A very frustrating game...and for the wrong reasons. A rant.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:07 am
Basically, I'm replaying the PSX Remakes again. I've complete, Silver Star Story Complete, and now I'm doing Eternal Blue Complete. I have to say, the reasons why I don't like Eternal Blue even half as much as I like SS(S(C)) are coming back to me.
1. I don't find the characters to be nearly as enduring as Alex, Luna, Nash, Mia, Jessica, Kyle, and Nall.
Hiro just doesn't have that special quality that Alex has that makes you like him. I do like Hiro, but I can't quit describe what he's lacking. I guess just I missed some of that old-fashioned "pure of heart" stuff that Alex had. Not to mention that I frankly don't buy that he goes out on a limb for Lucia like that early on.
Seriously, there's no question why Alex just about kills himself over and over and over for Luna, but there's absolutely no reason given why Hiro has to do crap for Lucia until WAY later. He risking his life against the Guard of Althena for someone he met ten minutes ago! It would have been much easier to buy if Hiro had been forced into the events in some other manner. the thing that's supposed to be between Hiro and Lucia just isn't clicking with me.
Then there's Ruby...that accursed raging hellbeast. I liked Nall. Nall was hilarious and mischievous. Ruby was just annoying. All her "Stay away from Hiro! HE's MINE...despite that our difference in species frankly prevents us from being anything than friends...HE's Mine!" Gad, I didn't like the jealous wannabe girlfriend type in Love Hino. Why would I appreciate here? Then there's her constant begging Hiro to do things. "I wanna do this! I wanna do that! canwecanwecanwecanwe, Hiro?!"
Lucia is just Rei Ayanami all over again, and once was enough for that character. Girk. Then there's all the insulting fan service surrounding her "character development". The creators excuse was that they were trying show her becoming "more human". Yeah, whatever. Its not like there are a thousand other ways to do that...oh wait, there are.
Ronfar is basically an angsty Kyle as a Healer.
Jean is basically a less cool, and more angsty Jessica as a karate chick. I'm noticing a pattern here...
Lemina is everything you don't want in a person, period. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! Look, creators, if I didn't like the greedy types before, I'm not going to start now.
And Leo...the less said about him, the better.
Gwen...Gwen was actually pretty cool. Cliched, old, all-knowing guy, but hey, it worked.
2. Bring back Gwen! Why? Well, for one thing, he's the only party member, other than Hiro, who hasn't been dead weight so far. The only thing Ronfar has going for him is that he heals you. Jean doesn't do quat against the enemies yet. And Lucia only attacks when attacked, which is like 1 out of every 10 battles. Half the time I forget she's even there. I am aware this is not permanant, but Hiro shouldn't is the only one pulling his weight in the offensive category. I can only hope I can get past clown boy again so I can pick up Lemina after the Haunted House.
In the traditon of Ramus, that one party member you ditch early on should not be above everyone else whose showed up to fill the gap enough that you find yourself wanting him back.
Speaking of Ramus, I find it interesting that they apparently have genetic engineering on Lunar now. Apparently, some lab techs must have made the one who appears in Eternal Blue to make the original's shop more successful again.
3. As I stated, The party in Silver Star was MUCH better. Yes, I know it seems like I'm playing unfair here and I'm repeating myself, but seriously. I should not have to wait to make my party good (or just better). I know the creators were trying to make it more difficult, but that could have simply been a matter of making the enemies tougher. Not making the people surrounding Hiro more incompetent than Alex's group ever was. And these people are largely older and more experienced than the previous group, just as another kick in the teeth!
Luna had uber awsome songs that did wonderful things.
Nash was a great mage. All his spells were very effective (aside from a few exceptions in circumstance)
And Mia was even better! Her fire and ice spells, plus her status up spells were sweet! If I wanted offensive magic back-up, there was no question who I was picking.
Jessica, like Ronfar, was a good healer, but she had "reliability" when I needed her to do something else. ...Such as crushing enemy's skulls in with her mace.
Kyle is everything that Jean fails to be until after you've her for a while. Kyle is at least as good as Alex was before he starting having a decent line-up of his dragon gear equipped, which basically means Kyle kicks ass no matter the situation.
My point? If I get a great bunch like in the first game without having to go through hell early on then I see no reason why Hiro is the only one dealing any significant damage to the other side in Eternal Blue Complete. Its like I'm just pushing my way past the enemies with sheer brute force and will, and succeeding just barely because Ronfar is the only one who truly is helping up to date!
4. The villains....yeah. They're villains. Alright, yes, Zophar might be more along the lines of the greedy warmongers we have to real life in terms of motives (power, domination, however you want to put it), but he's little more than Snidley Whiplash in terms of depth, while lacking being even half as amusing.
Not to mention that the assistance that Zophar receives largely doesn't have half the personality that Ghaleon's Vile Tribe sisters had. Royce and Xenobia were purely evil, but they, at least, weren't boring. And Phacia is the only one you say I liked without feeling dirty.
Ghaleon's return was a nice touch (even better to see him redeemed after he messed up thoroughyl before), though. He breathed some life into opposition's side, which did not exist otherwise.
Leo...yeah, Leo. Pompous, annoying blowhard. I wish he died. I would love to stain Hiro's sword with his blood. There's only thing that somewhat detours that wish for me:
Mauri. Alright, this one actually had some interesting parts. One, she's under a spell, basically making her another Luna. Spell is broken, she turns almost sickeningly sweet. Oh well. At least she levels off Ronfar well enough.
Seeing her in a scene where you have to tell her: "Yo, killed you bro. Hope tha tisn't a problem," would be little much.
End of rant. Sorry, gents, I just needed to get that off my chest.
1. I don't find the characters to be nearly as enduring as Alex, Luna, Nash, Mia, Jessica, Kyle, and Nall.
Hiro just doesn't have that special quality that Alex has that makes you like him. I do like Hiro, but I can't quit describe what he's lacking. I guess just I missed some of that old-fashioned "pure of heart" stuff that Alex had. Not to mention that I frankly don't buy that he goes out on a limb for Lucia like that early on.
Seriously, there's no question why Alex just about kills himself over and over and over for Luna, but there's absolutely no reason given why Hiro has to do crap for Lucia until WAY later. He risking his life against the Guard of Althena for someone he met ten minutes ago! It would have been much easier to buy if Hiro had been forced into the events in some other manner. the thing that's supposed to be between Hiro and Lucia just isn't clicking with me.
Then there's Ruby...that accursed raging hellbeast. I liked Nall. Nall was hilarious and mischievous. Ruby was just annoying. All her "Stay away from Hiro! HE's MINE...despite that our difference in species frankly prevents us from being anything than friends...HE's Mine!" Gad, I didn't like the jealous wannabe girlfriend type in Love Hino. Why would I appreciate here? Then there's her constant begging Hiro to do things. "I wanna do this! I wanna do that! canwecanwecanwecanwe, Hiro?!"
Lucia is just Rei Ayanami all over again, and once was enough for that character. Girk. Then there's all the insulting fan service surrounding her "character development". The creators excuse was that they were trying show her becoming "more human". Yeah, whatever. Its not like there are a thousand other ways to do that...oh wait, there are.
Ronfar is basically an angsty Kyle as a Healer.
Jean is basically a less cool, and more angsty Jessica as a karate chick. I'm noticing a pattern here...
Lemina is everything you don't want in a person, period. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! Look, creators, if I didn't like the greedy types before, I'm not going to start now.
And Leo...the less said about him, the better.
Gwen...Gwen was actually pretty cool. Cliched, old, all-knowing guy, but hey, it worked.
2. Bring back Gwen! Why? Well, for one thing, he's the only party member, other than Hiro, who hasn't been dead weight so far. The only thing Ronfar has going for him is that he heals you. Jean doesn't do quat against the enemies yet. And Lucia only attacks when attacked, which is like 1 out of every 10 battles. Half the time I forget she's even there. I am aware this is not permanant, but Hiro shouldn't is the only one pulling his weight in the offensive category. I can only hope I can get past clown boy again so I can pick up Lemina after the Haunted House.
In the traditon of Ramus, that one party member you ditch early on should not be above everyone else whose showed up to fill the gap enough that you find yourself wanting him back.
Speaking of Ramus, I find it interesting that they apparently have genetic engineering on Lunar now. Apparently, some lab techs must have made the one who appears in Eternal Blue to make the original's shop more successful again.
3. As I stated, The party in Silver Star was MUCH better. Yes, I know it seems like I'm playing unfair here and I'm repeating myself, but seriously. I should not have to wait to make my party good (or just better). I know the creators were trying to make it more difficult, but that could have simply been a matter of making the enemies tougher. Not making the people surrounding Hiro more incompetent than Alex's group ever was. And these people are largely older and more experienced than the previous group, just as another kick in the teeth!
Luna had uber awsome songs that did wonderful things.
Nash was a great mage. All his spells were very effective (aside from a few exceptions in circumstance)
And Mia was even better! Her fire and ice spells, plus her status up spells were sweet! If I wanted offensive magic back-up, there was no question who I was picking.
Jessica, like Ronfar, was a good healer, but she had "reliability" when I needed her to do something else. ...Such as crushing enemy's skulls in with her mace.
Kyle is everything that Jean fails to be until after you've her for a while. Kyle is at least as good as Alex was before he starting having a decent line-up of his dragon gear equipped, which basically means Kyle kicks ass no matter the situation.
My point? If I get a great bunch like in the first game without having to go through hell early on then I see no reason why Hiro is the only one dealing any significant damage to the other side in Eternal Blue Complete. Its like I'm just pushing my way past the enemies with sheer brute force and will, and succeeding just barely because Ronfar is the only one who truly is helping up to date!
4. The villains....yeah. They're villains. Alright, yes, Zophar might be more along the lines of the greedy warmongers we have to real life in terms of motives (power, domination, however you want to put it), but he's little more than Snidley Whiplash in terms of depth, while lacking being even half as amusing.
Not to mention that the assistance that Zophar receives largely doesn't have half the personality that Ghaleon's Vile Tribe sisters had. Royce and Xenobia were purely evil, but they, at least, weren't boring. And Phacia is the only one you say I liked without feeling dirty.
Ghaleon's return was a nice touch (even better to see him redeemed after he messed up thoroughyl before), though. He breathed some life into opposition's side, which did not exist otherwise.
Leo...yeah, Leo. Pompous, annoying blowhard. I wish he died. I would love to stain Hiro's sword with his blood. There's only thing that somewhat detours that wish for me:
Mauri. Alright, this one actually had some interesting parts. One, she's under a spell, basically making her another Luna. Spell is broken, she turns almost sickeningly sweet. Oh well. At least she levels off Ronfar well enough.
Seeing her in a scene where you have to tell her: "Yo, killed you bro. Hope tha tisn't a problem," would be little much.
End of rant. Sorry, gents, I just needed to get that off my chest.