Before we even get to the starting menu, we are treated to an animated movie opening. It's all pretty cool, I much. I still don't understand who that person looking at the picture is (Or when the picture could have been taken), but I'm probably overthinking things. Anyway, I start a new game.
Okay, naming our character... OF COURSE! SAMAYA! Perfect. ....Oh, wait, they only give you five spaces to work with. Sucks. Since "Samay" doesn't ring well, we're going with Tempo.
Good morning, Tempo!... or not, as they decided that such a famous line didn't need to be in this new version. Still, Tempo's oddly green-haired mother wakes him up regardless.
On the equipment screen, Tempo's name has a picture of a sun next it, even though it won't be much longer until that's relevant.
Tempo's mother (who the game never bothers naming) asks us to name our second character. Tusca, it is.
The world map features an oddly small and non-detailed version of our character. Also, no monsters. I suppose that's a given for the gameplay style, but it always struck me as fundamentally wrong. Before we go to the festival like Mother asked, we'll take a slight detour to the Guardia Forest for our first few battles.
All enemies are plainly visible on the field. They give the usual experience, money (called G), and occasional items, but also tech points. Earn enough tech points and your characters get new abilities and spells, called techs. At first, Tempo can only beat up mushrooms and stuff with his sword, but soon he gains Cyclone, which attacks enemies in a circle.
One area has a strength capsule, which raises strength by one (and sparkles). Another area has a black box. Checking it causes the game to play creepy music and tell you it's locked. Remember that now.
Go north, the guards won't let you in the castle. Go south, there's the town of Porre, but nothing to do there. I guess we'll have to travel east to the festival.
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