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Wow, its almost like the writers of this game only paid attention to the first games gameplay and markered over the lore in all the places that didn't fit their lovely anime high school setting.
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Feb 17, 2020 16:06
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DelilahFlowers posted:Wow, its almost like the writers of this game only paid attention to the first games gameplay and markered over the lore in all the places that didn't fit their lovely anime high school setting. *Coughs* W-what? No, of course not! This game's filled with completely original ideas! Really! I swear it! (You wouldn't believe how much they copy the first game later on.)
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Feb 17, 2020 16:52
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Update 30: 4/10 Could Be Dryer Surprise! Another update ahead of schedule! 30 updates in, only like 8 more to go. Today, we're tackling Nahum's story. He's from the Kingdom of Dryer, which is basically Not-Australia as far as I understand. ... ... ... ... ... ...Oh, right, the update. I was, uh, hoping you'd forget and I could quietly move on. Guess not. ---- ~ Classroom - Nahum's First Event ~ Music: Everyday Life of the Class     : Bwaugh?! Hrngh, cough! Wh-what are you doing, man?! : What manner of manservant ignores his master's call? You're a terrible page.: So you threw a chalkboard eraser at my face?!: And wait, when exactly did I become your page? : Haw?: Well, no matter. I'll let it slide this once. You may thank me at any time.: Henceforth, however, you will respond within one second of my call. Clear?*He walks off*  : Hey, Lotte. What do you mean, royal tool? : That dude just now. The new kid, Nahum Dryer.: He's a prince from the Kingdom of Dryer. They're and allied state.: Wait, he's an actual prince?! What's a guy like that doing here?: Word is, the king had him thrown in here by force.: The king, meaning his dad? : But word is, our prince here is just about of age and still a total tool.: The king got desperate and sent him here to grow up a little. So I hear, anyway.: That's crazy! We've got a future king in our class! : What's wrong, Anisette? : What's wrong? What's wrong?! Nahum Dryer! That's what's wrong!: We're changing classrooms, and he demands I carry his bag and fetch him a drink!: Eeeeagh! Just remembering it now has my blood boiling. darlings!: He takes the spoiled brat thing to an epic level, doesn't he?  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- ...Miraculously, I had a bit of fun with that one. Writing the summary, I mean. But yeah, spoiled brat royalty and sent to a military school to shape up. I'm pretty sure this has been done before. ---- ~ Training Grounds - Nahum's Second Event ~    : Looks like I didn't miss much... Is there a reason it's taking so long? : Don't be foolish. Grounds maintenance is no job for a king. : Now you listen to me-!: All right, well, I'm here now, so let's get it done! Pass me a shovel, Noel?   : Hmph. I'll make an exception this once. : The soldiering life's full of dirty work, man. Ha ha, eat dirt!   : Oh, Naaahuuuum! : See? If you're the first to pick up a shovel, the others are happy to help.: And when you do it as a group, grounds maintenance is pretty fun. C'mon!: S-Stop that! Unhand me! You'll sully my clothes!: Who cares? That just means you wash 'em later! : Hey, Avan! Get back here, man! We're never gonna finish at this rate!: Ha ha! I'm coming! : Thanks, you guys! I'll see you in class! : We've been over this page thing... And see? Working as a group has its perks.: I remember seeing Father among the help one night, preparing for a fete...: He did seem in higher spirits then than when attending to politics.: Very well, let us return. You have my laundry left to attend to, page. Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Hey, look, we're already done and it only took two events. We got the CG and everything, he learned a valuable, life-changing lesson: what else do you need? ... No, we're not done yet. Please, you think this game would let someone have a life-changing experience without a mission involving the same boring strategies as always? What game do you think I'm playing? (This one's really not the worst we've seen. Just, really wordy and my summaries are starting to be same. Hell, Avan showed some situational awareness for once.) ---- ~ Classroom/Arlem Village - Nahum's Third Event ~    : Right, and it's being held by a rebel squad with some high-level officers.: They're menacing the folks there into enlisting with a set of of "speeches."  : My mind is set, page. I'll be sortieing in tomorrow's battle.: Ad with that decided, I have preparations to attend to. Farewell!*He leaves* : Uh, what? Ah-- Hey! Wait, Nahum! ...And he's gone.: Well, I guess he's coming along tomorrow.  You should rejoice that your backwater town can serve that lofty goal!Offscreen Voice: Don't make me laugh, you degenerate traitor! Wha--? Who said that?! : I've listened to all I can stomach. What manner of man are you anyway?: To think a man who would lead a people would burn their fields... Absurd!: These abuses upon your countrymen serve only to drive them away, fool! You presumptuous brat-- what do you know?!: Are you really deaf to the indignant protests of the people you've wronged?   You ungrateful peasants!: Now do you understand? You sorely lack the capacity to lead!: Your malfeasance demands proper judgment by the proper authorities! Sh-shut your mouth! We'll see how cocky you are after this tank has flattened the entire town!  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- There you go, from irresponsible to slamming down hard debate in a mere few days. It's been months and Avan can't manage that. Eh, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, though. Still got a mission to do. It's a defeat the boss map in Arlem. This means it's not entirely annoying, but given the boss is a tank, it'll go down to Lavinia pretty easy. Nothing else worth noting, really. That's about all that's worth noting, let's move on. ---- ~ Classroom/Grounds - Nahum's Final Event ~ |Listen to the voice acting here|     : I've recieved word that Nahum Dryer is to return to his homeland.: What, he's leaving?! : I am to serve as his aide as training for my succession. : But right now? That's so sudden.: Though my time here wa short, fellows, I am glad to have come here.: I have learned much that cannot be discovered from within a castle's walls.: Be it group study, or military exercises, or just playing in the mud.   : Go make your country proud, Nahum! We'll see you when you're king!Well, that was fast. Nice to see this has a happy ending-  -great, can't leave well enough alone, can you? drat game.  I won't be able to say the same for you, buddy.  : Oh, whoops! I nearly forgot again.*Noel comes running up*  : What is it, Noel? You're as pale as a sheet.: Come see for yourself-- just hurry! : Nahum?!: But you-- Didn't you go back to Dryer?!: Oh, that. Yes, well...: I did return, and was charged with overseeing the national ore trade. Yep, had to ruin it, didn't you game? No leader is allowed to be better than Avan, is that right? : Needless to say, Father had me pack my bags the very same day.: Halved the-- You almost bankrupted a country?!: Mere details, my dear page!: What matters is that now you have another chance to make majordomo! Twybil's Summary posted:
---- So, what I'm seeing here, is that if you're bankrupt, Lanseal and VC2 will haunt you forever. drat, I need to make some money, fast. Oh, right, the update. Nahum's story moves very quickly at first, and seemingly has an entire turn-around in one day. The game's not willing to keep it that way though, especially if it upstages Avan as a leader, so it just reverts it to him only having learned to play in the dirt. I mean, maybe it's all the exposure to Avan talking, but I would've rather had this with little pay out and Nahum coming out looking good rather than incompetent and wildly irresponsible. I've already got Avan for that. That being said, I'm really expecting too much out of this game if I'm expecting them to do anything but play generic tropes. Anyways, that ends the history lesson on the Kingdom of Lower Humidity Than Most, Formerly Known As Not-Australia. Er, see you next time when I have summaries that are actually summaries: we'll be doing story stuff next. As for voting, I'm personally about 3-4 updates away from having all of them done, and I'd really like to be done with this game. That being said, I'm probably not actively going to be covering character stories anymore. If you've got a character you'd really like to know about, just say so and I'll give you a brief summary of them. It should be obvious to tell that they're all really just walking tropes with variable quality. We'll still have one more vote, but I'm waiting to hold that one until near the end.
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Feb 18, 2020 02:35
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Do I even need to ask if they gave him the slightest bit of training before handing him the reigns of their entire country's ore trade?
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Feb 18, 2020 14:37
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Update 31: Avan Gets Owned By A 13 Year Old Again Welcome back to animeland, folks. It's time to resume the main story. This will be a very basic update for the most part, so I'll slide in a daily update at the end. If that's not enough for you, then direct your complaints towards this game. I am not a licensed representative of this animeland. ---- ~ Training Grounds - Main Story Event ~ Music: Everyday Life of the Class   Yes, they do this awkward thing where they put her sprite in the distance in order to show she's not actually as big as everyone else.   : A ball?: Is there an echo in-- Wait, you don't know what a ball is?: Okay, here. I'll teach you soccer!: Her who? Who do I sock?: Just watch and learn. You kick the ball. Like... this!*Punting noise*  : Now you give it a try. Just lightly, to start.: Okay! ...Yah! This picture would be nicer if it didn't remind us of what murder kid here is wearing underneath that. : Ah ha ha ha!: Owww... I said to kick it LIGHTLY!: Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!: Gah, you gave me a nose-bleed, you little monster! : Uhh, yeah? Soccer balls are usually just black and white, Cosette.Not in your time period, they aren't. It's a really minor thing to nitpick, but those weren't introduced until the 70's.   : Dude, it's my blood! Can't you see my nose? You know, the huge, red fountain? : Ah ha... ha. Sorry. I was just surprised. : Yup! It's fun!: The game's not about pegging people. Let's play for real next time.: Play? What's play?: Er, well... Hmm. It's when you get together with other people and-- Oh, you thought they were going to let this go?  : Look, you had fun kicking the ball, right?: Yeah!: Well, getting together with folks and having fun WITHOUT killing them?: That's playing. I feel like playing's a lot more important that fighting.: Hm... : Yay! That sounds great! I'll sock them all with the ball!: That's NOT how you play!Twybil's Summary posted:
---- I think that event was perfectly indicative of how this game fails to hold a tone. And also why murder kid is unsettling for more reasons than just that terrible outfit. Anyways, that was the last interesting main story event for today. Enjoy these next two. ----- ~ Drill Grounds - Main Story Event ~ Music: Royal Military Academy   : Heck yeah! Once we're through this, it's the final round!: And once we win THAT, we in Class G are gonna be the champs!       : You again? Here to watch our match and learn a thing or two? : Oh, I'm cheering you on.: You'll be food for my squad. It wouldn't do to have you lose here.: I hear Class A's already won a spot at the finals. : A long, needless preamble to the awards ceremony.  If you rejects try hard enough, you may just earn the right to lose to us.  : Ah, let go would you? You're crushing my arm!: Oops, I'm sorry! I kinda tensed up...  : Class B and Class G chairs, front and center!: All right, let us at 'em!: Heh. Someone's feisty. Let's see what you maggots can do! Twybil's Summary posted:
---- No, the Semifinal is not an interesting mission in the slightest. It's another entirely biased map where you're stuck on assault with 6 units, the enemy has like 4 tanks and a ton of troopers. There's no attempt to make this map seem like an actual even drill. I mean, it's no question why Class G's been losing all this time, the other teams just get an incredibly large amount of cheating on their side. Anyways, I beat it. Let's move on. ---- ~ You can probably guess - Do I have to tell you? ~ Music: Theme of Class G  : Class G takes the round!  : Wow, I'm surprised to hear that, coming from--: Few get the privilege of facing Class A in combat. You must be proud.: Oh, right. That.: I must say, your tactics are truly senseless.This game is senseless, what's your point?  : Who asked you anyways?: And you seem paralyzed by your obsession with the people around you.: A leader must be prepared to sacrifice even himself for victory!: What? That's crazy!: That is the weight of the office of the commander. Leon Hardins would agree.: You really think Leon...: Whoa, Avan. Check that brother complex of yours for just a moment here.: I've got little use for a leader who's going to up and die on me.: Uhh, thanks?: You again? : Even if it does ultimately win the battle at hand.: Though I doubt you could kill Avan if you tried. I've been tempted myself.: Hey, now!: I'll be the first to grant that you're a skilled tactician, Juliana.: But it will take more than mere strategy to beat us. : -And you will not address me so casually in the future. Understand?: I'll see you and all your little friends flayed in the finals!*Runs off* : Man, I wonder what her deal is? It's always the same spiel. : I even agree with a lot of what she says.: You do need to focus more out there, or you're going to get hurt, Avan.: Oof... Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Here's a reminder that we're supposed to like Juliana in some sense of the word. No, I'm not sure how either. Anyways, I promised an daily event to make this less boring, so here you go. --- ~ Courtyard - Daily Event ~   : You mean Avan's brother? No, I never did.: He passed on before I came to Lanseal. Still, I've heard the stories.: ...How he fought against the Empire as a lancer in the militia.: How he maintained the top of the tank kill count in all of the 3rd Company  : His intellect and charisma earned him the trust of both peers and professors.: He sounds like quite the fellow. I would have liked to have met him.: I wonder if Avan was adopted.: He's friendly, and a man-of-action sort of guy, but um, not the military type.: Heh.: That much is true.Twybil's Summary posted:
LEEE-ON! LEEE-ON! ...Oh, right excuse me. I would like to point out that yes, they do develop a bit of Leon's backstory, but it still boils down into HE WAS THE GREATEST THAT EVER LIVED Eh, hopefully that was mildly interesting. If it wasn't, I'd apologize, but you should've known what you'd be in for with a VC2 update. Anyways, next time we get to witness the game take a sudden change of tone, like it usually does. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 14:24 on Feb 20, 2020 |
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Feb 20, 2020 14:22
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: Yeah, maybe!
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: Have you heard the goods news about your lord and savior Leon?: There is a pamplet.: Sign up for our newsletter.: Collect all Leon figures.The Flying Twybil posted:
Poil fucked around with this message at 15:13 on Feb 20, 2020 |
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Feb 20, 2020 14:55
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Oh no Leon is spreading.  Now we don't even need Avan in the scene to have someone worship him.
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Feb 20, 2020 17:10
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Poil posted:I still quite enjoy this picture. A big empty round object slamming into a football. I mean I only said it could be nicer. It is still pretty good on its own. HardDiskD posted:Oh no Leon is spreading.  : Please donate all the DCT and EXP you can spare.: If you're feeling very generous, you can come volunteer on weekends to do meaningless fluff missions.You might be thankful to know that the curse of LEON will be mostly absent for at least 3 more updates. He's still going to get mentioned in passing, though. It's not until Update 38 that we'll be truly done with the arc. Edit: It's also worth noting I have all the updates in the backlog done. I'll throw 'em out every 2 days or so. I can put 'em out faster, if you want, I'll just need some help pushing the updates over to a new page occasionally. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 03:10 on Feb 21, 2020 |
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Feb 20, 2020 18:13
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LEON would want a new page so that we can see HIS greatness sooner
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Feb 22, 2020 05:29
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Slaan posted:LEON would want a new page so that we can see HIS greatness sooner LEON is so amazing whenever he posts there's just enough fawning on him for a new page.
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Feb 22, 2020 05:42
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Slaan posted:LEON would want a new page so that we can see HIS greatness sooner HardDiskD posted:LEON is so amazing whenever he posts there's just enough fawning on him for a new page. The Great LEON Revolution has begun! Join, and revel in his greatestestness! LEON would like you to know that if you suddenly find yourself posting good things about LEON, it's okay and totally awesome. And he should know, he's the AWESOMEST. Who are we to question HIS wise words of GREATNESS? Edit: I didn't just start the Cult of LEON by accident, did I? The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 06:07 on Feb 22, 2020 |
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Feb 22, 2020 06:04
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Update 32: Avan Gets Cutscene Killed Welcome back to your regularly scheduled update of Dumb Military School Game, because I'd rather update this now because I won't have time in the morning. Today, we witness the game mostly sticking to a tone after a single whiplash. It's a new record for it, I think. Also, I have another surprise for you: there's no monthly split this time around, as this is sort of a short month event wise. It's also really jarring when the events aren't shown back to back, which is something the game does by making you do missions while these story events are playing out in medias res. Yes, this game not only has tone issues, but pacing issues as well. Oh, and er, it's actually June this time. Not like last time where I showed the picture for June for May because I'm lazy. That means we're nearing the halfway point, in theory. The game just piles on more and more combat to pad content. ---- ~ Dorms - Main Story Event ~ Music: Summer in Lanseal First time hearing this new seasonal track. Musically, it's probably my most liked of the season tracks though something that happens next month really detracts from it. In general, a lot of the music in this game lacks the power that VC1 had, but some of it isn't too bad.  : Yo, Cosette! That book you borrowed from the library? You left it there.*He then knocks on the door. Which is backward as hell, I know.* : Is that you, Avan? C'mon in, it's unlocked.Music: Are We A Spoiled Class?  The game zooms in on various parts of the room with a wacky horn fanfare. Keep this in mind for later.  : P-Purple, red, and teal?! Your room is blinding...: Really? Hmm, I thought I did a decent job of decorating.: Anyway, here's that book on medicine that you checked out. You left it there.: Oh, thanks! I was just wondering where I'd put it.: You know, I've got to say I'm impressed. I couldn't understand a word of it.: Your dad was a doctor, right? Did he teach you that stuff?: A little bit. He ran a private practice in Yuell. : He could never sit by when he knew people needed help.: He'd always be heading off to little villages in the mountains or poorer towns.: Sounds like a real stand-up guy.: Heh heh. Yeah, that's why I want to be like him.: I'm sure you will be. Especially if you stop leaving your books at--*More knocking, but the person doesn't even wait* Music: Conflict  : What's wrong, Coleen? : I just heard some professors talking...: The rebels have entered central Gallia!: There's a big battle going on in Yuell, and the Army is having a rough time.: Wait, in Yuell?: Isn't that where you're--  : Dad... Mom... : We.. We can?: I'm sure Brixham will let us go if we explain the situation to him. C'mon! Twybil's Summary posted:
---- After that tonal whiplash, the game has played part of its hand. Cosette, who's spent most of her time as comic relief or an exposition fairy trying to get noticed, finally begins to reveal her tragic backstory hinted at like 15 times. The outline of her arc at least makes sense for a war game like this, though this game doesn't do great at writing it well. Also, the game would go from right here to the normal daily stuff, like usual. Wacky antics and a boring fluff mission would normally follow each of these events. It's very jarring in practice. But you know the drill, I'm skipping all of that. ---- ~ Back Alley - Main Story Event ~ Music: Tear of Wars   : Yuell's a little north of us, so we can't move without Army orders?! Stupid!: I applied here because I wanted to protect what matters to me, but now... : What?: I know two people isn't going to be enough to drive back the rebels.: But maybe we can make an opening for the Army to turn things around.: Avan...: "The pain of my friend is my own." Leon's words.: Any time I felt blue or got mad or got hurt, he was right there for me.: He'd be worrying along or getting mad with me. We faced it all together.: Now it's my turn to be there for my friend! : Hey, don't cry! C'mon, we should get going!   : This is important, Zeri. I'm going, now get out of the way.: Even if you do go... You'll be breaking academy rules, going AWOL, and for what?: So you can die a senseless death in Yuell and drag Lanseal's name in the mud?: Or maybe we'll actually make a difference! We won't know until we try.: You'll know the minute you consider the facts. They are elite armored corps! : You can't win what you can't win, Avan. That's a simple fact.: Why do you always do this? You drag everyone else into your insane plans.: I told you, I have to become a hero!: I have no desire to get killed as a result of your suicidal impulses, oka-- : A hero?! Don't make me laugh!: A hero for what?! For having played it safe long enough to get promoted?: If you can't help a friend who's suffering, then to Hel with all of it!: I've got no more time for this. Cosette, let's go!   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- So Avan slugs Zeri for having common sense and then drags a traumatized girl to a warzone. Our protagonist, folks. I mean, sure, Welkin would take on a suicidal mission, but at least he'd have a drat plan and a good head for tactics. And yes, Avan's just going to get through this with the powers of being a protagonist. Why would you expect any more of this game? ---- ~ Yuell - Main Story Event ~ Music: Tear of Wars   : Cosette, you're shaking. You gonna be able to fight?: I...I'll be fine! See? Fine.*She stops shaking for a moment, but it starts again* *Then a shell lands nearby* : ...There are just more of them than I thought.: We'd never get through them from the front. We need a plan.*Radio beeps*  Music: Theme of Class G  : I knew it! We got into Yuell okay...: But there are too many rebels for a frontal assault.: Obviously.: You're only two people. What were you planning to do if we didn't show up?: We? : I can't have you ruining my reputation by dragging Lanseal's name in the mud.: Everybody? Zeri, I--: There's no time. Here's the plan. I see an arms depot in the town center.: We'll create a diversion.: Meanwhile, you and Cosette will get in there and blow up that depot.: That should cause them to panic, which gives us a window to attack. : Compared to you, anyways. Just the same, this plan hinges on you two.: Stay alive long enough to rendezvous. Promise me.: I promise. We won't waste this chance, you guys! Twybil's Summary posted:
---- So here's the trick, this week has two required story missions and this is just the first. This won't be the last time. We'll start seeing three in a row near the end.  This mission just requires you to walk to a certain location and you win. With my [Player Turn Music: Street Battle Enemy Turn Music: Defense Battle These are the tracks, and I only bother listing them because they're my favorite battle theme from VC1. These are the remixes used in VC2 which lack a lot of the energy, but they're the songs nonetheless.  That being said, it's also probably one of the better looking areas in the game. It's main gimmick is thunderstorms and spotlights. The thunderstorms are automatic mortar fire every turn, preventable with a lightning rod. The spotlights call mortars on your location when a unit is spotted. Anyways, we beat that mission and we see the next event. ---- ~ Yuell - Main Story Event ~    : Uh huh. And yet here you are with us. Interesting!  : Enough chatter, you goons. We're still mid-operation here.: Thank you, Zeri.: We couldn't have made it this far without you. Right, Cosette? : Cosette?: ...Mm? Ah! R-right. Thank you, Zeri!: Are you all right? You look awfully pale. You should fall back.: No! I can't! I'm fine... I'll be fine!: Well, tell us if anything comes up. Don't do anything crazy out there.: I never thought I'd hear that coming from you.: You always have to go and ruin the moment, don't you?: The enemy is confused, guys. We'll move in and take their camps. Music: Theme of the Rebels    That is corret, ma'am. : Well, no matter. All who would stand in the way of the revolution must fall.: In casting their lot with the vile usurpers of House Randgriz, they sin.: It falls to me to put them to justice, in the name of the Valkyrian flame!  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- The game doesn't immediately launch you into this one, if I remember right. That means you can go back to school and catch up on all your wacky hijinks, then come back to serious story time. If not this one, then some later ones do. Anyways, this time we're up against crazy lady for the first time. She hides, camping the enemy's base camp flag sitting decked out in her super-tank.  This big rear end thing, to be precise. It's also what's shooting the mortar fire. Notably, this area has another gimmick, namely toxic waste that drains your HP if you run through it.  The purple stuff you see is said toxic waste. It's kind of annoying because it applies the HP Down debuff, which effectively does a little bit of damage to you then vanishes, so it creates a giant backlog of negative potential notifications.  It's not technically necessary to kill Audrey, but it's basically required. Fortunately, it's not too hard to get behind her tank. Got it? Okay, onto the next and final event for today then. ---- ~ - Main Story Event ~ Music: Theme of the Rebels   : All right... Understood. We'll have no more sacrifice here. Music: Tear of Wars    : What?! C'mon, let's go!: Huh?! Wait, Avan!  : Cosette, this man needs immediate attention. Here, I'll help. : Cosette? What's the matter? We need to hurry!: No... I'm scared! I...I can't! I can't help them!: Pull it together, Cosette! You're an engineer, right? You want to be a doctor! : I can't... Blood scares me... Red scares me!: Cosette, you... Are you saying you're colorblind?: But wait. You've treated me plenty of times before!: Just remember what you did then! You can do it. These people need you!: No, I... I'm too scared... If I mess up, all these people will die!: No way.: Avan, don't!*Gunshot* Music: None   : Are you crazy?!: Crazy if I... thought you wouldn't save me...: What? : Yes, I did.: Then don't... give up. You've still got a... long way to go... Doc...: You can save me... Save all these people...: I have... f-faith in...  --- Welp, that's VC2 folks. Avan dies after shooting himself trying to spur on a traumatized Cosette who couldn't save him due to fear of blood. ...Yeah. That's the ending to this game. All that stuff about a dreaded summer scene and a bunch of more updates to go? Nope, none of that exists. I'll, uh, just go work on my other LP now. What, you didn't think I was serious, did you? Music: Faint Youth    : You idiot!: Wha--?! That's a pretty harsh thing to wake up to!: It's the truth! How could you shoot yourself?! How could you do that to me?: But here I am, all patched up. You saved me.: Somehow. I didn't know what I was looking at half the time!: Well, thanks.: ...You're welcome. And thank you, too. I guess. : I won't run away from my demons anymore. I promise.: But I want you to promise me something, too.: Promise you what?: That you'll never think it's okay to sacrifice yourself for your squad.: That you'll never pull another stunt like that again.: Risking your life in the field and throwing it away to be noble are different. : I'm sorry, Cosette... I promise.: I'm going to keep fighting for my squad and for a peaceful Gallia.: We'll grow old and compare stories about all this someday. Okay?: Okay!Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Here's the actual end of the month. It picks up right where the next update begins. From all of this, Cosette gains Blood Trauma, the reason why she's usually considered the worst engineer in the game. Replacing Klutz, her minor accuracy drop debuff, Blood Trauma causes her to have a very high chance to drain all AP when being shot at. Yes, it makes her a sitting duck. It's awful, I know. Story-wise, I feel like this would work a lot better if the game maintained a consistent tone. This feels horribly dissonant with the fact we spend half our time watching dumb anime tropes and wacky high school hijinks unfold. Listen, it's not comic relief if it's half your story. (Also yes, the bad taste in designing her bedroom at the beginning of the update is because she's fully colorblind.) Again, I think there's some interesting takes here, but this game doesn't use any of it well. Next update'll be out soon, where we watch Avan get discharged for going AWOL. I won't joke about the game ending early or anything then. I'll admit I had a plan to pull a "Gotcha" by ending the update early but I kinda don't like making light of a serious situation, no matter how contrived it may be. Anyways, that's it. Come back next time, or not. The dreaded summer scene is coming up next and you're fully excused for missing it. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 16:30 on Mar 3, 2020 |
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Feb 22, 2020 06:14
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Jesus Christ the "Avan shooting himself" scene is as stupid as I remembered. I thought my memories of specifically it were being tainted by the rest of the stupid of VC2 but nope, it is basically what I remembered.
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Feb 22, 2020 06:23
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VC1 was Oscar worthy compared to this flaming pile of poo poo. I remember why I stopped playing it. Props to you for showing us this abortion.
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Feb 22, 2020 06:44
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Well that was dumb and somewhat tactless. Also you messed up one of the portraits during the Avan punches Zeri conversation and the tags are a bit of a mess at one place too.
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Feb 22, 2020 09:49
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Such a kind gesture to do for someone. Amazing she didn't get even more traumatized. Was this game made before or after the kinda crappy anime?
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Feb 22, 2020 09:53
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Poil posted:Such a kind gesture to do for someone. Amazing she didn't get even more traumatized. Anime was 2009, this was 2010.
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Feb 22, 2020 09:59
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Shinji117 posted:Jesus Christ the "Avan shooting himself" scene is as stupid as I remembered. Pratan posted:VC1 was Oscar worthy compared to this flaming pile of poo poo. I remember why I stopped playing it. Props to you for showing us this abortion. I'd entirely forgotten about this scene, or at least the details. I thought it was Avan getting hit by a sniper shot, taking that plot point from VC1. Boy, was I wrong. I was so, so wrong. There were a hundred other ways to write this scene, and this was not it. I really want to know what writer reads this in their outline and thinks "this is the way to go". Cooked Auto posted:Well that was dumb and somewhat tactless. Got it, thanks for telling me. Occasionally things get messed up a little on my side. Especially when my mouse decides to act up and I'm trying to copy/paste something. Poil posted:Was this game made before or after the kinda crappy anime? Shinji117 posted:Anime was 2009, this was 2010. Yep. After the end of the game, you get the anime versions of Welkin and Alicia to... grind promotions for by doing old missions over again. I'd also agree with that assessment of the anime, though it's not usually the kind of thing I watch. It was years back, but I could only stand a few episodes of it before I quit. Like, 3 at most. If I understand the story right, that anime's performance and the tragedy that is this game really started to tank their sales in the international scale. That's presumably why VC3 wasn't released overseas, (well, that and the fact PSP isn't a popular console over here). If helps to give any perspective, VC4 wasn't released until 2018, seven years after VC3's release.
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Feb 22, 2020 13:32
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This is the dumbest loving scene in the franchise. Whatever poo poo we talk about Avan, remember that he is the one in command of an entire platoon (he leads a squad in gameplay, but Class G has a platoon's worth of soldiers in it). He is the chain of command in the field. This stupid fucker SHOOTS HIMSELF IN THE GUT to try and CURE SOMEONE ELSE'S COLOUR BLINDNESS. Colour blindness doesn’t work that way! If those rebel soldiers had caught wind of that and decided to take advantage, then Class G would have been hosed. The squad leader is out of commission and the rest of the squad would likely break out into chaos whenever someone else tried to take the reigns. Yeah, civilians needed medical help. That sure does suck, but Collette is not the sole medic/engineer of the entire Class. Every other member of the class would also presumably have basic first aid since they are in a military academy in a country that also has mandatory military service/training. This scene is trash and I don't care what any VC2 defender tries to argue: It is a valid example of why this game is so terrible. The Flying Twybil posted:If helps to give any perspective, VC4 wasn't released until 2018, seven years after VC3's release. That does seem like a big gap between releases, but you need to keep in mind that Sega tried to spin this series off into a new universe during that gap. They released a game called Valkyria Revolution in 2017 (it wasn’t great). They had also been running a gacha game on phones called Valkyria Chronicles D from 2012 until 2015, so it’s not as though the series completely disappeared for 7 years. Psycho Knight fucked around with this message at 21:46 on Feb 22, 2020 |
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Feb 22, 2020 14:51
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Psycho Knight posted:This is the dumbest loving scene in the franchise. Also if Cosette hadn't managed to snap out of her moment of PTSD, Avan would have required the help of another medic that could have instead been working on the people already wounded. I get what they were trying to do with this scene, but there are other ways they could have had Avan end up injured by acting in a recklessly brave way, instead of this where it's just criminally stupid.
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Feb 22, 2020 15:11
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radintorov posted:And to add to all that you've said, there's also the fact that there are already people in dire need of immediate medical attention: by shooting himself, Avan adds one more to the list of people that needs help to not die. All of that is also true. The point is, Avan is a moron that endangers himself and everyone around him, but he's allowed to succeed because the writers said so. That means everyone else must be dumber. The one small mercy about VC2, the one somewhat relieving thing in this giant mess, is that Avan is currently the only VC main protagonist in the series to not get laid. That means there is a realistic chance that he never passes on his stupid genes to future generations.
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Feb 22, 2020 18:06
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What in the actual gently caress
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Feb 22, 2020 18:30
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Look if you've got some trauma or whatever, you've just got to rub your loving face in it until it stops bothering you. That's how I dealt with my brain tumors and I'm just fine.
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Feb 22, 2020 20:15
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radintorov posted:I get what they were trying to do with this scene, but there are other ways they could have had Avan end up injured by acting in a recklessly brave way, instead of this where it's just criminally stupid. I mean, it's really not that hard to write a heroic action here. It took me 10 seconds to think of a commonly reused one: fleeing or scheming rebel shows up in the distance, aims for Cosette, seeing an easy target. Avan spots this and jumps in front of her, taking the bullet to his shoulder (where he shoots himself normally). Cosette manages to wake up out of her trance long enough to help out as result. Or if this game felt like knocking off VC1 any more than it will already, Avan could just get sniper shot. I mean, really, this event doesn't cure Cosette's issue, this is the one that makes it worse and allows it to make itself known. It's pretty easy for anyone to say Avan already traumatized her further. Psycho Knight posted:All of that is also true. The point is, Avan is a moron that endangers himself and everyone around him, but he's allowed to succeed because the writers said so. You know what this is starting to sound like?  HardDiskD posted:What in the actual gently caress You think this is bad? Just see how they follow up this event. Hell, what am I saying? It just goes downhill from here, really. Psycho Knight posted:That does seem like a big gap between releases, but you need to keep in mind that Sega tried to spin this series off into a new universe during that gap. They released a game called Valkyria Revolution in 2017 (it wasn’t great). They had also been running a gacha game on phones called Valkyria Chronicles D from 2012 until 2015, so it’s not as though the series completely disappeared for 7 years. Huh, didn't know about either of these. Still, the gacha game seems to have been Japan exclusive, which just changes that time frame to 6 years keeping whatever the gently caress Revolution is in mind. I'd still say 6 years off of any main console with international release shows some pain in sales, but now that I think about it, they re-popped the first game twice in that period of time. I'd say they might've been hurting for cash, but it's really just conjecture on my part. Hwurmp posted:
I know I shouldn't laugh at this, but I can't help it. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 23:00 on Feb 22, 2020 |
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Feb 22, 2020 22:56
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It took Sakura Wars 14 years to get a new game, despite it being infinitely more popular than Valkyria. It's not like there was no internal interest. The director pitched a new game every year and got turned down until a 2016 official fan vote overwhelming wanted it revived. Now the new game has Budget with both the Valkyria and Yakuza team working on it.
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Feb 23, 2020 16:40
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Tae posted:Now the new game has Budget with both the Valkyria and Yakuza team working on it. Probably the best thing I've heard in this thread so far.
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Feb 23, 2020 23:29
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Update 33: The One Nobody Was Looking Forward To Welcome back to VC2, the game with no understanding of comic relief and consults a dictionary of anime tropes to make writing decisions. Today we're moving back from those heavy feels from last time and moving onto something more terrifying. Also, we're finally past the halfway point in this game's story. So that's a thing. But first, more heavy feels. ---- ~ Meeting Room - Main Story Event ~ Music: Conflict      : Well, obviously. You still don't realize the gravity of what you did.: Um... I'd make this my desktop background if it didn't remind me that this game exists. : Do you have any idea why this school, this army has rules?: By observing that protocol, we keep casualties to a minimum.: ...Yes, sir.: By some undeserved miracle, you brought everyone home alive this time.: You nearly killed your class and drove Lanseal's good name into the ground.: I... I know.: Your punishment has yet to be decided, but I suggest you prepare for the worst.  : Yes, sir.So many screen transitions.   You owe Professor Brixham and those classmates of yours big time.: What? Your teacher went around extolling your success in Yuell after the committee. And all of Class G flooded the faculty office to beg for clemency.: Are you serious? It's another miracle they let the class off with just a stern warning. A lot of people bent the rules for you. Don't make them regret it, eh? I'll be back for you in five days' time.  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Avan escapes the law because he's the protagonist, because of course he does. Everything eventually works in his favor, somehow. Right, we're not done with this, though. ---- ~ Solitary Confinement - Main Story Event ~ Music: Tear of Wars   *WHAM* *WHAM* : D-dang, he's impatient about something...*WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM*  : No, you goof! I'm next door.: Oops! I must've guessed wrong, then.: They said you were in the cell with the red lock, so I just picked randomly.: (Still having trouble with color, then?): And next time, try asking if I'm in there before you bash in the door! ...Good question. This is solitary confinement for a reason. : Heh heh. I know you're in solitary, but I asked the Professor and snuck down.: You snuck down here?: What was I supposed to do? I was worried about you!: I couldn't get permission for a real visit, but he said we could talk a bit. Ah, yes, the wholesome moment combined with the upskirt shot. Real classy, game. : Thanks, Cosette.: Don't thank me! I'm the one who got you into this mess. : Well, even so... Thank you, Avan.: So, everybody in class is doing okay?: We all agree it's weird there without you.: It's too quiet. It's sad, and distracting.: Oh, but Zeri says it's a nice break, and that he can finally get work done.: Ugh. Why am I not surprised?: Hee hee! But he's just saying that. YOu can tell he misses you, too. : So, talk to me. Tell me something about yourself.: What were you like as a little boy?: What was I like? Oof, I don't know. What's to say? I was your normal brat.: Now if you want stories, I can tell about this time when Leon--: I don't. What I want to know more about that bratty kid.: R-really?: Really really. Twybil's Summary posted:
---- No, this isn't the moment where his brother complex disappears. You'd think this would also imply a romance subplot, but no, it doesn't. Seriously. And, no, the game won't elaborate on Avan's childhood. Anyways, we come from that series of dark and serious moments to the token swimsuit event. Straight from blood trauma and reflecting on nearly getting your friends killed is fanservice. It's straight-up a main story event as well.  I'm not loving kidding. Just when you thought this game couldn't get any more tone deaf. Anyways, for whatever reason, if you read this at work or where eyes are looking over your shoulder- don't worry, I've got you covered. It's all in a test post, just so you can avoid it if you wish. Find it right here. From there, we move onto the rest of the story. The game just kinda forgets it made a whole big deal about only getting 5 days of solitary. ...No, I don't have anything else to say about it. ---- ~ Classroom/Drill Grounds - Main Story Event ~ Music: Briefing  : Frankly, I never expected you to make it this far. : What, you didn't believe me?: The world is full of empty promises, Avan. Especially in times of war.: But you've made good on your word so far.: A few months ago, you all would likely have been content just to get here.: Well, times change. We didn't get this far to take home second place.: Our class is gonna take down Class A and win that cup!: Heh heh. I look forward to seeing that. Now... Are you ready?: Bring it on! Music: Royal Military Academy   : An overeager lunatic and his merry band of misfits. A miracle you're here.: Not the way we see it.: Excuse me?: We know the reason we're here is because we worked together as a team.: Even you can't say you got this far alone.: Class A has executed my orders flawlessly.: They have always been and will continue to be the crowning pride of Lanseal.  : In a few minutes, you'll be able to do the same.  : Yeah! : But worry not, men. My command never wavers! All glory to Class A! Hear, hear! Lead the way, Juliana! *Bell tolls*  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Here's where we finally fight Juliana. Compared to Baldren, she's not as dangerous, but you actually have to take her out to win the map. Luckily, she usually comes to you so you can plant a tank shell in her forehead. Music: Championship Here's the music that plays for this fight only. I think it's better than what plays at the end of the game, but that's because this one has motific development I recognize.[/url] It's a remix of both the Practice Fight music and the VC2 Main Theme. It's alright. Better than some other tracks, for sure.  I just kinda had Alexis cut her head off with a giant sword. It's fine, the ragnaid will heal that. ---- ~ Drill Grounds - Main Story Event ~ Music: Theme of Class G       This is Joachim saying this, it's just he does some kind of Mario jump off of Avan.   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- No, really, that event ends there. The part where Ms. Candyhair Fanservice whines and mopes comes in a separate event. ---- ~ - Main Story Event ~ Music: Conflict   : I can't... : You said we could trust you to win this! What are you gonna do for us now?!: I-I didn't mean... : It's your fault we lost! We never should have believed you! *Punch* : Huh?! : She took pride in her role as leader and worked hard to win this for you.: You relied on her for everything, and now you lose and it's her fault? Aw!: Every one of us in Class G fought the best we could, the best way we knew how.: To you, that may have looked like a disorganized mob. Maybe we are.: Our leader isn't perfect. You could spot his flaws from Randgriz. He's green.: But that leads him to rely on the rest of us. He trusts us to a fault.: It's that mutual faith that allows us to follow our own judgement.: I...: Can any of you say you shared that kind of trust with Juliana? Um...  : Yeah, I'm coming.Music: Days With Classmates  : No. He's wrong. It was I who didn't really believe in you.: Somewhere in my heart, I believed we could win so long as I was perfect.: Even though Class A is all of us, together. I've let you all down. She's right. We'll train harder next year and take back the cup.: You guys...: Yes. You're right! Next year, for certain!Music: Theme of Class G  Class chair, step forward.   : Thank you, sir! : All right, guys! Everybody huddle up!: We've got five seconds until shutter time. Nobody blink!: And say cheeeese!  Music: Conflict   : Perhaps they're up to the task of our special mission.  : But I suppose Class G is proof there's a power in unpredictability.: I'll take either of them for now, headmaster. I'll be waiting. Twybil's Summary posted:
---- And that's today's update. Candyhair has her immediate heel-turn moment thanks to Zeri's love for his waifu, Avan wins the tournament, and the game alludes to some secret mission in an unsettling manner. Next time...well, next time's a bit unusual, if not poorly paced. It might even actually be interesting. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 04:53 on Feb 25, 2020 |
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Feb 24, 2020 00:46
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: I get a speaking part? Ah! I mean, we won?
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Tae posted:It took Sakura Wars 14 years to get a new game, despite it being infinitely more popular than Valkyria. Hey, a budget and two generally successful teams sounds like a pretty good chance at a great game to me. Echoing HardDisk, this probably is the best news to come out of this thread so far. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 01:00 on Feb 24, 2020 |
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Feb 24, 2020 00:51
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Man, I just caught up and that Avan shooting himself scene was amazingly bad. You'd think Pinkhair McAnime would mention that in a taunt or something. Also, Cosette, the guy literally shot himself in front of you to make a point, you really can't do better than this?
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Feb 24, 2020 00:59
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Wow, missed a few days and see two updates and both a doozies. Tonal whiplash batman. "Well, guess I'll look" *clicks quarantined cursed scene* "Ah, it starts out normally. How could it get worse" *scrolls down to see alien child* "Oh nooooooooooooooooooooo" To be honest, its not as bad as it could have been. Juliana is the obvious victim of the pervy male audience, but being contained to her is quite amazing for an excessively bad anime game. Maybe they were bad at fanservice as well? If so, thank the lord. I've been cursed with witnessing worse beach/pool scene and this one scales well above them.
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Feb 24, 2020 01:29
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DelilahFlowers posted:Wow, missed a few days and see two updates and both a doozies. Tonal whiplash batman. I think it's not so much that they are bad at fanservice, but that someone on the team is holding the leash for the series. The fanservice in VC games is usually contained within a single obligatory beach scene. Every game has one for essentially no reason. It almost seems like they put it in there as a release valve for Raita Honjou, who is the character designer (and also a prolific doujin artist). If you want to see the fanservice that VC could have had, then take a look at his art (or hell, just look up the cards for Valkyria Chronicles D).
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Feb 24, 2020 01:50
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DelilahFlowers posted:Wow, missed a few days and see two updates and both a doozies. Tonal whiplash batman. I mean, it's bad, yes, but there is a lot worse out there. I find it particularly terrible given its timing coming after a good number of serious scenes and the fact that it's part of the main story- it's not a random daily event. Psycho Knight posted:I think it's not so much that they are bad at fanservice, but that someone on the team is holding the leash for the series. At least VC1's was off to the side, completely out of the way. It being a release valve of sorts makes good sense. He's one of the leading members of the art team, so at some point the director has to start making concessions for those most important to the project.
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Feb 24, 2020 06:36
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Update 34: Leon, Valhalla, Oh, and Zeri's Tsundere Waifu Too Have another update, it's on me. I know you were looking forward to some mediocre anime high school stuff, and I'll deliver. Right, we've got about 5-6 updates left to go. Yeah, believe it or not, this game shortens up a lot when you cut out all the combat and pointless events. Because, really, at this point I'm only doing story relevant stuff. You get the idea regarding the other events, I'm sure. Today, we start off with a daily event of all things, because it's actually story relevant. This is actually mixed in with "Daily Matters" and not the summer events. You'll see why that's odd later. ---- ~ Headmaster's Office - Daily Event? ~ Music: Conflict     : Hi.: Juliana Everhart. Pleasure to meet you, Doctor.: Mm. This one looks promising.: I beg your pardon?: Juliana, Lanseal has partnered with Doctor Foerster in her research.: Exceptional students such as yourself are asked to aid her in the work.: Aid her how, exactly, sir?  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Hm. Spooky. I'll admit there was one of these events I skipped over, but it was just Avan entering the headmaster's office without knocking and finding him and Brixy talking about entrance regulations. Oh, and might I bring one thing up you probably forgot?   Keep this in mind. It's actually important regarding something. Now that we've had that grim reminder of last update, let's forget about all of that and do more wacky high school things. ---- ~ Classroom - Main Story Event ~ Music: Summer in Lanseal     *Paper shuffling* : First up, playing the part of Lieutenant Gunther!: With 19 votes... Wait, ME?!: Uh, next is the heroine, Sergeant Melchiott. 12 votes give it to Cosette!  : Squad 7's idol, Rosie goes to... Ooh, a close one! With eight votes, Lotte! : Next up... : Raymond, you were the only one who volunteered. It's all you, buddy. : Aand, finally, the right tank tread will be...: Zeri! : There were no volunteers for that role. Why does it fall to ME?: I sense malicious intent. I demand a recound! I object to these proceeding--: What else are we gonna do, man? Nobody else wanted to do it!: You were nominated by a third party, okay?: Which party?: MY party!: I knew it! I knew it, you-- : Raymond, you really are... Ugh, fine. I admit defeat.: All right! Then that settles it.   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Lotte's writing the script. Yes, it's going to make absolutely no sense. Anyways, I interrupt your daily hijinks with some more dark stuff. Remember, this is a main story event and comes right after that one. ---- ~ Back Alley / Old Campus - Main Story Event ~ Music: Everyday Life of the Class    : Avan... So hot... Back to... Mama...: Your mom? What, the lady in the glasses from before?: All right, I'll take you to her. It's in the old campus, right?: Nh... Uh huh... Here... Room key...Music: Tear of Wars    : Room... My room...: Here?! How can you live in a place like this?: Oof, forget I said that. I gotta get you to bed.: Huff... hah...  *Knocks something off table*  : "Project Valhalla"?: What? This... This is a photo of Leon! And one of Juliana?! : O-Oh, it's you. Aliasse almost passed out behind campus with a fever.: A fever? She didn't show any signs of illness.: Her physical condition is slipping. That will delay further experimentation.: (What's this lady's deal? Isn't she supposed to be Aliasse's guardian?): Was that all? I'd thought maybe you were next in line.: Well, either way. I have research to get back to. You know the way out. It's hidden behind the text box, but she's smoking a cigarette. : What is this... Project Valhalla this talks about?: Why do you have a picture of my brother? And of Juliana Everhart!: You thought I was next in line? For what? What goes on down here anyways?: My work involves gathering data on gifted students like you and them: There's your answer. Now leave us.[img]http://lpix.org/3566288/Blackscreen_upscale.jpg[/img   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- You absolutely won't believe how long we have to wait to get an answer on what this is. Also... you know how we just had our super serious plot development moment? Say goodbye, we're going back to hijinks. literally no understanding of pacing or tone ---- ~ Classroom / Gym - Main Story Event ~ Music: Everyday Life of the Class   : You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll question your sanity! Look forward to it!One of those assumptions is likely true. The others, I'm not so sure about.    : Fierce leader and nature lover Welkin Gunther crosses the river by tank. : The, uh... Vass-Vessel? River? Has some...: It's the VASEL river, silly! And try to put some feeling in it!: What'm I supposed to feel? Anyway, the Vasel River has mistlereed growing in it.: Amazing work, Welkin! Mistlereed only grows in really shallow water!: And so, the Lieutenant set about crossing the river in his tank the Edelweiss. : RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...: Ugh. Rumble rumble...: But then! Halfway across the river, Gunther spots a rare breed of fish...: And forgets about the mission to go chase it...?: Wow, it's the legendary gold-bearded loach. I want to go chase it now.: While Sergeant Melchiott is suddenly struck with an overpowering urge to bake.: So she walks straight home to the town of Bruhl?!: I... I need to bake three dozen baguettes! Right now before the battle ends!: Abandoned by her inept officers, the only one left to retake the bridge was? : Rosie springs into action, shapely form concealing the power of an ox! Hiya!: Her elegant marksmanship makes a clean sweep of the far shore! Graaah, dudes!*Runs back and forth across the screen, then crashes into something.* : Peace was restored to the greater Vasel area, a-all thanks to, um. To Rosie.  Yeah, and you'd do the same.  : Rraaaaagh! How DARE you?!: Girls, please! There's no need to fight about it!  Twybil's Summary posted:
---- ...Yeah, that happened. Felt like typing that was simply giving me a headache. I've genuinely become humorless regarding this game, so this might be funny, but I really just find it annoying. Anyways, let's just move on and avoid questioning our sanity further. ---- ~ Courtyard - Main Story Event ~ Music: Days With Classmates     : Aaand you're not listening.: Mm, this roast beefwich you bought is awesome!: Hey! Leave some of that for me, Avan!: Uh, sure. Heh. ...Mm? Hey, isn't that Juliana.   : Hardins?! Y-you can't have them!: I didn't ask for them.: But I did want to ask you about something.: It's about that special mission. Do you--  : I-It's been some time, Ze...: Z-Ze... Zehhhh...: Are you all right?: Ze!: Xenophobia in the 20th Century Gallian foreign policy model! Thoughts?!: It's certainly played a role. We've traditiondally been a melting pot...: I'd expected a thawing in the race relations after war with the Empire, but now...: Um...  *Runs off in a huff* : Juliana!: Did I say something wrong? I was hoping to hear her take on things...: Mm, this popsicle's great! It's juicy AND chunky! Juliana's not half bad.: Both of you are hopeless.: I'm going after her. You two stay put!*Runs off* : All right, we'll be here.: Just as soon as we perform a flanking operation on that donut stand, right?: You're STILL hungry?   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Normally, the event would cut straight into the next one, but I still had some stuff to say. Now you can see the full extent of Zeri and his waifu's relationship. I find it rather "meh", honestly. I'm fine with jerk characters turning around to be better, but Juliana has had very little screen time to make up for her racist tirades and general jerkassery so far. Maybe it's just my disillusionment with this game speaking, but I frankly don't care about her or her arc. It doesn't help knowing that she was designed as she was, for the express purpose of having a fanservice character instead of an actual rival. Oh, and something really bad is about to happen just after this wacky play and tsundere relationship stuff. ---- ~ Lanseal - Main Story Event ~ Music: Decisive Battle              ---- So, er, yeah.  The Rebels decided to stop playing nice, I guess. ---- ~ Briefing Room - Main Story Event ~ Music: Desert Battle *Blaring sirens*     : Right. Any word on where the rest of us are?  : Guys! I'm glad you're all okay.  : I have no idea.: But we have to get them out of here if we want Lanseal to stay standing. Twybil's Summary posted:
---- Player Turn Music: Liberation Battle For some reason, it just uses this theme for the battle, not a special track. You'll see why that's strange in just a moment. Alright, so here comes one of the few mildly interesting missions in the game. I actually saved a savestate here just to show a little bit of it off, but I can actually replay the mission.  It's a defend mission, and would arguably be far more interesting if that actually meant you could defend and not get a bad rank. Regardless, it's the only one where you actively have to be on defense and offense at the same time, because Dirk will steamroll you and the reinforcements will not stop coming. You just have to play base pinball until you've got him isolated.  The first interesting thing is that Avan is by himself in Area 3. Avan is a dumbass, and I'll show you why.  This is why. He's about a lancer's running distance from a powered Captain Anime. His shots will penetrate surprisingly well through a fencer's shield, and you can't really do much damage to him without destroying the Supply Vehicle on the map. Best thing to do is to just retreat Avan from where he is. Pay no attention the the bar of CP, that's just me going back with cheats.  This map pits you against a lot of V2s, and ALL reinforcements on this map are V2s. They'll destroy anyone who's not a crouched promoted trooper or a fencer.  Given the damage a max promoted lancer does is only this much, you'll want some very good fencers with damage buffs and some snipers. Supply Vehicles won't arrive on areas 1 and 2 for a while, so at least these V2s are basically killable.   Dirk himself is a pain, and takes a surprisingly large amount of damage to kill. He can also "dodge" by holding up his shield, so your best chance is to beat him up with swords until he's down. If you want any rank higher than minimum, you have to kill him. ---- ~ Lanseal Ruins - Main Story Event ~ [Music: Theme of Valkyria     : Avan, I'm running out of ragnaid fast!: Bad news. Another squad incoming.: A hit from that blue beam right now, and we're all going to be-- : Move! Get the wounded to cover! Now!: Hey, over there. Is that...Juliana?: What?!                       Twybil's Summary posted:
---- ~ Lanseal Ruins - Main Story Event ~ Music: Theme of the Rebels   : Leon?! Wh-why are you fighting for the rebels?!: Leon...? But I thought your brother was... : We did find a research facility of some sort. We've taken the data, sir.   : Juliana! Look at me!: Nh?!Music: Tear of Wars  : Juliana... What happened to you?: Hardins... This is their...secret mission.: Manmade Valkyrur... Project Valhalla...: I wanted strength enough to...fight together with you all. To protect...: But... This power... Such... destructive potential...: Perhaps it's... fate that it should be destroyed... by the same... Krgh!: Juliana...: Ze...ri...: Juliana, you shouldn't--: I finally... have the... courage to say your name. Such a strong name...: I've wanted to... for so long...: I was... afraid... of you... of what you... meant to me...: Heh... I'm a fool. An elite such as myself... to fear something so... : Zeri...: I wanted to see... the Gallia we sought to build... With you, I...: Here... Please... : Let it... protect you... for me...: Take it with you... To your new... Gallia...   Twybil's Summary posted:
---- ~ Foerster's Lab - Main Story Event ~ Music: Conflict   : I--If he puts that data to use, I... Gallia will be... Hah! Ha ha!: I've handed it to those traitorous wolves on a platter. Aha ha ha!*Door slams*  : Heh heh... Ha ha ha ha... What would a rank-and-file man like you know? : It needs power enough to deflect the Empire and the Federation alike! : We're here to foster a sense of duty in the youth so they may take up arms.: Not to transform them into human weapons!: War will never disappear. Yes, in order to protect our land, they must fight.: But that's just why those who take up arms must not lose their humanity!: Fighting without that mindfulness isn't war. It's slaughter! : They would have served Gallia as model officers.: You took the only power able to defend Gallia, it's people, and crushed it! : Avan?! When did you--: Headmaster, you took my brother, took Juliana and made them into monsters!: And i would do it again!: We just saw those mindless Valkyrur destroy Lanseal!: Can your romantic ideals hope to defeat them? Preposterous!: By all means try, Hubert. You'll concede your error with your dying breath.: Sir... *Pushes them out the door*  *Beats on the locked door* *Gunshot and the sound of something collapsing*   : Professor. I'm going to bring my brother back. Period.: I don't know why he's with them now.: But this war and that power are wrong. That much I know.: I can make him see that. Maybe I'm the only one who can.: I hope you're right, Avan. Twybil's Summary posted:
---- ...Yep. That's that. The game doesn't really just play it's hand here, it practically throws the whole deck at you. It could be a lot more effective- a lot more. So, the Project Valhalla mystery lasted a single in-game month. It's done with now; I told you that you wouldn't believe it. Juliana's arc has finished after 4 months, but really, did it ever start? Leon's is obviously still going. This reveal and Juliana's death always struck me in a very underwhelming manner. The end of Leon's arc is especially underwhelming. Next update, we see more guns get pulled, another character's death, and VC1 getting oddly getting shoved back into view. It'll also be the last long month for a while, at least story-wise. Only 4, possibly 5, updates to go folks. The Flying Twybil fucked around with this message at 05:02 on Feb 25, 2020 |
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Feb 25, 2020 04:53
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: OH GOD THEY'RE ATTACKING
: We exist!
: drat, I got hit...!
Rargh!
: *Fires beam hits Juliana, blows off half the armor*
*
: ...Retreat.
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Wow, that was certainly something. It's honestly astounding how terrible this is at keeping anything remotely approaching a consistent tone.
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Feb 25, 2020 05:57
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Wait, there is no way that is OUR LORD LEON for he is perfect in every way. Perfect means doesn't engage in genocide, murder, aggressive warfare, or anime hijinks. LEON THE GREAT is not this armored person
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Feb 25, 2020 06:25
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A wee bit compressed if anything. Also Julianna going "Buuh... politics?" while talking to Zeri was probably the only genuinely amusing bit instead of just of the stuff that was really meant to be funny.
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Feb 25, 2020 11:59
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Such stupidity from every single person involved in this update (well, except The Flying Twybil). This is what I was referring to earlier when I mentioned that they wasted a plot line. They stuck Juliana in this game to be the sacrificial lamb that every VC game has (and this might have been the one to establish the trend). You know, the one character on the heroes side that has to die at some point in order to try and get a cheap emotional response from the players. The only reason this worked with Isara is because she had significant buildup and connections with Rosie and Welkin. You can't just keep marking a character for death in every game and then not doing any of the work. Juliana is that kind of character. All of her "I'm no longer racist" stuff and her love for Zeri is rushed. She isn't a main character, so we don't see enough of her to really get a deeper idea of her character like we do with Rosie. Juliana just appears from time to time to play the role of school antagonist whenever army antagonists can't be around. What's more, this doesn't actually advance Zeri's character in any way. Her death doesn't do anything for Zeri as a character. It just happens and then he continues on like he had always done (hell, I'm probably remembering this wrong, but I'm not even sure he ever talks about her again after this. She's forgotten about). The only purpose Juliana's death serves is to check off the "Hero tragically dies" box that VC's writing team seems to have plastered on every game roadmap they come up with. You want to know a better way to do this story? Why not have Juliana actually hook up with Zeri by the end of the game and then the two of them go on to enlighten others? Zeri trying to convince other Darcsens that they shouldn't remain silent and passive about the lies that surround them (something that Juliana supposedly teaches him, even though he was already kind of that way in the early game) while Juliana tries to convince Gallians to accept the Darcsens and admit that maybe they've been wrong (something that Zeri teaches her). You know, a couple that travels around promoting unity. The kind of unity that a country like Gallia needs after a loving bloody civil war over this very issue. I'm sure Cordellia would have been happy to have someone trying to support her efforts as well. But no. Juliana needed to die because  well, someone had to.gently caress this game so much. Also, there's the airship I alluded to earlier. The Empire (and I guess the rebels for some reason) have those. Why isn't anyone from Lanseal shooting the loving thing out of the sky with a tank? That would require competence on someone's part. After all, why would Lanseal bother having scouts or air defences? It's not like a war is going on or anything. It's also not like a war just wrapped up like two years ago. It's festival time! Who cares about early warning systems? Everyone just lower your guard and let the loving Anime Hindenburg somehow sneak up on a fortress in broad daylight. I don't even care about Leon. That's just typical anime garbage that anyone could have guessed at. This game sucks. Psycho Knight fucked around with this message at 13:33 on Feb 25, 2020 |
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Feb 25, 2020 13:30
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Psycho Knight posted:This is what I was referring to earlier when I mentioned that they wasted a plot line. They stuck Juliana in this game to be the sacrificial lamb that every VC game has (and this might have been the one to establish the trend). You know, the one character on the heroes side that has to die at some point in order to try and get a cheap emotional response from the players. I remember who that is in VC4, but who was the sacrificial lamb character in VC3? There's the one who leaves your party, but them leaving isn't because they die at that point in the story. Unless Isara counts twice, I guess, given how VC1 and 3 are parallel and the casts run into each other and react to each other's stories.
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Feb 25, 2020 13:41
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Shinji117 posted:I remember who that is in VC4, but who was the sacrificial lamb character in VC3? There's the one who leaves your party, but them leaving isn't because they die at that point in the story. Unless Isara counts twice, I guess, given how VC1 and 3 are parallel and the casts run into each other and react to each other's stories. That character still counts. Leaving the party is sort of the "hero's death" in the sense that they've turned their back on the "good guys". But despite leaving the party, they are still counted as a "friend." Just look at how their death is treated in comparison to the villains. VC3 is a little more nuanced in that regard though. That character pulls a heel turn due to atrocities committed by the supposed "good guys". Either way, they are still marked for death for no other reason than "we need someone to die". Besides, I never said it wasn't more effective in VC3. Isara's succeeded in bring tears to the old PK eyes. VC3's wasn't quite that powerful. VC4's was fairly effective. VC2's is just completely hollow. Psycho Knight fucked around with this message at 13:49 on Feb 25, 2020 |
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Feb 25, 2020 13:46
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OOrochi posted:Wow, that was certainly something. It's honestly astounding how terrible this is at keeping anything remotely approaching a consistent tone. It's still worth noting as always that there's little daily events scattered in between that are a mix of 75% wacky and 25% serious. I've been skipping over basically any that have no attachment to the main story, which is a lot. There's also jarring interruptions between some of these where I'd have to do the generic missions usually about racist genocide. Psycho Knight posted:Such stupidity from every single person involved in this update (well, except The Flying Twybil). I'd like to note that I showed every secondary event that involves Juliana in it to express how little they actually develop her. She gets a grand total of 2, one being her drill commanding her class and the other is just setup for the quite rapid change to artificial Valkyria. They spend very little effort in trying to make her a character worth notice and still make her the center of attention. As you said, it's just for having a sacrificial lamb for cheap emotional pulls. They were aiming for Isara, but they tried to rush it and as result, I could honestly give less of a drat. Zeri makes very little mention of Juliana for the rest of the game, and it is really close to zero. Honestly, the little bracelet thing she hands over only gets attention twice. Her arc is very much a wasted opportunity. I know they were trying to push their genetic supersoldier agenda, but it would've been better had she survived and remained changed by the incident. From there, she'd go on to have actual development with Zeri. I mean mechanically, you could have her join Class G with one or two of the people from Class A in continuing on from this. Most of the people supposedly leave the school behind in the aftermath of this event, and any semblance of there being different classes is mostly gone as well. There's going to be an overwhelming theme of "a united Gallia is what makes us strong," and Juliana would've been the premiere character to realize and push for that. And yes, there's the death Hindenburg. There's a side event in here somewhere where they cover some of the specifics on the airships, but it's basically everything you've already explained. The number of problems we face in the coming updates that could be solved if someone would just point a gun and shoot when it strategically matters is most of them. When I first played this, I remember being surprised by the airship and the attack of the school somewhat, but Leon wasn't even a surprise at that point.
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Feb 25, 2020 14:09
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