We've had our fair share of disagreements in the past, but I thought we've reached an understanding
This is...unacceptable
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
The Kiseki / Trails (of the Sky/Zero/Ao/Sen/Etc) Community Thread: SPOILERTAGS OR DIE
- Thread starter Bebpo
- Start date
We've had our fair share of disagreements in the past, but I thought we've reached an understanding
This is...unacceptable
ShadowSoldier89
Member
Nah, it's just that the skirt Laura was sporting in CS2 was very good. It was the right kind of length, too. None of that mini-skirt nonsense.
TheNotoriousAFG
Member
Also, since I've been on a Falcom music kick lately, what is everyone's favorite track from each of the Kiseki games (track as in SINGULAR - no mass posting tracks pls)? I'll prolly refrain from posting any of the Crossbell duology/Third Chapter, since my opinion on tracks is largely context-based and I haven't played thru them yet. My favorites are as follows:
Trails in the Sky - FC: Silver Will. To the surprise of no one, I'm sure. First time hearing this track, literally turned up my volume and let it play for a while. Really packs a punch in what was largely a ho-hum soundtrack for me.
Trails in the Sky - SC: The Whereabouts of Hope Yeah yeah Merciless Savior was cool or whatever, but this song really charged that final scene with plenty of emotion and made me tear up. You can even add The Whereabouts of Bonds here as well; both made the ending an emotional experience for me. Loved SC's soundtrack in general.
Trails of Cold Steel: Atrocious Raid. In a game full of amazing battle themes, this one stands as my favorite. Whenever you hear it played, you know something big was going down. Such an energizing track.
Trails of Cold Steel II: Blue Destination. Phantasmal Blaze is one of my favorite dungeon themes of all time, but this track i listen to regularly outside of the game. Made the battle with youknowwho a lot of fun, and is just generally catchy. Greeeeat track.
Trails in the Sky - FC: Silver Will. To the surprise of no one, I'm sure. First time hearing this track, literally turned up my volume and let it play for a while. Really packs a punch in what was largely a ho-hum soundtrack for me.
Trails in the Sky - SC: The Whereabouts of Hope Yeah yeah Merciless Savior was cool or whatever, but this song really charged that final scene with plenty of emotion and made me tear up. You can even add The Whereabouts of Bonds here as well; both made the ending an emotional experience for me. Loved SC's soundtrack in general.
Trails of Cold Steel: Atrocious Raid. In a game full of amazing battle themes, this one stands as my favorite. Whenever you hear it played, you know something big was going down. Such an energizing track.
Trails of Cold Steel II: Blue Destination. Phantasmal Blaze is one of my favorite dungeon themes of all time, but this track i listen to regularly outside of the game. Made the battle with youknowwho a lot of fun, and is just generally catchy. Greeeeat track.
Just saw the Easy Allies' Ben Moore did an interview with Toshihiro Kondo president of Nihon Falcom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGOfgAKIfmA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGOfgAKIfmA
I've always liked this kind of exercice so let's go.
TITS FC - Hollow Light of the Sealed Land : What a fantastic theme for a final dungeon. I really love how the main motif in this song is reused a ton in SC, especially towards the end.
TITS SC - The Dream Continues : this theme always makes me teary-eyed. It's such a perfect mix of emotions, it's neither too happy nor too sad and it hits real hard. The way it's used in both SC and the Third is pretty fantastic.
TITS - The Third - Recluse Cube : This theme conveys pretty well of weird and mysterious the whole Phantasma situation really is. I think it sums up the whole game pretty well.
Zero no Kiseki - Mining Village of Mainz: Didn't get too far into Zero but this village theme struck me with how beautiful it is. It's pretty chill.
Trails of Cold Steel - Land of Blue Skies: Nord may be a chore to navigate but I never really got tired of it because of how much I love this song. It makes me tink of Wild Arms quite a bit actually.
Trails of Cold Steel II - Phantasmal Blaze: This one really sells the urgency of the situation. I'm not a fan of overly epic music in my RPGs but I like it quite a lot.
Ao no Kiseki -- To be continued : Can't leave out the most epic track in the series. Ao's epicness in a nutshell
My favorites:
Sky FC - Hollow Light of the Sealed Land
Sky SC - The Merciless Savior
Sky the 3rd - Looking Up at the Sky (Ending Version)
Zero - Fulfilled Feelings
Ao - The Tree at the Farthest End
CS - One and Only Hope
CSII - Season of Departure
Nayuta - Overflowing Feelings
Sky FC - Hollow Light of the Sealed Land
Sky SC - The Merciless Savior
Sky the 3rd - Looking Up at the Sky (Ending Version)
Zero - Fulfilled Feelings
Ao - The Tree at the Farthest End
CS - One and Only Hope
CSII - Season of Departure
Nayuta - Overflowing Feelings
It was so hard to pick only one theme from each game. I've excluded battle themes from my list because I think there will be too much overlap. Also I know what you mean about context-based. A lot of my choices are gonna be connected to certain scenes. No Zero or Ao spoilers though
FC - The Feeling of Dancing With the Wind
I'm actually not a huge fan of FC's soundtrack but everytime I heard this music it really feels like you are on a journey. I looked forward to every airship ride in the Sky games just to listen to this theme.
SC - A Lurking Shadow in the Wilderness
When I hear this theme I am immediately reminded of the
steam tank
the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest
The chocolate scene was so beautiful. The way
Rufina forced Kevin to live on when he had lost all hope
Zero - C.S.P.D. -Crossbell Police-
This theme is just soooo good I can listen to it all day.
Ao - The Tree at the Farthest End
I love the final dungeon theme in this game. It's so atmospheric and a real contrast to the final dungeon themes in the other games.
Sen - Not Yet...
Reminds me of a certain scene in Nord under the starry night sky. That might be the moment I truly fell in love with Class VII.
Sen II - Altina
I really like her theme. Also whenever I hear it I'm reminded of the first meeting between
Lloyd and Rean
Dragon1893
Member
Have you guys ever stopped to think how much amazing music there is in videogames? It's mindblowing. Some franchises alone have several masterpieces. Man, it's enough to make me glad I got into videogames
SatelliteOfLove
Member
FC: Leiston Fortress
There's one of these jazzy espionage themes per game it seems. Hammond B3 yall!
SC: The Merciless Savior
A monumental tour de force, The Seven Minute Monster.
3rd: Fighting Right On
Killer riffage, twin guitar attack, and air-tight composition.
Zero: Geofront
Asterick from not hearing more than 2 of these, but groovy nonetheless.
Azure: ???
CS1: Skies of a Strange Land
The backbeat is divine.
CS2: Bring up Trust!
Completely overwritten dual violin attack wonderfulness.
There's one of these jazzy espionage themes per game it seems. Hammond B3 yall!
SC: The Merciless Savior
A monumental tour de force, The Seven Minute Monster.
3rd: Fighting Right On
Killer riffage, twin guitar attack, and air-tight composition.
Zero: Geofront
Asterick from not hearing more than 2 of these, but groovy nonetheless.
Azure: ???
CS1: Skies of a Strange Land
The backbeat is divine.
CS2: Bring up Trust!
Completely overwritten dual violin attack wonderfulness.
I'm bad at writing about music
FC - Confession
SC - Fate of the Fairies
Third - I need to finish playing this first...
CS1 - Don't be Defeated by a Friend!
CS2 - Blue Destination
FC - Confession
SC - Fate of the Fairies
Third - I need to finish playing this first...
CS1 - Don't be Defeated by a Friend!
CS2 - Blue Destination
Well alrighty then. I'll force myself to pick just one per game... hard as it might be.
Trails FC - Sophisticated Fight - This song is without a doubt the most memorable FC track to me. It changes beat, adds and removes instruments at will without dropping the pace, and has an incredibly catchy drum pattern. And it doesn't make the mistake of being overbearing since it's a theme you'll hear often. The very definition of a simple yet finely crafted piece.
Trails SC - The Fate of the Fairies - This song sets the stage for SC for me. It's hard to believe such a hype song could exist. It's a real shame it's not used more often though you could argue it would reduce the impact if it was. The fact that it fits in the Sky motif is just icing on an already beautiful cake.
Trails 3rd - Overdosing Heavenly Bliss - You know it. Need I say more? The organ, the guitar riffs, the back and forth pacing. This song is music perfection. The 3rd soundtrack is flawless, but this song stands out the most to me, especially for the situations in which it is used.
Trails from Zero - Firm Strength - This song is so unlike the rest of the Trails series songs I had heard up until this point but it resonated with me so well that I have no doubt in saying this song is my ultimate favorite from Zero. Yes, even more than GOTB and Geofront. Falcom knows how sick this song is too cause they slipped it into the SAV, where it's even more awesome, if that's possible. This song really contributes to the overall theme of Zero as a game.
Trails to Azure - Beyond the Paradise of Lies - The context to when this song starts playing is when Azure's stakes are raised to their highest and fits the theme of the moment incredibly well. To this date I think of the title of this song and when it starts playing in Azure and it makes me admit this is the song that I remember with the most emotional impact. Sorry, Azure Arbitrator... and A Place to Arrive At... and Mystic Core... OK, I'll stop now.
Trails of Cold Steel 1 - To Become the Foundation of the World - The CS1 soundtrack is a masterpiece no doubt, but this song is without a doubt my favorite. While I didn't particularly enjoy the plot leading to the moment this song plays, the cool transition into this song makes it stick in my mind. This series never fails in giving the best climactic dungeon hype themes, and this one is Cold Steel's signature standout!
Trails of Cold Steel II - Blue Destination - Just like the 3rd, need I say more? This is THE signature of CS2. When it plays in the Divertissement, you understand the theme behind the song and the situation perfectly. The fact that it takes Decisive Collision and turns it into the motif of Cold Steel as a whole, makes it my favorite song of all of CS2. Sad yet hopeful, an absolutely incredible theme.
Phew that took a while, I'm gonna take a break...
The power of Falcom soundtracks is in their diversity after all, so picking one each was really hard.
Trails FC - Sophisticated Fight - This song is without a doubt the most memorable FC track to me. It changes beat, adds and removes instruments at will without dropping the pace, and has an incredibly catchy drum pattern. And it doesn't make the mistake of being overbearing since it's a theme you'll hear often. The very definition of a simple yet finely crafted piece.
Trails SC - The Fate of the Fairies - This song sets the stage for SC for me. It's hard to believe such a hype song could exist. It's a real shame it's not used more often though you could argue it would reduce the impact if it was. The fact that it fits in the Sky motif is just icing on an already beautiful cake.
Trails 3rd - Overdosing Heavenly Bliss - You know it. Need I say more? The organ, the guitar riffs, the back and forth pacing. This song is music perfection. The 3rd soundtrack is flawless, but this song stands out the most to me, especially for the situations in which it is used.
Trails from Zero - Firm Strength - This song is so unlike the rest of the Trails series songs I had heard up until this point but it resonated with me so well that I have no doubt in saying this song is my ultimate favorite from Zero. Yes, even more than GOTB and Geofront. Falcom knows how sick this song is too cause they slipped it into the SAV, where it's even more awesome, if that's possible. This song really contributes to the overall theme of Zero as a game.
Trails to Azure - Beyond the Paradise of Lies - The context to when this song starts playing is when Azure's stakes are raised to their highest and fits the theme of the moment incredibly well. To this date I think of the title of this song and when it starts playing in Azure and it makes me admit this is the song that I remember with the most emotional impact. Sorry, Azure Arbitrator... and A Place to Arrive At... and Mystic Core... OK, I'll stop now.
Trails of Cold Steel 1 - To Become the Foundation of the World - The CS1 soundtrack is a masterpiece no doubt, but this song is without a doubt my favorite. While I didn't particularly enjoy the plot leading to the moment this song plays, the cool transition into this song makes it stick in my mind. This series never fails in giving the best climactic dungeon hype themes, and this one is Cold Steel's signature standout!
Trails of Cold Steel II - Blue Destination - Just like the 3rd, need I say more? This is THE signature of CS2. When it plays in the Divertissement, you understand the theme behind the song and the situation perfectly. The fact that it takes Decisive Collision and turns it into the motif of Cold Steel as a whole, makes it my favorite song of all of CS2. Sad yet hopeful, an absolutely incredible theme.
Phew that took a while, I'm gonna take a break...
The power of Falcom soundtracks is in their diversity after all, so picking one each was really hard.
I'm curious what everyone thoughts are regarding the most powerful characters in the Legend of Heroes mythos (of the ones that have been released in English).
To me it seems McBurn and Cassius Bright are basically 1a and 1b. I really can't think of two characters that are more powerful than those two.
None of the final antagonists got anything on those two IMO.
I'm probably forgetting someone. Kevin probably has to be up there too because of his stigma.
To me it seems McBurn and Cassius Bright are basically 1a and 1b. I really can't think of two characters that are more powerful than those two.
None of the final antagonists got anything on those two IMO.
I'm probably forgetting someone. Kevin probably has to be up there too because of his stigma.
Well, if it's just the English ones only...
Trails in the Sky: Sophisticated Fight - One of the greatest video game tracks to ever be made, and i'm not even being hyperbolic enough about how I feel about it.
Trails in the Sky SC: Merciless Savior - A grand meshing of all the major themes of the Sky games (in some incredibly inventive ways), the way it all fits together flawlessly and creates an engaging track is a testament to the skill behind the making of it. One of the most smartly put together final boss themes i've heard.
Trails in the Sky 3rd: Overdosing Heavenly Bliss - I overdosed on this track so hard, and would overdose again, too. Good intro, the "Sakuraba-like" build-up to the rock-out part is great, and the actual rock-out part itself is just amazing. I love the way it uses that step-like rhythm to make the melody pop.
Trails of Cold Steel: Skies of a Strange Land - Hard to write just a short blurb about it, but it just sets the tone so well. Every little piece of it is put together so well. The drum part has its catch with that predominant hi-hat part, the guitar outlines the harmonic structure (with that cool ostinato in the "chorus" section), the bass has such a great flow to it where its rhythm makes it always interesting, and the violins top it off in such a great way.
Trails of Cold Steel II: Transcend Beat - I wrote a shitload of words about this one. See the first part of the nearly 6000 word, two-post CS2 OST writeup here. Is other video game music even trying?
Trails in the Sky: Sophisticated Fight - One of the greatest video game tracks to ever be made, and i'm not even being hyperbolic enough about how I feel about it.
Trails in the Sky SC: Merciless Savior - A grand meshing of all the major themes of the Sky games (in some incredibly inventive ways), the way it all fits together flawlessly and creates an engaging track is a testament to the skill behind the making of it. One of the most smartly put together final boss themes i've heard.
Trails in the Sky 3rd: Overdosing Heavenly Bliss - I overdosed on this track so hard, and would overdose again, too. Good intro, the "Sakuraba-like" build-up to the rock-out part is great, and the actual rock-out part itself is just amazing. I love the way it uses that step-like rhythm to make the melody pop.
Aster House is a close second, just because of the impact of the scene in which it occurs. Its use in that scene made the entire scenario of that part incredibly striking.
Trails of Cold Steel II: Transcend Beat - I wrote a shitload of words about this one. See the first part of the nearly 6000 word, two-post CS2 OST writeup here. Is other video game music even trying?
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
It's supposed to shrink them (IIRC?), if it just made them "fat" that's a graphical bug.
And Tom was gushing on XSEED's forum about how nice the launcher is for the CS PC port.
There's a separate launcher, though it's far more feature-rich than any other launcher we've ever had in any of our PC games to date.
...Seriously, I love this launcher. It's a work of art all its own.
Given some of his prior criticisms about launchers and options pages, this seems to have Durante's fingerprints on it.
I did the boss fight again and apparently it lowers your movement (in addition to lowering your stats?
The skill you're referring to is "Magic A Little." Abracadabra seems to be its own thing. But for some reason, I can't find any mention of it existing anywhere online. Creepy...
Anyway, I've got some screenshots
[1][2]
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
I don't remember that one. Lowering movement would make sense though, I guess.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
YES! Best song in the game. I was crushed with disappointment when it didn't return in CS2. And yes, it's totally Wild ARMs-like.
Looks like I'll be double dipping and getting this instead of the XCOM 2 dlc. Can't go wrong with Falcom + XSEED + Durante
TheNotoriousAFG
Member
God bless y'all for wanting to double dip on CS. That game is too long and too boring for me to want to spend cash on it and play through that 80 hour behemoth AGAIN. I get that it was the first entry for Erebonia and needed to set things up, but I was super disappointed by it lol. Still a fun ride but once was enough.
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
Feels worse double dipping when I haven't even played the CS games on PS3. At least I got them at good prices.
Honestly, part of it is because I never finished CS2 (I got to the divertissement) on my PS3 because it got corrupted and deleted all of my save data. Another part is that I family share with a few people and I might be able to get them to play it. Also, I'm hopeful that there'll be a NG+ save available from the beginning.
I'm triple-dippin, yo. And I've already gotten the platinum for both games.
I thought we already knew Durante was working on it for a while now.
He's always playing it on my Steam friendslist <.<
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
He's also dropped some little bits of info here and there hinting at a feature or two, and made a comment about the engine version. XSEED won't outright confirm that he's involved though, and won't say who the studio behind the port is.
The seventh Anguis, the first Dominion and McBurn are considered the top tier, followed by the deceased Jaeger leaders and Eight Leaves Cassius. I posted a whole list a while back.
Yeah, basically. It's not 'official', but it's all but confirmed.
hans_castorp
Member
Grandmaster tier: (after playing The 3rd I'm not even joking with this one)
Dorothy
Deus ex machina tier:
Demiurge
OP tier:
7th Anguis
McBurn
Carnelia
Löwe
Sword Cassius
Jaeger leaders
Top Tier:
Laura's daddy
Staff Cassius
Green onion
Arios
Valimar
High Tier:
Renne
Rixia
Zin
Fast Crafts man
Joshua
Ogre Rean
Estelle
Burning Heart Man
Troll Tier
Campanella
Has to be one we haven't seen much from yet like Yun Ka-Fei. Something to look forward to in the Calvard arc I hope. Besides his swordsmanship I would say his timing is impeccable. For a rounin he has the keen ability not to get drawn in any conflict.
There's also Carnelia, which is probably just as big a monster as McBurn. I mean we haven't even seen her stigma yet and she has been kicking ass left and right.
Both also have an astounding abillity to value people's potential and bring the best out of them.
Then there's the Grandmaster. Welp and we have his trump card Campanella. Their real strength is a total mystery. The Steel maiden is also one to look out for. McBurn's stronger than Loewe was that much is sure.
Dragon1893
Member
There are so many big players. Then there are those characters that you didn't even know could kick ass until they suddenly jump into a fight and it turns out they're crazy strong but nobody happened to mention it before lol.
TheNotoriousAFG
Member
Understandable. XSEED does deserve the love, plus the PS3 games weren't terribly expensive to begin with.
Ouch, that blows. The Divertissement was meh for me (the name drops in particular were annoying), but I haven't played Crossbell so that was a huge factor in why I didn't enjoy it.
Amazing, the platinums looked like a pain in the ass to get so I never bothered. In general, my rule with platinums is don't bother unless you're doing a 2nd playthrough a few years later. I need to get through my backlog somehow ;_;
ShadowSoldier89
Member
I wasnt disappointed, and my biggest complaint was missing voice acting which this addresses.
Finding time for a replay will be the hardest part
I think there will be plently of lines still unvoiced I hope at least the lines where Rean is spoken to are also voiced. That's the most jarring part in the games.
ShadowSoldier89
Member
of course not everything will be voiced, but those lines are the biggest offender. I aksed Sean on twitter if he had to redo any of the lines he did for reanquests for the PC release and he said surprisingly no. So there is a decent list of sections we know wont be voiced.
However fixing the school sections alons so that the conversations can flow will really improve it.
Im also hoping for voiced bonding events. Especially the final. Once CS2 rolls around, the final bonding events there not having a silent Rean will be a godsend.
I need the rean and sara final bonding conversation with both of their voices so bad
StarSketch
Banned
The priority for voicing might probably be something like this:
Most of the Reanquests were scenes where no one is voiced so they probably left them alone.
- Scenes where everyone but Rean is voiced
- Scenes where only one person is voiced
- Voiced Scenes involving characters that have voice actors in CS2 but not CS
- Scenes that would be better voiced but weren't
Most of the Reanquests were scenes where no one is voiced so they probably left them alone.
I think most of the requests were also optional, non story scenes so they probably won't bother with those
NPC dialogue or Bonding events are likely not happening
Some of those characters I don't remember , but for the most part I agree wholeheartedly with this list. I'm wondering where the Erebonia generals will end up ranking.
Midorikawa as Loewe is so good.
Yeah this makes the most sense.
It really was - the only thing I would change would be
Loewe fighting solo i.e. no gold lion mechs