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DukeofCA posted:I love the monks standing around in monk robes during the flashback and there's Albert sticking out like a sore thumb in his snazzy tux.
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Jan 17, 2020 09:43
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A lot of religion leaders are snappy dressers. Most evangelical preachers wear suits these days. The leaders of Scientology are known for it also. As are Hasidic Jews. Nothing unusual at all. But it’s strange that he’d still be calling himself Cardinal when he clearly broke apart from the Catholic Church. And was he in charge or was it the lower ranked Bishop Jovis? Then again Rasputin was just a monk with lots of influence. So titles are pretty meaningless. The only time I’ve ever seen a retcon where the bad guy turns out to be bad just because he was working against something worse and therefore not as bad done right was with the Lord Ruler in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. And even then it was always clear he was still a villain worth toppling. Ugh.
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Jan 17, 2020 17:44
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achtungnight posted:The only time I’ve ever seen a retcon where the bad guy turns out to be bad just because he was working against something worse and therefore not as bad done right was with the Lord Ruler in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. And even then it was always clear he was still a villain worth toppling. Ugh. Chrono Trigger did this good too. Magus was out to stop Lavos all along, but he still stepped on a hell of a lot of toes along the way and though him being a common enemies sort of ally doesn't diminish his previous status as a stone cold badass nor does it stop him from stealing the spotlight against your foes plenty of times in the future, there's still no doubt that he's an outright bastard who in the end wasn't all that different from his deranged mama.
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Jan 18, 2020 02:41
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Shitenshi posted:Chrono Trigger did this good too. Magus was out to stop Lavos all along, but he still stepped on a hell of a lot of toes along the way and though him being a common enemies sort of ally doesn't diminish his previous status as a stone cold badass nor does it stop him from stealing the spotlight against your foes plenty of times in the future, there's still no doubt that he's an outright bastard who in the end wasn't all that different from his deranged mama. It's well handled in Chrono Tigger, but it's not a retrocon, though. The player learns more about the overall situation and discovers what Magus was trying to accomplish as the game goes on. The players understanding of events change, but it was always presented that Magus was seeking revenge rather than seeking power.
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Jan 18, 2020 02:51
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The plot to Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha versus The Soulless Army sure is looking less unique by the minute huh.
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Jan 18, 2020 03:43
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Ubiquitous_ posted:Yeah, it's definitely a retcon that doesn't work on a few different levels. Part of the problem is in SH1, Albert's in things for the long con with three or four different world-ending plans in motion. Like, he vows revenge against the church, spends 500 years plotting his revenge, steals the cursed books, gives one to Patrick knowing it's going to summon some twisted poo poo, aids Dehuai in Shanghai (which fails)...and then apparently mellows out and joins Sapientes Gladio, only to then apparently decide to...do his original plan anyway. And also cursing the rando he sold his house to because he wanted another cursed world-ending bug monster. And then it's suddenly just "Oh no, all those bad things he did were in the cause of stopping Rasputin". Somehow. Despite that, I do like how they tie Albert in to the plot. It makes zero sense, but whatever.
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Jan 18, 2020 14:15
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Pesky Splinter posted:Part of the problem is in SH1, Albert's in things for the long con with three or four different world-ending plans in motion. I'm just waiting for a big reveal that SH1 was just bait to try and get someone to become strong enough to take down Rasputin. Either his plan is thwarted and Rasputin is next on the chopping block, or the world is destroyed and Rasputin's plans get thrown out the window anyways. The reveal is given by Albert himself, who either didn't die after all or just goes full Obi-wan and shows up as a force ghost for the rest of the game.
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Jan 18, 2020 15:02
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BisbyWorl posted:I'm just waiting for a big reveal that SH1 was just bait to try and get someone to become strong enough to take down Rasputin. Either his plan is thwarted and Rasputin is next on the chopping block, or the world is destroyed and Rasputin's plans get thrown out the window anyways. Well, that's one reason why all the bad guys were willing to just let Yuri run around and do random sidequests for months at a time instead of culminating their plans.
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Jan 18, 2020 15:55
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Didn't Simon have a big grudge again powerful institutions like the Church, and getting rid of them was the reason he was doing stuff in SH1? I can see why he might befriend someone who is against the Russian monarchy of the time. And when Rasputin reveals that his plan is to take over rather than tear down, he ends up becoming a part of the problem. None of this excuses Simon, obviously. If anything, it sounds like his more extreme actions might be caused by Amon eating his soul, much like what apparently happened to Rasputin. He did seem pretty mad by the end.
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Jan 18, 2020 16:51
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So, I do not know this game. I have happily been along for the ride since Koudelka. But I'm curious if this is our full party or not? I remember some talk before about "future party members" sticking around, but it's been so long that I can't recall if it was one or two people, and I can't be assed to go back and look. Assuming that it's not, my guess is that the Ring Soul is our next member, but that he? it? has a different form (probably not). though I'd laugh out loud if the Ring Soul was actually Albert
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Jan 18, 2020 21:52
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Req.Martyr posted:So, I do not know this game. I have happily been along for the ride since Koudelka. We don't have a light elemental character yet.
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Jan 18, 2020 22:15
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Req.Martyr posted:But I'm curious if this is our full party or not? I remember some talk before about "future party members" sticking around, but it's been so long that I can't recall if it was one or two people, and I can't be assed to go back and look. Nope. quote:Assuming that it's not, my guess is that the Ring Soul is our next member, but that he? it? has a different form (probably not). Also nope. We haven't met the next one yet. They are awesome.
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Jan 18, 2020 22:16
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You know how it is. You go off to stop a demon possessed man from destroying the world, but then you kind of get distracted and lose your focus along the way and next thing you know you're causing apartment buildings to fill with meat growths and facing off against roaming adventurers for all the terrible crimes you keep doing. Episode LIII The Dark Id posted:You'll just to take the locals' word on that one. "just have to take", "huddled", "nonissue" or "non-issue", "Fusions", and "courteous" Episode LIV The Dark Id posted:I can't even tell where the lousy son is right now
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Jan 18, 2020 22:41
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Episode LV: Old Man, Hold Hand Music: Spiritualization ~ Holy Land of God .jpg)  Once you feel ready for this trial or whatever it is, just tell Bishop Jovis. Yep. We were there. And you were not, so I'm a little confused why you're informing us of this... Spycraft, my boy. ...Right.If that transition to Lawrence seemed abrupt from the last scene. Naw, it's literally just him walking up and having this dialog the instant the previous cutscene ended. .jpg) The most confusing thing about the post-Jovis scene is... he clearly left out the way we entered at the end of that last update, right? And told Yuri and Karin to come to find him, right? So you'd figure you needed to find him in an earlier point in town, right? .jpg) Right... nope. Actually, the game wants you to go into this corner door that was at no point visible in the previous scene and no indicator given it was a path in the room. Sure, Shadow Hearts 2... .jpg) Oh yeah, before we head forward. Hey, it might be prudent to just strip all the good accessories off the rest of the party and load Karin and Yuri up with the best stuff. Also, a Pedometer. We need them Steps. That sidequest is still in play... (There are so many sidequests in play, good lord...) This whole "trial" business might be an exclusive, one-time dungeon and maybe we would like to kit up the only two characters that are going into it optimally. It also may be wise to give Karin some supporting Magic Crests. Particularly, we definitely want her to have Cure and Arc-Cure. Music: ENDS .jpg) So, Jovis is on the opposite side of this ritual pit we've got going on here. You'd think to go run over and talk to him now. .jpg) But you would be a fool! Because you know what is to the right side of this room? The most important sidequest of the game! It's your boy, Ring Soul! .jpg) ......  ...Nothing to say? Um... yeah... Listen, I've been thinking, and... I was outta line before. I didn't realize it was so hard on you, being the Ring Soul. I just wanted to be friends. ...No, it's my fault. I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed I lost it like that. I slept like crap the night before and I got a flat tire on the way to work so I was late coming in. I was just having a bad day and snapped, alright? Don't worry about it. Just do what you do! Like normal! Oh, okay! Um... Ahem, ahem! Uh... I am the Ring Soul... The will of the Judgment Ring, the administrator of all fate... The world drowns in its own history... And in this time, you must carry the burden of fate... Jeez, you can talk, though! Huh? Um... nothing! Nothing at all! Please continue! I can see it...I can see your future... This I entrust to you....jpg) We've actually topped out on all our mainline fighters getting extra Attack Boosts. Karin and Blanca both have a limit of four-hit strings. I guess, I don't know, Anastasia can take this one. .jpg) Ha ha! The power to command the Judgment Ring. Such power will help you carve your way through destiny... I will appear to you again, to bestow upon you more power... Boy, this really is a long spiel this time, huh... Eh? Nothing! Nothing at all... Continue... But beware! I am always watching... Watching to see if you are truly the one to command destiny... Hey, Ring Soul! What is it? So what's your wife's name, anyway? What the heck, Yuri? Hey, I'm trying to be sociable here, sheesh! M-my wife's name?! What's that got to do with anything?! Just tell me! We're friends now. right? Is she cute? She's called... She's called Miyabi. She's very young and very beautiful. Oh, Miyabi, is it?! And kids? J-just one... Aya. She just started to call me papa! She just had her third birthday, you see. Aya! Great name! Sounds like the name of a star! Maybe she'll be a singer or something when she's older?! Maybe opera or something. I dunno. Miyabi and Aya, huh?! Say hello to them for me, okay? Sure, okay. See you then!Ring Soul vanishes. .jpg) Ring Soul S-Link -- Restored! .jpg) Ready as ever!This is the point of no return before starting the next dungeon but we already have Yuri and Karin sufficiently kitted up. So let's get to it... .jpg) .jpg) Just having a normal one gazing at the moon in Turkey while lying on some sort of stone mattress as an old man we just met gives us a sermon. .jpg)  My children, all I can give to you is my prayers. May God grant you strength. I am now going to call upon dark satanic arts to transport the two of you into the inner souls. God forgive me for the arcane sins I am about to craft. Just do the magic crap already, old man. If your god gets pissy about it I'll punch him out too. Let the heresy commence.Music: ENDS .jpg) <starts chanting mystical incantations> Karin, there's still time. Give it up! Oh, c'mon. It's too late. Are we just going to get up in the middle of this and call it off? Bishop Jovis is really getting into it. <chanting intensifies> Yeah but, Karin, you don't really wanna see the inside of my heart..jpg) Something embarrassing there? Bite me. It's just a shadowy, unpleasant place. One might even call it a shadow heart. That's lame even for you. Bite me. <smirks> Maybe you just... wanted to hold hands with the old man? Bite me..jpg) Praise the sun!.jpg) .jpg) Music: Holy Mistletoe ~ Graveyard .jpg) Yeah. Welcome to the inside of my soul! It's really screwed up, huh?! I call it the Graveyard. It... used to look more like an actual graveyard and it had hills and stuff. And evil mask spirits that were total jerks. And my dad's ghost until I beat him up. Your dad's ghost...? That you beat up...? Well, it was actually a manifestation of my self-doubt holding me back represented by my dad wearing a fox mask who would show up to kick my rear end if I didn't do filler fights in my soul. It was dumb. ...I see. Though my dad's actual ghost might be in here somewhere. I was never clear on that. That's a lot, Yuri. There's also a dark god summoned by an evil Chinese sorcerer that killed my mom skulking around in here somewhere still. I... never really resolved that on my last adventure... Hopefully, we won't run into that while we're here either. ......Karin turns and notices the cursed tree with a Yuri growing out of it. .jpg)  Hey, that's you growing out of that thing! Yup. Ever since I was stabbed by that Mistletoe thingy. Looks like he's sleeping, huh? Yeah... He's alive... Looks like he's having a really good sleep. It's pretty creepy, huh? I threw a rock at it once and it gave me heartburn for a day. Bad idea... Wow. Geez, I didn't realize you were that ripped... <shrug> Punching monsters for a living is a good workout. Like, dang... You are cut.  Y-yeah... Okay, let's go!.jpg) So remember how in our original tour of the Graveyard there was a section behind the cursed tree with nothing but locked, ominous-looking gates? Yeah, we're heading there now! I'm sure it'll be fine. .jpg)  Nice to meet you! ...But I guess we've met once before. You know, when I was still alive... <steps forward> Y-you're...! Jeanne, from Domremy. You're Karin, right? ...Y-yes, that's right. I hear a lot about you hanging around in here..jpg) Aww, heck. I totally forgot about her hanging out in my soul too. Geez, it's getting crowded in here... Well, she's a curious little ghost. She says she's looking for something here in my heart. Wait, when... how did that little girl die? <shrug> Yeah... I cannot say either. Just popped up here. Dead. OK, Yuri. Maybe your soul is a little messed up...  I am literally the first one to tell you. A while ago, I heard this big rumbling sound coming from that creepy tree. And then I heard a horrible scream. Maybe that was when Rasputin was putting that spell on you? ...Yeah, probably. Or it could be when that lady told me about the ghosts haunting me... S-Sorry... Oh, no. No, not you. You're cool, kid. I may have other ghosts haunting me. So look out for that. ...Will do. But, I don't think I have seen any yet. <turns to Jeanne> Hehe. I give up. I don't think there's anything I can do about that curse... ...... You're going to get Amon next, right? <nods> Yeah. <steps forward> Good luck! And I'll try to find out more about that creepy tree, maybe find a way to break the curse. Yeah, that'd be swell. My current leads are jack and sh— Yuri! Language! ...Shhhut down? You can say poo poo. It is fine. I'm a ghost. My ghost parents aren't going to be mad or anything.Jeanne starts walking away. Jeanne! Yeah? ...I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say about your village... I understand. Did they all die or... what...? I... don't know... I got knocked out and dragged away from town. I got cursed and knocked out too. Blanca and Gepetto are alright, at least. I should probably ask them.  Oh, that's good! Tell them not to miss me too much. I'm fine being a ghost. Yuri, did you tell them this little girl died? Crud... I've been meaning to! There's just a lot going on... Yuri! Hey, what are you all whispering about? Oh, nothing. Adult stuff. Again, I'm really sorry to hear you died. It's OK. You're trying to find a new way to live too, aren't you? I just know you're going to find it! Your true path...Jeanne teleports away. .jpg) Alright, then. We actually want the big spooky gate to the north. Don't worry, will get to the other one eventually... .jpg) Pretty thick door.The gate swings open and Yuri immediately falls to his knees. .jpg) No problem! Just a little tightness in my chest... Because we're trying to go against the curse, right? ...I guess. Hehe. At least the weird headaches haven't started yet. And no weird psychic gypsy ladies have started yelling in my head either. That's probably a good sign... You really need to stop saying random crap like that without any context. <stands up> Yeah, I know, I know....jpg) We still technically are in the confines of Gerome Valley. As long as you don't count that massive Solomon Trials sidequest that will eat several hours of my life later this year... Tune in next time as we Inception further into Yuri's Mind Palace to an actual... Mind Castle as Shadow Hearts: Covenant continues to just wing it.    Video: Episode 55 Cutscene    Goreme Valley Concept Art - Well, at least it's not another cave dungeon. The Dark Id fucked around with this message at 23:47 on Jan 22, 2020 |
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Jan 19, 2020 00:51
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  While Yuri and Karin go off on their little soul search, we immediately cut to an Director's Cut exclusive scene - a nice little scene that expands some more on the most underdeveloped party member. This actually occurs during another weird dialogue transition during the first few steps into Yuri's mind palace, but, again, it flows better here. Music: Spiritualization ~ Holy Land of God   *Sniff sniff* Huh? This perfume... Something the matter? Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I've just gotta...powder my nose.  ... ...     Veronica!? You think I'm some kind of dog?! You've got some nerve coming here! Yuri and Karin are getting the power to defeat Rasputin. I won't let you interfere!  Oh? And are you going to stop me? I'm more than enough to stop you!  That's right. Your astrological powers would make you an asset to Lord Rasputin. Think about it, you could be "Astrologist to the Supreme Overlord". Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?Jokes on you Veronica - Lucia's "astrological powers" really put the "rear end" in astrological - she's already wiped the party once with her tarot cards, by all means, take her! Astrologist to the Supreme Overlord, eh? Heh...hahaha...hah heh...Er! N-no! I refuse! Lucia...please reconsider. If not, the next time we meet will be to the death.      I see... I didn't want it to be this way. Next time we meet, I can't let you live!      I like this little character scene - it's not integral to the plot at all, but gives Lucia a tiny bit of sorely-needed development and a little more personal stake in the plot, outside of just being along for the ride. It's minor, but sometimes, that's all that's needed.  Still not enough to save her from being permanently benched though. 
Pesky Splinter fucked around with this message at 01:08 on Jan 19, 2020 |
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Jan 19, 2020 01:03
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Some much-needed development for Veronica too. Why did they cut that?
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Jan 19, 2020 01:13
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It probably wasn't "cut" in the traditional sense but added to improve the script later.
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Jan 19, 2020 01:18
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Cool scene with Lucia & Veronica, yeah. But the game predicted- correctly- few players would use Lucia much. 
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Jan 19, 2020 01:18
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Ring Soul, administrator of all fate and family ...man? IDK I don't even have a joke I just love how silly it is
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Jan 19, 2020 02:18
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I used Lucia as a solid mage and only really focused on her Aromatherapy skill. She's actually really good at team support and her magic offense is nothing to sneeze at!
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Jan 19, 2020 03:42
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Junpei posted:I used Lucia as a solid mage and only really focused on her Aromatherapy skill. She's actually really good at team support and her magic offense is nothing to sneeze at! 
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Jan 19, 2020 03:51
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StandardVC10 posted:Ring Soul, administrator of all fate and family ...man? IDK I don't even have a joke I just love how silly it is Just an interdimensional sarariman who goes to work everyday and does the best job he can handing out power to adventuring heroes, returning home to his wife and daughter every night.
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Jan 19, 2020 04:19
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Her aromatherapy is not bad but just way too much trial and error for most players given the combination explosions especially as it varies on the order you mix it, and her main gimmick has too many huge drawbacks - when you pull a good card, it's fabulous but as we've seen - when you suck, you might as well soft reset.
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Jan 19, 2020 06:08
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Lucia's fine if you load her up with crest magic and just ignore her special abilities. There's no compelling reason to use her unless you care about having a dark elemental character after Yuri and Gepetto are in different elements, but she's fine.
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Jan 19, 2020 06:25
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The problem with Lucia is that she's completely worthless compared to the other characters.
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Jan 19, 2020 06:46
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...! posted:The problem with Lucia is that she's completely worthless compared to the other characters. Eh, I wouldn't say that. Some of the later-game aromatherapy skills are loving bonkers. There's one particular set which is basically the biggest damage boosting potential in the game which is pretty great as a support character for a team of heavy hitters. The game isn't hard enough to need that but it isn't like Lucia doesn't have her strengths.
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Jan 19, 2020 07:09
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The Dark Id posted:
You monster  .
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Jan 19, 2020 08:31
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I never noticed it until now, but this plot thread is kinda similar to Farnese and Schierke diving into Casca's dreamscape. Or I should say the reverse, since this game was out well before Miura finally got round to writing that plot arc.
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Jan 19, 2020 10:12
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Shitenshi posted:I never noticed it until now, but this plot thread is kinda similar to Farnese and Schierke diving into Casca's dreamscape. Or I should say the reverse, since this game was out well before Miura finally got round to writing that plot arc. Maybe Miura played some shadow hearts in between weeks lomg sessions of idolmaster.
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Jan 19, 2020 10:54
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Neddy Seagoon posted:You monster Hey, that opera trip ended with her having rad superpowers and official permission to construct an automatic grenade launcher and use it, liberally. It worked out great.
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Jan 19, 2020 15:44
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Night10194 posted:Hey, that opera trip ended with her having rad superpowers and official permission to construct an automatic grenade launcher and use it, liberally. Reread the second quoted line.
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Jan 19, 2020 16:18
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Neddy Seagoon posted:Reread the second quoted line. Yeah but everyone knows Third Birthday didn't happen.
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Jan 19, 2020 16:28
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ImpAtom posted:Eh, I wouldn't say that. Some of the later-game aromatherapy skills are loving bonkers. There's one particular set which is basically the biggest damage boosting potential in the game which is pretty great as a support character for a team of heavy hitters. The game isn't hard enough to need that but it isn't like Lucia doesn't have her strengths. Agreed. Late-game Aromatherapy mixes are game-breaking as gently caress. She’s basically the second most broken character after Yuri. (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) Ubiquitous_ fucked around with this message at 05:32 on Jan 20, 2020 |
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Jan 19, 2020 23:59
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The Dark Id posted:This cosplaying white girl from Minnesota taking a gap year is certainly an ancient Israeli king's steward. Israelite. Israeli refers to the present State of Israel, Israelite refers to the ancient Kingdom of Israel.
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Jan 20, 2020 01:05
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I love the whole Ring S https://youtu.be/ZVDFs1CLR_g End credits potentially mild NSFW? Risking some thread wrath here I'll bet. Zushio fucked around with this message at 01:20 on Jan 20, 2020 |
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Jan 20, 2020 01:08
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Episode LVI: The Mirror Castle.jpg) We find ourselves abruptly dumped into a new castle setting. Welcome to the Mirror Castle. Or Palace...? Much like the Winter Palace/Hermitage, the game seems to flip-flop on terminology. We'll just stick with Mirror Castle since we just did a Winter Palace and that would be confusing to do back to back palaces. In either case, as soon as we so much as take a single step forward... .jpg) Music: Vicious 1915 ~ Battle in Europe .jpg) We are thrust straight into a mandatory battle. Despite looking somewhat more intimidating than the usual trash mobs, much like Pendulum back in Petrograd, this is just a common enemy of the dungeon getting a touch more fanfare than usual. .jpg) These specters are called Ogoroja and have a Light elemental affiliation with a paltry 86 HP making them easily defeated by Karin or an unfused Yuri just doing standard blows. This is a one-off dungeon with only two characters. They definitely put the kiddie gloves on for this region. I guess they've learned from the days Koudelka was tossed on her own after a disc transition with no save point until after a solo fight boss encounter... Its only abilities are a brief physical attack combo or casting Bright Crime. Neither of which are of much of a worry. I don't think any common enemies in this dungeon do more than 50ish HP of damage a turn. I have no idea what the heck an "Ogoroja" is meant to be, exactly. That's a direct translation from Japanese with no alterations The word might mean "fences" in Russian, but I have no idea if that is true. There is Ogopogo a Loch Nest Monster-esque legendary lake monster in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Gonna be real, I don't know how either of those fit in with a quad-trident wielding grim reaper, here. .jpg) While we only have to fight the two Ogoroja here initially, we may as well just consolidate the rest of the enemies for this dungeon since they are entirely unremarkable. First up is Tweedledee a 98 HP sporting creature of the Water element. It's a little hard to make out but this is just the Thug enemy from the Wine Cellar segment of the game only it has gotten access to thermoptic camouflage. It can only attack with physical blows with a chance to cause Fake Ring and... yep, that's it. .jpg) Accompanying Tweedledee is naturally Tweedledum which is a 93 HP opponent of the Wind class element. Much like it partner, Tweedledum is just a translucent version of the Fat Thug from earlier in the game. This one also just smacks people with his transparent 2x4 only with a chance to inflict Up Ring instead.  You've probably heard of these two before. They're two fat idiots from an old English nursery rhyme or more commonly as mainstays from Alice in Wonderland and its derivatives (they actually didn't show up until the sequel book though!) .jpg) That isn't quite all we'll be facing in the Mirror Castle. But it will be the bulk of what I'll be fighting off-screen. Not the most exciting batch of critters. But at least they go down fast. Music: Spiritualization ~ Holy Land of God b.jpg) <steps forward> Are you okay? Is the pain really bad? It's not great, but... <stands up and scratches his head> No, it's not so much pain as... Um....jpg) What do you mean?! Of course, I'm Karin! What's wrong with you? I dunno. I just couldn't get your name out all of a sudden. Trying to remember makes my head hurt. It feels like my memory's getting more and more hazy. Ugh, I feel really sick. Ugh... I knew I should have eaten something before inviting someone into some hidden castle in my soul..jpg) Haha. I think I'll pass on that! That also doesn't really narrow it down with women I've met. Yeah, I bet..jpg) .jpg) Welcome to the Mirror Castle proper. You see these corridors? Sometimes they go north. Sometimes east or west. Sometimes even south! And... yeah, you've pretty much seen 90% of the dungeon. At least it's not another cave or dank brown dungeon but it isn't doing much for me either. .jpg) .jpg) Every once in awhile we'll run past a mirror but there is nothing to be done with those at the moment. .jpg) .jpg) Eventually, after the interruption of a handful of random battles, we'll encounter one of the few rooms that aren't a blue hallway. And by "few" I mean two. Here we have a lounge with comfortable chairs, a cozy fireplace and a magnificent picture of a... peacock? I'm not sure what that is all about... Yuri is there some past trauma involving peacocks you're not telling us about...? .jpg) There is also a mirror on the side of the room opposite the fireplace. We'll check that out in just a moment. .jpg) Just to get all of our bearings in this dungeon. Due north from the lounge is a locked door with a save point that is obviously progress. You know, once we bumble around and inevitably stumble upon a key to open it. .jpg) Perhaps the mirror found in the only unique room in the area can shed some light. It would make sense mirrors finally come into play in place called "Mirror Castle" right? Should we click on it... .jpg) Well, it's inside my heart, after all. We've got to expect things to be kind of screwed up. Huh. Nothing... Maybe it is just a normal mirr— <enters fighting stance> Look out. Here they come. What?! That's just your reflection, Yuri. And I'm gonna kick its rear end!.jpg) Music: Vicious 1915 ~ Battle in Europe .jpg) Time to fight Mirror Yuri and Mirror Karin. Both of them have identical stats and elemental class as the real McCoy. Only, this version of Yuri and Karin are equipped with their default load-out from the start of the game so their damage output is less than remarkable. .jpg) Of the two, Mirror Karin is actually the more dangerous of the pair. While her equipment is lacking, she does have access to all three of her Sword Arts and can dish out a decent 60ish HP if she opts for one of her stronger attacks. .jpg) Meanwhile, Mirror Yuri cannot use Fusion. He just remains in his default human form. Which leaves the doppelganger with the option of... let me check my notes here... Hmm... Ah, yes. Punching things a couple of times and maybe throwing a kick if he's feeling fancy. This can do an OK amount of damage to Karin but it doesn't even register into the double-digit damage against the OG Yuri. .jpg) .jpg) As such, Copy Karin is the priority while Xerox Yuri is a secondary target. Not that it strongly matters, a decent combo with Yuri and Karin coordinating is enough to take at either of them in a single turn. Likewise, the doppelgangers fail to ever attempt a combo and just attack indiscriminately until they are taken out. Music: Result ~ Victory .jpg) Stay outta my way..jpg) That's what you get for cheap knock-offs from a mirror dimension. What you also get is absolutely no reward! Thanks for nothing, copycats. Music: Spiritualization ~ Holy Land of God .jpg) .jpg) Unpleasant music sting! .jpg) The reflection in the mirror is the darkness in your own heart, your shadow self. It envies your living flesh. You must reach out to the truth if you want to obtain victory..jpg) The mirror path is a single ray of light. There's no turning back. Huh? What does that mean? I'm not really up for the philosophical crap about beating up the darkness in my heart to accept it or whatever mumbo-jumbo punching out my reflection represents... <turns to Yuri> It means if we look in a mirror, we have to fight our alter ego there. And the path that opens up will be one-way. <turns back to Jovis> ...Right? <nods> Yes. Looks like I did the right thing, Karin, sending you. So we've got to do that lame imitation version of us fight again to get back across the mirror? Mhm. Sure, fine... Here, now let me do something to help you..jpg) This is a sealed field in your heart. To get back, you must break Amon's seal. Come to me whenever you need healing. Thank you, Bishop.If we come back to this mirror, Jovis will now helpfully restore our HP and MP. We are... not going to need this service again. There's like 15 minutes left of this dungeon before the boss fight. It would be more like five minutes if not for the random battles. .jpg) We are now in a mirrored version of the dungeon we already traversed. To the north is no longer a gate. There is merely a treasure chest with another Third Key item. .jpg) .jpg) Since that isn't the right direction, naturally the correct path is... just backtracking across the entire dungeon to the beginning except the east and west corridors are flipped now. I would tell you next dungeon is more interesting but I'd be fully lying because it's a goddamn sewer level... .jpg) .jpg) Once we retrace our steps back to the mirror copy of the room we began in, there is now a chest containing a Glass Key. Welp. We've only seen exactly one locked door and have hit every corner of this dungeon AND it's reversed self. So that means... oh good, backtracking across the entire dungeon again! .jpg) .jpg) Only this time, we have to hit up one of those mirrors we passed on the first run through these overly blue halls and do a rematch with Yuri and Karin's mirror selves. It is the same exact fight. No differences. Still no reward. .jpg) So we'll just skip past all that and return to the non-mirrored version of the Mirror Castle's northernmost corridor (mirror is starting to stop sounding like a real word) and use that Glass Key to enter... .jpg) Oh smashing! Another drat mirror! Granted, this one is in front of an ominous-looking magical glyph and surrounded by eerie candelabra stands. Let's hope no time-displaced mages have tried to awaken a parasite alien god in here recently. We're already jumping into mirror dimensions. We don't need to dabble in any time travel. Music: END. Ominous hum begins. .jpg) .jpg) <stops walking> Oh...? <bumps into Karin> Eh?.jpg) Poor guy... Amon doesn't know what to do with his hands like an awkward game developer at a press conference. .jpg) Soon now. Yeah. ..... So do we need to tap the mirror to get his going or—?.jpg) Amon slowly stomps forward. .jpg) <gasps> Oh, OK... He's just walking out. Here we go. Are we going to have to fight another mirror me? Let's hope not. That seems like it would just be distracting..jpg) .jpg) Amon puts on a brief energy surge laser light show to show off his power. .jpg) Oh... Whoa... <looks at Karin and points at Amon> Are you telling me he's always been this scary? C'mon! Don't be such a wimp! I-I just didn't know I looked that freaky when I was fused with Amon. No wonder everyone freaked out and shot at me every time I showed up back in Domremy. Now I just feel bad... I looked like a friggin' nightmare demon! Yeah, you should feel bad! Now get it together!.jpg) Tune in next time as Yuri and Karin take on Amon, the God of Wrath. Well, I guess this is technically a rematch with a new support partner for Yuri. But, details...  Video: Episode 56 Highlight Reel  Mirror Castle Concept Art - More like copy and paste castle.  Ogoroja Concept Art - I hated having to go through that annoying Covenant in Dark Souls 2 to fight this jerk.
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Jan 21, 2020 22:33
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Man, this feels like the Dungeon of Wasted Opportunity. This is the least interesting possible interpretation of a Mirror Palace in your mind dungeon. Couldn't even be bothered to make a Nightmare Karin miniboss fight. Give her some character development, y'know?
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Jan 22, 2020 00:35
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It does have a lot of long, empty corridors, though.
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Jan 22, 2020 01:16
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I guess that's how you know that Yuri is not the most mentally active fellow?
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Jan 22, 2020 01:29
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Pesky Splinter posted:Director's Cut Stuff. Whoops. Didn't see this till now. Mostly because my internet has been utter trash thanks to a legendary blizzard slowly killing where I live...
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Jan 22, 2020 03:48
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