Brontoforumus Archive
Activity Boards => LP Hell => Topic started by: R^2 on July 15, 2013, 10:49:37 AM
-
Final Fantasy 4 Advance Music - Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQadMDxAT8#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0001.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0002.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0003.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0004.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0005.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0006.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0007.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0008.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0009.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0010.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0011.png)
The man in bed glimmers slightly, before...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0012.png)
...erupting from the sheets.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0013.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0014.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0015.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0016.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0017.png)
It's an awkward screenshot, but as boulders fall from the mountaintop, the armored man leaps into the air and smashes them all before they hit the ground.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0018.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0019.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0020.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0021.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0022.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0023.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0024.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0025.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0026.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0027.png)
-
The Red Wings - Final Fantasy IV Music Extended (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9BhQlDRaCs#ws)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0029.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0030.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0031.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0032.png)
That's an awfully imposing helmet for a Final Fantasy protagonist.
Crewman: The captain seems kinda down.
Crewman: After what we did, who wouldn't be? Orders are orders, but killing innocent people to get the Crystals isn't right.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0036.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0037.png)
The black mages are summarily cut down...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0038.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0039.png)
The white mage is likewise slain, the elder tossed out of the way.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0040.png)
The captain then steps onto the dias and takes the crystal.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0042.png)
But pauses briefly at the door to consider what he's done.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0043.png)
Cecil: That's enough!
Crewman: But, Captain!
Crewman: Surely you don't condone what we've done?
Cecil: All of you, listen well. The raid on Mysidia was imperative. His Majesty and his council concluded that the Mysidians, and their broad knowledge of the Crystals, posed a serious threat to our kingdom. For Baron to prosper, we need the Crystals. As soldiers of the Royal Air Force, we must achieve this by whatever means necessary.
What a good little soldier Cecil is, no?
-
Cecil: All of you, listen well. The raid on Mysidia was imperative. His Majesty and his council concluded that the Mysidians, and their broad knowledge of the Crystals, posed a serious threat to our kingdom. For Baron to prosper, we need the Crystals. As soldiers of the Royal Air Force, we must achieve this by whatever means necessary.
What a good little soldier Cecil is, no?
Must games shoehorn Iraq War criticism into every narrative, now? I mean, come on.
-
Upon Namingway
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Frydia
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Silver
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Sharkey
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0051.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0052.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0053.png)
So here's the opening battle tutorial, where w--
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0054.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0055.png)
Oh. Or we can watch the autobattle take care of all the monsters with an item we probably won't see again until the end of the game.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0056.png)
Cecil: Are you alright?
Crewman: We've got more hostiles!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0060.png)
Like before, Cecil vaporizes the monster with no effort on the player's part.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0061.png)
Crewman: All accounted for, sir.
Crewman: We've been encountering a surprising number of monsters lately...
Cecil: Could it be... some kind of omen?
Crewman: Captain, we are now over Baron.
Cecil: Very well. Prepare for landing.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0067.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0068.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0069.png)
The fleet lands at the desert castle.
-
Let's Listen: Final Fantasy IV (DS) - Kingdom Baron (Extended) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4XbuqXH8a0#ws)
Yeah, some of the posted music is going to be from the DS version of this game, because apparently the GBA version music never got all that popular on YouTube.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0070.png)
Baigan has a name, so he's sort of important, but he doesn't have a portrait, so he's not that important.
Cecil: The Mysidians put up no resistance. In fact, they were completely helpless.
Baigan: Is this pity I perceive? Hmph! Come, Captain. His Majesty awaits.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0073.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0074.png)
This is still opening cinema, so Cecil is escorted through the castle without any player input.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0076.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0077.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0078.png)
The king doesn't have a portrait or a name, just a title. So he's hardly important at all.
King: Send him in.
Baigan: Yes, Your Majesty.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0081.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0082.png)
Cecil: Yes, Your Majesty.
Handed over the Water Crystal.
King: So this is the Crystal. What splendor... You are dismissed, Cecil.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0086.png)
Cecil stops before leaving.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0087.png)
Baigan and the king are so surprised by Cecil's outburst that they literally spin around in place.
King: Yes?
Baigan: Captain, what is it?
Cecil: Your Majesty, forgive me, but what are your intentions? My men are confused and displeased.
King: And you? Do you question my command?
Cecil: No! I only ask...
King: Silence! Dissension only leads to treason, and that I will not tolerate. I hereby relieve you of your command of the Red Wings.
Cecil: Your Majesty!
I've had bosses like that. Ask a single question, they flip out and you're in deep shit. Never had one fire me outright, but I didn't work in a monarchy.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0097.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0098.png)
Royal Guard: You leave tomorrow, at first light.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0121.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0132.png)
King: You insolent cur! How dare you barge in here! If you are so concerned about him, you may accompany him! Now, take the ring and begone!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0165.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0187.png)
Cecil and Kain are shoved out of the throne room and into the hallway.
Kain: Once we have completed the mission, the king is bound to forgive us both. We will rejoin the Red Wings in no time.
Cecil: ...
Kain: Get some rest. Leave tomorrow's preparations to me.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0242.png)
Kain walks off, and the player is finally given a chance to play the game. But you can follow him, since he's just hanging out in the next chamber over with a few soldiers.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0297.png)
Cecil: ...I'm sorry to have dragged you into this.
Kain: My actions are my own.
heh heh
Cecil: I mastered the dark sword at His Majesty's orders. But it was to protect Baron, not to plunder.
Kain: Surely, the king has his reasons.
Cecil: I envy you, Kain. I envy the path you chose.
Kain: I suppose I could have attained a higher rank, had I become a dark knight. My father, who passed away when I was still young, was a dragoon. I felt that I could keep some sort of connection with him if I became a dragoon as well.
Cecil: ...
Dude, gross. Kain's standing there talking about his dad (who is totally Ricard from Final Fantasy II you guys I swear) and you're trying to pass one silently enough that he doesn't notice.
Kain: I didn't mean to bore you with my stories. Anyway, I don't need your concern. The only thing you should be worried about is slaying creatures tomorrow. I don't want to be the only one doing his part.
Cecil: Oh, I will. I'll slay twice as many as you!
Kain: That's more like it. We should get some rest. We rise early tomorrow.
Other nameless mooks have things to say, too, of course:
Royal Guard: It's best to suppress any disloyal thoughts if you wish to survive these times.
Royal Guard: I've heard rather disturbing rumors regarding the king lately.
Dragoon: With you and our master Kain joining forces, nothing will be able to stop you.
Dragoon: Mist Valley is northwest of Baron.
Soldier: Whateer others may say, I trust the king.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0517.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0572.png)
They practice some on you, if you talk to them. They... do not work.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0605.png)
White Mage: Rosa became a white mage for you, Cecil, to help you in any way she could. Please don't worry her too much.
White Mage: The king is brimming with vigor these days. I find it somewhat unnatural.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0647.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0648.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0649.png)
Just press on the clearly-marked switch, and the door opens! Inside are a couple consumable items and some money.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0650.png)
The next guard down the hallway is not so generous.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0651.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0653.png)
The airship crew is outside in the courtyard, trying to take a break. Or maybe they have nothing to do with their boss away.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0654.png)
Rosa: Thank goodness you're alright. I was so worried. You left on such short notice.
Cecil: We're fine. I wish I could say the same for the Mysidians we slaughtered...
And then Cecil just turns and starts to walk off like it ain't no thang.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0658.png)
Rosa: I'll visit you later, okay?
Cecil: Very well...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0661.png)
Pretty cold, Cecil.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0662.png)
So I do.
Black Mage: You! You won't get away with this, you hear me!?
White Mage: I do not expect you to spare us. But please, return the Crystal to Mysidia.
Black Mage: You idiots don't know anything! The Crystal isn't just any old jewel!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0679.png)
Some soldiers are having a few drinks to forget in... well, this is where Rosa was healing people in the game intro, so... the infirmary?
Soldier: So much for the Red Wings' honor...
Soldier: We'll just eat and laugh and try to forget about Mysidia.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0666.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0667.png)
The ass-ugly airship chief waves from his balcony before disappearing down the stairs.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0668.png)
His next words are spoken in a normal tone from beside Cecil, rather than shouted from a balcony across the courtyard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0669.png)
Ha ha! Internet humor.
Cid: Hey, what's the matter with you, kiddo?
Cecil: Well...
Cid: What!? The king demoted you? What about the Red Wings? They'll be a mess without you! What's come over the king? He's been acting peculiar. He ordered me to build an airship that he can use to slaughter people! Everyone's worried about His Majesty... Anyhoo, be careful out there! Make short work of that mission and get back safe. ...Whoa, I have to start heading home, or my daughter's going to kill me!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0678.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0683.png)
Eventually Cecil makes it back to his own bedroom. Must be exhausting talking to every single person in the entire castle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0684.png)
It's so exhausting, in fact, that Cecil collapses into bed without even taking off his armor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0685.png)
But he's too troubled to sleep, of course.
Cecil: ...possessed. And he'll resort to any means to get them. Nevertheless, I can't defy him. How could I cross the man who raised Kain and me like his very own? The chivalrous knight whom I've adored and admired since childhood? I will not betray him. I can't.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0689.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0690.png)
Hey Cecil, you know what might help you feel better? Not staring at the wall while your hot girlfriend who wears her underwear on the outside is trying to fucking talk to you. I know it's been a big day, but damn, dude.
Rosa: ...to battle this phantom beast? You're acting very strange.
Cecil: ...Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine.
Rosa: Cecil, look at me.
Cecil does not.
Cecil: ...In Mysidia, we killed innocent people to steal their Crystal. It was horrible. I suppose this is my fate as a dark knight. Soon, I won't even feel remorse for my actions.
Rosa: You and I both know that would never happen.
Cecil: Still, I can't defy the king... I'm a hopeless coward.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0699.png)
Rosa has quite understandably had enough of Cecil's shit.
Rosa: The Cecil I love...
Rosa: You leave for Mist early tomorrow, right?
Cecil: Yes, but don't worry. Kain's coming, too. I'll be fine. Trust me.
Rosa: Please come back to me in one piece.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0705.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0706.png)
Cecil: Though as a dark knight, you know we can never be together...
Sheesh, everything this guy does backfires. Try to do your job, end up murdering innocent people. Ask your boss about it, get fired. Girlfriend tries to cheer her up, mope at her until she's fed up and leaves. Sounds like... well, about like my luck between the years 2008 and 2011.
-
Final Fantasy 4 Advance Music - Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQadMDxAT8#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0708.png)
The next morning, Cecil and Kain meet up in the castle corridor...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0714.png)
...and head out for adventure!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0715.png)
And so, the dark knight Cecil was stripped of his command as the captain of the Red Wings. He and the master dragoon Kain head toward the dark valley for the village of Mist.
The advent of the airship marked the realization of Baron's dreams, but also the birth of its militarism. With its Royal Air Force Red Wings, Baron soon reigned supreme. Now, as monsters multiply and stir unrest, Baron only exploits its power to collect the world's Crystals. Why?
The Crystals silently shed their light...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0722.png)
World map! But like Fynn before it, Baron is both a castle and a town.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0723.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0726.png)
Cid lives here. His daughter implores you to tell him to let up on his overnight work projects, since the lack of sleep leads to him arguing with people about the king's new policies of murder and oppression.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0725.png)
The Dark Knight was a class introduced in Final Fantasy 3, where they were... a lot like Knights from Final Fantasy 1, really. They were big and tough and could cast a little white magic, but their real strength was in their weapon equip: they used katanas instead of regular swords, and in a game infested with monsters with nasty gimmicks, katanas shut down one of the more bothersome ones. Final Fantasy 4 codified the Dark Knight as a swordsman who could sacrifice their own HP for moves with names like "Darkside" or "Souleater" to attack their enemies. The implication in-story is that Cecil, as a Dark Knight, will eventually stop feeling any emotion at all and become a semirobotic killing machine.
Cecil looks up to the king as an adoptive father, but that's a pretty lousy thing to train your son to do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0730.png)
GEE WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0733.png)
As Friday pointed out, Namingway lets you rename the characters in your party. If anyone has any different suggestions than hers, I'll take votes.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0736.png)
Who would attack mist? It's just water vapor. A ground-level cloud. You couldn't cut it with a sword if you tried.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0737.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0738.png)
Uh oh. Chewed out by your girlfriend's mom, too? Cecil can't catch a break.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0742.png)
The dancing girl flails around to Saber Dance for a few seconds when you talk to her. In the Japanese version, she flings off that dress to reveal a skimpy leotard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0751.png)
Cecil's life may have taken a downward spiral but at least he can score some free drinks at the bar.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0747.png)
There are a few hidden items to be found here and there in most towns.
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Overworld (Main Theme) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLxN2QqDZc#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0752.png)
Right, away we go.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0753.png)
Oh right, it's Final Fantasy. You can't go more than a few steps without getting into a fight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0754.png)
There's a way to fix that, though!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0755.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0756.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0757.png)
Chocobos can totally cross the streams in this game. I wasn't making that up, see?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0758.png)
A waterfall in a video game without anything hidden behind it! Crazy!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0759.png)
Anyway, it's actually not that long a walk to the cave, but I played through FF4 probably a half-dozen times before I discovered that Chocobo forest near Baron, so I had to show it off.
-
Into The Darkness - Final Fantasy IV DS Music Extended (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CqySOMRo4#ws)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0761.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0762.png)
Final Fantasy 4 was the first game in the series with an active-time battle system. In previous games, all the commands for each character were entered at the beginning of each round, and characters and monsters would all try to kill each other with one move per turn. In an active time battle, characters get a turn individually, at rates based on their speed. Fast characters get more turns, while slow characters don't get to react as quickly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0763.png)
Final Fantasy 3 gave Dragoons their staple jumping attack, an improvement from Ricard's "I'm sort of strong and can talk to dragons in story events" Dragoon class from Final Fantasy 2. It was, of course, used to overcome a monster's gimmick.
Anyway, Kain can Jump as a technique. It doesn't consume any MP, and removes him from the battlefield for several seconds. When he reappears, he lands on an enemy. If Kain is equipped with a sword or axe, the only benefit is that he can't be hit in the air. If he's using the Dragoon's trademark spears, jump attacks do twice as much damage as normal attacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0765.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0766.png)
As alluded to previously, Cecil's Dark Knight ability lets him fire off Darkness waves, damaging all enemies in sight but reducing his HP a little. Good thing his girlfriend is a white mage, huh?
On the SNES version dumbed down for release in America, Cecil didn't have this ability. All he could do was Fight and use Items.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0767.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0771.png)
It's a short cave, but at every bottleneck the two are warned to not go any further.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0773.png)
Kain: Who are you!?
Big Magic Voice: LEAVE NOW, OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
Kain: Show yourself!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0778.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0779.png)
BMV: SO BE IT.
Kain: The mist is gathering!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0783.png)
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Boss Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKuS5I24Mhw#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0783.png)
The Mist Dragon, being the first boss, is a bit of a tutorial on that active time battle system I mentioned before. You're given a few turns of mutual normal attacking, and then...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0786.png)
...the creature dissolves into a cloud of mist.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0788.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0790.png)
Attacking while the dragon is in mist form hits both Cecil and Kain with a counterattack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0794.png)
So either use potions or wait it out for the dragon to reform before you try to wallop it again. Kain's jump attack is delayed for several seconds from the time the command is put in, so that's a further complication for the careless.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0797.png)
Other than that, no sweat.
-
Upon Namingway
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Lyrai
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Friday
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Sharkey
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
like hell i'm being left out of my favorite FF game.
-
I think Cid demands a beard photo contest.
-
Upon Namingway
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Frydia
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Silver
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Sharkey
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
Sweet
-
I was trying to think of the poster with the highest level of Brofist and it wasn't close
-
FF^2
-
Upon Namingway
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Frydia
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Silver
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Sharkey
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS
-
Upon Namingway
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Lyrai
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Friday
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Sharkey
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS
:rage:
-
Fine fine make me back row healer girl
-
Also I'm pretty sure Niku has the greatest beard and also is a perfect fit for Cid? dunno wtf i was thinking earlier
-
The problem with this is that I read way too much terrible FF2/4 fanfic in the 90s and this is creating all sorts of extra disturbing "ships".
-
There are probably fewer homoerotic undertones in this setup than were probably originally intended for FF4.
-
My scarred childhood memories don't actually have that many Kain\* or *\Kain ships, surprisingly.
-
I'm just surprised Friday and Lyrai are arguing about, as determined by OTP, which of them marries Brentai and which of them gets creepy-stalked by Disposable Ninja.
-
Poll added for anyone who feels strongly enough about this to weigh in.
-
Marries Brentai and bears his stupid, stupid offspring and then gets sidelined in the sequel phone games.
-
In FF4DS, the augments were a pretty fun addition, if stupid to get, if only because Cecil spent most of the game kicking, Kain spent it Crying and Blessing, Rosa would Dualcast the shit out of everything, Rydia...well, Black Magic & Summon didn't need any help, and Edge had Phoenix so that he was useful when he died, at least.
-
Nah, man, you give back-row damage to Edge and Phoenix to KAIN. He's usually the last one standing.
(Anyway I started 6 again and named everybody after Batman (http://www.corporate-sellout.com/index.php/2013/07/11/party-like-its-1994/).
...okay technically there are three Batgirls.
...okay even more technically two Batgirls and one elderly Barbara Gordon who is no longer Batgirl.)
-
Kain also has MP growth and nothing else to spend it on, so Phoenix is a 100% party restore from wipe.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0798.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0799.png)
Hey, we made it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0801.png)
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Ring of Bomb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeKFg3LRhVU#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0802.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0803.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0804.png)
The Bombs erupt from the ring in a circle, choreograph themselves...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0807.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0811.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0813.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0815.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0816.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0817.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0818.png)
WHHHYYYYYYYY!!!?!?!!??!!?!?!?!?!!?!!!?!!!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0819.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0821.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0822.png)
Cecil: What!?
Kain: I've heard of people with the power to summon monsters... Summoners, they are called.
Callers? They are summoned.
Cecil: Then we are the ones responsible for killing her mother by killing the dragon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0828.png)
And you guys are arguing over who gets their name attached to this character. I don't even know anymore.
Cecil: We... we didn't know that would happen...
Kain: So that was the king's wish... to annihilate every summoner in this village.
Cecil: That can't be...
Kain: I'm afraid it's true. I'm also afraid we're going to have to get rid of the girl.
Cecil: WHAT!?
Kain: We have to obey the king's orders.
Cecil: But she's just a child!
Kain: You intend to defy the king?
Cecil: I refuse to continue any more slaughter in the king's name!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0838.png)
Ha ha, I was totally provoking you into turning traitor! I wasn't actually going to murder this little girl in cold blood, ha ha! I'd never do such a thing. :>_>:
Cecil: You are?
Kain: I owe the king so much, but I can't disgrace the dragoons.
Cecil: So you'll join me?
Kain: Yes. But we will need allies if we are to oppose the mightiest kingdom in the land. We have to do it for Rosa, as well.
Gee Kain thinking about somebody else's girlfriend like that sure is selfless what a good friend you are
Cecil: Thank you, Kain.
Kain: Save it. This isn't for your sake.
Cecil: ...
Kain: This place is dangerous. We'd better get going. What about the girl?
Cecil: We can't leave her. We'll have to take her with us.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0849.png)
Girl: No!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0852.png)
Girl: No! Go away!
Cecil: Wait!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0855.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0857.png)
This is... uh... hmm.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0858.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0859.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0860.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0861.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0862.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0863.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0864.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0865.png)
Wow. That's a big earthquake, all right.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0866.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0867.png)
Cecil: Kain? Kain!?
Cecil: I have to get her out of here. Kain, I pray that you're alive!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0871.png)
That was an earthquake big enough to permanently alter the world map.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0872.png)
Thankfully, carrying around an unconscious six-year-old doesn't hamper Cecil's ability to fight off monsters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0873.png)
An oasis town!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0874.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0875.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0876.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0878.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0881.png)
Summoning a giant phantom beast and cracking the earth asunder really takes it out of a kid.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0882.png)
Girl: ...
Cecil: My name is Cecil. What's yours?
Girl: ...
Cecil: I'm sorry about your mother. I understand if you can't forgive me. Will you at least let me protect you?
Girl: ...
Now Cecil, to be entirely fair? She's actually had a worse day than you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0889.png)
Eventually Cecil gives up and goes to sleep.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0890.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0891.png)
Girl: !
Cecil: Wait!
General: I am here on the king's orders. All summoners from Mist must be annihilated. Hand over the girl, now!
Girl: !
Cecil: Never!
General: Then you shall die!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0899.png)
Four-on-one? That hardly seems fair...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0900.png)
It'd take at least 100 of you to pose a challenge for the mighty Cecil! Ahahahaha!
Anyway, the Soldiers do nothing on their own. When the General shouts for them to attack, all of them attack at once. If the Soldiers are all slain, the General runs away. If the General is killed first, the Soldiers rout and start hitting one another instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0901.png)
Almost purely for the EXP I make sure to take out the General.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0903.png)
Yeah, that's good stuff.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0904.png)
Oh, good. It seemed quite possible that she'd lost her voice or something in the shock of losing her mother and hometown, and the strain of summoning well beyond her capacity. But no, a summoner losing her voice from trauma isn't due to happen for another five games or so.
Cecil: Yes. Don't worry about me. I won't let anyone hurt you.
Girl: ...Promise?
Cecil: I promise.
Girl: ...I'm Rydia.
Almost certainly intended to be "Lydia", but the SNES version had some, erm, translation issues that eventually got turned into series legacy. I realized this after a rather embarrassing number of years had passed since I played the game, but now pronounce her name RID-ee-ah instead of RIDE-ee-ah.
Speaking of name pronunciations, the DS version had Cecil's name with the traditional British-English sound: "SESS-il". For Americans used to parsing "SEE-sil", it sparked... well, this is the Internet. It sparked frothing nerdrage fury.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0910.png)
Is it Lyrai? Is it Friday? Is it Meikai because I'm a sucker for a dark-horse candidate? WHO KNOWS HOW THIS STORY WILL END
-
It took me a second to realize Thad hadn't cast Andrea Romano as Gau.
Also, damn it R2, now I'm halfway through FFV after having played through FFIX. I'm not made of free time!
As another aside, I've never liked the "Bomb Ring" item. Original Japanese or not, makes no sense for the characters to be so surprised that the Bomb Ring has something to do with, y'know, BOMBS. Come on, localization team.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0914.png)
While Final Fantasies 2 and 3 gave options for having characters in the back row, Final Fantasy 4 demands it once your party is large enough. Of the five character slots, the first, third, and fifth are on the front row. The second and fourth are in the back. If there are more squishy wizards than fighters in the party, you can invert that so that 1-3-5 is the back row and 2-4 are the front.
Being in the back row halves outgoing and incoming melee damage, unless the attack is with a long-range weapon like a bow or whip.
Rydia is a summoner, of course. As with so many job developments, the class got their start in Final Fantasy 3. Early in the game, the Evoker class could call illusions of phantom beasts; each one had a party-benefiting white effect and an enemy-wrecking black effect. Later, the Summoner job, more similar to what was used up until Final Fantasy 10, was unlocked. In this case the phantom beast would simply blast all enemies with a single powerful move. Rydia is more like the Summoner than the Evoker -- there are a couple of party-benefiting summons I'll pick up later, but mostly she spends MP to make things die.
While development of summon magic is event-based, Rydia picks up a few basic white magic spells and several black magic spells as she levels.
-
It was the unobtrusive "Package" on the SNES and the baffling "Carnelian Signet" in the DS release. Tom Slattery, who translated the DS version, stated outright that the name "Bomb Ring" gave away the surprise.
It reappears as an accessory in Dissidia, where its item description says that it once caused a terrible tragedy.
-
Maybe Cecil & Kain thought it was meant to teach someone in the village how to summon bomb. I mean, you can actually get that drop.
-
I thought the king had a fine piece down in Mist and he got her a bomb-ass ring.
-
WHHHYYYYYYYY!!!?!?!!??!!?!?!?!?!!?!!!?!!!
Oh don't you start.
-
It took me a second to realize Thad hadn't cast Andrea Romano as Gau.
Wonder if they're related.
It was the unobtrusive "Package" on the SNES and the baffling "Carnelian Signet" in the DS release. Tom Slattery, who translated the DS version, stated outright that the name "Bomb Ring" gave away the surprise.
My recollection from the fan translation is that that version suggested Cecil and Kain knew they were taking a bomb somewhere but didn't expect it to suddenly activate as soon as they stepped into Mist and start wiping out civilians.
Still, yeah, calling it something different makes for a better reveal.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0872.png)
:0
M-MOM?!
-
Speaking of name pronunciations, the DS version had Cecil's name with the traditional British-English sound: "SESS-il". For Americans used to parsing "SEE-sil"
Of course, if wikis (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Cecil_Harvey) are to be believed, this was what the original kana have the name being pronounced as. Or rather, "SESS-eel".
-
And Kain is "Ka-in", but the introduction of "Abel's Lance" as his best weapon puts a nail in that one.
Cecil and Kain knew they were taking a bomb somewhere
Maybe, but they didn't have to. It could have just been a ring forged to resemble one of those fiery balloon-monsters, and they didn't even realize it was magical. It could have resembled one of the emblems/souls/items/whatever summoners use to summon monsters. Like Lyrai said, those random-drop sometimes.
At .4% rate, so don't expect to see any in this LP, but still.
-
It really feels like the crux of the moment ought to be Cecil and Kain simply not believing this shit, so the less their suspicions should have been engaged, the better. Even "nondescript package" feels a little suspect. They should just change the item name to "Delicious Cake For Everyone".
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0915.png)
Welp, time to do that thing I do when I'm in a new town.
Professional Signpost: This is Kaipo, the desert oasis of Damcyan.
Bartender: Well, hello! We rarely have visitors these days, what with all the monsters running around.
Traveling Scholar: I'm a traveling scholar. I want to go to Fabul, which lies east of Damcyan, to do a little research. But some old man in the Water Cavern won't let me through!
Drunk: I wanna go to the Antlion Cave east of Damcyan because of the fat loot inside! Too bad only the royals are allowed there...
Boy: The Water Cavern is to the northeast. But it's dangerous. There have been sightings of eight water serpents.
Woman: Anna fell deeply in love with someone. But she left Kaipo because Sage Tellah didn't approve.
Man: I heard some damsel from Baron passed out on the outskirts of town. She was taken to someone's house to rest.
Lady: If you are going to travel with that little girl, I recommend moving her to the back row.
Expositor: The castle up north is Damcyan Castle, which rules over this entire desert. I hear that the prince of Damcyan has a delicate beauty as well as an exquisite voice.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0927.png)
This dancer jumps into the water and sticks one leg up out of it as she swims around. It's a synchronized swimming routine, except she's the only one there.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0933.png)
Woman: The poor thing's been afflicted with desert fever. She just keeps muttering the name "Cecil" over and over.
...uh oh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0936.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0937.png)
Rosa: ... Cecil... Cecil, be careful!
Well, that's no good. You ran off and your girlfriend caught her death of cold -- desert cold, the hot kind of cold -- following you. Cecil just can't catch a break.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0941.png)
As we know, the Antlion Cave is near Damcyan, which is across the Water Cavern. So now we have a goal!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0942.png)
Being new to the whole summoning business, Rydia only has one spell: summon a giant chicken to kick the crap out of one enemy.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0943.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0944.png)
Rydia quickly learns new spells as she gains levels, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0945.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0946.png)
Being a small child and a magic-user, Rydia's physical attacks leave much to be desired. Her MP-conserving utility is in using her rod as an item each turn, which fires tiny missiles at a creature for about 30 damage. That's not much, but it beats burning MP in every fight or fruitlessly swinging the rod at a monster instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0948.png)
She can save her MP for bigger, meaner monsters that way.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0950.png)
After Rydia gets a few levels, learns her basic spells, and has a few more HP and MP under her belt, we head up to the...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0951.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0952.png)
As we were warned, some old coot is blocking the path.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0953.png)
Cecil: What's wrong?
Old Man: I must get to Damcyan to reclaim my daughter. She was deceived by a wicked bard! We must hurry, for I sense an ill omen!
Cecil: You must be Sage Tellah!
Tellah: Indeed I am. ...That girl! She is a summoner! Perfect! She can help, too. A giant monster lurks in the lake ahead. That devil even withstands magic. I think we can defeat it together, and then I can finally be on my way!
Cecil: We're hurrying to Damcyan as well.
Tellah: Then let us make haste!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0963.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0964.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0965.png)
Sages are from, yes, the much-expanded job system in Final Fantasy 3. They're super-mages, capable of casting both white and black magic of any kind. Unlike red mages, they're terrible at physical combat, but with all those spells at their disposal, who cares?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0966.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0967.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0970.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0971.png)
Tellah's special skill is "Recall". The plot will go into it later, but being the ripe old age of sixty has senility take its toll -- Tellah has forgotten most of the powerful magic he knew in his prime. Recall has him concentrate for a while, then randomly casts one of Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Toad, Break, Bio, Tornado, or Death for no MP... or fail entirely, wasting his time. The DS version gave him no failure chance and a better spell pool, including -aga level black magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0972.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0973.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0974.png)
While I'm showing off abilities, this is Rydia's Chocobo summon. Or it would be if the damned bird didn't run and hide behind the name of its own attack.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0968.png)
The Old Waterway is full of waterfalls. One of them pays off.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0975.png)
It is also much larger than the Mist Cave, spanning multiple levels.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0976.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0977.png)
Later levels include zombies, which demand magic be cast on them. Cecil's dark sword is almost entirely ineffective against undead monsters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0978.png)
Eventually I get sick of blowing MP on the damned things and just run away.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0979.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0980.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0982.png)
Introducing: the Save Point. The first one in the series, since previous games only allowed saving at an inn or the world map. Oh yeah, that lengthy slog through Jade and Pandaemonium in Final Fantasy 2? Had to be done in one sitting, and if you die, start over. Final Fantasy 3's final dungeon was no better.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0984.png)
Cecil: A summoner from the village of Mist.
Tellah: She holds great potential. With proper training, she'll be able to master many spells. Look at her. What a cute face. She reminds me of Anna at that age...
Cecil: Who is Anna?
Tellah: My daughter. She eloped with a bard to Damcyan because... I didn't consent to their union. What business have you in Damcyan?
Cecil: A friend of mine suffers from desert fever.
Tellah: Ah. So you came for the Sand Ruby. It won't be easy to obtain.
Cecil: Tell me more about this monster we must face.
Tellah: A vicious creature with eight huge tentacles. We must kill it and reach Damcyan... ...before it is too late.
Cecil: Too late for what?
Tellah: I don't know. I only pray my instincts are wrong...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1001.png)
Before long I find an Ice Rod, which casts Blizzard at no MP cost rather than firing puny magic missiles. This being a dank, damp, cold waterway, Blizzard isn't the best spell for the area, but it's better than pew pew pew from a normal rod.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1004.png)
It's moderately effective against the Red Mousse slimes that show up shortly thereafter, although their weakness is fire.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1005.png)
Shortly thereafter, Cecil gets a weapon upgrade. But between the zombies and the flans, who cares?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1008.png)
There's a brief intermission where you cross over to the other side of the waterway on the world map. Tellah reminds you that you can use a Tent and save the game if you need to.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1009.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1010.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1011.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1012.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1013.png)
You know what's fun? Leaping headfirst down a waterfall.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1014.png)
Everyone's fine, of course.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1016.png)
Some new monsters here can Toad your party, but they often drop Maiden's Kisses to cure their own status problems.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1018.png)
Cecil's armor upgrade is in this leg of the dungeon, but oddly, there's no shield for the set.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1019.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1020.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1021.png)
Way to let it surround you, guys.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1023.png)
Thankfully, pincer attacks hadn't been added to the series yet. This is Octomammoth, the first real boss.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1024.png)
That said, there's no particular strategy to fighting him since he doesn't have any nasty tricks. Hit him and heal when he hits you back. He's weak to lightning, as are most monsters who flop around in knee-deep water.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1026.png)
He loses tentacles to indicate his HP levels. By the time Tellah says you're doing a good job, the fight's almost over.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1028.png)
I'm not gonna say Tellah could have done it himself, but Octomammoth isn't that hard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1030.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1031.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1032.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1033.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1034.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1035.png)
Th... the Red Wings...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1036.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1037.png)
...bomb the crap out of Damcyan.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1038.png)
Thoroughly.
-
Huh. I've played the game a half-dozen times or so and don't think I ever found that room behind the waterfall. Reading LPs is educational, guys.
-
Hmm, something just struck me. FF4 makes unique fixed-class characters with personalities out of individual classes from FF3's flexible job system, just like Dragon Warrior 4 made unique fixed-class characters with personalities out of individual classes from DW3's flexible job system. Of course I wouldn't be dumb enough to call plagiarism, I just thought it was interesting; kind of a logical progression in a way.
FF4 is one of the three old school FF games I never got very far into despite attempting several times, the others being 2 and 3, so yeah I never caught on that before.
-
Parish actually said that on an episode of Retronauts. Though he described it as "fan fiction" to justify the class changes.
-
Final Fantasy tends to flipflop between super-flexible but interchangeable characters and unique characters with their own abilities. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 12 had characters who were interchangeable because they all worked the same way (until limit breaks were introduced in 7). 4, 6, and 9 had uniques with their own abilities; even 9 gave you two summoners with white magic, but they learned different summons and different white spells. 10 was a compromise of sorts, where your characters started on their own paths and were expected to cross over into other characters' and pick up their abilities too; with sufficient leveling by the end of the game everyone ended up the same (except, again, for limit breaks).
I'd like to see a game that does both variations, where the game has a complex job system but each character has their own take on each job. Say, you unlock Black Mage as a class, and change your characters into it. Your quiet but clever scholar does extra damage when exploiting elemental weaknesses in enemies. Your speedy rogue gets extra accuracy when using status ailment spells. Your tanky bruiser learns higher-damage spells faster. Stuff like that.
-
So what you are saying is you want Final Fantasy 13 but good?
-
Haven't played 13, but haven't heard anything good about it either, so... I guess?
-
FF13 behaves a bit like a cross between the Sphere Grid and the old D2 skill trees, where each "class" has something like three specializations that you can mix and match between, but only by traversing around the board. It's a bit of a mess and the glitzy interface doesn't help.
Wait... no, it's nothing like that at all. Okay, let's try this again.
Each character has three "roles". Each role has its own pseudo-sphere grid. Ok? Ok.
Now, in FF13 you have one party leader and two other members. You can issue commands to your party leader but you can never control your other guys, ever. So how do you get them to do what you want?
You change their role in the middle of battle.
Okay, so it's a bit like the dress spheres, and maybe a little bit like gambits in that it changes their AI up a bit, right? Yeah... and already we've got the bastard children of three different FF systems merging into one horrible clusterfuck. But wait, surely it doesn't act like the actual sphere grid in FFX, where the grid also determined all your stats and HP, right?
Yes. Yes it does.
So... the only way to influence ANYTHING these jerks do in battle is to carefully map out what skills are actually available to them per subclass, while at the same time being extra careful to not make any of the options so useless that switching to them is essentially the equivalent of dropping 10 levels.
The real problem is that every character in the game is a completely different set of highly specialized classes, so you don't really have that much flexibility, and building your guys out wrong can seriously impede your progress. I stopped playing at a point where the game forces your party to be comprised of the Black Mage and the Red Mage characters, with the black mage as party leader. Did I mention FF13 does that awful thing where any KO on your party leader is an immediate game over?
-
That sounds pretty excruciating. Now I'm kind of glad I skipped 13.
-
I....have a copy of it. I feel like I need to finish it out of obligation.
-
Come finish mine.
-
:want:
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Castle Damcyan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCZYhe8EDg#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1039.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1040.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1044.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1045.png)
Ruined, thoroughly looted, and its occupants slain, Castle Damcyan has seen better days. Few of the guards have anything to say, but even though I have two people with me who can use curative magic and several healing potions, nothing can be done for them.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1046.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1047.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1048.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1049.png)
As Tellah runs to his fallen daughter, some fop wanders in from stage right.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1050.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1051.png)
Bard: oshitoshitoshit
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1052.png)
Might wanna run and hide, Mr. Bard.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1053.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1054.png)
Tellah foregoes the use of magic and settles for whacking the bard around with his ice rod. Or... trying to. His accuracy and attack power are still awful, which occasionally leads to this scene taking much longer than it reasonably should.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1056.png)
Spoony, adjective; archaic: Being unduly sentimental or lovestruck. It's not a completely nonsensical line, but it is kind of weird. It's become a legacy gag for the series, though; in the DS version this line is retained, and a localizer's note mentions that while the Sand Ruby isn't a ruby and the TwinHarp wasn't a harp, "The bard was spoony. We checked!"
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1057.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1061.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1062.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1058.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1063.png)
Anyway, Tellah's still mad and the bard keeps crying for him to stop flailing around with his staff.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1065.png)
This line, quite understandably, ends the beatdown.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1066.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1067.png)
"I mean, you've got so many arrows sticking out of you it looks like you ran into the assend of a manticore, but at least I get to talk to you!"
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1068.png)
Anna doesn't get a character portrait, so you know she's not long for this world.
Anna: Still, I knew I couldn't find happiness... without your consent. I was on my way home when...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1070.png)
Edward's name in Japanese was Gilbert, which combined with Annea makes for an oblique Anne of Green Gables reference.
Cecil: I've never heard of Golbez before. Who is he?
Edward: I don't know. All I know is that his powers were beyond words.
Cecil: But why did they attack Damcyan?
Edward: They wanted the Crystal, and they spared no one to get it. My mother, my father... even Anna shielded me from their arrows.
Tellah: You love him enough to give up your own life...?
Anna: Father... forgive me...
Edward: ...I love you...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1079.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1080.png)
Anna doesn't flicker and disappear like dead people generally do in these remakes, but she breathes her last nonetheless.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1082.png)
Edward: He came to Baron one day and became the new leader of the Red Wings. He... *sob* He leads them in their mission to plunder the Crystals... *sniff*
Tellah: Stop your simpering! That won't bring Anna back! Golbez of Baron... I shall take his life with my own two hands!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1087.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1089.png)
Tellah casually bitchslaps aside a man wearing full plate armor and forty years his junior. Like most elderly men, Tellah runs on a constant stream of spite and barely-suppressed rage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1090.png)
Tellah: I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1093.png)
Tellah storms off down the stairs. I'm sure we'll run into him again once he finds a moderately-difficult boss in his way.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1095.png)
Edward: Anna! *sob*
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1096.png)
Rydia: You're a grownup! You're not supposed to cry! I lost my mom, but I'm not gonna cry anymore.
Cecil: Rydia...
Edward: I don't care. Leave me alone! I'm staying here with Anna. I will never leave her side.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1102.png)
It's Cecil's turn to lay down the backhand.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1103.png)
Cecil: You owe it to your people, and you owe it to Anna. Your Majesty, my name is Cecil, and I need your help.
Edward: What?
Cecil: My friend is suffering from desert fever in Kaipo. I need to get the Sand Ruby to save her. Can you help me?
Edward: ...What is her name?
Cecil: Rosa.
Edward: She is very dear to you, isn't she? Like Anna was to me...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1113.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1114.png)
Edward: The ruby forms from the fluid that the antlion secretes when it lays eggs. We must cross the shallows with our hovercraft to reach the cave. After we acquire the Sand Ruby, we can cross the shallows to reach Kaipo. Let us be on our way.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1119.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1120.png)
Not pictured: just offscreen to the left is a pot full of water from the mystic springs that started appearing in Final Fantasy 3, the ones that fully heal all wounds and restore all lost stamina. So instead of listening to Anna's dying speech, they could have carried her to the urn, and both Tellah and Edward would be a lot happier.
Oh well!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1041.png)
There's a path around the castle's curtain wall you can take without returning to the world map.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1042.png)
It leads to Damcyan's treasure room/armory, one that wasn't looted in the raid for the Fire Crystal.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1043.png)
Anybody's guess why the armory looks like a prison and requires a series of hidden passages to access, but it has a crossbow and a ruby ring inside.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1121.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1122.png)
The hovercraft avoids all random encounters on the world map.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1123.png)
It can also pass over these rocky areas of the sea. Edward calls them "shallows".
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1124.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1125.png)
There's this mountain pass east of Damcyan...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1126.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1127.png)
But it is a) not the antlion nest and b) blocked by a wall of bubbles. (It's ice, actually.)
-
The best part is if you level grind enough so that Rydia learns Fire 2 before the event that lets her cast Fire
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1128.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1130.png)
This cave is a bit more promising.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1131.png)
When I said Edward might want to run and hide, it was a joke, see -- that's actually one of his abilities! Hide removes Edward from the battle and changes the command to one that lets him rejoin; he does it automatically when his HP goes critical. He also has a Salve ability that lets him split a potion and evenly divide the healing among the whole party. Even now, when he first joins, the healing of a potion divided by three is so minor as to be useless.
There's a bug with Edward's Hide ability in this version only: if Edward is Berserk he'll attack relentlessly, as expected from the status. If he is dropped to critical HP, he'll run and hide -- then pop back out to attack because of Berserk. But because of the bug, he's not cleared from Hide status. The game considers him still gone, and won't target him with any attacks or register any damage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1133.png)
Edward, being a bard, can also Sing at enemies. (The class first appeared in, yes, Final Fantasy 3, but the songs there were limited to reducing enemies' levels and increasing allies' damage output.) Each song, chosen at random, causes either Sleep, Confusion, or Silence status on an enemy. At level 20, he picks up Frogsong, which does what you'd expect.
The songs almost always miss, of course.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1134.png)
Edward's weapons are harps, which do as much damage as you'd expect, but generally cause some sort of status ailment when they hit. They do it more reliably than Singing, too! His main contribution to the antlion nest dungeon was keeping enemies confused with this Lamia Harp while Cecil and Rydia mop up actual combat.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1135.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1137.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1139.png)
Edward: It's okay. Antlions are quite tame. They don't attack people. Here, I'll demonstrate by taking the Sand Ruby, like so...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1142.png)
The two giant mandibles snap together. Edward barely leaps out of their grip.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1145.png)
This is going as well as could be expected.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1147.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1148.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1150.png)
The Antlion counters physical attacks with Counter Horn. Counter Horn isn't a lot of damage unless you're particularly careless, but it can add up between Cecil and Edward. Cecil's only option is Darkwave, while Edward... well, he can either heal the party, hide, or sing songs at the beast to try to cause status ailments that, as a Final Fantasy boss, it is immune to.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1151.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1152.png)
Chocobo Kick doesn't trigger Counter Horn, so Rydia can win this one singlehandedly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1154.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1155.png)
Cecil: Monsters are rapidly multiplying these days, and their behavior is changing as well. I can't help but feel this is some kind of sign...
Rydia: Come on! Let's go cure Rosa!
Cecil: Right! Let's go!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1160.png)
Since the Water Cavern has that one-way dive down a waterfall in its second leg, you have to use the hovercraft to get back to Kaipo.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1162.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1163.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1164.png)
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Theme of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h2V8CFtGZE#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1165.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1166.png)
Finally! A character death we get to narrowly avert in a Final Fantasy game! I bet Josef is totally jealous.
Rosa: You're alive! Thank goodness!
Cecil: How do you feel?
Rosa: I'm fine. But I thought I'd lost you. They told me you died in Mist when the earthquake hit.
Cecil: I'm sorry to have put you through all that... Rosa, who is Golbez?
Rosa: He's the new captain of the Red Wings, appointed by the king himself. But the king has been acting... strangely. I believe Golbez is manipulating him to collect the Crystals for himself. With Mysidia's Water Crystal in hand, he'll surely go after the others, which are the Fire Crystal of Damcyan, the Wind Crystal of Fabul, and the Earth Crystal of Troia.
Edward: The Fire Crystal has already fallen into his hands.
Cecil: Ah, let me introduce you. Edward is the prince of Damcyan. Rydia is a summoner from Mist. I wouldn't have been able to get the Sand Ruby and cure your fever without their help.
Rydia: Hi there.
Rosa: Hello, Rydia. Thank you both so much. Cecil, after Damcyan, Fabul must be their next target. We must... *cough cough*
Cecil: You have to rest now. Don't worry. We'll go to Fabul.
Edward: But to reach Fabul, we must traverse Mt. Hobs, and the trail is blocked by thick ice.
Rosa: Rydia, can you cast Fire?
Rydia: ...No.
It's true, she can't. Tellah had Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder magic; Rydia has only Blizzard and Thunder.
Rosa: Fire is the most elementary of black magic spells. As a summoner, you... *cough cough*
Cecil: Rosa, stop! You're not coming with us in that condition!
Rosa: I'll be alright, really. As a white mage, I promise I won't be a burden.
Edward: Rosa only wishes to be with you, Cecil.
Cecil: ...Alright. We'll go together. Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight.
Rosa: I thank you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1195.png)
Rosa is a white mage, one of the few jobs to have its roots in the first Final Fantasy game rather than the third. She's better at archery than those guys(?), though, with an Aim ability that increases her accuracy and damage with bows and arrows to supplement her healing and protective magic.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1196.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1197.png)
Wow, rude.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1198.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1199.png)
Melody of Lute (Edward's Theme) - Final Fantasy IV DS Music Extended (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x7oSSBQGH0#ws)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1200.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1202.png)
Because characters in this game just can't catch a friggin' break, Edward's soulful harp solo gets him the attention of a monster out of the oasis.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1203.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1205.png)
To hell with that!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1207.png)
-
I once somehow found myself in a situation (a few scant steps away from a save point) where both Cecil and Rydia were dead, and Edward got reduced to critical HP and hid.
Every time I popped him back in the fight to do something (like potion himself) the trigger for re-hiding would go off and he'd leave the screen again. I tried running, running while hiding, everything.
Eventually I had to just reset the game.
-
That's happened to me in the middle of the Fabul fight. Not fun times.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1208.png)
"I... is it gone?"
Unfortunately, no. The Sahaguin never gets bored and wanders off, but I like to think in a more dynamic combat system it would be slowly stalking Edward through the dark, sandy streets of Kaipo. Meanwhile Anna's ghost hovers near Edward, offering him encouragement, and giving away his hiding spot so he has to flee to another.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1210.png)
Alas, there ain't no gettin' offa this character development we're on.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1211.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1212.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1213.png)
Those are Anna, Edward, and the Sahagin each speaking after one of Edward's attacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1216.png)
Edward: No! Don't go! I can't live without you!
Anna: You mustn't let Golbez have the Crystals. Fight for your people! Care for them as you did for me...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1219.png)
Edward: Yes, I'll do it! I'll fight! ...But how could I stop him? I don't know what I should do...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1222.png)
I've read that Sakaguchi's original plan is that after Anna dies, Edward's power awakens and he gets much stronger. One of the programmers pointed out that a weakling doesn't stop being a weakling just because his girlfriend dies. So Edward remains much the same, after this scene.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1226.png)
Sure is awful lonely up here in the front row.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1227.png)
Oh, right. In addition to her White Magic and Aim abilities, Rosa can also Pray. It fails half the time and restores a little HP to the whole party when it does work. The only advantage to having it is that it doesn't cost any MP (or like Edward's Salve, items) and is good for party maintenance as they get worn down slowly by random encounters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1228.png)
To Fabul!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1230.png)
Rydia: ...
Edward: What's wrong?
Rosa: Give it a try. I know you can do it.
Rydia: ...No.
Rosa: ?
Rydia: I... I hate fire.
Cecil: That's right... Her village was destroyed by fire when...
Rosa: Rydia, you're the only one who can melt this ice.
Rydia: ...
Rosa: If we can't get through to Fabul, more people will be in danger. Please, Rydia.
Edward: Rydia... You've helped me, you've helped Cecil, you've helped Rosa... and you have the power to help many more people. Please, we need your strength and courage.
Cecil: ...
Rydia: ...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1247.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1249.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1250.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1251.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1252.png)
Rydia: Hee hee!
Rosa: I knew you could do it!
Cecil: Thank you, Rydia.
As Friday said earlier, it's possible (at least in some versions) to level up Rydia until she learns -ara or even -aga level magic. The party will encourage her to cast Fire on the ice wall, despite that she could cast Fira or Firaga in battle without any problems.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1256.png)
On Mt. Hobs are Bombs, which have a Bomb emblem as a rare drop. Using the emblem on Rydia lets her summon Bombs herself, which is an odd twist given what that kind of monster did to her home village. The Bomb summon deals Rydia's current HP in damage to one enemy.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1257.png)
Also on Mt. Hobs are Cockatrices, which do what you'd expect. They also raredrop an emblem that lets Rydia summon a Cockatrice for an enemywide petrify attempt. The drop rate for any emblem is under half a percent, though, so I'm not going to actually try for any of them.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1258.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1259.png)
Edward: That garb... He's one of Fabul's monks.
Monk: Hiyah!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1262.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1263.png)
The monk smashes the two monsters flanking him.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1264.png)
His battle cry in the SNES version was "ACHOOOOOO!", puzzling Americans who played the game. A friend of mine speculated "He lives in the kingdom with the Wind Crystal, maybe he has really bad allergies." It's is a Chinese-style martial arts kiai, although as I've heard it it's more pronounced AI CHOU. The O is repeated for emphasis, making it sound more like a sneeze.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1266.png)
In an automated sequence, the monk -- now named Yang -- kicks the crap out of more monsters.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1268.png)
Rydia: Let's help him!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1270.png)
"Mom" Bomb? Doesn't look any different to me. But after several turns of beating on it...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1273.png)
GWORRGH
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1274.png)
Yang is a monk, of course, much like the ones from the first Final Fantasy game... but with the abilities they started to develop in their reappearance in the third game. His Kick ability splits his physical attack power across the whole enemy party, and isn't all that useful unless he's sweeping a bunch of extremely weak monsters away. Power lets Yang concentrate for a while and deal a single hit for double damage -- although unless the enemy has particularly high defense, it's more time-efficient to simply hit it twice. Gird is a defensive stance that has Yang take only 25% damage from attacks.
On Yang himself, they're moderately useful abilities. But in the DS version's augment system, you can get these abilities to strap onto another character. Giving Gird to Cecil is key to one of the game's optimal builds, along with Counter and Draw Attacks. All the monsters target Cecil, who wears the best armor and has the best HP growth, who Girds for very little damage and counterattacks each hit. You can even give Cecil Kick so he counters each hit with a counterattack against every enemy on the field, or Long Range so that he can do that kind of attack from the back row and take even less damage from enemy attacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1275.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1276.png)
Edward quite wisely takes that under advisement and gets the fuck out of there.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1277.png)
Double-digit damage to the whole party is nothing to sneeze at this early in the game.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1278.png)
The Mom Bomb explodes into smaller bomblets that I have to mop up.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1279.png)
The red Bombs aren't any more powerful than they were in random encounters, but the Gray Bombs take some dedicated work from Cecil and Rydia to wipe out.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1280.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1282.png)
Yang: I came here to train with my men, but all were killed by a swarm of beasts... They were Fabul's finest monks...
Cecil: My name is Cecil. We bring urgent news to Fabul.
Rosa: A villain named Golbez is abusing Baron's authority to seize the world's Crystals.
Yang: Then he covets our Wind Crystal as well.
Edward: There is no doubt. He easily seized the Crystal of Damcyan a few days ago.
Yang: Then the odds are against us. The only monks left in the castle are students. They stand little chance against Baron's forces.
Rosa: I'd assume Golbez was behind the monster attacks that killed your men... And almost killed you.
Yang: ...Then the attack is imminent. I must go.
Cecil: We will follow you to Fabul. We would like to help.
Yang: I am grateful. However, this matter does not concern you.
Cecil: But it does.
Edward: ...For I am the prince of Damcyan.
Cecil: Rosa and I are citizens of Baron, and this girl is one of many victims of our kingdom's attacks... which I have personally led.
Yang: I see... then I humbly accept your assistance.
Cecil: Let's go. We haven't much time.
Yang: Fabul lies to the east of these mountains.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1304.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1305.png)
On the way to Fabul, the party is stuck in its first ambush. Since the enemy snuck up behind the party, those on the back row are on the front and those who should be in the front are in the back. The Row command switches ranks for the whole party (at once, thankfully), putting everyone where they should be at the cost of a single turn.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1306.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1307.png)
Well, I wish to see...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1309.png)
What the shopkeepers have in stock: an assortment of elemental claws for Yang (allowing him to take advantage of enemy weaknesses), and a new suit of armor for Cecil.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1310.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1311.png)
Yeah, remember you said that, since we're bringing news of an army to wipe everyone out.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1312.png)
Yang: Ahh, yes. This is my wife. Cecil and his companions came to my aid on Mt. Hobs.
Yang's Wife: Well, that was mighty kind of you. Hey, hon, don't you have some place you gotta be? I heard the king's waitin' for you.
I like Yang's wife.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1319.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1320.png)
:itsatrap:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1323.png)
The dancer turns out to be another monk. :whoops:
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1329.png)
Yang: Sire, we must prepare for battle. Baron will attack us at any second to steal our Crystal.
King: How do you know this?
Yang: These two are citizens of Baron. They came to warn us.
King: And these two others?
Cecil: Sir, we haven't much time. The castle's defenses must be tightened immediately.
King: Yang, can we trust this dark knight and his companions?
Yang: Yes. They risked their lives to help me.
Cecil: We must hurry!
Rosa: Please!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1340.png)
A pregnant pause.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1341.png)
Damn Edward if you knew the guy you might have wanted to bring that up at some point sheesh
King: Prince Edward!
Edward: Sire, Baron's fleet decimated Damcyan and claimed our Crystal not long ago. Many died, including my parents and my beloved. Damcyan's tragedy must not be repeated!
King: Forgive me for my suspicions. Yang, mobilize the men for battle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1346.png)
Um... can we really say no?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1347.png)
Yang: ...gate.
King: Very well. Will the ladies assist our medic?
Rosa: Yes, sire.
King: Fabul's fate rests in your hands. May we be victorious.
Yang: We will assemble at the main gate.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1353.png)
And the party splits. Personally I think Rydia would be better off fighting with her black magic, with Edward on the vanguard splitting up potions, but sexism.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1354.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1355.png)
Or you can leave the black magic girl behind to roast anyone who gets close to the medics as they do their job. That works too.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1357.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1358.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1359.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1360.png)
Guys I am like 85% certain that standing outside the castle walls to meet the enemy completely defeats the purpose of having a castle in the first place.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1361.png)
R^2, y u no screencap first battle
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1363.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1364.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1366.png)
"Oh, right, we forgot they had airship artillery."
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1367.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1368.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1369.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1370.png)
Cecil: This is our war, too. And it's far from over.
Edward: They're coming!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1373.png)
I... I didn't screencap this fight either. While the first was a group of monsters, this is was a revisit with the Commander/Soldier fight from Kaipo. Three troops attack, one commander leads, with the same flee/rout dynamic depending on who dies.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1375.png)
When you win, more monsters rush in and kill the monks guarding the side doors.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1377.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1378.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1380.png)
Yang: The king has already retreated into a safe place along with the women and children. It is our duty to lure the enemy away... And crush them!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1384.png)
Was I even paying attention to these fights man
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1386.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1389.png)
We've made too many sacrifices already, too many retreats. They invade our castle and we fall back. They attack our courtyards, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn HERE! This far, and no further!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1390.png)
Edward: No!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1393.png)
Yang: You fool! What are you doing?
Edward: He's one of them!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1397.png)
A gargoyle, to be precise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1398.png)
One easily confused by Edward's harp into self-destructing, no less. Tornado drops its target down to single-digit HP, no matter what their HP was before.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1399.png)
This is shortly followed by another regular monster battle rushing into the throne room.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1400.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1402.png)
Edward trips and falls over his own feet while retreating. Dammit, Edward. One more fight, and then...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1406.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1407.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1408.png)
Cecil: Kain! You're alive!
Kain: So it would seem.
Cecil: We'll talk later. For now, we have some fighting to do.
Kain: Indeed. Are you ready to face me, Cecil?
Cecil: ...What?
Kain: Ready your sword!
Cecil: Kain!?
Kain: Ready your sword, fool!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1418.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1421.png)
Kain can't be targeted while he's in the air, and...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1426.png)
Does some truly ridiculous damage when he jumps. There's no winning this battle fairly.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1430.png)
Kain: Have you any final words?
Yang: Stop!
Offscreen voice: No!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1435.png)
Rosa: Kain, you of all people...
Kain: No, I...
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Golbez, Clad in Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkx3KcO7TCs#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1439.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1442.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1444.png)
Golbez: ...done!
Man, those orphaned words after a page break are awkward for a Let's Play.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1449.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1451.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1453.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1454.png)
I have a great idea. How about the kindhearted white mage damsel steps right in front of the cruel, bolt-throwing villain the instant he appears?
Cecil: Rosa, no...
Kain: !
Golbez: So, you cherish this woman? Then I shall take her with me to raise the stakes. Until next time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1461.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1463.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1465.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1467.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1469.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1470.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1471.png)
Rydia: Feeling better?
Edward: I thank you, Rydia, but...
Yang: The Crystal is gone! I have failed.
Cecil: And now Rosa is gone, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1476.png)
Everyone consider these turns of events for a few seconds.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1477.png)
Edward: She's right. We have no time for moping. We must get back Rosa and the Crystal.
Yang: Cecil. It is our turn to assist you. For now, let us heal our wounds.
Cecil: Thank you.
The party retires to the Fabul inn.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1484.png)
Cecil: To fight Golbez, we need an airship. But Baron is the only kingdom that has them.
Yang: Then we must sneak into Baron and borrow one ourselves.
Wow, Yang. It must be hard to do flying kicks when you're weighed down by those massive balls.
Cecil: Baron's main force is the Red Wings, so its sea power is relatively weak. We might be able to slip in by boat.
Yang: I will ask the king for a ship tomorrow morning.
Cecil: Thank you, Yang.
Yang: Who was that dragoon?
Cecil: His name is Kain. He used to be my best friend. But I don't know what happened to him...
Yang: Perhaps you will find your answers in Baron.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1495.png)
King: Cecil, take this sword. It belonged to a dark knight who came to Fabul years ago. This sword exudes a tremendous force, but it is still a weapon of darkness. Darkness can never prevail over true evil. I hae faith that you will slay Golbez. Or perhaps it is but a mere wish...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0102.png)
Deathbringer has a darned good chance to instantly slay anything it's swung at, regardless of its HP total. According to a printed guide to this game that was released shortly after it was released on the Super Famicom, the world of Final Fantasy 2 and the world of Final Fantasy 4 are the same world separated by 100 years. The dark knight who left this sword in Fabul was Leon, the first dark knight of the series, who abandoned his bloodstained past and became a priest.
I'm not going to assume that's canon, mostly because it raises more questions than it answers.
King: Go to the harbor to the east as soon as you are prepared. A ship shall await you there. Golbez must be stopped. If he acquires all of the Crystals, the world will be thrust into an unprecedented crisis. I am counting on you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0107.png)
Again, it's not the boost in attack power that matters here. Deathbringer kills stuff without bothering to drop its HP to 0.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0109.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0111.png)
Yang's Wife: Keep your chin up, Cecil! You'll get her back in no time!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0114.png)
Yang's Wife: You bet. I love you, you big lunkhead!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0117.png)
Captain: Sit back, mate, and enjoy the ride.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0123.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0125.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0126.png)
Cecil: We'll have to meet Cid, Baron's chief airship engineer. He'll help us.
Yang: I only hope the man you speak of is safe.
Edward: ...
Rydia: Are you cold? You're shaking.
Edward: I'm fine. It... it's nothing...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0134.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0135.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0136.png)
Is that...a tentacle? Ia! Ia!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0137.png)
Sailor: Holy mackerel!
Sailor: The lord of the sea!
Sailor: Is that...?
Captain: Yes! It's Leviathan!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0144.png)
Pff, he's a short dungeon, at worst. We might even meet a dragoon inside.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0145.png)
All the sailors are spinning in place, dashing around, utterly panicked. The captain barks out orders, causing them to stop a moment... then continue their terrified screaming as before. It doesn't translate well into screenshots.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0148.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0149.png)
Summoner overboard!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0150.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0152.png)
Yang leaps into the sea after her. Which is suicidal! No way can he swim with those massive clanging testicles!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0156.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0158.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0159.png)
The whirlpool swallows the tiny ship.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0160.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0161.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0162.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0163.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0164.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0166.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0167.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0168.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0169.png)
They're gone.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0170.png)
Thankfully Cecil washed up near a little town, where maybe he can get some clues as to what happened to him and his companions...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0171.png)
Oh.
Oh, shit.
-
The Hangover IV
-
Rydia: ...
Edward: What's wrong?
Rosa: Give it a try. I know you can do it.
Rydia: ...No.
Rosa: ?
Rydia: I... I hate fire.
Cecil: That's right... Her village was destroyed by fire when...
Rosa: Rydia, you're the only one who can melt this ice.
Rydia: ...
Rosa: If we can't get through to Fabul, more people will be in danger. Please, Rydia.
Edward: Rydia... You've helped me, you've helped Cecil, you've helped Rosa... and you have the power to help many more people. Please, we need your strength and courage.
Cecil: ...
Rydia: ...
With that much gas in the air even I could have cast a fire spell.
-
Perhaps the food in Kaipo disagrees with Rydia's sensitive stomach?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1040.png)
It's sad and cruel that this game reminds you that your "last gasp" is probably going to be you soiling yourself.
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Mystic Mysidia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNzaxDMKjT0#)
Man, the cuckoo sound in the DS version got all weird-sounding.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0172.png)
Not surprisingly, Cecil gets an awfully chilly reception in Mysidia.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0173.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0175.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0177.png)
See, there are problems with pissing off a town full of practiced magic-users.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0178.png)
Some townspeople are still helpful, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0179.png)
And some are just sad in general, although pointing this out to Cecil is poignant.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0182.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0184.png)
This white mage hops away into the bushes.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0189.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0190.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0191.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0192.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0193.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0194.png)
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Dancing Doll Calcobrena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duXOtF32eV4#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0195.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0196.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0197.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0199.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0200.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0201.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0202.png)
Man, it's rough coming back to a place where you murdered a bunch of people in a military strike.
-
Final Fantasy IV OST - Mystic Mysidia ~ Mysidia Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwtdCcviYl4#)
For the traditionalists.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0205.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0206.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0207.png)
Cecil: My name is Cecil. I am former commander of the Red Wings. Before, I did not have the courage to go against the king's orders...
Elder: Apologizing won't bring back those who have already died.
Cecil: ...
Elder: However... I see that you have changed. Perhaps it would not be a waste of time to hear what you have to say.
Cecil: We are currently fighting against a man named Golbez, who presently holds power in Baron. However, my friends were attacked by Leviathan on our way to rescue someone who had been captured by Golbez...
Elder: ...Perhaps this is a test and you must prove yourself worthy. However, you have come to rely too much on your dark sword. This will only lead to the darkening of your soul. If you wish to fight with purity, you must head to Mt. Ordeals in the east. There, you may find, is where your fate lies.
Cecil: But my friends are in danger! We can't waste any time!
Rosa is probably the only one left alive, Cees. I frankly wouldn't trust Edward to swim a yard.
Elder: I see your friends mean much to you. But you mustn't be impatient. You are destined to a great fate. You must go to Mt. Ordeals and transform that dark sword you carry into one of light. Those who accept the holy light will become paladins. However, many have journeyed to Mt. Ordeals, but none have returned... Do you wish to go?
Cecil: Yes. But I have little confidence I can do this on my own.
Elder: I thought as much. I shall call upon some mages to help you. Palom! Porom!
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Palom and Porom's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0he_kuQ9T9Q#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0233.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0234.png)
Elder: Where is Palom?
Girl: Palom! Come out this minute!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0237.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0239.png)
Mysidia's Prodigy, Palom: ...will assist you!
Cecil: Are they mages?
Elder: Yes. This is Palom and Porom. Although still apprentices, they should be of great help.
Apprentices? No damn joke. These twins are five years old.
Mysidia's Prodigy, Palom: I'm the greatest mage in all of Mysidia! You should be thankful I'm helping you out!
Elder: Palom! I hope you behave yourself on this journey...
Porom: My name is Porom. I'm pleased to meet you, sir. Palom! Greet him properly!
Mysidia's Prodigy, Palom: Hey, nice to meetcha.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0251.png)
Elder: Now, go to Mt. Ordeals. You two, do everything in your power to assist Cecil.
And when he dies halfway up the slope, teleport on back home and we'll have tea and scones and a good laugh about it all. Pff, a dark knight becoming a paladin. How absurd!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0254.png)
Mysidia's Prodigy, Palom is a black mage. In addition to his black magic, he has a Bluff skill where his own bravado in his abilities increases his magic power. Bluff is actually quite useful because it stacks with itself, and is capable of taking M.P. Palom's Intelligence up to the cap.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0255.png)
Porom is a white mage. Bet you didn't see that coming. In addition to her white magic spells, Porom can cry fake tears at enemies, allowing the party to escape while they're flustered. (In the DS version, it cut enemies' defense instead.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0256.png)
Needless to say, as mages they go in the back row.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0296.png)
They also have a Twincast ability, where they combine white and black magic together into enemy-clearing megaspells. Neither of them can move while they charge Twincast, and it takes a damned long time to do -- this fight started with three other enemies on the field, and Cecil killed them all before the twins got around to finishing their spell -- so like some other long-charging abilities you're better off doing other things more quickly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0266.png)
There's a wall of fire blocking the entrance to Mt. Ordeals, in order to make sure Cecil has the twins with him before trying to climb it. There's some dialog here where Palom is a precocious little shit about casting a basic Blizzard spell, but I don't really need to copy all that, do I?
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Somewhere in the World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqDomDXCroo#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0272.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0273.png)
Rosa's tied to a wall, with a giant sickle-blade hovering above her head. Kain stands guard nearby.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0274.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0276.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0277.png)
Golbez: Cecil aspires too much. He ascends Mt. Ordeals as we speak. I shall clip his wings now.
Scarmiglione: So he desires to become a paladin...
Golbez: Dispose of him. His dark sword should be all but useless against your undead.
Scarmiglione: I shall return with his head.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0284.png)
Kain: Cecil might still be a formidable opponent.
Golbez: You dare question my judgment?
Man, Golbez, you're as bad as the king of Baron.
Kain: No, sire!
Golbez: Scarmiglione is one of the four Elemental Lords. He will not fail. Rosa will bear witness as well.
Kain: Sire, please grant me a second chance! Instead of Scarmiglione, allow me the task of slaying him!
Golbez: Just be grateful I let you live after that blunder.
Kain: ...
Rosa: Cecil...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0300.png)
Sure enough, Mt. Ordeals is chock-full of undead monsters. I don't want to burn all of Palom and Porom's MP on Cure and Fire spells to kill them, so I flee from those fights.
-
20-Mount Ordeals-FFIV DS OST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMbbNg55mQ#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0301.png)
Hullo, what's this?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0302.png)
Tellah: Cecil?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0305.png)
Cecil: Meteor?
Porom: You know about Meteor!?
Serious business if Porom drops her polite and respectful demeanor, yo.
Mysidian Prodigy, Palom: That means you're Tellah! Hey, old man, am I right?
Porom: Don't be rude! You stand before the great sage himself! It is an honor to meet you. We came here from Mysidia under the orders of our elder.
Mysidian Prodigy, Palom: Yeah, we're spying on...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0315.png)
Porom whacks M.P. Palom over the head.
Porom: ...Excuse me. As I was saying, we're just serving as guides for Sir Cecil. My name is Porom.
Mysidian Prodigy, Palom: And I'm Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage! I've heard a lot about you!
Tellah: Kids from Mysidia, eh? Cecil, where are Rydia and Edward?
Cecil: We were attacked by Leviathan on our way to Baron, and...
Tellah: What? They aren't dead, are they!?
Cecil: I'm afraid so... On top of that, Golbez has captured Rosa.
Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage: I'll betcha that's his girlfriend!
Porom: Hush!
Cecil: I thought you'd headed straight to Baron to confront Golbez.
Tellah: Against the likes of Golbez, my spells still lack power. I've come here to seek the legendary spell, Meteor. I sense a strong aura on this mountain. I believe it holds what I am looking for.
Porom: But that spell is much too dangerous! It requires tremendous vitality. For a man your age...
Tellah: I admit I am old. But I will make Golbez pay, even if it costs me my life!
Cecil: ...
Cecil, I'm pretty sure it's the old man living out the end of his days on a diet of impotent rage who should be the gassy one.
Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage: Geez. Why are adults so pigheaded?
Porom: You don't understand because you're still a kid! Now hush!
Tellah: Cecil, you have yet to answer my question. Why did you come here?
Cecil: I came here in hopes of becoming a paladin. I cannot defeat Golbez with the dark sword... and I have longed to renounce this hateful thing.
Palom, Mysidia's most clueless mage: Who's Golbez?
Porom: Don't you know anything? He's the one controlling Baron.
Tellah: Not just an ordinary man, but a powerful sorcerer, brimming with evil!
Tellah: So, you've come here to become a paladin? Then this mountain must hold some secret, just as I suspected. I shall accompany you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0347.png)
Tellah hasn't changed at all from before.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0350.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0351.png)
Porom: Palom, stop that!
Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage: Stop what?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0356.png)
Porom: I said, stop it!
Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage: It's not me!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0359.png)
Tellah: I sense an evil presence.
Voice: I will enjoy... killing you all.
Cecil: Who's there!?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0364.png)
Short guy, robe, sent to kill you. Bet you can guess who that is.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0365.png)
Scarmiglione: But first... My undead hunger... for your flesh!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0368.png)
A bunch of zombies? Cecil's nearly useless in this fight, as his dark sword and waves of negative energy do dick all against undead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0369.png)
Oh wait, curative items hurt zombies, so he chucks those instead of using his sword.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0372.png)
It doesn't take long to clear out the Skullnants with potions from Cecil, Cura and Fira from Palom and Porom, and Fire (out of a Fire Rod) from Tellah.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0375.png)
Cecil's sword works fine against Scarmiglione himself.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0376.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0377.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0379.png)
I just have this feeling I should go rest at the nearby save point and... you know, switch my mages into the front row for a minute.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0380.png)
Coming from the bridge, look behind you!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0382.png)
This is Scarmiglione's true form, a shambling maggot-eaten corpse with... big... horn sorta things growing out of him at all angles.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0388.png)
He's called Scarmiglione of Earth, but shouldn't he really be Scarmiglione of Poison? Like Lich before him, this Elemental Lord of Earth draws his powers from the domains of the undead, and is fond of poison attacks. It sort of makes sense, where are the dead interred?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0389.png)
Dammit Tellah he has boss immunities. Recall something better!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0390.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0392.png)
I guess that'd cause Curse status, since Zombie isn't a recurring series status ailment yet. But it doesn't do anything.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0397.png)
As always, the undead burn real nice. Cecil's dark sword is useless against Scarmiglione's undead form, so he throws Hi-Potions when he's not patching up the party. Cecil dispensing first aid means Porom can go on the offensive with Cura.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0398.png)
Nothing special. He doesn't really get any important scenes.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0400.png)
You attacked a dark knight with a knapsack full of curative items and his three mage buddies?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0401.png)
Scarmiglione falls off the bridge. You know what I bet really hurts the Elemental Lord of Earth? Falling a long way and hitting the ground. Still, that's all there is to Scarmiglione, and boy am I glad I don't have to type his name out anymore.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0404.png)
So what's inside this little shrine?
-
I like to believe there's a little Scarmiglione in all of us.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0405.png)
Cecil: "Son"!? Just who are you?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0408.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0409.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0410.png)
Final Fantasy IV Ds Ost - The Lunarians (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfOGpByqSQ#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0411.png)
Voice: By doing so, my pain will only grow. But there is no other way...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0413.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0414.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0415.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0416.png)
Voice: You must fight... against the dark knight you wish to rid yourself of!
-
This scene still gives me this awesome kind of chills.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0419.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0420.png)
Tellah: !?
Palom: What's going on!?
Porom: There's two of them!
Tellah: Cecil!
Palom: Hey!
Porom: Look out!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0427.png)
Cecil, having jobchanged to Paladin, now has a new character portrait without that wraparound helmet.
Final Fantasy IV - Lunar Subterrane (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwuhiUnfGzU#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0430.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0433.png)
The Dark Knight uses Darkwave over and over. Since Cecil is atoning for his sins, you don't actually fight here -- the game will tell you that a truly noble warrior would sheathe his sword. Cecil just has to endure the pain (the Defend command helps) until the Dark Knight is finished punishing him.
Some fight for law.
Some fight for justice.
What will you fight for?
One day, you will see.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0442.png)
Of course, in the American SNES version, Cecil didn't have his Darkwave attack, so the player had no way of knowing the Dark Knight was slowly whittling down its own HP... and the game was so poorly translated, the message saying not to fight it conventionally was garbled. You can eventually win just by hitting the Dark Knight, but it takes a long time and without Defending there's actually a chance of running out of HP and failing the test of character.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0443.png)
Voice: With this, you must stop Golbez. Farewell, my son.
Cecil: Please, wait!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0447.png)
There's a lot more light and sound to draw your attention to it outside of screenshots, but the image in the mirror is now Cecil-as-Paladin rather than Cecil-as-Dark-Knight.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0448.png)
All right? Kiddo I am fabulous.
Palom: You must be...
Porom: Palom! Enough!
Presumably Palom's next words were "shittin' me!"
Cecil: This feeling... I can't explain it. It feels... so familiar. That voice...
Well, you're apparently the son of a mysterious, distant redeeming figure. I'm changing your name to Jesus next time I get to a Namingway.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0453.png)
You know who the voice is?
Porom: Master Tellah?
Tellah: My spells! I remember them now!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0456.png)
The number of spells Tellah doesn't know can almost be counted on one hand.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0457.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0458.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0459.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0460.png)
Time to go kick Golbez's ironclad behind.
Porom: He is indeed a great sage.
Palom: Hey, Porom... I kinda think...
Porom: Er, Cecil?
Palom: We have to tell you something. We're actually...
Tellah: I am ready to face Golbez! I am doom itself! Come, Cecil! To Baron!
Cecil: Yes... to Baron.
Cecil: That light... Why did it call me "Son"?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0475.png)
And the kids never confess, because old people just refuse to listen to anything children say.
Anyhow, Cecil has shed the Deathbringer in favor of the Sword of Legend. Since all the Dark Knight armor is also gone, all that he's left with is his skivvies.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0476.png)
Thankfully I prepared for this eventuality back in Mysidia and bought all the paladin-exclusive gear already. Alas, these gauntlets do not cast Thundara for free.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0477.png)
Cecil has more HP as a Paladin than he did as a Dark Knight, but restarts all his training at level 1. He has access to white magic (Cure, for now -- he doesn't ever learn much or anything more complicated than Cura) and can automatically Cover allies when they're low on HP. When Cecil is Covering someone, he leaps in front of them to take physical hits on their behalf.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0478.png)
Good news is, his paladin armor resists attacks from undead monsters, and his new sword makes hamburger out of same. (I do not recommend eating zombie hamburger.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0480.png)
Monsters are still spitting out the same EXP totals, so Cecil levels quickly. This is him after one fight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0483.png)
But Cecil isn't the only one to get a plot-relevant level up. Tellah remembered all his old -aga-and-beyond magic, and picked up Meteor along the way. Alas, Meteor costs 99 MP, and Tellah has 90 and never gains more. You can't go around just dropping Meteors on people willy-nilly.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0488.png)
Cecil gains eight levels walking down the mountain, picking up two new spells. Sight zooms the world map out a little so you can see your surroundings, and is largely useless. Scan tells you enemy weaknesses, and is less useless.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0485.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0489.png)
There's a chocobo forest south of Mt. Ordeals that makes the trip back to Mysidia a short endeavor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0490.png)
Yeah, sorry about killing everyone you know and love.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0492.png)
It's kind of amazing anyone recognizes Cecil at all, considering no one ever saw his face under that helmet.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0502.png)
That's... fair.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0508.png)
Was there ever any doubt? (Yes.)
Porom: Sir Cecil fought brilliantly.
Palom: I'll say. He passed with flying colors.
Cecil: Come again?
Elder: Forgive me. I assigned them to spy on you.
Japan, you are bad at foreshadowing.
Palom: That pretty much sums it up.
Porom: I feel awful having deceived you. I'm so sorry.
Cecil: I had suspected that was why. I deserved it, after what I did.
Elder: The most important thing is that you have become a paladin and have shed yourself of the darkness you once held. ...That sword...! Where did you obtain it?
Cecil: It was given to me on the mountain's peak.
Elder: Is this...? Yes, it is! This sword holds the words of an ancient Mysidian legend!
Cecil: A legend?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/SoM-legend.png)
Wait wait, no, that's not it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0523.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0524.png)
Elder: You ask a valid question, to which I do not know the answer. The legend has never been unveiled. For generations, the Mysidians have been told to pray for the fulfillment of this legend and to believe in the one with the sacred light. Perhaps you might be the one.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0529.png)
Tellah gives not a single damn about your plot hooks.
Elder: Tellah?
Tellah: It's been a while.
Porom: We met him on Mt. Ordeals.
Palom: And guess what? The old man learned to cast Meteor!
Elder: What!? Meteor, the legendary spell, unsealed? What is happening to this world...?
Tellah: I care not about the world's troubles. I solely wish to avenge Anna!
Tellah, not a single damn, etc.
Elder: Anna, your daughter?
Tellah: Golbez took her life. And I shall use Meteor to slay him.
Elder: Tellah, you must not fight with hatred. Moreover, you are in no condition to use Meteor.
Tellah: If I die, so be it! Golbez must die at any cost!
Elder: Still stubborn as a mule, I see.
Tellah: Ha! Like you're one to talk.
Elder: Nevertheless, with your spells and Cecil's newfound power, you may be able to defeat Golbez.
Cecil: In any case, we must return to Baron to commandeer an airship first.
Elder: Very well. I shall grant you access to the Devil's Road. As a paladin, I am certain you can safely travel the bedeviled path. Now it is time for me to retire to the Tower of Worship. I shall pray for your success.
Cecil: We thank you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0552.png)
Porom: Elder, please allow us to accompany him.
Palom: Yeah, you're the one who said we should help him any way we can.
Elder: Very well. You have both overcome the trials of Ordeals and returned alive. Perhaps this is your fate. Please look after them.
So he said before that no one had come back alive from Mt. Ordeals, but really we just did it with a couple of five-year-olds and a geriatric, so I wonder who else went in the first place.
Cecil: But, I... uh...
Palom: Are you saying you don't want us tagging along?
Porom: I'm sure we can still be of assistance.
Tellah: Don't worry, old friend. I will look after them.
Cecil: Very well, so be it. I'm counting on all of you.
Palom: Alright!
Porom: Palom, this isn't going to be some kind of picnic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0571.png)
The Elder and his attendant mages retreat to the Crystal room, now empty of its Crystal and with the blood mopped up off the floor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0569.png)
The Elder himself, as promised, is praying in the Tower of Worship.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0573.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0574.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0575.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0576.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0577.png)
Other than a low drone and a pan across the map screen, the Devil's Road doesn't actually do anything to your party members. It's built up to be this terrible life-draining teleporter but does not deliver.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0578.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0579.png)
...promoted to the second-in-command under their military's top general? Not following you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0580.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0582.png)
I... I... Igottagodosomething!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0584.png)
Every named character in Baron: elsewhere for the time being.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0585.png)
"This place" being the inn and public-house where Cecil got his free drinks as a Dark Knight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0586.png)
Baron's kind of a military dictatorship under martial law at the moment, so... they kinda do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0590.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0448.png)
Well, you're apparently the son of a mysterious, distant redeeming figure. I'm changing your name to Jesus next time I get to a Namingway.
Given that room, I'd lean more towards Kal-El.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0591.png)
Yang: ?
Cecil: It's-a me, Cecil!
Yang: Cecil... Baron's knight turned traitor. Seize him!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0597.png)
This ends predictably.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0599.png)
Yang: You insolent wretch!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0602.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0609.png)
Yang passes on his power-building and defense-raising abilities, but does kick the crap out of everyone a couple times. He has thousands upon thousands of HP, far more than he ever had as a party member. I guess swimming to shore out of a maelstrom really bulks a guy up.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0604.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0607.png)
Tellah has a chance to practice some of his high-powered magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0610.png)
It works out okay.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0611.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0612.png)
Yang: I cannot remember anything.
Tellah: Obviously, you suffered a slight case of amnesia and were being used by Baron.
Pff, yeah, like amnesia works that way. What's next, you're gonna tell me he was under some kinda mind control?
Cecil: Where are Rydia and Edward?
Yang: Rydia was... swallowed by Leviathan.
Cecil: !
Yang: Edward... ...I don't know. Where are we?
Cecil: In Baron. Let's go elsewhere so we can discuss everything in private.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0622.png)
Aw yeah, two front-row tanky brawlers and three mages. Party balance achieved.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0623.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0624.png)
Palom went straight to bed, so he isn't in the huddle. He's covered up by the text boxes, though.
Tellah: My daughter loved him enough to sacrifice her life for him.
Yang: I am sorry for your loss. I am Yang of Fabul.
Palom: I'm the prodigy of Mysidia! My name's Palom.
Porom: Feel free to ignore my twin brother. I am Porom.
Palom: I can't believe you were oblivious to so much!
Porom: Palom! Apologize!
Yang: No, he is right. Forgive my actions.
Cecil: Well, first things first. We have to find Cid.
Tellah: Sneaking into the castle won't be easy.
Yang: Hm? What is this?
Cecil: This is the Baron Key! Of course! They must've given it to you when they gave you command of those guards. With this key, I believe we'll be able to find Cid.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0639.png)
Well, that's convenient.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0641.png)
It lets you unlock the weapon shop, too. Inside is an armor upgrade for the mages and an assortment of elemental claws for Yang.
-
Cecil = Clark
Kain = Bruce
Rydia = Shiera/Shaera/Lyrai
Tellah = John
Edward = Orin
Rosa = Diana
Yang = Luke
Porom = Jayna
Palom = Zan
Cid = Carter
Edge = Wally
FuSoYa = J'onn
-
Okay, the LP is now caught up to where I've played so far, which means I can now Namingway and it'll show up in future posts.
Right now we're looking at:
Cecil = Brentai
Kain = Mars
Rydia = Either Lyrai or Friday
Tellah = Mongrel
Edward = Romo
Rosa = Whoever isn't Rydia I guess
Yang = Kabbage
Porom = MCE
Palom = Zara
Cid = Niku
Edge = DNi
FuSoYa = Skyrim
So if anyone has any additions or changes (Skyrim? idgi), speak now or... speak later, I guess. This isn't set in stone or anything. The poll will be closed next time I update the LP, and whoever has more votes gets to be Rydia. THE MOST IMPORTANT POLL EVER MADE amirite
Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post.
oookay
-
Sweet
-
Cecil = Clark
Kain = Bruce
Rydia = Shiera/Shaera/Lyrai
Tellah = John
Edward = Orin
Rosa = Diana
Yang = Luke
Porom = Jayna
Palom = Zan
Cid = Carter
Edge = Wally
FuSoYa = J'onn
:perfect:
-
I guess the first thing to settle is whether we're using Bronto Vanity Project theme or Justice League: Blue Planet's Mightiest Heroes theme.
-
Either way, Yang should be me.
-
Aw. I was all about being Cid. Any of them. Condom costume and all.
-
There is a very easy way to become that awesome.
-
Do it. Become more broken than you'd ever dreamed.
-
...Okay, I'll cop to not knowing who Luke is.
If it's a Mark Hamill reference I'm not making the connection.
EDIT: Also, has the Wikipedia entry on Wonder Dog (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Dog_%28Super_Friends%29) been targeted by pranksters, or did all that shit actually happen?
(I actually considered going with a DC superhero theme in FF6. But then I decided nah, I'll just make them all Batman.)
-
...Okay, I'll cop to not knowing who Luke is.
He's... from the wrong comics continuity. Sorry, I was having trouble thinking of a good kung-fu guy.
Fuck it, just call him B'wana.
I guess Ted works too.
-
...Okay, I'll cop to not knowing who Luke is.
He's... from the wrong comics continuity. Sorry, I was having trouble thinking of a good kung-fu guy.
Fuck it, just call him B'wana.
I guess Ted works too.
Dick.
-
Hm. Well, Rama Kushna is a goddess so she's out.
DC was doing Kung Fu-sploitation at the same time Marvel was doing Shang-Chi and Iron Fist, right?
Not finding any easy matches offhand. Yeah, as far as just guy who punches guys Wildcat's probably a good call (though it took me a sec to realize you meant him and not Blue Beetle).
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Tiger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Tiger)
-
Ah, much obliged.
(I KNOW I've seen that Suicide Squad cover before.)
-
I was technically going by who's been on the JLA toon, hence John and not Hal.
Obviously I went right off rails for Luke Cage, but in my defense, that's mothafucking Luke Cage.
-
I was technically going by who's been on the JLA toon, hence John and not Hal.
Hal appears briefly in The Once and Future Thing, but yeah, I noticed. (John's way better than Hal anyway.)
(Frankly a little surprised Bronze Tiger DIDN'T make it into JLU. I mean, they had the motherfucking Creeper. And there WAS a Suicide Squad episode. And it was awesome.)
-
He was in some Brave and the Bold episodes, mainly the Terrible Trio one, but yeah, it is a bit surprising he wasn't even in a background shot of JLU.
-
I saw a bunch of posts in here and got excited and then I people other than R^2 posting.
-
Them comical books is serious business.
Although at this point Brontotheme is winning out just because nobody's debating who's who.
-
Really? I thought there were a handful of different variations.
Oh well, it's not like you can't abuse namingway again at a later date.
-
I'm for feeding my vanity by naming the guy who can't decide what side he's on after me.
-
... There was a character in FF4 who was uncertain about their sexual orientation???
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QIbSmRV.jpg)
-
now it's me, i am that character
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0642.png)
Walking to the castle's useless, but the Baron Key also unlocks this door here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1497.png)
But first, IMPORTANT STUFF. I'm going with the "Puts the US in BRONTOFORUMUS" theme for the moment. Brentai is the stalwart and hardworking leader, Mongrel is the senile geriatric, Kabbage/Mothra (neither fit the six-letter space provided) is a magnificent mustache and Zara and Miss Cat Ears are twins for some reason.
Also, I found the system setting on my emulator to stop it from blurring the display, since BongoBill pointed out that it's doing that. Not having to run a filter over every frame displayed makes the emulator run much faster. I can play action games now!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1498.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1499.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1502.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1503.png)
Surprise, the Old Waterway is filled with aquatic monsters. But don't assume elemental weaknesses like before -- most of the enemies here are as weak to electricity as you'd expect, but those fish up top? They're Electrofish. They absorb the stuff.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1501.png)
The Old Waterway is full of secret passages. On the SNES version, these were marked. Now you have to feel around for them.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1504.png)
Mongrel still has only 90 MP to work with, so every few turns he has to stop and leech more out of something else.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1508.png)
Without a boss to guard it or anything, the Waterway leads into the back of the Castle Baron moat.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1510.png)
If you know the door is here, you can explore the moat (but not enter the Waterway) while wandering around Baron at the beginning of the game.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1511.png)
But you can't see it from where you'd normally be walking around.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1512.png)
The first thing Brent does upon arriving is invite everyone he knows to bed with him. :suave:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1513.png)
But other than the guards up front telling you to fuck off, the castle is abandoned. Even the Mysidian prisoners are gone.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1515.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1516.png)
Brent: Baigan, you too...?
Baigan: Is something the matter?
Brent: You serve Golbez as well?
Baigan: Never! As captain of the Royal Guards, my loyalty lies with Baron.
Brent: Where is Cid? I heard he was confined in the castle.
Baigan: I, too, have attempted to find him, but my men and I were attacked and I was the only one to survive...
Brent: I see. Then you must join us.
Baigan: It would be an honor to join you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1525.png)
Hey, waaaaitaminute...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1526.png)
Taking on a sixth party member forces someone out, in this case, Zara and MCE.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1527.png)
Zara: Something's wrong.
MCE: Yes. I sense danger.
Baigan: What!? Like... a... monster?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1531.png)
Zara and MCE do a take.
Zara: Oh, give me a break, mister.
MCE: Sir, no disrespect, but that acting of yours is about as subtle as a crutch.
Brent: Baigan! You'd also betray Baron!?
Baigan: Golbez's wishes are Baron's wishes. He granted a wonderful power to me. Observe!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1536.png)
whoooooosh
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Boss Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKuS5I24Mhw#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1537.png)
Baigan's arms are semi-independent creatures, and offer different targets than his central body. They're fond of using Vampire to drain HP and Entangle to cause paralysis. Baigan, for his part, mostly just hits people. I guess with a bite attack, since he's standing on his feet and his arms do their own thing.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1541.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1542.png)
Baigan casts Reflect on himself after he's hit with magic, so make that first hit count. Twin magic is a good choice, as is any -aga-level black magic from Mongrel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1539.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1543.png)
With Reflect up, Mongrel is content to buff everyone else instead of blasting Baigan.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1544.png)
MCE keeps everyone patched up, while Zara brags about how awesome his next game is going to be. Brent and Kabbage just smack Baigan around, since they're not hindered by Reflect at all.
In this screenshot, Baigan has regrown both of his arms after they'd been destroyed. That happens.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1546.png)
Pretty sure Osmose bounces off of Reflect, but Baigan's arms aren't protected. They make good MP sources to keep Mongrel going.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1548.png)
EVERSION IS SO AWESOME YOU GUYS was well worth it; Zara can easily blast Baigan's arms off. It's a shame no one has Dispel to get rid of Reflect, this would be a very quick battle otherwise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1549.png)
As it is, Brent or Kabbage finally deals the final blow to Baigan.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1550.png)
Baigan's arm explodes at someone in response.
Boy, that sure was an interesting, semi-complex battle! Sure was a lot more interesting than saying "Well, this guy hits hard and uses some offensive magic, but keep your healing up and you can win" like I have so many times before.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1552.png)
Zara's black magic can do a Brazilian hit points in damage at once.
Brent: Even Baigan, who seemed so loyal...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1554.png)
Since the guards are gone, you can access the treasure room that was blocked before. Inside are two Unicorn Horns that heal in-battle status ailments, two Ethers, and two Phoenix Downs.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1555.png)
The east tower, also blocked, has more curative equipment to be found.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1556.png)
Its basement has an Elixir in one of those pots, and...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1558.png)
A passage that can't be explored yet.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1560.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1561.png)
Brent: Thank you.
King: I see you have become a paladin. Paladins are of little use; a dark knight would be more useful to us.
Brent: Your Majesty...?
King: Your who? Oh, you must mean the old duffer who refused to surrender this kingdom. Hahaha, I must say I've enjoyed impersonating him.
Brent: What have you done with the king!?
Not the King: You'll see him soon enough. Oh, and give my regards to Scarmiglione if you run into him in the netherworld. That weakling never deserved to be one of the Four Elemental Lords. The rest of us are more powerful than him.
Brent: Then you are...!?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1571.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1573.png)
-
GASP! A TWIST!
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Four Emperors (Dreadful Fight) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvJkKwk8qYE#)
The same music plays during the second Scarmiglione fight, but I totally forgot to link it. :nyoro~n:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1574.png)
Tsunami, tsunami, Cagnazzo the tsunami! Turtle man!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1575.png)
Guess what the Elemental Lord of Water is weak against. Go on. Guess. If you hit him with enough Thunder-elemental spells, he retreats into his shell and starts healing himself.
In the DS version, he's weak to ice instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1578.png)
Ah, it's wet, that it is. When Cagnazzo gathers water around himself, he's about to unleash a powerful Tsunami attack. Twice.
In the DS version, this makes him weak to thunder instead of ice, just to keep players on their toes. A lot of bosses were like that, where using old strategies from previous versions of the game would get you punished.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1580.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1581.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1582.png)
The only way he'd live long enough to retreat is if you went straight from the Baigan fight to this one without resting in Brent's room in between to restore Tellah's MP.
-
Obviously I went right off rails for Luke Cage, but in my defense, that's mothafucking Luke Cage.
...so wait. Between Power Man and Iron Fist, you decided to name the kung fu guy after Power Man?
-
Cagnazzo is pretty much what I expected from the royal baby
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1583.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1585.png)
Really Cid if you think about it having to pay for the face-beating would be a greater insult.
Brent: Cid Niku!
Niku: Brent? You're alive! You had me worried!
Brent: I'm sorry...
Niku: Where's Rosa Friday!? She went after you, convinced that you were still alive.
Brent: Golbez has taken her...
Niku: What!? How could you let that happen? First my airship, now my Friday!
Mongrel: And she's still in trouble, so stop your jabbering and take us to your airship!
Niku: Who is this snippy octogenarian?
Mongrel: I could say the same thing to you!
Niku: What? I'm half your age, and then some!
(Canonically Tellah's age is 60 and Cid's is 54. So they're not that far apart, even though Tellah looks like he's the octogenarian Cid describes him as.)
MCE: Please! This is not the time. Sir, this is the great Sage Mongrel. This is Master Kabbage, the high monk of Fabul. I am MCE, an apprentice mage from Mysidia.
Zara: So now we'll have another geezer on board.
MCE: That repulsive brat is my twin brother, Zara.
Zara: You goody two-shoes!
Kabbage: Pleased to meet you.
Niku: Well, you sure are a mannerly fellow.
Brent: Niku, where is your new airship?
Niku: Heh heh. Where nobody would suspect.
Mongrel: We must hurry! Friday's life is in danger!
Niku: I know, I know! You don't have to shout, we're not deaf like you. Everyone, follow me!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1613.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1614.png)
Everyone files out, MCE dragging Zara.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1616.png)
Cagnazzo: You have defeated me, but you have not heard the last of Cagnazzo. Now join me in the netherworld!
The room shakes violently.
Mongrel: The walls!
Niku: It's locked!
Mongrel: This side is locked, too!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1622.png)
The walls close in.
Brent: Zara! MCE!
Zara: I guess there's only one thing to do.
MCE: Brent, I'm glad we were able to become friends.
Mongrel: What are you going to do!?
Zara: We're not going to let you die!
MCE: Thank you for everything you've taught us, Sage Mongrel.
Zara: Ready?
MCE: Yes!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1631.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1633.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1634.png)
Zara and Miss Cat Ears petrify themselves, jamming the trap mechanism. The walls stop.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1637.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1638.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1639.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1640.png)
Mongrel: You fools! I am an old man! It was my duty, not yours!
Kabbage: Forgive me, you two...
Mongrel: I will avenge you both. I swear to it!
Niku: It's time for some payback! To the Enterprise!
Brent: I'll get you... Golbez!
Door's still locked, though (http://surrealistobituaries.com/content/?p=243).
-
M O T H R A is 6 letters. :o
-
Um
er
I...
So it is. :nyoro~n:
-
Final Fantasy IV DS Music - Somewhere in the World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqDomDXCroo#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1648.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1649.png)
Mars: Sire, regarding the last Crystal...
Golbez: I know. That place remains a problem.
Mars: Then, by all means, let's have Brent get it for us.
Golbez: Hmm...
Mars: I'm certain Brent will comply. After all, we have Friday. We can exchange her for the last Crystal.
Golbez: A primitive idea, but it just might work. And I will destroy him at the time of exchange.
Mars: I shall go convey your terms to him.
Friday: Mars!
Mars: Friday, you shall see soon enough that I am superior to Brent.
Replacing these names has added a lot of weird subtext to these conversations.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1661.png)
Niku: It's been here all along!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1663.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1664.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1666.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1667.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1668.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1669.png)
-
Hold on, though, because before you can fly anywhere...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1670.png)
Brent: Wait!
Kabage: What is that?
Mongrel: It's a white flag.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1674.png)
White flag, Red Wings. Which color do you trust?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1675.png)
Needless to say some characters are going to be named two things until I can get them in my party and to a Namingway.
Mars: Heh! So you're still among the living.
Niku: Mars! You little maggot!
Brent: Where's Friday?
Mars: If you want her back, bring me the Earth Crystal.
Brent: What!?
Mongrel: You shameless dog!
Mars: I will come to you once you have the Crystal in your possession. And if Friday means anything to you, you'll get that Crystal.
Kabbage: Why, you...!
Brent: Wake up, Mars!
Mars: I have nothing else to say to you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1688.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1689.png)
Brent: Niku, set a course northwest... to Troia.
-
Let's Listen: Final Fantasy IV (DS) - Airship Theme (Extended) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAUJVN0oFwk#ws)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1691.png)
Niku instead goes... directly south! Seriously, we have an airship now, you expect the next part to be linear?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1693.png)
So that's why everyone's so short!
Blick: According to a famous saying, there are two sides to everything. Even this world...
Flick: Supposedly, our ancestors came from the other world. There world also has a sun, called Magma.
Whick: I hear our ancestors came from the mountain to the north, out of the crater, which is sealed now. I don't suppose it matters because you need an airship to get there anyway.
Glick: It's so peaceful here in Agart, though we do have earthquakes at times.
Plick: I'm strong! My grandpa's grandpa's grandpa was really strong, too!
Quee: What? You wanna know how our ancestors came here? Well, it's a funny story... Um... Darn, I seem to have forgotten the tale...
Snick: Maybe I'm short because my ancestors were dwarves. I wish my ancestors were ogres. Then I would've been really tall!
Naseweis: We cannot live without the blessing of the sun, although our ancestors might disagree.
Latir: There is an ancient saying: "Only when the sun's stone is returned will the path to the native land emerge."
Huckepack: Without darkness, light cannot exist. There is day and there is night. There are the laws of nature. These are the words of our ancestors.
Rule of life. No change rule.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1708.png)
The equipment for sale in Agart is utter crap. Kain started the game with a full set of Iron equipment, so this stuff was obsolete as soon as I got to Mist Valley.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1715.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1717.png)
Corio: One moon has no sign of life or activity. But the other has traces of life, and is turning a reddish color... A color similar to that of blood... I can't escape this sense of foreboding...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1720.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1721.png)
Looks fine to me.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1722.png)
My, that's a big tower.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1723.png)
There's another tiny town, across the shoals from a cave.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1724.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1725.png)
Everyone here is either miniaturized, a pig, or a frog.
Tiny Girl: I'm the prettiest girl in this village! I'm so small that you can't tell? Come closer and look!
Tiny Dad: Having a beautiful daughter isn't easy, I tell you. I have to protect her from all the scum out there!
Don't do it, Brent! You'll only end up making a mess!
Pig Smelter: Mr. Frog, Mr. Little, and I work to gather, refine, and process mythril to make armor and weapons.
Tiny Rubbernecker: Hoity-toity! Are you all giants?
Hungry Frog: I can't imagine how much you have to eat to fill up a body as big as yours.
Well-traveled Frog: Mythril Mountain lies far to the north. Although with your long legs, it'll take you much less time than it takes us!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1734.png)
Naturally, all the equipment here is made of mythril. It's a significant upgrade to what everyone's wearing, but it's expensive stuff. A suit of mythril mail for either Brent or Niku is 17,000 gil!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1732.png)
I see what you did there, item shop.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1736.png)
Um... hey... there's Mist. ::(:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1738.png)
Yeah... who knows how that could have happened?
Frank the Summoner: It is rumored that a summon mighty enough to kill with a single blow rests beneath the ground of Baron.
Matt the Summoner: Has the history of the summoners of Mist come to an end...?
Ed the Summoner: The creatures called by summoners come from the Land of Summons, which exists deep underground.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1742.png)
There's not much here to buy. Bard's Tunics have all the defensive powers of plain clothes, and no one in the party can use the whips that the weapon shop sells.
There are items hidden in the tall grass scattered around, but they're mostly... Bomb Fragments. :;_;:
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1743.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1744.png)
Near the very large tower is a ruined castle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1745.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1747.png)
Looks like this place was raided and looted already, but some treasures are still hidden behind secret passages.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1748.png)
Like this one in the throne room, and the other one opposite it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1750.png)
I'm walking on the outside of a castle tower, which seems like a risky proposition. On the other hand, they had passages from the inside of the castle walls to the outside and back again, so it's no wonder this place got smashed up so bad.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1751.png)
Well, crap.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1752.png)
It's full of recurring monsters! Both the Lamia and the curly-cats are fond of status ailments, the Lamia with confuse and paralysis and the Coeurls equipped with their standard Blaster.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1755.png)
If Mongrel lives long enough to get a Tornado off, I can two-hit anything.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1759.png)
Whew.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1761.png)
That was pointless. ::(:
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1765.png)
Not every chest in Eblan has monsters in it, but there sure are a lot of monster chests too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1766.png)
The Mad Ogres get an ambush, and do nothing but hit for several hundred HP each turn.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1767.png)
Splat. Mongrel got to Tornado one of them, but the follow-up attack for the kill never came. That's how fast these guys are.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1772.png)
One more monster-in-a-box, with another big mob of enemies I shouldn't be fighting yet.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1773.png)
Mongrel's Tornado and Kabbage's kick take out the golem, while Brent and Mongrel casting Cura spells does wonders for the skellingtons.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1775.png)
If I'd remembered this was here I wouldn't have bought a mythril sword for Brent.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1776.png)
Kabbage: I am fine, thanks to their help.
Kabbage's Wife: You guys are like my husband's guardian angels!
Mostly Brent, since it was an entirely different group of people saving his bacon the first time.
Kabbage: And you? Are you alright?
Kabbage's Wife: Yeah. Them Baron bozos ain't never comin' back! I gave 'em a helluva thumpin' with my non-stick frying pan!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1776.png)
Kabbage's Wife: You guys are like my husband's guardian angels!
Mostly Brent, since it was an entirely different group of people saving his bacon the first time.
My wife... can't really tell foreigners apart. It's sort of a Thing.
We also sleep in separate beds, yet share the same chamberpot. She keeps potions IN that shared chamberpot, which I no longer even bring up because she just yells at me and hits me with the frying pan.
She's definitely a handful. But, well, she keeps my firewood chopped and neatly stacked, and on the rare occasions that we get down to Kung-Fuckin', I am allowed to fist her with just... reckless abandon. That's honestly all I really want out of life.
-
This is going to be an amazing LP.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1782.png)
Set a course northwest. For Troia.
Welcome to Our Town! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcLalZOjyqM#)
Since either YouTube or the forum script that links to videos makes them gargantuan in these forum windows, I think I'll start linking to the YouTube page instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1784.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1785.png)
Man, that's a lousy equipment selection you've got there. Even the Iron gear in Agart has better defense.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1786.png)
Why would you even do that?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1788.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1789.png)
Can and do! The rumors floating about are that these chocobos can't fly, but wild blacks can.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1796.png)
These, being domesticated, say "Kweh".
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1799.png)
Not far away is a lady looking for "grandpa, that old codger". He's hiding in the reeds spying on swimmin' wimmin'.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1801.png)
The bottom half of the sprites flicker when they're in water. Sometimes you might screencap it when they're flickered on, so that it looks like they're standing on the surface instead. :whoops:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1802.png)
But it's not a harp. It looks more like... a weed. A whispering weed. Whisperweed, you might call it... in a later translation.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1819.png)
There's a well-stocked pub and gentlemen's club in Troia. You can buy a Membership pass for the back room for 10,000 gil, but I spent all my money on other stuff.
-
Music: Troian Beauty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=015v6s7e_Ps#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1821.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1822.png)
It's a nice castle, although it's hard to tell with this limited tileset. There are frogs swimming around in the water. (Although again, they look like they're walking around on it instead...)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1823.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1824.png)
Hey! I know a prince from Damcyan! I figured he broke every fragile bone in his waifish body the instant he hit the water, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1825.png)
Eh, what are the odds?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1827.png)
That explains the thriving tourist industry in town, I think.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1829.png)
Really? Your uniform awfully impractical.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1828.png)
...oh.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1830.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1831.png)
Edward Romo!
Wait a minute Romosome is a dog not a beautiful prince what is going on here
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1833.png)
Mongrel: You cannot help us in that condition, though. You'd only burden us!
Romo: bark bark bark bark bark! (Mongrel... I can't begin to ask for your forgiveness. Anna died because of me...)
Mongrel: ...
Romo: *whine* (I can never atone for that.)
Kabbage: Romo, your health should be your greatest concern now. You should get your rest.
Romo: bark bark! (Kabbage... So we all survived... Where is Rydia Lyrai?)
Kabbage: ...
Romo: bark bark bark bark! (...I see. I wish I had been there to help you out during your battles...)
Niku: Hey, I heard you took mighty good care of Brent and Friday! I appreciate it! Let me repay you. With me and my Enterprise, we can rise above anything!
I see what you did there.
Romo: Arf woof woof. Bark bark! (You must be Cid, the airship engineer. ...Wait! Does this mean we have an airship!? Brent, whatever became of Friday?
Brent: Golbez proposed a trade. He will return Friday in return for Troia's Crystal. But the Crystal lies in the hands of the Dark Elf.
Dude, spoilers. I haven't talked to the people who tell us that yet.
Romo: *whine...* Bark bark! (The Dark Elf... Brent, you must take this.)
Brent: What is it?
Romo: Arf arf, bark. (It is the only way I can be of any help right now.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1857.png)
Romo: Bark bark. (Brent, please save Friday.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1860.png)
Yeah, tell me about it.
-
Guess I'd better go see some clerics about a Crystal. Unlike the other nations in the world and their traditional monarchies, Troia is ruled by a council of eight clerics. Who are all sisters. So that's kind of weird.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1874.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1867.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1868.png)
Darn, I'll have to leave my silver lockbox at home.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1869.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1870.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1871.png)
Yyyes... borrow the Crystal...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1872.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1873.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1875.png)
Sure enough, their Crystal room is empty already.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1876.png)
North of Troia, through forests and over hills, is this tiny thicket.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1877.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1878.png)
It's easier to tell this is a black chocobo as it's running around. Compare it to the traditional yellow one below, I guess?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1879.png)
Music: Samba de Chocobo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Kr0dc1Xgk#)
These videos play automatically on their own pages, so mousewheel-click or Control-click to open a new tab while you read the LP. Yeah, that's a lot more convenient.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1880.png)
While you can fly anywhere in the world on a black chocobo that doesn't involve crossing a mountain range, and land in any forest, we covered pretty much everything with the airship already. There's nowhere to go but to the Dark Elf's lair, just across a channel to the east.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1883.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1885.png)
Kabbage: My claws appear to be unaffected.
Mongrel: Fear not! We stand invincible with my magic!
As advertised, equipping anything made of metal -- including iron, silver, or our new mythril equipment -- causes a permanent and unremoveable paralysis status in combat. So no expensive mythril armor, no silver armlets for Mongrel or Kabbage, no swords or hammers. The metal tips of arrows and monk claws don't count, so right now Cid has a bow and arrow set instead of his Mythril Hammer. Everyone is in Kenpogi and Twist Headbands, which is fine for Mongrel and Kabbage but subpar for Niku and Brent. Ruby Rings have taken the place of Mythril Gloves or Silver Armlets on everyone's arms.
I've read that the Ancient Sword found in the Old Waterway in Baron doesn't count as metal. Wish I'd have kept it instead of pawning it for cash to buy Mythril gear now.
Brent has a Healing Staff, which I think is made of wood and thus okay in this dungeon...
-
Brent can use a bow too.
-
He can, and there's a Great Bow in the inventory in case the Healing Staff counts as metal. But given how useful low-grade but free partywide healing can be in this sort of game, he may be better off doing that than plinking out weak arrow attacks.
(This was removed in the DS version, where bows become Rosa-exclusive equipment rather than universal potential that Rosa just happens to be better with.)
-
i miss my wife
-
It's lonely out in space, on such a timeless flight.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAuX34JX-8o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAuX34JX-8o)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1888.png)
Oops, forgot something on Mongrel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1889.png)
Yep, there's your problem.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1890.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1891.png)
While the whole party is suffering with subpar armor and weapons, the monsters get the usual next-dungeon level-up. Here are Mind Flayers, fond of doing typical Mind Flayer things. Like Goblins, Bombs, and Cockatrices, they have a very low chance of dropping a summon emblem. Which will be helpful if I ever get a summoner back in the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1892.png)
It's a damned tough dungeon, so a save point midway is a welcome sight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1893.png)
If I were a Dark Elf, I'd fill the dungeon with all sorts of tempting equipment made of metal that my enthusiastic raiders would immediately equip and get bogged down by my magical magnetic field. Instead the only equippable item in the cave is a monk claw.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1894.png)
The Draculady was properly aligned in the SNES version, where it looked like she was hanging from the ceiling instead of floating a foot away from it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1895.png)
The end of the dungeon is... a crystal room? How'd the Dark Elf build all this?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1897.png)
Dark Elf: ...get the crysTAL. You canNOT deFEAT me with those weaPONS.
Kabbage: We shall see about that.
Mongrel: Let's see how he likes my magic spells!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1901.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1902.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1903.png)
We come out swingin'!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1904.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1906.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1907.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1908.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1909.png)
Um... no...?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1911.png)
Aw, weak! Tornado isn't a multitarget spell when Mongrel casts it!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1912.png)
Brent: I need my sword.
Mongrel: Ugh...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1915.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1916.png)
Then even Brent falls, and the screen goes black...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1919.png)
Romo wakes with a start and starts barking in alarm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1921.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1922.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1923.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1924.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1925.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1927.png)
Romo throws off the medical staff and continues stumbling toward his harp. Why they couldn't just bring it to him is never made clear.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1928.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1929.png)
-
Same reason Larry couldn't just SING "Pop Goes the Weasel" to Curly after his violin broke: because that's not as dramatic as crashing through the wall with a truck.
-
Yeah, if you don't get why Edward dramatically and heroically needed to crawl across the room to his harp, you don't understand the man at all.
He absolutely lives for this kind of thing.
-
Well, scale's kind of a tricky business in Final Fantasy. It's possible that we're actually looking at a full-sized harp there, which isn't something you want a couple orderlies to be trying to rush over to you in a moment of crisis.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x7oSSBQGH0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x7oSSBQGH0)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1930.png)
Kabbage: ...?
Mongrel: This music...
Brent: It's Romo!
Dark Elf: GAH! What is this torturOUS sound?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1936.png)
Romo: He cannot control the magnetic field while I am playing! Now! Draw your sword!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1942.png)
IT IS ON MOTHERBITCHES
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1943.png)
I'm not entirely sure how, but Romo's music also gives the party a full heal.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1945.png)
Having decent equipment means our damage output increases significantly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1948.png)
And the Dark Elf, distracted by the noise, can't bring to bear the sort of power he had before. This is the damage output from his Fira-Thundara-Blizzara combo, less than a tenth of what it was before.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1949.png)
His Tornado is back to single-target.
This is no problem at all! This fight's going to be a cinch!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1950.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1951.png)
The Dark Elf transforms into a Dark Dragon!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1953.png)
He has a powerful Dark Breath attack that can be problematic...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1955.png)
But in this version, he's vulnerable to Tornado for a two-shot kill. This battle is a cinch!
-
It's not explicitly stated either way, but I always assumed that was the sort of little hand-held harp that Edward would carry with him into dungeons to sing at enemies with.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1958.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1960.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1961.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1964.png)
It's easier to walk out than walk in, now that you can use your best equipment in random battles... but why bother?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1967.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1968.png)
Clerics: The Earth Crystal! You've reclaimed it! Hurrah!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1971.png)
Niku: That voice!
Brent: Mars!
Mars: Bring the Crystal and board the ship. I will take you to Friday.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1977.png)
Another Cleric: The nature of the Crystal's power changes depending on the bearer. If it falls into the wrong hands, who knows what could happen?
Five of the other six just wonder who that voice was and admonish you to be careful with their Crystal and so on.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1980.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1981.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1982.png)
That's a lot of stuff! Most of it consumables, but they're good consumables like a couple of X-Potions and Dry Ethers.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1983.png)
A Silver Apple, too, which gives Brent a permanent boost of +50 to his maximum HP.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1984.png)
Brent: Thank you for your help, Romo.
Romo: There is no need to thank me.
Niku: What I don't understand is how that worked...
Romo: I first heard that melody back when I traveled as a minstrel. I recall it being a song to remonstrate elves and I thought it might work...
Kabbage: We owe you our lives.
Romo: No, I only... Ugh...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba1993.png)
Mongrel: Courage, rising from integrity. She was fortunate to have your love. Now be silent and heal your wounds. I promise you I shall avenge Anna for the both of us.
Romo: Thank you...
Brent: Romo, I look forward to fighting alongside you again.
Romo: ...Anna, now I think I understand why you did what you did.
-
Is it just me, or does Ed-Romo have a perfectly goofy grin in his harp playing sprite?
And, you know,
It's not explicitly stated either way, but I always assumed that was the sort of little hand-held harp that Edward would carry with him into dungeons to sing at enemies with.
I'd always assumed that, but maybe Ro-ward has actually been lugging a full sized harp into battle the whole time. Making him the first character in FF to use truly impractically sized weaponry while being impossibly waifish.
-
Not to be that guy, but there's no such thing as a "hand-held harp", unless one means a lyre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyre). Which is obviously what Eddie is using. I would guess it's just a case of enduring translation fuck-up.
-
Who you callin' a lyre?!
-
Not to be that guy, but there's no such thing as a "hand-held harp", unless one means a lyre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyre). Which is obviously what Eddie is using. I would guess it's just a case of enduring translation fuck-up.
I'd say it's less a translation fuckup than use of a common but technically-incorrect colloquialism.
Wikipedia:
A number of non-harp-like instruments are colloquially referred to as "harps". Chordophones like the aeolian harp (wind harp) and the autoharp (with the piano and harpsichord) are not harps, but zithers, because their strings are not perpendicular to their soundboard. Similarly, the many varieties of harp guitar and harp lute, while chordophones, belong to the lute family and are not true harps. All forms of the lyre and kithara are also not harps, but belong to the fourth family of ancient instruments under the chordophones, the lyres.
I think it's reasonable to assume that most English speakers would look at a lyre and call it a harp.
Whether they used the English word "harp" in the original Japanese script or a native word that's roughly but not quite equivalent and "harp" was a translator's choice, I don't know. But regardless, any way you slice it yes that instrument is quite clearly and unambiguously a lyre.
-
I'd say it's less a translation fuckup than use of a common but technically-incorrect colloquialism.
You say that like you're okay with it.
-
When something's got hundreds of years of common usage behind it it's a little harder to classify it as a usage problem (see "damn" as adjective).
A musician would probably not refer to a lyre as a harp (so I suppose that, strictly speaking, Edward should refer to it as a "lyre" and correct people who call it a harp). But everybody else would.
As it's a case of a specialized technical meaning by a practitioner of the associated discipline versus a looser and more general use of the same word by the mainstream population, it's more akin to "theory" as used in the scientific sense versus the common sense than, say, "literally" used to mean its own opposite (or even "hacking" used to mean "typing the name of Sarah Palin's high school", which, while rapidly on its way to becoming an accepted common definition, doesn't have the hundreds of years of common use that "harp" does).
-
what does this have to do with final fantasy 4
-
It should probably be mentioned at some point that silver isn't magnetic. I dunno about mythril.
-
Iron makes sense, silver does not, mythril is magic made-up stuff so it can do whatever it wants. Then again, the forcefield is also magic made-up stuff, so...
One of these days I'll hack in a suit of Adamantine armor and see if that's ferrous too.
-
what does this have to do with final fantasy 4
If you don't think discussing the minutiae of localization choices is germane to discussions of Final Fantasy 4, you either have not been paying attention for the past twenty years or are completely spoony.
-
When something's got hundreds of years of common usage behind it it's a little harder to classify it as a usage problem (see "damn" as adjective).
A musician would probably not refer to a lyre as a harp (so I suppose that, strictly speaking, Edward should refer to it as a "lyre" and correct people who call it a harp). But everybody else would.
Oh, come on, you're not going to use "classical music" as your example?
-
what does this have to do with final fantasy 4
If you don't think discussing the minutiae of localization choices is germane to discussions of Final Fantasy 4, you either have not been paying attention for the past twenty years or are completely spoony.
I am probably the only person on this board to play FF4 DS to absolute completion, I am entirely aware of the minute localization changes, and I am also aware, we have a perfectly functional existing Final Fantasy thread (http://brontoforum.us/index.php?topic=939) which has yet to have any of the translation discussion that we're going to encounter in the other GBA FFs, especially 5 when it went full meme.
-
Or -- OR -- instead of posting in a 53-page-long monster dump thread whose last new post was a year ago, we could keep it in the thread where we're already talking about it and have screenshots of the things we're talking about as an immediate visual reference.
Does anyone else besides Lyrai have a problem with conversations about FF4 occurring in the FF4 LP thread? I grant I haven't jumped in on a whole bunch of these, so maybe I'm breaching protocol and don't know it, but...it strikes me that R^2 can't be posting updates every hour of every day, and the purpose of putting it on a discussion board is for discussion. Otherwise it would just be a blog.
-
I could just crosspost to my new website at www.r2lp.me (http://www.r2lp.me).
Wait that's not a real site is it
No... okay.
I could just crosspost to my new website at www.r2lp.me (http://www.r2lp.me).
-
A musician would probably not refer to a lyre as a harp (so I suppose that, strictly speaking, Edward should refer to it as a "lyre" and correct people who call it a harp). But everybody else would.
he's a TREASURE HUNTER
-
Back on more important things: with the new system I can't get musical accompaniment on my phone.
-
A bit of umbrage towards the idea that I didn't 100% ff4 DS, though. Just a bit. Otherwise, I was enjoying SEMANFEST FF4.
-
Someone else played it three times fully?
-
Everyone in this thread has probably played Final Fantasy 4 a truly embarrassing number of times.
Just maybe not that specific version.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2001.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2002.png)
Once more, any airship journey is interrupted by the Red Wings approaching. If you have somewhere to go after the Dark Elf -- say, to Mythril to buy the rest of your armor set -- do it before you go to see the clerics.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2003.png)
Brent: Here. Where's Friday?
Mars: In the Tower of Zot. Follow me.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2006.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2007.png)
Niku: Come out!
Mars: Now now. First, Master Golbez would like a word.
Mongrel: Golbez!
Golbez: Well done, Brent. You have exceeded even my expectations.
Mongrel: Wretch! Show yourself!
Golbez: Rosa stands beside me at the top of this tower. Bring the Crystal here, and we will make the trade.
Brent: She had better be safe!
Golbez: You had best hurry. Or else something... unfortunate might happen to her.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36MnRswVtws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36MnRswVtws)
The dungeon music is unique, a remix of Golbez's theme. If you're not paying close attention, you might be fooled into thinking it's the game's final dungeon: unique graphics and music, the four crystals are all accounted for, you know the villain is waiting for you at the top.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2017.png)
On the other hand, you're still pretty low level and you're still finding some pretty mediocre equipment.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2019.png)
Oh no the only door leads to this tiny room what do I do I am trapped y can't Metroid crawl
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2020.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2021.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2022.png)
It might just be my terrible luck, but monsters here seem to get ambushes and back attacks a lot. This is a problem when it puts Mongrel on the front row, where he can get easily crushed by a couple of physical hits.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2023.png)
Surprise, there are a lot of monster boxes strewn about.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2024.png)
The Fiery Hound looks like the Cold Beasts from two shots ago (only orange instead of blue), I just happened to get this shot while the sprite flashed for its attack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2025.png)
Yeah, that's more like it. Also: ow.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2026.png)
Your reward is a weapon for Brent that makes fighting Cold Beasts easier!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2027.png)
Kabbage's maximum HP set up a joke that would have been a little funnier if I'd done this LP ten years ago.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2029.png)
Did I ever talk about Niku's battle abilities? Because he kind of doesn't have any. He can Fight and Item like anyone else, and his only unique is to cast Scan at an enemy. This fight with physical- and magical-resistant slimes is the first time that's been particularly useful... and even then, I only need that information once.
In the DS version, he can also Upgrade his weapon to turn himself into something like the Mystic Knights from Final Fantasy 5. By consuming an item like a Bomb Fragment or Wrath of Zeus, he enchants his weapon with elemental properties for the rest of the battle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2030.png)
When I was a kid playing this on an SNES, I always liked enemies that summoned other enemies because I got to kill things for the EXP and money without having to wander back and forth looking for new fights. I'd usually stay in a fight with one of these Puppeteers for about an hour, letting them bring more Puppets into the fight over and over.
In the SNES version, the Summon was something that automatically happened once in a while, so disabling the Puppeteer from attacking (with a Mini spell like this one!) was a good long-term strategy. Now the Summon is an active ability of the Puppeteer, so Mini disables it -- but it's an active ability that replaces the Puppeteer's attacks, so I don't need Mini anymore anyway.
But! Rather than grind for hours on fights like this, though, I just take a break for a while in an easy, controllable fight while Tellah restores everyone's HP with his Healing Staff and gets his own MP back by using Osmose on the Puppeteer.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2032.png)
We need the heal up, because right around the corner...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2034.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2035.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2036.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2037.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2038.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2039.png)
Magus Sister: Mindy! Sandy! Cindy! We're afraid your journey is over. We will take your Crystal. Say goodbye to your Friday. Delta Attack!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2048.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2049.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2051.png)
The three Sisters have a Delta Attack, but it's not a combination of all three at once like you see in later iterations of the Final Fantasy combat engine.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2052.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2054.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2055.png)
Instead, their Delta Attack is for Sandy to set up Reflect on Cindy, then have Mindy bounce -ra level black magic off of it at the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2057.png)
Meh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2058.png)
Tellah sets up some basic defenses that cut even that mediocre damage output in half.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2060.png)
Sandy tries to set up Reflect on Cindy every time the girls initiate a Delta Attack, but after the first time, the new Reflect bounces off the old one. Now Mongrel can counter their strategy by bouncing his -ga level magic off of Niku.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2062.png)
The Magus Sisters have another trick up their sleeves, though: if Sandy or Mindy are slain first, Cindy will revive them at full health. So Cindy is always the first target to go.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2064.png)
After Cindy drops -- cutting off the use of Delta Attack, even though spells would bounce just as well off Sandy or Mindy -- the rest of the fight is a snap. Mindy reverts to using lesser black magic, and Sandy's physical attacks are nothing to write about.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2065.png)
If you'd done that to Mongrel upfront that would have made this fight much harder! But you're Berserking one of my prime fighters when you're the only target left. :hurr:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2068.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2069.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2027.png)
HOLY PH|_||_||_||_||_||_|< |< |< Z 00 R
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2064.png)
i just murdered a child
-
Well so did I, but you don't hear ME bragging about it.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2064.png)
i just murdered a child
You can almost read my sprite as covering his mouth and clutching his chest at the sight of the carnage.
-
i miss my wife
-
A bit of umbrage towards the idea that I didn't 100% ff4 DS, though. Just a bit. Otherwise, I was enjoying SEMANFEST FF4.
Everyone in this thread has probably played Final Fantasy 4 a truly embarrassing number of times.
Just maybe not that specific version.
Well yeah, but that specific version has stuff that you can only do on the third playthrough. That's why it's a thing! That's also why fuck that.
-
Being that they're the demonic servants of the Fiend of Air, you can comfort yourself knowing that that little girl was probably hundreds of years old already.
-
I never finished the game. I attempted it maybe three times because it's god damned FF4 what the hell is my problem, and always lost interest somewhere around Fabul. It's not a slight on it, it just never clicked for me.
I never even sought out a LP, until now.
-
Well yeah, but that specific version has stuff that you can only do on the third playthrough. That's why it's a thing! That's also why fuck that.
I remember being able to do everything on a second playthrough, it's just that the optional bosses are pretty brutal so that third trip through for extra augments to make it possible to max your stats is really helpful. Though it still sucks because the extra stat growth doesn't kick in until level 70 or so. Still mostly a great remake, but just not quite all the way thought through. Like having an awesome configurable auto-battle feature but no fucking cursor memory option for manual fights.
-
I always got the sense most people lost interest either after the shipwreck, or when you get to the moon.
Also, anyone know if FF4 DS had some horrible, game-breaking flaw? Love the graphic style. Was thinking of getting it secondhand somewhere for a plane trip.
-
It's pretty solid. Overall it's a tiny bit harder than the other versions. A lot of the bosses (and some of the random enemies) have slight variations to their encounters that make the game slightly more interesting to people who've played the main version to death. Localization is pretty good and some of the expanded cutscenes do a lot to shore up weird bits of the story.
The aforementioned auto-battle feature is really great; you can set your characters to automatically use any command, not just attack like most games' autobattle systems, so you get some good unobnoxious mileage out of elemental Rods and such. The ATB bar has a secondary fill color that lets you keep track of cast time of spells.
The Augment system is pretty guide-heavy (give augments to characters you know are leaving in 5 minutes to get more augments back from them later?) but optional for the main game (Although things like casting-speed increase are pretty handy).
-
I heard from the testers that the game balance is skewed in such a way that augment abuse becomes necessary to win, but they may have been referring to the subsequent playthroughs. When you're stuck playing the same game 40 hours a week for 3 months you tend to make your way down into the raving lunatic areas of content.
-
It is. I tried to do a run through of the game with zero augments at all, and it is very brutal. It expects you to use them, and midway through the game simply assumes you have, and will fuck you like a greased piggy if you haven't.
-
Noted.
do you think that kid's going to be ok
-
Well, I mean, I'm the party leader. Presumably if you hadn't killed her she would have been fucked like a greased piggy anyway.
-
For some reason, one of the things that excited me most about FFIV was a screenshot from Nintendo Power of the village of summoned monsters in the planet's underworld. There wasn't anything really special about it, but the room layouts on that black background appealed to me. It was frustrating, then, that each time I borrowed the game to try playing through it again, I lost patience with the boss fights in the Tower of Zot or the underground dwarven kingdom.
-
Phantom World is def. one of the coolest parts of the game, and all it's using is the Inn tileset and some generic monster sprites. Proof that clever design and atmosphere is all you need to make something memorable, I guess.
-
I commented recently that Tzen, Albrook, and Maranda in 6 are disappointingly samey. If you wanted, you could probably add South Figaro, (WoB) Mobliz, Kohlingen, and Thamasa to the list.
But for all that, it's striking how different Figaro is from Doma, how unique Narshe is, and how different Nikeah, Jidoor, and the town portion of Vector are from the rest of the towns despite using the same tilesets. Not to mention Zozo, and WoR Mobliz. And does the Returner Base count as a town? It's got a shop and an inn.
And for all that South Figaro, Mobliz, Kohlingen, and Thamasa are similar, they're also spaced pretty far apart in terms of when you go there. The major problem with the towns on the southern continent isn't so much that they're all alike as that they're all alike AND you hit them all at the same time.
Course, it works great as a demonstration of imperial rule. It's perfectly reasonable to EXPECT that the three towns geographically closest to Vector and most directly under its control wouldn't have a lot of variation among them.
But since we're talking about 4: I'd say 4's not quite as good at 6 as making its towns distinct, but it's a lot better than 5. There are, what, 6 castles? 4 of which have functional towns attached to them? (5, I guess, if you count the caves under Eblan as an attached town.) And each has its own unique character. Mysidia's unique because of its population more than its buildings (though it DOES have the tower). Lots of clever stuff going on with limited resources.
-
some of the random enemies have slight variations to their encounters that make the game slightly more interesting to people who've played the main version to death.
Those Frost Beasts I just highlighted? A fight with one of them is devastating and a fight with three of them is an almost-guaranteed partywipe. God help you if you get ambushed. This happens again when Fiery Hounds become random encounters and again again with any random encounter that has "dragon" in the name.
The aforementioned auto-battle feature is really great; you can set your characters to automatically use any command,
As a by-product of being able to rearrange their command windows. This is important for Draw Attacks/Counterattack builds I mentioned in passing earlier; you use the first command in the window for counters. If it's Jump, you jump. If it's Kick, you kick. If it's Holy or Flare or Tornado or Bahamut summon, you use that spell.
-
The features shouldn't be mutually exclusive, though. Anyhow, I'm playing along with 4 DS since it's been a few years and it's fun to see the differences side by side. Just hit Babil part one so I'm slightly ahead, and it's the first time I got wiped (to the boss, but I probably would've run or eaten a few more from 3
Flame BeastFiery Hound groups were it not for giving Rosa Dualcast, one of the two real difficulty-changing augments you get from the weird party drop system instead of handed right to you).
As a lifelong Dragon Quest fan, it's nice to see stuff like Slow and Cry work on bosses. I'd forgotten about that change since the last runthroughs. Maybe it's only because I just played V, but the fighting reminds me a lot more of FFV than original FFIV: Lots of counters from enemies, bosses are more about initial setup and then burning them down really fast than a steady resource grind.
-
Music: Golbez, Clad in Darkness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPjci-AqA7w)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2073.png)
Hey! It's those two guys!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2074.png)
Mongrel: Golbez!
Brent: Where's Friday!?
Golbez: First, the Crystal.
Niku: She'd better be alright!
Golbez: Hand over the Crystal now or she dies.
Brent: Here, take it!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2081.png)
Brent: There, now where's Friday?
Golbez: Friday? Whomever are you talking about?
Brent: What!?
Niku: You two-timing cur!
Mongrel: Return her this minute!
Wow, what a surprise twist. :derp:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2087.png)
Mongrel: How can I ever forget the monster who killed my daughter!?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2090.png)
Once more full of piss and vinegar, Mongrel slaps Brent aside to stare Golbez in the... uh, eyeslits.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2092.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2094.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2095.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2096.png)
Golbez: A vain attempt at revenge.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2098.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2099.png)
Mongrel does his best -- burning through 110 of his 90 MP in the process -- but Golbez is unfazed.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2100.png)
Brent: No!
Kabbage: It will destroy you!
Mongrel: I have no choice. Witness my final power!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2105.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2106.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2107.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2108.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2109.png)
Mongrel: 1, Golbez: 0. Game, set, match.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2110.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2111.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2112.png)
Brent: Mongrel!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2115.png)
Oh. Turns out Golbez is fine and Mongrel, as expected, is dying. So Mongrel: 0, Golbez: 1.
Except Golbez has all the crystals and has had us on the defensive for the whole game, so his score is actually much higher. Way to throw your life away, Mongrel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2116.png)
Golbez: So Meteor broke my spell over him. So be it. He no longer serves any purpose. Mark my words, Brent. Someday, I will destroy you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2121.png)
Golbez turns to leave, and Brent charges. Can a paladin really stab somebody in the back like that?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2122.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2123.png)
The question goes unanswered. Despite never using a beam attack like that in combat, Golbez throws around so many bolts that he got a move or two based on it in the Dissidia series.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2125.png)
Brent: Ugh... Why don't... you finish me...?
Golbez: You...
Brent: ?
Golbez: What is going on? Ugh... Agggh!
Brent: !?
Golbez: We will settle this the next time we meet!
And Golbez leaves.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2133.png)
Brent: Yeah... Meteor must have weakened him. Mongrel! Are you okay!?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2135.png)
Niku: Keep still!
Mongrel: I'm such a fool... I lost myself... in my own hatred. Avenge my daughter... for me... I beg of you...
Brent: Mongrel!
Kabbage: !
Mongrel: ......
Niku: Get up, you old geezer!
Mongrel: ...
Kabbage: Mongrel...
Niku: ...I'll bet your daughter's mighty proud of you. You did good.
Mongrel's corpse flickers and disappears, so he's well and truly passed. See you in Abburoth, ya vindictive old bastard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2149.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2150.png)
Well... now what?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2151.png)
Mars: Brent... I... I'm so sorry... What have I done?
Brent: Don't blame yourself. You had no control over your actions.
Mars: But... a part of me inside was awake and yet, I just stood by and watched...
Brent: Where's Friday?
Mars: Beyond those doors! We must hurry!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2157.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2158.png)
Hey, we're in that room we've seen in cutscenes a couple of times!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2160.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2161.png)
Brent yanks Friday out of the way just as the guillotine blade drops.
Music: Theme of Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h2V8CFtGZE)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2164.png)
I'll get her to a Namingway as soon as I can, folks.
Friday: I knew you'd come.
huehuehuehuehuehuehuehue
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2168.png)
Brent and Friday share a long smooch, censored to a mere embrace in the SNES release.
Friday: Brent...
Mars ...
Niku: You realized what!? Be a man! Spit it out!
This game's version of Cid might be an abrasive old fart who is outclassed by pretty much every other character in the game, but he gets major points from me for this line alone. Every Japanese-made piece of media needs someone like him now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2172.png)
Not shown between the tiny sprites and his concealing helmet: Kain's look of utter emotional wounding at having been entirely ignored by Rosa up to this point.
Brent: He's okay now. Mongrel's Meteor broke Golbez's spell.
Mars: But I was still aware. And yet... Friday... I wanted to keep you close at any cost!
Friday: Mars...
Mars: ...
Brent: ...
Friday: Let's fight together, Mars.
Mars: After all that I've done... It's too late.
Pff, save your journey of self-redemption for the epilogue, like Leon did!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2183.png)
Cid/Niku karma++
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2184.png)
Brent: We need your help more than ever.
Mars: Brent... Friday... Thank you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2188.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2189.png)
Don't ask who put it on her. Anyway, it's wise to equip Friday with any gear you've got -- perhaps you had the foresight to take Mongrel's equipment before his fatal showdown -- before moving even a single step.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2191.png)
Yeah, that's good stuff.
-
Is the Blood Lance really any good? I've been playing the PSP remake, and ... in that, it was ridiculously inaccurate. Like, misses on jumps in the upcoming fight.
-
Awww yehhh
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2193.png)
Voice: It seems Master Golbez has underestimated you.
Mars: The Lord of Wind, Barbariccia!
Barbariccia: You disappoint me, Mars. Submitting to a weak imbecile, despite all your powers.
Mars: I've simply come to my senses. I've grown sick of siding with animals like you!
Barbariccia: You snotty little wretch. I'll enjoy killing you all! With the old man and his Meteor gone, you stand no chance.
Mars: Let's see about that.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2202.png)
A gust of wind spirals around, gathering around the party...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2203.png)
Tornado, tornado, she's the lady who calls storms... almost naked.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2204.png)
Barbariccia hits with fierce physical attacks. Since Aero-Aerora-Aeroga aren't established series spells yet, she's fond of Ray and Tornado. Tornado we're familiar with, Ray causes slow petrification.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2205.png)
Her other trick is to summon a whirlwind around herself. In this form, the battering gusts knock away all physical attacks, giving her perfect evasion against swords, hammers, spears, claws, and arrows. Barbariccia then counters with Maelstrom, a party-wide Tornado spell that drops everyone to single-digit HP. Needless to say, that's a problem... but without a black mage in the party to blast her with magic, what can you do?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2210.png)
I've no idea why Mars has vanished from this screenshot, because she just hit Barbariccia with a leaping attack. While the tornado covers Barbariccia's body, her head is sticking up out of the top of the funnel cloud, so a decent Jump attack can hit her where she's not protected.
As TA points out, the Blood Lance is horribly inaccurate and misses even this crucial attack. I had just chalked it up to the tornado barrier making the attack miss even as Barbariccia is knocked out of it, because switching back to his starting equip also missed.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2211.png)
This knocks her out of the tornado form, allowing everyone to continue attacking.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2212.png)
Of course, keeping her from hitting so often is not a bad use of Friday's time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2213.png)
It's a complex battle that puts you on the defensive for most of the fight -- recovering HP from Tornado or her physical hits, healing slow-petrify from Ray, and timing your attacks so as to not provoke a Maelstrom counter...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2215.png)
But eventually we are victorious.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2217.png)
Barbariccia: Regardless, you'll never leave here alive! Hahahaha!
Brent: It's collapsing!
Mars: Dammit!
Niku: That bastard!
Friday: Hold on to me!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2225.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2226.png)
As Barbariccia's deathtrap collapses the Tower of Zot, Friday warps everyone to safety.
-
Someday, Friday. Someday you'll realise that a crippling weakness to mind control is hot.
-
are you kidding it's like the number one thing I look for in
mates hosts
-
(http://brentai.brontoforum.us/images/cecil_av.png)
-
So... like...
I never saw Barbariccia/Valvalis's head and shoulders in these images...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2205.png)
I always thought it was... you know... A tazmanian devil type thing.
Tasmanian devil growls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AU7AtY-js#)
No. Not a real one.
TAZ SPINNING (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNCedmih3JE#)
With her shoulder and head being big, distended eyes poking out from the spinning (fe)maelstrom.
-
(http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111017162347/guilty-gear/images/thumb/6/61/Millia_Rage.png/479px-Millia_Rage.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2228.png)
Friday: Yes, it's your room in Baron.
Niku: Now that we've taken care of the fake king, there's nothing to worry about.
Mars: Brent, there is something I must tell you...
Niku: What is it?
Mars: It's about the Crystals.
Brent: Well, we've lost Troia's Earth Crystal to Golbez, which means he now holds all the Crystals.
Mars: Not quite. He only has four.
Friday: You mean there are more?
Niku: Of course! So the legends are true after all!
Mars: Yes... The Dark Crystals.
Niku: Alright, listen up. The Crystals of this world are called "Light Crystals". That means there's a whole other set of...
Brent: ...Dark Crystals?
Mars: Exactly. So you see, he only has half of the Crystals.
What a twist! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdhhQhqi_AE#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2244.png)
Mars: They lie under the surface of the earth... in the underworld.
Niku: Underground? Are you sure about this?
Mars: That's what I heard Golbez say. He also said that when all of the Crystals of light and darkness are gathered, the path of the moon will open.
Brent: A path to the moon?
No, of the moon. It could just be, like, shrouded in moonlight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2250.png)
Mars: Here, you keep it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2252.png)
Mars: This is to be used... somewhere, to open a path to the underworld.
Kabbage: But where?
Friday: Yes, where do we use it?
Mars: I wish I knew...
Niku: Ah, no worries! We'll just fly around the world on the Enterprise till we find something.
Brent: But we lost the airship near the Tower of Zot.
Niku: Pshaw! My baby's equipped with auto-pilot. I'll bet she's flown back already.
Well, that avoids a lengthy sidequest to get another airship.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2262.png)
Niku: Heh heh. Alright, we leave tomorrow morning. Let's rest up for our journey to the underworld!
Brent: I still don't understand. Why didn't Golbez finish me off at the tower?
Friday: Brent?
Brent: Oh, I was just thinking aloud. Come on, let's get some rest.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2268.png)
The castle is repopulated, but most of the guards and soldiers just stand around gawping about how the king was fake omg how could we never have realized that
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2269.png)
Including the fake king himself, who appointed Golbez to command the Red Wings to fill... Golbez's own plan of collecting the Crystals.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2270.png)
Palom and Porom are still stuck in the hallway, but there's nothing that can be done for them.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2271.png)
He already keeps the servers running I guess we might as well.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2272.png)
In Baron town I hunt down Namingway and relieve a little name confusion between my screenshots and the script I copy into these posts.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2275.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2274.png)
The clerics don't help much.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2277.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2278.png)
Mongrel's friends mourn his sacrifice.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2279.png)
Hey how about we go to that town where everyone's talking about dwarves and another world and magma and stuff
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2281.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2282.png)
The Magma Stone goes into the well. It falls, and falls, and falls, and falls, and falls...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2284.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2285.png)
The mountain nearby is erupting!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2286.png)
Upon exiting the town, we find... oh my. That's the biggest gaping bottomless chasm I've seen since I met your mom.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2271.png)
He already keeps the servers running I guess we might as well.
He already isn't?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2277.png)
Pretty sure this needs to be an emoticon
-
Too bad someone pooched fixing Romo's name when they had the chance.
[spoiler]I do not actually know if R^2 could have fixed this "problem".
-
I'd played to after the Leviathan attack before I started posting. Edward was already out of the party before anyone had decided on a theme.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2287.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2288.png)
Might as well go in and poke around. (That's what she said.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2289.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2290.png)
W-wait...
The airship is on cutscene autopilot, but Cid missed his turn. Instead of sticking to the landmass like he should have, he flew out over the magma. I don't remember that happening on my cart, so it must be an emulator issue. The next cutscene plays out the same way.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2291.png)
Mars: The Red Wings!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2294.png)
The Enterprise is caught in the crossfire between the Red Wings and... are those tanks?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2296.png)
Brent: Who are they fighting?
Niku: I'm gonna bust through the line! Hang on!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2300.png)
Flying straight through the middle of a cannon battle in progress goes exactly as well as expected. Several explosions rock the Enterprise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2302.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2303.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2306.png)
As usual, the central protagonist is the last to wake up. You'd think Friday would have taken care of Brent first.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2308.png)
Niku: Yeah... But my ship... We have to land. It's too risky in this condition.
Brent: We have no choice. Let's take her down.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2312.png)
At least we managed to crash-land near this castle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2313.png)
This would be a much bigger surprise if it weren't all but spelled out for you by every person in Agart. Dear Japan, you are bad at foreshadowing.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2314.png)
Siiigh.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2315.png)
He sure does, little guy.
Urist McLookout: Golbez is evil! You don't look evil.
Urist McHallmonitor: "Lali-ho" is the dwarven greeting!
Urist McItemshop: Dwarven items hold magical powers! Humans can't handle them!
(The items for sale are the same as in the overworld.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2319.png)
Hi, Luca. Shouldn't you be studying engineering for your role in the sequel?
-
Oh yeah, local music. Giott, King of Dwarves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Gg27_rMyQ).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2321.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2322.png)
Brent: You are...?
King: I am King Giott, ruler of the underworld. State your business.
Brent: We've come in search of the Dark Crystals.
Giott: Ah, I see. You are like the others. But from what I have witnessed, I see you are not on their side.
Mars: Where are the Dark Crystals? Have they been taken?
Giott: They have stripped us of two. Now only two remain.
Kabbage: One step too late.
Giott: The castle's Crystal is still safe. Our tanks fought them off.
Friday: Yes, we saw your tanks battling the airships on our way here.
Giott: "Airships", you call them? The overworld creates many incredible wonders. Our tanks have taken quite a beating. Can you help us with your airship?
Niku: Honestly, we need to repair her first. The attack really busted her good.
Giott: We will do anything in our power to help you repair your airship.
Niku: Ahh, she won't last in the heat of this lava, anyway. I'll make temporary fixes for now, then fly back up to the surface and gather me some mythril to armor her better.
Brent: Niku!
Niku: Just button up and relax. I'll be back before you know it!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2343.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2344.png)
Giott: In the safest place in the castle... Hidden behind my throne.
The music cuts out.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2346.png)
Brent: Kabbage? What's wrong?
Kabbage: Someone is spying on us.
Giott: What?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2350.png)
Hop, boing, prance out of sight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2352.png)
Kabbage: I wish it were so... but I definitely sense a presence.
Giott: Open the door!
Dwarf: Yes, sire!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2356.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2357.png)
Why do all the Crystal rooms look exactly the same, anyway? Even in the underworld. You'd think there'd be some sort of cultural divide that makes a difference.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2358.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2359.png)
Dancing Doll Calcobrena (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duXOtF32eV4#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2363.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2364.png)
The dolls begin a slow hopping, turning dance. It'd be more elaborate, but tiny early-90s
RPG sprites.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2365.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2366.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2367.png)
We love to LP...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2368.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2369.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2371.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2372.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2374.png)
The Brinas in front are pretty weak, falling to a single hit from... hell, even Friday can take one out with an Aim attack. The Calcos in back are a bit tougher.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2375.png)
Without more offensive power than I can bring to bear, the battle drags on a bit too long. The Calcos call for a transformation, into...
Boss music! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKuS5I24Mhw#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2376.png)
...Calcobrena, which hits as hard as you'd expect a colossus to.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2377.png)
That's not all, it can also Glance to cause confuse status, one of the most annoying ailments in RPG history.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2380.png)
If you take too long against Calcobrena, it will eventually wind down and split into three Calcos and three Brenas again. You have to start over, chump!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2382.png)
Calcobrena: Big bully!
Calcobrena: But now Golbez knows about this place!
Calcobrena: He's gonna getcha!
Calcobrena: Sir Golbez!
The Calcobrenas do a final pirouette, then vanish.
-
Golbez, Clad in Black, who knows about this place (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkx3KcO7TCs)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2390.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2391.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2392.png)
Brent: Golbez!
Golbez: I commend you for finding your way to the underworld. To reward your efforts, I shall tell you why I am collecting the Crystals.
Mightly obliging of him, moving the plot along like that.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2396.png)
Golbez: ...to the moon. Legends say the moon possesses power beyond our comprehension. I need only one more Crystal to materialize my dream. You have been of great aid to my quest. Now prepare for my final reward!
Yeah, we got Golbez two of the eight crystals he couldn't get himself, not counting the one Brent fetched from Mysidia in the prologue. We're almost half to blame for the looming crisis... Uh, oopsie.
So anyway, the four overworld crystals are Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. So what are the underworld crystals? Thunder, Ice, Darkness, and Holy? Poison? Gravity? Or are they boring old Dark Fire, Dark Water, Dark Earth, Dark Wind? The Crystals themselves don't do anyth--
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2401.png)
Oh, right! Boss fight.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2402.png)
You can fight Golbez however you want, but I wouldn't recommend wasting consumable items or anything.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2406.png)
Golbez: Such is your power? I expected more.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2409.png)
Unavoidable paralysis to the whole party.
Golbez: Open your eyes... and gaze upon true terror. Shadow, come forth!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2413.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2415.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2416.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2417.png)
The Shadow Dragon sets about killing everydamnone with its Black Fangs.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2418.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2419.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2420.png)
In a flash, Brent vanishes and... transforms into a dragon? I didn't know he could do that!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2421.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2422.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2424.png)
An Esuna-like effect covers the whole party... to get Brent whichever position he's in, I guess.
Voice: Are you okay? You can move now.
Brent: That voice...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2428.png)
(Brent didn't actually transform, of course, that was Rydia doing a summon spell from offscreen. :durr:)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2429.png)
Wherever she's been, she's learned a lot!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2432.png)
Beats the hell out of getting kicked by a giant chicken!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2433.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2434.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2436.png)
And he went down like a chump. If you think about it, it makes sense: we killed his bonded summon beast. And what happens to a summoner when its phantom beast is slain?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba0822.png)
Clearly Golbez was not in top form in that battle, reeling from the summoning backlash that would have killed a lesser sorcerer.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2437.png)
Brent: What happened to you?
Rydia: Leviathan took me to the Land of Summons, a world of the summoned monsters. We became friends during my stay. I learned a lot there. I can't use white magic anymore, but I've grown strong as a summoner. Time flows differently there, so I may have aged quite a bit.
Friday: That explains why your appearance has changed.
Mars: Brent, who is she?
Brent: It's the girl we found in Mist.
Kabbage: Fortune favors us indeed.
Brent: Rydia, we owe you our lives. Thank you.
Rydia: You don't have to thank me. The queen of the Land of Summons said to me... "A great force is secretly at work. We must confront it together."
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2450.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2451.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2452.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2453.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2454.png)
Golbez withers away, leaving only his hand...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2455.png)
...which scuttles around on the floor without anyone bothering to, like, step on it or anything...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2456.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2458.png)
...until it grabs the Crystal and teleports away with it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2459.png)
Giott: One Crystal left... We must protect it at all costs.
Friday: Yes. Where can we find it?
Giott: In the Sealed Cavern to the southwest, where Golbez is heading. Do not worry. He cannot enter without the key.
"Besides, you dunderheads have handed him three of the damned things already. I have an idea that involves you being as far from that Crystal as possible."
Giott: I have a request.
Brent: We will do anything. It was our fault the Crystal was stolen...
Giott: I want you to retrieve the seven Crystals at the Tower of Babel.
Kabbage: I presume it will be fortified.
Mars: ...by Golbez's forces, yes. It won't be easy.
Giott: I have a plan. You will sneak in and seize the Crystals while our tanks distract them. The plan must be executed immediately before Golbez returns from the Sealed Cavern.
Mars: What do you think?
Friday: It's a risk.
Kabbage: As they say, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Mars: As His Majesty says, now might be our only chance.
Brent: Alright. We'll go to the tower and reclaim the Crystals.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2479.png)
It is possible, due to a loophole in the SNES version, to cast Warp as soon as the conversation with Giott ends. This takes you back to the Crystal room as it was when the party entered before the Calcobrena fight: with the crystal still sitting there. You can then pick it up and add it to your inventory. The game continues as normal, but you can skip a harrowing dungeon later if you have the crystal with you going in.
This was fixed in the GBA and later versions, clearly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2477.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2478.png)
Better get to work turning them into transforming warmachines for your own use instead, kiddo.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2488.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2489.png)
There's a moderate equipment upgrade in these shops. You can outfit Mars with the stuff Brent found in the Tower of Zot, and get some new armlets for the casters. The weapon shop has a Fire Lance for Mars that's 80 attack power, high enough that the extra power from the Blood Lance doesn't outweigh its myriad disadvantages in accuracy and stat penalties.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2491.png)
Between the counters is a semihidden passage.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2492.png)
The dwarf actually shoves you out of the way as he spins around the room during his routine.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2495.png)
But there's a hidden passage behind the odd spot on the floor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2498.png)
Ow, the fourth wall!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2504.png)
You can talk to the game development staff! Like any devroom, it's full of injokes and references only other staff members get. See my SaGa Frontier LP for more details!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2509.png)
Some of the staff programmed themselves in as encounters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2510.png)
The one dressed up like a bomb occasionally drops nudie rags.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2511.png)
It would be, wouldn't it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2514.png)
Brent, got a new sigfile for you. Or whatever.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2539.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2540.png)
Back in the castle, the dwarves invite you to loot the towers of their treasures.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2541.png)
One of them has a Namingway, too, allowing me to change Rydia's name t -- oh god Lyrai is going to kill me
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2306.png)
As usual, the central protagonist is the last to wake up. You'd think Friday would have taken care of Brent first.
The rest of us never went down.
-
>:|
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2419.png)
The first time I played this scene, Paladin got killed in the previous fight and I was out of MP and Life-items. So the scripting with the just-in-time Summoner save didn't trigger. Seven year old Classic was like: whu~uh?
I think I once managed to save Dragoon by having him jump before the bind and the devouring. Which meant that getting the party back up to 100% was a very fast process.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2374.png)
Oh god no.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2375.png)
Noooo, don't make me! Aaaahdfgafjdghgadhjjjjj
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2376.png)
She has returned for me. She has unfinished business.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2377.png)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2380.png)
Nobody... nobody tell my wife... about the giant baby...
-
Getting everyone back on their feet makes the Golbez fight harder, not easier. He keeps pounding on your party if you go on the defensive, but you can wipe him out in a couple of turns of paladin swordplay and summons.
-
I miss your wife.
-
Every RPG had a midgame slog. This is the one for this game!
Music: Land of Dwarves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-uqR9y_Qk). The underworld theme is a slightly different rendition of the overworld theme.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2554.png)
The Tower of Babel is a hike across the magma plains. It's more or less linear, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2555.png)
Since we're in a new map entirely, it's no surprise that the monsters have grown up a bit. Most of them are weak to ice, though, and we have a summoner with Shiva.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2557.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2558.png)
Upon approaching the Tower, we find the tanks already locked in combat against Babel's defenses.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2560.png)
Since it worked so well last time we saw them, we just stroll up between the tanks and their intended target and let the shells fly where they may. What's the worst that could happen, we already crashed the airship!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2561.png)
-
Music: Tower of Babel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvhQ2aWwy34)
The dungeon was called the "Tower of Bab-il" in the SNES version, but come on, it's a structure that reaches from the lowest foundations the world has to offer into the heavens. It's obvious what they mean.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2563.png)
As outside, most of the enemies in the Tower are weak to ice attacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2564.png)
And as expected for the enemy base, most of the treasures worth anything are trapped.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2565.png)
Security Eyes do nothing on their own but try to confirm the presence of hostiles.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2566.png)
But if you hit them, they sound an alert...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2567.png)
Summoning a monster.
They're like the Puppeteers from that other tower dungeon. I kill Chimeras, then have Lyraidia (my weakest physical attacker) whip the Security Eye for a little damage to summon another one.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2569.png)
The fire arrows are an enemy drop, probably from a Chimera. The Ice Brand is the prize in the treasure chest.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2571.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2573.png)
The next trapped chest summons Stone Golems instead, but gets the same treatment.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2574.png)
The reward is an Ice Lance for Mars. It's awfully obliging of the game to give you elemental-themed equipment in the dungeon where it's the most useful!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2576.png)
Monsters occasionally show up as Mystery Eggs, which hatch when struck. The baffling part is that, given the high encounter rate in the Tower of Babel and the general cluelessness of the party, it's not uncommon for these eggs to ambush or even sneak up behind the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2580.png)
The Tower doesn't have any puzzles or traps to speak of. It's just a lot of twisty passages, occasional treasure, and lots and lots of enemy encounters. It's my least favorite part of the game.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2583.png)
Finally, we reach... well, not the top, but at least a landmark.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2585.png)
Rubicante: Not to worry. Eblan has been decimated along with its ninjas. Take care of things until I return.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2587.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2588.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2589.png)
Once Rubicante teleports out, the old man does a rather lengthy happy dance in celebration.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2590.png)
Lyrai: What's with him?
Friday: Shhh.
Doctor: Who's there? Brent! How did you get up here!?
Mars: Caught you at a bad time, eh? With Rubicante away, what are you going to do?
Doctor: How dare you disrespect me! Fools! I may not be an Elemental Lord, but I, Dr. Lugae, am the brains of Golbez's operation! On my honor, I will protect this tower!
Mars: That's a laugh!
Doctor: I've heard enough out of you! My great creation will shut you up soon enough!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2603.png)
Mars, what have we told you about provoking obvious villains?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2604.png)
Dr. Lugae commands his giant robot Barnabus to attack!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2606.png)
So he hits the Doctor. :perfect:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2609.png)
Lugae continues to scream commands at Barnabas, who turns his attention to the party and clobbers them instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2611.png)
Well, he tries to.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2615.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2616.png)
Lugae climbs into his ruined creation to continue the fight, such as he can. He's a comic-relief inept villain, so he's barely a speedbump.
If you kill Lugae first, Barnabas will instead grind down from lack of maintenance and explode at someone.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2617.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2622.png)
Lugae transforms into the Lugaeborg, shredding off his fleshy exterior to reveal the gangly cyborg underneath. Which is kind of scary I guess, but he's still a joke of a fight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2623.png)
He counters every attack with Sleeping Gas, but that almost always misses. Nonetheless, it's a good time to have Mars jump and Kabbage use Power attacks -- better now to hit extra-hard once than to hit normally twice.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2624.png)
He opens the fight with Poison Gas, which... causes poison status. Mars avoided the attack by being airborne. I have two party members who can cast Esuna and plenty of Antidote items. This is not a major setback.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2626.png)
I don't remember if Lugaeborg is weak to anything, but if your enemy is a robot, try lightning. It's a Final Fantasy rule as well established as roasting undead with fire.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2630.png)
Laser is Lugaeborg's only scary attack, and even that's HP based. The lower his HP gets, the less damage Laser does -- so as the fight drags on, he gets less and less dangerous.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2632.png)
He was made much... well, perhaps not harder, but certainly trickier, in the DS version. There he had a move called Reverse Gas that made damaging effects heal and healing effects damage. He'd cast Cura at the party once they were Reversed, Reverse again, and nail them with Fira. He had a habit of Reversing between giving the command for your spells and those spells resolving, so to an extent the party works against themselves.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2633.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2634.png)
Dr. Lugae: ...taken all the Crystals to the surface. The dwares will be annihilated with my cannons! Victory is mine! Mwahahaha!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2637.png)
Kabbage: We've got to stop the cannons!
Mars: What are we waiting for? Let's go!
...are you telling me that the dwarves just sat there firing at the tower after we'd entered? Do they not understand that they can go home after the diversionary tactic is complete?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lap-ffta/fftalp2985.png)
Incidentally, the Lugaeborg makes occasional cameos in later games.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2640.png)
Of course, even though we passed a locked door several floors ago, Lyrai can't just magic us back down to that level. We have to walk, retreading half the twisty passages that got us here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2641.png)
So here we are, at the cannon control room.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2643.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2644.png)
Brent: You cowards!
Monsters: You! How did you get in here!? Kill them!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2648.png)
We're almost to the point where Kabbage can kill these guys with one kick.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2649.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2650.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2651.png)
So now the cannons will fire without aiming or... reloading... why are they still a threat, exactly? The dwarves can just move their tanks out of the space the cannons are pointing to.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2656.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2657.png)
Lyrai: No!
Brent: It's going to explode!
Kabbage: Go now!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2661.png)
FALCON
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2662.png)
PAWNCH
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2663.png)
Kabbage punches everyone hard enough to shove them out of the room.
Brent: Kabbage!
Kabbage: Brent, everyone, I thank you.
Mars: Open the door!
Lyrai: Kabbage!
Friday: Please don't do this!
Kabbage: Tell my wife... ...I will always miss her be with her.
Brent: Kabbage!!!
Kabbage: Farewell.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2672.png)
The theme of sorrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-MQ7-fs_nw) plays until you get into a random fight, which in this case took three steps. Way to kill the moment, monsters.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2674.png)
The party walks the rest of the way out of the tower.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2676.png)
Brent: Golbez!
Golbez: When the cat is away, the mice will play. The game ends now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2680.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2682.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2684.png)
Golbez destroys the bridge into the Tower. Cecil runs as fast as he can, but there's only so much footspeed available to a guy in plate mail.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2686.png)
Crraaaaaaappp!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2687.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2688.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2690.png)
Niku dives in on his remodeled airship, catching the party before they splatter on the stones below. Let's just ignore that the airship flies because of massive propellers pointing upwards, like a helicopter, that everyone would have fallen through.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2691.png)
Niku: Where's Kabbage?
Lyrai: *sob sob*
Niku: ...We've lost another good man. And who is she?
Brent: Lyrai. She's a summoner from Mist.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2696.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2697.png)
Mars: Can we lose them!?
Niku: I don't know. They've definitely upgraded the Red Wings.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2701.png)
Lyrai: They're catching up!
Niku: Come on, baby, you can do it!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2704.png)
Niku: The engine's not gonna last! Brent, take over!
Brent: Where are you going?
Niku: Once she flies outta here to the surface, I'm gonna seal the entrace with this bomb!
Friday: Wait!
Niku: Oh yeah, head on back to Baron afterward and talk to my men.
Friday: Niku!
Niku: Brent, take good care of Friday. Treat her well! :suave:
Brent: No! There has to be another way!
Lyrai: Niku, please don't!
Niku: Hey, that's Uncle Niku to you! Remember, head to Baron immediately!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2717.png)
Niku hops overboard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2719.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2720.png)
Niku explodes himself. Shame I didn't get a better screenshot of it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2723.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2728.png)
So that's Kabbage and Niku both down within about five minutes of each other.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/sacrificing.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2729.png)
There's a cutscene of the crewmen working on the Enterprise, but it's pretty much superfluous so I'm skipping it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2732.png)
Crew: With both vehicles, you can go pretty much anywhere now, even the Cave of Eblan by the Tower of Babel.
Brent: There's something I must tell you both. It's about Niku...
Crew: He's impossible. Yes, we know. With all that crazy energy, I can't imagine he'll ever check out. Please baby-sit him a while longer.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2741.png)
The hook works fine.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2743.png)
Remember those little shoals near the village of Mythril?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2744.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2745.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2746.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2747.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2748.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2749.png)
There are shallows near the ruined castle of Eblan, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2750.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2751.png)
The Eblan Cave is even twistier and dead-endier than the Tower of Babel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2752.png)
Hey, a guy!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2753.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2754.png)
...how odd for a dungeon cave would have any amenities.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2756.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2755.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2760.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2761.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2765.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2762.png)
Minister: He went to the Tower of Babel to avenge his parents.
There are a few survivors of Golbez's attack on Eblan in the cave.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2770.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2771.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2772.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2773.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2774.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2775.png)
The passage to Babel past the refugee hideout is scattered with wounded Eblan ninja soldiers.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2777.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2778.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2780.png)
As lackluster as the Blood Lance before it, really.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2781.png)
Moreso because the rest of our equipment has been upgraded past it.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2782.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2783.png)
Rubicante: Am I supposed to know who you are?
D.Ni, Prince of Eblan: I am Disposable Ninja, prince of Eblan!
Rubicante: Eblan? I don't believe I've heard that name before.
D.Ni: It doesn't matter, because you're about to meet your demise!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2790.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2791.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2793.png)
D.Ni... y-you have no idea who you're up against, do you?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2795.png)
Rubicante: This is how it's done.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2798.png)
Rubicante emerges from his cloak and looks sternly at D.Ni.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2799.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2800.png)
Yeah, no contest.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2801.png)
Rubicante wraps himself in flames and leaves through the passage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2804.png)
D.Ni: I can't believe I lost... ...Who are you all?
Lyrai: We're after Rubicante, too.
D.Ni: Stay out of this! He's mine!
Mars: Well, you obviously don't know who you're dealing with. He's one of the four Elemental Lords.
The Elemental Lord of Fire. And you used Flame magic on him. So Mars has a damned good point.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2810.png)
D.Ni: I'm the rightful heir to the throne of Eblan, famed for its ninjutsu for generations. Leave! I can take care of myself!
Lyrai: Stop it! Mongrel, Kabbage, Niku... They're all gone... Please, no more... *sob*
D.Ni: Hey...
Friday: Lyrai...
Lyrai: *sob sob*
Brent: Rubicante is the strongest of the four lords. The odds might be against us, but somehow we must recover the Crystals.
D.Ni: Alright, I'll let you all in on this. I can't bear to see a pretty girl cry.
Mars: He's got quite a mouth... Friday, give him a hand.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2825.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2828.png)
D.Ni: Alright, let's do this!
Lyrai: Gee, I don't know about him...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2831.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2833.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2834.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2835.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2838.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2839.png)
D.Ni steps back and runs straight through the wall. Ninja magic!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2840.png)
We're back in the Tower of Babel, with new monsters to assault us every three or four steps.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2848.png)
A few floors up, we run into this couple.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2850.png)
King: D.Ni...
Queen: Thank heavens... you're alright...
D.Ni: You're... alive?
Queen: Come with us, D.Ni.
King: Yes... Come with us...
D.Ni: Where?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2856.png)
:ohshi~:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2859.png)
King: Fools... Burn to ashes!
D.Ni: Father! Mother!
The King and Queen attack with Fire and Fira spells, but they're hardly strong enough to be a threat.
Disposable Ninja calls out to them regularly, until...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2864.png)
King: D.Ni... We are no longer human... We no longer belong here.
Queen: I'm sorry, D.Ni.
D.Ni: ...
King: We must go now. Eblan lies in good hands. Serve our people well.
D.Ni: Don't go!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2874.png)
Queen: Farewell, my son.
D.Ni: Mother! Don't go!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2878.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2880.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2881.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2882.png)
Rubicante... now might not be the best time...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2883.png)
D.Ni: Rubicante! You sick bastard!
Rubicante: It was Lugae who turned your parents into monsters. I am sorry for your loss. My only wish is to battle you fairly.
D.Ni: To hell with your self-righteous blabbering!
Rubicante: I admire your spirit. But anger never bears true strength, and it blinds you from what you truly need to see.
D.Ni: Shut up! I'll show you the power of rage!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2891.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2892.png)
Oh yeah, I didn't talk about Edge/Disposable Ninja's abilities like I do other characters'. As a Final Fantasy Ninja, he can throw weapons. And since this game doesn't offer a proper Thief job, he can steal items, too -- although that's a mostly-forgettable ability since most monsters just carry potions. Finally, he has Ninjutsu magic: in this case Flame, Flood, and Blitz are elemental attacks. Pin -- Shadow Stitch in other games -- causes paralysis.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2893.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2895.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2896.png)
Gentleman, gentleman! Battles are best when dignified and honorable.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2898.png)
-
Music: Dreadful Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvJkKwk8qYE).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2899.png)
Rubicante, Rubicante, Rubicante of the flame! He's bad with water.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2901.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2902.png)
Rubicante is weak to ice and water, and Brent and Mars are both still equipped with Ice Brand and Ice Lance. So that's pretty...
/me shades
...cool.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2903.png)
As Rubicante says, his magic cloak gives him elemental-absorb for anything you can throw at him, including ice attacks. Hope Lyrai wasn't charging a Shiva summon or anything!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2908.png)
Bloody hell.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2910.png)
Rubicante will even prove the point by casting Blizzara on himself while he's cloaked.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2911.png)
Despite having ice-elemental equipment, Brent and Mars still do full damage to cloaked Rubicante.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2913.png)
He's fond of his Glare attack, being his most powerful. But it's not fire-elemental, so it wrecks his theme a little.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2915.png)
Rubicante has a... strategic error? He Blizzaras himself when his cloak is open, so it does full damage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2917.png)
It proves to be his undoing. This guy was the strongest Elemental Lord?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2918.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2919.png)
Unlike the other three, with their ambushes and their crushing traps and their exploding towers, Rubicante doesn't try to kill everyone with his last breath.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2921.png)
D.Ni: Mother. You can rest in peace now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2924.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2925.png)
The Chancellor and a few Eblan ninjas run up behind the group.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2926.png)
Gramps: Pray, let us fight with you! Where is that devil, Rubicante!?
D.Ni: We got him. It's over.
Gramps: Splendid!
D.Ni: They helped me out. So, who's this Golbez?
Mars: Rubicante's master. He plans to gather the Crystals to reach the moon.
D.Ni: Why the moon?
Brent: We don't know exactly. He seeks some great power there.
Lyrai: We have to stop him!
D.Ni: So he's the mastermind behind all this. I'm going with you.
Gramps: But, Your Highness, Eblan needs you.
D.Ni: That can wait! We've gotta stop this guy before it's too late!
Gramps: But...
D.Ni: Ahh, stop worrying and go home. I'll be fine.
Gramps: Very well... Everyone, please take good care of our prince.
All: Good fortune, Your Highness!
D.Ni: Thank you, everyone!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2945.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2946.png)
Lyrai: We need to get the Crystals first.
D.Ni: Right, right. Lead the way!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2949.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2950.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2951.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2953.png)
A pit trap, specifically.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2955.png)
A new branch of the Tower of Babel!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2957.png)
With, yes, new monsters!
Eventually, we reach...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2960.png)
D.Ni: Let's use this to get outta here.
Lyrai: But that's stealing!
D.Ni: Who cares? Besides, we'll put it to better use!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2965.png)
It isn't. Anchors -- or whatever airships use -- aweigh!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2966.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2970.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2971.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2972.png)
Like the Enterprise, the Falcon can't fly over magma. Shouldn't one of the Red Wings ships be able to do that here?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2974.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2975.png)
Giott: Were you able to recover the Crystals?
Brent: No, I'm sorry.
That's right. For all the time we took, and all we did, losing two party members, remodeling an airship, fighting an Elemental Lord... we still failed our mission.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2978.png)
Giott: It will be a matter of time before he succeeds. I want you to get the Crystal before he does. Luca, come here.
Luca: Yes?
Giott: Your necklace.
Luca: Here.
Giott: This is the key to open the Sealed Cavern. Without this necklace, no one can enter. We must protect the last Crystal.
Brent: We'll do our best.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2987.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2988.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2989.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2991.png)
Niku is, surprisingly, not a bloody splatter across the rocks!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba2992.png)
Niku: Heh heh.
D.Ni: Who's this geezer?
Niku: Geezer!? Who's this snot-nosed kid!?
D.Ni: Watch your mouth, windbag! I'm Disposable Ninja, prince of Eblan!
Mars: It's hard to believe, but it's true.
D.Ni: I'm also handsome and really skilled!
Lyrai: Stop that! He's in no condition to argue!
Niku: Heh heh, Lyrai's got you whipped, eh, kid?
D.Ni: Shut up! Geez!
Niku: So, what of Golbez?
Brent: He still holds all of the Crystals except one.
Friday: We can't go after the last Crystal, since we left the Enterprise at the surface.
Mars: We've taken an enemy airship, but it can't fly over the magma in these parts.
Niku: I guess it's time for me to shine! You're all hopeless without me.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3010.png)
Niku: Ahh, can it and give me a hand!
Friday: I think he's fine.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3016.png)
Niku grabs Disposable Ninja and forces him to help with the remodeling of the Falcon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3017.png)
Friday: Thank you.
Niku: ...
Mars: Niku!?
The Theme of Sorrow, indicating another party member has perished, starts up...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3022.png)
...and is quickly drowned out by Niku's snoring.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3024.png)
That zany Niku! :whoops:
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3031.png)
Well, now that we can explore the Underworld thoroughly by flying over magma...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3032.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3035.png)
Noted, legacy character!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3037.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3038.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3039.png)
This little burg is filled with dwarves with all sorts of information on the underworld places to see and things to do.
Urist McSeafarer: I hear the seas of the overworld are blue. How disturbing!
Urist McEvoker: Did you know that there's an island in the northwest that leads to the Land of Summons? Scary, eh?
Urist McFaespottr: They say sylphs lie in caves to the northwest.
Urist McNicetofairies: Sylphs are afraid of us, even though we're so nice.
Urist McHanky: "Lali-ho"? No, here we say howdy-ho!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3049.png)
How generous!
There are weapon and armor shops here that stock the next equipment upgrade -- but being mostly Diamond-studded armor, it's awfully expensive. I buy what I can afford.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3050.png)
This is the Sealed Cave. It's the next plot dungeon, as you may have guessed.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3051.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3053.png)
There's also this cave, which we heard about just now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3054.png)
Yowch! It's covered in damage floors! These spaces do 50 damage to every party member when you step off of them. Unlike the damage floors in previous games, these are actually dangerous!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3052.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3055.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3056.png)
Lyrai: Perhaps we should ask Leviathan for help.
Since this cave also has damage panels all over the place, that'll have to happen once we learn to fly or something.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3060.png)
Oh. Uh, good job, Friday. (Everyone was level 35, and Friday learns Float magic at level 36, so a little bit of grinding in the incredibly dangerous Sylph Caves was all it took.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3061.png)
Now we can hover over the damage panels and only have to worry about the overpowered monsters!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3058.png)
Malboros are here, with their trademark attack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3062.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3064.png)
Bog Witches attack with their Tiny Toad minions. All the Tiny Toads do is Ribbit, which transforms a target into a frog or back again. You never know if your attacks are going to work, because you may get transformed between issuing the command and the attack resolving. In the end, the Bog Witch puzzlingly polymorphs herself...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3065.png)
Disposable Ninja picks up a new knife from the fight, though (the Bog Witch was a trapped chest).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3066.png)
At the bottom of the cave is a house.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3067.png)
It's okay! We're so nice!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3070.png)
Hey, it's Kabbage! Popular opinion asserts that he keeps the Super Cannon from going off by climbing inside the barrel and blocking the explosion with his studly body. I can't find any indication that that's canon, pardon the pun, but it would explain how he got all the way over here. In any event, he's comatose now, and there's nothing we can do for him.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3075.png)
Take a rest, save your game, and hold your breath -- this could get nasty.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3078.png)
The monsters in the Cave of Summons aren't necessarily more dangerous than the ones in the Sylvan Cave -- these Arachnes only cast Quake, for example, and that's neutered by the Float effect I have on just to traverse the dungeon -- but there are certainly a lot more of them. On the upside, the Cave of Summons is linear, while the Sylvan Cave is full of twisty passages and turnbacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3079.png)
Of course, since we're here a mite early, the equipment found inside is a huge boost.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3081.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3082.png)
Crap, that's a lot of warriors. Good thing I brought Lyrai along. I think the mechanical difference between Summon magic and Black magic is that Summons automatically hit all enemies and don't suffer a damage penalty for doing it, while black magic does half damage if it's split among all foes. Ramuh, Shiva, and Ifrit are a little stronger than Thundara, Blizzara, and Fira magic, as I recall, while Titan is a lot weaker than Quake, we won't be seeing that sort of advanced magic for a while yet.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3083.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3084.png)
Rad.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3085.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3070.png)
Hey, it's Kabbage! Popular opinion asserts that he keeps the Super Cannon from going off by climbing inside the barrel and blocking the explosion with his studly body. I can't find any indication that that's canon, pardon the pun, but it would explain how he got all the way over here. In any event, he's comatose now, and there's nothing we can do for him.
Yessss I'd forgotten if my guy actually died or not.
In the heat of the moment, I used all of my strength to pull the cannon out of alignment. Then, I watched in abject horror as it fired directly into the neighboring island's dwarfanage. There were no survivors.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3086.png)
Yep! I had to run away from so many monsters to get here you guys. Most of the phantom beasts here are just happy to see Lyrai again, so I'm skipping all of those. There are a lot of them.
Phoenix: This land is ruled by Queen Asura and the King of Summons.
Remora: The King of Summons resides below.
Catoblepas: This is the Land of Summons, the home of all summoned monsters.
Carbuncle: Lyrai was the first human to ever come here.
Golem: They say you can't meet the king without defeating Queen Asura first!
Diabolos: Don't bring humans around here anymore, Lyrai.
Alexander: We just want to live in peace and quiet.
Fenrir: They say my brethren are rampaging through another world!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3105.png)
The weapon shop has whips and daggers -- summoner equipment -- the armor shop sells Aegis Shields and robes that any mage can wear.
-
He dreams about missing his wife.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3101.png)
There's a library here, too. It'd take a lifetime to read them all, so in true RPG fashion we pull one book off of each shelf, flip to a random page, read one sentence, and put the book back.
Summon Magic
A type of magic used to call summons. Only a few still hold this power.
Land of Summons Regulation
True strength lies in righteous souls. Yet to obtain this strength, one must prove his worth.
Unnamed Book
The history of the world of humans is brief compared to that of the Land of Summons.
Unnamed Book
Only those with great physical and mental strength may enter the cave that leads to the world of humans...
Unnamed Book
It is said that there are other forms of summon magic that still lie undiscovered.
Unnamed Book
Long, long ago, a giant whale descended to Earth from the moon. Presently, it is in a deep sleep within the dragon.
Two Moons
In the ancient sky, the two moons were only one. So it is written.
Summons, Monsters, Humans
What happened in the past? What does the future hold? Life is an eternal mystery.
Titan, Shaker of Earth
Titan's power rips through the earth, creating a huge crevice in which all is swallowed.
Ifrit, Spawn of Flame
Ifrit's flame has the power to incinerate all that is near.
Ramuh, the Good Elder
Ramuh's wrath calls forth dark clouds that release bolts of lightning for condemnation.
Shiva, Queen of Ice
Those who anger Shiva will be instantly transformed into a statue of ice.
Chocobo
The first to flee from battle. Too cute for words.
Asura, Queen of Summons
The wife of the king, she guards the path that leads to him. Only those who surpass her powers may behold the king's true form.
The King of Summons
The lord of the vast ocean, he appeared one day from the northern sea. His powers are without equal in this land.
Odin, Undefeated Conqueror
His only defeat occurred when his sword was struck by a bolt of lightning. Zantetsuken is his lethal attack that annihilates all enemies with a single blow.
Sylphs, Delicate Creatures
Combining power lets them unleash their true strength.
Unnamed Book
The God of Summons created us. The God of Summons watches over us from afar, never knowing defeat. Perhaps the only way to defeat him is the reflect his own strength against him.
Heavy hint: use Reflect when you meet this guy. (Spoilers: you're going to meet this guy.) Thing is, the DS version changed the strategy so that Reflect doesn't work anymore -- but this book text didn't change. The game lies!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3147.png)
Asura: Lyrai, dear, what brings you back?
Lyrai: We need your help.
Asura: Very well, but first you must prove your worth. That is how it is done here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3152.png)
Nope!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3091.png)
I'll grab this on my way out, though...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3156.png)
And head down here to this semi-secret area and grab a Yoichi Bow for Friday.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3157.png)
Thankfully, there's a teleport out instead of having to trudge back through the cave.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3159.png)
Well, balls. Friday learns a crucial spell after I leave the Land of Summons.
(Oh, I guess I finished Babel at 34 and she learns Float at 35, then Reflect at 36. Whatever.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3163.png)
Yeah, I know your weakness!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3165.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3166.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3169.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3167.png)
Asura counters every incoming hit with a devestating physical attack, and spends all her turns casting white magic on herself: Protect, Cura, Curaga, or Raise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3168.png)
The trick, then, is to cast Reflect on her and have her bounce all that nice white magic to your party instead of using it to undo all your hard work. Then, between Rosa's Blink spell and the Decoy items I picked up from fighting all those puppets so long ago, I make everyone immune to physical hits to null her counterattacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3170.png)
It's a long battle -- Asura has loads of HP -- but for whatever reason Reflect never wears off once you cast it on her. I think face-swapping resets the counter for how much longer the Reflect status lasts, and she changes her face every turn.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3171.png)
The specifics aren't important, really.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3172.png)
A welcome addition of a restorative move to Lyrai's arsenal, Asura will randomly flip through her many faces. If she comes out serene, she casts Curaga on the party. If she's joyful, she casts Raise on the party. And if she's wroth, she casts... Protect on the party. :shrug:
-
MY ARMIES ARE INFINITE.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3173.png)
The Tower of Babel is awful. The Sealed Cavern is somehow even worse.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3174.png)
Needlessly cryptic!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3177.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3180.png)
Ready for this? Every door in this damnable dungeon is a monster in disguise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3189.png)
The Trap Door uses Search on its first turn, and Ninth Dimension on the person it searched for after that. Ninth Dimension totally kills you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3190.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3191.png)
It then spits out a monster!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3193.png)
Mostly Chimera Brains, who open with Blaze, re-killing whoever it was you just raised from the Ninth Dimension move.
It's not so bad. You only have to do that four or five times to proceed through the dungeon, and a dozen or so more if you want to explore thoroughly!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3198.png)
Because while no small number of them lead to the next part of the dungeon, or to treasure rooms... most of them are just traps! ha ha ha!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3197.png)
Other encoutners aren't dangerous but are still frustrating. Evil Bats, like the other sorts of bats, attack with Vampire exclusively. It takes too damn long to get all six of them to resolve before you can start killing them.
Worse? They do it even when you get a preemptive attack on them, thanks to the game's wonky battle timing.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3199.png)
Stupid trap doors.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3204.png)
Hey, it's the only nontrapped door in the dungeon!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3205.png)
Hope you enjoyed that.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3208.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3209.png)
One. Last. Door.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3210.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3211.png)
No trap? No ambush? No one teleports in, says "Thanks for unlocking the cave", and snatches the Crystal?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3212.png)
Wild.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3214.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3215.png)
Lyrai: They're moving!
Mars: Removing the Crystal must have triggered it!
D.Ni: So much for a smooth exit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3219.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3220.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3222.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3223.png)
The Demon Wall slowly inches toward the party, and if it gets close enough, it starts using instant-kill moves to crush your party under its unstoppable bulk. So hitting it hard and fast is important!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3226.png)
Wow, I don't think I've ever killed it that easily before.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3229.png)
The way out is a lot easier than the way in, since all the doors are already dead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3230.png)
Voice: Mars... You belong to me, Mars. Bring me the Crystal.
Brent: Golbez! Mars!
Friday: Get ahold of yourself!
Mars: I'm... alright. I'm no longer under his control!
Mars then steps forward and shoves Brent downward.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3236.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3237.png)
Golbez gloats, Mars leaves. You didn't think we'd have a sudden burst of competence now, did you?
If you're on the SNES version and do the Warp trick I mentioned right after the Calcobrena battle, Kain will swipe the Crystal from you as soon as you enter the Sealed Cave, rather than when you leave. You can skip the whole thing, or go in and do it at your leisure since the Trap Doors are pretty good experience if you can kill them before they turn into anything else.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3250.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3252.png)
Giott: That is, unless the legend of the Lunar Whale is true...
Brent: The Lunar Whale?
Giott: A huge ship spoken of in legend. "One born of a dragon..."
Brent: The Mysidian legend!
Giott: You know of Mysidia?
Know of them? I murdered a bunch of them in the prologue!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3258.png)
Giott: Mysidia truly exists!?
Brent: I've met the elder of Mysidia, who prays tirelessly in a tower.
Giott: He prays, you say? Perhaps he prays for the Lunar Whale! You must hurry to Mysidia!
Friday: But the exit is sealed.
D.Ni: We can't get near the Tower of Babel, either.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3266.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3268.png)
Friday: Shouldn't you be in bed?
Niku: Naw, no worries.
D.Ni: Can you really do it?
Niku: Easier'n falling off a bike! Okay! Let's get to work!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3274.png)
Another remodeling montage, followed by Niku passing out.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3278.png)
Say what you will, he gets the job done.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3289.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3291.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3292.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3294.png)
Now there's free access between the underworld and overworld for the rest of the game, no more mucking around in the Tower of Babel or anything.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3295.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3296.png)
-
Music: The Crystals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bvb1ULEG3M)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3297.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3298.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3299.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3300.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3301.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3302.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3303.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3304.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3305.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3306.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3307.png)
Elder: That is the glorious ship... The Lunar Whale!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3310.png)
Elder: You are to fly to the moon. Someone awaits you there.
Weird. Creepy.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3312.png)
Elder: The Lunar Whale is from the moon. According to old Mysidian documents, there is a Crystal inside that controls navigation between here and the moon. You must communicate with it.
Brent: I will see what I can do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3316.png)
Music: Magical Ship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8L73h-34JA#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3317.png)
Swanky!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3318.png)
The ship comes with a bunk room of sorts for free rest and relaxation...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3320.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3321.png)
A robotic fat chocobo for all your item-storage needs... (Well, I haven't mentioned fat chocobos in this LP because I don't have any item-storage needs...)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3322.png)
And yes, a flight crystal.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3324.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3325.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3326.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3327.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3328.png)
There are caves on the moon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3329.png)
And a huge crystal palace.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3340.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3330.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3331.png)
It's full of Namingways!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3334.png)
Well, Hummingways.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3333.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3337.png)
One of them is a shop. So after you're done buying all the items and equipment you need to get through the game, money isn't entirely useless. 100000 gil buys you a new Elixir.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3346.png)
Oh wait, there's something I gotta do before the next plot point.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3347.png)
Kabbage's Wife: Why doesn't he come home...? I'm not crying! I just... have something in my eye... Here, take this. Smack that no-good on the noggin for me!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3351.png)
A... are you sure?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3354.png)
One more time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3356.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3357.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3358.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3359.png)
Kabbage: Brent!?
Brent: Kabbage!
Lyrai: I'm so glad!
Kabbage: The Sylphs saved my life.
Friday: Just as you saved us by destroying the cannons.
Kabbage: I shall join you once again.
Sylph: You must rest!
Kabbage: I cannot rest while you risk your lives.
D.Ni: Just take it easy.
Kabbage: You are...
D.Ni: I'm Disposable Ninja of Eblan. Don't worry. I can cover for you.
Kabbage: Eblan. So you are a ninja. But I must...
Sylph: No! We'll fight in your place instead. She's a summoner, correct? Please call upon us at any time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3376.png)
The Sylphs target one foe and drain some HP, then split the damage they do across the party as healing. They're okay midgame to take a little stress off your resident white mage, but before long they just don't have the damage output to be all that useful.
-
The King still needs to give me something.
-
Music: Another Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfIYS-bTu8k)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3377.png)
Right.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3379.png)
The ground is too rough to land in most places, so you have to park a short distance away from the crystal palace and hoof it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3380.png)
Through a cave network, not just across the overworld. Moon. Overmoon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3382.png)
Black Flans are (almost) the last slimes you meet. They don't have any weaknesses so just use whatever your strongest attack is.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3385.png)
Hike, cave, hike, cave.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3386.png)
Hike.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3387.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3388.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3389.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3390.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3391.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3392.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3393.png)
Brent: The lunarians?
FuSoYa: Many, many years ago, a small planet between Mars and Jupiter was on the verge of destruction. Species of the planet escaped on a ship to the blue planet, Earth. However, the species was still evolving, and created another moon where they could sleep a long, long slumber.
D.Ni: So that's where the Lunarians come from...
FuSoYa: However, there was one who refused to sleep. Instead, he wished to raze everything on the blue planet and create a new home there.
Lyrai: How awful...
FuSoYa: I was able to seal him with my powers and force him to sleep. However, during his deep sleep, he channeled his evil to the corrupt ones on your planet. And now he uses them to gather the Crystals.
Brent: Then he must be the one behind Golbez's actions!
D.Ni: Who is "he"?
FuSoYa: His name is Zemus. He is gathering the Crystals, our energy source, to run the dimensional elevator in the Giant of Babel. With it, he'll destroy everything on your planet.
Friday: No!
FuSoYa: However, many lunarians feel we can come to an understanding with people. They are merely sleeping and waiting for people to reach their level of evolution.
Brent: What about the Lunar Whale?
FuSoYa: That was built by my younger brother, KluYa, years ago, as transportation to the blue planet. He had always dreamed of visiting unknown lands. This is how the Devil's Road and air flight technology were introduced. On the blue planet, KluYa fell in love and had many children. You... are one of his children.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3420.png)
FuSoYa: The voice came from the soul of KluYa, your father. I see it now... You resemble him when he was your age.
Brent: That was the voice... of my father!
FuSoYa: You have received power from KluYa to stop Zemus and his evil plan. You must do this for your planet! For all Lunarians! You must hurry to the Tower of Babel in Eblan!
D.Ni: The Tower of Babel? How will we get around its barrier?
FuSoYa: I should be able to enter. We cannot let the Giant of Babel reach the blue planet! I will join you on your journey.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3431.png)
-
Behind FuSoYa's throne...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3433.png)
Blue Lunar Crystal: The eight corresponding Earth Crystals help sustain the moon's balance.
That explains why there need to be Lunarian-crafted Crystals on Earth to begin with, I guess, but how come four of the set of sixteen are elemental-themed and the rest aren't? How come you guys can talk and the others are just ultratech-indistinguishable-from-magic rocks?
Yellow Lunar Crystal: We surround the entrance to the central core, where Zemus lies.
Silver Lunar Crystal: Zemus casts a field from within to seal the path to the core.
Orange Lunar Crystal: Zemus used Golbez to gather the Earth's Crystals and amplified their energy at the Tower of Babel.
Indigo Lunar Crystal: We, the eight Crystals of the moon, have sealed Zemus.
Golden Lunar Crystal: Even in captivity, Zemus continues to intensify the power of his will.
Robin's-Egg Crystal: The lunarians sleep deep within the core. FuSoYa has protected them for eons.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3441.png)
Back through the Lunar Paths we go.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3442.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3443.png)
Oh yeah, FuSoYa knows all the white and black magic in the game, and has just over double the MP Mongrel had. But his stat growth at level up is... nil. He doesn't change or improve at all.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3444.png)
With three mages in the party, Disposable Ninja has to take a spot in the front row, where ninja emphatically do not belong.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3447.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3448.png)
Our party organized, we return to Earth. It's hard to tell if that's supposed to be an accurate representation of Final Fantasy 4 Earth, or if someone just copied in an image of east Asia from our Earth. It looks about as much like eastern China and Japan as it does any part of the overworld map from the game...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3449.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3450.png)
Brent: The tower!
FuSoYa: We are too late!
D.Ni: What do you mean, "too late"!?
FuSoYa: The Giant of Babel will come forth!
Well maybe if you weren't just sitting around on your ass for those countless eons and built a landing pad anywhere near your palace so we didn't have to walk through all those damned moon-caves we would have made it on time!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3455.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3456.png)
Oh shit, it's Kamen Rider!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3458.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3459.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3460.png)
Breast Cannon!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3463.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3464.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3466.png)
Tanks! A lot!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3467.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3469.png)
You have to get the Sylph summon before going to the moon, because Kabbage is otherwise recovered and doesn't need to be wanged on the head with a frying pan after this scene.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3470.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3471.png)
A fleet of airships joins the fight!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3472.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3475.png)
MCE: The elder restored us.
Elder: This battle is not yours alone! Everyone must fight for the sake of survival!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3478.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3480.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3481.png)
FuSoYa: Now is our chance to enter the Giant of Babel!
D.Ni: I get it! We're going for the core, right? Its heart!
Brent: Niku!
An airship flies close to the Lunar Whale, allowing everyone to board the smaller craft.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3485.png)
Niku: Who is he?
Brent: FuSoYa, guardian of the Lunarians.
Niku: A Lunarian?
FuSoYa: Can you do this or not?
Niku: Ahh, keep your beard on. There's nothing I can't do!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3494.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3495.png)
Gulp. Here we are on the tongue of a ten-story-tall robot from the moon.
-
Music: Within the Giant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ1RY7YwZGE#)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3496.png)
Through the teeth, past the gums...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3497.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3499.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3501.png)
Searchers behave like the Security Eyes from before. Hit them and they sound an alarm to bring another monster into the fight, in this case a Giant Soldier.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3503.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3504.png)
10 MP isn't much of a difference to people who aren't Mongrel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3505.png)
Wait... mouth, throat, chest, stomach... "inner path"? Ewwwww!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3506.png)
I... I'm pretty sure I've never seen this monster before, ever.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3507.png)
That went well!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3513.png)
I usually do some leveling here, looking for Searchers who summon strong monsters to fight. Giant Soldiers are hard to come by, but Centaurions aren't, and they're worth kind of a lot of experience each.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3514.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3516.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3517.png)
Rubicante!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3518.png)
Barbariccia!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3519.png)
I don't like where this is going...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3520.png)
Brent: The Elemental Lords!
Scarmiglione: Indeed.
Cagnazzo: Master Zemus blessed us with a second life.
Second Life? Well, that explains why one of you is an animal hybrid, one of you is a scantily-clad woman, and two of you are the sort of things third-graders draw in their class notebooks...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3524.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3525.png)
Dammit, enemies are not supposed to learn from the heroes how to effectively kill things!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3527.png)
Rubicante, ever the gentleman, restores you to full HP and MP for the fight. Granted, there was a save point on the last screen, but it's the thought that counts.
-
Music: Appearance of Golbez's Four Lords of Elements (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8vz186pjY0). Well hell, I've been quoting it through the whole LP.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3530.png)
The order you fight the Elemental Lords in is a small nod to Final Fantasy 1 -- they come at you in this battle in the order of Earth, Fire, Water, Wind -- the intended sequence of Fiends from the first game. Anyway, Scarmiglione still burns real good.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3533.png)
And as an undead, he... absorbs holy spells what the
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3535.png)
Yeah Lyrai, you show 'em.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3536.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3537.png)
OKAY STOP SHOWING HIM ALREADY
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3539.png)
Rubicante likes to split up his Glare attacks now, so it's rather less dangerous. I have to people in the party who can cast Curaga and Curaja, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3540.png)
If Rubicante can close his cloak in this battle, he never gets the chance.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3541.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3542.png)
Guys if you want to be a challenge you have got to stop having obvious weaknesses to my top-tier magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3543.png)
So they do! Barbariccia is in her tornado form for the entire battle, and without anyone who can jump up and hit her in the head to knock her out of it, physical attacks are useless.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3545.png)
She doesn't wait for a missed attack to Maelstrom the party, though. It's just part of her routine now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3550.png)
She has an elemental weakness, but not an obvious one: holy. It's strange, but less strange than the SNES version, where she inherited Cagnazzo's weakness to electricity.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3551.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3552.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3553.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3554.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3555.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3556.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3557.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3558.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3559.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3560.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3561.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3563.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3565.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3566.png)
Left to its own, uh, devices... the CPU does nothing but cast Reflect on itself. The Attack Node is fond of Piercing Laser across the whole party for a few hundred points of damage. The Defense Node will often Restore the CPU for about 3000 HP. If you ever defeat both the Attack and Defense Nodes, the CPU will use an attack called Globe199 twice. Since Globe199 does 9999 damage to its target, this always kills two party members... before it restores both Nodes and begins the battle anew.
As FuSoYa says, taking out the Defense Node is the ideal way to win the fight, since the Attack Node does easily-healed amounts of damage and the CPU doesn't attack at all unless both Nodes are gone. In the DS version, this is reversed -- the only way to win is to kill the Attack Node (before it partywipes you) and chip away at the now-helpless Defense Node and CPU.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3567.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3570.png)
Since the CPU is protected with Reflect, Black magic isn't very useful to win this battle. And since Summons would hit the Attack Node, most of those are dangerous for the party, too. But Lyrai's new Sylph summon only targets the CPU and pierces Reflect, doing about 2000 damage and healing enough HP to null one Piercing Laser. So that'll do nicely. Rosa spends most of the battle shooting the CPU with arrows, since Lyrai and Whisperwind keep the party in good shape.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3571.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3572.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3573.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3575.png)
It was a risky move -- bouncing a spell off of FuSoYa's own Reflect may have hit the Attack Node instead -- but spells are only reflected once and FuSoYa doesn't have much else to do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3576.png)
Welp, that's a wrap.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3577.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3579.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3581.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3582.png)
u mad bro
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3583.png)
Golbez: Do I know you?
FuSoYa: You have to look deep inside yourself! You have to realize who you really are!
Golbez: Stop it!
FuSoYa: You must wake up!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3588.png)
FuSoYa uses his Moon Prism Magic to break Zemus's spell on Golbez.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3591.png)
FuSoYa: ...You have regained your true self. Now, do you remember your father's name?
Golbez: My father... is KluYa.
:oh:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3596.png)
D.Ni: You two are brothers!?
Brent: My brother...?
FuSoYa: You were Zemus' puppet in his plan. He was using you with his hypnotic powers. You were chosen because you have the blood of KluYa, a lunarian, coursing through your body, which made it easier for you to be controlled. But to make you fight against your own flesh and blood...
D.Ni: That's enough!
Brent: I was fighting... against my own brother? All of this hate... is against my own flesh and blood? I wonder why you were chosen. It easily could have been me, as I also have lunarian blood.
Golbez: I was chosen... because of the seeds of evil that lay inside me. Zemus saw that evil... and he helped it grow...
Brent: Where are you going!?
Golbez: To find Zemus! I'll settle this!
FuSoYa: Wait! I too am a lunarian, just like Zemus. I will join you!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3614.png)
Golbez: Goodbye, Brent.
D.Ni: Is this what you want, Brent?
Friday: Golbez is never coming back... You know that, right?
Coming back? I'm not 100% certain how he's getting to the moon in the first place.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3620.png)
Brent: My... brother...
Lyrai: Yes!
Brent: ...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3624.png)
Once more, screenshots utterly fail to convey that the screen is shaking.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3625.png)
Friday: Brent!
Brent: ...
D.Ni: What are you doing!?
Lyrai: We need to find a way out!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3630.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3633.png)
Friday: Mars!
D.Ni: Oh, no! We're not falling for that again!
Mars: We can talk later! Right now, we have to get out of here!
Friday: Hurry!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3636.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3637.png)
I don't know if the ruins of the fallen Giant of Babel are a dungeon in any of the sequels, but it would probably have been more interesting than anything that did make it into the game.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3358.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3359.png)
Oh my god I had no idea you could do this.
IT'S LIKE SHE'S RIGHT HERE WITH ME
-
I'm pretty sure my guy is, in fact, in hell, surrounded by all the tiny dwarflike children and winged angel-babies he slew in life.
-
In the DS version, this is reversed -- the only way to win is to kill the Attack Node (before it partywipes you) and chip away at the now-helpless Defense Node and CPU.
But Fusoya still gives the same "kill the defense node" speech. :perfect:
-
I don't know if the ruins of the fallen Giant of Babel are a dungeon in any of the sequels, but it would probably have been more interesting than anything that did make it into the game.
In the DS version, on your second or third playthrough, if you stole the Dark Matter from Zeromus on the previous one (It stays with you in NG+), and then go and use it on the face on the Moon, you fight one of two Superbosses, Proto-Babil. As the name implies, it's a Giant of Babel prototype. It will spam Ninth Dimension, it'll use a huge Fuck You beam, it'll heal itself for 20,000hp, and it'll counter attacks with Object199.
The other Superboss can also be fought inside the Giant of Babel by standing where you re-fight the four fiends and hitting the Interact command. Once the Giant is destroyed, Geryon moves to Mt Ordeals.
AND, in the PSP Complete Collection version of the Sequel, you can fight Lost Babil by paying a Namingway 500,000 gil. You end up having to form 3 seperate parties for this one - one group fights the torso & arm, the second fights the chest, head, and other arm, and the third fights the core, which is a Superboss version of the normal core fight. Six total nodes instead of two, and it'll regularly take half your HP and inflict Sap with the same attack
And finally, the last non-FF4 mention of the giant is in Dissidia 012, the second PSP fighting game. It's simply a summon in there, no story interaction.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3638.png)
Mars: I don't expect you to forgive me, after all I've done...
D.Ni: Of course we're not gonna forgive you! The giant was practically your doing!
Friday: Stop it!
Mars: Friday...
Friday: It's not Mars's fault! You saw how Zemus had control over even Golbez!
Mars: Golbez too?
Friday: Golbez is... Brent's older brother... A lunarian named Zemus was controlling Golbez, taking advantage of the lunarian blood he carries.
Lyrai: Golbez and FuSoYa went to the moon to destroy Zemus.
Mars: Golbez is Brent's... brother? Then I, too, should follow them to give Zemus what he deserves!
D.Ni: I hope you don't end up betraying us again.
Mars: If that happens, kill me as well.
D.Ni: I'll go too! I want to give this guy a piece of my mind!
Brent: ...I'll go. I'll go, too! To the moon!
Friday: Brent...
Brent: Friday, Lyrai. You two stay here. The three of us will go. I can't put you in this kind of danger.
Friday: But Brent!
Lyrai: That's not fair!
Brent: Please, you have to get off the Lunar Whale.
D.Ni: You kids won't be much help, anyway.
Shut the hell up, either one of them makes a more capable party member than you do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3663.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3667.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3668.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3671.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3673.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3675.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3676.png)
Mars: Friday!
Friday: ...
Brent: Get out of the way, Friday.
Friday: No! You have to take me with you! Otherwise, I'm not moving!
Brent: Why are you doing this...?
Friday: I want to be with you. I don't care what happens, as long as I'm with you.
Brent: Friday...
Mars: I guess we have no choice.
D.Ni: Well, aren't you a ladies' man!
Brent: Alright... Friday, I'll protect you with my life.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3688.png)
Hey man tryin' to have a little smooch here come on
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3689.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3690.png)
The name says D.Ni but that is obviously not his line. Or portrait.
Lyrai: Besides, I'm the only one who can summon creatures to help us!
Brent: Lyrai, you too...? Alright, let's go! After all, this is everyone's war!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3694.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3695.png)
As promised, everyone's waiting in Mysidia. You can talk to anyone not currently in the party to swap them in. And while everyone's going to get a turn, and I have some sidequests I want to wrap up before I commit to following the poll... well, there's a poll. Vote whoever you want to take the first trip to the moon.
A party rundown:
Brent, formerly Cecil, can't leave the party. He's one of the tankier party members with his longswords and heavy armor, and can do a little support with his limited white magic. His Cover ability is mostly useless but will sometimes rescue someone who's at HP critical to keep me from having to revive them.
Lyrai, formerly Rydia, is all about direct-damage spells. Individual enemies get blasted by black magic, large groups blasted by summons. She'll be in the party for most of the sidequests, since most of the sidequests from here are to collect the last of her summon spells.
Friday, formerly Rosa, is an archer/white mage. She already has all the restorative spells available, from Curaja to Full-Life, and the full complement of white magic buffs. All that's left is Holy. She has a better damage output than MCE thanks to arrows being better at that kind of thing than staffs.
Disposable Ninja, formerly Edge, full name Edward Geraldine, no really, is a ninja. His physical attacks are terrible because his best weapons are swords, but he's too fragile to stand on the front row -- all his attack damage is halved. His magic is outshined by either of the two black mages. Really he's good at throwing! And that's about it.
Mars, formerly Kain, is a dragoon. Dragoons hit hard, and jump to hit harder.
Niku, formerly Cid, is an engineer. His ability to Scan enemies is damn near useless, but he makes up for it with some of the best raw strength and HP growth in the game.
Romo, formerly Edward, formerly Gilbert, is a bard. He can bark at enemies to cause status ailments and hide from danger, which is more useful than it sounds. He's even faster and more fragile than the ninja, which is kind of weird. His harps are long-range, so while his raw attack power isn't as high he doesn't get his damage output cut in half by being safe in the back row.
Kabbage, formerly Yang, is a monk. The power of his mustache lets him deal grievous damage with his bare hands and take hits that would fell lesser men. He misses his wife.
Zara, formerly Palom, is a black mage. Since he doesn't worry about summon magic, he gets the endgame black magic spells at slightly lower levels than Lyrai. He can Bluff his magic power up for the remainder of a fight. His Twincast ability with MCE still takes too long to be particularly useful.
MCE, formerly Porom, is a white mage. Since she doesn't worry about archery, she gets some of the endgame white magic spells at slightly lower levels than Friday. Her ability to Cry on command garners her the sympathy of lovelorn men on the Internet worldwide and allows her party to flee from battle -- but since Lyrai, Friday, Disposable Ninja, Zara, and MCE herself all get spells that also allow fleeing from battles, it's kind of useless at this point in the game. Her Twincast ability with Zara still takes too long to be particularly useful.
-
Rumor has it that bards are pretty damn powerful in the GBA version. That homozone ain't going to police itself.
-
In all versions, Edward's stats shoot up crazy fast after he hits level 70. I'm not sure if he'll get that far in this game, so ymmv.
Aside: Lyrai points out that the shot of the Blue Planet from the Lunar Whale is this one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Marble). That's south Africa and Madagascar.
-
Brent: Friday, Lyrai. You two stay here. The three of us will go. I can't put you in this kind of danger.
Friday: But Brent!
Lyrai: That's not fair!
Brent: Please, you have to get off the Lunar Whale.
D.Ni: You kids won't be much help, anyway.
I don't see either of you two knowing anything better than Cura.
...not like my MP is doing anything, though...
Anyway, voting for Mars/Romo/Brent/Friday/Lyrai. You need to get Romo in there sometime just to change the name.
-
Man, that ninja sure wears masks like, steals like, and sucks in a straight fight like more like a bandit.
JUST SAYIN'
-
I don't see either of you two knowing anything better than Cura.
Ah, if only Kain had the confidence and wherewithal to speak up!
-
I don't care who you replace Edge with, but take him out. He's too frail unless he's got a Protect Ring (and he's barely good enough with it), and that means taking it away from either Rosa or Rydia.
-
I think I swapped him for Cid when I played FF4A.
-
I just viewed Edge as a vending machine. Insert junk weapon, receive 5000+ damage.
-
Wait, so Edge's real name is Prince Edward and Prince Edward's real name is Gilbert?
(http://brentai.brontoforum.us/images/JackiechanBlackSS.png)
-
Then who is Gilbert? :0c
-
Wait, so Edge's real name is Prince Edward and Prince Edward's real name is Gilbert?
Yep. Edge is a contraction of the first syllables of the guy's full name, and Gilbert was changed to Edward possibly because that piece of trivia escaped the original translators.
-
...I'm NOT going to start pronouncing it "ed-jeh".
-
Sess-il, Yahng, Ed-jeh, Rid-ee-uh.
Oh, and "Rosa" is pronounced "Diane".
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3697.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3698.png)
By popular demand, the party is... uh, pretty much all the same people except for Disposable Ninja.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3699.png)
A white mage runs in and tells us some stuff's going down at Mt. Ordeals.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3701.png)
But before that, a thing I forgot! Also the hovercraft, which I didn't really forget but it hasn't been useful up to now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3704.png)
This guy in Adamant Grotto near the village of Mythril really wants an animal tail.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3705.png)
And we picked one up back in the Land of Summons. Brent already classchanged, so it's not like that was its use this time...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3706.png)
In return, we get a hunk of Adamantite. Now who was looking for that?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3713.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3717.png)
For your trouble, Kokkol takes the old Sword of Legend and reforges it into Excalibur.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3721.png)
Aw yiss.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3715.png)
One of Kokkol's mooks has a shop where you can buy some nice arrows for Friday and shuriken for D.Ni.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3709.png)
Might as well let Kabbage go see his wife, now that he's recovered from possibly stuffing himself into a cannon barrel.
Actually...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3801.png)
Without Yang in the party, she has some different stuff to say, but... she doesn't give me the Knife! I guess you had to report in for that before going to the moon for the first time.
There was a chance to get the game's ultimate thrown weapon from her, but I missed Kabbage's wife!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3723.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3725.png)
Lightning strikes, and a new door opens!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3729.png)
After a small antechamber, the path opens up into the Cave of Trials. Trial of Patience is more like it, it's a too-damn-big cave with enemies that have shown up before (mostly from the caverns in the underground), and goes down for eight levels.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3733.png)
There are a bunch of secret passages, too, each one leading to a single piece of lategame armor for the characters who can rejoin the party now. Romo gets the Red Cap and Red Jacket, MCE gets the Cat's Hood and Sage's Robe, Zara gets the Coronet and Lord's Robe, Kabbage gets the Funny Mask and Corageous Suit, Niku gets the Grand Helm and Grand Armor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3745.png)
All the interesting stuff is on level 8.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3755.png)
Hmm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3756.png)
Hmm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3757.png)
Hmm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3758.png)
Hmm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3747.png)
Aha!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3748.png)
Yang's boss is the Storm Dragon...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3750.png)
Who, like the Dark Elf, doesn't care that Tornado is a single-target spell.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3751.png)
But everyone present can hit pretty hard except Friday, who keeps everyone in fighting shape to hit hard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3753.png)
That's teamwork. Also, why not "God Hand", since that's what it's called in other games? Doesn't Squeenix have a localization editorial guide for this stuff by now?
-
They had a common dictionary when I was there, but I have no idea how old that is. Probably not FF4-GBA old.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3763.png)
Gotta go back to Mysidia and get everybody else I guess.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3764.png)
Death Mech has some crazy-powerful magic, including a Flare spell that can oneshot Brent. But it's super-extra-slow, so MCE can keep everyone on their feet between blasts.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3773.png)
That's a dick move, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3776.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3777.png)
That is a substantial power boost! Thor's Hammer lets Niku cast Blitz when used as an item.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3778.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3779.png)
Gigas Worm counters every move with a powerful physical hit. MCE sets everyone up with Protect and Blink while Romo... hides. He's a fast death-of-a-thousand-tiny-cuts sort of fighter, no good at monsters with counterattacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3787.png)
Long-range, fire-elemental, and does extra damage to undead. Combined with Romo's speed, he can crank out a steady procession of medium-strength hits.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3788.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3789.png)
Master Flan sets up Reflect as soon as the fight starts, then sits back and lets the lesser slimes do their regular damage. Wiping out all the Black Flans and White Mousses just has them regenerate at full strength. So this fight is tailor-made to Zara's weakness, just like Romo's was. Single-target -aga spells will bounce off Master Flan's Reflect, while Zara's one target-all spell (Quake) will wipe out all the Flans and start the battle over.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3793.png)
Zara blasts the lesser Flans one at a time, while everyone else piles the hurt onto Master Flan.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3794.png)
Gives a nice Intelligence bonus and lets Zara cast Flood for free.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3795.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3796.png)
Once you cast Float, T-Rex is the easiest fight because he wastes every turn or two casting Earthquake, which Float makes everyone immune to. He responds to Firaga with his own Flame attack, though, so you can't hit the obvious weakness.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3799.png)
Spirit bonus, and casts Esuna for free.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3800.png)
Right. Everyone's equipped, so party reassembled.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3802.png)
Collecting all your ships in one place isn't necessary, but saves you the occasional bit of searching if you forget where you parked the Lunar Whale.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3803.png)
God, finally.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3804.png)
Lyrai learns Thundaga last of the -aga level magics, at level 45. Which is a shame...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3809.png)
Because her next earned summon is a creature of water.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3814.png)
BZOT
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3817.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3818.png)
EXTRA BZOT
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3820.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3821.png)
Leviathan is a substantial step up in attack power from the likes of Ifrit and Titan. His Tidal Wave is, of course, water-elemental.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3822.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3823.png)
Remember that passage we couldn't go down before?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3824.png)
It's another post-Giant thing.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3825.png)
A throne! What's a throne doing here?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3826.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3829.png)
King: I do not need your pity. Although I have been slain by a Lord, I have been given eternal power in return. The summoner that follows you shall be able to call upon me whenever you feel you need my help. Call on my sword, and it shall be yours. However, you must earn my respect by proving your strength and courage. Let us begin the battle!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3835.png)
Odin will count down before using his Zantetsuken attack, which isn't partywide instant death, but hurts so much it might as well be.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3836.png)
But as the book in the library in the Land of Summons said, Odin holds his sword up so high he's a living lightning rod. Wait, if the king just recently died, and just recently turned into Odin, how is there already a book written about him?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3837.png)
Wow. That was fast. He didn't even get to use his signature move.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3838.png)
King: You must protect the world with your strength. I shall fight along with you as Odin.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3842.png)
Zantetsuken attempts to instant-kill every monster in the battle.
-
BOOM, BITCHES.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3843.png)
Back to the moon! There's this cavern we haven't explored yet, surrounded by a bunch of mountains...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3844.png)
And filled with nasty monsters...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3848.png)
Including some scripted ones you can't flee from. Behemoths are starting to take shape as the counter-happy monsters we know them to be today, but they haven't learned Meteor yet. They just counterattack every hit, regardless of whether it's a physical or magic attack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3850.png)
And those counters hurt, yo.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3855.png)
It's a long fight, mostly because they're bacon walls and you spend most of it waiting for Friday to get off her lazy ass and cast Curaja, but it gives a lot of money and six-digit experience for winning.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3858.png)
Oh yeah, I brought Romo instead of Kabbage to this dungeon. His ability to damage-cap these monsters isn't why, but it's a nice side effect.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3859.png)
It's a shame there are so many damn Behemoths here. Romo is really bad at counterattack monsters!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3860.png)
I'm starting to suspect that Apollo's Harp has a damage bonus against dragons, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3862.png)
Cripes, another one!
-
Odin isn't a post-Giant thing. You just have to set foot in the Land of Summoned Monsters, or whatever it's called in this version. Can get him before you go to the Moon.
Also: can get Excalibur before you go to the Moon.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3863.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3864.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3865.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3866.png)
Well, it proves I can kick Leviathan's scaly butt.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3867.png)
Oh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3869.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3870.png)
Bahamut counts down from 5 to 1, then unleashes his mighty Mega Flare attack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3872.png)
Man, I thought Lunar Curtains were partywide. Why bother?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3874.png)
Friday sets up Reflect on as many party members as possible -- which turns out to be two, given her initiative speed and the game's wonky mechanics in picking who actually moves at any given time -- while everyone else smacks Bahamut around as hard as possible.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3875.png)
Mars jumps, Romo hides. Being off the battlefield is a wise move right now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3876.png)
DAMMIT MARS STAY IN THE AIR
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3878.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3879.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3880.png)
As promised by the tome in the Land of Summons, Reflect makes this fight go much faster. And if you bring Romo, you're always guaranteed to have someone left alive after Mega Flare. Hide: occasionally useful!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3884.png)
Once Bahamut uses Mega Flare, he starts counting down again.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3886.png)
I have vague memories of doing this fight with FuSoYa present, giving me two people who can cast Reflect on the party, but I'm not sure if it's plausible in this version. I don't remember if you can fly the Lunar Whale around the moon after he joins, or if you fly straight to Earth to engage the Giant of Babel. Anyway, in this version Porom (or a steady supply of Lunar Curtains and the desire to spend turns using them) makes an acceptable substitute.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3887.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3888.png)
I... think that's all the sidequesting to be done. Fill out the summons list, get the Knife (oops), get Excalibur... am I forgetting anything, or is it time for the final dungeon?
I think it's time for the final dungeon.
-
Odin can be nabbed pretty early, but I wasn't 100% sure when because I always wait until I have Thundaga. Zantetsuken is about 5000 damage to all party members, so it's important to beat him before he whips it out.
Well, you know what I mean.
I know you can drop the Adamantite off at Kokkol's before going to the moon -- soon as you get the Rat Tail and free access between the overworld and underworld, really -- but I am almost 100% certain he doesn't actually finish the sword until you defeat the Giant of Babel.
-
BOW BEFORE ME, MORTALS.
-
Odin can be nabbed pretty early, but I wasn't 100% sure when because I always wait until I have Thundaga. Zantetsuken is about 5000 damage to all party members, so it's important to beat him before he whips it out.
Well, you know what I mean.
I know you can drop the Adamantite off at Kokkol's before going to the moon -- soon as you get the Rat Tail and free access between the overworld and underworld, really -- but I am almost 100% certain he doesn't actually finish the sword until you defeat the Giant of Babel.
He can finish it! It's a Plot Point thing - he waits for a point of plot to progress before finishing it. If you give it to him before opening up the Lunar Whale, you can then unseal the Whale, swing back down, and get Excalibur before you go to the Moon at all. If you rush straight to Mysidia ... you can still get it before the Giant, but it's a lot harder. Because killing Bahamut counts as a plot point, but you'd have to do it with only four people.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3796.png)
Once you cast Float, T-Rex is the easiest fight because he wastes every turn or two casting Earthquake, which Float makes everyone immune to.
Also, since no one asked, this guy immediately reminds me of the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Earth Crystal Boss: Flamerous Rex.
-
I can see it. Flamerus Rex had better fight music, though.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3874.png)
Friday sets up Reflect on as many party members as possible -- which turns out to be two, given her initiative speed and the game's wonky mechanics in picking who actually moves at any given time -- while everyone else smacks Bahamut around as hard as possible.
Days later, this unthinkably epic clash of the eldar gods would be giddily explained to my guy over a hasty dinner, bookended by "You should have fucking been there, man. Coolest thing I have ever seen."
-
We would have taken you but, you know.
Needed the guy whose specialty is cowering.
-
Get me drunk enough and I'll summon both of them to relive it for you.
-
Can't say that's the first time I've had to get a girl drunk before she'd play Double Dragon with me.
-
We would have taken you but, you know.
Needed the guy whose specialty is cowering.
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/hogg/wads.gif)
-
While Romo went to the moon, Kabbage took one of the two spare airships, went back to Fabul, and spent a few wild hedonistic nights with his wife. He misses her somewhat less now, and it led directly to events in the sequel (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Ursula).
Feel better now?
-
Except TAY is sooooooooo poopy.
-
Yeah, everything I've heard says it's completely, joylessly slapped together.
R^2 LP TAY
-
THE AFTER-YANG
-
Yeah, everything I've heard says it's completely, joylessly slapped together.
R^2 LP TAY
And grab the PSP version so you can do the interquel too.
-
R^2 LP TAY
As someone who's asked him to LP additional SaGa titles, I will honestly say that this request seems to cruel to make.
-
And grab the PSP version so you can do the interquel too.
A game that is literally nothing else but watching me and my wife banging in our roofless house
-
The Interlude and TAY may destroy your love of FF4 if you are weak-willed.
Also do PSP emulators on the PC even work?
-
Yup! This thread inspired me to play through FF4 on one. PPSSPP runs the FF4 Complete Collection just fine.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3891.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3892.png)
...the Tower that served as a link between the Earth and the Moon wasn't even involved in anything! I beat up the Kamen-derived superweapon that teleported down from the moon, but I assure you the Tower of Babel is intact.
Unless summoning the Giant wrecks the Tower itself, but that doesn't make any sense either.
Blue Lunar Crystal: Powerful weapons that once posed a threat to lunarians are sealed away in the core along with Zemus.
Yellow Lunar Crystal: We shall guide you to the core.
Silver Lunar Crystal: You must head for the moon's core.
Orange Lunar Crystal: We are the Crystals of the moon.
Indigo Lunar Crystal: A tremendous energy field exists between Zemus and our people.
Golden Lunar Crystal: Containing Zemus's madness within strains our power to the utmost.
Robin's-Egg Crystal: FuSoYa and KluYa's son entered the core more than a while ago...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3901.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3902.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3903.png)
All right, the Lunar Subterrane! Unless the game wants to drop a whole other new world map on me again after I'm done, this is very probably the final dungeon!
-
Music: Lunar Subterrane (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwuhiUnfGzU)
Is it really "Subterrane" if "Terrane" implies the Earth and this is on the moon? It seems the GBA and DS versions didn't include this in their sound tests, so you get SNES music rips instead. It's kind of obnoxiously bombastic anyway -- especially if you have to listen to the first ten seconds over and over again because random battles keep restarting the music -- so no big loss.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3904.png)
The Lunar Subterrane, as befitting a final dungeon, is chock-full of hidden passages.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3905.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3906.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3908.png)
And trapped treasure chests. In this case, the chest holds endgame armor for D.Ni, whom the game will continue to assume is in the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3909.png)
Not surprisingly, the monsters in here give rather a lot of experience and money. Friday only has one spell left to learn and several experience levels left before she learns it, but Lyrai has several holes in her list of black magic to fill.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3910.png)
Because labyrinths are far too simple to use as a final dungeon, there are teleporters scattered about.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3912.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3913.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3914.png)
It's obnoxious to have to fight a battle for half the treasures, but for now the game sticks to mobs that appear in random encounters. The Sage's Staff is endgame equipment of sorts for Friday, increasing her Spirit and allowing her to cast Life for free. I keep her with her bow and arrows.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3915.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3916.png)
But I got rid of Deathbringer back in act two!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3918.png)
"Pale Dim" in the SNES version, and it's anybody's guess why. The White Dragon counters physical attacks with Slow and magic attacks with Earthquake. Counterattacks reset his initiative gauge, though, preventing him from using his physical hits or his Maelstrom special attack. Keep whacking him and he's locked into doing nothing but casting Slow, making for an easy victory.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3924.png)
It's a katana for ninja, who are assumed to still be in the party.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3926.png)
This chest is at the end of a twisty hidden path. Inside is a Flame Whip for Lyrai.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3927.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3929.png)
The next several chests aren't trapped and contain a set of Dragon armor for Mars. Each piece gives a little extra resistance to fire, ice, and electric attacks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3932.png)
Called the "Tricker" in the SNES version to give you some hint that they may not have your best interests at heart, the Li'l Murderer will cast Scan on himself over and over to reveal his elemental weakness to lightning. But if you take the bait, it laughs at you and blasts the entire party with Thundaga again and again.
So if you do that, set up Reflect first.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3933.png)
MUSTACHE POWER
Okay the holy-elemental claw might have something to do with it too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3935.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3936.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3938.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3941.png)
Now when I fight counter-happy behemoths I just let Kabbage power up and punch them out. My reward for this one is the Stardust Rod, giving Lyrai a boost to intelligence and the ability to cast Comet for free. I remember Comet being more powerful at this stage of the game, but it only does a couple hundred damage to enemies...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3942.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3943.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3945.png)
Sadly, it's not long before the chest monsters get a major upgrade -- but they're still just random-encounter mobs. Eek! Red Dragons are as weak to ice as you'd expect, but that doesn't work for Blue Dragons. Those guys absorb all elemental attacks.
Also, you can't flee from colored dragons short of using a special skill that allows you to do so, like a Teleport spell.
The reward is the first piece of Crystal gear for Brent, which reduces the damage he takes from undead monsters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3946.png)
Surprisingly, a Protect Ring isn't out of a trapped box.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3948.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3949.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3951.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3952.png)
Are you getting as sick of these as I am?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3955.png)
I've always wondered about this little outcropping. Why is it there?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3957.png)
Another room, another chest. Nothing unusual to see here, folks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3958.png)
Unless you have the Siren item, which automatically throws you into a fight with the rarest mob in the area. In this case, the rarest mob is...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3960.png)
...the elusive Flan Princess! They were Pink Puffs in the SNES version, and these guys are legendary for their ability to not show up and drop items. Their rarest drop is the Pink Tail, which can be traded in at Adamant Grotto for a suit of Adamant Armor.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3961.png)
Once the battle begins, the Flan Princesses will invite you to dance, changing the music from the usual battle score to Samba de Chocobo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Kr0dc1Xgk). Then they slap you around, causing Berserk to anyone they hit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3963.png)
So before you're put down on their dance cards, cast Blink on Lyrai. A berserked summoner is almost useless, but a couple of Mega Flares take the Princess Flans down quickly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3967.png)
I use up all three Sirens, making scads of money in the process, but with only a tiny chance of getting a Pink Tail I walk away without anything else to show for it. I've read that between the rarity of the monster, the rarity of it dropping items, and the rarity of that item drop being a Pink Tail, the total odds of any encounter in this room leading to Adamant Armor are in the neighborhood of one in ten thousand. That seems a bit much, but I gotta say: I've never gotten a suit legitimately before.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3972.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3973.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3974.png)
This Protect Ring was better-guarded.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3975.png)
Whew. This is an optional side area, but the chance to stop and rest is a welcome one.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3976.png)
Hmm, another altar.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3977.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3979.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3980.png)
Dark Bahamut -- which is kind of a generic, cheesy name and I vastly prefer "Wyvern" -- doesn't screw around with the countdown and opens with Mega Flare. And I'm not sure exactly how, but the girls are immune (although I guess it's Protect Rings since both of them are wearing one).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3981.png)
DUAL DRAGON DRAGON DUEL
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3986.png)
Mega Flare still bounces. Usually I protect Friday and Lyrai first, since they're the most fragile party members, but again -- they're not taking any damage anyway.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3988.png)
Eventually Dark Bahawyvern gives Mega Flare a rest and just starts bouncing regular Flares off his own Reflection.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3990.png)
It's a tough fight, mainly because the guy can crank out so much damage and partially because you can either defend yourself with Reflect or keep the party fighting with Cure-class spells, but not both.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3991.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3992.png)
The reward is totally worth it, though.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3929.png)
The next several chests aren't trapped and contain a set of Dragon armor for Mars. Each piece gives a little extra resistance to fire, ice, and electric attacks.
I AM BECOME DRAGON
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3993.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3994.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3995.png)
At this point I should be getting preemptive attacks against every monster-in-a-box. There's no way they're taking anybody by surprise anymore. The Minerva's Suit/Plate/Bustier is a great piece of armor for a female fighter, since it's ladies-only and boosts physical stats at a penalty to magic stats. So it's perfect for... uh... um... who were the female fighters in this game again?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3996.png)
A not-after-a-hidden-passage-on-an-optional-dungeon-branch save point is waiting on the seventh basement level.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3997.png)
Right before two rooms with guarded treasures.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3998.png)
Man why you gotta be like that? Is it because you're mad you didn't get a whole altar to yourself like the other guys did?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3999.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4001.png)
Plague Horror casts Doom on the whole party right off. There's no immunity to it, there's no curing the status -- you have until the timer counts down and everyone dies to beat him.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4004.png)
In a dick move, he tries to speed up the timers, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4005.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4006.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4008.png)
I mean, it's pretty good. It's not bad. It's not GREAT. It's not all that. It's not Ragnarok good. It's not Colonel-FUCKING-Campbell good. But it's alright.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4010.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4011.png)
These guys sit in a weird place for me. I keep forgetting they exist, and occasionally the surprise me by being kind of hard to kill.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4012.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4014.png)
But for whatever reason, this was not one of those times. (Kabbage's holy-power mustache claw may be a factor.)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4015.png)
The eighth level of the Subterrane is the entrance to the Lunar Core.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4016.png)
It's pretty dull, honestly. A bunch of switchback paths to make sure you take as many steps as possible...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4017.png)
...To provoke as many random encounters as possible. Behemoths and Blue and Red Dragons are all random encounters down here, as are some new monsters, like the Reflect-happy Wicked Mask.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4018.png)
Another altar? Sheesh, how many of these things are there?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4019.png)
Oh right. Ninja, who the game assumes is still in the party, can dual-wield.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4021.png)
As Dark BahamuWyvern was a powered-up version of Bahamut, Ogopogo makes Leviathan look like a pushover.
That Leviathan is actually a pushover once you have Thundaga is not the issue here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4022.png)
Ogopogo opens with a doublecast Tidal Wave for some significant damage. He is fond of counterattacking incoming magic: lightning spells are countered with Whirl (a variation of Tornado), other magic is countered with Ice Storm.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4025.png)
Well, I'm sure D.Ni will appreciate this whenever we see him again.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4027.png)
I got an item drop! One of the first in the game, that's how rare item drops are even when they're not rare item drops. Of course, it's a powerful enemy granting me some character-exclusive equipment I already have...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4028.png)
On the last path in the Lunar Core, monsters are replaced by Zemus's Breath -- who is mostly harmless, casting Scan over and over on the party as long as you don't provoke his magic counters...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4029.png)
...and Zemus's Mind, who has crazy-high defense, counters incoming physical and magic attacks with Protect and Shell as appropriate, and is fond of Confusing the party into killing each other. Zemus! Mind control! Get it?
-
Speaking of Zemus, mind control, and the Lunar Core...
In the DS version, when you go to the subscreen menu, the person in lead of your party gets a little speech balloon indicating what they think of the latest plot point or reminding you what your next goal is.
As you proceed through the Lunar Subterrane, those thought balloons indicate Cecil struggles with the burden of whether to forgive Golbez and accept him as a brother. Edge battles with being scared out of his wits and too cocky to admit it. Rosa is worried for everyone's safety.
Kain is fighting off Zemus's hypnotism commanding him to betray the party again.
Only this time, Zemus decides that a good first target for Kain's betrayal isn't Cecil -- it's that nigh-defenseless white mage over there.
Zemus tries to mesmerize Kain into killing Rosa. For a psychic villainous mastermind, it seems like a pretty dumb move, because it only pisses Kain off.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4030.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4031.png)
Brent: Golbez, FuSoYa!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4033.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4034.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4036.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4037.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4038.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4039.png)
Hold fails, of course. It's low-level paralysis magic and Zemus has all the boss immunities.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4040.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4043.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4044.png)
Golbez: Ready!
Zemus: Die trying.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4048.png)
Huh, Golbez and FuSoYa can Twincast like Palom and Porom. How'd that happen?
In the SNES version, this move is called "W. Meteor". The letter "W" is occasionally used in Japanese as an abbreviation for "Double" -- it's a Double-U, after all. See also Final Fantasy 7's W-Summon and W-Item materia, which let you cast two summon spells or use two items in a single turn (or duplicate consumables, but that's another story).
But in the slew of other retranslations, abbreviations, and censorship, the spell "Holy" got changed to "White". Since Golbez had cast all the black magic and FuSoYa had cast only white magic on Zemus so far, my friends and I had concluded that W-Meteor was instead "White Meteor", a combination of the most powerful white and black spells.
It made sense to early-teenage me. So many dumb things did at the time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4050.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4051.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4052.png)
Whether it's two talented casters using their most powerful spell, or a yin-yang bomb forged from white and black coming together, it's enough to kill Zemus either way. I didn't have to fight at all!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4053.png)
Golbez: We did it...
FuSoYa: You have much strength. It is a shame Zemus had control of your powers.
Kabbage: Great!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4057.png)
Kabbage: It was a great battle.
Golbez: Brent...
Brent: ...
Friday: Brent...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4064.png)
A wrathful spirit rises from Zemus's body, immolating the corpse.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4065.png)
We... speak in the Royal Plural for no readily apparent reason...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4066.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4067.png)
A blast of malice knocks the party unconscious. Only FuSoYa and Golbez remain.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4068.png)
Makes as much sense as anything! :shrug:
Golbez: Zemus... No, now you are Zeromus! This time I will see to it that you are completely destroyed!
FuSoYa: It is time for you... to disappear!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4073.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4074.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4075.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4076.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4077.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4078.png)
Being a ghost (technically), Zeromus is incorporeal and thus immune to having meteors dropped on him.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4079.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4081.png)
It looks like Flare, but blue. Or as they called it in Final Fantasy 2, Flare.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4083.png)
Zeromus: The Crystal cannot cleanse your sins. You are bound by darkness forever!
It's just an extra piece of Lunarian ultratech, but it's no good as a focus for turning undead when the user is as irredeemably evil as Golbez.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4086.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4088.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4090.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4092.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4093.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4094.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4095.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4096.png)
Fade to black.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4097.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4098.png)
Elder: So I see... Now is the time to pray for them! Pray for them and this earth! Zara, MCE! We must pray hard to send our prayers to Brent!
Music: Theme of Final Fantasy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaQV7weghoU)
If there's one time you open a new browser tab and let the music play while you read the LP, this is it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4103.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4104.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4105.png)
Airship crew: Please return to us safely!
King Giott: Do it for this land!
Luca: We are supporting you!
Troian Clerics: We will pray as well!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4110.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4111.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4112.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4113.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4114.png)
Brent stumbles to his feet, and heroically approaches the wraith of Zeromus...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4116.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4117.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4118.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4119.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4121.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4122.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4124.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4125.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4126.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4128.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4129.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4130.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4132.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4133.png)
Golbez: Give to the Crystal the holy power within you. Zeromus! Show your true self!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4137.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4138.png)
The prayers from Earth have given everyone a full restore. You can fight, but Zeromus is still in his wraith form, immune to pretty much everything. He occasionally quakes a bit, which silently removes any positive status you've put on your party. You didn't think you could warm up for the last battle by casting Haste and Shell on everyone before it had even started, did you?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4140.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4141.png)
Music: The Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUGoPBQmVVs)
Now shut the tab from before and start this music instead. The heroic and inspiring Theme to Final Fantasy giving way to the creepy and vaguely discordant Final Battle does a lot to reinforce the "oh shit" moment of Zeromus erupting into his true form to kill you.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4142.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4143.png)
I will grant, however, that like most Final Fantasy endbosses Zeromus isn't really much to look at. I mean, I guess that's a face there in front, and arms off to either side? And wings? Fins? His carapace is too damn complicated to work out what's what. It's not as bad as Chaos's crotch-face or Cloud of Darkness's "wait, the vile elemental force is actually a shapely woman?" but it's kind of bad.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4144.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4145.png)
Flare? FLARE? How about I give you...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4147.png)
MEGA FLARE?!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4150.png)
Pff, you're gonna need to do much better than that, boyo.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4151.png)
(So he does.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4153.png)
Ooof! I'd rather you stuck to casting Bio!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4154.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4155.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4156.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4159.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4160.png)
Splat. Did you wonder why I haven't updated my LP in a few days? I've been grinding after Zeromus nigh-effortlessly mopped the floor with everyone's faces.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4164.png)
Slight comic relief: in a fight with Zemus's Mind, I gave the order for Mars to Jump, just before she took a Confuse spell. The Confuse spell normally has the character step outward and turn to face the party, but perhaps because Jump can't target other party members, Mars just turned around without moving. When Friday cast Esuna to remove the confusion, Mars stayed that way and eventually leapt into the air facing away from her target. I can only assume she did a wicked sweet backflip in the air in order to land on the enemy like normal a few turns later.
-
The only solution I've found to Big Bang is to grind levels until you simply have enough HP to endure it.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4118.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4160.png)
Welp.
Also let's be fair to Zeromus's true form, in 1991 it didn't look a whole hell of a lot like anything anyone had seen in an RPG before. Even playing it after FF6, my reaction to it was "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT???" before getting hopelessly annihilated and leaving the battle unresolved for 15 years.
-
Dark Bahamut -- which is kind of a generic, cheesy name and I vastly prefer "Wyvern"
But he's clearly not a wyvern!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba3980.png)
Look! Arms!
-
oh my god
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4165.png)
Big thanks to Lyrai, who helped me find a cheat code to increase the experience each fight hands out. This means I get to post an update today instead of sometime late next week.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4166.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4167.png)
After a playthrough where I don't have to stop and restore the party almost immediately, I come to realize that Zeromus counters summon magic with Bio. But the damage output for Mega Flare makes the partywide 300-or-so damage counter totally worth it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4169.png)
Since Zeromus can wipe out party buffs, Friday might as well attack.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4171.png)
Except Zeromus has a counter for Holy, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4173.png)
That stings a lot, but it's survivable now. Well, for everyone but Friday. She makes an Exquisite Knorpse, doesn't she?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4176.png)
Kabbage is tough enough to shrug off a Flare spell. Considering his traditionally poor magic defense, that's kind of impressive.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4182.png)
Lyrai has better defenses but not even half of Kabbage's HP.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4179.png)
SURVIVED.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4180.png)
Black Hole has almost no visual effect to capture, as all that happens is the storm in the background goes dark for a bit. But it removes any Protect, Shell, Haste, Berserk, or similar buffs from the entire party (and may remove ailments from Zeromus as well, if you've Slowed him or something).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4185.png)
:ohshi~:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4186.png)
:wakka:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4188.png)
I don't know if it's just late in his attack array or if he only busts out Meteor when he's low on HP, but shortly after that, the music cuts out, the thunder rolls in the background, and Zeromus sort of... slowly...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4189.png)
...drops off-screen.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4190.png)
Zeromus: ...exists in the hearts... of the living... Graaah!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4194.png)
The wraith of Zeromus vanishes in a puff.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4195.png)
FuSoYa: You hold much more power than I had expected... The race of the blue planet may have already evolved past us lunarians...
Kabbage: We were all helping one another!
Mars: Zeromus's last words bother me, though...
Friday: As long as evil exists...
Or as long as Square-Enix wants to make money off of hacked-together sequels...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4201.png)
FuSoYa: Every living creature has at least a touch of evil in its heart, along with goodness. It is as sure as there is light and darkness, the overworld and the underworld. However, goodness exists because evil exists. It is that goodness you hold which destroyed Zemus.
Kabbage: Light and darkness...
Lyrai: It's all thanks to the summoned beasts!
Lyrai what are you even talking about
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4208.png)
FuSoYa: Well, it is time for me to return to my home. What about everyone else?
Brent: We will return home as well.
Friday: Yes, there are people worried about us!
FuSoYa: I see. I'm glad you have such wonderful friends. I look forward to the day we meet again!
Don't look forward to it too much, it's heavily implied you're killed off in your one scene.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4214.png)
FuSoYa: You wish to come...?
Golbez: Yes... I cannot return home, after all I've done. I would very much like to meet my father's people, as well.
FuSoYa: Ah, yes. Lunarian blood flows in your veins... Very well, come along. But you must be ready for a long, long sleep.
Golbez: Not all that long, I'm a recurring PC in The After Years. Yes. Thank you.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4222.png)
Golbez: ...me? ...How foolish of me, of course not, after all I've done...
FuSoYa: We are off to spend many years in slumber. We pray that the blue planet will be peaceful for a long, long time. Come.
Golbez: Yes.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4229.png)
Come on Brent the guy was commanded by an evil master to do terrible things he now regrets and you have no sympathy at all don't be like that
Friday: Brent...
Mars: Are you certain you want to part this way?
Lyrai: He's your brother!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4233.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4234.png)
The guy who was mind-controlled into trying to kill you a couple of times is standing right there because he's still your best friend don't be a hypocrite man
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4236.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4237.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4238.png)
-
Music: Ending Theme 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B_VuTjt3ak)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4241.png)
There's a long, slow shot of the planets orbiting the sun. It looks better in motion, but not by much. And while the screencap fails to catch it, the Earth has two moons in opposite orbits (we can ignore that previous screens showed the two moons right next to each other in the sky).
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4242.png)
The Mysidian legend scrolls by slowly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4243.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4244.png)
If you want the music to synch up with events, wait until the drum crash at about 1:45 in the video before proceeding. But you don't have to, as that only happened in the SNES version -- the GBA versions don't have the music synchronized with the events onscreen, so the music gets its shift several seconds before the scene switches to the Lunar Whale sinking back into the Mysidian harbor.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4247.png)
MCE: Yes, sir.
Elder: Hm? Where's Zara?
MCE: Oh no, not again!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4251.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4252.png)
Zara: ...And then, I cast Blizzard at the creatures that we encountered at Mt. Ordeals...
Zara don't be dumb you cast Blizzard to get through the flame wall in front of Mt. Ordeals, the monsters on the mountain were vulnerable to fire instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4254.png)
MCE runs onscreen and gives him a whack over the head either for slacking in his studies or for being a lying liar who lies so much.
Zara: Owww!
MCE: How many times are you going to be late to training!? The elder is really angry!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4257.png)
Elder: How many times do I have to scold you!? It will be years before you are even half the sage Mongrel is!
Technically right now he is exactly half the sage Mongrel was, because he has all the black magic but no white magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4260.png)
Zara: That's not fair!
MCE: I think it's very fair!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4263.png)
Gramps: When will you come to realize that you have responsibilities!? You are a prince!
D.Ni: I know, I know! Geez!
Gramps: You say you know, but your actions say otherwise!
D.Ni: Yeah, yeah.
Gramps: The correct words here would be "Yes, sir!"
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4269.png)
D.Ni: Alright, I'll shape up. *sigh* I can't help but think about Lyrai, though... *sigh*
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4272.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4273.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4274.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4275.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4276.png)
Asura: Yes, I never thought she would really come back.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4278.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4279.png)
Beast Child: I wish I had a bunch of hats didn't have fangs so I could be like you! How can I be like you?
Lyrai: What are you talking about? We're all living creatures. We're all the same.
Asura: I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Land of Summons.
Leviathan: I cannot wait to see what kind of beauty the girl will grow up to be!
Lyrai: DAMMIT LEVIATHAN STOP TRYING TO GET INTO MY PANTS
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4287.png)
Lyrai: Isn't that right, Brent...?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4289.png)
Kabbage's Wife: Honey...
Kabbage: You're a queen now! Try calling me "my king" instead of "honey".
Kabbage's Wife: I know... But I can't stand being so formal!
Kabbage: Oh no! It's time for my training!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4295.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4296.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4297.png)
Former King: Do not say that. I think Kabbage will create a wonderful kingdom.
Why the now-former king ceded his throne in the first place is never really made clear.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4300.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4301.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4302.png)
Romo: I will. But only after I've finished my work. You want the castle back the way it was, right?
Children: Yeah! That's a promise, right?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4307.png)
Romo: Anna... I hope you're watching over me. I'm helping the people of Damcyan. I'm caring for other people, as I'd cared for you... like you said I should. I hope you and Mongrel are having a fine time together...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4312.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4313.png)
Giott: We need to repair the castle with great haste!
Urist McEngineer: Your Majesty! We don't have enough materials!
Giott: Take apart the tanks and remove any useful pieces! There's no need to worry about war anymore!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4318.png)
Giott: I almost forgot to tell you! It seems Sir Brent and Lady Friday... ...are the new king and queen of Baron!
:ohmy:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4322.png)
That's what I said!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4323.png)
Luca: How lovely!
Urist McWhipcracker: Your Majesty! You're not helping to fix the castle at all!
Giott: I'm the king! I can do whatever I want! Now go take apart some tanks!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4327.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4328.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4329.png)
Mars: I cannot bring myself to face you both. Not yet. I must test myself as you did, Brent, at Mt. Ordeals. I will train until I have surpassed my father as a dragoon... When that time comes... ...Then I shall return to Baron.
-
Music: Ending Theme 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCVS9NN71Gw)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4334.png)
Astronomer: Oh!
Corio: What is it?
Astronomer: You have to see this! The moon...!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4340.png)
Again, it works better in motion, partly because the same tan-brown sphere is used for both of Earth's moons and for Venus.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4341.png)
But as the Earth flies across the background...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4342.png)
...one of the moons comes out of its orbit...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4343.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4344.png)
...and drifts away past the camera.
Granted, judging from the position of the Earth in its own orbit, that scene took the better part of two years to watch.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4345.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4346.png)
Brent: I thought... I thought I heard my brother's voice...
Friday: Really?
Brent: I couldn't tell for sure, but... Forget it. It was probably just my imagination.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4351.png)
Niku: Why aren't you getting ready!? It's your big day!
Friday: We must have lost track of time.
Watching this scene for the first time as a married man... HA HA HA HA HA NO. WEDDINGS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4354.png)
This part is true, though. :suave:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4355.png)
Not yet. :suave: :suave: :suave:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4356.png)
Friday: Please, just call me Friday.
Niku: Friday, we've gotta get you dressed! And get some makeup on you! The bride can't keep people waiting! Come on! We haven't got all day!
In my experience, yes, the bride is the only person at a wedding who can keep people waiting. Mine did, at least, and let's face it nobody is ever going to call her on it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4361.png)
Friday: I can't wait to see everyone again! It's been so long... Brent, are you ready?
Brent: Yes, I'm ready.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4365.png)
Brent: I heard my brother's voice say... "...so long."
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4370.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4371.png)
Presenting the crown prince of Eblan, Edward "Disposable Ninja" Geraldine!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4372.png)
From the dwarf kingdoms of the world below, King Giott and Princess Luca!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4373.png)
As emissaries from the land of Mysidia, Palom "Miss Cat Ears" McWhitemage and Porom "Zaratustra" McBlackmage! And... (what was his name again? Really? Well, okay...) The Mysidian Elder, Elder!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4375.png)
From the Land of Summoned Monsters, Lyraidia of Mist!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4377.png)
As the theme music (theoretically) swells to its final crescendo, everyone pirouettes into place, faces, the camera...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4378.png)
...and waves! Assuming they have the animation to do so. Poor dwarves.
At this point the ending theme ends on the SNES version. The GBA version is so out of synch the music cuts off around the time Lyrai walks into the throne room.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4379.png)
Roll credits!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4380.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4381.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4382.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4383.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4384.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4385.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4386.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4387.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4388.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4389.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4390.png)
Well, guess I'll bring in some of the other folks who got voted down in the polls. And finally change Romo's name. :whoops:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4391.png)
Hooray for shared experience! I don't have to level this party up at all.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4392.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4396.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4397.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4398.png)
The final battle lead-up goes exactly the same, except for a few insignificant dialog changes to account for the different parties on the moon and in the Tower of Miracles.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4402.png)
The battle goes much the same, only with fewer Bio counterattacks on account of me not having Mega Flare at my command. Regular Flare seems to do okay though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4403.png)
I'd meant to Berserk Romo for this fight, in case he gets hit and has to hide out due to critical HP. It's the bug I mentioned when I recruited this guy back in the beginning of the game, and I didn't know about it until this LP, so why not give it a shot? Unfortunately, Romo took this Flare attack, dropped to critical HP, and ran and hid before MCE could get the spell off.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4406.png)
The twins have excellent magic defense, Romo is hiding, and Niku and Brent have enough HP to take it on the chin. I don't think I had to revive anyone during this fight.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4407.png)
That was surprisingly easy!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4408.png)
There's more insignificant dialog changes in this scene, but the rest of the ending plays out exactly the same.
And after the credits roll...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4410.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4411.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4412.png)
-
Of course, now you have to go through that a third time for the ninja's door. Because nine options and four slots. Haaawwww.
Sidenote! You only need one or the other of the twins to kill Zeromus to open the Twins door, so it's possible to do that in two trips through the Subterrane. Need at least three trips to fully explore the Ruins though.
-
The FF6 ending music sync is terrible. Kinda kills Shadow's big dramatic moment when Strago's theme is already cuing up.
I hear the sound restoration patch I'm using fixes it. But I also hear that it still doesn't sync properly in an emulator. But that claim is from 2010, so maybe it does now. Guess there's one way to find out.
(Opera sync was perfect, so I'm hopeful.)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4160.png)
Final Fantasy VI Playthrough (136) Shadow's Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gXaQ7a5fdk#)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/01.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/01.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/01.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/01.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/02.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/03.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/04.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/05.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/06.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/07.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/08.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/09.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/10.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/11.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/12.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/13.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/14.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/15.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/16.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/17.jpg)
(http://mothra.brontoforum.us/img/kipod/yang/18.jpg)
-
what
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4328.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4329.png)
Mars: I cannot bring myself to face you both. Not yet. I must test myself as you did, Brent, at Mt. Ordeals. I will train until I have surpassed my father as a dragoon... When that time comes... ...Then I shall return to Baron.
20 years to do something the last guy did in a day or so is still good, right?
Right?
-
It worked out okay for Edison.
-
FuSoYa: You hold much more power than I had expected... The race of the blue planet may have already evolved past us lunarians...
Man, those two half-lunarians and a girl raised and trained in the land of summons on the moon sure are strong. That must be representative of how far Earth has come!
-
He means Yang.
-
20 years to do something the last guy did in a day or so is still good, right?
Well, Kain's dad is a dead dragoon, so he's not much help. Cecil's dad just handed him paladinhood with only the smallest of speedbumps. Bloody nepotism.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4413.png)
D.Ni comes along for one last Zeromus fight. But the star here is Romo, whom I berserk straight away. I use the Crystal before Zeromus can shake off the effect.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4416.png)
I remember throwing shuriken as doing more damage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4417.png)
Meanwhile, a crazy yapping dog exceeds that damage without consuming a useable item. Way to go, D.Ni.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4422.png)
:justasplanned:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4423.png)
Sure enough, Romo runs to hide.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4424.png)
Then pops back out to attack again, despite being at critical HP.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4425.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4426.png)
Granted, it would work better in a fight where the enemy can't dispel Berserk status, but even once Black Hole goes off the game still considers Romo hidden. I can't even heal him until he "reappears".
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4430.png)
Ah well. The theory's sound.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4431.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4432.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4434.png)
Big Magic Voice: These are the Lunar Ruins, the forgotten dungeon of old. This dungeon takes your worst doubts and fears and presents them in various floors. You must reach the deepest depths by overcoming tremendous trials. You must conquer each trial and gather nine tomes. Only when the last one is claimed, can you overcome the last trial.
That last part's a lie, as we shall see.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4440.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4441.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4442.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4446.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4444.png)
The first several levels are dull-as-dishwater lunar cavern floors, with wildly unbalanced random encounters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4445.png)
Oh, so Behemoths do counter magic in this game. With Maelstrom rather than Meteor.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4450.png)
Every five floors presents you with a save point, a teleport tile leading out of the dungeon, and a door. But you have to have the appropriate party member present to open said door, and I left Kabbage back at base. No worries, I'll get to it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4452.png)
No small number of floors are "Floors of Remembrance", which mimic the layout of other dungeons. This is one of the Lunar Paths on the surface of the moon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4454.png)
And the Chocobo Village north of Troia.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4455.png)
White Chocobos still roam here, restoring party MP for a quick Curaja-fest, but yellows and blacks are absent for what are hopefully obvious reasons.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4456.png)
On to... the Antlion nest? This one has a tiny variation: there's a Megalixir on the highest level of the sand pit opposite the exit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4458.png)
Next trial...
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4460.png)
This time the door opens.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4461.png)
Romo: Damcyan Castle!? What is going on?
Offscreen voice: ...Hel...
Romo: ? The voice was coming from somewhere over there...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4467.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4468.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4469.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4470.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4472.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4474.png)
It's an autobattle. Brent strides forward and kills the monster -- repeatedly. It regenerates each time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4475.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4477.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4479.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4480.png)
Got it? To end a fight with a spectre, you have to kill it at least once, then have Romo sing at it. That ends the battle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4482.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4486.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4487.png)
Now go do that to every spectre you see.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4491.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4493.png)
Clearing out the castle reveals a hidden passage, leading to an underground sluice.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4494.png)
It is, of course, filled with more spectres.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4496.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4497.png)
A shot from offscreen!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4498.png)
You can equip the Requiem Harp for a small boost in attack power, but like the Blood Sword and Blood Lance, it isn't worth the penalty to base stats anyway. So no big loss.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4499.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4500.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4501.png)
Huh. Did not see that coming... although that does explain the blanket of snow covering the deserted desert castle.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4502.png)
Lunar Shiva has the vulnerability you'd expect...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4503.png)
But counters by casting Blizzaga on herself to heal back. Since I didn't bring a dedicated black mage in this party, I'll have to settle for just smacking some sense into her.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4504.png)
Yikes. When she changes her pose to the more aggressive stance, she's getting ready to unleash one hell of an Ice Storm. Romo didn't have a prayer.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4505.png)
STOP DOING THAT I JUST REVIVED HIM
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4510.png)
Blaze? Isn't that... not-ice?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4512.png)
Well, anyway. When Romo isn't lying facedown in the cold, cold mud, he does have a fire-elemental harp to play at Lunar Shiva. His damage output is actually kind of impressive in that regard.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4513.png)
As a battle reward, we get a Lunar Shiva's Grimoire.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4514.png)
Romo: Although this may not be our world, I've managed to save Damcyan...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4517.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4518.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4521.png)
The Harmonious Ring changes Romo's Sing command into Chant. While Sing ran out of utility a long time ago -- arguably it never had any to lose -- Chant is a partywide Protect and Shell buff. That's always going to be handy!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4522.png)
After the Trial is over, we're whisked back to the save and exit room. So long as you possess the Grimoire given as a reward for a Trial, you can't go back in. But they're consumable items, so once you use them up you can get another copy by repeating the Trial.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4525.png)
The next level is a library. There are no random encounters here, thankfully, because this old fart has lost a book and you have to find the shelf it's on.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4531.png)
The other scholars give some clues.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4537.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4540.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4538.png)
There are other books to be found on the shelves, of course.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4539.png)
The location of the book is randomized every time you do this floor, to keep you from beelining to the right shelf every time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4544.png)
w/e man
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4546.png)
The next level is a puzzle. Once it starts, a bunch of pigs, toads, and small folk will run into a building currently obscured by the text window. Then he asks how many of a given animal ran inside. If you answer correctly, the white chocobo gives you a Megalixir.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4557.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4558.png)
The level after that is a Legend of Zelda-style faerie spring. But given that there's a place to use a Cottage every five levels, all this healing up isn't really necessary. I mean, I'm glad it's not another plain ol' regular dungeon level with random encounters every four steps, but still.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4561.png)
:whoops:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4563.png)
A teleporter maze. Yeah, really regretting the snark about the faerie spring now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4566.png)
The next level is a bunch of rooms connected by hidden passages, but it's easy to tell where they are because there are scripted monster fights in the middle of each one.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4570.png)
There's even a town level that looks a bit like village Mythril. The item shop is the same as Hummingway Cavern's, the armor shop the same as the Land of Summons, and the weapon shop sells shuriken and arrows like Kokkol's assistant.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4572.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4574.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4575.png)
Gettin' real sick of this "disembodied voice from offscreen" shit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4576.png)
???: If you are a true paladin, you may pass. Are you a true paladin? You must prove yourself. I'll be waiting for you, paladin.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4583.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4592.png)
In the next room, a girl has lost her chocobos. You can just leave, but shouldn't a true paladin help those in need?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4596.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4598.png)
The next room has a monster who claims he's a human put under a curse. You can attack him, but a true paladin doesn't slay the innocent just because they look funny.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4605.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4608.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4609.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4610.png)
The room following is a castle under siege by giants, and the occupants ask for help fighting them off. You can leave them to their fate, but a true paladin is a valiant warrior!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4614.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4617.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4621.png)
The next room has a kid getting bullied by his peers. If you look that much like a bipedal pig, what do you expect? Again, we don't have to help the little pig-boy, but...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-earthbound/lpeb0148.png)
Anyway, after scaring the kids off you get some thanks from Porky, and it's on to the next area.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4637.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4641.png)
This is the first room to actually tempt you into doing wrong. Golden Apples are quite rare, and you can keep this one for yourself if you want. You can even go stand in front of the guy and eat it. But that's not what a true paladin would do.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4644.png)
???: Show me you are worthy of being a paladin. First, I shall grant you a weapon. Take what is in the box.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4648.png)
Your reward for doing good in all five missions is the Lightbringer.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4649.png)
It maxes out Brent's attack power and randomly casts Holy on a successful hit.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4651.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4653.png)
Lunar Odin has the soft spot for Lightning that regular Odin does.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4655.png)
He also whips out Zantetsuken much faster.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4656.png)
Yowch. Zeromus might be the game's big bad evil guy, but in true Final Fantasy fashion he's easily outdone by completely unrelated plot-unimportant boss monsters.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4657.png)
Brent gets three or four Holy procs off his new sword, speeding the battle significantly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4658.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4659.png)
The reward is a Grimoire for Lunar Odin.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4660.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4662.png)
Tower of Zot...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4663.png)
Mt. Hobbs...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4664.png)
Sylvan Cave...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4665.png)
Trial room.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4666.png)
It's a town...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4668.png)
???: ...the weight of your crimes... Taste my justice!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4672.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4673.png)
The woman splits into three orbs, which fly around casting bolts of lightning and baleful polymorphs all over the town's citizenry. Now whose Trial could this be?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4675.png)
Oh, right. The ultra-compassionate ever-forgiving baby-devouring white mage.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4676.png)
Soldier: Thank heavens... The sky suddenly got dark... Then we were attacked by spheres of light... Most townspeople were fatally wounded!
Brent: Friday... You must help everyone!
Friday: Yes, I must!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4682.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4684.png)
I don't think the game shows it onscreen, but there's a time limit involved where you have to run around talking to all the wounded or transformed townspeople. Each one gets a Cure or an Esuna, as appropriate, from Friday.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4685.png)
Some of them are monsters in disguise intended to eat up time off the clock, of course.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4688.png)
That's the last of 'em... the last frog is swimming in a pool in the top-right corner, but the only entrance to the waterway is in the bottom-right. So you have to cure everyone but him, dive into the water, and run like hell to make it up here before time runs out.
Yes, this is the last wounded townsperson. The pig in the bottom-left corner of the screenshot is another monster in disguise.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4690.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4691.png)
When time runs out or you've saved everyone, the orbs close in.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4694.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4697.png)
Lunar Asura has many of the same moves as before, including strong physical hits and powerful HP-restoring magic to cast on herself.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4698.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4701.png)
But as indicated in the Trial, she's also quite fond of transformative magic...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4704.png)
And just blasting the everloving crap out of dudes with -aga level black magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4702.png)
As before, casting Reflect on her will bounce her restorative magic onto the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4706.png)
Even with reflected cures from Lunar Asura, Rosa can hardly keep up with keeping everyone on their feet, but manages to protect Romo and D.Ni from getting wiped out by magic with Reflect.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4707.png)
OH COME ON
(Restore pierces Reflect.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4708.png)
That was probably the hardest fight we've won so far.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4709.png)
It may not surprise you to learn that the reward is Lunar Asura's Grimoire.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4710.png)
Brent: What was that about?
Friday: I think it wanted... to tell us something... Anyway, I'm just glad the townspeople are safe.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4715.png)
Elder: You have taught everyone a lesson. We should be helping each other out, not fighting against one another. Maybe that was what the light was trying to tell us... This is a token of our appreciation.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4718.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4726.png)
After everyone says their goodbyes, Friday puts on her White Ring. It changes her Pray into Miracle. Pray has a 50% chance of failing and a 50% chance of casting Cure on the party. Pretty lousy! But Miracle never fails and usually casts Cura for a few hundred HP a pop... and sometimes it casts both Esuna and Curaga on the whole party instead.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4727.png)
Old Waterway...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4731.png)
Tower of Babel...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4733.png)
Siiiigh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4734.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4735.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4736.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4738.png)
D.Ni: Whoa! It's like a playground for us ninjas!
Brent: Something feels... wrong. I think we should be careful...
D.Ni: What's that? How do we get there? Hurry it up! I'm gonna leave you behind!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4745.png)
D.Ni charges forward and immediately falls into a trap door. Welcome to the ninja's trial, the most annoying trial in the game.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4754.png)
The whole place is non-Euclidian, with doors that lead to places they realistically cannot, switchbacks, hidden traps, secret passages... it's a playground for ninjas, but for RPG players it's hell.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4750.png)
Oh, and don't forget the constant random encounters!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4757.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4758.png)
D.Ni: I like what you've done with the place.
Lord: So you enjoy my castle? I am pleased you like it. But will you enjoy this as well!?
Another trap door dumps you in the basement, and...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4763.png)
The way back up is blocked by flames now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4764.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4766.png)
D.Ni does the same wall-passing trick he used to get into the Tower of Babel, and...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4767.png)
Steps onto another trapdoor just on the far side of the wall. Yep, the whole palace is built like this, folks.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4770.png)
Now the game introduces floor switches that open colored doors and floors that crumble when walked on into the mix. Because what this part really needed was more gimmicks!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4772.png)
Oh, and I forgot the invisible passages. There's those, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4774.png)
Let's just skip to the end, shall we?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4775.png)
D.Ni: Don't you know who I am? I'm D.Ni, prince of Eblan!
Lord: You are courageous. You do not seem to fear death. This will make for an interesting battle!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4780.png)
After the frustrating dungeon layout and nasty boss fights with Lunar Asura and Lunar Shiva, Lunar Ifrit is a refreshingly straightforward breath of fresh air.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4785.png)
Like Shiva and Odin before him, he starts in his more aggressive stance, quickly belts out one of his ultra-powerful attacks, and leaves you on the defensive trying to recover.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4786.png)
Chant helps.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4788.png)
There's not much to discuss, really. Like I said, it's a refreshingly straightforward battle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4789.png)
The reward is obvious to all by now.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4791.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4798.png)
Disposable Ninja we are leaving and I don't care what you say.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4802.png)
Anyway, the Hanzo Gloves change D.Ni's Steal into Plunder. He's slightly less likely to screw up when stealing, and does damage with a regular attack when he succeeds.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4803.png)
There's nothing warning you that this is the case, but this is the Lunar Ruin's "Dragon Floor".
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4804.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4806.png)
Because it's full of dragons, you see.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4805.png)
Dragons who can cast Maelstrom as part of their basic attack array.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4807.png)
And a bridge maze, to make sure you fight a goddamned lot of them.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4811.png)
The next floor is the "physical resistant" floor. It might as well be the Flan floor, because...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4812.png)
That's all there are here. Dust Mousse are the next step up from Black Flans, without any particular elemental weakness, but they are undead and that gives them some vulnerabilities to exploit. Golden Flans don't even have that, they combine typical Flan defense stats with the ability to absorb all elemental magic. And here I didn't bring anyone who can cast Flare...
There are Princess Flans on this floor (in groups of eight) but as I don't have Lyrai with me I'm not going to go searching for them.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4815.png)
The next floor is a quiz to determine what job you excel at. Are you more intellectual or athletic? Do you prefer to stay in your enemy's face or keep your distance? Do you size up your foe or attack immediately? What you answer determines your job, and the job you get determines your reward gift.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4829.png)
I take Engineer, because the reward includes a Siren, and Sirens give me another shot at Princess Flans. Monk gives both a Golden and Silver Apple, and Paladin gives a Megalixir.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4833.png)
:shrug:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4835.png)
My god, it's full of bombs.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4845.png)
The next floor has doors carved with engravings and items scattered about. Take clear water from the pool to nourish the tree carving, feed honey to the bear carving, light a piece of firewood in a flame to light the lantern carving, and so on.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4861.png)
Another town!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4863.png)
Holy balls, they sell Megalixirs here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4865.png)
R... really? A buyable item is more powerful than Masamune and Murasame?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4866.png)
Sure is. With two boomerangs in hand, D.Ni can finally do full damage from the back row, bringing his fight power up to par with... uh, Romo. :whoops:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4868.png)
The armor shop is also stocked with prime goods, but I'm out of money now.
-
So are the images not showing up for anyone else?
-
Working for me.
-
After the Trial is over, we're whisked back to the save and exit room. So long as you possess the Grimoire given as a reward for a Trial, you can't go back in. But they're consumable items, so once you use them up you can get another copy by repeating the Trial.
The Grimores summon the respective Summon Monster for a blast against the monsters, as well as have a unique effect in one specific battle, for those playing at home.
-
Edge actually becomes better once you have him in full Lunar gear. The best party (as I was able to determine it when I played this version) is actually the normal end party (Kain, Cecil, Edge, Rosa, Rydia)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4870.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4871.png)
It's Niku's Trial. You like Crazy Taxi, right?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4873.png)
This guy needs to go to Mysidia, because he's lost.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4876.png)
And he needs to get there inside of eighty seconds.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4881.png)
You start near-ish to Fabul, so you can just follow the island chain connecting the main continent to the Mysidian landmass and get there pretty easily.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4886.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4888.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4890.png)
Heh.
Troia is northwest of Baron, which is northwest of Mysidia.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4894.png)
Hmmmmmmmmm
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4898.png)
Forty-second limit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4903.png)
Fabul is directly west of Troia.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4907.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4909.png)
Kaipo is easy to find, that desert it's in is huge, a bit west of Fabul over Mt. Hobbs.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4911.png)
Problem is, you can't land in the desert. You have to park nearby and hoof it into town.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4917.png)
Thirty-second limit. Agart is directly south of Kaipo past Baron, but you have to walk back to the airship first.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4923.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4924.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4928.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4929.png)
The skies darken, and thunder peals!
Yet Another Offscreen Voice: Are you the annoying bug that's been buzzing through my skies? I will swat you like the little insect you are!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4933.png)
Lunar Ramuh is a bit of a showman, blasting his way onto the deck.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4937.png)
He hits hard and fast, being a fan of swift lightning strikes, but doesn't have any obnoxious tricks I can remember.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4941.png)
:shrug:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4942.png)
The reward is, yes, Lunar Ramuh's Grimoire.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4944.png)
Why the lightning creature carried the Fiery Hammer I do not know.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4947.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4949.png)
The Fiery Hammer maxes out Niku's attack and sometimes casts Flare on a hit.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4950.png)
Lunar Core...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4951.png)
Mt. Ordeals...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4953.png)
Some very nice armor for Brent can be found at the mirror chamber.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4960.png)
:shrug:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4962.png)
Opposite of the Flan floor above, this floor is full of monsters who resist magic.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4965.png)
Mostly the Proto Phase, an upgrade to the Wicked Mask.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4966.png)
Niku and Brent's new spellcasting weapons turn into a liability against creatures who cast Reflect...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4967.png)
But a new Ribbon is nothing to sneeze at.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4969.png)
The next floor has a Vishnu Vest, just out in the open.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4970.png)
Don't let it fool you, Romo is still hilariously fragile.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4975.png)
Another level is full of...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4976.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4977.png)
Dolls! Good thing I didn't bring Kabbage.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4979.png)
This is... the final floor!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4980.png)
Offscreen Voice from Waaay Back At The Beginning: This is my world... who dares step into it? Who?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4983.png)
Voice: I am complete darkness... I am Zeromus, but at the same time, I am not... I am Zeromus EG. It's been a while since I've seen humans... Don't fail to amuse me...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4989.png)
Okay, so there were three versions of Final Fantasy IV on the SNES/Super Famicom. There was the original version that got ported onto the GBA that you've more or less seen here, and a rather dumbed-down version that in Japanese was called "Easytype" (and retroactively, the other version was "Hardtype"). Characters lost abilities, items and spells were dummied out, and -- notably for this context -- Zeromus's battle sprite was changed to this centipede-cyborg-guy with an elf girl growing out of his crotch.
The game ported to the USA was neither Hardtype nor Easytype, although it was more similar to Easytype. But it had differences all its own, for example, Cecil had his Darkness attack in Easytype but didn't in the USA version.
Anyway, this guy is Zeromus EG, "EG" being pronounced about the same as "easy" in Japanese. They couldn't just call him "Zeromus Easy", though, because... he's harder. What did you expect, he's a Final Fantasy postgame superboss!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4991.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4992.png)
Zeromus EG opens with Big Bang, then follows with a combination of Toad and Mini.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4998.png)
He combos Flame, Lightning, and Earthquake attacks and can hit four or five times a turn. That's enough to overkill Brent or Niku, if he concentrates multiple attacks on one target.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4999.png)
He has counters, too. Early in the fight he casts Reflect on himself if you hit him with magic, so it's kind of a good thing I didn't bring Zara. Later he casts Absorb to restore his own HP, but that means he's on his last legs. He starts hitting a little harder and countering attacks with Curse, but it just takes a little more damage to...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5000.png)
Send him slowly offscreen.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5001.png)
Zeromus EG: Now is the time to take a short sleep... I must rest... Farewell...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5005.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5007.png)
Your reward for beating Zeromus EG is... that he gets to go take a little nap. No, really. That's it.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5008.png)
Party change! Striker party has become Mage party!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5010.png)
I've already shown most of the dungeon so I'm gonna fast-forward a bit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5011.png)
Brent: Kabbage...
Kabbage: I feel something... A strong energy...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5014.png)
I hear a voice... from offscreen...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5016.png)
Well, at least this one introduces himself.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5017.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5018.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5021.png)
Monks! They look like a huge crowd, but there's only (only...) eight distinct enemies.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5024.png)
You know what's good for fighting off parties of eight monsters?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5026.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5027.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5029.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5030.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5032.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5034.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5035.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5036.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5038.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5039.png)
I'm skipping over the last two battles with the Drillmasters, because you get the idea.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5040.png)
Goddamn right it is.
Lunar Titan: You are the first to come all this way... I shall lend you my powers... ...if you can prove yourself!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5046.png)
Lunar Titan punches awfully hard but often tries to cast Earthquake because it's his thing. Earthquake is one of the few attacks I can just straight-up nullify, and I have, so...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5050.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5051.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5052.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5053.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5054.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5059.png)
The Discipline Armlet turns Power into Deadly, tripling Kabbage's attack power for a single devastating strike.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5060.png)
The Piggy's Stick is... well, a stick. But it's got more raw attack power than the Holy Lance that I had to fight Plague Horror for. idgi
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5062.png)
There are number tiles scattered around. Guess what you have to do!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5068.png)
Right, next Trial.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5069.png)
Sure is foggy in here.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5070.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5072.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5074.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5077.png)
Lyrai reverts to her child self!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5078.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5079.png)
And her summons all bugger off!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5083.png)
It's a full reversion. She's able to cast her white magic again, although I can't imagine why you'd bother.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5084.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5085.png)
The summons that left were Shiva, Ifrit, Titan, and Ramuh. Chocobo and Dragon don't leave for this scene, and you can keep any of the summons you earned in battle.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5086.png)
All of the random encounters here are "Mist" creatures. They're strong, but they're of the cockatrice, goblin, mind flayer, or bomb class; and summoners of same. So if you want to hang around and try to get a drop for the Cockatrice, Goblin, Mind Flayer, or Bomb summons, here's a good place.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5091.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5094.png)
Summon Monster Ifrit is nowhere near as strong as Lunar Ifrit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5096.png)
Upon defeating him, you get the summon back. Hooray, I guess. I haven't summoned Ifrit since getting Leviathan oh-so-long ago.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5101.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5105.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5113.png)
Not surprisingly, all the other missing summons must be treated the same way.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5117.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5119.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5120.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5122.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5124.png)
He's a ravamp of the first tutorial boss in the game, so it stands to reason he's been buffed up a bit.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5125.png)
He does keep his old turn-incorporeal trick, though...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5126.png)
...at the exact same power it was before. Way to... give me several turns to heal up in the middle of your vicious boss fight...?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5127.png)
:shrug:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5128.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5130.png)
Hey, you're... well, you're less jailbait now...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5136.png)
The Mist Ring makes Lyrai's Dragon add Blink status to the whole party in addition to its regular holy-elemental attack.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4911.png)
Problem is, you can't land in the desert. You have to park nearby and hoof it into town.
In the SNES version, you can park directly adjacent to Kaipo? I think it's one square east?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5026.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5027.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5029.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5030.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5032.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5034.png)
Holy crap, this dungeon rules!
Somehow I never did any of the postgame for FF4A, despite beating ages ago. Some of this is pretty great so far.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4873.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4876.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba4881.png)
All I Want - The Offspring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45g4Yz4YfaQ#)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5140.png)
I used up the Grimoire LO, allowing Brent access to his own trial again.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5143.png)
There are seven or eight different tests of character in this trial, and this time I get a couple of different ones.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5144.png)
Crunch. A true paladin is honest about having broken someone's prized possession.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5151.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5152.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5153.png)
Om nom nom. Burrrp. What?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5155.png)
Some old fart leaves a Megalixir at someone's grave. A true paladin doesn't desecrate memorials to the dead, but I wish I'd known this trial was coming up. I'd have kept the Megalixir and given back the Golden Apple.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5160.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5161.png)
The Flandango was called the "Index Finger" in Japan, and I have no idea what that's supposed to mean. It has poor attack power but does extra damage to Flan monsters. You get it instead of the Lightbringer if you screw up one of the tests of character.
If you screw up all five, all you get is a hunk of scrap metal. No one can equip it but it can be Thrown... for sad and pathetic damage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5165.png)
The fight with Lunar Odin goes much faster with a couple of Black Mages present.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5167.png)
The Giant of Babel's mouth...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5168.png)
Mt... well, I forget which mountain this is. Either Ordeals or Hobbs I guess.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5169.png)
Sealed Cavern...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5171.png)
Tower of... Babel or Zot, I suppose. Look, I haven't memorized every damn map in the game!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5172.png)
If you already have the Grimoire, the game just tells you the door won't open instead of hinting at who you should bring to open it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5176.png)
Another Zelda-style faerie spring...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5177.png)
With a doggie bag!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5183.png)
Upon revisiting the lower town level and buying a bunch of sweet gear from its shops, I equip everyone with their armor upgrades and some new weapons. MCE and Lyrai get Assassin's Daggers, because in the rare circumstance where they use a physical hit it they're more likely to kill something as a status effect than through straight damage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5184.png)
Giant's Stomach.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5185.png)
Hey, it's you! I figured you were gone forever. I'll win this time, since I'm about double the experience level I was when you partywiped me before!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5191.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5192.png)
MCE: I don't think we can continue down this path.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5195.png)
Zara: Hey! There's something written over here!
MCE: Let me try to decipher it. "Into the narrow gate and beyond two paths. Two must become one to overcome the trials."
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5203.png)
Well, better let the twins with a telepathic connection handle it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5207.png)
This Trial has a lot of talk talk talk talk talk talk talk about things that should be patently obvious, like how this hole is really tiny and only a small child rather than a fullgrown man in heavy armor can fit through, so this is a Trial where the twins each go solo on their own path.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5219.png)
And then words words words words words words words about how one twin pushing a button opens a passage on the other twin's path.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5229.png)
:hurr:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5233.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5234.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5239.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5243.png)
Some holes are small enough that only Minified people or Toads can fit through. Some doors only open when pigs try to pass them. Some floors are cracked and can't be stepped on, but can be Floated over. So the dungeon provides methods of self-inflicting those statuses to get through what could have been a brain-straining maze but is actually a quite linear path.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5263.png)
Eventually you find the big green buttons that marks the Trial's end, and by navigating each twin to their own button, they get the bright idea to push them both at the same time.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5269.png)
Which lowers the slab in the main chamber, hooray.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5272.png)
The twins return without any further prompting from the player.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5278.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5281.png)
Like the other Lunar summons, Leviathan opens with his biggest attack to leave you struggling to heal up.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5282.png)
But, uh... it's not very effective.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5283.png)
He breaks it out a couple of times, but the rest of the fight is a cinch.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5284.png)
That is literally every screencap I took of this battle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5285.png)
Standard reward!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5287.png)
MCE tries to take a little bit of the piss out of Zara's constant boasting, which he shrugs off.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5291.png)
You get two sets for some mysterious reason!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5292.png)
Equipping both Zara and MCE with Twin Stars gives them the ability to whip out Double Meteor instead of Pyro or Comet when they use their Twin Magic. But at this point, who cares? Double Meteor is still constrained by the 9999 damage limit, and both casters have magic that easily reaches that sort of output on their own. Factor in that both twins can move more than once in the time it would take to charge Double Meteor and you have the choice of doing 9999 damage once or 9999 damage four to six times.
The only time to use Double Meteor is if there are multiple strong enemies covering themselves with Reflect, I suppose.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5295.png)
Old Man: You must not fight the dragon on this floor! IF you spot him, you must run! So many have met their end...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5299.png)
And there he is, the game's Omega Weapon. Only, you know, a biological creature rather than a machine.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5301.png)
So let's give it a whirl, shall we?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5302.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5303.png)
Hmm
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5309.png)
Hmmmmm
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5313.png)
Hmmmmmmmmm
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5316.png)
When he whips out Globe199 and a Firaga-Blizzaga-Thundaga triplecast, it's the beginning of the end.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5319.png)
When he whips out a triplecast including Holy and Flare? That's the end of the end.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5321.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5324.png)
Screw you guys, I'm goin' home.
-
Ummmmmm!!
-
It's really too bad the Hide exploit in 4 is less useful than the one in 5. It takes a while, but I really liked beating Omega with zombies.
-
So anyway, that's almost all there is. But there's so much I haven't covered! Time to dick around with cheat codes for a little while and see what I can hack up.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5327.png)
The most promising is a code that affects the ingame variable that determines what mob of monsters you fight. Here I am outside Mysidia, on the overworld, fighting the mistborn monsters from Lyrai's Lunar Trial. Why bother? Well, the enemies in that area include Mist Eagles and Mist Krakens, which can also drop the Cockatrice and Mind Flayer summon emblems. The Mist Summoner in back summons more Mist Krakens.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5328.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5329.png)
I slew 250 Mist Krakens. I counted.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5332.png)
Have you gotten the impression that the game is a bit too stingy with rare drops? I'm pretty sure I've gone through the entire game without seeing even one. But that's okay, because I'm already hacking the game. Might as well do it to my inventory, too.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5340.png)
Graphically, the hidden summons are nothing to write home about. Petrifying Beak looks exactly the same as Break. It's also single-target, which leads me to wonder why it exists at all. (It was the only secret summon dummied out of the SNES game, so it must really be redundant.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5342.png)
Mind Blast is just a tiny glimmer, and only affects one target. It's a little bit of nonelemental damage plus paralysis and HP drain, making it probably the most useful secret summon... but that's not saying much.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5346.png)
Self-Destruct (or "Responsible Bomb Use" in the DS version, since Lyrydia might have a slight aversion to careless summoning of such creatures) does about as much damage as Lyrai has HP. To one target.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5348.png)
Goblin Punch does less damage than Chocobo Kick. I'm not sure if the clause from later games that boosts damage if the caster and target have the same experience level is in effect here, and I don't really care.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5349.png)
Gilgamesh, you seem a little shorter and not-a-multi-armed-humanoid-weapons-collector lately! Alas, this is another localization flub. See, in Japan, they have these turtles called Zeni-game, or "money turtles". (Don't bother Googling it, Zenigame is also the Japanese name for Squirtle, and those guys are way more popular.) Presumably their shells look like coins.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5350.png)
Well, "Zeni" is Japanese for "money", but in the Final Fantasy series, money is "gil". Hence the "Gil-game", a murderous tortoise that's worth a lot of money as a reward for killing it.
Only in this game, the name got confused for recurring series character Gilgamesh. :whoops:
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5351.png)
Using these hacks I can also fight the Brachioraidos on my own terms, fully-healed and prepared.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5353.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5355.png)
The reward is the Hero's Shield, the only shield in the game that anyone can equip. It grants +15 to all stats and absorbs every kind of elemental attack in the game.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5356.png)
Unfortunately, there are a few characters who can equip a Hero's Shield, but still might not want to. Romo's harps lyres are two-handed weapons, so he has to equip a dagger or something to carry the shield. Without an instrument, he can't use Barksong or Chant.
Likewise, Niku's hammers are two-handed, and Kabbage and D.Ni dual-wield rather than carry shields. So it's a great piece of equipment for a spellcaster, since they have very few defensive options and use one-handed weapons.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5357.png)
On the Flan Floor of the Lunar Ruins, it's possible to meet eight Princess Flans at once. I could just hack the Pink Tails into my inventory, but goshdarnit I guess I'd better earn something legitimately.
Er, as legitimately as it can be when every encounter gives eight chances to drop the item.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5359.png)
Oh, that reminds me, I never did use any of these Grimoires.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5360.png)
Why, they look and function exactly like every other summon in the game! How novel.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5361.png)
Good damage output though.
-
So let's fight some royal jellies!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5362.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5365.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5366.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5367.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5368.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5369.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5370.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5371.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5372.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5373.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5374.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5375.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5376.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5377.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5378.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5379.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5380.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5381.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5382.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5383.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5384.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5385.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5386.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5387.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5388.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5389.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5390.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5391.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5392.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5394.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5395.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5396.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5397.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5398.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5399.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5400.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5401.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5402.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5403.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5404.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5405.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5406.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5407.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5408.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5409.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5410.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5411.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5412.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5413.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5414.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5415.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5417.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5418.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5420.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5421.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5422.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5423.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5425.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5426.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5427.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5428.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5429.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5430.png)
Nope.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5431.png)
FINE GAWD
You'd have to be some kinda... some kinda Lyrai to grind this out.
-
GRINDQUEST
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5363.png)
As we level up, we notice... uh, Kabbage is falling a bit behind. Shouldn't the Monk have more HP than the rest of the party? It's kind of their shtick. Alas, poor Kabbage has a bug in this version: he gets no HP growth at all after level 60. It still takes the other frontline fighters about ten levels to catch up, but still.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5393.png)
Hey, what are you doing here, little airship? Apparently doing Niku's Lunar Trial moves the airship around the "real" world map. Agart is the last destination in the Trial, so here it is.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5424.png)
The screencap with Kabbage in the party before was shortly after starting the Princess Flan grind. This is near the point where I called it quits. Princess Flans are worth 55,555 gil each. That's about 1500 flans, (gee R^2 how come you haven't updated your LP in a couple of days?) and still no Pink Tail.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5432.png)
So to hell with it. Adamant Armor is nice, providing stupidly high defense (+100, compared to Brent's or Niku's current armor, which provides thirty-something) and resistance to status ailments, but it's not worth all my free time. I mean, maybe if you have a dull-ass job where you can get away with playing a Game Boy between phonecalls or something, you can work at it...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5433.png)
Once more into the breach!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5434.png)
Well, no. But you have to find it and bring it to this guy to exit his level.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5439.png)
It teleports away when you get on the same screen, so you have to be quick to engage it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5443.png)
Yes, here, fine, I hope you choke on it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5448.png)
Missed this the first time. It's Romo's final weapon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5450.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5452.png)
Door: No one else may enter.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5454.png)
Brent: Are you sure?
Mars: Don't worry about me. I'll be back.
Brent: Alright. We'll be searching other areas.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5458.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5459.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5460.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5461.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5462.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5463.png)
Looks like Mars wanged her head on the doorframe on the way in.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5465.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5467.png)
Mars: Is this... Baron? Why am I here?
Brent: I'm glad you're alright.
Mars: What's going on here? What's with all the noise?
Brent: A soldier was attacked last night by an unknown assailant.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5472.png)
Mars: Friday...? Why am I here?
Brent: We were worried about you, so we followed you here. We found you lying here, and the town's in turmoil. There's something strange going on...
Friday: I heard a soldier was attacked by someone or something... I don't know the details, but...
Brent: I think we should investigate.
Mars: Yeah, I agree.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5481.png)
Girl: I've seen a shadow of someone darting through the night skies...
Soldier: What!? Did you see who it was?
Girl: I couldn't see clearly. All I saw was someone dressed in black jumping across rooftops. Only a dragoon could jump like that...
Soldier: A dragoon!? H-How dare you! The dragoons have been loyally serving the kingdom for ages!
Girl: I-I didn't mean to accuse anyone!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5490.png)
Weapons Vendor: I saw the whole thing! It was the Grim Reaper! It was the hand of Death! I heard a noise, so I came back to the store. I noticed that the back door was wide open. I stepped outside to see what was going on, and I saw a black shadow fly into the sky!
Soldier: A black shadow...?
Weapons Vendor: The figure carried a large scythe... It had to be the Grim Reaper!
Soldier: Death...?
Weapons Vendor: I know what I saw!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5500.png)
Soldier: ...who is behind all of this.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5502.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5503.png)
Brent: Do you think Mars did this? Maybe you forgot that he was also attacked!
Soldier: That's not what I meant. However, in this vicinity, dragoons are the only ones who mainly use lances as weapons... I was just pointing out the facts.
Mars isn't necessarily under accusation -- as the game has implied over the course of the plot, there are regiments of dragoons training in Baron. Any one of them could turn out to be a homicidal psychopath.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5509.png)
Soldier: Nothing yet...
Captain: I see... Oh, I see everyone is here. As you can see, the town is in turmoil... However, that will end soon! I will capture the one behind this! If anyone finds any important information, make sure you let me know immediately!
Brent: Yes, we certainly will.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5523.png)
Captain: What?
Soldier: If the suspect has been seen jumping from roof to roof, I think we should have Sir Mars help. He's the only one who can chase the suspect. In case we can't catch him...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5530.png)
The Captain is furious that one of his subordinates would even suggest that they'd need help catching their assault suspect, running off the poor officer. The Captain then turns around and asks Brent and Mars for help. :nyoro~n:
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5539.png)
Why this is a necessary step is a mystery to me, since Brent, Mars, and Friday all live in Baron. I guess with the town gates shut for the remainder of the mystery plot, Brent and Mars can't get back to their quarters in the castle.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5542.png)
That's not a problem for Brent, who shacks up with Friday instead.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5544.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5548.png)
During the night, Mars has some dreams about the situation at hand.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5555.png)
Once awake, she ponders the clues provided...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5557.png)
...until falling back to sleep.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5559.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5561.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5562.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5563.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5564.png)
They could just call it the "Blood Lance" but that would get confusing. Mars can't equip this, and probably shouldn't even if it were possible. Might give the wrong impression.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5567.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5569.png)
Not a thrusting sword, or a common spear, or any of the other myriad weapons that poke pointy bits of metal into people. It must have been a lance, and nothing else.
Mars: This was done by someone accustomed to using this weapon. The weapons vendor was an important witness. This wasn't a random attack...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5575.png)
Weapon Vendor's Wife: We both thought it was an awful coincidence, and now this...
In retrospect it seems to be the exact opposite of a coincidence. What's the word for that? Ah yes, a contrivance.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5578.png)
Brent: What?
Friday: Mars? What's wrong?
Mars: I found this lance in my room...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5583.png)
Looks like Mars is being framed!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5588.png)
Mars dutifully turns the lance over as evidence.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5592.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5596.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5598.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5600.png)
Aha! Brent is the culprit!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5601.png)
Mars: No. Why do you ask?
Brent: I was just wondering where she is. Mars, you should keep searching for more clues.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5609.png)
The townspeople are a bit on edge to see a dragoon walking around.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5610.png)
And nobody knows where Friday is.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5616.png)
Meanwhile, the training hall has been turned into an impromptu forensics lab.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5618.png)
Which is odd in itself, since Mars wears gloves.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5623.png)
I suppose this triggers once you've talked to everyone, but all in all it's a short day.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5627.png)
Once again, Mars is kept awake by nightmares.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5628.png)
This time, rather than go back to bed, Mars gets up and gets... well, everyone sleeps in their armor, so there's no need to get dressed.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5629.png)
A cup of coffee would probably be nice, but the innkeeper is elsewhere, probably in his own bed.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5630.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5631.png)
It takes eight more dialog boxes to establish but while we're up we're going to help Brent look for Friday.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5640.png)
I'm sure she's fine, it's not like somebody would tie her up and throw her in a corner somewhere to die of exposure.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5641.png)
...oh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5642.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5643.png)
Ooh, harsh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5645.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5646.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5647.png)
...double harsh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5650.png)
Triple harsh.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5656.png)
Thoroughly blueballed, Mars returns to bed.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5658.png)
Mars: It's fine.
I skipped the scene where Mars wrote angsty poetry on her LiveJournal and ate a whole pint of Ben & Jerry's.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5660.png)
Friday: I was at home sleeping when I heard someone calling to me. Before I realized it, I was standing outside... I knew I had to get back inside, and that's when... A man dressed in black appeared from above... When I came to, I found myself in the spot where you found me. And Mars was standing right in front of me... I can't remember anything else. It felt like everything happened in a dream...
Brent: I see...
Friday: Wait, there was something else.
Brent: Another clue?
Friday: I constantly heard... someone's voice...
Brent: Whose?
Friday: I don't know. It was a very sad voice... But a warm voice that filled me with feelings of nostalgia... That voice... Where have I heard it before...?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5678.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5680.png)
Mars deduces that the mark left where Friday was sitting could only have been made by a lance. So the culprit is... Friday's lance-ass!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5684.png)
Her-durp.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5685.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5686.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5687.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5688.png)
Seems like another contrivance that as soon as Mars finds the blood-soaked lance by her bed, the cops roll in...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5689.png)
Captain: I'm terribly sorry, Sir Mars! I don't want to do this, but I must put you in restraints... I didn't want to believe you were the one behind all this... However, the weapon used in the attacks has shown up in your room...
Soldier: I hate to do this, but will you come with us for some questioning later?
Mars: ...Alright...
Captian: Please stay inside until the charges are dropped.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5701.png)
The soldiers take the blood-soaked lance, then bar the door.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5702.png)
Nothing to do but go back to bed.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5703.png)
Mars: (Wh-Who's there?)
Voice: (You still haven't figured it out? This is what you hoped for...) (Come... With your strength, it'll be easy to take out the guards...)
Mars: (I can't lay a hand on soldiers from Baron!)
Voice: (See? That wasn't so bad.)
Mars: (!)
Voice: (Come... Leave this place... Kill him.)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5712.png)
Man Zemus even gets to the poor guy in his own Trial.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5713.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5714.png)
Or... not Zemus. Might just be that monster.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5715.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5716.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5719.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5720.png)
It does not.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5723.png)
Gotcha! Now to see who this ghost really is!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5724.png)
Why, it's old man Jenkins, from the abandoned canning factory!
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5725.png)
Captain: I knew you could help us! I apologize from the bottom of my heart for having locked you up. Take him away!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5728.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5729.png)
The captain picks up the lance from where Old Man Jenkins dropped it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5730.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5733.png)
I still don't!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5734.png)
Brent: The incident is finally over. We should leave town tomorrow. It's late. Mars, you should rest in the inn as well.
Fine, just go back to your ladyfriend's house and do whatever the hell it is you get away with in her little one-room shack with her mom right there. This is all over, I'm going back to slee--
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5739.png)
God dammit.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5744.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5745.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5747.png)
Brent... took the Devil's Road? Why would he go to Mysidia?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5748.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5749.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5750.png)
Or this Road leads to another mirror chamber, with Rosa already captured (you'd think she'd learn how to undo knots sooner or later) and Brent out cold.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5753.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5754.png)
Wouldn't be a mirror chamber without something popping out of the mirror.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5755.png)
Mars: ...Who are you!?
???: Who am I? You should know the answer to this question better than anyone else. I am you. I am your desire. I am your true self. This is the world I created for myself. Come! Now is the time to grant all of your wishes!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5761.png)
???: Deep down, you have wanted Brent out of the picture. You have wished him gone, away from you. Now is the chance to make that wish come true! With that blood-soaked lance!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5764.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5765.png)
Not so much "fight" when he's lying unconscious. More... "murder in cold blood".
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5767.png)
Take the lance, and...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5768.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5771.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5773.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5774.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5775.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5776.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5777.png)
Mars: ...? How long... How long was I in there?
Brent: What are you talking about? You just went inside.
Mars: ...I see...
Brent: What was past those doors?
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5782.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5783.png)
-
We always knew a girl penetrating him from behind would be what killed Brent.
-
Stabbing Brent is pretty much my ideal future, yeah.
-
The screencap with Kabbage in the party before was shortly after starting the Princess Flan grind. This is near the point where I called it quits. Princess Flans are worth 55,555 gil each. That's about 1500 flans, (gee R^2 how come you haven't updated your LP in a couple of days?) and still no Pink Tail.
Tail farming is worth doing in the DS version; a couple sets of Onion equipment and an Adamant armor or two makes the second and third playthroughs very smooth (except that Cecil can't equip it until he turns Paladin). In any other version I can't see it being worth the bother.
-
Stabbing Brent is pretty much my ideal future, yeah.
In... the way you usually mean it, or the way Lyrai meant it?
-
We always knew a girl penetrating him from behind would be what killed Brent.
yes, but who would have thought it'd be Mars who did it?
-
Wait.
"Zenny" is a real thing?
-
Yes, "zeni" means "coin" or "money".
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5786.png)
No! Who would fix the servers when a TF update went awry?!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5787.png)
???: You wish to deny who you really are?
Mars: I wish to deny my weakness!
???: Then I shall become you. Desire is all humans' source of power!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5792.png)
The monster turns into the purple-tinged evil Mars, grabs the bloodstained lance, and attacks!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5793.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5796.png)
As with Brent's trial to become a paladin, attacking here will just get you killed. You have to wait, as before.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5799.png)
As Mars redoubles her vow to overcome the darkness in her own heart, the Dark Mars leaps offscreen, leaving a massive explosion!
-
Mars' inner self is apparently a dude named Kain.
Mars? Is there something you want to talk about?
Wait.
"Zenny" is a real thing?
I remember reading a long time ago that a zeni is an archaic unit of Japanese currency worth about 1/10 or 1/100 of a yen (and thus rendered completely worthless due to inflation), but I can't find any source to back that up now. It does kind of make sense that they'd use an old form of currency for games that supposedly take place long ago, the same way in western settings you have people carrying around actual gold coins instead of legal tender (which probably nobody did but hey).
-
Stabbing Brent is pretty much my ideal future, yeah.
In... the way you usually mean it, or the way Lyrai meant it?
Both :vladtheimpaler:
-
That...does seem like a programming oversight. How hard would it have been to make the Dark Kain be Dark [$NAME]?
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5800.png)
The explosion reveals Mars's true nemesis: Lunar Bahamut. Fought one-on-one!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5801.png)
The countdown starts at 3, rather than 5.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5802.png)
To win, you wait until the counter reaches 1...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5804.png)
...and Jump so that Mega Flare triggers while its only target is in the air. Lunar Bahamut counterattacks with a physical hit once Mars lands, but that's no big deal.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5808.png)
I eventually realized that Mega Flare at this level, and through the magic defense provided by the Hero's Shield, does only a smidge over 1000 damage. So a mechanically interesting battle turns into a plain ol' beatdown.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5809.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5811.png)
The Dragoon Gloves improve the Jump command so that Mars springs off an enemy and hits it again before landing, doing grievous harm. I'm not sure if it straight doubles damage or just gives it a boost, and it doesn't matter, because by this point she's likely doing 9999 damage either way.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5813.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5814.png)
Abel's Lance is Mars's ultimate weapon, maxing attack power and occasionally casting Tornado when it hits. Through software bug or design, the spell even triggers on monsters normally immune to Tornado -- it's now possible to two-hit the Brachioraidos if you're lucky.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5816.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/kainalone.png)
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5827.png)
I may not have any Adamant Armor, but with the second Village of the Moon item shop, I can pretty well break the game anyway.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5828.png)
Having 154 Megalixirs really lets you clean up your inventory. No need for any level of potion or ether, anymore!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5829.png)
Did I mention you can get more than one Hero's Shield, limited only by the number of times you go into the Lunar Ruins to reach the level it's on? Because you can. And the Hero's Shield makes every subsequent fight with Brachioraidos easier, because his attacks are just that much less likely to wipe the party.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5830.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5833.png)
hahahaha
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5841.png)
Seriously man what can you do? Friday doesn't even need to cast magic anymore, she can just throw Megalixirs every turn if I feel like it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5843.png)
Zeromus EG's combination Earthquake/Tidal Wave/Flame attack? Not even remotely scary.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5844.png)
The Grimoires don't act as summon items in this fight... but some of them have extra effects. The Grimoire LA will poison Zeromus EG for a little while, not like you'd notice the gradual HP slip before he recovers.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5845.png)
But the Grimoire LD? Well...
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5846.png)
I am pretty certain that is something that is never supposed to happen to a final boss.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5854.png)
Aww, he transforms back before he dies! I wanted the dramatic, thunderclap-announced slow disintegrate to mark the death of a harmless amphibian. ::(:
-
And... well, I guess that's it. That's all the game and the post-plot dungeon.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5855.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5865.png)
Brent's final stats, both unequipped and fully loaded with Lightbringer/Hero's Shield/Ribbon/Caesar Plate/Protect Ring. His strength and stamina are naturally capped, making him a tank, but his middling Spirit means he'd make a decent white mage if he didn't stop learning spells at Cura and Esuna.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5856.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5866.png)
Mars, naked and fully equipped with Hero's Shield/Abel's Lance/Ribbon/Dragoon Plate/Dragoon Gloves. Agility nearing the cap makes him crazy-fast. It's a shame the flawed ATB system means she takes forever to actually jump after you give the command, though.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5857.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5867.png)
Friday's loadout is the Yoichi Bow and Perseus Arrows, because her Spirit is naturally maxed out and equipping a staff doesn't make it go any higher. Since bows and arrows occupy both hand slots, though, she's left without the Hero's Shield for all its myriad boosts. But it doesn't matter -- at this point, I have 150 Megalixirs. I don't need a white mage.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5858.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5868.png)
Lyrai has always been my lowest-leveled party member. I'm not sure why. She gets shuffled out of the party enough that leaked or shared experience should still count, so I don't get it. She might just plain level up slower than anyone else; her total experience accrued seems to indicate this is the case.
Anyway, her Intellect is near the cap, but not so far that I feel obliged to equip her with a rod instead of the Assassin's Dagger. That accounts for the massive jump in her Agility, which a turtle-slow caster like Lyrai benefits from greatly.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5862.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5869.png)
Kabbage's gear -- the Hand of the Gods and Dragon's Claw, Ribbon, Battle Suit, and Discipline Armlet -- don't do much for his base stats. Tellingly, his attack power stays exactly the same; only his accuracy goes up. But the poor guy stopped being viable twenty levels ago because of his buggy HP growth. Sorry, Kabbage.
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5792.png)
The monster turns into the purple-tinged evil Mars, grabs the bloodstained lance, and attacks!
Okay, that is a great post-game quest.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5846.png)
I am pretty certain that is something that is never supposed to happen to a final boss.
the greatest thing that could possibly happen in this battle
-
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5859.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5870.png)
Zara can't equip the Assassin's Dagger, probably due to another bug (or programmer's confusion, because MCE can). So he's stuck with the Asura's Rod, which does him no particular favors. Asura's Rod boosts Intelligence, which he doesn't need, and Spirit, which is only used to cast Holy out of the Asura's Rod itself. At least his armor gives him a good Agility boost -- again, as a sluggish caster-type, he needs it.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5860.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5871.png)
Again, my post-Princess-Flan shopping spree obviates the need for white mages in general.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5861.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5874.png)
While his stat growth for the past 30 levels has been impressive, Romo still isn't able to reach the cap in any of his stats, even with his very nice equipment boosts. Again, it doesn't help that he can't equip the Hero's Shield and still use his one useful character ability -- and equipping the Shield leaves him with the Assassin's Dagger, which either halves his damage output or doubles his damage taken, depending on how you look at battle row formations.
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5863.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5873.png)
Disposable Ninja's equipment -- including the katanas Mutsonokami and Sasuke's Katana, which I didn't mention getting in the writeup because who cares -- gives him a well-rounded boost to all his stats. Including Spirit, for some reason, while I'm pretty certain his ninjutsu magic is based on Intellect. As always, don't let that raw attack power fool you -- his katanas do only half damage from the back row, where he still belongs thanks to his crappy defenses. Even the mages can take an asskicking better than he can!
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5864.png)
(http://www.intentionallyblank.net/images/lp-ff4gba/lp-ff4gba5875.png)
Niku is a hoss, like always. I think his Fiery Hammer gives him a boost to Intelligence so that the Flares it procs aren't a total waste of time, but really his focus is right where it should be: Strength and Stamina. His endgame equipment is a little disappointing in raw defensive power, though, as he's outdone by the other heavily-armored frontline fighters Brent and Mars.
-
DEFEATED THE GOD OF DRAGONS SINGLE-HANDED
WHO IS BEST DRAGOON
IT IS ME
-
Did I get the last shot?