!  You saved me, I help you!
Gafka: I will go with Red One, he should not have to do this alone.
Stocke: Hey cool, I can use the help of a strong looking guy like you.
Aht: ME TOO! ME TOO!
Elder: No, you stay here Aht!
Aht: My decision is final, I AM GOING WITH STOCKE!
Stocke: NO! I AM NEVER TAKING YOU WITH ME!

*in the plains*
Aht: Man, I am so glad you decided to take me with you Stocke ^_^
Gafka: More importantly, I think that's the crew over there...
Stocke: I WILL TAKE THEM ON SINGLE HANDEDLY!
*rushes in, battle ensues where-in all 3 are there despite Stocke going alone*
Stocke: Man, that was easier than I thought, it's almost like you two were helping me...
Gafka: That's because we were...
Stocke: I mean besides Moral Support!
Gafka: ...
Vanoss: Aha, thank you for savnig us, I am Vanoss!
Stocke: So you guys have stuff to say?
Vanoss: Yes, we must see the Elder at once!

*Elder*
Elm: YOU RETURN A 3RD TIME HUMAN DO NOT THINK YOU WILL GET AWAY FROM ME THIS TIME!
Stocke: Seriously, PUT A GOD DAMN MUZZLE ON HER WHENEVER I COME IN!
Vanoss: It seems things are worse than we thought...Alistel is about to win over Granorg and well...can we investigate Alistel?  We need to learn about this Hugo guy.
Stocke: Hey, let me go too! I'm from Alistel, so I can help around.  Also, as SpecInt, I am good at sneaking around.  I can also turn invisible!  Also I want to check up on Raul, my superior...he's actually a good guy, see...
Gafka: I'll go with you too, mostly because this game sucks when it's solo PC sections which we have been good at avoiding.
Aht: ME TOO! You can't return here without me anyway!
Vanoss: Just as well, Elder decided last minute we need to head to Cygnus first anyway, so we'll go in two groups.
Stocke: Ok, TO ALISTEL WE GO!

*Alistel*
Stocke: Well we made it! How long til Vanoss gets here.
Vanoss: Yo *he says coming from the north*
Stocke: ...how the heck did you beat us here?
Vanoss: Uhh....Generic Troupe Member #1 Billy, wanna field this one?
Billy: Well, you've certainly got me stumped. *pulls down a Radiant Historia map* By all accounts, it doesn't make any sense.
Vanoss: Anyway, we've got news, but first, WE MUST PERFORM TO LOWER OUR CONSPICUOUSNESS!
Stocke: Oh, cool, I can do that too!
Vanoss: No, you wear this robe because you stand out thanks to your red!
Stocke: This seems awfully deja-vu like...
Voice of Teo: Because the exact opposite scenario happened in the other timeline -_-
*the crew performs, soldiers arrive*
Soldier: Hey you over there...STOP DANCING! HUGO HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!
Vanoss: Oh look, how convenient!
*The team goes to listen to Hugo's speech*
Hugo: WE MUST CRUSH EVERYTHING THAT ISN'T US! LONG LIVE OUR UTOPIAN SOCIETY OF RED SHIRTS!
Gafka: Well I've heard enough, let's go!
Stocke: That's a bad idea; they'll see you leave.
Gafka: *sigh*
Hugo: WE ARE AWESOME! THEY ARE TRASH! WE CANNOT LET THEM LIVE! I AM A POWER HUNGRY BASTARD WHO IS USING ALL OF YOU BUT YOU WON'T CARE BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST SHEEP! SEE? I CAN SAY NOAH DOESN'T EXIST AND YOU STILL WON'T CARE! LONG LIVE ME!!!
Civilians: Such a great speech, it's amazing.  I'LL TRUST HIM WITH MY LIFE! *one slices off his own arm and throws it to Hugo to show dedication*
Stocke: ...man, things have really gone downhill since I left...but let's get going...
Hooded Man: NO! TAKE THIS NOTE BUT SHOW IT TO NO ONE! NOW I MUST GET GOING!
Stocke: Hmm...what does this say?
Note: Meet me in back alley, NOW! Signed -TOTALLY NOT RAUL.  PS: Raynie and Marco are definitely NOT with me. PPS: Please bring a sandwich, I'm hungry.
Gafka: So are we going?
Stocke: Well, I don't know what the point is...it's definitely not by anyone I care about...but I guess it can't hurt
*Back Alley*
Raul: Hi Stocke, glad you came.
Stocke: HEY! The note said it was totally NOT by you, what gives?
Raul: I needed to avoid being caught so...
Stocke: And next you'll tell me Marco and Raynie are with you...
Raynie: Hi there!
Marco: We're back!
Stocke: ...let me guess, you're not actually hungry and you were messing with me, and I brought this sandwich for nothing?
Raul: Oh hell no, I'm starving!
*one sandwich later*
Raul: So...yeah, I'm basically a traitor, and my secretary got assassinated, but Marco and Raynie saved me...can I join you guys to Celestia? I have IMPORTANT INFO afterall.
Stocke: Yeah ok...but yo might want to take off that hood, it's kind of very hot.
Raul: HA! I can take it!
*5 minutes*
Raul: IT'S TOO FREAKING HOT! I'm taking this hood off.
Stocke: I warned you...

*Celestia, Elder's house*
Elder: And who are these humans?
Stocke: Marco and Raynie are friends of mine, Raul is my superior officer and totally a cool guy, BETTER THAN THAT JERK HUGO!
Elm: MORE HUMANS!? YOU DARE BRING MORE OF THEM HERE?! GET OUT NOW!!!
Elder: So...Raul was it? What have you come to tell me?
Raul: Simply put...you guys are not safe, and we need you to join the war...
Elder: You'd have us join Alistel!?
Raul: Oh hell no! Alistel is going to take over Granorg, then they'll set their eyes on you.  Hugo said as much.  So you either sit hit twiddling your thumbs until your resources run out, or you join with everyone not those two and try to fend them off.
Gafka: He is right; Hugo did say as such.
Elm: TOO. MANY. HUMANS. HATE. DEATH. KILL. MAME. *Faints*
Stocke: FINALLY, she's done.
Elder: I see, but I must think this over...ok, we'll help.
Raul: Good! But we need a leader...
Raynie: Hey, why can't you be the leader?
Raul: Strategy is more my thing; haven't been on the frontlines in a while...SO I NOMINATE STOCKE!
Stocke: Oh hell no! I can lead small groups but I am NOT a military guy! I QUIT!
Raul: ...I think it's clear he won't do it.  Anyone you have is qualifed Elder?
Elder: Alas, no we do not; lots of hunters, no warriors.
Gafka: And I have no gift for leadership.
Marco: So what you're saying is we need some sort of BIG GUY with military experience, like a Captain of sorts, to run the army?
Stocke: Well, no one like that is here...
Raul: Actually, Rosch would be perfect!
Stocke: ...oh, right, Mr. Mopey Dopey Survivor Guilt.
Raynie: NO! WE CAN'T USE HIM! HE'S JUST HEALED! THAT'S STUPID!
Raul: I can lead the crew if we desperately need one but Rosch would be better...Stocke, what do you think?
Stocke: (I have to think carefully about this one)  Yeah, Raul, you take it...because Rosch is being too emo to do anything right now.
Raul: Ok, guess that settles that.

Narrator: And so, Raul wins many battles with the Celestians being an awesome leader...then gets assassinated and things sort of go to hell.
*BAD END*

Teo: ...
Stocke: ...
Teo: ...
Stocke: ...So...Rosch?
Teo: Rosch.
*Stocke returns*
Stocke: Ok, fine, I'll go smack sense into Rosch and get him to do it before Raul is forced to do it, GEEZ!
Raynie: ...what was that all about?

*with Rosch*
Stocke: ROSCH! WE NEED YOU TO LEAD AN ARMY!
Rosch: Lead an army? I can't even lead myself! I am useless!
Stocke: Look, you can either lead the army or...
Rosch: Or what?
Stocke: Or I will be forced to do an inspiring, heroic, morale lifting speech that makes you suddenly want to join us!
Rosch: DO YOUR WORST!
*One speech and dramatic boss fight later*
Rosch: ...still not convinced...
Stocke: Well, time for plan B, Sonja, you're up! I'm leaving!
Sonja: Right! Rosch, if you help them I'll...I'll...
Rosch: You'll what...
Sonja: *whispers in Rosch's ear something implied to be too lewd for the speakers*
Rosch: YES SIR! I'LL TOTALLY GO AHEAD AND FIGHT THIS WAR!

*Elder's house*
Rosch: So, I will lead this war!
Raynie: Ha! I knew you'd come through! yay Rosch!
Marco: Um, Raynie, you were kind of the front runner for ROSCH SHOULDN'T DO THIS, you're kind of being wishy washy.
Raynie: WHO IS COUNTING ALRIGHT!?
Voice of Lippti: I AM!
*Stocke lets out a big sigh*
Rosch: So...onto war?

Narrator: And so, Rosch leads the team to VICTORY...initially...by which we mean chapter transition.

*Granorg*
Protea: SELVAN! DIAS! WHAT IS GOING ON!?
Selvan: Well, you see...your majesty...
Dias: MUTINY!!! *Breaks glass and angry mob carries Protea out*

Raul: So there's an enemy force coming...
Rosch: Good, I'll take Stocke, Raynie, Marco, the little shaman girl because we need get back in here, and the big beast guy.
Stocke: Works for me! Let's go!
*one dungeon later*
Thaumachine: CELESTIANS DETECTED! ALL. MUST. BE. ELIMINATED! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
Stocke: Oh sure, this couldn't be made easy, could it?
Gafka: Can I punch the thing yet?
Raynie: Hey, I wanna zap it!
Thaumachine: YOU. WILL. NOT. ES-CAPE! EXTERMINATE!!!
*Boss fight later, Thaumachine defeated*
Rosch: Good, now let's hope those from Cygnus got their job done!

*back at Elder's house*
Raul: We won the battle, but Cygnus kind of got completely wrecked by some new super weapon Hugo is using from Granorg where is now stationed.
Rosch: Well, that's just PRIME.

*at Granorg*
Hugo: YES! USE OUR SUPER WEAPON THAT TURNS PEOPLE TO SAND! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Fennel: Sir, I think you're going mad with power...
Hugo: I'm not crazy! You're crazy! See! I'M TOTALLY SANE!  KILL MAIME DESTROY TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!
Fennel: Ok, if you say so...
Heiss: Oh let him have his fun...how often do you take over the world anyway?

*Elder's house*
Raul: So I sent Gafka to Forgia, land of the Beastmen, in hopes to get them as allies...except they hate us humans a lot.
Stocke: Just how much can they hate us?
Raul: Well...you know Elm over there?
Stocke: You mean the one we tied to a flagpole so she doesn't kill us?
Elm: HUMANS MUST ALL BE DESTROYED! DEATH TO ALL AND EVERYONE OF THEM!
Raul: Yes her...well, multiply that by about 100.
Stocke: So...(I have to think carefully about this)...let's get allies with someone else, but who?
Raul: Well, I guess there are remnants of Granorg...
Stocke: (I have to think care-...oh screw it) Granorg it is!

Narrator: And so, Granorg teamed up with them and one month later betrayed them and screwed everything up.

*BAD END*

Lippti: I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA!  JOINING WITH YOUR ENEMY!? WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN!? I AM EMBARRASSED TO BE RELATED TO YOU!
Stocke: You're not related to me...you're related to him *points to Teo*
Teo: ...regretfully so...
Stocke: Look, I don't like dealing with Elm because she's a racist bitch, and the prospect of dealing with a whole village of people like her did not sound appealing so I tried my options.  I am very sorry I screwed up, and now will go choose the other option, ok?
Teo: *Sigh* Go ahead...

Narrator: AND THUS STOCKE LEAVES FOR GRAND ADVENTURES OF...choosing...the other...option...yeah, I got nothing...

NOTE: I called him "Elder" because I couldn't be bothered to check the spelling of his name.

[Dark Holy Elf]

Did Ice Queen fight.  Wouldn't vote based on that form personally but whatever me voting isn't important at all.  Asgard is a really pointless boring system to have in the game.  I think it might be worse than the Sand Crawler or whatever it's called in WA3.  We are also only at 2 boss fights that are actually plot impacting that you didn't autolose so far, Nigtburn and Ice Queen.  This is getting pretty weird.

Yeah, people were pretty split down "would you vote on Ice Queen y/n" which is why we ranked Avril and Ice Queen separately (Fei/Id-style) to avoid the problem entirely.

I pretty much agree with Random and yourself re Asgard. Fun fact, I had forgotten Asgard fights were a thing until I saw Ciato replay the game this year.

[Cmdr_King]

FF Dimensions- Beat.  Cracked 50 hours, final levels around 72.

Final party setup.

Sol-  Paladin, Battle Arts/Counter/Str+20.  Basically casts Mighty Wall, the spams double attack forever.  Mostly meant I could free up my mages to thigns besides buffs.

Sarah- Summoner, Doublecast/HP+20/INT+20.  Main healer.  Argy is really good, and since hey endgame, spamming Argy+Bahamut for 5000 damage heals was cool.

Aigis- Dragoon, Doublecast/Magic Blade.  So magic blade is just the coolest skillset.  Bunches of enemies are weak to stone as it turns out, and otherwise it's basically a critical hit that can hit weaknesses and doublecast.  Yeah.

Diana- Magus, White Magic/HP+20.  She ended up going all the way through both WM and RM, but didn't quite hit JL19 for WM/Doublecast.  Oh well.  Least effective PC of my final five, but that's to be expected since I basically left her in a grinding class and sent her down two job trees that don't contribute damaging attacks (at least not for a Dark Warrior)

Nacht- Ninja, Aim/Backliner/Alchemy.  Spreadshot is pretty awesome.  Does pretty much just that, although he can toss out emergency phoenix down+Xpotions at least.  Just, y'know, Spreadshot with dual wield is kinda crazy good.  Especially since rather a lot of enemies are human, demons, or undead (the stuff endgame katanas hit).

So, this game is the sort of game I keep thinking "why the hell don't they make more games like this".  It's a bit on the lazy side, definitely, but even then it's basically taking ideas from FF II, III, IV, and V and turning them into a more functional and refined whole.  Even when it's more or less lifting ideas wholesale, they tend to make more sense in the new context.  So it's a new game that's reasonably priced but is still comfortable and familiar and you can intuit your way through it based on familiarity with the series.  Not super awesome of course, but quietly solid.  7/10 material.

[Meeplelard]

Radiant Historia:

Narrator: We join Stocke as he is about to make the OTHER decision for joining the alliance.

Stocke: Let's go with Granorg, that can't go wrong!
*Same bad end*
Narrator: LIKE I SAID, we join Stocke where he is making the OTHER decision for joining the alliance!
Stocke: So...teaming up with Granorg sounds good!
*Bad end YET AGAIN*
Narrator: *AHEM* WE JOIN STOCKE WHEN HE IS GOING TO JOIN THE FORGIA!
Stocke: Hey, we should join with Granorg.
*Bad End*
Narrator: You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?
Stocke: Yes, yes I am.
Narrator: Whatever, I'm out.
Stocke: FINALLY! Anyway, let's join with Forgia!
Raul: Yes, let's see if Gafka will help us.
Stocke: I'll go talk to him!
*with Gafka*
Stocke: Hey Gafka, can you talk them into helping us?
Gafka: I was exiled from my crew, and they hate you, what do you think?
Stocke: Umm...maybe?
Gafka: ...let's put it this way, if you had the Beast Mark, you MAY have a chance, but as things stand, I doubt we will get anywhere.
Stocke: Where do I get the Beast Mark?
Gafka: From my tribe by Cygnus...
Stocke: I smell a Catch-22...
*Time Elves appear*
Stocke: ...ok, I get it, you don't have to say anything, jump into the other timeline and get the Beast Mark there, right?
*Stocke goes back to the Oasis Cave thing*

Stocke: Ok, let's see, talk with Eruca done...what happened next?  I forget why I even jumped timelines to begin with...
Rosch: STOCKE!!!
Stocke: ...oh, right, I killed Rosch...
Rosch: Stocke, thank god I found you!  I need to tell you that I have BETRAYED ALISTEL, I completely understand if you're against this.
Stocke: Actually, I'm traveling with the Princess of Granorg, so I kind of already have.
Rosch: Oh, that makes life easier.  Anyway, I need you to go to Cygnus while I deal with...
Stocke: Already on my to do list!
Rosch: ...do I really need any reason to be here then?
Stocke: Not unless you plan on joining us.
Rosch: Raul needs me and my brigade, so I cannot.  Good luck Stocke.
Stocke: (Wow, he actually made a complete 180, awesome!)
Voice of Lippti: Actually, it was more like a Right Angle!
Marco: Hey Stocke, I'll cover the fire now, you take some rest!
Stocke: Ok, nothing can go wrong here!
*One sleep gas trap later*

*Prison*
Stocke: ...where am I?
Ricky: STOCKE! You're awake.
Stocke: Hi Ricky...yes, I remember you, just tell me where we are and how we got here.
Ricky: Some desert Prison and we were drugged.
Stocke: So anything else?
Hedge: MWAHAAHHA! I HAVE CAUGHT A FINE ONE HERE! YOU LOOK STRONG!
Stocke: What are you babbling about?
Hedge: THIS IS THE CYGNUS ARENA! YOU ARE GOING TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH AGAINST A CHAMPION! Please try and make him look good *does a mustache twirl animation*
Stocke: ...I am not going to dignify this with a response, instead I am just going to play along and try and use this as an opportunity to get out of here.
Hedge: I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY!
Stocke: Ok, let's do this...
*Stocke kicks the crap out of the Gladiator*
Hedge: NO!!! HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?
Other Guy: Hey, you're pretty strong, wanna go meet the king? I'm sure he'd like this!
Stocke: DO I!?
*Throne room*
Stocke: So...you're Garland, right?
Garland: Indeed I am, and what's your name, strong one?
Stocke: It's Sto-...er...ERNST! Yes, it's Ernst, TOTALLY NOT STOCKE!
Garland: HA! Amusing, just like the name of the fallen prince of Granorg!  Anyway, we like to ENTERTAIN our guests, and you are strong, I'd like to make you my guest!
Stocke: Ok, cool.
Garland: On one Condition: You are here to fight in the Arena when Dias arrives.  He's going to be a guest to, you see.
Stocke: I uhh...ok?
Garland: Also, I'd like to TEST YOUR MIGHT!
Stocke: Do I have to?
Garland: If you win, you are a free man, HOW DOES THAT SOUND?
Stocke: Ok, in that case...
*kicks Garland in the balls*
Garland: *screams like a little girl* cheap...shot...
Stocke: You never laid down the ground rules...
Garland: I...know...you...win...
Stocke: Yay! Now to FIND MY FRIENDS!
Hedge: NO! Sir, this is a bad idea! YOU MUST KILL THE INFIDEL NOW!
Garland: Silence! I will make that decision!
Hedge: BUT YOU CAN TRUST ME! HE IS BAD!
*Searching around the city some*
Stocke: Damn, found no one...maybe I'll just go for a drink.
*in the bar*
Aht: STOCKE!!! HELP ME!!!
Stocke: ...of all the...*sigh* ok, fine.  I'm taking AHt out of here Bartender whether you like it or not.
Bartender: GOOD! She's been causing me to lose customers for the past 3 days!
Stocke: So...Aht...do you know where anyone else is.
Aht: No.
Stocke: ...great...
*more searching later*
Stocke: Man, why can't we find anyone...
Aht: Did you try asking the conspicuous looking guy in the robe over there?
Stocke: As if he would know anything...
Conspicuous Robe Guy (CRG): I KNOW EVERYTHING!
Stocke: Ok, tell me where my friends are.
CRG: FOR A PRICE!
Stocke: ...great...what do you want?
CRG: A BATTLE!
Stocke: ok, let's do this...
CRG: Oh, you won't fight me.  I want you to fight in my brother's street arena thing.  Get at least a Gold Rating and come back here.
Aht: Yay! Me and Stocke get to fight together!

*one Arena match later*
Stocke: Alright, who is next!?
Hertz: HEY! IT'S HIM!
Stocke: ...great, the Desert Crows again...
Bram: YOU WON'T BEAT US AGAIN THIS EASILY!
Stocke: ...Aht, I don't feel like dealing with these guys, you can take them.
Aht: Yay!
*Stocke walks off to the side, leans against wall with arms crossed, sound effects of Aht beating the crap out of both of them are heard*
Aht: Ok, give up yet?
Bram: We...concede...
Hertz: Just...so...annoying...
Arena Guy: You guys have one more fight!
Stocke: Ok, who is next?
Gladiator: Remember me? I want to fight you again, FEEL THE WRATH OF MY CHI!
Stocke: ...oh god, I can't move!
Aht: DEUS EX MACHINA POWERS ACTIVATE!
Stocke: Ha! I can move...wait, when could you do that?
Aht: I always could but it means I will probably exhaust myself and die...but you MUST WIN STOCKE!
Stocke: (I must think carefully about-...wait a minute, this is a perfectly good opportunity to get rid of Aht once and for all, screw the carefully stuff.) Ok Aht, let's go with your plan!

Narrator: And so Stocke wins the fight but Aht died and thus things kind of went downhill from there.

*White Chronicle*
Stocke: Wait wait wait wait wait...you're telling me that Aht is integral to the timeline?
Teo: Yes, yes she is.
Stocke: So what you're saying is no matter how much she annoys me, no matter how much I hate her...I can't let her die?
Teo: No, you cannot.
Stocke: GOD DAMN IT!
Lippti: GO BACK AND FIX IT NOW!
*Stocke goes back*
Stocke: So...Aht...don't do that.
Aht: Huh? Ok.  Think you can win...
Stocke: ...not really...*Stocke gets his ass kicked*
Aht: So...how are we going to fnid our friends..
Stocke: I have to figure out a way PAST THAT CHI!
*Time Elves show up*
Stocke: Ok, what do I need this time?
Teo: I heard there was a Gutral who defeated him once, a travelling one...who was exiled...does that ring any bells?
Stocke: Maybe?
Teo: ...just go to the other timeline and ask Gafka for help.
Stocke: Oh, ok.
Lippti: Let's Do the Time Warp Again~
Aht: Hey Stocke...who are they?
Stocke: Oh just Time El-...wait, YOU CAN SEE THEM!?
Aht: Uh, yeah.  I'm kind of a SHAMAN, you know.  It's my thing.
Stocke: ...whatever you do, DO NOT TELL ANYONE ELSE!
*Back to right where Stocke left off with Gafka*
Stocke: Hey Gafka...about Chi...
Gafka: Oh, Chi? Just press Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right A B Start and you'll get past it.
Stocke: Really? That's it? Ok and...hey, wait, how do I do th-...
*Stocke finds himself back at the Arena*
Stocke: ...how'd I get here? I totally didn't use the Chronicle...
Voice of Lippti: That's the Power oooof LOVE~
Stocke: ...so uh...yeah... can I fight the next round?
Gladiator: BEHOLD MY CHI!
Stocke: Let's see...I'm suppose to do something here...ah screw it *Stocke does some weird DDR crap that resembles what Gafka claimed*
Gladiator: NO! HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT SEQUENCE!?
Stocke: Because I'm AWESOME duh.
Gladiator: You win.
Stocke: Ok, LET'S GO FIND OUR FRIENDS!
*after some lying to guards later after getting info*
Stocke: Hey, Eruca, we found you!
Eruca: Stocke! They were going to sell me into Slavery!  Though oddly they didn't take my gun so as soon as they opened the door I was going to shoot them in the face...
Stocke: Yeah, well, I'll figure a way to get you out of here without causing chaos.
*explosion by the doorway*
Stocke: ...I wonder if that distraction will help us *looks to doorway, Marco and Raynie are there unconscious* ...or conveniently gets us our OTHER friends.
Raynie: Stocke! We found you!
Marco: Yeah! We woke in Skalal near-bye, and the guy tried to hit on Raynie, so she made him his bitch and well..
Stocke: What's that mean?
Marco: Let's just say I saw a side of Raynie no man should ever witness...
Raynie: ...I'm standing right here, you know...
Marco: EEEP!
Stocke: So...we need to figure a way to get Eruca out of here...

*At Garland's Throne*
Guard: So...we're being attacked by Hell Spiders...4 of them...
Garland: GET EVERYONE TO SAFETY AND WE WILL MEET THEM HEAD ON!
*back with Stocke*
Stocke: Seems to be a lot of ruckus going on...
Civilian: HELP! HELL SPIDERS! THEY WILL EAT OUR TOES!
Stocke: How bad can one spider be-*looks off in distance and sees one* ...umm...so...let's go rescue the princess before fighting that thing...
Aht: Why!?
Stocke: Because she has a gun that shoots lasers.
Aht: Oh ok!
*One Eruca rescue and dead Hell Spider later*
Stocke: Ok, let's go talk to Garland about your rescue.
Eruca: That seems risky doesn't it?
Stocke: I just saved the town, I think I can win a negotiation war...
*with Garland*
Hedge: That's a horrible idea! THAT GIRL IS INTENDED TO BE GARLAND'S SERVANT! GIVE HER BACK NOW!
Stocke: But the town would be destroyed if not for her...
Hedge: No butts! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!
*Garland punches Hedge in the face*
Hedge: Ow! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO ME YOUR MAJESTY!
Stocke: Also, about this girl, she is...
Hedge: AHA! PRINCESS OF GRANORG! YOU ARE A TRAITOR AND MUST DIE FOR BRINGING THE ENEMY HERE!
Garland: Ok, that's it, I've had enough of your crap, Hedge.
Hedge: And what are you going to do about it?
Garland: YOU ARE BANISHED! GET OUT NOW!
Hedge: And what if I don't leave!?
Garland: Or I, Garland, WILL KNOCK YOU DOWN!
Hedge: EEEEEH! *Runs away*
Eruca: Well, that deals with the introductions, Stocke.
Garland: Your name is Stocke eh?
Stocke: Yes, yes it is.  I think you need to rethink your plans to meet with Dias.  Talk to the princess about it, I'm going to take a nap.

*one nap later*
Stocke: Ah, Raynie, Marco, you guys ready?
Raynie: I USE TO LIVE HERE IT'S GREAT EVERYTHING IS OK!
Stocke: That's nice Raynie, can we get off to speaking to the king?
*At Garland*
Garland: I'm going to meet with Dias.
Stocke: Weren't you trying to AVOID that?
Garland: We changed the location, now we set it up such that if he pulls a fast one, WHIRLWINDS WILL GET HIM MWAHAHAHA I AM A GENIUS!
Stocke: Maybe I should go too?
Garland: I need you to stay here and fend off HELL SPIDERS.
Stocke: (I have to think carefully about this) ...ok, good luck!

Narrator: And so Garland got ambushed by BALLISTAES! No, seriously, freaking ballistaes!  Dias is a jerk like that.
*White Chronicle*
Stocke: Ok, fine, sheesh, I'll volunteer to meet up with Dias myself.
Lippti: DON'T FORGET TO BRING A TOWEL!
Stocke: It's the Desert! What the hell am I going to do with a towel!?
Teo: Well, technically, you could wipe sweat because it's hot...but that's neither here nor there...

*backtracking*
Stocke: So...I'll go instead of you.  You'll just be putting yourself in danger, he has no reason to want me dead other than being a total douche.
Garland: Fair enough, off you guys go!

*in the Desert*
Dias: That jerk Garland, how dare he show up late to our ambush of him!
Hedge: Hey, Dias! Guess what? He planned this spot so you'd get killed!  You better attack now!  Also, Garland probably won't be coming himself, he has this kid telling him everything! Reward me please thanks!
Dias: Thank you indeed...Palomeides, HIS REWARD PLEASE!
Palomeides: Yes sir!
*sits on Hedge, killing him*
Stocke: So...here we are in the desert and...
Aht: Why are there so many soldiers this far south?  That makes no sense...
Marco: IT'S A TRAP!
STocke: Damn it, I already used that joke!
Marco: ...joke?
Stocke: Anyway, RETREAT! WE MUST HELP GARLAND!
*back at Cygnus, everything is going to hell*
Stocke: Garland, what happened?
Garland: Dias pulled a fast one, as you expected.  Jerk.
Ricky: I found this band Dias dropped!
Stocke: It looks like something Hedge would wear...HE MUST BE TO BLAME...but it's bloody, so he's probably dead.
*Time elves appear*
Stocke: ...which is why I am going to travel back about 20 minutes ago and warn him NOT TO BETRAY GARLAND BECAUSE HE WILL DIE.
Aht: IT'S THEM!
Raynie: What are you talking about?
Stocke: SOMETHING YOU WON'T REMEMBER BECAUSE THIS NEVER HAPPENED! ...whoa, Deja Vu!
*Stocke jumps back in time 20 minuets ago, catches up with Hedge*
Stocke: So...Hedge...don't go tell Dias, he's just going to kill you.
Hedge: PROOF!?
Stocke: THIS BLOODY ARMLET SHOULD PROVE I CAN SEE THE FUTURE!
Hedge: THAT PROVES NOTHING!
Stocke: Explain why your name is on it.
Hedge: PROVES NOTHING!
Stocke: It also has a fluffy bunny picture on it...
Hedge: ...ok, that proves everything, I won't do it *runs away*
Stocke: ...odd, I can't believe that worked given there really is no fluffy bunny on here...

*fast forward to plan being inacted*
Stocke: The path is clear, yay! Let's go talk to Dias!
*Ballistaes*
Eruca: Change of plans, we destroy ballistaes...anyone object?
Stocke: Works for me!
*4 ballista explosions and Garland helping out later*
Garland: Aha, now the whirlwind starts! We got 'em!
*With Dias*
Dias: Ok, this is getting ridiculous...
*Tornadoes*
Dias: ...OH COME ON!!!
*Back at the good guys*
Garland: Just as planned! Stocke, do your thing!
Stocke: Right-o!
*Stocke meets with Dias*
Stocke: Dias, we meet at last!
Dias: Oh hi Princess, fancy meeting you here...how's life on your end?
Eruca: It's good, Dias, how about you?
Dias: Same old same old; your step-mother is a complete psycho, I hate working for her, but I got bills to pay.
Eruca: Yeah, life sucks.
Stocke: ...I feel ignored...
Palomeides: YOU IN THE RED! ...have we met?
Stocke: Ye-no...-maybe? (Crap, I can't keep track of what I have and haven't done. Stupid time shenanigans.)
Voice of Lippti: Go go! Go Johnny Go Go Go! Johnny Be Good!~
Palomeides: I must kill you for you look strong!
Stocke: You won't win this time! ...even if it's the only time...ok, look, let's just fight in a non-duel fashion so that other guy can join you?
Palomeides: Ok.
*ONe boss fight later, Sand Plague kills Palomeides*
Dias: Grrr...my plans foiled, I'LL PAY FOR THIS!
*everyone stares at Dias*
Dias: ...I mean, YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! *runs away*
Stocke: Let's go tell Garland the good news!
*Back at Cyngus*
Stocke: So Garland...we're going to invade Granorg...me, Raynie and Marco and NO ONE ELSE!  we gotta kill all their big-wigs so the war ends.
Garland: ok, have fun with that!
*They leave*
Aht: YOU'RE NOT LEAVING WITHOUT ME WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT I WILL CHASE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH STOCKE!
Stocke: ...was afraid she'd say that...but what's your excuse Eruca?
Eruca: Plot convenience, mostly.
Stocke: Ok, so we'll go kill the guys and...
Eruca: Nooooo, we're going to Skalla first and talking to my contact because your idea is stupid and has too many holes in it.
Stocke: Ok, fine, sheesh.

*at Skalla*
Stocke: So where is this guy?
Eruca: At the inn.
Stocke: Why couldn't we just jump cut there?
*At Inn*
Stocke: So where is this guy? I bet he's a nerdy little nothing who...
Gutral: AHEM!
Eruca: Oh, there you are!  You must be the contact from Forgias.
Stocke: ...or he's a Gutral whose fist is bigger than my face, shutting up.
Eruca: Might I know your name? I'm Eruca.
Gutral: I'm Bergas.  I will help you get in, but first you must get a BEAST MARK before my clan will have any chance of trusting you.
Aht: How do we do that?
Bergas: Go to the Holif Ruins and pass the trials there!
Raynie: So...basically a fetch quest?
Bergas: Pretty much!

*At the forest outside the Holif Ruins*
Marco: Wow! There's a lot of vegetation here! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EXISTED RAYNIE!?
Raynie: Because the Desertification process started before I lived in Cygnus, duh!
Eruca: It's all my parents' fault...
Stocke: Look, we get it, your Step Mother is a bitch who can't do the ritual and is screwing us over...
Eruca: And my father too, he didn't do it too, because he lost the sacrifice necessary to do the ritual.
Stocke: Yeah your father is-...SACRIFICE!?
Eruca: Yeah, we need a sacrifice for the ritual, pretty sure I told you that.
Stocke: FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD OF IT! That's horrible! How can you go about doing this every time?
Eruca: BEcause we need to in order to save the world!
Stocke: I CALL FOUL! I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT! Even if I have to throw a hissy fit and get on the floor and scream til you agree!
Raynie: You know, while we discuss this, we kind of aren't continuing this important quest...
Aht: I DON'T CARE SO LONG AS I'M WITH STOCKE!
Stocke: Fine fine, we'll get the Beast Mark, THEN I'll consider bitching and moaning about the ritual, happy?
*Everyone nods*

Narrator: And so, the team gets the Beast Mark, after fighting what looks like the BLACK CHRONICLE for the first time, and a HUGE SPIDER right after.
Aht: Hey, that part was kind of important, you can't just narrate us through that!
Narrator: I can and I just did, DEAL WITH IT!
Aht: Now I know why Stocke hates you...

---
If you're wondering, I am doing Sidequests, but not listing them here mostly to make this thing less long.

[dude789]

Tales of Xilia: Saw that this was onsale at Amazon and picked it up on a whim. Just got through the forest dungeon where we get the healer girl and I'm really enjoying it so far. The gameplay is typical tales, but with some nice changes to combo and movement mechanics that make fighting feel a lot more fluid. Characters have generally been cool with Alvin being a standout. I really wish Teepo had a less grating voice actor though because I like his design for a mascot character and the writing for him isn't bad. Just that voice...ugh.

Biggest surprise so far has been artistic design which has been really good so far. The game's much prettier than most other Tales games and so far a couple of the areas have been breathtaking. Biggest weakness is the soundtrack, but it's generic Sakuraba so I knew what I was in for.

[Anthony Edward Stark]

Lightning's line about Hope's name would be an example of where I would consider the writer in the joke. The line is horrible, but in a way that I would be shocked if whoever wrote it didn't realize it. At least they have to aware compared to the writers of Xenoblade where you get the same stupid sentiments but channeled through dull writing.

The line is played 100% seriously in the game. The writers think that line is SUPER COOL and if you don't understand why it's the fault of the audience.

[SnowFire]

I'm pretty much at the same spot in Xillia despite having picked the game up for Black Friday.  SlowFire or something.  Anyway, yeah, it's fun, and if it's going to ripoff some plots, Final Fantasy 6 ain't a bad place to start.  (There's Magitech tubes draining entities of their essence and war looming on the horizon.  Although unlike FF6 there appears to be two separate rival villain casts a la ToS, which is fine by me.)  The excuse to "recruit" Elize was very, very weak (uh, Jude, why not take her over to Nia Khera to be adopted and NOT be stuck in deadly peril?), but whatever, they eventually remembered to show off that she can hold her own in combat.

Forest boss Jiao was pretty badass, I had to spend down my entire inventory of Gels & 4 Life Bottles (playing on Hard ofc, Jude-side).  Thank goodness he had a wind weakness...  enemies in general are massive damage sponges on Hard, which is fine, more reason to use special moves.  The team-up attacks seem to be the only thing that really deals damage, especially when there's no elemental weakness to hit.  Also I fail forever at using anyone besides Jude, and I can only easily chain 4 team-up attacks with Jude / Milla.  Not sure if I just have the wrong abilities set for Jude, or what.  (Okay, Jude / Rowen can get 2 team-up attacks, that isn't bad.  Jude / Elize has like Fairy Heal off Healer and htat's it, and Jude / Alvin has Double Demon Fang and that's it.)  Running with Demon Fist / Air upward juggle / earth Cerberus Strike / Healer at the moment.  Whenever I try to switch to a non-Jude character I get horribly massacred, so experimentation might be tricky.

I also agree with dude that the art design is in general fantastic.  Very pretty scenery & monsters, and the characters are very distinctive if very anime.  That said, there are a few characters who get a disapproving brow furrow.  The evil cat girl in stockings...  uh...  yeah.  I suppose I'll see her more later.  The other character is Milla herself, of course.



Okay, yes, she's a spirit cosplaying as a human so there's actually an excuse for her to be some kind of implausibly tall supermodel...  but...  look at that hourglass body shape.  That is *not healthy*.  If she's nearly starving herself, it seems unlikely she should have a giant rack -  these features don't normally go together.  It's kinda disturbing, since you see a lot of Milla, and it's not like official art that never shows up in-game (think CT Marle had a particularly ridiculous hourglass picture of her somewhere for example, but it's not in the in-game sprite, so whatever).

On the bright side, sticking Elize in shades & bunny ears with silly accessorizing?  Capital.  I'll let you off for now, ToX.  For now.

[Meeplelard]

Lightning's line about Hope's name would be an example of where I would consider the writer in the joke. The line is horrible, but in a way that I would be shocked if whoever wrote it didn't realize it. At least they have to aware compared to the writers of Xenoblade where you get the same stupid sentiments but channeled through dull writing.

The line is played 100% seriously in the game. The writers think that line is SUPER COOL and if you don't understand why it's the fault of the audience.

Or, you know, you just assumed that's what the writers wanted you to think, and went with the most negative perception so you could hate the game more.  Being biased against a game makes taking views like that easy, doesn't it?

[Fudozukushi]

Biggest surprise so far has been artistic design which has been really good so far. The game's much prettier than most other Tales games and so far a couple of the areas have been breathtaking. Biggest weakness is the soundtrack, but it's generic Sakuraba so I knew what I was in for.

There will be some Jazzier tracks later on, and the two believe songs are pretty good.  But it's otherwise Sakuraba auto-pilot like little else.

That said, there are a few characters who get a disapproving brow furrow.  The evil cat girl in stockings...  uh...  yeah.  I suppose I'll see her more later.

It's supposed to be a fox tail actually~

[Grefter]

Or, you know, you just assumed that's what the writers wanted you to think, and went with the most negative perception so you could hate the game more.  Being biased against a game makes taking views like that easy, doesn't it?

Or it is interpreting it as the same tone as the sequences that this happens in and it is completely 100% serious. 

Literally saying that the game with bad writing, that we all are pretty much agreeing with, has bad writing is what he is doing.  Now can we all go back to leaving it alone again?

Wild Arms 5 - Did the four towers that are in bum fuck nowhere on each corner of the planet.  I have no idea how you are meant to find these and not accidentally kill yourself on end game dungeons at least once without an FAQ.

Carol = Trance is pretty perfect.  As soon as she says she wants to go with Dean and co. her elderly gentleman declares that she has reached puberty and runs away abandoning her.  Then they make up by her calling him daddy and him being okay to them having an open relationship.

Edit - Also Luck Medium >>>>>>>>>>>> Sea Medium continues to shine true, but enemies stopped having so many Berries to steal so I am in dire need of some kind berry intake and I have no fucking idea where any of the trees are to restock on stuff.