#playing hsr

[kyogre-blue]

For... reasons, I went back through Belobog again. tbh I often get a bit too worked up on my first time through a game, and I also miss a lot of stuff because I'm not good at keeping track of details, so I was curious what kind of impression I'd have of it after getting a bit more used to HSR in general.

Overall, I do think it holds up better than I initially thought, but it also definitely has some fairly notable shortcomings.

For the good, they definitely put in effort to set up the story elements. There's a lot of mentions of things that will come up later, and in general the plot follows along quite well. There's a pretty good sense of characters continuing to do things off-screen based on their knowledge and goals, which is always nice. Additionally, Bronya's character holds together better than I'd realized, all things considered. I also like Belobog as a setting and the side characters are presented quite well, given the constraints of the short runtime of the story as a whole.

I would even say that it's overall a better story than Okeanos, a middling FGO chapter that I personally liked quite a bit, and you can even hold it up to London and American, maybe even to the weaker LBs, depending on your perspective. Not a bad showing, honestly.

But like I said, there's definitely issues. Some of them are not too important, like the dragged out pacing of the epilogue section (why do you need three whole missions after defeating Cocolia...), some are probably due to specific circumstances, like Seele's promise kind of never actually involving protecting Bronya because Bronya is fine (I do think they cut a boss battle here), and some are probably a victim of the genre's needs, like the all flash no substance final battle needing to push the MC when the MC has no reason to be the focus, but there's one specific issue I think holds the writing back as a whole.

It's a bit hard to put into words... The way I would describe it is that characters will often say some cool-sounding line, and it might work in that specific scene. But if you try to connect any scenes and their cool lines together, it just doesn't work.

A lack of substantive narrative through-line, I suppose?

On the mildest side, it can be just a lack of connection between things that sound like they should be connected. For example, Bronya talks a couple times about needing to stand up to Cocolia and convince her. Clara talks about needing to stand up to Svarog and convince him in very similar words. It looks like a parallel... but it isn't really, because this doesn't go anywhere. These two situations aren't being intentionally paralleled and there's not really anything to take away from comparing them. It's just coincidence. I think it also leads to some things coming out of nowhere, like the sudden focus on "preservation" very late into the story, despite it never really coming up before.

On the extremely frustrating side, it can end up making entire sections of the story feel ridiculous or hypocritical. Like, yes, I always come back to this, Bronya and Seele deciding to lie to everyone. The Svarog and Serval sections of the story explicitly focus on finding the truth and how important that is. Seele specifically discusses in regard to Svarog how people need to be free, not caged (/in ignorance), even if the outside world (/truth) is harsh, and how people are stronger than Svarog is giving them credit for. Welt at the very end says that advancing while knowing the truth is better than blissful optimism/ignorance. AND YET, Bronya and Seele turn around and lie to the people of Belobog, so they can have "hope." If you work backwards from this, they're basically saying that the people of Belobog are too weak to handle the truth and they don't deserve to know the truth. Cool??

Team, does the Topaz continuance address this, or what?

And while this instance is the most frustrating and impactful one, I think it's just one manifestation of a general issue regarding, like... creating an overall message throughout the story. This is part of what I think holds the story back compared to the truly great stuff in FGO. It's not that there necessarily needs to be a thesis statement that the game returns to repeatedly (though FGO certainly has that too), but at the very least, it needs to not constantly puff itself up with cool-sounding things that end up lacking the substance to back it up. Either make cool statements and back them, or stop trying to sound like you've got depth while lacking it. It's one or the other.

(Of course, most people don't see this as a problem at all. See: Kazuha's big moment being extremely popular despite its utter lack of substance.)

Anyway.

Overall, I do like Belobog, and I definitely understand how people think it's so peak. It's a fun story, cast, and setting, and it was a very good start for HSR.

But at the same time, I really worry about the endgame of Amphoreus, haha

[nensi]

[slushy-sash]

what in the 4d chess are they playing 😭

[fineapple20]

Portraits

Retouched this set from last year, because it was haunting me laying there 80% finished

[kokoasci]

90% of gamblers quit right before they win big

[waytoointoships]

…seele and bronya 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

[aratribow]

Carelessness will be your downfall.

[thirstywaffles]

Good morning 🌅

[nobllite]

Save a horse, ride a what?? 💥

[kyogre-blue]

the fact that you can play all the mqs and continuances of the luofu and come out STILL NOT KNOWING WHAT DAN FENG'S SIN WAS is completly bonkers, they really nailed the genshin writing style with this one.

It's explained in Jingliu's cq, but it's the "walk around and talk" loredump from hell so I'd tell you to continue not playing it lmao. Basically the hcq's fifth member died in battle and Dan Feng accidentally created the draconic monstruosity trying to give her new life. (he might have succeeded. Bailu exists, after all...) Blade helped him do this, too, so it's his own fucking fault that he's immortal and insane lmao.

Imbibitor Lunae's character stories offer surprising insight into Dan Feng's struggles, actually. He's a far more interesting character than any of the actual living hcq members lmao, I guess this is bc he's free from the "must be uncontroversial for people to be willing to pay up for his banner" curse.

So the thing is, I've actually watched like three different videos from lore theory fans about Dan Feng and that whole situation. We're talking people who read every optional text, go through every character story, talk to every NPC, etc, and while they all agree on the general outline of things, they do not agree on what Dan Feng was actually doing or what Bailu's situation is.

From what I understand, the story is definitely pointing to the idea that Dan Feng and Yingxing tried to resurrect Baiheng as a vidyadhara using the corpse of the Abundance Emanator Shuhu, with some urging and direction from the preceptors, and after initially creating a dragon monster, Bailu is the outcome. And that seems to be what at least some of the characters have assumed.

The problem is that no one involved actually knows what happened. Jingliu assumed a bunch of stuff, but she wasn't actually there, and her story seems to indicate Dan Feng didn't tell her anything, and he provided no testimony later either. Blade and Dan Heng straight up do not remember anything at this point. Jing Yuan is just pure and innocent of the whole affair and thus useless. The only ones who would know are the preceptors, but we can't actually trust anything they say.

iirc the biggest issue with the theory is that Baiheng exploded herself. She didn't leave behind a body, might have had no remains at all. It's kind of hard to imagine them being able to resurrect her with absolutely nothing to work from. I know there's some weird situation regarding "souls" for Xueyi, but I don't think someone who heroically accepted her death like Baiheng would normally hang around to be resurrected... and I don't recall any mention of Dan Feng doing something in regard to calling up a soul (or having any ability in this regard to begin with).

So like... they could maybe create a being that would look like Baiheng, but it being her resurrected is kind of a stretch.

There's some general lack of clarity about Bailu as well. It's heavily suggested she's Baiheng's reincarnation, but all the "evidence" is very circumstantial. Stuff like her starting to have dreams of flying after visiting the Express, but while Baiheng was a Nameless, she'd never actually been on the Express, so it's not too likely to trigger past life memories for her. It could just be generically longing for freedom. (Jingliu certainly seems to think Bailu is Baiheng's reincarnation, but what does Jingliu actually know? Woman is straight up crazy and working with incomplete info at that.)

It's not just this stuff either. Lots of details are sketchy at best. And if you add in that sometimes Hoyo imagery and writing details line up for no reason at all (look at completely incorrect fan theories about Guizhong as an example)... So the outcome is that none of the characters actually know what happened, the information is all inconclusive, and there's a general sense is that the writers either couldn't make up their minds or actively wanted to confuse players. Which is... certainly a choice.

I will also say that imo making THIS Dan Feng's motivation and crime is kind of a dubious writing direction.

The Xianzhou is all about the sin of immortality and attempting to escape the inevitability of aging. While you can look at that and resurrecting someone as linked via "attempting to escape death", resurrection is a different kind of (narrative) sin imo. (Resurrecting someone is about the grief, while attaining immortality is about the fear or the greed. The direction is different.)

Dragging it in doesn't fit in with the Xianzhou setting and lore, already creating a certain dissonance at the core of this super important and relevant backstory event. It also plays out kinda weird in regard to Yingxing being mortal and old, and then getting abundance abomination'd. It fits directly with the Xianzhou big taboos... but it's just a random side effect?

Frankly, they should have committed to the sin being giving him immortality, not foxgirl simping, imo :/

[eclown4hire]

wow mr youtube it's an honor

[niclepto]

The lie of chosing between freedom and safety

[abysswenn]

that was in fact not kaveh at all.

[solplease]

scarletella’s your sunday (??????)

a friend sent me hsr x homicipher art and seeing it changed something in me. so i also drew sunday scarletella haha

the art i saw was made by @/yuuu20_ on twitter if anyone wants to check it out :]

close ups under the cut as always!

[seven-tastic]

that one silly pijama thingy but its aventiopaz

[baeshijima]

hmmm.... thoughts about composer!reader, whose pieces are always created for and featured in mr reca's films/projects.

people aren't sure when it first started, but in the release of one of his prior films was an ost. of course, it's not unusual to have music in such projects, but that one had felt... different, somehow — in the way its composition struck the chords of many, with billions across the cosmos instantly scouring for who made that piece.

it, of course, didn't take all that long when your name was featured in the credits. however there was barely any information aside from your name and credentials. (seriously, how could there not even be a single photo?!) no one knew what you looked like for quite a long time, only ever recognising your name and your music; even despite the numerous interviews, mr reca had never disclosed anything about you other than your talents. it came to a point where everyone believed they would never see your appearance.

well, until all hell broke loose during the annual intergalactic film awards, that is.

everyone already knew the drill — if mr reca had directed a film that year, it would undoubtedly win the adapted/original screenplay, cinematography, directing, production design, sound, music (original score and song), and film of the year awards, which also led to you winning both the music awards. usually, the composers would be the ones to collect said awards. however, the masses have become used to mr reca being the one to collect them on your behalf with thank you's also on your behalf.

that's how it's been ever since you made your mark in the universe, and so it really is understandable the uproar created by those in and out of attendance when the one who went collect the two awards wasn't the esteemed director, but a completely unfamiliar person; you.

you are definitely younger than they originally thought, having believed it must have been someone of a senior status of sorts to have consistently created such masterpieces. all eyes are trained on you as you step on stage and into the limelight for the first time, the light enhancing your features and formal attire when approaching the mic with a small flashcard in hand. your mouth opens, and the audience leans in with baited breaths as they await your first words.

...only for nothing to come out.

everyone watches a little dumbfounded as you try to talk once more but, aside from gaping like a fish, your efforts remain futile. it doesn't take long for you to clamp your mouth and eyes shut, even raising the awards in front of you in an attempt to shield your face from the crowd.

you... you were just really shy. or maybe a little...socially awkward, perhaps...? if this was the reason you never showed yourself, then they're beginning to understand why...

it passes in a blur — quite literally in that of brown. one moment you are alone on the stage, the next you have the presence of the renown director standing slightly in front of you, as though acting as a shield from the many prying eyes.

"apologies," he begins, his usual smile on display, "but my dearest composer has been suffering with a sore throat these past few days. on their behalf, we thank you all kindly for your support in our work."

and then he swiftly leaves with you tucked under and shielded by his coat, murmuring unreadable words to you as you both disappear backstage and leave everyone in a state of frenzy; to both those inside the ceremonial hall, and to those watching live elsewhere.

(it was only discovered after the awards ceremony concluded what the director had said to you, with the uploader being dubbed as a holy saint for their contributions to society. while the visual aspects of the video itself were not the clearest, barely anyone had it within themselves to complain when the audio was clear as crystal:

"and here i thought you were going to be brave and face your stage fright after all that pep-talk you gave yourself on the way here."

"i'm sorry... i really thought i could do it this time..."

"now, now, i'm merely teasing. you made a big step just making an appearance here today. i know how much courage this took for you, and i'm proud of you for facing it."

"really...?"

"but of course. i'm always proud of you, [name]. there is not a moment where i haven't been.")

(it also was not long until the cosmos was taken by storm when various pictures snapped during the awards ceremony spread. the millions of candids featuring you were one of the most liked and shared, with the top spot joined by the sequence of pictures taken of mr reca's soft expression when watching you onstage, into his realisation of your predicament, into him running onstage and shielding you from the cameras when making your way backstage.)

(...the drastic influx of fan accounts dedicated to both you alone and to you and reca should really be a studied phenomenon.)