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Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:50 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Let’s go make sure this all works on emulator and try to not bounce off the thing after one hour this time.
The Baten Kaitos Origins title screen.
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:52 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Booooy that intro cutscene is, er, cheap.
Also is that competent voicework?
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:07 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Uuuurgh this is so much BUSIER and wasteful of screen real estate, I don’t like it.
Look, I started as a game UI programmer, of course I’m going to have UI opinions.
The menu screen in Baten Kaitos Origins. White text on dark backgrounds, all inside ornate frames, with an animated backdrop, and a large header with little relevant information.
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:11 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
I did recall we started out Imperial, not that it was in something called the Dark Service. Subtle.
We’re a noobie dark ops dork, ‘kay.
Shoutouts to SUBTLE LORE DUMPS.
Inspection text: “Spare Dark Service accoutrements lie set out on this shelf.” Sagi: “Am I really going to have to wear this from now on?” Dark Serviceman: “Just because you’re a spiriter, that’s no excuse to slack off. Get a move on.” Dark Serviceman: “Damn. I hope I get to go on a bit mission to serve Lord Baelheit soon.”
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:43 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
I think we might be the baddies, call it a hunch
Captain of the Dark Service: “Tonight’s mission is an assassination. The target...” Captain of the Dark Service: “... is Emperor Olgan.” Captain of the Dark Service: “We’re Lord Baelheit’s private guard. I don’t see why these orders should come as a surprise.”
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:46 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Mechanically it throws a lot more at you way faster. Which is understandable for a sequel but makes for a rouuuuugh start.
Calling blank magnus a recent thing - this is set 20 years before EW - and implying they’re Alfard-made has... interesting lore implications.
Dark Serviceman: “Everyone’s been issued eight blank magnus. Here’s your share.” Dark Serviceman: “They’re the latest gear - designed by an imperial engineer, no less - so naturally, they’re easy to use.”
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:48 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Let me guess, this lady’s gonna be a major antagonist
Woman: “You know, you might want to watch your mouth there, ghost boy.”
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:50 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Right after that a bunch of your coworkers yell at you and it throws you into combat without a tutorial. So, er, that’s not great.
There IS some tutorial stuff, in a travel log item you’ve been given and not told to look at immediately.
Travel Log Battle Tips menu, showing a bunch of explanatory entries about the combat system.
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:52 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
And I can see this whole mess working smoothly once you’re used to it, but “confirming the target also confirms your combat magnus selection” is a UX nightmare for instance.
A lengthy battle tips entry about target selection, explaining three different control schemes.
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:53 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Combat is much faster-paced, with no pause between turns. It’s confusing as hell when you can select stuff versus when you’re actually acting. The UI is darker and busier, harder to read.
It feels like it’s copying ATB systems, guess who bounced off most FF titles due to those?
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:58 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
Anyhow, everyone goes on and on about “paramachina”, which are apparently humanoid robots that only this group of murderers is allowed to use.
We somehow brought one with us anyway, except it’s not one really. It seems weirder and I like them already.
Dark Serviceman: “The remote-controlled automata we call “paramachina” represent the best of imperial technology.” Dark Serviceman: “And we Dark Servicemen are the only ones in all the Empire who get to use them.” Inspection text: “An automaton unlike any of the other paramachina has been stored away in this locker.” Guillo: “Hmm, this fight might be too much for you alone - provided their guns sting more than their wit.”
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:00 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
So yeah, I remember why I bounced off this. The combat system is much less to my taste, and now I have the vocabulary to explain why. The cognitive load is much higher, the UI messy and the onboarding catastrophically bad.
Gonna stick with it but I’ll need to be better rested!
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Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:01 PM · Apr 15, 2021 Permalink 
So er next time we go murder the emperor I guess? Boy that escalated quickly.
Oh, and, first playthrough, so: no spoilers in replies, thanks!