Let's Play Tales of Symphonia Part 4
Part four already, huh? I wonder if anyone even reads this.
Kratos' voice: "When we last left our heroes, they'd heard the shocking news that Exspheres are in fact made from human lives. A statement that isn't quite correct, as Expheres aren't made at all. They're mined in Tethe'alla (thanks a lot for that one, Lezareno company) and human lives are used to strengthen them. Plot devices aside, the group now needed to head towards Hima and ask Pietro how to get the hell back into Asgard ranch, so we can finally kick Squinty's greasy ass."
It's kind of amazing how I always refused to skip the Japanese opening, both on GC and PS2, because I considered that to be blasphemy. However, this US/European opening is something I skip immediately, because I consider the opening itself to be blasphemous.
Anyway, off to Hima, now. Do doo doo, there we go. Here, Sophia makes herself useful and tells us about the 'sekrit entrance of sekricy'. She also gives us some sort of orb which serves no use other than moving a boulder (...) and could in fact be tossed away immediately afterwards. After using the merchant shortcut to get back to Ruin- I mean Luin, it's off to Asgard ranch. Yaaay!
Now, we get to choose who'll beat up ol' Squinty. Because that party is the same for me in every single playthrough, Kratos and Raine will be joining in on the fun. Those other saps can go flip switches. Kratos desires to fight Kvar anyway. I wonder why that is. Maybe it's because Kvar looks like a dwarf? Raine gives us the advice to use the Refresher, but screw that. Refreshers are for pussies who don't have x10 EXP. On a sidenote, I really like that one particular room with the cranes moving containers. It just feels so awesome to run through all that.
After generally making a mess of Squinty's ranch and beating up his five-Gald-an-hour lackeys, let's confront the greasy bastard himself. He's talking to a hot woman wearing a bathing suit and a ridiculous amount of bling. Kvar 'introduces' her as Pronyma. Seems she's been stealing information from his precious project. Also, we get our first mention of Rodyle and the Mana Cannon. But... who cares? Less talking, more asskicking. And what do we get out of this? An Exgem lv. 1. Thanks, man. Just... thanks. We totally needed one of those. >_>
So. Anna's been avenged. Sort of. But, oh what's this, Kvar is still alive! He tries to attack Lloyd, but Colette takes the hit. Nevermind that Kratos, the mercenary who was supposed to protect the party, was standing way closer to Lloyd. Squinty tries to make his greasy escape, but he's got nowhere left to slither, now. Kratos once again starts barging into a scene that seemingly doesn't concern him as he finishes off Kvar in Lloyd's stead. Boy, it's almost as if he knows Kvar from before this journey and hates him with a fiery passion. How peculiar. After worrying about Colette, who can't feel a thing anyway, it's time to buuurn this place to the ground. Kratos gives Kvar one last hateful glare before disappearing and a strange turtlema appears in the projector soon after to mock the dead guy.
Kratos uses some sort of amazing deduction, here. They're not sure whether Colette could properly rest in Luin, so let's go all the way to Asgard. Smart, Kratos. Real smart. Why not just set up camp with that mysterious trailer you guys apparently own? Aaaanyway, Quickjump to Asgard. Lloyd refuses to accept Colette's fate, even though she herself seems fine with it. Oh Lloyd, you doof.
Now, the fourth seal. It's near Palmacosta, so let's go there. However, alas, Hakonesia Peak is pretty much closed off due to the fact that the party has no road pass. Because those things are ridiculously expensive, it's all the way back to motherf*ckin' Izoold. I wish I had Rheairds... Now, time for the "deliver this letter to Aifread" thing. I love how they claim they can't deliver the letter if they can't cross the ocean while they were in Luin not even five minutes ago. Faaaail.
At last, glorious Palmacosta! Such a wonderful city. Boy, I'd hate for this place to be destroyed. Let alone twice. But what are the chances of that happening, right? After our first encounter with the imposters, we meet the most annoying character of the game. At least, I think so. It's Chocolat, everyone! And this item shop... It's called Marble's... While Chocolat talks about how the Desians took 'grandma' away... Hmmm, I wonder... Nah, it's probably just a coincidence. All of a sudden, it seems the Assassin Quest is working again. Turns out a weird person was in Colette's room, but he ran away when she hit him. Seems we can still activate the Training With Kratos as well, even though there's no point because we can't do the scene in Asgard after this. Oh well, it'll still score us some affection points with this guy.
Turns out Dorr and Neil are a couple of idiots, mistaking those imposters for the real thing. Well, it's not like we need that stupid book. But still. We'll have to go to Hakonesia Peak anyway. What a waste of time. Stopping at the inn for another rest gives... the exact same assassin scene we got ten minutes ago. Uhm... Okay. Can't get enough of Colette's screaming, though. Upon arriving at Hakonesia Peak, the gang learns that Old Man Koton is incredibly stingy and perverted. Because we can't get to the Thoda Geyser yet and apparently the Desians are causing trouble, it's time to go all the way BACK to Palmacosta. *groooan*
Turns out Cacao isn't home, which means her Item Shop is mine for the taking. Let's stand behind that counter, just for the lulz. If anyone enters, we'll ask outrageous amounts of money for one Apple Gel. Yeeaaahhh... ... Okay, enough of that. Time to head for the square. Oh, so that's where Cacao was. Magnius, you badass. Breaking a random NPC's neck like that. ... Kinda dozed off here, for a moment, because I don't give a damn about this scene.
Chocolat seems to be a magnet for trouble, as not soon after we find out she's been kidnapped by the Desians. My goddess, woman, can't you do anything right? When posed with the question "should we save her?", Lloyd gives a "yeah, okay". This answer pleases all the party members. While it's tempting to displease Colette and Genis with a "releasing the seals comes first", it'd also please Raine x2. Let's... not. However, we'll immediately enter the House of Salvation to learn about the fake statue. Here, we do give the answer that pleases Raine x2, but also ups Kratos' affection by one. Niiice. Now, I'd love to leave Chocolat to rot while we release the Water Seal, but apparently there's a storm so we're not allowed to go to Thoda Geyser yet.
At Palmacosta ranch, the gang gets beckoned into the bushes by a familiar stalker, also known as Neil. He tells them to leave Palmacosta and Chocolat behind. I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. However, it's insisted that we stop Magnius' reign of terror first, leaving us with the option of either attacking head-on or returning to Palmacosta to interrogate Dorr. This one is always a toughie. However, because returning pleases Kratos and Raine, let's do that. I'll just have to compensate by bashing Raine at the nearest Ring of Light, soon.
Dorr isn't around in his office, so let's stand behind his counter and pretend to be Governor-General for a bit. Yeaaah. This is epic. I wonder if I could have travelers imprisoned. ... Okay, enough of that. Time to head into the basement. Wow, Dorr is in cahoots with the Desians after all. He's squeezing money from all the place to pay them. So that's how Magnius paid for that pimpin' floating chair, huh? Boy, Kratos, that was an awfully loud gasp you exclaimed upon seeing Clara. Examining this suspicious gasp brings me to one conclusion; Clara was cheating on Dorr with Kratos a few years ago. Ho ho, who can blame her? I sure can't. Just as Dorr's about to turn nice again, Kilia goes batshit and stabs the guy. Turns out, she's an ugly monster, claiming to be a half-elf (...), in disguise. The real Kilia's already dead. Oh man, this is such a soap opera. For some reason, Kilia's death cry is "Lord Pronyma!". ... Uhm... But... Isn't Pronyma... Oh goddess, what kind of surgery has Pronyma undergone? I mean, we all knew those boobs are fake, but to fit into a tight bathingsuit like that without showing a crotch? She's like a hot version of Mrs. Garrison. *shudder*
Clara runs off for the lulz and Dorr dies. Looks like Raine's healing arts couldn't save him and she's pretty upset about that. Why does she suddenly care about- ... Ohhh, I get it! While Clara was off doing the nasty with Kratos, Dorr was cheating on her with Raine! Yeah, it makes perfect sense! Now, one more stay at the inn where Colette is attacked by this Weird Guy for the third time. And then we'll turn the Wii off for today.
Kratos' voice: "When we last left our heroes, they'd heard the shocking news that Exspheres are in fact made from human lives. A statement that isn't quite correct, as Expheres aren't made at all. They're mined in Tethe'alla (thanks a lot for that one, Lezareno company) and human lives are used to strengthen them. Plot devices aside, the group now needed to head towards Hima and ask Pietro how to get the hell back into Asgard ranch, so we can finally kick Squinty's greasy ass."
It's kind of amazing how I always refused to skip the Japanese opening, both on GC and PS2, because I considered that to be blasphemy. However, this US/European opening is something I skip immediately, because I consider the opening itself to be blasphemous.
Anyway, off to Hima, now. Do doo doo, there we go. Here, Sophia makes herself useful and tells us about the 'sekrit entrance of sekricy'. She also gives us some sort of orb which serves no use other than moving a boulder (...) and could in fact be tossed away immediately afterwards. After using the merchant shortcut to get back to Ruin- I mean Luin, it's off to Asgard ranch. Yaaay!
Now, we get to choose who'll beat up ol' Squinty. Because that party is the same for me in every single playthrough, Kratos and Raine will be joining in on the fun. Those other saps can go flip switches. Kratos desires to fight Kvar anyway. I wonder why that is. Maybe it's because Kvar looks like a dwarf? Raine gives us the advice to use the Refresher, but screw that. Refreshers are for pussies who don't have x10 EXP. On a sidenote, I really like that one particular room with the cranes moving containers. It just feels so awesome to run through all that.
After generally making a mess of Squinty's ranch and beating up his five-Gald-an-hour lackeys, let's confront the greasy bastard himself. He's talking to a hot woman wearing a bathing suit and a ridiculous amount of bling. Kvar 'introduces' her as Pronyma. Seems she's been stealing information from his precious project. Also, we get our first mention of Rodyle and the Mana Cannon. But... who cares? Less talking, more asskicking. And what do we get out of this? An Exgem lv. 1. Thanks, man. Just... thanks. We totally needed one of those. >_>
So. Anna's been avenged. Sort of. But, oh what's this, Kvar is still alive! He tries to attack Lloyd, but Colette takes the hit. Nevermind that Kratos, the mercenary who was supposed to protect the party, was standing way closer to Lloyd. Squinty tries to make his greasy escape, but he's got nowhere left to slither, now. Kratos once again starts barging into a scene that seemingly doesn't concern him as he finishes off Kvar in Lloyd's stead. Boy, it's almost as if he knows Kvar from before this journey and hates him with a fiery passion. How peculiar. After worrying about Colette, who can't feel a thing anyway, it's time to buuurn this place to the ground. Kratos gives Kvar one last hateful glare before disappearing and a strange turtlema appears in the projector soon after to mock the dead guy.
Kratos uses some sort of amazing deduction, here. They're not sure whether Colette could properly rest in Luin, so let's go all the way to Asgard. Smart, Kratos. Real smart. Why not just set up camp with that mysterious trailer you guys apparently own? Aaaanyway, Quickjump to Asgard. Lloyd refuses to accept Colette's fate, even though she herself seems fine with it. Oh Lloyd, you doof.
Now, the fourth seal. It's near Palmacosta, so let's go there. However, alas, Hakonesia Peak is pretty much closed off due to the fact that the party has no road pass. Because those things are ridiculously expensive, it's all the way back to motherf*ckin' Izoold. I wish I had Rheairds... Now, time for the "deliver this letter to Aifread" thing. I love how they claim they can't deliver the letter if they can't cross the ocean while they were in Luin not even five minutes ago. Faaaail.
At last, glorious Palmacosta! Such a wonderful city. Boy, I'd hate for this place to be destroyed. Let alone twice. But what are the chances of that happening, right? After our first encounter with the imposters, we meet the most annoying character of the game. At least, I think so. It's Chocolat, everyone! And this item shop... It's called Marble's... While Chocolat talks about how the Desians took 'grandma' away... Hmmm, I wonder... Nah, it's probably just a coincidence. All of a sudden, it seems the Assassin Quest is working again. Turns out a weird person was in Colette's room, but he ran away when she hit him. Seems we can still activate the Training With Kratos as well, even though there's no point because we can't do the scene in Asgard after this. Oh well, it'll still score us some affection points with this guy.
Turns out Dorr and Neil are a couple of idiots, mistaking those imposters for the real thing. Well, it's not like we need that stupid book. But still. We'll have to go to Hakonesia Peak anyway. What a waste of time. Stopping at the inn for another rest gives... the exact same assassin scene we got ten minutes ago. Uhm... Okay. Can't get enough of Colette's screaming, though. Upon arriving at Hakonesia Peak, the gang learns that Old Man Koton is incredibly stingy and perverted. Because we can't get to the Thoda Geyser yet and apparently the Desians are causing trouble, it's time to go all the way BACK to Palmacosta. *groooan*
Turns out Cacao isn't home, which means her Item Shop is mine for the taking. Let's stand behind that counter, just for the lulz. If anyone enters, we'll ask outrageous amounts of money for one Apple Gel. Yeeaaahhh... ... Okay, enough of that. Time to head for the square. Oh, so that's where Cacao was. Magnius, you badass. Breaking a random NPC's neck like that. ... Kinda dozed off here, for a moment, because I don't give a damn about this scene.
Chocolat seems to be a magnet for trouble, as not soon after we find out she's been kidnapped by the Desians. My goddess, woman, can't you do anything right? When posed with the question "should we save her?", Lloyd gives a "yeah, okay". This answer pleases all the party members. While it's tempting to displease Colette and Genis with a "releasing the seals comes first", it'd also please Raine x2. Let's... not. However, we'll immediately enter the House of Salvation to learn about the fake statue. Here, we do give the answer that pleases Raine x2, but also ups Kratos' affection by one. Niiice. Now, I'd love to leave Chocolat to rot while we release the Water Seal, but apparently there's a storm so we're not allowed to go to Thoda Geyser yet.
At Palmacosta ranch, the gang gets beckoned into the bushes by a familiar stalker, also known as Neil. He tells them to leave Palmacosta and Chocolat behind. I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. However, it's insisted that we stop Magnius' reign of terror first, leaving us with the option of either attacking head-on or returning to Palmacosta to interrogate Dorr. This one is always a toughie. However, because returning pleases Kratos and Raine, let's do that. I'll just have to compensate by bashing Raine at the nearest Ring of Light, soon.
Dorr isn't around in his office, so let's stand behind his counter and pretend to be Governor-General for a bit. Yeaaah. This is epic. I wonder if I could have travelers imprisoned. ... Okay, enough of that. Time to head into the basement. Wow, Dorr is in cahoots with the Desians after all. He's squeezing money from all the place to pay them. So that's how Magnius paid for that pimpin' floating chair, huh? Boy, Kratos, that was an awfully loud gasp you exclaimed upon seeing Clara. Examining this suspicious gasp brings me to one conclusion; Clara was cheating on Dorr with Kratos a few years ago. Ho ho, who can blame her? I sure can't. Just as Dorr's about to turn nice again, Kilia goes batshit and stabs the guy. Turns out, she's an ugly monster, claiming to be a half-elf (...), in disguise. The real Kilia's already dead. Oh man, this is such a soap opera. For some reason, Kilia's death cry is "Lord Pronyma!". ... Uhm... But... Isn't Pronyma... Oh goddess, what kind of surgery has Pronyma undergone? I mean, we all knew those boobs are fake, but to fit into a tight bathingsuit like that without showing a crotch? She's like a hot version of Mrs. Garrison. *shudder*
Clara runs off for the lulz and Dorr dies. Looks like Raine's healing arts couldn't save him and she's pretty upset about that. Why does she suddenly care about- ... Ohhh, I get it! While Clara was off doing the nasty with Kratos, Dorr was cheating on her with Raine! Yeah, it makes perfect sense! Now, one more stay at the inn where Colette is attacked by this Weird Guy for the third time. And then we'll turn the Wii off for today.