Little post E3... posts

E3 has some interesting games on display, including Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 2 (yeah long name) in which I hope ranged weapons will do some damage compared to it's predecessor (It's called Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines, just FYI)

The moustache itself is a reason for playing

But no, I'm not preordering anything, not even Keanu Reeves can sway me (no, he's not in a vampire game, but a game about robot hands... or legs... or half a head), even if I preordered I still have to wait a year to play it, I only prordered something if (1) my friends are preordering, and (2) .... uh no, I have no reason for number 2.

On second thought... I DO have reason number 2

Also there's a Final Fantasy VII remake, which is a grim reminder for humanity that they're twenty two years older and will finally see Aerith died again in a glorious expensive 3d animation, and when the scene ends there will be another reminder that they don't have to insert disc 2 but they have to WAIT for the disc to be released, and they're (probably) have to buy it.

I'm not going into any character controversy, please add a story DLC about this meteor, it IS IN THE LOGO!!

Options Matters

Minor Spoiler for Detroit Becomes Human demo and Dragon Age Inquisition

For the first time Epic Games is bringing Quantic Dreams Titles (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Soul, and Detroit Becomes Human) to PC, Originally exclusives to Playstation and they skipped Steam Store, which makes me wonder will other exclusive PS4 like God of War (Sony) or Spider-Man (Insomniac) will make way to PC too. All titles are on sale on Playstation Spring Store right now and I already took out Detroit Becomes Human from my basket (I like having options), I played Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls already, for some 'next generation point and click adventure' their story was great.

Speaking of options the demos will probably come out in near time, I played the Detroit demo on PS4  two days ago and although it was Quantic Dream's fastest selling title because they boast 'CHOICES MATTER' in their card title and constantly reminding me throughout the demo that all my action would shape the story, I found myself perturbed by the appearance of 'probability success' in the demo mission.

If my choices matter why the probability success? It's a hostage situation and I have a choice to investigate the crime scene first or just to confront the perpetrator, I did the first and although my success probability spiked up to 99% I decided to off the guy (after I got close and calmed him down) and then apparently my brain start destabilizing.

If choice matters, IMO there's a good chance there are 'bad endings' and 'good endings', in Dragon Age: Inquisition I did some terrible choice for the sake of a mission and ended up losing a party member (although it happened IN THE DLC) but I can accept that, there's also credit title cards and stuffs about that decision and the aftermath consequence, that makes me feel that my choices did matter.

But probability success? for what? good endings? am I pushed towards good? most game which offered 'choices' often have half-assed situation for 'bad ending' (ex: your character died, your friend died, something blew up, everyone died) and they sometimes have cutscenes... SHORTER cutscenes  compared to the 'good ending' cutscenes, plus they often have action or bonus mission for the good ones (Spec Ops The Line: I'm talking about you), after I finished the Detroit demo there's a flow chart page, which show me my progression, and apparently yes, there are longer cutscenes attributed to the 'good ending'

My choice matters, but apparently my playtime will be shorter if I just turn violent for the sake of a mission =)) =))

Being Saleh: Optional Ending

Major spoiler for Dragon Age, Final Fantasy Tactics,  and Final Fantasy XIV

Dragon Age
Bioware's rpg megahit Dragon Age franchise has compelling storyline and combat system, it also featured ending(s) which shaped by the player's choices during the gameplay, alas it also featured something I called 'optional but essential' ending, namely: the dlc

When the third major title Dragon Age Inquisition came out I was excited that I can import my character's vital decision in Dragon Age 1 and 2 via the website (saving me the hassle to install them again) but I stumbled at the end of the dragon quest origin timeline, frowning upon a choice which I'm pretty sure I was never came upon to (I remembered my decisions) not until I read the explanation that it was supposed to be made in the last DAO's dlc: the witch hunt

I mostly turn blind eye on dlc but unfortunately it was essential in DA universe, fortunately I have DA 2 attached with all the dlc. After contemplating that 'last' DLC will be important to the last Dragon Age Inquisition I decided to wait for the GOTY version, bought it and surprised that it wasn't even optional, it was required because in that DLC i lost two party member and (also optional) dismantling my team, if this decision was going to the next dragon age (if there is one) and I didn't play the dlc I probably wondered what happened to them? Then when I was told that they did this and that and this, I will be like: what? When?  If they're alive they will probably said things that contradict my old game decision, the whole thing can be so confusing without the dlc.

Final Fantasy Tactics No, i never finished Final Fantasy Tactics, also I used gameshark and save state to cheese out many of the game's mission. I stopped playing in the early 2000 because I probably just got bored and wonder if human beings are more interesting (they're not), I left and never came back until the latest Return to Ivalice raid in Final Fantasy XIV.

Return to Ivalice, like the previous Crystal Tower raid brought major references from earlier Final Fantasy series to FFXIV, precisely FFIII for CT and FF tactics for RTI raid, not until I beat the last wing of the raid that I realized that it was not just a reference object, it's a conclusion of Final Fantasy Tactics if you connect the dots

With names like Ramza, Delita, and Alma headlining the casts you will probably think the similarities was only in the name, it's not until clearing the second raid wing (if you don't finish Final Fantasy Tactics) you'll realized that something else happened long ago but you can't put your finger to it because FFXIV doesn't offer explanation (because it was explained in FF tactics game) then you go and beat the last wing and something happened, again if you never finished FF tactics like me you'll just staring and trying to understand things as the characters mumbling about something that happened in the past, for half an hour.

Well something did happen in the past, Final Fantasy Tactics happens

Here's the major breakdown, from here on it's the MAJOR spoiler for both game, so here goes nothing

In Final Fantasy Tactics Ramza and his band of mercenary found out that their country was built on lies, that the saint they revered is a demon god called ultima, that a race of demon called Lucavi is pulling strings and manipulate the church to resurrect Ultima by initiating war between countries for sacrifices. Ramza cs stopped the demon but after that their fate remains unknown, while the church (now free from Lucavis) labeled them as heretics (which is an idiot move) because they 'desecrated' the saint's faith. Delita becomes king and because of the distrust spread in his royal court got stabbed and die, frustrated, calling Ramza's name and wonder whether he actually changed anything, Oran Durai (another key character) wrote a book claiming Ramza and companions are heroes and detailing the Lucavis plot, he got arrested, branded heretics, burned at stake, and his book locked in the church's vault for years. The cliffhanger ending shows Arazlam Durai: his descendants promised that he will clear his ancestor's name based on the book.

In Final Fantasy 14 we're introduced to the bas Lexentales (Alma and Ramza) which claimed that Oran Durai is not a heretic, based on the book he wrote years ago, they were searching for their father, Jenomis bas Lexentales which rescued after the player cleared the first raid wing (which contains text and references from Final Fantasy Tactics story) and revealed that his true name is Arazlam Durai, as the story goes they found out that Ultima is still alive and still searching for suitable vessel for his resurrection through a special crystal called auracite, the echo granted the warrior of light a vision that long ago it was Alma, Delita, and Oran Durai that planned that Ramza cs will be branded heretics as per Ramza request, apparently Ramza and his companions are also warriors of light but failed to stop Ultima completely, to avoid major roadblock on Delita's ascension to the throne so he can restore order and prepare the next generation to fight ultima after he got complete support from the church the four friends staged the branding while Oran's book will be kept safely in the church's vault, waiting as evidence for the future, unfortunately as the last scene of the final fantasy tactics told us Delita's failed, Oran burned at stake, but his descendants with Alma lives on. As the time goes by Ivalice and Rabanastre are occupied by Garlean empire.

The story continues: The warrior of light is finally beaten all Lucavis (revealed as major characters from Final Fantasy Tactics) and Ultima as well, in the last cutscene Ramza Beoulve (Ramza from FF tactics) and his companions appeared in spirit form and thanks the warrior of light for finishing the job, Delita also appeared and question him whether he's done enough for their sake (reference from both the FF tactics when he died from the strife and when he agreed to be king to clear his friend's name eventually which he failed miserably)  they both shake hand and return to the light.

So long story short: in Final Fantasy Tactics Ramza and friends failed to permanently ended Ultima, his remaining friend transpired to support Delita's ascend to the throne by making him denounce Ramza's heroism to vouch for the church's vote in hope he will restore order to the kingdom and diminishing the church's role, he was killed by his court before realizing it and the kingdom razed to the ground and assimilated by the Garlean Empire, many years later the Warrior of Light (a.k.a us) finished the job.

Special Ending: in Final Fantasy Tactics Oran Durai  publicly claimed that after fighting ultima Ramza and Alma ride to the sunset, finally free from their disowned noble names as they took up new names, this false claim was brought in the FFXIV story, realizing that proving ultima's existence wasn't going to change anything for their family names due to Garlean occupation (and beside they're already changed it and live as travelling performer)  the Bas Lexentales decided to incorporate this claim for their Zodiac Brave Story theatrical act, adding a happy ending to the story.

You see... with this optional ending I can finally brag to my friends which ONLY played Final Fantasy Tactics =))

Persona 5: The 100th hour review

CONTAINS MINOR SPOILER FOR PERSONA 3, 4, and 5!!!

My palms are sweaty, it's been hours since I first started running around the furthermost floor on Tartarus, reached the penultimate level and back again, grinding every enemy into dust while collecting their items through stealing and/or by the grace of RNG dropping them, since the fatigue system was removed I can do some infinite powerleveling and farming in here without wasting my SP, I don't know about my personas, will they be enough for tomorrow? I know tomorrow in-game I will be facing some serious battle, probably a phase-chained one without the chance of saving and/or recovering between them, I don't know, I'm just stockpiling things and leveling everyone before I got sleepy in real world, one thing I know that tomorrow is the last boss time

In persona 3, the first entry in the franchise who utilizes the social-life-simulation (or by japanese standard: dating simulation a.k.a dating sim) you are a highschooler with double life as a demon hunter at night, aided by personas a.k.a your 'real selves' you punch through days splitting your time between studies, hanging out with friends, dating, polishing your social skill and destroying forces of evil (or take them to aid you in the process), tied with the story every month there are foreshadowing about your next big baddie, giving you 'deadlines' to be considered in your time juggling between romancing a girl or collecting drop money for that fine battle axe.

Neat,

The formula proved success, persona 4 and 5 followed that roadmap while polishing it to be more rewarding and satisfying in every other way. The latest entry, persona 5 make it so it was more rewarding on every activity you choose to 'build' your character, your hierarchical social links now have traits that can help you in battle and/or activities although your friend characters wasn't go as explored deep in persona 3 and 4 (except Morgana) but they just quirky enough to add to your emotions. The battle tailored with the same strategy used in persona games which revolved around enemy weaknesses and how much you can exploit it, the boss battle in persona 5 however is not another turn based hack and slash but utilizes some special moves and strategy, like sending one of your teammates to weaken a boss or a minion. Unfortunately it wasn't fully explored in later bosses because whether you're too overleveled for them or the strategy was just another waiting games, and then you just beat the boss to death before it did the same to you anyway, harder difficulty is easily circumvented by cultivating your teammates and cheesing and grinding your way through encounters

Persona series as a spin off from Megaten series is essentially always a dungeon crawler so the battle have to be interesting enough to keep you looking forward to it, all the activities you do beside dungeon deep diving is solely purposed to help you in that area (beating enemy to pulp or extorting money/items from them) persona 5 took one thing right by keep SP restoring items a rarity and available as crafted goods so even when you're cheesing your way through a dungeon (or a palace in their terms) you're still in danger of running out SP and limiting your moves, guns now have bullets which only replenished when you exit the said palaces and since you can't survive with physical attacks alone the feeling of dread is always with you, until a certain point on the story anyway, similar to the lifting of fatigue system on the later days of persona 3, fortunately the tracks still composed by Shoji Meguro which is provide great tunes during dungeon exploring and battles. Story in persona series are always revolving around the player character, about their close friends, enemies, rivals, local government and business, and just ordinary folks trying to live their way from day to day basis (pictured in day to day activities on the game), the main story was complemented by side stories about the player's companions adding depth to emotional scenes and reveal some unexpected twist (usually dark) that made you want to think, perhaps the real enemy is not a shady-ass government/global business venture/questionable research megacorp, but the way ordinary people treat other ordinary people, daily, weekly, until it break down others and culminating in conflict and submission, or make an unexpected twist towards scarred adaptability and partial acceptance. The push'n pull of human emotion which can not be solved just by dungeon delving and defeating monsters.

We're dealing with societal issues while accompanied by anthromorphic cats, awesome!

 

Speaking of dread feelings, Persona 5 probably good enough to feed your fear of too much dungeon delving, however, they failed to infuse that fear to you for the endgame story, you see in persona 3 a month from the endgame the story revealed itself and cast you that dreaded feelings over the next in-game month while you still schooling and shooting arcades, at the night before the D-day (and every other night if you prefer it) you will be out there in the dungeons recruting personas, fusing, stealing items, look for rare monsters, amassing wealth and stockpiling recovery item, and leveling things up, all for the sake because you know, tomorrow (probably) will not last. I apparently made mistake by playing persona 4 golden rather than the original version which cast similar feeling to persona 3 towards endgame (persona 4 original however is not, based on what I read). In persona 5 the dreaded feelings is lost towards endgame because the story forced you, unexpectedly, thrust your ass to the last dungeon because of some  (bleh) 'circumstances' in the real world, suddenly you have no closure at all for your all activities and social links because you lost sense of time due to simultaneous cutscenes that push you towards this circumstances, worst of all these cutscenes sometimes took all your free day leaving you without nothing to do at night (except sleep and advances your day). I have several loose ends in my soc link before the 'dreaded cutscene marathons' (haha) leaving several my buddy's persona unevolved and one memento request (which will be a breeze in my current level). When I suddenly thrusted in the 'final' dungeon I got so angry because I don't know which save I can load to make up for this day to day fiasco, then I just powered through it for a whole real world day, just grinding and fusing, and collecting things, back to entrance, refresh, repeat and as a result I bagged the final boss battle in two tries (one didn't go through because I misclick during a crucial moment, talk about sweaty hand), however epic the boss fight is and the tear-jerking end, the game add salt to my wounds by adding personal cutscenes after the boss fight, it's like a kinda 'haha you failed to raise this guy persona so he didn't appear on this scene' I ONLY NEED ONE MORE STAR AND ONE MORE DAY YOU JERK )(&(^%^%%!^&#$!*^!!!!!!!

Pictured: Jerk

I fell asleep during the end credits, fortunately at the day of my dungeon marathon my two year old is sleeping early so I have more time to finish the game

Oh look, now there's a new game+ which carried your initial persona, level, social and traits level, and items so I planned to do just so just to complete my social links loose ends (after I finished FFXIV's final story arc) , but it still a dick move Atlus/Sega, wasting days by adding cutscenes after a cool penultimate job, culminating in shoving everyone to a no exit dungeon, it's not okay, very very not okay.