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Anomalocaris20 from Sagittarius A* Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: Love blinded me (with science!)
#2501: Apr 1st 2020 at 10:19:15 PM

I came out of SC expecting that there'd bee no way for 3rd to top it, only for it to end up my favorite game in the series.

That's about how I felt. 3rd blew me away.

I think my favorite moment is the encounter with a recreation of Weissmann at the end of Chapter 7. Overdosing Heavenly Bliss never sounded so satisfying. Though the entire Aster House sequence and the cutscene right before the final boss battles are definitely up there. Star Door 15 also wins points for actually going where it does instead of chickening out.

You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!
LordVatek Not really a lord of anything Since: Sep, 2014
Not really a lord of anything
#2502: Apr 1st 2020 at 10:50:08 PM

3rd isn't quite my favorite (that's SC) but stuff like Star Door 15 is going to stick with me for a long time.

This song needs more love.
Alfric Sailing the Skies! from Crescent Isle Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Sailing the Skies!
#2503: Apr 2nd 2020 at 9:04:58 AM

The ending of 3rd was also one of the most satisfying for a game that I've ever played. Having everyone say their goodbyes, happily encouraging each other as they go despite the sorrow that parting from this entails, concluding with Estelle and Joshua's conversation with Renne before Kevin and Ries close out the game with a small cameo from Gilbert as some levity; it's so goddamn good.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/lb_i.php?lb_id=13239183440B34964700 Alfric's Fire Emblem Liveblog Encyclopedia!
Anomalocaris20 from Sagittarius A* Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: Love blinded me (with science!)
#2504: Apr 2nd 2020 at 11:27:55 PM

Also "The chest is empty".

Props to the localizers for managing to make a certain part of the game have even more impact than in the Japanese original.

Edited by Anomalocaris20 on Apr 2nd 2020 at 2:28:26 PM

You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!
32ndfreeze from Australia Since: Mar, 2012
#2505: Apr 3rd 2020 at 6:02:00 AM

Cold Steel III Chapter II

Spoilers for Crossbell arc too.

Again this was a super hefty chapter. My gametime was 38 hours at the end of it. That's as long as FC took me in total!

I'm used to Tio's japanese voice. I'm not sure if I like her english one.

Huh, looks like we won't be staying only to the western side of the continent.

I thought having a boy's only computer class while the girls do cooking was really really stupid. Then they reveal its probably because they don't have enough computers. Still, it feels like they just wanted a cooking class where the girls talk about Rean. Not a fan of that honestly.

Valimar and Mint have the most wholesome relationship.

Ash has a really high opinion of himself if he thinks Rean would be in trouble fighting him. Unless he thinks for some reason all his accomplishments were via Valimar.

Victor is neglecting his duties? Did his fight with Mc Burn shake him?

I really like it how often the Capua family get mentioned in innocuously titled sidequests.

Wow, that's a really cool connection with the land developer, the Capua family and Thor's Branch Campus.

Einhel Keep Level 2 had the hardest boss yet. Even stacking S-Crafts did little.

Going to Crossbell! I didn't expect that.

I really like Cedric's plotline. Getting stronger as the expense of others stuff to protect those close to you is a very protagonist arc. So it's neat he gets it. I suspect there's some Osbourne conenction there and that he may want him to learn to control his Divine Knight.

The return of the Manway Method! Beautiful.

Vita is totally going to show up in Crossbell after than show.

I hope the Best Police Dog shows up too.

Musse connected to the Principal too? Is she connected to nobles?

I laughed at Randy being indigent Rean can recognize Lloyd's accidental ladykiller tendencies.

Emma's here! Oh and Campanella too.

Seriously, why has no one moved that bell. It's very dangerous to keep it there honestly.

Oh Lloyd and Rixia (or maybe Arios?) dealt with the Cryptid. That makes total sense. Of course they would.

Huh, Reinford bought IBC's building. Yikes, that's got to hurt the old Crossbell pride a little.

People complimenting Rufus on getting things done is a little sad. Since the reason Crossbell was so corrupt before was almost entirely because of Erebonia and Calvard.

Bond's family! One of my favorite subplots in the Duology. Glad to see them back.

I do like how much of Crossbell they redid. I wonder if they'll revisit in IV with more places to go. Like how it was in II.

Patiry got a job at the department store! That's hilarious.

Linde and Becky are nice to see too. I wonder if any of the students ended up in Calvard. I'd assume probably not if we're going to see them all in III.

Pretty neat how Tio explains why she can't user her S-Craft.

So Machias too, I bet number three is Alisa.

That healing Magic Knight was a huge pain, took me forever to beat it since it healed itself fully at least 4 times.

If Mc Burn, Campenella and Vita are here. Things are getting serious.

Ouroboros backstory? Wow, the early days had Vita, Lowee, Mc Burn, Weissman and the Steel Maiden? I thought they were way older. I still think Campy + the GM are some sort of immortal.

I might have just missed it before, but the 4th Anguis Thousand Oathbreaker. That's the first time I recall hearing that name. And the Golden Butterfly too.

Heiyue quest is hilarious. Just how chill everyone is about aiding organised crime. I mean it was absolutely passing SSS messages along, but still.

Wait, Rixia is still performing? At least Shanshan implied she is.

Really big fan of the variation in opinions of Crossbell citizens. It's nice to see a wide variety of opinions that include economical, social and political reasoning for if they accept it, resent it or welcome it.

Based on craft levels Spirit Unification pushes Rean back into current Laura tier.

I'm really having a tough time dealing with that heal so many bosses have. Luckily I'm following that guide for missables, otherwise it would have taken my longer than a few attempts to start using Juna's Break order.

Sort of doubt Emma is on par with Vita just because she's been taught the same things by her Grandmother. I suspect Vita's experience plus Ouroboros connections means her magic still has more flexibility and oomph.

Another hilarious moment is the reminiscing about that one time Altina kidnapped Elise and Alfin.

Is the society trying to see if Osbourne is Anguis material?

Despite having issues with the sympathy of the Ironbloods, I really really like the backstory of how they started with Rufus.

Huh, Musse is friends with Elise and Alfin? And Cedric has a crush on her?

...Did Rean just tap into Spirit Unification to escape Musse's grip? Because if so I love it.

Ash sensed Mc Burn too.

Both Ash and Musse orders just seem okay, which makes sense if they're meant to join VII later on.

Saphir Rain is great though. Bit annoyed Musse is the Arts user with Water slots in this game. Since as I said last time I don't like her self satisfied personality at all.

Mc Burn + Campy really is a bad combination to go up against. A schemer + one of the biggest sticks around means whatever happens they can always put Mc Burn somewhere to make one objective unwinnable.

Ooooh, nice connection to FC there with Sara and Sharon's connection elaborated on at last (might have been implied before).

So Campanella roughly equals Sharon in direct combat who roughly equals Spirit Unification Rean. With the proviso I doubt Campy ever gives 100% and both aren't really the direct combat types.

With Sever Stars as a craft, Campys gotta be connected to the Sept-Terrions somehow.

Again, Ash seems to think he could take Mc Burn for some reason. So he's got to be hiding something. Still very much doubt he could take unboosted Rean.

Mc Burn though versing Victor was a snoozefest? No wonder he fell into training. It's got to be tough being top 5-10 on the continent in direct combat and then going up against someone who thought fighting you was boring.

Oh, Vita is on the outs with Ouroboros? Since they said 6/7 Anguis voted against her it's got to be a personal issue.

Rufus's plan to win the PR battle with the SSS is very very crafty.

I also really liked Yuna's rooftop scene.

Of course Vivi teases her sister on meeting her again.

So, uh, that whole thing about the biased Imperial Chronicle talking about the economical benefits to Crossbell and that man fully believing it feels very modern day. Given Rufus is leading Crossbell its probably true though.

I've just noticed there's been zero mention of Wazy or his gang. I think that's probably a result of purposeful scrubbing out of information.

Oh cool, we get to play as Olivier, Travelling Musician.

Oh right, Alfin's magic was super powerful wasn't it? If that's the Arnor blood, I wonder if that was in some set of Master notes back in FC. Since Olivert's always had high magic.

The concept of Erebonian magic taking over Crossbell's is intriguing.

I liked Stargazer tower in Crossbell better. I know its costs, but its much more grand.

I was also a bit disappointed in these fights. Mc Burn in CS II was by far the hardest fight in the game. But here he and Campy felt like the Blublanc early on in CS II. I guess its because the narrative with Ouroboros is front-loaded more. But its just the first time fights that should have been super hard were pretty easy.

Lots of new factions. Gnomes for one seem like they might be connected to Zepher?

And Crow may be back. I suspect (and hope) the method used is exclusive to Divine Knight Awakeners.

I left it to the end, but the reluctance to kill characters is a weakness I've noticed more the more Trails games I play.

Another staple I've been not really enjoying is the insistence on hiding details from Rean. Things like old Class VII not telling him their plans, the details of each trip, ect. I know the reasoning makes sense individually.

It's just a tad annoying, since as the Instructor I would prefer it if Rean was more like Sara, in that the things that surprise him are plot related.

"But if that happened, Melia might actually be happy. We can't have that." - Handsome Rob
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2506: Apr 3rd 2020 at 7:24:54 AM

Random question: is there an in-universe explanation for how the Enforcer’s numbering works? Is it, like, the order they joined? I feel like that COULD work, considering how Shirley is the highest number so far, but I’m not sure if that lines up. I suppose if we get Cedric’s number and he’s, say, IV (The Emperor), that would prove that’s definitely not it.

One idea I had was that the higher the number, the more “darkness” each Enforcer possesses. Mind you, that would imply that Joshua has more darkness than Campanella (who admittedly is atypical of the Enforcers), Mcburn, Loewe, Luciola, Walter, Sharon, and Bleublanc, which is admittedly a bit hard to swallow - I could believe it for Renne and Shirley, and I could see it being true for some of them, but all is a bit much...unless meeting Estelle is the big factor here, which I suppose is very possible.

What do you guys think?

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Apr 3rd 2020 at 10:33:48 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#2507: Apr 3rd 2020 at 7:29:22 AM

I think the Grandmaster is just really into tarot.

Or played too much Persona, either or.

Edited by HailMuffins on Apr 3rd 2020 at 11:29:54 AM

RedRob Since: Feb, 2016 Relationship Status: One Is The Loneliest Number
#2508: Apr 3rd 2020 at 8:07:23 AM

So using Window Steam through Wine was a bust, and the rom for SC I found is multi-disc, which the emulator I use recognizes as two different games, so I'm not sure how that would work.

Would disc two just have pre-generated save data, or would it not play at all?

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet Unless I grew it. In that case, throw it in the trash.
32ndfreeze from Australia Since: Mar, 2012
#2509: Apr 11th 2020 at 8:08:33 AM

Well, Chapter III of Cold Steel III was again a huge one. My playtime is 62/54 (In game/Steam) hours. Which is pretty much what my time was for I and II, and I assume I'm only about 2/3 of the way though.

Spoilers for Crossbell below too.

For this chapter I'm guessing Jusis, Gaius and either Sara or Millium will make an appearance.

The fact that Sara's Dad was a Colonel is something I feel like has been alluded to previously, but I forgot about it.

Oathbreaker and Mariabell are in Arteria for shenanigans, huh?

So Mc Burn can't win against the Steel Maiden? And she tried to teach him the sword? From that I'm assuming he has more raw power than her, but he's much less skilled. (Note: Based on the ending of the chapter this might be because of her Ghost Knight being immune to his power for some reason.

So the title Pulse of Steel = Steel Maiden? But it might also mean stuff about the Divine Knights this chapter.

Linde being the nurse certainly is a little questionable with just a few months of nursing training. Like, I'm sure aside from her extensive experience as a Combat Medic the main campus nurse got a proper qualification.

But then again it's the branch campus, before this they literally had a student doing the job. I'm sure Linde just asked Le Guin and she shrugged and signed off on it.

Speaking to Tita I'm reminded that she was working on her own Mecha in 3rd. I hope we see that later on.

Becky and Hugo's trade war really has escalated.

Major Michael interested in the literature club? I have a strong desire to see him fall under the spell of Dorothy's works.

The Elder looks like "that"? She's totally a young girl isn't she?

Really big fan of the reveal that the Black Workshop = the Gnomes. I felt like the new factions were getting a bit crowded, so I really like this.

Oh, so Yun Ka-Fei is in the East looking into the Dragon Vein's being depleted. That's a plot thread if I've ever heard one. Likely for the Calvard games I guess.

Oh and that Osbourne stuff with Rean's dad, they've conspicuously not noted his Mother until mentioning he looks like her. She'll be showing up at some point then. I hope she does at least. Estelle just had her Dad, and Lloyd + Kevin's parents were dead. So I'd like it if one of the main character's has a significant mother.

Kurt's whole thing about "not being by his side" feels a little reminiscent to Rean's arc in I. Which I suppose is probably on purpose.

Based on Alisa's bonding event she gets way more shipping scenes than anyone else. Any of the other possible love interests so far have just gotten a small slightly shippy moment at the end. But her's is full of flustered teasing from Sharon.

Also when playing Cold Steel I I mentioned how I wasn't a fan of Sharon. At some point that's changed and I do like her now. I think its because Alisa is much more independent now, and it's clear that Sharon supports her. Still don't like Alisa's mother though.

Oh that's cool Franky met Schera in Heimdallr.

I really like Franky's quest about wanting to become a Bracer, but instead resolving to become a branch Secretary. Honestly, I feel like the combat expertise is one of the less important requirements. It's not like he'll ever become C/B+ probably. But I could see him eventually picking up enough combat skills.

That whole thing about Alisa's dad and his tank designs from 10-15 years ago still being in use reminds me of how crazy fast the technological progression in Trails is.

For the Keep this time I respec'ed Altina into an Time Arts Crit machine with Divine Song. Was a LOT easier than previous bosses as a result.

Oh Hamilton is mentioned, I guess he'll be in Calvard. Also that mention of Calvard gearing up the Crossbell border makes sense.

I like Ash's bonding event this time. Him helping people is nice.

Boys Love has started to spread. Musse > Tatiana > Louise > Maya. I'm like the fact this isn't a carbon copy of the some joke in I/II. Sure its played for laughs, but its also nice seeing the girls bond over a mutual interest.

Oooooh, Hexen Clan backstory! So Vita and Emma are actual adoptive sisters? That whole thing about Stray Witches is also really interesting. I wonder if any random NP Cs have been witches? If so I bet there was a hint or two somewhere in the NPC dialogue.

Oh and they did address my complaint about Rean not finding out about stuff. With him finding out about the Field Study before hand this time. Maybe the previous one they just didn't want to spoil Crossbell?

So given this is where Musse and Ash are from I'm expecting backstory for those two this chapter.

That's a smart political move giving the Courageous to Thors while also tightening the government grip on it (as has been implied several times). Since to fight it would open up attacks for Olivert.

In general I'm more excited for this chapter compared to Crossbell. Not sure exactly why.

Altina's casually plans for the elimination of Musse if she poses a threat to Rean, Juna and Kurt. Awww, she cares about them too.

Based on NPC chatter Musse is totally related to Cayenne somehow. That would also work to why she had to leave the girls school.

Oh, Ordis is the Ruan of Erebonia. That's cool.

Hugo's department store is stupidly well connected if they can somehow acquire a copy of the Black Records. Either than or someone in the Intelligence Division is getting fired over sending the wrong package.

Lot's of gifts in this chapter. I really like that as a system to get a little skit and add some stats and bonding points to party members.

And Annabelle has a new outfit, which looks great by the way.

Musse learning political/social manipulation from her family makes me slightly fonder of her personality.

And looks like the Steel Maiden is here! And Angelica too! She's totally get along with Musse.

I quite like how Ordis and Raquel feel very different. The cramped backstreet give it a proper atmosphere.

With Rean learning Helix that's the first non story craft is a while.

For once levels don't help me too much with power estimations. Since Sara and Angelica came in at 40 with Rean. Since Sara definitely beats Sharon (direct combat) who's about on par with Ogre Rean. I feel like Rean should roughly be on par with Angelica though. She's had a little extra time to train on her trip, but Rean's got his power to balance it out.

Ash led a gang during the Civil War? That's a nice detail.

Oh and Schera hit A rank too! All of the Liberl Bracers are doing well for themselves.

Altina's whole thing about not knowing which Soldat to use got me thinking her getting a Diving Knight would be really neat. Although it'd be weird narratively because it would mean the whole new Class VII would need to get one too. So it'd be messy with gameplay ect.

Still love how Sara (and Fie) know loads of people in the town from doing Bracer things.

(Vs Rutgar) Vantage Master's really has spread, huh? I find it hilarious that they still pulled off the "Not using his full power" thing while playing Zemurian Magic the Gathering.

Probably a good thing though. Xeno and Leo absolutely could have stalemated Claire/Sara while Rutgar solo'ed everyone else.

Towa and Angelica talking about the desertification of the East made me realize Calvard =/= the East. Also totally setup for Calvard Arc.

Sara's backstory was great, her admitting she has massive daddy issues was also a bit amusing.

Claire's too. I feel like she's not really at fault. If she did nothing her Uncle still would have gotten executed via Osbourne. Although making the informed choice knowing there was an alternative is a bit grim.

Not a fan of the Claire/Sara ship tease added onto the ends of those scenes though. Although its better than with new Class VII at least...

Late Duke > Totally Musse's Dad. Yep, ten years since her mother died. She's totally a heir to Cayenne.

I'm rooting for you Hawkin's and Mercedes!

Not sure if the names 100% line up, but I'm 80% sure that pirate with the hidden map had a paired quest in Ruan in FC or SC.

Thank Aidios vs Bardian let's you keep Rean's orders. I put the Ocean Bell on Musse and forgot I also had the Water Bell and the Master Quartz with 1/2 Water cast time.

He got utterly destroyed by 8-10 Blue Ascensions with Divine Song meaning the delay was 1. I think this might be one of the busted strategies. Would be even crazier if I set up 4 Bell sets with more optimal Arts.

Vampire girl again. She mentioned Vita? She's totally Emma's Grandmother.

Altina calling Millium her technical sister was nice.

I was right, Gaius is here too! And it seems like he level grinded.

Charlotte and Jutta have very cute interactions. I like their sidequest.

Ash being another mole for the Intelligence Division is something I did not see coming. That line about Le Guin telling him to try attacking in her sleep was a good one though.

I really really really like these scene's of Rean acting as an Instructor.

Oh man Musse, just when I was starting to like you, you pull a date rape spell on Rean. Because that is totally what it was.

That Emma's grandmother may have taught her? Normally I like the connections between people when Rean wasn't there to see it, but I'm mad at her right now so it bugs me a little.

So I do like how Erebonia is getting a taste of having city killer weapons pointed at them. I wonder if they'll acknowledge that industrializing the ability to create them has consequences? (Not in this chapter I guess).

Given 1 was Kurt's home town (kinda) 2 was Juna and 3 was Musse and Ash. I wonder if 4 will deal with the Black Workshop and Altina's past?

I also wonder if the theme of an inept noble is meant to reference the Duke from Sky who first appeared in the seaside town of Ruan?

Still sort of annoyed the narrative seems to be putting all of the blame for orders like letting Ordis get attacked to show the nobles weakness on Osbourne instead of people like Lechter and other in the ID who are obviously facilitating it.

Can't quite recall, but I think Gaius's skill changed the most out of the party.

The large scale teleport via Space Arts sure is useful. I imagine the Ouroboros version is somewhat more limited. Although we don't really know the details of those. Campy and Mc Burn definitely use either variants or different sources though.

Oh, the prologue is this soon? I'm happy about that That means things don't have to stick to a timeline anymore.

Ash is such a fan of seeing Le Guin go full Blood Knight. ...And wow she oneshot a Cryptid.

Getting to play with her I think she's the single most powerful party member in any of the games. I guess Arios is tied, but that was a prologue dungeon.

40% Evade, 30% Crit and bonkers skills. Yep, she's fantastic.

Pretty sure like I there was some character editing in those scenes. I'm not complaining. It makes perfect sense to do.

Really really like the scene where the Jaegars try to kill themselves and Rean and Sara stop them. Its the first time I think Rean has used his power solely to protect. Not to fight and protect.

Randy + Agate vs Shirley is cool.

"What's happening in Arteria" I really hope they do a solo game set there. I think it would be really interesting. if they shook up the formula a little. Maybe just 4 party members so the scope is a bit more limited.

That fight against the Steel Maiden was really hard until I got in a groove. Almost died before a lucky craft charge let Aurelia use Seraphic Ring. Then she and Millium were MV Ps.

Arianrhod sort of implied that there's a limit to strength either on this plane, or without the addition of Sept Terrions (If that's what's meant by Realm of the Great One). And that her before she died, and Le Guin have reached it.

Using Space to destroy the Tachi was a nice move. I wonder if that was the standard way to deal with Zemurian Weapons in the past. I figure they must have used the ore for most things, so they probably also had ways to deal with it.

Oh yeah, and the Steel Maiden also having a Ghost Knight is a big deal too.

I'm still annoyed at the writers for the date rape spell with Musse, because it brings down my enjoyment of the Mildine scene with her becoming the new Duchess Cayenne. If not for that I would have liked it a lot more.

Frankly, I'll probably try ignore it as a silly fanservice-y writing decision. Like Shirley molesting Duvalie or the ridiculous boob armour/pockets a lot of female characters have.

The mention of the National Mobilization Act probably has something to do with Thor's new policy on the main campus.

Some really interesting stuff about the Stalritter. Ennea was in the D.G. cult I think (or that Assassin's organisation Sharon was in, but they mentioned experiments. So I think cult.

Ines was also a Bracer in Calvard I think. Which is pretty neat.

Also some interactions between Rose/Grandmother/Vampire and the Steel Maiden. So it seems the reason she looks so young is because she siphons away her power to her disciples.

Now the thing about Emma being as powerful as Vita makes sense. It's in terms of literally magic Oomph.

And oh my Aidios I don't think Angie is dead but that is one HUGE plot twist.

Edited by 32ndfreeze on Apr 12th 2020 at 1:11:51 AM

"But if that happened, Melia might actually be happy. We can't have that." - Handsome Rob
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2510: Apr 11th 2020 at 12:55:31 PM

I’ve started Cold Steel III now. Pretty good so far, although I’m a bit miffed that mira is a bit hard to come by early on.

I look forward to seeing what crucial bits of lore “The Life of Tomatonio” is hinting at.

Oh God! Natural light!
32ndfreeze from Australia Since: Mar, 2012
#2511: Apr 11th 2020 at 5:24:10 PM

[up]I noticed the same thing, it does eventually level out.

But a few times in the first few chapters I had to farm sepith masses so I could afford stuff like gifts.

And that's with me already killing all the monsters on the first sweep though each area.

What I did for farming was go to the Inn, heal up my CP for 100 Mira then fast travel to an area with a strong enemy plus another one or two to chain them up. Use Rean's S-Craft on the weaker one and everyone else's to knock out the stronger encounter.

Edited by 32ndfreeze on Apr 11th 2020 at 10:43:21 PM

"But if that happened, Melia might actually be happy. We can't have that." - Handsome Rob
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2512: Apr 11th 2020 at 6:55:32 PM

Looking it up, it seems that you can farm the first recipe that Rean learns by selling it for infinite Mira? Might try that, maybe.

Btw, for those of you that have played (or at least seen in action) Cold Steel IV, does this whole Ishmelga thing absolved Osborne and others as much as it sounds by reading the trope page? Because I don’t think I’m a huge fan of that. At the very least, what do our protagonists thing of Osborne when they’re going up against him?

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Apr 11th 2020 at 9:58:55 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
LordVatek Not really a lord of anything Since: Sep, 2014
Not really a lord of anything
#2513: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:01:01 PM

[up]Osborne was trying to stop Ishmelga and the characters acknowledge that but they also outright say that all of the actions taken by him and the other villains are still their own actions and Ishmelga's influence only went so far.

Edited by LordVatek on Apr 11th 2020 at 10:01:52 AM

This song needs more love.
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#2514: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:03:52 PM

Frankly, the JRPG cliche of every villain being actually turned evil by some supernatural force de jour is the absolute worst thing done by this particular franchise, and a really idiotic trope in general.

Like yeah, I get being idealistic and all, but the notion that people can't just be horrible really strains the suspencion cables.

I mean I've dropped stuff I consider better written, like Steven Universe, for similar reasons.

Really dreading the next installment, frankly.

Edited by HailMuffins on Apr 11th 2020 at 11:04:25 AM

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2515: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:04:32 PM

[up][up] I see. Well, that’s fair enough, I suppose. I’ll probably have to see it for myself to judge what’s what there.

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Apr 11th 2020 at 10:05:16 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
LordVatek Not really a lord of anything Since: Sep, 2014
Not really a lord of anything
#2516: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:25:19 PM

[up]I'll also note that as far as villains go, Osborne and the Ironbloods were the only major ones who were affected by Ishmelga and they were aware of the influence the entire time. Cayenne, Ouroboros, and the D.G. Cult were completely unrelated.

This song needs more love.
kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#2517: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:32:27 PM

The problem with having Osbourne's and probably the entire Empire's actions influenced by an outside force is it goes against the whole anti-imperialist theme III had going for it. It's basically saying 'Empires aren't responsible for their own horrid actions and would actually be pretty decent if there weren't for some overwhelming force making everyone horrible.'

Edited by kkhohoho on Apr 11th 2020 at 9:39:59 AM

darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#2518: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:37:33 PM

Which really wasn't the kind of graying morality and imperial scheming we were promised in previous games. Erebonia was an expanssionist empire that only recently got out of that, and has a lot to answer for.

But as soon as you play the Steel arc, it's all excused away or we're given the noble faction to put all the blame on. Heck, you learn in many ways more about what Erebonia did in the name of conquest more in Sky than you do in its home country.

LordVatek Not really a lord of anything Since: Sep, 2014
Not really a lord of anything
#2519: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:43:40 PM

[up]To be fair, a formerly-imperialistic country conveniently ignoring and excusing all of its horrible actions while still participating in many of the same issues that led to those actions (Crossbell) is very much a thing that happens in real life.

Edited by LordVatek on Apr 11th 2020 at 10:48:45 AM

This song needs more love.
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2520: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:48:10 PM

Hrm...I’m conflicted on this, I suppose. One does kind of get the impression that Osborne’s character was going in a different direction in earlier games...hm...I think I’ll need to see the whole thing for myself. I don’t think Osborne was ever going to be just a cackling villain (Trails doesn’t really do THAT many of those anyway), but I might end up having a different idea for how his character should have gone. We’ll see.

Regardless, if Erebonia still needs to deal with the consequences and do their part to make up for the damage they’ve done, I suppose it won’t be so bad.

Here’s hoping the anti-immigration extremists in Calvard aren’t portrayed too sympathetically.

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Apr 11th 2020 at 10:52:48 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#2521: Apr 11th 2020 at 7:50:41 PM

[up][up]There's nothing former about it. Crossbell? North Ambria? Both of those happened during the damn games.

And Jurai and the Liberl invasion weren't that long ago either.

Edited by kkhohoho on Apr 11th 2020 at 9:51:19 AM

Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#2522: Apr 11th 2020 at 8:15:02 PM

North Ambria was the Afghanistan of Erobonia. But they do make a point to show that the situation in North Ambria has improved greatly.

Jurai as well.

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#2523: Apr 11th 2020 at 8:19:21 PM

Isn't that the place with the Salt Pillar?

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#2524: Apr 11th 2020 at 8:23:00 PM

It is indeed.

(As an aside, I actually thought that Leeves was in North Ambria for some reason - I was somewhat surprised to realize it was just on the opposite end of Heimdallr to Trista. Maybe I conflated Rean and Aurelia's involvement in the Northern War with that for some reason.)

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Apr 11th 2020 at 11:23:20 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#2525: Apr 11th 2020 at 8:25:51 PM

Has Falcom ever made an official world map for Zemuria?

I wonder if there's any undiscovered landmass in this universe and that's where a lot of the crazy bullshit is coming from, like the Dark Continent in Hunter x Hunter.


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