Episode 4 Story Discussion

[loafhero]

Sega keeps abandoning entire worlds all the time, just because it's in a smaller scale of planets instead of parallel universe as in Ep4, doesn't make it any less ridiculous either.

This is untrue. Within EP1 to 3, those Planets like Amduscia, Naberius, or Vopar always gets revisited to reveal new details or just more fun-related stuff.

Spoiler!

Naberius:

- (EP1) Revealed to be the planet where Elder was sealed in and where the first Claris Claes died.
- (EP1) Where the ARKS Battle tournament was held.
- Where our first and final Story battle with Persona takes place.
- (EP2) Where Zeno met his master.
- (EP2) Where Matoi's favourite place in the universe is.
- (EP3) PD's choice of planet to consume first.

Amduscia:

- (EP1) Where we learn about the specific tribes and its most revered leader.
- (EP1) Where we learn of the Dragonkin's special burial ground (where Hadred was lured to to be mercy killed)
- (EP2) Gaining access to the Altar, a sacred place for Dragonkin now accessible to ARKS thanks to Player.
- (EP2) Ro'Kamiz's true form revealed.
- (EP2) Aki is revealed to have created the foundations that would lead to the creation of the Chrome Dragons.
- (EP3) Ko Rera, the adorable Quartz Dragon, is promoted to Dragonkin priest by this point.
- (EP3) Quna regularly visits the Altar to sing to (what she believes to be) Hadred's soul.

Lilipa:

- (EP1) The discovery of the Lilipans and their violent mechanical neighbours.
- (EP2) The Lilipans village is revealed.
- (EP2) Eucreta Apprentice's whereabouts.
- (EP3) Where the original Apprentice's body was sealed.

Vopar:

- (EP2) A brand new planet that came together with EP2 where all the monsters there are implied to be Luther's creations.
- (EP2) Meeting the funny yet surprisingly mature and wise Cabracan.
- (EP3) Discovering the laboratory where Cabracan and Claris Claes III were made (and subsequently, where Sara was horribly experimented on).

Harukotan:

- (EP3) All of its lore and relevant characters given in detail but not too the point of overstaying its welcome.
- (EP4) ... Oh, right! Harukotan never got to be revisited again within the Story because Earth happened!... Fuck you, EP4.

The amazing thing about me remembering these details is because all these planets are actually interesting and memorable... unlike Earth.

EP4 would create interesting twist and significant efdect toward the grand plot of PSO2.

Spoiler!

[Zysets]

The whole Naberius list has nothing to do with Naberius's history itself. Like Meteor Weapon said, there's references to the fact that there was a civilization that existed on Naberius that has nothing to do with Falz and ARKS, but they never elaborate on it or mention it again. The planet itself is dull without intervention from ARKS because Sega never did anything with what they were hinting at.

Lilipa ends up being all about Eucreta and we never learn anything about the Lilipans or the Mechs that actually adds anything to the atmosphere or history. They mention in passing that it's like the Lilipans were brought to Lilipa from somewhere else because they don't seem fit for the environment.... but again they just drop it and we never learn where the Mechs came from, who made them, or what the Lilipans even are. The most we get out of the Lilipans is finding their village.

Wopal, is all about Luther, even Cabracarn is related to Luther, the extent of it's own local history is that it was artificially created by Photoners. It has no interesting mysteries and mythology that was hinted at or mentioned like the other planets, but considering how and why it exists, I think Wopal did everything right.

Harukotan I guess has the makings of a more self contained story, and they did cover Double's influence pretty well, but we never learn the aftermath or how the planet goes on without a single Kuronian. We never see Shironia's king or learn about their society. In don't think Ep4 is to blame though, because they could easily add side story cutscenes like they have been with NPCs.

Amduscia was the only planet that I feel really started to get into it's own history and mythology, irrelevant of ARKS. We learn a lot about how they live, their hierarchy, important places in their society. I really enjoyed Amduscia's explanations and the extent of the backstory, but then after Episode 2 all that tops. Quna going to sing on Amduscia doesn't really add to it's existing history, unfortunately. Ko Rera being promoted was a cute bit of info though.

I guess my point is, besides Amduscia, none of the planets ever gets it's own history or development. Most of your list isn't developing local life or background for the planets, it Develops ORACLE's story, while only using those planets as a stage. I mean it's to be expected that the focus will be on ORACLE, but it's not like Sega ever really developed that Universe besides ARKS and the Dragonkin to an extent. That being said, Earth is no less developed than Naberius or Lilipa, it's just more familiar. This isn't the first time the series has done it too, in Phantasy Star III, you can get an ending where you arrive at Earth sometime in the 20th century, and they pick up radio signals from London. I'm sure the PSII Earth has been discussed to death here, so I won't mention that.

[Zeroem]

The whole Naberius list has nothing to do with Naberius's history itself. Like Meteor Weapon said, there's referThat being said, Earth is no less developed than Naberius or Lilipa, it's just more familiar. This isn't the first time the series has done it too, in Phantasy Star III, you can get an ending where you arrive at Earth sometime in the 20th century, and they pick up radio signals from London. I'm sure the PSII Earth has been discussed to death here, so I won't mention that.

I guess since Earth is a familiar setting, some people would automatically dismiss any story regarding Earth as 'boring' without looking at the context. As if people forgot Earth do exist in PS series.

Spoiler!

Well then, we'll just have to wait and see. For all we know, EP4 could be the new EP1

[Vatallus]

I forgot didn't one of the many endings of Phantasy Star 3 end with the dome ship finding Earth? Or a planet described as Earth? I can't recall... been a few years and that game had a few too many endings.

[IchijinKali]

I forgot didn't one of the many endings of Phantasy Star 3 end with the dome ship finding Earth? Or a planet described as Earth? I can't recall... been a few years and that game had a few too many endings.

A past version of Earth but yes they did.

Spoiler!

[Tymek]

I wonder how the Story Boards will explain ESC-A Falz Mother.

[Zysets]

I mean, isn't it already explained? the Falz part of Aru took over Mother, then Ardem absorbed Mother, so he has her powers now. We leaves and we chase after him, thus the EQ.

[Traumin]

I mean, isn't it already explained? the Falz part of Aru took over Mother, then Ardem absorbed Mother, so he has her powers now. We leaves and we chase after him, thus the EQ.

I think it's more of a situation where perhaps Ardem is having a hard time controlling his new power, as we saw some poor schmuck in the trailer getting absorbed by it or something. So he, much like how Mother couldn't control it, probably loses enough control to where ESCA Mother Falz is created and breaks loose.

[Poyonche]

But wasn't the Dark Falz portion totally annihilated from Mother by Hitsugi's Ame No Randomname ?

[Flaoc]

well i dont have much to contribute to that one her 2nd katana is ame no murakumo aka kusanagi