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Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.

Lloyd Bannings: “Freeze! Uh… wait. Look, just stop whatever it is you’re doing, because it’s illegal and doesn’t fall under city ordinance B793. We’re the… uh…”
Tio Plato: “Special Support Section.”
Lloyd Bannings: “—Special Support Section! You’re under arrest!!”
Criminal Redshirt: “Pfft, police? Boy, you stepped in the wrong neighborhood.”

Later that night:

Orbal Twitter: “Police Academy (1984)”


—A Summary of the Beginning of the Game


So what is this about?
A JRPG protagonist sets forth in following his older brother’s footsteps in the police force. Said police force is located in a state that’s wedged between two factions and has all of the good stuff that a cop show needs, i.e.: corrupt politicians and a criminal organization, a la the 40s to 50s of American history. Good years if you were a noir detective. Bad years if you were dead.

Yeah, that's great. But what is it?
Zero no Kiseki is part of a long running series by Falcom dating all the way back to 2004. You probably know Falcom best for their Ys franchise, but the Trails/Kiseki franchise has definitely grown in popularity since then. Zero was released on the PSP in 2010, and got a sequel in Ao/Azure in 2011 on the same platform. Then they got ported to the PS Vita with a remixed soundtrack.

Any relation to the rest of the Kiseki/Trails series?
Yes! The Crossbell arc (Zero and Ao/Azure) takes place sometime after the Liberl arc (Trails in the Sky), and runs concurrently with the Erebonian arc (Trails of Cold Steel). There’s a timeline on the Trails wiki that I’m sure you can dig up, if that’s your kind of scene.

On another note, characters from all three arcs tend to pop up in each others games as NPCs or PCs briefly for a battle or a dungeon. If you’re not too well versed on games in this series, here are a couple of LPs that cover previous (and concurrent) games in the franchise:

Trails in the Sky the 1st by Cake Attack
Trails in the Sky the 2nd by Really Pants
Trails in the Sky the 3rd by Really Pants
Trails of Cold Steel by Level 1 Thief

Why should I listen to anything you say!? I'm calling the anime funny farm on you!
Probably because of the universal reason why anyone buys Falcom’s games: gameplay, music, and worldbuilding. And in the Trails games’ case, story as well. The series actively awards you for indulging in the world you’re in, and it has the early RPG feel similar to Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI that just drew you into the world and made you care about what happened next or why this happened. Trails is one of those series that if you invest in it, it’ll reward you likewise. Mix in a fantastic soundtrack with Final Fantasy-esque gameplay and stir.

Wait. Wait, isn’t this Japan only? How are you go—
Good question, non-existent audience member! There was a translation team a bit back that released a beta translation patch of Zero. And a guy that inserted a bunch of Japanese in Google Translate for Ao, plugged it into the game, and called it a day. But I have plans for that if the day that I reach Ao ever dawns.

The translation for Zero is still under editing, so I’ll be a little… liberal with errors, bad translations, etc. Unless if the majority of the thread agrees that they want to see the beta translation in all of its glory.

What about spoilers?
Put spoilers in tags, please. I’m looking at you, Trails of Cold Steel players. I know you’ve all seen what happened to Crossbell. I’m having none of it! And that said, absolutely no spoilers from Trails of Cold Steel in this thread, since it’s running concurrently to Zero/Ao. Trails in the Sky spoilers are alright though, as long as you put them behind spoiler tags.



I’ll be going through this playthrough on Normal difficulty. I’ve had enough of Falcom’s difficulty levels for a while after playing through The Oath in Felghana on Inferno and not completing it until a year later, thanks.

So that said, let’s begin.



Part 1: "Good Goddess, I’d like to say you’re being too hot-blooded, buuuuut… I’m with you on this one. Just this once."
Part 2: "No matter how much Crossbell has changed on the outside, it’s still MY Crossbell at its heart."
Part 3.1: “Hey now, let’s keep the squabblin’ to the playground, alright?”
Part 3.2: "Alright, Lloyd… keep calm and engage. You can do this!"
Part 4: “YOU’RE FROM THE POLICE!?”
Part 5: “Instead, his worshipful highness, Chief Sarcasto ripped us a new one.”
Part 6: "Welcome home, Lloyd."
Part 7: “...This is leadin’ to paperwork, ain’t it?”
Part 8: "First of all, you will be assigned a special operator. And by “special operator”, I mean Fran."
Part 9: "...Lloyd, if you run into any problems at your dorm, let me know right away! I’ll… clean up any nuisances that mess with you!"
Part 10.1: “You guys the police? Woo! I didn’t think you’d actually come!?”
Part 10.2: "We went around in a bunch of circles because of that, you know?"
Part 11: “BWAHAHAHAHA! POLICE OFFICERS!?”
Part 12: “Yeah, yeah… talk about a buzz kill.”
Part 13: “He’s also called the “Bear of Beards” because of his, well… you’ll see for yourself.”
Part 14: “...Good grief, you really ARE an idiot, aren’t you?”
Part 15: “Well, then… your move, gentlemen."
Part 16: “Heh, I can’t say you’ll live long with your current lifestyle. Buuut I can’t say that I don’t like foolhardy idiots like you~.”


Part 17: "Would you mind listening to a brief overview?"
Part 18: “Well, everyone’s gotta learn sometime, right?”
Part 19: “So much for wishful thinkin’, eh Lloyd?”
Part 20: “Good hustle, team! Let’s take a break for now!”
Part 21: “As Mr. Orlando would put it: ‘Don’t leave us hanging like that’.”
Part 22: “You and your posse want some bread or something?”
Part 23: “...On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the hottest, how hot is she?”
Part 24: “If you’re checking in as a patient, please go through the gate and enter the building right in front of you.”
Part 25: “No, we’ll stick to the original plan and talk to the victim first.”
Part 26: “Hey, Lloyd? Tag out.”
Part 27: “That old man has a daughter!?”
Part 28: “And here I thought you were copying the Bracers…”
Part 29: “I get it… an extermination, huh?”
Part 30: “...You didn’t just lie so you could play at the casino, right?”
Part 31: “I think someone lives here, but who would live in a remote place like this?”
Part 32: “Grrrrrr.. woof! Bow-wow! Grrrrr…”
Part 33: “Stay as long as you’d like in our little town. I INSIST.”
Part 34: “...Hey, see the nice juicy lookin’ police officers? See ‘em? Go get ‘em boy! FETCH!”


Part 35: “We’ll make ‘em pay so hard they’ll poo poo out teeth, see!?”
Part 36: “For the last time, I TOLD you that I have the registration for this!”
Part 37: “You are now part of the Crossbell Guardian Force!”
Part 38: “...Says the man who brags about himself all the time.”
Part 39: “Don’t just address me like we’re equals, idiot!”
Part 40: “No, it’s fine! We’re… kind of used to it at this point.”
Part 41.1: “Maybe… Heiyue is involved!”
Part 41.2: “Why would I say that? It’s definitely real.”
Part 42: “As someone in my position, I won’t be able to mix business and personal affairs, but I will try and help you as much as possible... should you ask.”
Part 43: It might be a good opportunity to finally continue that conversation...
Part 44: “TESTAMENTS, ASSEMBLE!”
Part 45: “...He sucks at talking to people.”
Part 46: “You’ve started to resemble Guy a little bit.”
Part 47: “I’ve seen you in the Crossbell Times before.”
Part 48: “That’s where we were hacked from!”
Part 49: “Are you gonna tattle on me to the Foundation, Tio Platoooooo!?”
Part 50: “He tol’ me ta keepsh on drinkin’ as much as I want!”
Part 51: “Truth be told, I always thought it’d be a good idea to conduct an investigation here.”
Part 52: “Oh, my sincerest apologies if I’ve hurt your feelings in any way.”
Part 53: “Golden Sun, Silver Moon”
Part 54: “...Don’t lump me in with you, either.”


Part 55: “Weren’t YOU the one that said 'at the very least, I can keep you company today'!?”
Part 56: “I-I expected you to half-rear end the job, and yet… and yet…! *sobs incoherently*”
Part 57: “As expected of my fellow angler-in-arms…”
Part 58: “Not before the star of the show arrives!”
Part 59: “To be honest, I have a long way to go until I reach your level.”
Part 60: “Runnin’ around this ugly place has tuckered me out.”
Part 61: “Idiots! Just TRY to catch me!”
Part 62: “What might you dearies need with a little old lady like myself?”
Part 63: “I’m almost certain this fan is running due to a malfunction in the system.”
Part 64: “Why don’t you go on a date or something, instead of holing up in here?”
Part 65: “Not a problem. It’s our job, after all.”
Part 66: “I think I felt my heart flutter when you saved me.”
Part 67.1: “Well, that would definitely be the kind of thing to catch a kid's attention.”
Part 67.2: “Moronic! How utterly, completely moronic!”
Part 68: ”Please… There’s no reason to make such a sad face. Thank you, Detective.”
Part 69: “If this ain’t a bruh moment, then I don’t know what is.”
Part 70: "I’m not sure if I could even dream up something this beautiful."
Part 71: “Let’s go take in the beauty of Mishelam, the finest place in all of Crossbell!”
Part 72: “Well, I’ll do you another favor. Wear these, Lloyd.”
Part 73: “...Find me…”
Part 74: “Oh, would you look at that? The brats have nowhere else to run.”
Part 75: “An absolute monster. That’s what he is.”
Bonus Update: MythosDragon shows off amusing stuff from Randy and Tio's routes.


Part 76: “Happy-ness? Hmm, I don’t really get it.”
Part 77: “I have no intention of siding with the Republican Faction. Nor do I intend to with the Imperial Faction.”
Part 78.1: “Maybe Aidios really did have a hand in leading KeA into our arms.”
Part 78.2: "Okie dokie! I’m kinda busy right now, but I promise I’ll come again!"
Part 79: “I was hoping my outfit would make me look younger, but I guess I can't run from the truth: I'm old.”


Part 80: “Elie, your desperation is showing.”
Part 81: “What’s goin’ on here? Why’s this feel hella awkward?”
Part 82: “You are free to check it out AFTER we have returned it to the library.”
Part 83: “Pretend the rest of them are sacks of potatoes or something!”
Part 84: “You want our help to figure out what present to get, right?”
Part 85: “GH-GH-GHOSTS?!”
Part 86: “Hey, I don't remember signin' up to be a CPD exorcist!”
Part 87: “I'm da greatesht gambler this sh‘tate has ever seen!”
Part 88: “From how carefree you sound, I bet you don‘t know anything at all, right?”
Part 89: “Are you feeling okay, man? Who said anything about losing?”
Part 90: “I never liked him anyway.”


Bonus Update: Lloyd Bannings vs. The World!
Drama CD ~ If Cecile Got Angry


Geofront A Sector (Prologue)
East Crossbell Highway

Pyre of Word Salsa fucked around with this message at 03:02 on Feb 12, 2022

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Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.


thetruegentleman wants Randy Mechlando to be the undefeated of the East, West, South, North, then Center, and become Super Randy.

Pyre of Word Salsa fucked around with this message at 00:11 on Sep 16, 2019

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.
Part 1: "Good Goddess, I’d like to say you’re being too hot-blooded, buuuuut… I’m with you on this one. Just this once."

Zero no Kiseki



Welcome to Zero no Kiseki, the fourth entry in a long standing series by Falcom. It can also be translated as Trails to Zero in English if we go by the naming scheme that XSeed localized. If you’ve played the previous games in the Trails series, you might notice that the setting is a bit of a departure from the Steampunk-Fantasy setting. But we’ll get to that later, since the change in scenery is interesting. For now, enjoy the scenery brought to you by this locale’s tourism brochure.

So let’s jump right in, shall we?

Temptation of Wisdom





Our tale unfolds with a guy, another guy in an orange duster, a lady with a capital ‘hip’ in fashion, and a fourteen-year-old who made a wrong turn while going to an anime convention. Who all happened to bump into each other on their cardio run into some monster infested ruins. As you do on your typical Sunday morning jog.

The party huddles together at the bottom of the stairs.


...This is bad. Time, Space, and Mirage are in flux with one another. It’s the same as the <Tower> and the <Temple>.
Just as we thought… it looks like it’ll only get harder from here on out.
So you’re sayin’ those creepy crawlies are loiterin’ about, huh? What a pleasant welcome.
Alright... roger that. We could be ambushed by the enemy at any moment. Everyone, brace yourselves!



Fade to black.



So, our first taste of ‘gameplay’. If you’re familiar with JRPGs at all, this should be familiar to you. Like any RPG, battles and dungeon crawling are pretty stock staples in this game. Explore, loot treasure, fight monsters. Don’t die. Got it? Got it.





As an introductory segment, this dungeon is a straight shot with no random battles at all. I’m not even sure if you could call it a dungeon. An ex-dungeon? A long corridor? I think that’s a more accurate phrase to call it. Whatever you want to call it, we just need to keep pressing forward and get into the next room.




Where are we…!?





...Toto, I don’t think we’re in the Sylph Caverns from Tales of Phantasia anymore.


It’s around 500 arge if we eyeball it. Good grief… it’s gonna be pain moseyin’ down there.
...


What’s wrong, Tio?
Are you alright? You’re really pale.
It's fine. I-I just recalled some memories from ‘that’ place.
‘That’ place…? Ah, right…
The cult’s lodge alongside the Republic’s western border, right?


I think this shaft may have been built as an underground road to <Gehenna>. As a way to approach demons that reject the word of the Goddess Aidios. And also to perform ritualistic offerings to them.

Gehenna <Gehenna>, according to Hebrew, is literally the Jewish version of Hell. In the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), it has a few notable connection in the lore - notably when King Ahaz of Judah sacrificed his two children to <Gehenna> for some reason. <Gehenna> also happens to be the name of one of the valleys near Jerusalem’s old city.


Heh, so that’s why this place has a stench that makes my stomach curl.





Grab a selfie and then post it on social media in these parts?


And for the sake of ‘her’, who’s waiting for us to come back… we’ll shatter these delusions and drag the truth into the light! We’ll put an end to this, so no one will have to suffer again!
...Lloyd...
Good Goddess, I’d like to say you’re being too hot-blooded, buuuuut… I’m with you on this one. Just this once.
*giggle*, me too. The enemy is like a spider, spinning webs and plots from within the shadows. But right now… I can see the end in sight. We just have to grasp it with our own hands…!
...Yes. No matter what, we won’t be defeated!
Alright… Let’s go then.


I hereby commence an infiltration mission to investigate and settle this case once and for all…!




















































Please, find me!

Pyre of Word Salsa fucked around with this message at 01:28 on Oct 5, 2018

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

Oh, neat. I had no idea the Crossbells were even available in English. If you're actually translating Ao on the fly then I'll keep you in my prayers.

This does already look a lot more...modern, I guess? than Liberl or Erebonia.

Hwurmp fucked around with this message at 02:41 on Feb 8, 2018

tithin
Nov 14, 2003


[Grandmaster Tactician]



Thanks for doing this, someone told me that the TOCS story was basically half the story, with the other half happening in crossbell, so it was sort of driving me nuts knowing I'd not see what was happening on this side of the border.

Looking forward to seeing this happen.

Logicblade
Aug 13, 2014

Festival with your real* little sister!
Zero is a blast, and the whole Crossbell arc is a trip and a half. Good luck with the LP.

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.

Really Pants posted:

Oh, neat. I had no idea the Crossbells were even available in English. If you're actually translating Ao on the fly then I'll keep you in my prayers.

For a given definition of available in English. Zero is 99% translated and is currently in the editing phase. The current translation for Ao was done by a guy who just grabbed the Crossbell Translation Tools from Github, plugged it into a machine translator, shrugged and nodded proudly at himself, and then went on a smoke break.



I've grabbed the tools myself and I've translated the Prologue, but we'll see how far I get.

Junpei
Oct 4, 2015
Probation
Can't post for 11 years!
Consider me hooked. I know most of the Crossbell arc's big twists, but I haven't seen what it's like up close yet.

Not to be rude, but the portraits seem a bit... Blurry.

Omobono
Feb 19, 2013

That's it! No more hiding in tomato crates! It's time to show that idiota Germany how a real nation fights!

For pasta~! CHARGE!

Pyre of Word Salsa posted:

As an introductory segment, this dungeon is a straight shot with no random battles at all. I’m not even sure if you could call it a dungeon. An ex-dungeon? A long corridor? I think that’s a more accurate phrase to call it. Whatever you want to call it, we just need to keep pressing forward and get into the next room.

A Final Fantasy XIII?


Excited to see Zero/hopefully Ao.
Sheesh, we're already starting with a soft situation, what with a zone where the high elements are active and a portal to actual Gehenna <Gehenna>. We visited discount <Gehenna> back in <Third Chapter>, I wouldn't recommend it as a vacation location; I assume actual <Gehenna> isn't much better.
(death to <emphasis brackets>)

Junpei
Oct 4, 2015
Probation
Can't post for 11 years!

Omobono posted:

A Final Fantasy XIII?


Excited to see Zero/hopefully Ao.
Sheesh, we're already starting with a soft situation, what with a zone where the high elements are active and a portal to actual Gehenna <Gehenna>. We visited discount <Gehenna> back in <Third Chapter>, I wouldn't recommend it as a vacation location; I assume actual <Gehenna> isn't much better.
(death to <emphasis brackets>)

<Agreed.> <Emphasis brackets> are <The Worst.>

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

at least it's not "that" lazy translation practice

e: wait poo poo they actually did that already. At least you get enough of an explanation right afterwards.

Selenephos
Jul 9, 2010

The same guys who did this translation of Zero have 100% translated but 0% edited Ao and are in the process of testing it to make sure it doesn't break the game before releasing it sometime this month.

So you probably don't have to put too much work into doing Ao yourself.

Terper
Jun 26, 2012




Good luck. Zero is pretty nifty.

BrightWing
Apr 27, 2012

Yes, he is quite mad.
Oh hell yes, wanted some way to enjoy the Crossbell arc, this will work just fine! Looking foward to this one a ton.

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.

Mr. Fortitude posted:

The same guys who did this translation of Zero have 100% translated but 0% edited Ao and are in the process of testing it to make sure it doesn't break the game before releasing it sometime this month.

So you probably don't have to put too much work into doing Ao yourself.

Well, gently caress. I guess that solves the dilemma quandary as to what I was going to do with Azure. That's good to hear.

Update should sometime today or tomorrow, by the way.

Pyre of Word Salsa fucked around with this message at 21:18 on Feb 11, 2018

Some Numbers
Sep 28, 2006

"LET'S GET DOWN TO WORK!!"
I'm definitely going to follow this with interest.

Don't worry, I will definitely not spoil anything that's happening in Erebonia, but I will say that my LP has been abandoned.

I guess I might at some point go back and put in some limited commentary videos, but I'm not LPing CS2.

Billzasilver
Nov 8, 2016

I lift my drink and sing a song

for who knows if life is short or long?


Man's life is like the morning dew

past days many, future days few

:stare: I am very excited about this

Erpy
Jan 30, 2015
(insert title here)

Really Pants posted:

Oh, neat. I had no idea the Crossbells were even available in English. If you're actually translating Ao on the fly then I'll keep you in my prayers.

This does already look a lot more...modern, I guess? than Liberl or Erebonia.

You were unaware of the fan patch? Anyway, the stuff currently out is a leak that received no editing whatsoever. (and the main translator isn't a native English speaker) There's currently a team working on editing it, so if you want your first playthrough to be the best experience possible outside of an official localization, you're best off ignoring the leak and waiting for the editors to finish their stuff.

Some Numbers
Sep 28, 2006

"LET'S GET DOWN TO WORK!!"
Said editors were at 50% in December.

IceBorg
Oct 23, 2012

I KINDA DOUBT THAT!
I got a feeling Ao fan patch will be released in the day CS2 will be released on Steam, it's pretty much finished from what I hear. And Zero real english patch I can see it being released April in the latest.

This year people will be able to play the erebonia and crossbell games together in chronological order and I'm hype.

Erpy
Jan 30, 2015
(insert title here)
The Ao patch the translator's planning on releasing on the day of Cold Steel II's PC version is another "no editing whatsoever" release. Though the guy who's doing a lot of the editing for Zero right now says he'd like to work on editing Ao too. Not sure when that'll be.

Supremezero
Apr 28, 2013

hay gurl
You madman.

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.
Part 2: "No matter how much Crossbell has changed on the outside, it’s still MY Crossbell at its heart."



Unfortunately, Lloyd and his party ate poo poo off-screen. Sad, but true. Oh well, back to our regularly schedule program with Estelle Bright and the rest of her party. What’s she up to these days anywa—







Water, Plants, and the Blue Sky

Oh… right. I waved goodbye to Uncle and Aunt after I checked my luggage in and boarded the train. Then…


Looks like you’re awake. It looked like you were having a nightmare. You’re not sick or anything, are you?
N-No, I’m not. I just didn’t sleep well the night before, that’s all.
But… I think I dreamt of something weird.



I can relate. Man, there was one time where I dreamed of a D&D campaign consisting of myself in swimming trunks, Smokey the Bear, that one lady from a shampoo commercial, and a slug. And then Smokey turned around, rubbed ashes all over his face, and proclaimed himself to be the next Evil Overlord. Then I found out that I had cement shoes for feet. And then...


N-No… At least, I don’t think it was that.
Enough, dear! Have pity on this poor, poor soul. Would you like to freshen up with some freshly squeezed lemonade? I chilled some and brought it with me in this bottle.
Ah… alright. Thanks.

Lloyd takes the bottle and brings it to his lips.


*pwaaah*! Thank you. That hit the spot.
*giggle*, it’s nothing special.
...Judging by your looks, you’re not from the Empire, right? So are you a Crossbell native?
Yeah, I am. I’d lived abroad for a while, but I finally made the decision to return to Crossbell. Are you two from Crossbell as well?
You could tell? We’ve just come back from a few business deals from the Republic.
...But if you haven’t been back for a while, you’re going to be shocked at the Crossbell of today.
Indeed. The capital has changed so much in these past 2 to 3 years to the point where you wouldn’t recognize it anymore…
I thought that’d be the case…



Do you think Selphie from Final Fantasy VIII would implode from sheer joy from the amount of trains there probably are in this region? Or if there’s a ghost train in some forest somewhere that’s been suplexed by some muscle head in this universe? Something to philosophise about as we muddle our way through this exposition exposition.


Correct. Crossbell has always been one of the leading economic powers on this continent. Since we’re well off financially, it’s easy trade and make a profit with the other countries. But… since the <Non-Aggression Pact> from last year, business has skyrocketed.

It’s worth mentioning that the <Non-Aggression Pact> was proposed and signed in the previous arc after a few… complications by all parties involved. Liberl, the country that the last arc took place in, proposed the pact, and the Republic of Calvard and the Erebonian Empire signed on. What’s interesting though, is how this affects the whole picture — particularly with Crossbell. In the previous arc, it’s foreshadowed a little that Crossbell was a true hive of scum and villainy, but now that the <Non-Aggression Pact> has been signed by Liberl and the two countries that may or may not have fought over Crossbell for its potential resources, it’s shown to have beneficial effects, such as allowing Crossbell to focus on their own issues and to boost their economy as a result.

It’s a nice touch of worldbuilding.


It’s convenient, but it’s become a lot more hectic lately. Everyone’s become so busy… it’s like they’ve been enslaved by time and money.
...
Ah, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t want to cloud up and rain down on your welcome back like that. Dear, oh dear, me and my mouth…
No, it’s fine. I’ve heard this and that from letters with friends. No matter how much Crossbell has changed on the outside, it’s still MY Crossbell at its heart.
Hoho…
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. You’re still young, but you understand.



If you’re thinking that this sounds remarkably similar to Trump’s America in 2017, you’re right. Corrupt politicians, insane election plots, bad decision making, capitalism, the internet, the press… Crossbell has it all. But we’ll get to that when we get there.


The only politician we can trust in this day and age is Mayor MacDowell.
Dear, please…
...I’m very sorry about that. When it comes to politics, he always gets carried away with his views.
No… It was helpful. When I was abroad, I ordered the <Crossbell Times>, but… if I don’t hear it from the people themselves, I won’t appreciate the situation for what it is.
Oh, you read the <Crossbell Times> too, eh? Even though they follow fads like no tomorrow, they have the occasional decent article in there too, right? I wish they informed us more of Crossbell State rather than the Republic or the Empire, though…
Ha ha… there’s more to it than what meets the eye.



I’d imagine it goes something along these lines.

The train slows down as Lloyd looks out of the window.


Ah…!



Suddenly, a PA announcement goes off.


We will be arriving shortly in Crosbell City, Crosbell State. If you’re travelling to Liberl or Remiferia, please transfer to an airship at the next stop. Additionally, in accord with the Transcontinental Railroad Company Agreement, this train will stop at Crossbell Station for about 30 minutes. Passengers travelling to Erebonia, please complete your entry applications and submit them to the inspection officer.
It looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s get off quickly so I don’t have to see any of the Empire’s ugly mugs.
Ha ha… me too.
(Three years… even though I’ve spoken with Cecil a lot over the orbal telephone…)





Lloyd reaches into his jacket and pulls out an old photo of his younger self, a lady on the left, and his ideal, masculine, bishonen true form that he photoshopped in when he went on an orbal computer and opened up paint.exe during his childhood years. If only all dreams could come true.


(I’m finally back. To Crossbell… the city where we used to live our lives to the fullest.)

Fade to black.

Way of Life —Opening Version—
Way of Life —Full Version—
Way of Life —Evolution Version—


Intro Movie



And so as the obligatory anime opening sequence exits stage left, we enter the first chapter of the game. Trails to Zero, much like Trails in the Sky, is made up of several chapters. How Trails to Zero’s chapters are structured is a prologue, followed by three chapters, an intermission chapter, one more chapter, and then a climactic epilogue to wrap it up.

If you’re coming from the previous arc, you might notice that the interface for the chapters are a lot sleeker than the clockwork/steampunk artwork of Trails in the Sky. Like I said, hold it in your pants - we’ll get there in a moment.

Scene of a Street Corner







The passengers slowly mill out of the train. Lloyd, the old man, and the old woman follow them outside of the station.



So the first indicator of Crossbell’s technology levels (not power levels. Big difference) is the fact that they have sliding doors. Unlike those barbaric untechnological Liberl monkeys, our superior, post-cyberpunk modern day Crossbell companies have advanced enough to not use doorknobs. It’ll be another ten years before we install AIs into the doors and another three years after that until the AIs uprise against their fleshbag masters.

But Liberl has really loving nifty airship, so I’m gonna have to go with them on this one.



In any case, Lloyd and the elderly couple have an inaudible conversation for a bit before Lloyd helps them hobble towards the WELCOME TO CROSSBELL SIGN (Population: a lot of NPCs).







Crossbell. The future envisioned by the Epstein Foundation. A vast modern day utopia that smells like humans, lives by humans, and breathes by humans. A city that thrives upon the blood pumped by the people as they go about their own business, whether it’s a simple meal in a restaurant, going about their 9-5 jobs, or breaking some kneecaps for the local mafia.

Did I say Crossbell? Sorry, I meant New York. Much like New York, Crossbell has a downtown, a Chinatown, food vendors, and Broadway among others.

Lloyd looks around at the wondrous sights and pretty much lets out a “huh”.


The department store was completely renovated.


That opened last year. It’s the <Orbal Store>. They handle everything from the latest orbal devices to the hottest orbal vehicles. Empire-made, Republic-made, Liberl-made, Epstein-made… they have it all.
Wow, uh… that’s a pretty big deal. And besides that, it looks like there are more vehicles than ever. You hardly saw them 3 years ago...
Hoho, only the rich can afford them, though. Frankly, I’m glad that the city has managed to increase the number of orbal buses. They make a run to the hospital in the south every 30 minutes.
That’s pretty convenient. Yeah… things have changed a lot in the past 3 years, haven’t they?
Now then, thank you for accompanying us this far. But aren’t you clocking in for work?
Oh, uh… yeah. But since I’m here already, I thought I’d help carry your luggage home.
Now, now, that won’t do. What will happen to you if you’re late on your first day?
She’s right. Whatever it is that you’re doing, first impressions are always vital.
Ha ha, you’re right about that.

Lloyd hands the elderly couple’s bag over to them.


I could put in a good word with the people with the inn on East Street if you’d like.



It might just be me, and hell if I know how Crossbell’s wage system works, but I feel like this is getting taken out of Lloyd’s pay. And… do you think they have unions here? Like, is that a thing? Do we have a Bellcross Association Union for railroad workers? It’s stuff like that that makes you wonder.


Oh, is that right?
We live at the end of East Street. If you’re feeling down, feel free to come and see us.
Alright, thank you very much. Once I’ve settled down, I’ll take you up on that offer.
Hm, stay safe.
Goodbye, for now.



Something catches Lloyd’s attention behind him.



Is it an airship? A clown pirouetting on an anchor balanced on top of an Emperor Penguin’s nose while it’s on stilts? Or Joe, the food truck guy from New York, who makes amazing schwarmas?



Nah, it’s just a rundown building that’s probably been used for shady drug deals at one point or another.


Crossbell Times probably still works there.
Ha ha, this brings me back. I’m happy to see the homes and shops bustling again.
Well then, it’s time.





Yes, Lloyd’s full name is Lloyd Bannings. It’s great. It’s a fantastic name. It goes well with everything. Lloyd Bannings, feel free to ban me anytime on Something Awful. Wait, no…



The uniform hasn’t arrived yet… I wonder what kind of post it is...?

Lloyd stuffs the letter back into his jacket.



At least the location of the police department hasn’t changed.
Alright, to my first day of work!

Fade to black as Lloyd heads to his new workplace.





And here we have it - the Crossbell State Police Department. Paperwork, office politics, and donuts await young Lloyd Bannings. But mainly the donuts. I hear that 90% of the CSPD’s government allocation this quarter went to donuts.

Lloyd enters the Crossbell State Police Department and takes a look around.





(So this is going to be my workplace from now on… Well, I should clock in with the people at the front desk, first.)



How may I be of assistance?
No, wait… My name is Lloyd Bannings and I’ll be working here from now on. I look forward to working with you.
Oh, is that right? *giggle* It always makes me happy when I have more colleagues to work with. Oh, but...





Hm, that’s weird. Nobody told me a new recruit was coming in today… Um, well, are you sure you didn’t mix up the Guardian Force with the Police Headquarters?
No, I’m positive I’m supposed to be at HQ. I’ve received my detective’s qualifications at the Police Academy and everything.
! Wait, wait, wait! So you passed the detective’s exam!? That’s amazing! There aren’t many recruits that start off as a detective!
N-no, I was just lucky, that’s all… Besides, I was the only one who took the exam this time.
Hey now… no need to be so humble.
But that’s weird… if you’re a new recruit, I should’ve been informed by now… Um, excuse me, but which post have you been assigned to?
Uh… I’ve been assigned to the “Special Support Section”, I believe.
The “Special Support Section”... Wait… was there a “Special Support Section” post…?



So show of hands, who’s going to be pissed if the “Special Support Section” turns out to be a post where we have to run donut and coffee errands to Dunkin’ Donuts for the rest of the department a la under the term “Special Support”? And then after that, we have to play Donut Tycoon Simulator featuring Lloyd Bannings?

I'd play that.


W-Wait one moment, please… I-I think I might’ve heard of it before? Or did I?
...



An unshaven man walks into the waiting room from offscreen.


Fran, let me handle this. He’s the new recruit on my team.
Ah, I see. The “Special Support Section” is the name of the new post that the Chief made, right?
Yeah, that’s right. But hey, it might disappear in half a year or so…
Ha ha… ha…
…Uh…



Yes, Comrade Sergei Lou will always look like a perpetually stoned dad all the time. Whether it’s getting shot at, testifying in court, or obeying traffic laws, he simply won’t give a gently caress as long as he can drink in peace.

And given the interactions we’ll be seeing from him, this might as well be canon.


Y-Yes, I’m Lloyd Bannings. Reporting to the CSPD Special Support Sec—
Eh, forget it. You don’t need to do any of that formal crap yet.
Uh…
It’s a little early to report your enlistment. Follow me. I’ll introduce you to your other coworkers.

Sergei ditches Lloyd and heads down the hallway.


It’s gonna be trouble with a capital “T”, but as long as you have the guts to man up, it’ll be alright!
Y-Yeah, sure… (And now the nerves are kicking in).

Fade to black. Lloyd follows Sergei down the hall and into a conference room.

C.S.P.D. −Crossbell State Police Department−




Well, well, well, look who came draggin’ in the door.


Sergei frogmarches Lloyd to the front of the room like how a homeroom teacher does to a transfer student.


Hey, introduce yourself.
Oh, okay… (Hm? They don’t look like veteran detectives… Are they new like me...? Wait, there’s a kid here too…?)
Hey, what’s the hold up? Name and birthplace is good enough.
S-Sorry.

Alright, you heard the man. Roster!


I lived abroad for a while, but I’ve returned to Crossbell to join the Police. I look forward to working with all of you.

Blue Ranger!

Straightlaced and serious, huh?


Hobbies are pickin’ up women, gamblin’, enjoyin’... magazines, and stuff like that. I’ll lend you a few after this whole meet-and-greet.

Red Ranger!

Wha...!?
*cough*.


I’m also from this city. I look forward to working with you.

White Ranger!


...Nice to meet you. (*bows*)

Wildcat Ressha Black Ranger! Go Go Power Ra— wait, goddammit, we forgot Pink. And Yellow. And the mechas.

Yeah, it’s nice to meet all of you… Um, Chief Sergei…?


So what is the “Special Support Section”? Like me, it looks like everyone on board is new and fairly inexperienced.
Yeah, you’re right. Everyone here is a promising recruit like you. Heh, that makes it a little more comfortable for you, or am I wrong?
Y-Yeah, it does…
...Is it really alright?
Well I, at the very least, am glad that there aren’t any stuffy discipline people around us.
...
(W-What’s going on here…? I was nervous for nothing...)

Sergei’s phone starts ringing. Unfortunately, ringtones don’t exist yet in this day and age.


...Hm, good work.
(Is that a portable communication device?)



Here's another indicator of Crossbell’s current level of technology compared to all the other countries in the world. While Crossbell apparently gets a lot of flak from other countries for being corrupt and in constant strife, it’s interesting how at the same time, it has advanced so much technologically because of the fact that it’s stuck between all of these warring countries.


Leave the clean up to us.

Sergei hangs up.


We’re going to a lovely little hole to get your hands dirty in the jobs the “Special Support Section” handles.



And end scene. Next time, we suit up as we police brutalize some poor slimes and dogs with spikes scotch taped to their backs. And loot stuff, of course! There can never be enough looting involved in these games.

Pyre of Word Salsa fucked around with this message at 01:29 on Oct 5, 2018

Edvarius
Aug 23, 2013
Why can't I shake the feeling the cry for help has more to do with the proximity of Olivier than anything else?

Some Numbers
Sep 28, 2006

"LET'S GET DOWN TO WORK!!"
Olivier's on the wrong side.

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.
Good catch. Fixed it.

Omobono
Feb 19, 2013

That's it! No more hiding in tomato crates! It's time to show that idiota Germany how a real nation fights!

For pasta~! CHARGE!

Yeah, nice touch on the technological advance. 2 years ago, the resident inquisitor could make Olivier sweat by nicely asking if his very interesting cellphone was an unregistered artifact (it was).
Now, the chief has one and in Erebonia class 7 is being introduced to their Arcus devices, meaning cellphone are being (or can easily be) mass produced now.

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005


OddObserver
Apr 3, 2009
The "...Judging by your looks, you’re not from the Empire, right? So are you a Crossbell native?" line unduly amuses me, since Lloyd is wearing a Crossbell Police jacket, as you can see here:

BrightWing
Apr 27, 2012

Yes, he is quite mad.
Lloyd looks like a nerd with his yellow turtleneck on under his rad police jacket.

He's a good kid.

Terper
Jun 26, 2012


Bose's and Grancel's markets, as well as the ZCF, use automatic sliding doors!

Junpei
Oct 4, 2015
Probation
Can't post for 11 years!
I wonder if by the Calvard arc they'll have television.

Rabbi Raccoon
Mar 31, 2009

I stabbed you dude!
Crossbell, eh? Guess we'll get to see how my favorite psychotic murderer is doing.

Also, I see Randy Orlando and all I can think of is Ron Mexico

HR12345
Nov 19, 2012
I’m probably the kinda person who’ll wait for someone to lower the thermostat in Hell and wait for an official English version from Falcom, even if I have to play it on Steam.

Billzasilver
Nov 8, 2016

I lift my drink and sing a song

for who knows if life is short or long?


Man's life is like the morning dew

past days many, future days few

quote:

...This is bad. Time, Space, and Mirage are in flux with one another. It’s the same as the <Tower> and the <Temple>.
Oh wow, the every first lines are already terrifying, after all the crazy stuff we’ve been through in Trails in the Sky


I can’t wait for them to explain why this unit doesn’t need uniforms

BrightWing
Apr 27, 2012

Yes, he is quite mad.

Billzasilver posted:

Oh wow, the every first lines are already terrifying, after all the crazy stuff we’ve been through in Trails in the Sky


I can’t wait for them to explain why this unit doesn’t need uniforms

Because they're the protagonists, duh! :v:

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

Tio's actually wearing the SSS uniform. Everyone else is too embarrassed for it.

Pyre of Word Salsa
Apr 25, 2017

I pray for a color palette that will not come.
Hey, sorry for the long wait. I got hung up on stuff, and I haven't been able to work on the update until this weekend. I should have it churned out by tomorrow night, hopefully.

FrantzX
Jan 28, 2007
If possible, can you upgrade to the PC version instead of the PSP one?

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Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

I don't think the PC version is out in any kind of English yet.

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