Mission: Mysteries of the World > Fun in the Sun! > Vacation Time (1/3)
-I’m immediately intrigued. This “Mysteries of the World” series was previously used to fight tonberries and cactuars. What could Costa del Sol hold?
-The mission description is no help. Just says that Zack is granted vacation time at Costa del Sol to relax.
-Just as he’s about to relax, some dude runs up and says the flipper ninjas (not his name) are attacking.
”Hey, listen!”
Zack fights them with an umbrella.
Ok. I mean, it’s a funny image, but it was already done.
-lolol – once the flipper ninjas are defeated, he’s ready to relax!
But doesn’t know how, so just starts doing some squats.
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Mission: Mysteries of the World > Fun in the Sun! > Vacation for Real (2/3)
-Same exact set-up as before. This time, Sahagins attack instead of flipper ninjas.
”Hey, listen!”
They have high health, but a weakness to lightning and die easy.
-Literally the same thing as before. Same frames, video, images, right down to wrapping up with squats instead of relaxing.
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Mission: Mysteries of the World > Fun in the Sun! > Please Make it a Vacation (3/3)
-Third time’s (probably not) a charm.
-Starts with the same exact quote as before: “Here at last, Costa del Sol!” as if he weren’t just here already.
-Some Bombs attack. They made the temperature go up and befouled the water allowing Sahagins to live. They die.
-…that’s it? That’s all? Literally the same exact images and video as before, no mention of the prior fights, no Cissnei, no extra anything.
-Ugh. Come on, game. Do better.
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Mission: Mysteries of the World > More Fun in the Sun! > You Need a Vacation (1/3)
-Weren’t we just here? Well, this is another chance for the game to do something a bit more interesting than that last “campaign.”
-Wait. No.
-I should’ve learned this lesson a while ago. Before I start this next mission, I’m going to tamp down expectations. I really like enjoying games, and enjoy a lot about this game. I don’t want to be “that guy” who see something in media/fiction he dislikes, says it, and then KEEPS SAYING IT OVER AND OVER. Sometimes that’s okay because it’s an honest reflection, but I feel I’ve expressed my qualms reasonably enough.
I may mention them again as my concerns about the occasional repetition in Crisis Core appear in a new context, but I’ll attempt to limit it a bit. So for now, I’ll assume this “More Fun in the Sun!” quest will basically be another variation on “monsters on the beach.” That’s ok.
”Hey, listen!”
-Ok. This time, it’s swarms of ostriches from Hojo’s lab attacking.
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Mission: Mysteries of the World > More Fun in the Sun! > We Hope it’s a Vacation (2/3)
-Larva worm things this time, called “Sea Worms.”
”Hey, listen!”
-Aw. Got a new DMW cutscene for Angeal. Zack and Angeal about to go out on a mission. Zack gets all excited to be out working with his mentor: “Yeah! Ready to become a hero!”
-Wow. Lots of Sea Worms. Must’ve killed 20-25 at this point and they’re still coming.
-New Tseng DMW cutscene where he responds to Zack’s complaints about firebombing a village.
Zack doesn’t buy the company line.
-This is ridiculous. Have I killed 50 worms by now? Come on, game. End this. Please.
-Please.
-Thank you. Jesus.
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Mission: Mysteries of the World > More Fun in the Sun! > Is It a Vacation Yet? (3/3)
”Hey, listen!”
-wtf. Costa del Sol, what are you doing. You now have a behemoth problem.
“Sea Hulk.”
-Talk about going from 0 to 60! She’s hard as hell, and it’s an awesome fight. I die. Try again!
-Got way better now at timing my dodges against her Gyro Tail and Heave attacks. They connect for like 1/3-1/2 of my life.
-Come on… survived her Meteorite… YES!! Victory.
-This whole session was a perfect example of both the best and worst qualities Crisis Core has to offer mechanically. Massive repetition, often mindless because of unscaled difficulty, but when combat is on (as it was with the Sea Hulk), it’s a blast.
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Next time: Just a few “Hard” missions left, so I think I’ll head back to the main story next time.
