I saw the new info myself just today. I swear the character designers at Falcom are trying to make loli character design a science, I say this all the while not being impressed with the other 2 characters. I mean Swin looks like a younger Joshua clone practically (not a clone clone, I mean figuratively), and the new C... Well I didn't like the old C. The whole darth-vadar like thing was never a design I liked much in games. Crow only gets a semi-pass because he was in their effing classroom, so being over the top mystery man disguise ooo scary was just appropriate, but I still didn't enjoy that aspect of him all the while beforehand, not too excited about having it again.
But it's Falcom, they nearly always make me like characters that give me a bad first impression, so I'm not going to moan about it too much.
So, what are we all hoping for with Hajimari? On the gameplay front, all I need is for someone at Falcom to sit down and really think about how absolutely OP so many of your tools are. I probably shouldn't hold my breath but, failing that, perhaps the next arc will give them a better chance to reassess when they shake things up with whatever new systems they introduce then. Also, Meteor Breaker. If only because it'd be pretty funny seeing Lloyd's CS engine character model doing a Sonic spin attack.
Playable Mueller. He's awesome, and I feel like he was done dirty in Cold Steel - he just had so little screentime. Plus, I want to see his soul and sword as one in glorious 3D (Kurt's second S-Craft was a nice nod to him)
Story-wise?
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I'll also be holding out hope that a certain eighth Dominion busts back on to the scene to tell us what REALLY went down in Nord.
Perhaps a little expansion on what AZOTH is, but that might be hoping for too much.
It seems pretty unlikely now, but I really wish we'd gotten to know the other Knights a little better - just a glimpse into their personalities would've been nice. We only really got to see Valimar and Ishmelga, now that I think about it. It's kinda nuts to me that, over the course of 4 games, Ordine had...what, 2 lines of dialogue? I really don't know how you could get any scenes with them at this point, so I won't be disappoined if there's nothing.
A Rean/Arios duel. Make it happen! Also, Rean's Divine Blade title.
As much screentime for McBurn as possible. I loved him in 2, but it didn't feel like he had too much to do in 3, and then everything surrounding him in 4 was...I'm sorry, I'm gonna say it...fire.
Some kinda door-like story telling device maybe? Did Kondo say if there'd be anything like that?
A vague reference to the crew in the next arc ala Thors in Ao, so we can look back on this game and say "ohhhh!" Although this may not work, given the nature of CS2 and Ao's timelines allowing for that sort of fun.
The fairly straight laced Gaius having to contend with his fellow Dominion, Wazy's, antics. Speaking of Gaius, and this is weirdly specific, but I'm curious to see how his Stigma manifests outside of the zaniness of S-Craft shenanigans.
A friendly academic who is merely a friendly academic. AND NOTHING MORE.
With all that said, I very much look forward to the "eh, you can skip Hajimari, it's not important" discourse in the years following its release. 🙃
SpoilerCS IV Spoilersome kinda door-like story telling device maybe? Did Kondo say if there'd be anything like that?
SpoilerCS IV SpoilerA vague reference to the crew in the next arc ala Thors in Ao, so we can look back on this game and say "ohhhh!"
SpoilerCS IV SpoilerAlthough this may not work, given the nature of CS2 and Ao's timelines allowing for that sort of fun.
So, what are we all hoping for with Hajimari? On the gameplay front, all I need is for someone at Falcom to sit down and really think about how absolutely OP so many of your tools are. I probably shouldn't hold my breath but, failing that, perhaps the next arc will give them a better chance to reassess when they shake things up with whatever new systems they introduce then. Also, Meteor Breaker. If only because it'd be pretty funny seeing Lloyd's CS engine character model doing a Sonic spin attack.
Playable Mueller. He's awesome, and I feel like he was done dirty in Cold Steel - he just had so little screentime. Plus, I want to see his soul and sword as one in glorious 3D (Kurt's second S-Craft was a nice nod to him)
Story-wise?
SpoilerAll of CS4B E R Y L
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I'll also be holding out hope that a certain eighth Dominion busts back on to the scene to tell us what REALLY went down in Nord.
Perhaps a little expansion on what AZOTH is, but that might be hoping for too much.
It seems pretty unlikely now, but I really wish we'd gotten to know the other Knights a little better - just a glimpse into their personalities would've been nice. We only really got to see Valimar and Ishmelga, now that I think about it. It's kinda nuts to me that, over the course of 4 games, Ordine had...what, 2 lines of dialogue? I really don't know how you could get any scenes with them at this point, so I won't be disappoined if there's nothing.
A Rean/Arios duel. Make it happen! Also, Rean's Divine Blade title.
As much screentime for McBurn as possible. I loved him in 2, but it didn't feel like he had too much to do in 3, and then everything surrounding him in 4 was...I'm sorry, I'm gonna say it...fire.
Some kinda door-like story telling device maybe? Did Kondo say if there'd be anything like that?
A vague reference to the crew in the next arc ala Thors in Ao, so we can look back on this game and say "ohhhh!" Although this may not work, given the nature of CS2 and Ao's timelines allowing for that sort of fun.
The fairly straight laced Gaius having to contend with his fellow Dominion, Wazy's, antics. Speaking of Gaius, and this is weirdly specific, but I'm curious to see how his Stigma manifests outside of the zaniness of S-Craft shenanigans.
A friendly academic who is merely a friendly academic. AND NOTHING MORE.
With all that said, I very much look forward to the "eh, you can skip Hajimari, it's not important" discourse in the years following its release. 🙃
- Yeah, I wouldn't expect any major mechanics rebalancing in Hajimari since the system is still using the Cold Steel 3/4 engine. The Valiant Rage mechanic may be replacing some of the ARCUS linking (it pretty much sounds like Burst) but we don't have enough details there. On the other hand, every time they do a new arc they have the opportunity to reevaluate the system and start (mostly) fresh so I expect that will happen in Calvard; we know both from the existence of the RAMDA and explicit comments from Kondo that they're going to introduce a new Orbment system in the future.
- I would be so down for Meteor Breaker in the current engine, and while the odds of it happening are basically nil I'd love to see Death Scorpion and Eidolon Gear as well. At least we can safely assume Akashic Arm will be seen in glorious 3d. xD
- Yeah, that was a nice touch with Kurt's second S-Craft. We know the entire Vander family will be appearing in Hajimari so hopefully Mueller will get some screentime. The recent implication that something is going on with Scherazard and Olivier during the game could open up playable Mueller if he joins up with the party to investigate. We also know that Matteus will be appearing and there's a scene of him and Kurt sparring. Some sort of Vander Family boss battle where you take on Matteus, Zechs, Mueller and Aurier at once would be amazing. And let's be honest, I could totally see sparring bouts as being how the Vanders celebrate reunions.
For all the stuff under the spoiler tag:
- Linking AZOTH and Beryl because I think they're related. Yeah, Kondo told us directly that Beryl's nature is being kept a secret for later so I think my idea that she's some sort of interface for AZOTH is looking good. She even comments that Osgiliath Basin is her birthplace and we know that AZOTH's recording was set in motion around the time the two treasures merged into the Great One at the basin so...
- Yeah, we don't see much of the other Knights personality-wise (aside from Ishmelga) and it's unlikely we'll see more of them. There's juuust enough wiggle room in some things we've been told about how the Sept-Terrion are almost completely out of reach to leave open a tiny possibility but it's not much. We also got a tiny bit about El-Prado when Kondo was asked why it accepted Rufus as its Awakener but that's not ingame. Depending on how the 'Episodes' play out, it's at least vaguely possible we could see some past scenes with the Knights from the perspective of their Awakeners if they can function like the Doors in The 3rd.
- That duel would be epic. And I'm crossing my fingers that he takes Emma's suggestion for his title because then we'd get a solid in-universe reason for the arc's Japanese title.
- Falcom's teased him as a possible playable character and we know he's doing something in that screenshot, so here's hoping. He's got so many mysteries and the timing of his arrival in Zemuria can't possibly be a coincidence.
- Yeah, the 'Episodes' could possibly function like the Doors but we don't know for sure. If they're encountered in the True Reverie Corridor it's easy to imagine similar mechanics and spacetime shenanigans.
- My money is very much on the CID/Rocksmith as our future protagonists (they've only been teasing them since The 3rd...) and we've met Kaela who I'm certain is going to be a major character even if she's not our protagonist. I'll eat my hat (or any other bit of clothing you care to name) if Jack and Halle don't show up too, and Nike.
- I have a feeling that at least some of Gaius' Dominion attitude is him not being sure just how far he can push the rules about sharing Forbidden Church Knowledge as a new member, so spending time around Wazy could do him good. It's funny how Reliable Bro Gaius has actually been the least helpful when it comes to giving the other characters and the players insight into the Church, compared to its quirkier members. So yeah, seeing them interact would be all kinds of fun and we know that Wazy and his Squires will be in the game.
- There is one we've met and I felt so trolled by Falcom when he turned out to be exactly what he appeared at first. True, his game is (currently) not canon to the main stories but he still half-counts. That would be Volans from Nayuta no Kiseki. The academics in Zemuria proper though? Probably a lost cause. xD
I'm gonna have to come up with my own list of what I'm hoping to see in Hajimari (putting together a set of unanswered questions for the series right now, seems a good place to start xD) but I'll just drop one thing in for the time being since it relates to some of the things above: I'd like it if some of the things we know from interviews with Kondo could make it into the games. I know there's always going to be a degree of 'all there in the manual' with this series but getting some of the really big stuff in an actual game would be nice.
I believe it actually was recently confirmed that Hajimari takes place at the same time as the next Arc, so we likely will get some strong teases. 😉
I don't think it's been confirmed when the next arc takes place timeline-wise, unless I'm forgetting something. We know it's being developed parallel to Hajimari but I don't recall seeing anything that says it happens parallel. Though the odds are very good that the next arc will either overlap slightly with Hajimari/CS4's ending or at least start very close after it.
Definitely agree with the "putting interview tidbits" into the game. I get the impression a lot of clarification regarding
Speaking of Kondo, in a gematsu interview that was posted today he recommended re-reading...wait for it...Carnelia. Oh my Lord, SHE'S coming isn't she? I don't want to get ahead of myself, but might it finally be time for her to show off what she can really do?!
Edit: Waitwaitwait. New character introduced called "C." Wields a sword. Kondo recommends reading Carnelia. I can't fathom why she'd be in that getup, but...
(Yeah, this seems like a stretch)
Definitely agree with the "putting interview tidbits" into the game. I get the impression a lot of clarification regarding
SpoilerCS4 endgameIshmelga/the Curse/The Great One was external. Could you also detail what the Q&A regarding Gaius was about? I don't remember seeing that.
Speaking of Kondo, in a gematsu interview that was posted today he recommended re-reading...wait for it...Carnelia. Oh my Lord, SHE'S coming isn't she? I don't want to get ahead of myself, but might it finally be time for her to show off what she can really do?!
Edit: Waitwaitwait. New character introduced called "C." Wields a sword. Kondo recommends reading Carnelia. I can't fathom why she'd be in that getup, but...
That is... actually a legit amazing idea. I could see reasons why Carnelia would hide her face and not just from the player (she was prominent enough in Heimdallr that people there still remember 'that nun who was here ten years ago' for example) and the whole thing with C using 'elegant swordplay' fits with Carnelia being known to use a sword. The only thing I can think of that would disqualify it is that the Dengeki interview did say that C was male but between Kondo's mastery of the not-quite-lie and his Troll Level being memetic I'm not willing to say that's a definite bar to the idea just yet; I'd want to see exactly what Kondo said. And that would be an amazing way to introduce her.
I know alot of the heroes are pretty heroic and all by this point in the story, but wouldn't Carnelia kind of be a hard sell for a playable protagonist just due to power level? I mean I know we had Kevin earlier on when the rest of the cast weren't so super yet. But 3rd took place in a weird place where rules aren't quite the same. The new C appears to be in regulars-ville.
Like any Dominion worth their salt (hohoho), she no doubt had to take a class back in Gralsritter school all about the Art of Holding Back.
I know alot of the heroes are pretty heroic and all by this point in the story, but wouldn't Carnelia kind of be a hard sell for a playable protagonist just due to power level? I mean I know we had Kevin earlier on when the rest of the cast weren't so super yet. But 3rd took place in a weird place where rules aren't quite the same. The new C appears to be in regulars-ville.
We're currently three for three on playable Dominions who have spent time as party members while deliberately handicapping themselves (a considerable amount of time in two of those cases) and who do you think they all probably learned it from? ;p
We know thanks to Aurelia that Ein is supposed to be an utter beast with a Temple Sword and we've seen her carrying an ordinary blade as well, so she could fight quite easily without her ace in the hole.
Oh, Aurelia is that familiar with Ein? Now there's a meeting I'd like to C.
I know alot of the heroes are pretty heroic and all by this point in the story, but wouldn't Carnelia kind of be a hard sell for a playable protagonist just due to power level? I mean I know we had Kevin earlier on when the rest of the cast weren't so super yet. But 3rd took place in a weird place where rules aren't quite the same. The new C appears to be in regulars-ville.
We're currently three for three on playable Dominions who have spent time as party members while deliberately handicapping themselves (a considerable amount of time in two of those cases) and who do you think they all probably learned it from? ;p
We know thanks to Aurelia that Ein is supposed to be an utter beast with a Temple Sword and we've seen her carrying an ordinary blade as well, so she could fight quite easily without her ace in the hole.
Well I haven't played Crossbell games yet beyond Chapter 1 in Zero (well not even done Chapter 1, I think I almost am though, I'm on the 2nd day, investigated the town of 'murica eff ya (as a non 'murican it's less cheesy when I say it =P ), and the hospital, and am just doing my pre-trek to the mine talk to every npc in town lap. That said, Did Kevin say he was holding back in 3rd? I don't really remember him saying that. I mean I can see them holding back when they are helping bracers out doing some more mundane tasks. But fighting for survival in a pocket dimension thing that wants to take over your essence or whatever? Why? I can't imagine a game this late in the series meant as an epilogue/tie-in will have low stakes either.
Then there is Gaius, whom, well I found it strange that he didn't seem that much more powerful (though I swear his line-attack spear craft was much stronger and wider this time around, he was actually kind of good), but I kinda chalk that up to maybe he's still learning or whatever. Kinda like Rean using Valimar. He starts off far less proficient than a talented soldier using a regular mech (thinking about nighthardt here, he had lots of practice before that point), but quickly becomes much better. So I'm not sure if Gaius is really holding back THAT much or not beyond just not using whatever stigma talents he has. I mean maybe CS4 will indicate otherwise to me, but just for me personally. I haven't seen anything to convince me that the previous 2 dominions I know did in fact have an obvious case of holding back *so* much.
What I do know about Ein though is even without her stigma powers she's supposed to be like Lowe op, or even more.
Not trying to convince anyone I'm right, just saying at my level of perspective, it's not quite as derpy as how I think you guys (not intentionally I know, no hard feelings) make it sound =P.
Oh, Aurelia is that familiar with Ein? Now there's a meeting I'd like to C.
That said, Did Kevin say he was holding back in 3rd? I don't really remember him saying that.
It's Ries who tells the party that Kevin holds back in the sense that he dislikes utilizing his Stigma at all. This is shortly after Kevin unveils his first offensive S-Craft and faints afterwards. There's also him holding back between SC and 3rd due to the Weissmann assassination which is shown in 3rd by him having the additional Craft 'Mortal Punisher'.
Gaius held back during CS3 in the sense that we only get to use his S-Craft in the last fight where he's usable.
As for the third example, that one is pretty open and shut once you've played Zero and Ao.
Oh, Aurelia is that familiar with Ein? Now there's a meeting I'd like to C.
SpoilerCS4 EpilogueWatch the picture stream of Olivert's wedding. Ein and Aurelia are shown to get along swimmingly during the feast and Toval makes a somewhat pained face while carrying the booze for the ladies.
Thinking back on it, I probably just assumed that was their first meeting.
Oh, Aurelia is that familiar with Ein? Now there's a meeting I'd like to C.
I see what you did there...
Anyhow, we don't know exactly how she knows about Ein, just that she's heard of her and knows of her and Toval's status as the models for Carnelia's protagonists. There's an Active Voice scene in CS4 where Aurelia will mention that she knows of Ein but doesn't know Ein. So that scene in the end credits is presumably the first time they meet, unless something happens in Hajimari.
Well I haven't played Crossbell games yet beyond Chapter 1 in Zero (well not even done Chapter 1, I think I almost am though, I'm on the 2nd day, investigated the town of 'murica eff ya (as a non 'murican it's less cheesy when I say it =P ), and the hospital, and am just doing my pre-trek to the mine talk to every npc in town lap.
Fun fact: That town is named not for America but for the region in modern France corresponding more or less to Bretagne, as it was known to the Romans. The things you learn from Asterix comics. xD
And have fun with that, Zero is good about slowly introducing you to the different parts of Crossbell before the plot starts kicking into high gear.
Then there is Gaius, whom, well I found it strange that he didn't seem that much more powerful (though I swear his line-attack spear craft was much stronger and wider this time around, he was actually kind of good), but I kinda chalk that up to maybe he's still learning or whatever. Kinda like Rean using Valimar. He starts off far less proficient than a talented soldier using a regular mech (thinking about nighthardt here, he had lots of practice before that point), but quickly becomes much better. So I'm not sure if Gaius is really holding back THAT much or not beyond just not using whatever stigma talents he has. I mean maybe CS4 will indicate otherwise to me, but just for me personally. I haven't seen anything to convince me that the previous 2 dominions I know did in fact have an obvious case of holding back *so* much.
His S-Craft is a lifesaver, not so much for its power (though it's really strong) but because it has a bonkers Absolute Delay effect that works even on enemies who would otherwise resist AT Delay. That can make a huge difference in tough fights when you really need to shift an enemy off a nasty turn bonus or buy more time for your own characters. Your analogy is a good one though and since we're told that a Stigma's powers grow over time, Gaius is definitely going to be less proficient than other Dominion since he's only had about six months or so to get used to his powers, whereas every other Dominion we've met has had years by the time we encounter them.
What I do know about Ein though is even without her stigma powers she's supposed to be like Lowe op, or even more.
Not trying to convince anyone I'm right, just saying at my level of perspective, it's not quite as derpy as how I think you guys (not intentionally I know, no hard feelings) make it sound =P.
No worries. xD
And yeah, everything we're told about Ein implies that she's one of the strongest characters in the franchise, maybe the strongest. On top of pure skill with a sword, if her Carnelia counterpart reflects her real fighting style, she doesn't seem to care much for the idea of 'fighting fair'. And that's before she brings the Stigma into play... you'll eventually see a character mention her in the Crossbell games and it's part of the reason we think she's going to be insanely powerful if we see her fighting all-out.
It's Ries who tells the party that Kevin holds back in the sense that he dislikes utilizing his Stigma at all. This is shortly after Kevin unveils his first offensive S-Craft and faints afterwards. There's also him holding back between SC and 3rd due to the Weissmann assassination which is shown in 3rd by him having the additional Craft 'Mortal Punisher'.
Yeah, to add to this the thing with Kevin is that he spends an entire game of being an on-and-off party member hiding his real rank and by extension his Stigma, and even when he's the protagonist he spends half of his own game hiding the latter because he's afraid of using it unless he absolutely has to. The other Dominion we've seen hold back out of choice. Well, they've all got standing orders to keep a low profile but neither is afraid of their power in the way Kevin was prior to the end of The 3rd.
So, assuming gematsu's translation of the latest Hajimari news is accurate, Matteus is the strongest swordsman in the Empire? I guess with Victor somewhat inhibited by his injuries, it'd make sense if Matteus took the new spot. I'm guessing Aurelia is separate in that she's a swordswoman, but you have to imagine she'd be itching for a throwdown. Also, was CS3 the first time he gets namedropped? What I'm trying to remember is if in CS1, there was a line about Victor being in the top <number> of fighters in the country. If so, you could draw the conclusion that they were referencing Matteus without actually naming him.
It's also nice to see more of Rixia, but I wasn't expecting to see...so much more of Rixia!
