#toa mona version

[monasatlantis]

Review for Tales of Arise

You guys know already that I have not been lucky with the "Tales of" - Series so far. However... Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth left me pretty frustrated and I was in dire need for a better JRPG with a good lovestory, so my friends recommended me Tales of Arise, which they had already gifted me a while ago so... I decided to try it out.

Obviously, there will be SPOILER for this game here. So you have been warned.

Also: No Interview this time. Just random thoughts all over the place.

Let's start with the Plot. I think the plot was decent. But I felt like it was one of those "It had a lot of great potential, but somehow they wasted most of it" - Games. There was a lot of plot conveniences in this game and especially in the beginning but they totally wasted them instead of at least using them fully. I mean, you had a character that couldn't feel pain for most of the time and another touch starved character in desperate need of more bodycontact because touching her does usually hurt people and given the fact of what it was supposed to do when Alphen ended up actually feeling pain again, I think they wasted this opportunity immensely. There should have been small insignificant touches here and there and everywhere that Shionne should have gotten used to, so that it would have hurt even more now that they added more significant touches and the fact that she started to touch him too, shorty before Alphen regained his feeling of pain. Like I think the impact on me as the player would have been much greater too, if even I really truly got used to him just randomly touching her back to lead her in a certain direction or take her hand to help her up and so on. It should have been normal to us and thous would have ended up even more shocking for us too, when Alphen ended up not being able so easily to touch her again.

I also really think they dragged that mess between Alphen and Shionne on for far too long. So many misunderstandings and arguments and while it made sense in the beginning and was almost cute for a little after that as well, but around the halfway point it was freaking annoying. This whole time SOMEHOW Alphen tried to get on Shionnes good side, despite her treating him like she was just using him even tho they were actually both using each other equally, as they shared a common goal anyway. I mean, she could not have killed the lords without him but he could not have freed the people from slavery without killing the Lord and he only could do that because of the Sword he only got from her. And it seems absolutely weird that she kept pretending she was the only one using anyone for her goals here. And on top of that, he pretended to be nice to her but when she tried to say something nice after Zephyr died he immediately accused her of saying something awful even tho I as the player actually found her words really thoughtful. Like... it felt like a lot of their arguments and misunderstandings were forced later on. And at some point you wonder how the hell they did even fell in love with each other, because it didn't feel like they ever got along until they suddenly somehow did.

Overall I thought that some of the characters were really inconsistent a lot of the time. Rinwell first hated Shionne, then she was fine with her, when Dohalim joined them, she didn't seem to mind either but after he did join, she suddenly started to hate the Renans all over again and said a lot of mean stuff that was indirectly directed at them and then after some plot she got over it again but at the smallest mistake she blew up again. And I really didn't know what to expect from her. Because it didn't feel at all like she hated Dohalim and Shionne and yet she constantly said awful things about Renans without even thinking of her friends feelings. And all the while I always thought Rinwell was a really nice character. Not to mention that she was always hurt when someone said something about Dahnas will, but she can be an ass about the Renans while Shionne and Dohalim were in the team? Not nice?

I really liked the relationship between Rinwell and Law, but when he jumped in front of her attack to protect her from making a big mistake I found it... like... it felt like their relationship just wasn't there yet? My friends said it was because I missed out on so many of the skits and also some sidemission stuff. But here we are, back to saying that, if a game makes mission OPTIONAL then the story should still feel good and whole without them. That includes the development of relationships.

Which leads me to the fact that non of the relationships felt satisfying to me. Shionne and Alphen freaking took like three-quarters of the game to get their shit together. Rinwell and Law were very cute and had a wonderful chemistry but I somehow missed the moment where it felt like they had really gotten closer. Kisara and Dohalim? What even was that? Was that something?

Look, it felt nice when Alphen could save Shionne and they finally kissed and you know, got their happily, ever after and all. And I enjoyed the moments between Rinwell and Law. I did. But... did any of this feel like a satisfying lovestory after the mess that was FF7 Rebirth? No! Sorry.

Were the characters otherwise likeable? I guess so. Mostly. The only character of the main-cast that I had a REALLY hard time liking was freaking Shionne. Because it was so frustrating that even when the girls offered her to talk to them, she refused and kept stuff to herself. When she was going to leave all on her own, I felt it was really egoistic on her part. Because that wasn't just to save her, it was to save Dahna too and even if she was planning to do that too, if she somehow failed there would have no other way for Alphen and the others to save Dahna. And for what? Just because she couldn't take telling them her plan was going to kill her? Shionne was annoying. The others were okay. I liked Law the most. When he was added to the team, it did me good. The dynamic he brought to the team was great and I really needed that at this point in the game.

I honestly didn't like the Volhran plot at all. He was only there to annoy us until the very end. Also... how on earth did he survive being impaled? No protective Thorns for him. Yes, they could have used that hibernation thingy, but if he was close to death - and he should have been - then it should have taken him like around 100 years to heal or so. 300 in fact.

Speaking of which... if the mask that Alphen had caused neurological damage, how come most of it was reversed after it broke? He wore that freaking thing for over 300 years. And also... if this thing was causing trouble upon wearing it for too long, why didn't Naomi include something to get it off as fast as possible to the ship, when she send Alphen away? And how come that freaking airship survived 300 years without any kind of maintenance? I mean, how high are the chances?

The story hardly felt very interesting to be honest. Yes, there were questions I wanted answers for but all in all it was just I don't know... to complicated, I guess. We added questions and questions and even more questions and the answers only made things more complicated. Like... I was wondering why Rena attacked Dahna all of the sudden, but non of the characters in the game ever asked that question. When the answer came, that Rena was basically dead, that would have been more than enough. But NO! There were no humans on Rena to begin with. The Renans are actually mutated Dahnans that were experimented on by the creatures that actually lived on Rena. A species that of course is now almost extinct and can't be saved and it feels like that was only because that would have ruined fusing the planets even tho that was the plan all along so the game kicked those creatures out just to make the fusion less problematic than it already was and... what bullshit? Why add another creature instead of just making more advanced humans? Why add the "Oh, they are actually Dahnans" - Plottwist, despite the fact that we weren't going to witness the effects of that truth being revealed to anyone anyway?

The ending was also not very satisfying? Because we knew that they won't have an easy and happy life after the fusion and all the revelations they had to break to both the Dahnans and the fake Renans and yet they gave us and ending that looked like that was the case. They had to add an DLC to show how complicated things actually truly were. So... don't get me wrong. I wanted a good and happy ending. But MAYBE if they wouldn't have dragged on certain parts of the game for too long, they would have had enough time to add some more "post fusion" - stuff before the end. OR have at least a narration over the ending, where someone says stuff like "It wasn't easy, but they made the best out of it and still with all their new trials they found happiness" or something. Just don't give us the freaking happy ending without mentioning all the freaking problems.

More on the technical side... the battle system was okayisch. BUT even on easy and with cheats that made me higher in level and stronger in attack it was still so hard to finish off bosses. They had to much HP compared to the damage I managed to cause. It was just too hard. And if someone who cheated the hell out of the battles says that, then it says something.

Otherwise the In-Game-Mechanics were okay. I didn't like how much of that skill-thingy was hidden behind side-missions and finishing or stuff like that. Rinwells skill tree-thingy felt immensely empty and I do not envy the people who payed without the sidemission and had to fight without cheats and not even have any extra skills to at least help them in place of where I was using cheats.

The one thing that bothered me the absolute most was the fact that sometimes fast-travel was forbidden for absolutely no freaking reason. Walking back like a 5 layer dungeon that is now empty is just absolutely stupid. A waste of time and absolutely frustratingly boring. Whos stupid idea was that?

There is not much else to say about the game. I think it was a decent game. Not really bad. But also not especially good. Okayisch.

I would give it like... 8 out of 10 points. This always sounds good, but it is really just "average". A lot of games get those points from me and most of them are mediocre. Everything starting with 8,5 is actually a good game.

Anyway... I take a break from (J)RPGs now. See you again after Daybreak.

[asoulofatlantis]

It better be... (Seriously, I should do something else right now but I just wanted to finish the game this weekend so damn badly...)

Oh for gods sake! Can't this guy just die already? He is worse than Shionne. He got stabbed and burned already and is still alive. But at least she has an excuse. What is yours, Mr.?

Bad timing, but it was about time to give Alphen the lesson that not everyone deserves kindness and forgiveness.

Of course there had to give us a moment of despair so close to the end...

I couldn't agree more...

Despite everything... this was really long overdue XD

Awwwww.

One of the complaints of the internet is, that this ending looks like everyone lives just happily ever after... which is very unlikely given the circumstances. Like... its not that they are unhappy per se. But... it will obviously not be easy for them. So I partly agree here. I do understand that they chose to show them happy. They deserve that. But I get why people found it rather... unrealistic.

Well... those two annyoing idiots finally get their happily ever after and well... I guess that is a very good thing no matter the circumstances surrounding it.

I do not have time for a big review right now. But I can tell you do have a few qualms with this game, but it was not bad overall or something. I guess it was... "nice".

My friends actually recommended it to me, because Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth didn't give me any satisfaction regarding shipping and with that kind of toxic fandom behind it, there was no enjoying you ship either way. And my friends thought I might like this game, since this has canon-romance with a happy ending. But... it didn't really satisfy me romance wise. I am glad that the ships that belonged together are together and all. Don't get me wrong. But it didn't really make the shipper in me squeal or anything.

Anyway I give it (barely) 8 out of 10 points. I've seen worse and I've played worse.

And now it is time for a much needed (J)RPG-Break for me. We see each other again when Daybreak is out.

[daeva-agas]

The Eng version changed the kingdom names… The names are based on the seven deadly sins, but the JP names had used the demons’ names. The Eng translation changed it to use the names of the sins… mostly?  

Guy Monas (Mammon) –> Avari (Avaritia/Avarice)

Lynt Belphe (Belphegor) –> Akedia (Acedia/Sloth)

Fenn Modea (Asmodeus) –> Luxure (Luxuria/Lust)

Roy Levia (Leviathan) –> Invidia (Invidia/Envy)

Lance Seta (Satan) –> Ira (Wrath)

… not sure what the word “Qelsum” is based on. The original JP is Toa Kifer, from Lucifer, but Pride is Superbia. Maybe a different language? Hmmm… 

Voleri is also something I wasn’t sure of, since Gluttony is Gula… The original JP is Luzel, from Beelzebub. Is it Vainglory? 

ETA: I might have found the answer. Qelsum might be from “Kulsum”, an Arabic name, which in a sense can mean “beautiful”. 

“Voleri” is an Italian word, the plural form of “volere”, which means “to want”.  

[asoulofatlantis]

I am really late today, because appearantly live really is what happens while you are busy making other plans ^^' Anyway, I will still try to finish this today. And afterwards I will go on an RPG-Break until Daybreak is out. I might need it.

Even more questions...

I wonder if the red girl was only able to control her, because of her anger issues. Like, you know, I doubt that girl would be able to control someone like Aphen, who hardly is truly ever angry at anyone - at least not for long.

And you tell me while that happened Alphen actually only saw black smoke and then passed out? He didn't even hear her screaming? O.o

Okay... maybe also forgetting the part where he was tortured by whatever that is, was a trauma-response.

Makes you wonder what rare ability made them be able to survive. I thought it was because Alphen was Danan and the experiment had something to do with Danan Astral energy... but Volran was unlikely a Dahnen too, right?

But... doesn't that mean Volran actually was a Dahnan too?

If they knew that (and one could question how they did even find that out given the numbers of subjects that didn't fail is so freaking low...) why didn't they try to push Alphen and his first maiden to be closer?

How would this woman even have descendants? If the curse always worked the way it did with Shionne, who on earth would be willing to touch her and any of her children and grandchildren and possibly great-grandchildren long enough to cause a pregnancy? Yes, we saw with Vohlran that apparently some people can handle it. But you first have to find someone who can and then convince that person to make you conceive a child. And Naori and any of her Descendants were forced to have a child, so that the curse could still be kept under wraps, even after the Maiden died or became to weak to keep it in control any longer. That... seems to me like a huge plothole.

You look very pretty guys! By the way... the explanation of what went wrong the day of the ceremonies and why is hilarious in a weird way. Alphen lost control because Naori had a vision of what the ceremony would cause and decided not to go through with it, and that causes Alphens powers to overwhelm him. So it was Naoris fault that he killed so many damn people but she only did it to protect those people. So... no one but the one wanting the ceremony is truly to blame here. Tho, since it was partly Naoris fault, she used her maiden powers to seal that destructive energy inside herself, couldn't do anything against it afterwards tho, because her doing caused the Rhenas Alma to be destroyed and she also needed a sovereign to get rid of that dangerous power inside of her, but she send Alphen away (not that he was in any state to help her, as his injuries were severe and almost deadly...) and so she could do nothing but curse any of her female descendants with that dark energy until both the Rhenas Alma and a new Sovereign were found. This like... a really questionable, complicated and kind of stupid way to deal with this story.

ALSO Alphen was put in that long Hybernation because it took his body that long to recover. BUT it makes you question if that Hibernation allowed your body to stay young, why did no one on Lenegis ever use it to... you know... "jump into the future" if you get me. But at least it explains why she would put him into hibernation for so long, despite the fact that it made sending him home so much more useless, as he would return to a world totally different from his own, with no family or friends left. There is still a question while she did give him any utensil to eventually destroy the mask. As it was obviously not meant for long-term-use anyway. PLUS wearing the mask for too long would cause neurological problems. Hense losing his memory and his feelings of pain. HOWEVER shouldn't that mean, that the damage would be permanent or at least long lasting even after getting rid of that mask? And while Alphens Memories didn't fully come back, his sense of pain inconveniently but conveniently for the story, returned immediately.

Game Sins would say that she would never be able to make that jump no matter what.

And another round of uselessly and stupidly running through an empty dungeon... URG!

In trouble now. We're in trouble now. So in trouble now...

You know... one of my first questions always was, why Rena suddenly attacked? I mean, obviously, their weren't really liking Dahnans or anything like that and felt superior to them. But still, why suddenly start an invasion after relative peace for many, many hundred of years? It came to me way before the Spoilers, that something must have happened to their own planet that left them no choice. It could have been simple overpopulation, indicated by the fact that people also live on Lenegis, even tho the Sattelite seemed to have been mostly for the war purposes that weren't happening anymore, as they have long won the war. Howeber, I never really thought in that direction. With them gathering that Spirit-Energy, I thought something like in Trails was going on. That their plant almost ran out of spiritual energy and was drying out or something. And I was actually not so far off.

And it bothered me that no one ever questioned what would lead Rena to attack all of the sudden - yes, I get that they had other problems and so on. But someone like Dohalim questions everything. So why did he never question this?

That thing actually never really explained was it was. Did the great Spirit actually formed those beings or are they some evolved form of Renans? Or... what are they? Tho it seems like at least he is intelligent enough to understand the destruction its master brings.

If the great spirit needs Spiritual energy, but runs Dahna as dry as it did Rena... then there will be nothing left for it.

So basically the Helganquil are... or rather where, the original population of Rena. For some reason they uh... obducted some Dahnans and... kind of... formed them into what they are now? And then they manipulated them into believing their were superior to Dahnans? But still, the Rahnans can use Astral Arts and in a different way then Shionne so... what did they do to them? Experiment on them, like they did with Alphen?

Are the questions in this game ever ending? ^^'

Its an Utopy. Absolutely not realistic at all. I've been born a German 3 generations after WW2 and we are still branded Nazis everywhere and hated for it. Even tho I should not be blamed for what my great-grandfather may or may not have done under the rule of that monster. And yet, that is the reality. These people have 300 years of hatred, slavery and a big fat lie between them... there is no way in hell that will go away any time soon. Not in their generation. Not in their children's generation. Probably not even in their great-grandchildren's generation. Maybe even never.

So close to the end... the game has decided to give our ships some shipping time. Finally!

I won't make it today . Damn it!

[asoulofatlantis]

I feel so sorry for that guy...

No. She was totally out of line. I do not know why her character is so inconsistent. She switches from Friend to Hater within minutes and why her get where she is coming from, half of the time it doesn't make any sense for her to leash out at her friends and comrades like this. Not after everything they have been through together.

I think I've totally overlooked the Wedge Part in the Spoilers ^^' I can not remember reading anything about it. I though our next destination was Lenegis or whatever its called.

Its nice that someone finally came to Shionne and talk to her regardless or her demanor. I guess in a sense the girl took a different route than Alphen, which likely made it easier for Shionne to deal with them... without getting cold and mean, that is.

I get why she was trying to do this alone... but it was really egoistic on her part. Alphen wants to save Dahna and this is his only way to do that. Leaving alone, even if she would try to save Dahna first before using the big master core thingy, if anything happens to her, she would have doomed Aphen, her friends and Dahna. And all that for what? Her own piece of mind?

So at least we know now why she survived the arrow and the sword.

Makes sense. Before... her life wasn't worth living. Allways all alone and scared of hurting anyone. But she isn't alone anymore. And she even found someone willing to touch her, even if it hurts. Of course it suddenly felt like her life was finally worth living. Just that those Thorns are not just threatening to kill her and her alone.

It was really about time. She was sitting there crying, being desperate and he just stood there and the whole time I thought: "Why don't you embrace her? She needs it!"

And all on her own for that matter - which is entirely her fault, as she was given ample opportunity to tell him or the others of it. I get why she didn't in the beginning. But at this point, she had no reason to keep that to herself.

I wonder if now, just a teeny, tiny bit, she regrets being so mean and cold and cruel to him the whole time.

That was exhausting. But I am glad we FINALLY got that out. It ruined so much of what could make the main-characters relationship more appealing.

Who is cutting onions here, right next to me? XD

Yeah... that ungrateful Bi- I mean... brat. Yes, totally what I wanted to say XD

Took you long enough to figure that out...

As Game-Sins I would like to ask... if there is usually no ship coming from Dahna outside of certain times, why didn't they... I don't know, try to shoot them down? Or something? Dohalim said even they as Lords weren't free to come and go as they pleas, so... why is no one on Lenegis wondering about this?

But... with all I know... aren't all people on Rena or however the planet is called be dead? So... is it the will of the planet that they actually are following? Or is someone pulling the reins pretending... like they did with the humans in Nier: Automata?

So she actually didn't see it? And instead of telling her, he nut just allowed her to hate him forever like he was a true heartless murderer... but he even just offered her to kill him, as soon as he is done with what he needs to do. What an idiot. I mean, friendship and guilt and all that, I get that... but offering someone to kill you even if you weren't truly at fault? Thats stupid.

After running around and talking a lot for what seems like AGES I think that is enough for now. I would have loved to finish this game today, but I won't make it. So... we see each other next weekend once more it seems.

[asoulofatlantis]

Poor girl...

Its a bit like sleeping beauty. He forced himself through the thorns to get through to her and save her.

Oh... this is going to be painful. But I guess he can withstand it through the power of love... or something like that XD

I am glad that you are back and I can see that you really wanted to embrace him but... uh... I am not sure how much longer he can handle the pain so... maybe we should save the romantic stuff for after you've got rid of this curse? ^^'

So... now that we have our healer back and that our ship is back on course... let's beat the last remaining Lord, shall we?

B-But he is feeling pain again. I... I don't think we should let him wield this Sword ever again. His body will collapse from the pain faster then you can heal him.

XD

I guess we have decided to eternally tease them from now on, huh? I am all in for that! XD

I think that was an interesting comment from Vholran. He said "Did you really come all this way so I take you back over his dead body?" Like... he expected her to run?

So he is another Sovereign and has the power of it as well. How? Don't ask me!

Dual-Wielding is not just for show, you know. If you can handle it, it is also very practical. Watch Sword Art Online in case you didn't know that yet XD (I would not recommend watching past the first arc tho ^^')

You know... you kind of deserve that this didn't work out the intended way for lying and keeping secrets from your friends yet again, Shionne.

What going on?`What did that weird girl do to you guys?

I have to be honest with you. I've spoiled the rest of the plot for me yesterday. But you know what? It doesn't matter at all, because I still have no idea what the hell is going on XD

We've got another opening, even tho I am sure we are way past the halfway point of this game. I think if anything, there is one third left. We did get a weird one month time jump tho. Like... why one month?

Something is bothering me about the whole descendant thing... but we talk about this later.

I feel like we are more or less back to square one. These two certainly are not a ship one could easily fall in love with. It is and was and likely always will be annyoing.

I fucking hate it when the games doesn't allow quick travel for no apparent reason and forces you to run through one map after another, wasting time for nothing. WHY?

He is speaking for me as the player as well...

Its time for me to take a break. Not sure if I will continue at all today. We will see if I am in the mood or not.

[asoulofatlantis]

There should be only one Lord left after her. But I can tell you, that this one will be easy, compared to what we will run into next... well technically speaking we already did run into the next Lord. But you'll see for yourself after I defeated this heartless B- I mean Witch.

I think this guy just... really likes to kill ^^'

I am honestly not sure what broke that mask. The guy we are fighting - that other Lord with the nack for killing - didn't really hit the mask. It looked more like Alphen trying to hard to fight back was too much for the mask to handle.

Why is he not hurt by her thorns?

The Drama XD

So... now that the mask is gone, he actually does feel pain and her thorns do hurt him. Touching her is not an option anymore and at this point I really have to say they wasted the time these two had to touch each other. (And I do not mean that in a dirty way. Its just that the impact would have been much bigger now, if they had hold hands more or been hugging or something like that a few more times.)

Alphen lost his mask and his inability to feel pain. In return, he has to face the memories from his past. And it seemed I was wrong with what I thought about him being a halfbreed whos mask is hiding his one Renan-Eye. He was a Dahnen all along, but became a testsubject for the Renans. Not sure for what exactly just yet tho.

We have no idea what they are doing and why. We only know that the Renans merely saw him as a testsubject that thankfully hasn't failed their tests and worked out for whatever that is he and the Girl Naori needed to do. (She does a bit look like Shionne, which is likely why he thought he has met her before - there is a reason for that too, by the way...)

Since we don't know what that whole thing was about, we do not know what the hell went wrong. The only thing we know is that something did wrong and while Aphen seemingly lost consciousness, he must have done horrible things, as blood was on his hands as he came to. Naori doesn't explain anything to him either, before putting the mask on him and telling him to live for her.

So... we basically know nothing ^^'

Poor guy. Imagine forgetting what pain feels like and then get almost literally struck by lightning and hit be a sword and washed ashore after crashing with your ship and suddenly feeling the impact of it all. Ouch.

I am so confused right now. So he was basically the first "King", but without winning the Crown contest. He was infused with the power that Sovereign was supposed to wield and was the only one whos body could actually take it, while everyone else they have tried that with died. They did that... to perform some sort of ritual with... that big master core thingy I presume, which they also needed that woman for. But... doesn't that mean the sovereign was never supposed to be a king or ruler of sorts, but only served to perform that ritual?

After Alphen failed in the end, maybe they thought the only way to find someone suitable for the position was the crown contest. Or something like that?

Meaning she and Shionne are blood relatives and thus they look alike.

And how the freaking hell did he survive 300 years? O.O

So... we are not even talking about how this doesn't make any sense at all? If the Calamity that was caused by Aphen was caused over 300 years ago on Lenegis, this means the excuse that time moves differently there is not there. Naori saved him 300 years ago on Lenegis but he only returned to Dahna like 1 year ago. But we didn't hear anything about the Renans having an immortality pill or something like that that they might have tried on him that made him stay young for so long either. Is no one questioning how he can be 300 years old?

Right? You've totally lost me at this point.

Yeah. Please do!

You mean like the people who let their bodies get frozen in hope of being able to get woken up again in the future? Just... you know... that this one is actually working?

This woman looks good in everything it seems XD

But Law was right. We all were thinking it. The man kidnapped Shionne and he doesn't seem to mind the pain her thorns cause him so... who says he isn't going to touch her more, likely even enjoying the pain it is causing? Tho Kisara is right also... we should not make Alphen here that we think and fear that.

Because he is a monster? Seriously. We talk about the guy who wanted to cut Hootle in half. You really think he cares about anyone or anything?

[asoulofatlantis]

I am sure she will find her reason to live... maybe its right in front of her. Who knows?

D-Did she actually just take his hands? She REALLY has changed.

There is nothing spectacular about them fighting for like 3 regions straight. Trust me.

You can not call that a ship. That really is a freaking swimming fortress.

Okay. I feel like it was a bit too much today. So this is the end for today.

[asoulofatlantis]

I guess so... But that bastard would have still deserved death. After all, he wasn't just responsible for her brother's death. But I guess we are too nice for that kind of thinking.

I think that is a very good curse of action. Its the same lesson that Alphen got. To be your own master.

I've walked past like 4 fishing opportunities at this point and they show me how to fish only now?

So... we have the two bickering idiots and these two giving each other the silent-treatment? Great...

I couldn't agree more. And I wish you all would have realized that sooner.

If you dare to hurt that freaking owl I am going to kill you! (Also... man... he has been crushing our team like all our experience is worth shit...)

I was screaming, because that man really intended to cut down our poor Baby-Owl. Aphen managed to stop him in time but poor Hootle collapsed from the sheer shock of it.

Okay.... okay... NO! NOT OKAY! AHHHHHHH!

Is this girl immortal or something? This is the second time she survived an incident where someone was hurting her right where her heart should be without much trouble. That is even a bit too convenient for me.

Good question. He also had some sort of flashback a few seconds ago that made him stare at Shionne for a moment, like it was her in that flashback. The thing is, he thought he met her before, but with that mask gone, she should have remembered that, right? So... what the hell is going on here?

Seriously. This looks like this town has just lost a freaking war.

I do not like this guy at all. But At least he is not pretending, like the other one did.

Maybe they would if circumstances were different but it freaking sucks that of all people that damned bastarded said it out loud.

He punched the man right in the face - well deserved XD

This is getting old. We are basically past the halfway point now and we are still doing this? I know that there is something wrong with her and that she is in distress because of it, but I can not tell how awfully annoying this has become.

That's not good... but it was about damn time it happened. He has been following her like a loyal dog, despite everything and I guess it is necessary for them to get anywhere that he stops doing this.

Forget that I said anything...

This was really long overdue. Not sure tho if it changes anything. They are both still very stubborn.

Well... that certainly is another unexpected turn of events... I guess there is not much to liberate here now.

I guess that explains why Rinwell was so out of it lately with her Renan-Hate.

I am pretty sure he stopped her because he knew she would regret doing that, as she was totally out of it.

And while this is going on everyone else is just standing there watching it or what? I mean... is no one going to help Law? Protect him and... I don't know... heal him maybe?

[asoulofatlantis]

Oh? I think this is the first time she is apologizing. Not that she is the only one who should do this sometimes but I think it was really long overdue, especially with the situation she is apologizing for. He protected her and she repremandet him for being so rash even tho her rashness was what caused him to actually act that way and all the while, he just wanted to protect her and instead of thanking him, she just irritated him.

Look guys! We are finally making progress. Hurray!

He kind of deserves that XD

Was that really necessary? Was there really no other way to prove you were right? Are we having to watch someone day ever Arc now?

His death was much better executed tho. I feel a bit teary eyed.

I love how she is just healing him while they aren't even completely done with everything.

I certanly did not see that turn of events coming... I truly believed he was a good man and meant well.

I have something to do. But I will be back soon.

[asoulofatlantis]

I stay with what I said yesterday. Zephyr did not get the ending he deserved. At the very least, they should have let him hold his sons hand and tell him he loved him. He deserved that much. And that he couldn't do it, made his death maybe more frustrating for Law, but surely not any "better" in the players eyes.

I agree with him here. I get that she meant well, but saying "focus on the positive" and saying that the positive thing is that they beat the lord isn't exactly the sensible thing to say here, when Alphen is mourning Zephyrs death. If she had at least said: "We helped his beloved son to get revenge" or something that would put some more meaning to the Lords death, it might have been acceptable, but with what and how she said it, she seems really... cold.

She... just slapt him. Imagine how much more that would have hurt if he could feel her thorns ^^'

Sure. Fighting was certainly easier with more people in my team. Plus... with those two constantly bickering idiots, it will be nice to... you know... have someone friendly and normal around too XD

That looks much better! Me likes.

Look how fast we gained a team of four. We will be unstoppable now XD Seriously, the fighting is a lot harder than one would thin, seeing that I am one the easiest difficulty. But even with my WeMod-Cheats I had some healing to do lately... and my characters all fight on auto and thus are better at dodging and stuff. I am glad I do not have to fight by myself AND without cheats ^^'

This is getting really annyoing. Its like he can't help but only see bad things in what she is saying, even if she says something that doesn't sound she meant anything bad with it. At first these two bickering was kind of amusing. But at this point, all the misunderstandings between them are just annoying and I wish we could finally come to the point were they start to understand each other.

Well... I guess she finally starts to be more honest with him. Its a start.

These 3 seems to be getting along just fine. But Shionne is still such a problem...

The boys decided to... well train harder because Law want to become stronger than Alpen and Alphen is not having it and the girls find all that very ridiculous. But it is fairly amusing to watch XD

XD Okay, that really was funny. I love how the dynamic of this team has changed now that Law is with us. He has a nice chemistry with Rinwell and builds up a brotherly bond with Alphen. The only one still stuck up is Shionne. I hope it gets better soon too.

So... does a nice Lord mean no fighting? O.o Will it truly be that easy?

Not exactly a name I like... but its not her fault so I'll be nice to her for now XD

That was really stupid of her... She attacked the Lord from behind without any warning and without much reason other than whatever her actual reason is to see all the Lord dead. In any case, he was faster and better than her and now Alphen takes the brunt of her punishment. It seemed a weird reaction tho. She is usually the voice of reason among the team, what was she thinking?

Seriously. You are not one to talk about carelessness Shionne, not after what you just did and how stupidly rash it was.

Hui... he is really agitated about that. "You could have been hurt!" it was almost adorable for someone who keeps arguing with her all the time.

Thanks for telling her that. Because otherwise that would probably just have lead to another stupid misunderstanding otherwise.

What the hell? This guy attacked him even after he told him to stop, he had no choice but to defend himself. That wasn't his fault at all!

Law really rules. For a moment I thought he was possessed or something. Or was weird because of possible poison in the floor or something. But I guess he just noticed Kisara following us.

He has the same voice as black Alberich... its slightly distracting XD

So its like in FF16? When they use up all their spiritual energy or whatever they call it... they... turn to stone or metal or something like this?

Okay. Time for a break.

[asoulofatlantis]

Why are we shocked?

So thats why? I mean... he does look scary.

He saw us it seemed, but he left. Thankfully so. We are no match for the likes of him right now.

I agree. My traitor-senses reacted to her hiding something big from us, instead of her actually being a true traitor - I guess I have to look at those sensors reacting a bit differently from now on.

Despite writing all that, I have to say... this man doesn't look trustworthy at all ^^'

After being freed, this people will need A LOT of time to actually come to trust each other or anyone, really.

Oh. This is bad. Then again. It could work in our favor. Better to save him from the streets then going into a place full or guards - not that their won't be any guard there, but surely less then in any prison or so. Or... that is actually a trap to lure us out. Then there will be plenty of hiding guards.

So... they have TVs in this part of this world? How... convenient XD

Maybe my traitor senses didn't even react to the girl itself, but rather what she brought with her. EVERYONE in this godforsaken arc is loving to betray someone. The lord is literally asking this of Zephyr, when he is about to execute him.

Took him a while to get that. But at least it wasn't too late.

Ah... so that guy was the traitor in the end. They could have at least tried to make his face look less snaky if you get me.

All that Master Core Mambo-Jambo aside... did you just kill Zephyr after we barely managed to save him? This means war!

Well... I guess they at least gave us the time for a teary goodbye instead of just letting him silently die after being literally backstabbed. Can't say I like that they kill him off tho.

They kinda fucked that one up. He didn't even finish his last words to his son. That was really not well made, I have to say.

Its not like it wasn't sad at all. But it wasn't sad enough. And it was too rushed for even tears to dwell up.

I feel a bit sorry for her. She is the voice of reason her and no one freaking listens. All she can do is follow them and hope for the best.

Thats more than enough for today. I take care of that traitor-lord tomorrow.

[asoulofatlantis]

These two are constantly switching between friendly conversations/banters and passive-aggressive-conflicts between two races. I feel like the game was trying to go for the enemies-to-lover trope here, but I feel like given how he saved her from the very start and she never once tried to kill him, doesn't really cut it here. Its just awkward, because she refuses to talk and he doesn't know a damn thing.

I think I need a walkthrough. I have a little trouble finding places XD

Sounds weird too me. I feel... I don't know... wary of her for some reason. Probably nothing tho, she will be part of our team after all.

See? He agrees with me! It IS weird.

Something really rells me my traitor-senses are right on the money. (Tho to be fair, she didn't exactly make it unscathed. We did have to get her medicine to get better, after all and it was mentioned that she had some injuries... but she acts off. She is likely a spy for the Renans and we are walking right into her trap.)

He will also be in our team eventually. I guess gathering your comrades isn't as easy in Tales as it is in Trails, huh? ^^' Then again... some if our comrades were traitors and some other were at least a pain in the ass to deal with XD

I knew that boy was his son, You could tell by the way they talked and interacted with each other.

I feel like his fatherly attitude towards the girl kind of gave it away that he must have been a father at some point.

Also... neither of you has the right to be frustrated about not knowing that information. Alphen might not remember anything but Shionne is having a lot of secrets up her slave including the very reason for her wanting to kill the lords and the new girl is obviously some sort of traitor. So... its not like there is one of you that doesn't have any kind of secrets for one reason or another.

So she is a mage and can use astral magic or whatever it is called in this game. But she had to hide it, because they were shunned by their very own people for being different.

I guess that is the part of the game that shows us that Danans aren't just poor victims but have bad sides to them as well.

I wonder if my traitor-senses reacted to that magic-secret instead of her being an actual traitor. But... I don't know if it was that easy...

His prejudices are strong. When something is bad or weird or not normal, his first act is to ask if the Renans did this ^^'

Honestly? I wonder about that too sometimes XD

Oh? Okay. Good to know.

Wise words. Its getting annyoing at this point anyway.

I... hate to break it to you, but the answer you seek is: Be a leader! I know you didn't want that. But relying on Zyphir all the time for keeping the group in check isn't going to work on the long run, even if he would constantly stay in you team. Someone has to take the rains. The new girl is too young and inexperienced with people to do it. Shionne sure as hell doesn't fit the job. So... sorry to say it, but you are the only one who can do it.

Its time for a break. First I need to do some training with my weights and then its time to eat.

[asoulofatlantis]

I had some technical difficulties at first but now I could even switch it to English. Nice.

But I have to do this all again...

Thankfully, you can skip A LOT of the scenes in this game. Makes this process A LOT quicker.

I am there. Didn't take as long as I feared.

Makes you wonder what they even are growing in a dry place like that, were the earth is more sandy than earthy. Then again, we found Wheat like... just randomly growing on the streets... you know... something Game-Sins would surely criticize XD

Well... I mean... yes... he looks like the slave he is, but she does look really pretty in this dress. Then again, I guess its not really about being pretty but more about it being practical. So... okay, give them something new to wear.

Right now she comes across as rather arrogant with her refusing to wear Denans Clothes like it would make her one of them, while it would just help her to fit in more properly or at least be less fashionable and more practical with her clothing. Also saying that she uses everyone for the ends to her means doesn't bote well. Our masked Friend hier (still no real name yet) has been protecting and helping her a few times by now and she comes around like rather... a bit ungrateful. Even tho without him, her Firesword can do shit.

I am sure there is a story behind it and that she will change over time. But right now... she doesn't leave the best first impression.

Oh boy... a sidequest. Wohoo...

Oh boy... cooking ^^' Also... he can only remember the last year, so technically speaking, he might have cooked at some point and just doesn't remember it.

He is actually really nice and considered but saying her cooking didn't taste like anything was really not nice ^^' Tho he realized that really quickly, so I think she should forgive him.

I get why he is speechless. She looks so pretty!

I just thought how I wished we had fast travel XD

Zephyr said he didn't need to ask what happened because he saw it in the way our Iron Mask looks right now but... body language aside... what can you see about his current emotions, while he is still wearing that darn mask?

I finally got a non-rusty Sword.

He has to support her with a hand on her back when he takes the Sword so this for sure is not an easy process for her. Lucky for us that touching her doesn't hurt him, right? Very convenient indeed.

I feel like she is trying really hard to keep him at arms length but he isn't making it easy for with how nice and understanding he is.

I fully agree with him here. But it does say a lot about her, that she is thinking the worst about his thoughts. As someone who is the same I can tell you that this means she has made some bad experiences in the past.

It seemed odd for him to not recognize that she didn't want the kid to touch her because of her curse. I can't blame him for thinking badly of her, but that was a bit too much, given that she did help that kid and was nice to it otherwise AND the fact that he knows about her curse.

Oh! Do we get finally rid of that stupid mask? Hurray!

I think I know why we didn't get rid of the rest of the mask just yet, but its a damn shame.

But its convenient for the story for now. If this goes on, I will start calling the guy "Mr.Convinient" XD

Well... I guess that is a fitting end for him. I hope the monster-thingy is satisfied with just him and lets us be ^^'

Half the face and a name. Nice!

Good girl!

Do... her embarrassed emotions activate her curse? O.o

I don't understand why I can not fast travel right now. But... whatever. I will stop playing for today. Its enough.

[asoulofatlantis]

I totally forgot that he doesn't feel any pain. Means he can actually touch her. I mean... obviously, the electrocution will do damage to his body eventually, so I would still say accessive body contact is not in the cards. But... it apparently is enough for a touch or so every now and then XD

What a weird way to do this. It like I switched from an Anime to a Manga with colored pages XD

And we are back with the Anime cutscenes.

Its... actually far too early for her to die. WTF?!

He... did remember her name quite fast I must say. And it sounded... almost... attached. Man, I get that you feel like you know her from somewhere or something but your attachment this early in the game still seems unhealthy ^^'

Ohhhhhkaaaaay. I have no idea whats going on... but this scene was cool. Really cool.

Fascinating. Tho... the level of how convenient it is that our guys don't feel any pain is almost too much convenience for one character XD First he can touch the girl, then the fact that he doesn't feel any pain helps him fight and protect people and on top of that, his master-weaopon or whatever one may call it eventually is actually hurting his hands, but he still can't feel anything. And by his side a girl that actually can heal the wounds he can't feel. Like... this is almost too convenient for my liking.

I agree. In fact. She should be bleeding right now. I get that since that flame core thingy is inside her, that the flames might not have hurt her, but the freaking arrow should have.

I hardly would call them friends as of yet ^^'

Its true... how does he even eat with that thing on? And why did I think only of if he can see with that thing? Game Sins has to work on her finding-Sin-Ability, it seems XD

I... still don't fully get it. I mean, at least it makes sense now why they work them to the bone but don't actually need the resources they work for. As they actually work for a totally different resource. And now we also know what they need that resource for. But its still... complicated.

I feel you man. Glad that you are as confused as I am.

Okay. I am switching over to Steam, which will take a while and then I have to get to this point so... see you later.

[asoulofatlantis]

Looks like we are going to have to play this game in German...

Ah this sucks. This game has such a nice photo modus for screenshots that it is really frustrating that it is not in English. That would have been perfect. Oh well... can't be helped.

Something tells me we are going to all those places in this game - but don't worry I do play on easy.

With a Series like "Tales of" that is selling relatively well for many years now... I do wonder if it is that they still can not afford better graphics or if they chose the Anime-Style. I do not mind, don't get me wrong, I just wonder sometimes.

Game-Sins is back with an rather odd question: If they live to only be slaves for 300 years now, with death being their only release... when do they have the time or energy to make children and how does any unborn child survive in the womb of a woman that has to do such harsh labor every day under such awful conditions? Should they not all have died out by now?

If he can not remember who he is... why hide his face? Is it so he can protect one of his most vital organs? I mean since he doesn't feel any pain, he would probably not even feel if someone like hit his head with a sword or something ^^' But how does he even see anything through that thing?

Do we even want to know what they were planning to do with her? She doesn't look like they wanted her for pure typical slavery if you get me.

I have no idea whats going on, but it seems like this is the moment were our two heroes met for the first time.

I do not see much shippy time with her tho, given how she apparently can't be touched ^^'

Poor guy. He barely knows more than I do about whats going on and yet he runs from one shitty situation into another. He has it rough.

I would like to save, as I am hungry and thus need a break to cook myself something to eat. But I didn't find out how yet.

Ah! just like that the game told me how to save XD Good. I'll be back after I am full XD