Saturday, July 25, 2015

FFVII Crisis Core – Part 40: A Short Rest

Summary: Zack takes a vacation, but shit gets real, and real quick, when Genesis clones attack. Zack and the Turks head to Junon to help against Genesis clones there and to secure Hollander.


Opening

-A while has passed since the incident in Modeo. Zack’s on standby.

-Shinra’s in “disarray,” and the Turks seem to hang around Zack a lot as unofficial bodyguards or something.

-Angeal and Genesis are seldom mentioned, and Zack feels pretty burned. Like Shinra is devaluing SOLDIER’s sacrifice and contribution.

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Beach!

-Hey, vacation time! I can’t remember the name of the vacation spot from FFVII, but I want to say… something something Sol? Like, Isle of Sol?

-Zack’s restless, doing squats as usual. Cissnei’s around as well.




-Cissnei reveals to Zack that Aerith is being watched because she’s an Ancient. Just kind of springs that on him. He takes the news well.

-Then BOOM! Tseng (in his regular suit, not the beach-attire of Zack and Cissnei) charges in warning of Genesis copies attacking who spring from the water.

-LOLOL – no Buster Sword, but who needs that when you got Hagrid-style weapons at hand?



-More keep emerging from the surf. After about 10 of them, the fight ends.

-The music is wonderful on this beach. I really like it.

-Why are these guys still an issue?

-oh lol. Zack asks that very question.



Tseng gives the lifestream answer, that maybe Genesis’s spirit is still hanging around and directing traffic or exerting influence. I hear souls sometimes do that.

*nudge nudge wink wink*
*digs elbow sharply into Aerith’s and Sephiroth’s ribs*

-Zack’s vacation is over. Junon’s under attack of some kind, so Tseng wants him along to investigate.

-Just hit me: I really have no idea what the “crisis core” is that the title refers too. Since the last session, my thoughts have led me to believe it must have something to do with Sephiroth breaking bad.

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Lower Junon

-This place is FUCKED UP.



-Genesis copies are attacking.

-So weird to see the Buster Sword in Zack’s hands rather than Angeal’s or Cloud’s.

-Hollander’s in town. Zack’s task is to find and protect him.

-Lazard’s disappeared.

-I could take this opportunity to do side missions… but I’m already right here in Junon. From a roleplay perspective, feels weird to just take a break now. I’ll do that when time allows after the main story mission slows a bit.

-Woot! I finally got a Cloud limit break. Zack hears his voice say, “The power of SOLDER!” Zack mentally says, “Alright, HERE COMES THE BIG ONE!” flies into the air, and starts hurling “Meteor Shots.” Like Cloud’s “Meteorain” limit break.

-Yet another fight where when the main enemies die, more spawn in the same encounter to take their place. I’m not wild about this new mechanic. In small doses it can feel cool, like Zack has to fight a swarm of oncoming enemies. Used more than a little though, and it’ll feel like the game’s just artificially trying to extend content. That’s already a problem enough for Crisis Core.

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Lower Junon – Level 6

-Elevator brings Zack up to a pile of bodies and a Genesis clone (I assume it’s a clone) in a red jacket.



-hahahaha, he’s got one of those awesome sword-gun hybrids. It’s a sword, but it has a spinnable chamber and shit. [Edit two seconds later: it’s a “Gunblade” going by the name of the attack that this clone, a “G Blader,” uses.]

-Hollander escaped the detention center here. At least he wasn’t kidnapped by the clones.

-Found Hollander, but he keeps running.

-WHAT THE SWEET MOTHER OF FUCK JUST HAPPENED??




-Got a triple Cloud DMW limit break. But then the screen went fiery, got some weird script on it, and the Cloud images seemed to transform into Genesis images!

-The limit ability used was “Apocalypse.”



A massive red circle with all kinds of sigils in it formed on the ground, Zack flew up into the air, and caused fire and lightning to obliterate the enemies in the circle. He heard Genesis say, “Show me the true power of SOLDIER,” and Zack responded with something I couldn’t understand. He sounded nervous though.

I love the details on the Apocalypse image. All those LOVELESS quotes!

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Next time: continued pursuit through Junon for Hollander.