#Danseru Review

[danseru-kun]

I'd rate AoT like 7.5/10. There were pretty strong arcs and powerful moments but the final arc is weak. There are good parts but overall tying of all the themes kinda stupid at some points.

[danseru-kun]

I think a lot of people are not just able to articulate their criticisms properly. Because there is no Mushu and no songs, the 2020 Mulan has almost no humor and charming moments between Mulan and the soldiers. No sense of camaraderie between them except from the new dude that replaced Shang. The meaningful characterization we got from songs and not translated well into dialogues and the emotional beats are off. The cartoon has a really efficient story telling via songs.

For people just complaining it's not a musical, there is some truth that they're just being nitpicky. I loved the 2019 Aladdin including the new Jafar because I can understand that it's doing something new. It also didn't back down on covering up Jasmine despite fanboys complaining she's not hot enough. Mulan is trying to please everyone and ended up being half baked (aka Rise of Skywalker).

like i wish mulan 2020 was even more accurate to the legend and chinese culture and that’s a good argument, but a lot of people i’m seeing want it to be more western and more like the cartoon because they think wuxia inspired combat scenes are “tacky” and it pisses me off.

[danseru-kun]

It seems that Neil Druckmann thinks he pulled off a Ned Stark or Red Wedding shock value twist and proud of it.

It's not even remotely comparable.

Ned got his head chopped off because he can't play the Game of Thrones. He died because he's naive. The Red Wedding happened because his son followed his footsteps, and the Freys have more political gain by betraying the Starks.

Basically these horrible twists can happen because the characters stayed true to themselves and suffered consequences from their principles (which of course, they do not deserve). But these tragedies don't just further character development of surviving Starks but also the political conflict. They have greater impact to all the factions involved.

Joel's death happened because the writing made sure he and Tommy, who survived for 20+ years in the wrecked world, would suddenly go careless and trusting.

Joel was violently killed by Abby to send Ellie in the path of revenge, which is like one of the most cliche plot movers ever.

What does Ellie gain as a character? In fact, the sequel downplayed her significance of being immune to the spores. The first game made the audience feel that Ellie is the hope of the crapsack world, but it also tells the audience that if she is the cost for a cure it's not worth it to Joel.

There are a lot more engaging, creative and unique ways to make Ellie grow as a character without resorting to the death Joel was given.

There is basically nothing added to the world building. We already know there is so much senseless violence and death in TLOU. We know through Tess and Henry that even beloved characters can die.

Also not all fans are against the idea of Joel dying especially as a consequence of his past actions. But the way it's handled is so lazy and disgraceful for a character that's loved for years, and marketed as a selling point of the game.

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 7

Almost 30 hours clocked. From Elmyra’s house, back to Sector 7, to the underground facility, then back to the house again. 

They handled Tifa so disappointingly. I’m can only sigh and shrug. 

All my Remake reactions are under #Danseru Review

I got Aerith’s dream scene so the thoughts under the cut has some LTD opinions:

So basically, in the span of more than 2 hours all I did is so check Sector 7, find Wedge and go back to Aerith’s house. 

I’m getting tired of complaining about the amount of bloat. But why do I need to traverse the collapsed highway for this? Why put a boss fight difficulty obstacle (the machines) just for this?

Wedge is alive which is a deviation from the original. For what? So we will have an excuse to traverse through a dungeon for extra bloat? Yes I get it, we get to play Barret and Tifa without Cloud! But does that add anything to their characters? Did we hear the banter or talk about stuff we didn’t know before?

Can’t these friendship scenes between Barret and Tifa be accomplished within 5 minutes, more effectively?

The whole dungeon was so tedious. I died once fighting the unknown experiments and have to repeat everything. I did enjoy wrecking stuff as Tifa without Cloud around.

Yes, the underground experiment is redundant bloat when later on in Shinra HQ you can easily show Hojo’s lab. 

To add to this, suddenly Cloud blurts Hojo is evil in front of Elmyra. Who the heck is this Hojo? If you’re a new player it’s like a new character introduced.

Oh okay they’re enticing me to do more sidequests before I go to the Shinra HQ. I’m so excited for those new fetchquests! I can’t wait for more bloat!

The Aerith dream scene

I’m pissed how I got it, because essentially it’s because I missed on Tifa sidequest and her apartment scene. A sidequest that doesn’t reveal anything and has no incentive to do except for extra gil.

But I felt Aerith’s sequence makes more sense in context: it’s her house, she needed rescue, she has superpowers that connects to the Lifestream and she isn’t there. In the morning Cloud also says that Aerith is calling for him.

I’m not sure what to feel about her saying, “don’t fall in love with me because it isn’t real.” Either Cloud proves that right or wrong which may end up pulling Clerith to more definitive directions. But it also makes no sense unless she knows Cloud has some kind of issues.

Overall, so far they handled Aerith so much better since when it’s about her, then the whole narrative is centered on her. When Tseng finally asked her to come with him, it’s focused on her decision to confront her destiny. 

And sadly Tifa wasn’t given the same treatment. 

My sentiments on Tifa 

So she returns to her neighborhood and bar, a place she apparently lived in for a few years and... nothing! Why isn’t she calling out to neighbors! Wouldn’t she know people door to door? Shouldn’t she be counting which ones of the people she knew were still alive? It doesn’t feel that Tifa is part of the community at all! The scene and the narrative didn’t make it like Tifa should be the center of this scene. It made me feel the story doesn’t care about her, especially this is a repeat of her trauma in Nibelheim. 

I watched the Tifa sequence to compare and I became more pissed. Not because I didn’t get it, but because it’s needed. 

It shows Tifa mourning, crying and needing support. That’s perfectly okay. But why does it have to be unlockable? They’re right there! So are you saying to me, that I need to do 6 senseless sidequests just so I can see Tifa mourn for the tragedy? SE can suck its own ass.

It doesn’t even have to be romantic! Tifa can mourn and look for support as she does she Cloud as a friend. 

But even if I do get this scene or not, it still has some problems regarding the fact that Nibelheim burned down 5 years ago where Cloud was supposed to be absent. Cloud and Tifa never discussed it yet. It’s a huge elephant in the room that they avoided to touch all the while putting all these Cloti fanservice. 

Versus Aerith, when it’s about Tifa and her connection her community and Avalanche, it’s handled in a sloppy manner because they have to hold the truth to preserve the revelation in the future entries. It’s so unfair and infuriating that Tifa is held back because she’s a walking spoiler of Cloud’s past, but even if she was, they could have done better her connection with Avalanche and Sector 7. 

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 4

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review

From the Mako Reactor 5, Aerith’s church, Sector 5 quest up to the Rude bossfight. Possibly 13 hours at this point. 

I’ll try to keep it not about the Love Triangle Debate as possible but I’ll also be honest.

We finally meet Aerith! I already reacted to first impressions in my last post and I really welcome the expansion of their first meeting. The church escape, the rooftop hopping and back to Aerith’s house was a delight. Seeing the view of the slums from a higher vantage point is what Remakes are for. The spark of a first rapport, Aerith’s teasing and flirting vs Cloud’s stoic and cool demeanor take you back why people shipped it at the first place.

Nothing happened much in this chapter just like Chapter 3 where we spent an hour doing sidequests with Tifa. Some impressions and thoughts:

I forgot to note in the previous playthrough: Heidegger (or was it President Shinra), mentioned that Soldiers die early due to cell degradation. I’m not sure if it’s in the OG, but if it’s not, then it’s a direct nod to Crisis Core. 

I think the map design for Sector 5 is superior to Sector 7. The church, the giant trash heaps, the shanty and the train station felt less tunnel and more natural. Probably because the places have more character overall. Sector 7′s highlight is Tifa’s bar that never opens, and the darts game. The factory with drakes and the landfill felt uninspiring. 

Although I have mixed feelings on something: why is it full of flowers? The point of Aerith’s church is that its the only place where flowers grow and that it’s super rare. I remember in the OG, Aerith’s house does have flowers but not a full garden with swimming fish. Realistically, poor and desperate folks would strip that place to the bone and sell the flowers themselves. 

I have a theory: I think the game development started in the Reactor + Sector 8 before SE restarted everything. It may explain why Sector 8 feels like a tunnel stage with fake walls, and we have premature Sephiroth flashbacks for marketing purposes. 

Yes there are still bloat quests (surprise!). At first I liked the kids and how they helped Cloud become softer and less selfish. However after one quest, it goes on and on and on. Like how many more sidequests do we need???

As for Aerith as a party member: She is opposite to Tifa in a sense she fares poorly against, numerous, small opponents which Tifa is good against. I’m a bit annoyed that when I take control of her, the AI attacks her instead even if Cloud is right there hacking them. Sometimes narrow places help in crowd control. I do like her as a healer as she heals a huge chunk.

The Rude bossfight is fun and also hilarious. He gives Aerith a karate chop to knock her down, but he hits Cloud harder and throws him. 

I don’t really like the LTD but I still have to share some thoughts. I’ve already prepared myself for possible negative reactions: They improved Cl3rith this time by expanding on their first meeting and initial interactions. It’s also heavily implied the “Hollow” song is for them as it plays in Sector 6. The game capitalizes on the essence of the pairing: that it’s a new experience for the both of them and yet also feels like its fated. 

Cloti suffers in terms of flow and structure, which frustrates me since I’m biased for Cloti. Tifa represents the opposite of Aerith in a sense that she is supposed to be someone more familiar, and the last person that connects to Cloud’s past. By stretching the story between two Mako reactors, Cloti added flirting and dialogues yet also dragged their most essential connection all over the place. The childhood flashbacks, The Promise (which is beautifully animated exceeding my imagination) all take place when Cloud is NOT with Tifa. Tifa is right there when Cloud has a flashback of her father’s death, but no time to discuss it.  It’s like they’re making an excuse for them not to talk about it so they reserve it for future parts.

But still, when Aerith asks Cloud, “is she your girlfriend,” and Cloud replies, “it’s hard to explain” I think that’s very telling. He can’t straight up say, “she’s my friend” or “I have business with her.” His feelings for her are complicated. 

No, I don’t think anyone is in love with anyone at this point (Chapter 8). I’ll see where the rest of the story takes me. 

[danseru-kun]

Remake Playthrough 1

(Chap 1-3) 

@nautilusopus @cateringisalie might be interested. 

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review.

General impression: It’s better than FFXV! Combat is better with materia/spells, ease of controls, even if it feels hack and slash sometimes. I’m so far enjoying it, but not attached as of now.

What I like:

It looks really nice, both character designs and the background. They recreated the locations faithfully

The variety of Cloud vs Barret gameplay. I can’t wait to play Tifa and Aerith. In the OG tbh, the party members don’t differ much except for Aerith, Yuffie and Cait Sith maybe. 

The music is just beautiful 

Aerith and Tifa are just gorgeous!

Minor nitpicks

Japanese audio doesn’t have subtitles for NPC chatter in the background. 

Jessie’s boobplate 

Fake walls to limit the map size (cars, debris, trash) 

So many damsel moments

Barret doesn’t sound like I imagined him to be. I expected him to be angry and a leader makes the audience realize the gravity of the situation. I felt he sounds more like a troublemaker/punk and they’re trying to make him funny.  

Major problems

DEMENTORS. I don’t want to hate them but I might. I don’t get the point of including them. 

Avalanche are now framed rather than responsible and overall I don’t like their lack of gravitas. So they planned to bomb just to send a statement rather than actually bring down a reactor? It seems... half hearted? I get it that it’s harder to sell the characters as heroes when they commit terrorism acts, but this strips away the complexity of the original. 

Sephiroth’s full face introduction feels... too early, less mysterious and unscary? He might look intriguing to the new players maybe, but to me it feels like it lacked gravitas. Which brings me to my next part...

Major laughing moments:

Some of Sephiroth’s moments with Cloud are just... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) I can’t take them seriously! I’m laughing hard at the apartment scene, it’s just a perfect set up for something else. I’m supposed to feel sorry for Cloud and scared for him, but I just can’t lmao. 

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 2

Chapters 3-5

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review

I’ve played from the first time Cloud went to Tifa’s apartment to the train tunnels on the way to the next reactor mission (haven’t finished that part yet). So far I’ve clocked 6:40 hours as of this point. 

I’ll try to present my thoughts in a semi-chronological order, there are a lot that happened.

Avalanche

They’re really building the members more this time with additional dialogues and backstory. So far I’ve only learned about Jessie. 

Jessie asked Cloud to sleep with her wow. Girl knows what she wants nice. Unnecessary but I refused her, even if I’m tempted to have a “yes” option lmao.

So they have a different faction now (which came out of nowhere in that particular context). If the new faction finds Barret extreme (am I correct?), and they aren’t?

I get why Avalanche is portrayed to be less extreme in 2020 due to 1) political climate in real life 2) since the game is only Midgar, the other evils of Shinra can’t be included yet. 

I can’t wait to see Barret not be Mr. T., I’ve heard good things. 

So are we assuming Cloud and company do not kill grunts but just knock them out??? What kind of half-hearted movement is to commit terrorist acts, but not too much to make them look evil? What do they hope to accomplish by damaging Shinra equipment? I’m not sure what kind of change they’re going to bring with their methods.

Tifa/Cloti

I love her gameplay: fast and close ranged. My heart flutters when she makes some combos with Cloud. 

Yes she’s so beautiful to look at! Her Japanese voice is so calming. 

She’s written differently from the OG, which people may like or may be indifferent with. In the OG she doesn’t show sympathy with Shinra employees or shown to openly disagree with Avalanche. 

Personally, I would accept these changes with Tifa if they give us a significant character development later. Only if we actually listened to Tifa voicing out her objections to the Avalanche mission. If they want Tifa to be the “kindest” Avalanche member, let me hear her disagree!

The Promise Flashback is so beautifully animated but it came out at an odd time. Cloud randomly remembered it instead of Tifa bringing it up. It’s just so out of the flow. In my opinion it should belong to a Tifa scene rather than in a middle of a mission with other people.

Flirty scenes were cute. 

Others/Gameplay

There’s. So. Much. Bloat. I get it - new players will never see this as bloat.  As an old player, it makes me impatient and bored at times. 

Particular bloat I dislike: the mandatory fetch quests in Chapter 3, the artificially prolonged quests like the rat mission, the long tunnel fight to Jessie’s parents, and that random Johnny quest.

I don’t mind Sector 7 as a hub, I like how they fleshed out the community and made it feel like slums (I live next to one so I know). The problem is that sidequests should be totally optional and I wish some give you some meaningful lines from Tifa. 

I played darts like a dozen times!That’s the type of optional stuff I actually like. So far my record is 13 throws. 

I like Jessie’s sidequest I do, in terms of character motivation. But what have we learned from the characters by doing that long warehouse mission? Not much. We got an energetic Soldier Second Class guy, but he neither made me laugh or made me care. 

I like the NPC background comments, fleshes out the world more.

There is no pro-Shinra perspective that’s actually explored properly. They’re going with the angle that Shinra employees are people too, but it seems the game still makes it that the company is evil without explaining its necessity. It’s an electric company, it fuels the economy, it makes life convenient! Why aren’t we hearing these things and we only get comical employees on the train?

Again the dementors are something I really don’t like as of this point. OG feels steampunk/sci-fi. These new things add this kind of mystical/supernatural element. You can argue the Cetra/Ancients are mystical themselves, but that’s why they’re shown to be extinct and exclusive to Aerith. Moreover, there are scientific explanations on their abilities (like how they are connected to the Lifestream). 

Overall, I really understand how the Remake did it. They carefully crafted the city, the world to their new vision, and what they intend is clear. But do I want Midgar to be this expansive at the expense of the core plot? I still don’t. At six hours in the OG I would have met Aerith, did the Wall Market mission and possibly finishing Shinra HQ by now. Call me an old player, but I prefer tight, efficient, and streamlined storytelling. Sidequests and extra missions should be compartmentalized. 

[danseru-kun]

Finished FFVII Remake and will give reaction and a longer review tomorrow.

Short verdict: Pinnacle of Final Fantasy gameplay and beautifully animated, but a weak reimagining of a classic story into something shallow as a puddle. It makes more sense if seen as a fanfiction rather than a standalone story.

7/10

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 9 - The End

For all my reactions for the entire game, they’re under #Danseru Review. This is not going to be reaction for the entire game but just the final chapters.

I finished my last run just after I climbed to the upper plates on the way to Shinra HQ.

So Tifa, Cloud and Barret look over to the sunset against the ruins of Sector 7. Instead of meaningful introspection of the weight of their actions and the devastation, Cloud is his usual edgy self, and Tifa is about rebuilding a bar. They talk like the bar burned down instead of thousands of people dead. I cant see any character growth from Cloud at 40+ hours and he’s really bland. 

Shinra HQ in general

I geniunely love the moment when Cloud screams “Tifa!” and runs to her when she falls from the parkour stuff. I felt it’s one of the few genuine Cloti moments that doesn’t feel like fanservice. While it’s hella boring to do that platforming section (I’m played Uncharted and this is meh), I love controlling Tifa. 

I debated whether I’ll take the stairs or the elevator. In the Original I took the stairs and it was worth the humor. I checked the cut scene of the elevator and it has more of Tifa’s “Shinra employees are humans too” bullshit (not her, but the writers). So I opted to the take stairs and it’s a delight because Barret is entertaining. 

The museum and Mayor Domino

I think this section makes sense showing us Shinra’s history and propaganda but like my usual gripe, it’s not characterful. I must say Barret is decent throughout this section as he gives his thoughts and expresses his feelings over the matter. While Tifa and Cloud, who are supposed to have personal grudge over Shinra barely offers commentary. 

I don’t have feelings over the mayor but he feels like a convenient ally to introduce so late in the story. It makes sense he’s a puppet leader. I just wish we can read stuff in his office for lore. Also I’m pissed his attendant tried to sell me information, and it turns out I should have accepted it for Barret’s gun? What a joke.

Aerith and Hojo’s Big Lab

Okay, Hojo seriously creeps me out, especially that part where he talks about impregnating Aerith and breeding her either with Seph or Genesis. (Shudders) I do feel that this captured the original...

But geez those Whisperers preventing Hojo from revealing the truth about Cloud not being in Soldier. I really hate the Whispers. 

Yay finally she’s back. I have like three staffs that need some proficiency and I was itching to use Aerith again. I like seeing her room when she was a kid, but it’s just so cold when she was trying to say her mother was taken everyday, and Cloud was like “tell us about your past.” 

Nanaki! Nice to have you around but sadly I can’t control you. He’s adorable. 

Again this section is super bloat. On the upside, you get to play Tifa and Aerith together. The girls vs dogs was challenging and fun. You literally have to keep on going with Tifa and just one second of pause will make the dogs shred you.

I felt this section is similar to the sun lamp chapter that just drags soooooo long and just bloat. It makes no sense they’re suddenly on board with helping Hojo do his things because “otherwise we can’t get out of here.” Seriously? 

 Shinra President and Rufus

I’ve already expressed how much I hated this section because it makes absolutely no sense for Tifa’s character: https://www.tumblr.com/reblog/623070870698590208/EivVTTuc

It’s because again, Nibelheim Must Not Be Revealed Except Vague Flashbacks.

Jenova Dreamweaver! Tifa is an amazing tentacle smasher. Otherwise easy boss fight. 

Also it makes no sense Cloud will remain and fight Rufus? Why? How is Rufus relevant to him as a character based on what he displayed so far?  Barret makes more sense based on how he’s acting. 

The Counter strike of Cloud was literally made for this fight. It’s... ok and I used Poison for the first time. 

The Bosses and the Highway

Barret and Aerith vs the tank boss is the worst boss fight in the game. It’s literally just torture and patience, and repetitive hiding behind pillars and waiting for that weakness point to pop up. 

The highway as predicted, was bloated with so many fights and I died thrice to that final boss. I’m an idiot because at 50 hours I just discovered how to slow down. 

At this point I’m super tired of boss fights after one another.

The Final Chapter

I’ll probably express it in a better review but it’s just a huge mess and I was just too tired to rant. I thought Aerith was the best adapted character up to this point until she reveals that it’s actually a fight for... destiny! That’s like Goku suddenly saying he’s fighting for animal rights, or Batman suddenly about Global Warming. It also makes me feel they recycled FF13-2 and Serah/Yeul regarding destiny and fate.  I went WTF and it needed me 50 hours to really know what we are fighting for? Only Barret is consistent because he’s fighting for the planet and Marlene.

Easy boss fight that’s so boring. I didn’t even remember dying.

Also yes Sephiroth and Cloud are just so homoerotic together.

So apparently they allowed Zack, Biggs and Wedge to live but people revealing Cloud’s past has to be silenced by the Whisperers. It’s so stupid I’m so tired of complaining. Also if you’re a new player, who the heck is Zack supposed to be?

Of all main Final Fantasy entries I’ve seen, Remake’s ending is the least emotionally moving. I hated FFXV but even at the end I went “awww” especially when they’re at the bonfire and talking about friendship.

The ending ties nothing together for the characters. I remember myself watching FFX and FF13′s endings over and over. Remake has nothing I wanna rewatch or relive. It’s a shallow story, weak character development and written with the assumption that the people are already familiar with the lore. 

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 6

Overall around 25 hours playthrough, probably around 2-3 hours of it due to the PS left running while I eat. I wrote some mini reactions before but I’ll react anyway. I finished Don Corneo, went through the sewers, finished the Train Graveyard, Plate battle, and back to Aerith’s house.

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review

Again: I’VE WAITED FIVE YEARS TO PLAY THIS BLOAT! 

The whole sewer and train graveyard chapters can be summed as Clerifa and Aerti fanservice. I don’t really mind those shippy moments, and I love them. But do we really need 3 hours of filler to get 5 minutes of goodness?

But Aerti is indeed cute.

The fanservice is so anime and to be honest, not a lot of people will actually like this kind of approach. It’s like how you write romance for teenagers. I don’t like fanservice scenes anymore but ultimately lacking in substance.

The sewers reminds me of that level in FF8 before my PSP broke down and I’m unable to finish it.

The Train Graveyard is probably the worst filler in the game so far. What’s about Marlene and the child’s ghost?

Also won’t the dead return to the planet? What are these ghosts? Maybe I forgot some elements in the OG but it’s established lore...

I really don’t know the point of the whole thing with Aerith and the ghosts. Yeah it has some sweet moments with Tifa, but there are literally a lot of better ways to have them bonding without needing a whole filler chapter for it.  

Apparently you can steal a good weapon from the Chariot boss but I don’t have a steal materia.

What’s the point of this boss fight??? Kill time???

Okay now plate fight.

Oh Biggs dies... AND SUDDENLY HE IS LINKED TO THE LEAF HOUSE!? Wow we totally need that sudden backstory before he breaths his last! This is like Masashi Kishimoto style minus flashbacks quality of writing. I’m so sorry that I don’t even feel anything.

What the heck is the point of the dementors again?

Aerith’s sequence in rescuing Marlene felt exciting at first until again they’re artificially extended by forced walls and long, lingering shots. Like the whole scene could have been done half of the run time. It’s also an illusion of control when you just use Aerith to walk a few steps then a new cutscene happens. Just make it all cutscenes!

Marle didn’t even try to help Marlene LMAO. 

Jessie oh, now I feel a little sad. Tifa is crying but when did they even have a conversation together? 

Rude and Reno boss fight is too easy. I like their dynamics though.

Tseng is hot. 

Ah some Cloti moments BUT THERE ARE TOO MANY DAMSEL PARTS

Why is Tifa always in despair? Why did they take out her backbone and need her to feel conflicted all the time?

Tseng in a monitor than in a helicopter makes more sense. This is what remakes are for, not for senseless fillers. 

The Tifa and Barret hug is actually one of the few touching moments. That kind of friendship is what we should have seen with Tifa and other Avalanche members too.

What the heck. Cait Sith!? Plate just dropped and killed a whole community probably, and you use it to show a new character designed like a plushie? 

GAY SEPH MOMENT

The Aerith flashback is very faithful. 

Tifa rant:

I’m not demanding for Tifa to have zero conflicts, but she’s mostly seen wavering and needing to be rescued/comforted at crucial battles like this. Like she’s conflicted in joining Avalanche’s activities, but then she’s also the first one to despair that it’s their fault. The contrast is terribly done now compared to the OG. In the OG, the more she is willing to participate, the harder the guilt. Now since she is half-hearted in everything. 

If I’m using a metaphor, OG Tifa is hot water turn lukewarm. There is contrast. In the Remake she just seems lukewarm all the time, with her old fire seen during the Don Corneo scene but not in the other scenes.

I just want the Remake to be over asap. It’s such a chore to play and I would not dare to repeat it. Five years for this bloated, farting, mess. All it had to do is follow the OG but nah, it doesn’t want to. It wants to put twists like dementors!

[danseru-kun]

It got me thinking what my most emotional moments in my video game life are. The following makes the list in no particular order:

Warden’s sacrifice in Dragon Age Origins

Curing the Genophage and final conversation with Anderson in Mass Effect 3. The experience is a culmination of a trilogy so I give kudos to the whole franchise despite the original shitty ending. 

Final Fantasy VII’s Lifestream Scene and ending 

FFVII: Crisis Core last stand and ending

Final Fantasy X’s ending

Connor and Hank’s embrace at the end of Detroit: Become Human (optional, I’m so glad I didn’t get them killed)

The Last of Us giraffe scene and ending

Uncharted 4 ending

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 3

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review

I’ve played the train tunnels, the sun lamps, the Mako Reactor 5 mission up to the Aerith church and Reno boss fight. Clocked around 11 hours at this point.

So far I’ve accustomed myself to the bloat. Adjusting my attitude allowed me to enjoy the moment more rather than rush to the main plot. 

If anyone who never played the OG is reading this, the trip of Cloud, Barret and Tifa and the mission in Reactor 5 takes probably an hour at most. Now the whole thing took around 3.5 hours. As for the expansion of this mission there are primarily three parts: track track, sun lamp and reactor mission itself. 

Train track trek is bloat. I’m not terribly bored, but I would rather not have it at the first place. 

The sun lamp quest is half good half bloat: I’m not sure what exactly is the necessity of sun lamps when the sunlight can actually penetrate through the sides of Midgar. Maybe if it’s used for winter I can understand it. 

In the sun lamp quest, I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t get lost and managed to navigate through the platforms since I have a poor sense of direction. I’ve groaned when I have to turn on a few more lamps but I’ve accepted it. I died the first time in the game against those poison monsters. 

I got the optional materia at the fan. 

I think the aerial view of Midgar’s slums is breathtaking so I welcome the stage.

Tifa Nibelheim flashback! That’s the type of anger I wanna explore, Tifa right now is just too nice. You wonder why she’s in a terrorist group at the first place!

Using Avalanche as propaganda for the Wutai vs Shinra war makes sense and I don’t actually remember if it’s in the OG.

I’ve spent too much time on the level mini game. Don’t judge me. 

The reaction mission itself is good especially the boss fight. The prolonged fight against the giant machine is probably the first thing I’m impressed with in the Remake especially the remix of the music is so good. I died once but doing it the second time isn’t too hard. I really like how it forces you to utilize Barret due to his long range. 

I probably suck but I don’t know how to utilize Tifa in boss fights. She is really good against human enemies and small monsters, but she is so squishy and melee. 

Now came Aerith! Finally we can have a dedicated mage. So far Cloud is my pseudo mage healer and I gave him the magic sword (ditching the Buster sword sadly). I tend to use Cure a lot since I’m terrible at blocking attacks.

Aerith is really adorable, with her cheering at the background when Cloud fights the Shinra grunts. I do however, regret not being able to explore the church since talking to Aerith again forces the next cutscene. Reno is a fun boss fight, just the right amount of challenge and refreshing gameplay. 

Oh and dementors again. They’re blocking that yellow materia ughh. I really hate them and I wish they do not ruin my enjoyment. 

I haven’t finished the game yet but I really think that the villains presented are stereotypical corporate evil as of now. Their underlings and employees are presented as ordinary people, but the top executives so far have no nuanced traits. 

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 5

All my FFVII Remake reactions will all be tagged #Danseru Review

Started from the Rude fight, to Aerith’s house again, Sector 6 playground, the collapsed highway, Wall Market and Don Corneo.

Can you believe it? At 20 hours in the OG I probably would have been in Gold Saucer at least, and maybe the Temple of the Ancients assuming I recruited everyone.

Again there is a mix of Love Triangle thoughts under the cut aside from general opinions.

I probably should stop complaining by now: I HATE CHAIN QUESTS. It’s when you finish one mission and they put another after it, you wonder when it ends. I hate artificially prolonging quests like, “while waiting for this, do this first.” I like seeing all my optional quests lined up.

The language of the flowers part with Aerith... I don’t get what the whole conversation is about. Like girl, I didn’t understand a thing.

They removed Elmyra’s line referring to Zack when she told Cloud to get out of her house discreetly. Now he line is more of general dislike of Soldiers.

I hate the collapsed highway, another bloat. Well it shows Cloud and Aerith getting closer at least, but you don’t need a whole 30 minute tunnel to achieve the same development. One robot hand is okay, but when there are like 2-3 more I just groaned. 

Playpark! Well it’s pretty clear what Aerith said, “gotta move forward.”

So because I missed Tifa’s apartment scene, her outfit is default sexy. I like how Cloud let her go because she trusts her abilities. 

I need to give praise on Wall Market’s recreation. It’s lively, colorful, with twists and turns that make it cluttered. I just hate how some people block the secret chests.

I paid for the best massage with Madam, and it’s just a full innuendo lmao. Cloud’s moaning and the shot outside the room haha.

The Colosseum part started fun but the Hell House is a dragging.  It isn’t that difficult to fight, it just takes so so long! Gameplay became repetitive.

It seems the whole Wall Market ships Clerith now, and it’s clear anyway that the whole section was designed to bring Cloud and Aerith closer since Chapter 8. He obviously becomes more comfortable with her as time passes.

I really like Andrea, he’s fabulous. That dance number with Cloud was glorious, but I can’t fully enjoy it since I’m too busy not missing the buttons. 

I died more against the bandits than boss fights. 

I refused another round at the Colosseum, I’m sick of bloat quests. 

I got Aerith’s best dress, and they gave her a carpet roll. 

I got Cloud’s black dress, which is the least ridiculous of the three. I wanted the Tiara. 

I don’t have anything more to say about Don Corneo but he was just perfectly captured. 

It just takes a simple joystick panning to see Tifa’s panties.

I badly wanted the ladies to fight in their dresses but I realize Tifa would be exposed too much so it’s better in their default. 

Since I missed talking to Tifa alone in Chapter 3, I try to compensate by talking to her first in the sewers. 

That sewer monster boss fight is challenging, died twice then I learned all you have to do is dodge the damn water.

I have to put emphasis on Tifa threatening Don Corneo: It was the Tifa that I missed, the fiery Tifa. That’s the Tifa I would have wanted to see in Chapter 3 and the Reactor 5 bombing, someone you will tell an opponent “I’ll smash your balls” rather than falter in her convictions. 

Tifa does falter in the OG, but it’s much much later. Not at the beginning. Oh well, gotta accept they want to change things this time. 

[danseru-kun]

FFVII Remake Playthrough 8

36 hours clocked in. Not much has happened but I share my thoughts after the plate drop, Chapter 14 and until most of Chapter 15 (the rubble climb).

I have to apologize: I’m an idiot. I played the game up to this point using nothing but Tier 1 spells like Cure, Fire, Lightning etc. Then I accidentally toggled the option to actually use the higher level spells and I just facepalmed. For all the 36 hours I’ve thrived and succeeded in the game using these weak spells lmao.

While I have tons of gripes on this game, I must say that at this point I’m enjoying the gameplay very much. The only thing missing? Aerith. 

Sidequests, farming AP and “open world”

I remembered in my last review I said I wanna skip through all the sidequests and rush through the end. But something sparked in me: I want to unlock all those Tifa and Barret skills, farm AP for my materia, get the Colosseum prizes and also win that pull up side quest. In the end I completed all the sidequests after the plate drop before I decide to go through the main quest. It took me a full hour to beat Jules in pull ups and it’s hella satisfying. 

It’s so satisfying swap weapons, gain proficiency and customize the characters. In particular, I really love how I designed my Tifa - she has the highest ATK stat in the game, but at the same time the one with the most materia. Elemental + Ice is just glorious!

I made Barret a real tank and I stuck with the ball melee weapon. I’m a Tank main in MOBA and he just captured the “class” I specialized in for three years. Slow, strong, sturdy is just amazing as a frontliner.

Meanwhile, Cloud is boring as heck. I don’t control him except when healing party members. 

I can say, it’s more fun to do sidequest when you’re purposely trying to fatten yourself for a big battle ahead. They’re chores when they’re lined up as a chain with artificial extenders and you have enough weapon proficiency. 

The “fast travel” section is pathetically small/short for an attempt to open the map and give a sense of exploration. The chocobo fast travel are only there to make you complete a couple of missions and after that there is nothing anymore. I found myself also frustrated Chadley only has 2 VR missions when I’m itching to farm AP. 

Usually the section of “free roam” is really designed to gear your party before the final dungeon, yet I don’t have Aerith and how I wish she had been with me in all those AP farming missions. I don’t know if I’ll have more opportunity to be proficient with her other weapons in the final chapters. 

Again this is just a missed opportunity to shape Tifa, Cloud and Barret. There’s just no banters and they’re coming across devastated people and saying nothing. Why is it so hard to insert a line or two everytime they encounter crying people?

The tone is all over the place with thousands of people dead but then they cheer up if you play them... music! 

Leslie’s Sewers

This part joins again the list of senseless bloat in this game. The thing is I would have done it if it’s actually an optional sidquest, but the fact it’s incorporated in the main storyline makes it a farting bloat like the others. If I’m not enjoying Tifa and Barret so much I would have just slept through this portion. Not only they reused the sewer map but I find the backstory just meh. 

His fiance was taken by the Don and disappeared... so how does he know she’s still alive and not eaten by sewer rats? Where does he even begin to find her? And are you telling me there are no other ways to the sewers that he only began her search with Cloud and company helping him? And if he thinks she’s alive, does this mean he thinks she’s been hiding in the sewers all the time? It’s really unclear! Why do I even have to care for him and his fiance? Leslie has the same dimensions as most NPCs except that he’s designed cuter. 

I’ll just say the pigrat thing taking Leslie’s bag and my party chasing it is one of the most stupid scenes in the game. Ever.

And about that flower reunion thing: It can either be Cloti or Clerith. I don’t see why one pairing can claim it. Cloti because Tifa was given the flower, and they’re reunited in Midgar, and it can mean Clerith because Cloud is finding Aerith and there is this line about “losing someone.”

As equally stupid as the pigrat stealing the bag, all the sewer mission is just for a freaking GRAPPLING HOOK? That’s it!? Like Cloud used it to break the fall to Aerith church after the Reactor 5 mission. You’re telling me Cloud and co. has no freaking idea that they can use it again? They had to go to Don Corneo’s mansion and figure out the ultimate secret way to go up the plate. Wow genius, I’m just so impressed by the sheer plot twist which is a grappling hook! 

Up the Plate, not yet in Shinra HQ

I have not much to say here but this level has a lot of flying enemies with is a pain. And before a massive kickass section I slotted the wrong elemental materia to Tifa and I missed the chance to slaughter my way with flaming fists. 

Grappling hook mechanic was meh, I expected it’s like the darts mini game where you adjust the strength and focus on a target but it’s just point and click. 

I miss Aerith and I hope to finish the game asap so I can move on to Witcher 3. 

[danseru-kun]

Choke on your dumbbells Jules for wasting an hour of my life

GYM QUEEN TIFA SHOWS HOW ITS DONE

[danseru-kun]

Until Dawn Playthrough 1

Ok it's a bit of a cheat, I'm playing it with my two siblings since I don't like to play horror alone.

Coming from Detroit: Become Human I got interested in this game and I've seen some videos and material. I'm spoiled of some stuff but with zero context I probably don't know 90% of the game.

Okay first the environments are gorgeous! This game was out in 2015-2016(?) and everything is just beautiful to look at. The setting is dark, snowy and barren but they put amazing lighting and texture for it to be interesting.

So far we've just finished Chapter 4

How old are these characters supposed to be??? They act like teenagers but look like 25 year olds.

So far I don't particularly like one character, maybe except Matt because he's very nice. It feels they are all written to represent a familiar horror film stereotype: sane serious girl (Sam), weirdo (Josh), douchey jock (Mike), controlling gf (Emily), Ashley (nicer girl), Jess (bratty princess), Chris (the saner best friend).

We're making Matt brave and stand up for himself. Hope he breaks up with Emily. We made him look at the scope to see Emily cheating/hugging Mike.

Josh your sisters disappeared last year and you want to "party like pornstars" in the site to honor their memories?

Maybe the therapist is a serial killer I dunno.

Ok Mike and Jess. You just saw a deer killed gruesomely and possibly saw a bear, and what you care about is getting laid in the middle of nowhere? Also while I dislike Mike, Jess is acting like a spoiled princess how the hell does men put up with these kind of women???

Ok Jess dies we're too slow.

We're supposed to pick Josh in the slicer dilemma because "bros before hoes" but we got confused by the lever and ended up saving Ashley.

Surprisingly, if faced with danger, Emily is sane and rational.

So far this game deliberately doesn't take itself seriously and I'm losing my mind on how immature these characters are. I understand it wants to capture the horror film genre but that's also the reason I hate watching those movies. But still I'm enjoying playing it with my siblings but lmao all the characters can all die except Matt and I wouldn't even care.

It's a nice contrast to DBH that takes itself very seriously (to the point it can be cringe). Until Dawn has 8 characters with smaller, more independent branches so far, while DBH as 3 chars with more outcomes individually.