Episode 3's story starts with an epic bang!!!! ^_^

[Saner]

Ya after experiencing episode 1 last year, and recently finishing episode 2 the other day, completing the first chapter of Episode 3, "Despair and Hope", really made me feel really excited and pumped up!


Ya episode 2's end was very tragic and shocking. Especially with so many on Moatoob changed into SEED and getting slain, and all the Casts going crazy in Parum. All of the Lou's corrupted except for the final original one. The corruption of the AMF Casts. The fall of Guardian's Colony. The death of President Dallgun and Headmaster Nav.
The discovery of Howzer's existence. etc. etc.

I mean seriously, it made Empires Strikes Back look like a comedy.

But ya, I never expected Episode 3's first chapter to deliver such a profound impact. Well first thing to note is that it's nice seeing Hal again. But ya, afterwards I thought the meeting with Maya was nothing that would be solved in this very same episode, just searching for Laia and possibly not finding her until the next chapter, whenever that comes out.

But I played along, and the appearance of Lumia made me curious.....oh so now she's a Guardian but there's no one at the time to train her. I really was getting impatient with Maya's persistent stubborness to refuse bringing Lumia along. Even after giving Lumia a new costume (looks way better than what she was wearing before), Maya still tried to convince her. Gee I think Maya is like some parent who doesn't have a clue. That was still a interesting tidbit that the costume was originally Maya's when she was new. But ya finally we take Lumia along.

Rozenom City is pretty decent for the first mission of Episode 3, the only thing is that the teleporter mission in the second part kinda delays things, but I figured it out sooner than I thought. it was bearable. ya protecting Lumia may seem like an escort mission, but I had full set of Star Atomizers and the level is kind to have some regen spots. So it was fun.

Whoa, the starving people sure lost their sanity, blaming the Guardians and all. I really wanted to beat them all up for beating up that Cast and threatening us. but anyway, farther ahead, we finally find Laia.....who's turned emo and doesn't
wanna help out. Well some little girl needs help so I have Lumia and this new temporary NPC along for the 2nd part, while Maya lectures Laia somehow.

This second part has the teleporters I mentioned but the trial and error isn't that bad. of course on higher difficulty it might be troublesome protecting Maira, but when you're playing these story segments for the story, who would play higher than C the first time around? http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime2.gif

Well we manage to make it through, but ya, I'm impressed Maya has convinced Laia to at least catch up with us. She lectured Lumia harshly, but then Lumia PWNZ Laia with a lecture of her own! That was really full of heart and sincerity. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif Thankfully Laia is a quick learner and realizes how right Lumia is.

Hooray! Ethan shows up! He knows Laia is the only one who can restore the Guardians and take the throne as President! Learning that her siblings were one of each of the other races, made things more clear. And even though they are gone, her connection with Dallgun has the oomph to influence a new hope!

Well it's great the 3 of us are fighting again for a bit. But ya, I'm happy Laia quickly casts aside her exile and comes to terms with becoming President and restoring the Guardians. It's cool seeing Lumia speak with Ethan, lol and Laia lecturing Ethan about Lumia's role in the Guardians was cool, especially the last words Ethan gives to his sister before he leaves. It's wonderful when the heroes are open-minded and reasonable. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif Lumia's partner card is sooooo cool! I'm really honored being her trainer! http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif And ya I like the ceremony (heehee I love that epic music) and the Hal report summarizing Laia's priorities as the new President of the Guardians, and the continued construction/expansion of a new Guardians Colony.

but ya, Howzer and the Illuminus must fall! I definitely won't stand for them surviving past this episode! the SEED threat might linger, but the Illuminus have done too much damage to escape justice any longer.

And considering this is only the first chapter, I'm baffled at the possibilities the future chapters will reveal!!! ^______^





squeeee~! *huggles PSU* http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif

http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/burger.gif

[Skuda]

They did play the song "Brave Fight" 3 times in that chapter. Tis also, IMO, the best song on in the PSU music library.

Quite an epic introduction indeed.

(although, I was a little miffed with Hal's perkiness even after all that's gone on. No wonder why the Casts don't like her much. ;P)



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Skuda on 2007-11-30 22:41 ]</font>

[ShadowDragon28]

Is Hal even human? She could be like an oversized PM programmed to be "perky" and all that...

[Saner]

On 2007-11-30 22:40, Skuda wrote:
They did play the song "Brave Fight" 3 times in that chapter. Tis also, IMO, the best song on in the PSU music library.

Quite an epic introduction indeed.

(although, I was a little miffed with Hal's perkiness even after all that's gone on. No wonder why the Casts don't like her much. ;P)

ya I noticed Brve Fight played multiple times in this chapter. it's wonderful ^____^ ! especially back then in the first chapter in ep. 2 when they first showed Ethan for the first time since the ep. 1 ending, it was like a climactic reunion. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Skuda on 2007-11-30 22:41 ]</font>


ah so thats what its called. Thanks! ^_^ ya I agree.

ya LMAO!!! Hal's closing lines makes me cringe for some reason. Maybe it's the cheesiest way to end a news broadcast, but it suits her. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime2.gif






<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Saner on 2007-11-30 22:50 ]</font>


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Saner on 2007-11-30 22:52 ]</font>

[Sasamichan]

On 2007-11-30 22:40, Skuda wrote:
They did play the song "Brave Fight" 3 times in that chapter.

Is that the music that plays while fighting Ethan and Liina in the 1st chapter in Ep2?

[Carlo210]

At least it's good to hear that this stuff actually sits well in someone elses stomach.

http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_mad.gif

[Shadow_Wing]

I throughly enjoyed it, the story has a lot of potential, and started off pretty well. From medocre to pretty dam good is a big diff lmao

[Zael]

On 2007-11-30 22:46, ShadowDragon28 wrote:
Is Hal even human? She could be like an oversized PM programmed to be "perky" and all that...


Yes. She appeared as Human Guntecher on party listings on 1up.

[A2K]

That's how she... appears... anyway.

I like "Brave Fight" as much as the next guy but I think it played one time a little too often in this chapter. It was still great overall, though.

[Alamar]

very awesome start. loved it was. shocked what happened but happy too very cool.

[Raine_Loire]

This thread is really funny to look through without highlighting any spoilers. I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet- I actually game fly-ed the ps2 version just to play through ep3 instead of waiting for it all to be released on 360 O.O

[CherryLunar]

I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet either but I love how you keep using the word epic Saner. XD

[Angelo]

I think I'm actually looking more forward to the storyline than actually playing online.

Great to hear the way the story is progressing.

[PALRAPPYS]

On 2007-12-01 06:30, Raine_Loire wrote:
This thread is really funny to look through without highlighting any spoilers. I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet- I actually game fly-ed the ps2 version just to play through ep3 instead of waiting for it all to be released on 360 O.O



Um... PS2 offline story is just EPISODE 2--the complete online story we have now.

[Kylie]

I agree, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it (definitely a few steps up from episodes 1 and 2).

[Saner]

ya those who haven't experienced it so far are in for a very interesting foundation for Episode 3's beginning. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif I also love how these great sequels and its characters keeps us connected, acknowledging our existence and role in the situations at hand. It makes it all the more personal and lovable. Laia's 2 comments related to "reliable" and "improved" felt great. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Saner on 2007-12-01 12:56 ]</font>

[Raine_Loire]

On 2007-12-01 08:12, PALRAPPYS wrote:

On 2007-12-01 06:30, Raine_Loire wrote:
This thread is really funny to look through without highlighting any spoilers. I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet- I actually game fly-ed the ps2 version just to play through ep3 instead of waiting for it all to be released on 360 O.O



Um... PS2 offline story is just EPISODE 2--the complete online story we have now.



You're kidding. >.> I thought because there were a lot of spoiler threads about the story of Ep 3 earlier (pre- this update) that it was out for the PS2. That's not fun!

That was a waste of a rental. good thing they screwed up and sent 2 at the same time. Guess I'll send it back and just play Stranglehold... It's Tequila time!

[Zorafim]

This mission was amazing. Not only was the story good for once, but the scenery was beautiful, the level was a joy to play through (even at rank A), and even the music was good. Even the characters are finally starting to develop. I played through this mission and finally felt like I was playing a Phantasy Star game.

By the way, if you S rank the A mission, you get a reward at the end. I don't know if that's true on C rank as well. I got a Maya poster for completing it.

Um, does anyone know what the choices do? I only did the mission once, so I don't know if it changes or not. I picked my choices based on what Levia (or barring that, myself) would say. Do they effect later chapters, or just the chapter itself?

[Deissa]

As far as I know, they just affect the chapter itself. I believe if you don't make the right choices, you don't get Lumia's card. As for Chapter 2, what you say will affect whether you get a certain someone's card.

[Evila]

Woah. I didn't know about the poster thing! Thanks for the heads up on that Zorafim. I didn't S the B mission so I'm not sure if it is given there too. Took my sweet sweet time.

Anywho, the available choices don't really change much during the mission. Like if you pick to stay with that battered cast instead of running away, you just get a short scene and are forced to run away anyways. And what you choose to say to Laia at the end doesn't change her reaction at all.

I didn't know you wouldn't end up getting Lumia's card if you mess up too much though! I didn't mess with those important choices cause I didn't want to be mean to her... XD

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Evila on 2007-12-01 14:25 ]</font>

[Zorafim]

Funny, I chose my choices based on the circumstance. If Lumia wasn't so determined to come, and if the guardian training program was up, I wouldn't have brought her.

This brings up another thing I liked. You're actually part of the story now. People acknowledge your existence. You aren't just some box people look at.

[Raine_Loire]

O.o Now I want to plaaaay!! I have to hurt Laguna to try to get him off my 360!!!

[Deissa]

And with Ep3 Ch2 comes easy as hell to get Blackhearts. And if you do make the right choices, [spoiler-box]Tylor's partner card.[/spoiler-box]

[Hokokaru]

It was pretty cool, even tho I only beat ch1 of EP2 and went on to EP3 so it didnt make much sense at first XD well i beat it and got lumias partner card off my choices and I convinced a few of mt friends to beat it as well lol

[Pengfishh]

Oh Saner, your enthusiasm actually makes me want to play the story missions (and possibly finish Episode 1).

[DraginHikari]

On C all you get is the card, I'm not aware of the poster or the choices cirmstances.

[RemiusTA]

On 2007-12-01 14:09, Zorafim wrote:
This mission was amazing. Not only was the story good for once, but the scenery was beautiful, the level was a joy to play through (even at rank A), and even the music was good. Even the characters are finally starting to develop. I played through this mission and finally felt like I was playing a Phantasy Star game.



Episode 2 was that way, or at least it felt that way because i never played it online. (Since i played it in the ps2 AoI version, i can just play through and not have to wait for them to be released.)

Episode 1 was neat but overall disappointing, and im really really glad ST found a way to make me like Ethan again. Forcing you to play as him made me HATE him.

After finshing Ep.2 i actually think hes damn cool. (It could just be that kickass outfit and his fucking blackheart) At first i hated Laia, but now i actually enjoy her character more than anybody elses.

Episode 2 only really built on Laia. Perhaps Tonnio too, but only towards ch.9 and up. I havent gotten online yet to play Ep.3, but from what im hearing you actually get asked questions??


If so, then Ep3 is going to be awesome. It sucks they have to send them through the server for us to get them (no Motion Capture or CG), but after Ep2 being 901232813013091283901x better than Ep1, im damn excited.

[Xaeris]

I very much like the fact that my character's existence is being acknowledged. Granted, there were a few more places I would have liked a choice of things to say, but for what it is, it's pretty good. And yes, S'ing the first trial gets you a poster of Maya and the second gets you a poster of Lumia. I only put the Maya poster up. Putting Lumia's up feels...creepy.

[Shadow_Wing]

Lol original Eps 2 was lack luster, as much as eps 1 was. Glad to see there's an improvement in the offline version http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[MetalIdol876]

As far as EP3 ch1 is concerned, who else thinks that the girl you escort back to her mother will become a Guardian because of Lumia, and they will both become the stars by the middle or end of Ep3? I'm getting that vibe off that girl and Lumia.

[Rizen]

On 2007-12-01 01:57, A2K wrote:
That's how she... appears... anyway.

I like "Brave Fight" as much as the next guy but I think it played one time a little too often in this chapter. It was still great overall, though.


I thought the same thing XD

[Maxson]

On 2007-12-01 18:15, MetalIdol876 wrote:
As far as EP3 ch1 is concerned, who else thinks that the girl you escort back to her mother will become a Guardian because of Lumia, and they will both become the stars by the middle or end of Ep3? I'm getting that vibe off that girl and Lumia.

As long as she quits standing right in front of out-of-control CASTs with heavy weaponry. Or running away, only to run right back into several shotgun blasts.

Maybe I just have bad luck with AI- is it my relatively low level?

[Sinue_v2]

I played through this mission and finally felt like I was playing a Phantasy Star game.

I concur, although I still have many issues with the game - I repeat what I've always said about how if the storyline were actually GOOD, these little annoyances would be easier to overlook. Ep 3's first chapter seems promising, and had me well entertained. And your right, in that for once in the series it actually felt like a scene that belonged in a Phantasy Star game - without having to make cheap-o cutesy references. Ep III Ch 1 stood on it's own feet.


I didn't mess with those important choices cause I didn't want to be mean to her... XD

I made my choices based on what my character would have done. It's a bit complicated, but since she carries a genetic memory - she was reminded of her "sister's" plea to join a similarly dangerous mission, and felt sympathy for Lumia's position. I also chose to save the Cast and was a bit dissapointed with how events played out in that scenario.


If so, then Ep3 is going to be awesome. It sucks they have to send them through the server for us to get them (no Motion Capture or CG)

Most of the information for Ep III's storyline is already on the disk. They don't stream it all in. As such, we have full CGI VA'd cutscenes in Ep III. Not of our characters in the mission, obviously, but of events that unfold as a result of our characters or other characters. Ep III Ch 1 has two new Hal News report cutscenes in it.

[Rizen]

On one character, I chose what he (which is the same why I think) would have done.

On my other character, I choose everything just to be plan mean and rude because shes a devil ghoul pirate like that. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Remedy]

On 2007-11-30 22:40, Skuda wrote:
They did play the song "Brave Fight" 3 times in that chapter. Tis also, IMO, the best song on in the PSU music library.You misspelled Madness the Machine Sparx. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

[Ninavask]

I liked this mission alot. I got up at 6 in the morning on Friday just to play it. My first time I played on C of course but the second time, after I got home from School, I played it on B. Thats when it went down hill... once I got to the cutscene with the starving Refugees I learned the disc wouldn't let me play it again. That completely ticked me off because now I have no way of getting the Lumia Poster unless I buy another PSU disc for my 360....

All the Negetive Disc problems aside I liked the mission and enjoyed the fact Ethan joined up, yet again, with the party. I can't wait till the mission where you can finally get his Partner Card comes out.

[zeroguy518]

So any how anyone know how much longer the wait will be till the next chapter??

[Zorafim]

One month, about. Shame, too.

Um, what do you mean "The disk won't let you play it"? Do you mean it's broken, or you can only do missions once?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Zorafim on 2007-12-01 19:57 ]</font>

[Rizen]

On 2007-12-01 19:55, zeroguy518 wrote:
So any how anyone know how much longer the wait will be till the next chapter??


About 2 weeks

[ShawnLeeGuku]

Seriously only 2 weeks?

[Zorafim]

It should be one mission a month. Where did you get two weeks?

[3nascar3fan3]

3 things...

1. C rank took me and hour with so many text cutsceens *groans*

2. OMG i hate hal!!!

3. i lol'd when ethen jumped down from the stairs that was great http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/anime1.gif

well that was my thoughts