February 1st, 2010
Review of Suikoden Tierkreis
I've been a fan of the Suikoden series since I played Suikoden 2 in 1999, making it more than 10 years of supporting the series. I always hated how this great series never made it to be as big as Final Fantasy, or the Tales series. This was mainly because Suikoden was the only series of games to actually have a vast enough geography and history, in which each game is interlinked in one way or another. For example, in Suikoden 2, the hero is asked to go back to the former capital of the enemy country of Suikoden 1, now owned by the heroes of 1. Another reason was the constant recurring characters through the series that fans love to see, and beyond that, it was beyond comprehension how they continued keep reappearing. For example, the voluptuous Jeane, a HUGE favourite among veteran fans, has continued to appear in Suikoden games despite more than a hundred years of timeline, leading to tons of speculation as to what she is.
Other notable sterngths include a very unusual turn-based fighting style, an army based strategy mini-game, a one-on-one duel sequence, and most imporantly, the ability to mix and match between 108 characters into a party of 6, each with their own character traits and abilities.
Sadly, with all that hype about Suikoden 6, came Tierkreis. Tierkreis was everything that I did not want as a sequel, if considered on at all. Firstly, it had no relation to the history/geography of the original 5, focusing on the fact of "parallel worlds" known as the Infinity. this concept has been established before in previous games, but never has it been focused on before, just as a passing phrase. To me, it should never have been focused on.
Second was the overhaul of the 3 type battle system. No strategy mini-game, no duels, only 4 people on a team, and worst of all, a very poor magic system. The idea that every character is different has been thrown right out the window. Now, most characters can do just what other characters can, and they can even change their weapon types to suit a situation.
Introduced to the Suikoden games in Tactics was the quest system. It was brought back here, but I don't see much point in them. I assume alot of them was just to take the place of the detective-type characters of previous games, as they do give a certain background information, but none of the characters are really interesting enough for me to actually want to know more about them.
Usually in other Suikoden games, getting all 108 characters meant a boost in power or a change in storyline. In 1, Gremio was revived. In 2, you got the Forgiver Sign spell, and got the true ending where Nanami and Jowy did not die. In 3, You see Luc's side of the story. In 4, You get the Everlasting Mercy, none of the Punishment spells backfire anymore and a hint as to the hero's lineage. In 5, Lyon doesn't die, and you are given the chance to stay in Falena to be Knight commander, instead of the other 2 endings that see the prince leaving. Sadly, for all our efforts in Tierkreis, we got to see Zenoa disappear, and a yaoi scene with Atrie. Oh great, just what I needed.
Graphics wise, I hope I don;t see another 3D attempt on the DS. I wished they stuck to 2D. Another point was the poorly remixed music of previous games.
About the only strength of Tierkreis is its engaging storyline, though I saw plotholes pouring in.
Nevertheless, it was a poor attempt by Konami at a Suikoden game. According to them (offically), this game was an attempt to integrate newcomers to the series, as well as the fact that any game with 108 characters is a Suikoden. Well, Konami can simply go die if they continue thinking like that. As an avid fan of the series, I can nly say, I want my money back.
Other notable sterngths include a very unusual turn-based fighting style, an army based strategy mini-game, a one-on-one duel sequence, and most imporantly, the ability to mix and match between 108 characters into a party of 6, each with their own character traits and abilities.
Sadly, with all that hype about Suikoden 6, came Tierkreis. Tierkreis was everything that I did not want as a sequel, if considered on at all. Firstly, it had no relation to the history/geography of the original 5, focusing on the fact of "parallel worlds" known as the Infinity. this concept has been established before in previous games, but never has it been focused on before, just as a passing phrase. To me, it should never have been focused on.
Second was the overhaul of the 3 type battle system. No strategy mini-game, no duels, only 4 people on a team, and worst of all, a very poor magic system. The idea that every character is different has been thrown right out the window. Now, most characters can do just what other characters can, and they can even change their weapon types to suit a situation.
Introduced to the Suikoden games in Tactics was the quest system. It was brought back here, but I don't see much point in them. I assume alot of them was just to take the place of the detective-type characters of previous games, as they do give a certain background information, but none of the characters are really interesting enough for me to actually want to know more about them.
Usually in other Suikoden games, getting all 108 characters meant a boost in power or a change in storyline. In 1, Gremio was revived. In 2, you got the Forgiver Sign spell, and got the true ending where Nanami and Jowy did not die. In 3, You see Luc's side of the story. In 4, You get the Everlasting Mercy, none of the Punishment spells backfire anymore and a hint as to the hero's lineage. In 5, Lyon doesn't die, and you are given the chance to stay in Falena to be Knight commander, instead of the other 2 endings that see the prince leaving. Sadly, for all our efforts in Tierkreis, we got to see Zenoa disappear, and a yaoi scene with Atrie. Oh great, just what I needed.
Graphics wise, I hope I don;t see another 3D attempt on the DS. I wished they stuck to 2D. Another point was the poorly remixed music of previous games.
About the only strength of Tierkreis is its engaging storyline, though I saw plotholes pouring in.
Nevertheless, it was a poor attempt by Konami at a Suikoden game. According to them (offically), this game was an attempt to integrate newcomers to the series, as well as the fact that any game with 108 characters is a Suikoden. Well, Konami can simply go die if they continue thinking like that. As an avid fan of the series, I can nly say, I want my money back.
Posted by HalRyder | Feb 1, 2010 7:18 AM | 0 comments
December 29th, 2009
Turn of the Golden Witch Part 1
Anime Relations: Umineko no Naku Koro ni
A major difference in this from the original case was the addition of the 19th person. Question is, was this person really Beatrice? Personally I beg to differ. It was made clear by Genji and Nanjo in both cases that Beatrice died before the completion of the head house itself. This would make Rosa's story about meeting Beatrice highly suspicious. In addition to that, out of the 7 adults that went to "discuss" with "Beatrice", 6 died at the 1st, this time, it was clear who died, because their faces were still on. Kyrie was the only person to have seen "Beatrice" of the 6, and despite this, I believe she claimed she saw her because she suspected Rosa of wrongdoing, and thus questioned her about it in a casual way, talking about the fact that they were mother's of daughters. In addition to the fact that she was the one who had "Beatrice's" letter, and Maria with the key in the letter, plus the message at the bottom of the 1st magic circle, all point to the possibility of Rosa's fabrication of a fake Beatrice. In addition, Rosa actually felt a tinge of satisfaction looking at her siblings and their partners ripped up.
In other words, the scene that had involved the meeting of Beatrice, with everyone accepting her existence, never happen. While they might have died 6 hours from 6am, autopsies can be inaccurate, and since no one actually saw any of the adults after the children and Nanjo left the parlor, Rosa had plenty of time to set up the crime scene.
I get the feeling Rosa actually has a split personality (very much like Eva in Epi 3), the one Maria called "evil witch", and this "witch" was the one that possibly killed the siblings.
Of course, this is just the first part of the hypothesis. I will add more once I reached further parts when I am more free.
In other words, the scene that had involved the meeting of Beatrice, with everyone accepting her existence, never happen. While they might have died 6 hours from 6am, autopsies can be inaccurate, and since no one actually saw any of the adults after the children and Nanjo left the parlor, Rosa had plenty of time to set up the crime scene.
I get the feeling Rosa actually has a split personality (very much like Eva in Epi 3), the one Maria called "evil witch", and this "witch" was the one that possibly killed the siblings.
Of course, this is just the first part of the hypothesis. I will add more once I reached further parts when I am more free.
Posted by HalRyder | Dec 29, 2009 8:15 AM | 0 comments
December 27th, 2009
First look at the Legend of the Golden Witch
Anime Relations: Umineko no Naku Koro ni
Took me a long while to look find this game, and I would like to make a few observations that is likely to be part of the answering of who the murderer of the 1st case is.
The major misconception was the fact that 6 people were killed in the 1st twilight. Faces were smashed, so pretty much, it was no longer obvious who was still that person, and could only be told who each person was by their clothing. That said, it was a person who was familiar with the outlay of the keys, as well as the existence of the many doors that even Natsuhi, who lived in the house, wasn't sure of. Adding to that was the existence of the master key owned by each of the servants, which was not disclosed in this particular case, but in a latter one. Still, Of the 6, it appears only Krauss and Shannon still had half of their faces remaining, so that rules them out, however, that leaves Rosa, Rudolf, Kyrie and Gohda, who strangely no one really noticed much about, because he wasn't all that important to the people at the shed. It is hardly a locked room, since the bodies could have been thrown inside and the key could be returned at any time.
Because of that, Gohda is essential to this case, and I highly believe he is the culprit, if not the accomplice, but alas, I can't notice a motive yet, so I can't conclude as of yet. Rudolf, with his proclamation that he was to be killed that night, was also suspicious, since before, no one would have suspected that the series of events to occur. Kyrie might just be the accomplice should her husband be involved. Rosa might also be involved for her manipulation of the first Beatrice letter, the same way Kyrie can be suspicious of that too. If you think about it, if more than one adult was involved, killing 6 adults in a time space of 12-6am was plenty of time to set up.
The 2nd one is also not that complicating. After killing Eva and Hideyoshi, the criminal waited under the bed for the servants to call for dinner. How the criminal managed to enter? The cupirt eavesdropping on the obviously loud confrontation between Eva and Natsuhi, thus hearing Eva and Hideyoshi returning to their rooms. The culprit can hide under the beds waiting for the couple to drop their guard before murdering them. again, this is based on hte assumption that there are more than 1 culprits. Thus, after Kanon and Genji found hte place, they anticipated that both would run off. paying heed to the "do not operate alone" order. During this point of time, the circle was made.
The 3rd closed room belonging to Kinzo's office was the most unusual. Firstly, beyond all else, Kinzo, declared by Beatrice herself at the end of the Alliance of hte Golden Witch, was dead at the time. Thus, the reason "Kinzo" did not turn over to speak to Natsuhi, nor did he ever attend any of the meals, was because he was already dead, and the "replacement" did not want to be noticed by his children. This "Kinzo" may have trusted the servants enough, but fact is none of hte servants were in hte room 100% of the time, so no one can discount the possibility of there indeed being a secret door. The original Kinzo was a madman after all.
The letter that was placed on the table when they were in Kinzo's study was probably Maria, having hte same orders as during the 1st letter. After that, there was pretty much no need for an alibi for the killers of Genji, Kumasama and Nanjo, if you had been following. Finally, Natsuhi was killed at point blank range while aiming at "Beatrice". Possibly, the Beatrice at this point of time was a metaphor when she aimed at the familiar face. The accomplice of "Beatrice" then distracted Natsuhi for a split second, allowing her to get shot.
My main suspicion still lies with Rudolf, Kyrie and possibly Rosa and Gohda. Rudolf had long planned this, and wanted to get revenge on his elder brother and sister. Thus, roping in Rosa, and bribing Gohda with money, they set out to attempt to murder the 3 higher members of the family. Rosa, knowing of Maria's weakness for anything occult, used this to her advantage and gave her the mysterious letter and umbrella, which pretending not to know who it was that gave it to her. Maria, obviously believing what her mom said due to her pathetic naivety, proceeded to do so, thinking she is doing the right thing. Rosa might also have read Maria's notebook on the occult before, and thus had basic knowledge of it. Kyrie was just roped in after her following Rudolf that night, saying that she would stand by hte man she loved regardless of his decisions. This is, off course, just a hypothesis, though I do believe I am not far off.
The major misconception was the fact that 6 people were killed in the 1st twilight. Faces were smashed, so pretty much, it was no longer obvious who was still that person, and could only be told who each person was by their clothing. That said, it was a person who was familiar with the outlay of the keys, as well as the existence of the many doors that even Natsuhi, who lived in the house, wasn't sure of. Adding to that was the existence of the master key owned by each of the servants, which was not disclosed in this particular case, but in a latter one. Still, Of the 6, it appears only Krauss and Shannon still had half of their faces remaining, so that rules them out, however, that leaves Rosa, Rudolf, Kyrie and Gohda, who strangely no one really noticed much about, because he wasn't all that important to the people at the shed. It is hardly a locked room, since the bodies could have been thrown inside and the key could be returned at any time.
Because of that, Gohda is essential to this case, and I highly believe he is the culprit, if not the accomplice, but alas, I can't notice a motive yet, so I can't conclude as of yet. Rudolf, with his proclamation that he was to be killed that night, was also suspicious, since before, no one would have suspected that the series of events to occur. Kyrie might just be the accomplice should her husband be involved. Rosa might also be involved for her manipulation of the first Beatrice letter, the same way Kyrie can be suspicious of that too. If you think about it, if more than one adult was involved, killing 6 adults in a time space of 12-6am was plenty of time to set up.
The 2nd one is also not that complicating. After killing Eva and Hideyoshi, the criminal waited under the bed for the servants to call for dinner. How the criminal managed to enter? The cupirt eavesdropping on the obviously loud confrontation between Eva and Natsuhi, thus hearing Eva and Hideyoshi returning to their rooms. The culprit can hide under the beds waiting for the couple to drop their guard before murdering them. again, this is based on hte assumption that there are more than 1 culprits. Thus, after Kanon and Genji found hte place, they anticipated that both would run off. paying heed to the "do not operate alone" order. During this point of time, the circle was made.
The 3rd closed room belonging to Kinzo's office was the most unusual. Firstly, beyond all else, Kinzo, declared by Beatrice herself at the end of the Alliance of hte Golden Witch, was dead at the time. Thus, the reason "Kinzo" did not turn over to speak to Natsuhi, nor did he ever attend any of the meals, was because he was already dead, and the "replacement" did not want to be noticed by his children. This "Kinzo" may have trusted the servants enough, but fact is none of hte servants were in hte room 100% of the time, so no one can discount the possibility of there indeed being a secret door. The original Kinzo was a madman after all.
The letter that was placed on the table when they were in Kinzo's study was probably Maria, having hte same orders as during the 1st letter. After that, there was pretty much no need for an alibi for the killers of Genji, Kumasama and Nanjo, if you had been following. Finally, Natsuhi was killed at point blank range while aiming at "Beatrice". Possibly, the Beatrice at this point of time was a metaphor when she aimed at the familiar face. The accomplice of "Beatrice" then distracted Natsuhi for a split second, allowing her to get shot.
My main suspicion still lies with Rudolf, Kyrie and possibly Rosa and Gohda. Rudolf had long planned this, and wanted to get revenge on his elder brother and sister. Thus, roping in Rosa, and bribing Gohda with money, they set out to attempt to murder the 3 higher members of the family. Rosa, knowing of Maria's weakness for anything occult, used this to her advantage and gave her the mysterious letter and umbrella, which pretending not to know who it was that gave it to her. Maria, obviously believing what her mom said due to her pathetic naivety, proceeded to do so, thinking she is doing the right thing. Rosa might also have read Maria's notebook on the occult before, and thus had basic knowledge of it. Kyrie was just roped in after her following Rudolf that night, saying that she would stand by hte man she loved regardless of his decisions. This is, off course, just a hypothesis, though I do believe I am not far off.
Posted by HalRyder | Dec 27, 2009 10:58 PM | 0 comments