#iwasaki antimon

[mezzopurrloin]

Day 20: Iwasaki Antimon (Anodyne 2: Return to Dust)

Anodyne is a 2D top-down adventure with a very surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. The sequel isn't directly related, but is very thematically similar, though it also adds some 3D exploration. This game stars the Nano Cleaner Nova, who shrinks inside people to clean them of the harmful Nano Dust.

Iwasaki Antimon is president of a tree crafting fan club. He's refined his art and sent many letters to the Tree Master, but never received a response. He reasons this must be because of the Nano Dust inside him, and asks Nova to clean him.

Nova's not sure if this is truly necessary, but it's good to clean up any Dust that might be within him.

Nanoscale uses a 2D interface similar to the original Anodyne.

Only those who have refined the art of tree creation can make it across the snowfield to the Tree Master's temple, but many of the disciples here are too cold to perform any work.

There are also some nano viruses present, which Nova can attack using her vacuum. The snowman slime will throw snowballs after being sucked up, while the spiky thing requires that Nova remove the four ice blocks spinning around it first.

After completing a few challenges Nova can head for the temple.

This is where the A and S rank tree sculptors hang out, as opposed to the B and C ones who are left in the snow. They look up to Iwasaki as an inspiration.

A brief step outside brings us to what appears to be the Tree Master's home, but it seems he doesn't want to be disturbed. Shrinking into the mailbox returns Nova to Iwasaki.

Sucking up the large dust crystal purifies Iwasaki. He realizes that he's advanced far enough in the craft to become a Tree Master of his own, and he doesn't need the Master's approval when he has his own adoring fans.

Nova converts the dust crystal into a card of Iwasaki, completing her mission.

The music for this area is two tracks: Self-Actualization Snowfield and Levitating Aurora Temple. Both titles are pretty self-explanatory.