History VideoGame / LuminousAvengerIX

*** After snagging the medicine, the other kids will mention that Kohaku had a sister that was presumably killed after a Sumeragi raid, where she acted as a distraction against their troops and was never seen again. She [[spoiler:is ''not'' dead; after that lair raid, Asimov placed a Septima extracted from Gunvolt's corpse into her, then brainwashed her to become a replacement Gunvolt codenamed "Blade".]]

*** One of the first, subtle signs that Blade isn't what he seems to be is when [[BigDamnHeroes Kohaku]] throws a smokescreen to get Copen and Lola out of the way when he's about to kill them, something that made him feel uneasy later on. It's no coincidence, and it's not because of the smoke.

** If you listen to the mission briefing for the final mission, Copen will muse on how [[spoiler:the Sumeragi AI kept Mytyl in her AndIMustScream form for ''decades'']].

*** After snagging the medicine, the other kids will mention that Kohaku had a sister that was presumably killed after a Sumeragi raid, where she acted as a distraction against their troops and was never seen again. She [[spoiler:is ''not'' dead; after that lair raid, Asimov placed a Septima extracted from Gunvolt's corpse into her, then brainwashed her to become a replacement Gunvolt.]]

*** When Copen was raiding the Medical Center for Kohaku and Blade was about to kill him, Lola's mentioning of Kohaku throws him into immense distress, which Copen takes advantage to snag the medicine for her and run. Lola even questions if Blade was programmed or brainwashed. As it turns out, [[spoiler:Blade is actually ''Kohaku's sister'', and this is her trying to fight back Asimov's programming on her.]]

** Considering [[spoiler:the association between The Muse and butterflies]], it should become painfully obvious what [[spoiler:the Butterfly Effect is referring to]].

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: Despite how immensely bleak almost everything about this game's setting is, [[spoiler:unlike the previous two ''Gunvolt'' game's {{Bittersweet Ending}}s, the game actually [[spoiler:''does'' end on a genuinely optimistic note, with Blade and Kohaku managing to save Copen and Lola]], and as the sequel indicates, [[spoiler:the world has largely remained peaceful after Asimov's demise.]]

* CrapsackWorld: As a game taking place in a what-if scenario where [[spoiler:Asimov kills Gunvolt and Joule]], things most certainly aren't going good. Humans, now known as Minos are hunted until near-extinction and any non-Sumeragi controlled cities are mercilessly obliterated. If you're an adept, instead of getting the protection Sumeragi promises you with, you will be constantly surveyed and pacified to make sure you don't turn against them, and if you have any Septima that would benefit them, you're instantly conscripted or experimented upon. Stand-outs include [[spoiler:Mytyl, who had her brain extracted and tortured to create a mind control device with her Muse,]], and to a lesser extent, [[spoiler:Dystnine, who was inevitably going to become an experimental subject just because he was a mass-produced android with a Septima.]]

* SurprisinglyHappyEnding: Despite how immensely bleak almost everything about this game's setting is, [[spoiler:unlike the previous two ''Gunvolt'' game's [[Bittersweet Ending}}s, the game actually [[spoiler:''does'' end on a genuinely optimistic note, with Blade and Kohaku managing to save Copen and Lola]], and as the sequel indicates, [[spoiler:the world has largely remained peaceful after Asimov's demise.]]

* EasyLevelsHardBosses: Copen's ability to fly frequently allows him to bypass obstacles and enemies and his prevasion ability can negate most damage sources. Bosses in contrast generally have means to hit him even while airborne and most have attacks (entire movesets in some cases) that bypass his prevasion ability. Learning to fight them without prevasion can be quite a DifficultySpike for new players.

** In particular, the fate of [[spoiler:Copen's sister, Mytyl, who was used by Asimov as a surrogate Muse, albeit forcibly against her will which involved the extraction of her brain. When Copen finds her, he and Lola both note how much she's suffering and the only thing she can communicate to her brother are pleas to be [[MercyKill put out of her misery.]]]]

** The general tone of the game is much more serious and bleaker than the previous games. The setting verges on an TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt scenario and the game's main villains are even more atrocious than before. A lot of the usual fun banter and snarky quipping between the characters has been toned down due to the removal of in-stage dialogue, leaving much of the game's humor to the Team Chats. Despite this, [[spoiler:this is the first game in the series that ends on a genuinely happy note, unlike previous games where the "bitter" in BittersweetEnding was more pronounced.]]

A sequel, ''VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX2'', was confirmed at [=BitSummit=] 2021 and will release on January 27, 2022.

* DistantSequel: [[spoiler:This is the first game in the series not to be set in an unspecified present-day period, instead [[ExtyYearsFromNow being set a century ahead]].]]

** It's subtle but pay attention to the infrastructure and assets, and you'll notice that it is far advanced[[note]]They field Garand fighter jets when its made clear that the Fazent fighter jet is yet to be properly operational due to engine problems for example[[/note]] and way ahead of the present day, especially if you compare to the technology levels and aesthetic in the previous games. [[spoiler:It's a hint that the game is set a century later in the future]].

** It's subtle but pay attention to the infrastructure and assets, and you'll notice that it is far advanced[[note]]They field Garand fighter jets when its made clear that the Fazent fighter jet is yet to be properly operational due to engine problems for example[[/note]] especially if you compare to the technology levels in the previous games. [[spoiler:It's a hint that the game is set a century later in the future]].

** It's subtle but pay attention to the infrastructure and assets, and you'll notice that it is far advanced[[note]]They field Garand fighter jets when its made clear that the Fazent fighter jet is yet to be properly operational due to engine problems for example]] especially if you compare to the technology levels in the previous games. [[spoiler:It's a hint that the game is set a century later in the future]].

A sequel, ''Luminous Avenger [=iX=] 2'', was confirmed at [=BitSummit=] 2021 and will release on January 27, 2022.

** The main batch of Sumeragi Adepts you have to defeat this time is called Winged Warriors[=/=]Falcons, complete with feather-pen TransformationTrinket and FeatherMotif during transformation and death. Now, remember that [[spoiler:in the first game, the TrueFinalBoss leads an organization named FEATHER[=/=]QUILL]].

* GetBackHereBoss: Rebellio will teleport away after every attack, removing Tags in the process. This results in a back-and-forth battle where Copen is chasing Rebellio as he warps around the room to reapply Tag while simultaneously avoiding his attacks.

** As per tradition, although they make a point of dividing the returning bosses up alongside some new bosses between two separate missions. The first involves fighting Rebellio, Stella, Crimm, and [[spoiler:Mytyl's brain]], while the second involves fighting Isola, Bakto, Dystine, [[spoiler:[[TheBusCameBack Asimov,]] and [[OneWingedAngel Demerzel]].]] This game's boss rush is {{justified}} in that the "bosses" are {{Holograms}} who have the powers but none of the personalities of the fallen Falcons. This technology is presumably behind [[spoiler:what Asimov/Demerzel uses to fashion copies of his old human form, as shown in the ending.]]

** As per tradition, although they make a point of dividing the returning bosses up alongside some new bosses between two separate missions. The first involves fighting Rebellio, Stella, Crimm, and [[spoiler:Mytyl's brain]], while the second involves fighting Isola, Bakto, Dystine, [[spoiler:[[TheBusCameBack Asimov,]] and [[OneWingedAngel Demerzel]].]]

* Kohaku has several outfits that can only be unlocked by playing the game on certain holidays (New Year's Day, Halloween, and Christmas).

** This game's mission collectibles are Emblems, gold medals that can be found in each stage. Every stage has four Emblems; collecting one grants 500 Kudos, while collecting them all grants an additional 1000 Kudos as an "Assembled!" bonus. However, unlike the Jewels and Azure Spirits from previous games, some of the Emblems are ''extremely'' well hidden, with some of the most devious ones tucked behind fake walls and breakables that give no indication that they're passable at all, and one particularly devious one that's completely invisible [[spoiler:tin Data Center Beta that requires you to use Anchor Nexus to find an hidden enemy in a corner]]. Unless you like TrialAndErrorGameplay, you may find yourself resorting to online help to get them all.