#then played 8 and then started mgs1

[zaddyazula]

i need to stop starting games and then ditching them

[averydavery]

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Inbetween of the Playstation 2

Intro

To me, the Playstation 2 is the best video game console ever. Period. Its catalogue is undeniably strong but I am definitely very biased as well, not to mention that the dualshock remote looks almost exactly the same from PS2 to PS4... But mainly, there is a reason many iconic titles from famous series are from this system and era of video game history. The PS2’s time in the spotlight (1999- 2011) was the real start of the hayday of video games.

So, in honor of my love for the system, here is my rankings for the games i’ve played so far and why!

***I will only be judging games that originally launched on the system, including bridge games, NOT PS1 games that are backwards compatible. So sorry MGS1 and FFVII

From Top to Bottom

1. Shadow of the Colossus

5/5 stars. One sentence review: I’m sobbing.

2. Metal Gear Solid 2

4.5/5 stars. One sentence review: “No, that is NOT the real Solid Snake!”

3. Resident Evil 4

4.5/5 stars. One sentence review: Fixed camera and gun controls making me want to get the Las Plagas fr.

4. God of War

4.5/5 stars. One sentence review: I don’t know what’s more unforgiving: the game itself or playing it on the PS2.

5. Bully

4.5/5 stars. One sentence review: I really wish people gave Bully more attention than GTA.

6. GTA Vice City

4/5 stars. One sentence review: For some reason my PS2 had a hard time running Vice City and this game is significantly smaller than others on this list.

7. Onimusha

4/5 stars. One sentence review: I really enjoyed this story and I would’ve loved it a lot more if the controls didn’t feel like I was committing a felony.

8. Devil May Cry

4/5 stars. One sentence review: “I should’ve filled yoUR DARK SOUL WITH LIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!”

9. GTA III

4/5 stars. One sentence review: Just didn’t do it for me story wise as much as the others, i dont know.

10. God of War II

3.5/5 stars. One sentence review: Least favorite God of War game besides Chains of Olympus, not that it’s bad it’s just okay.

11. Crazy Taxi

3.5/5 stars. One sentence review: Very fun but only for about ten minutes.

12. Yakuza 2

2/5 stars. One sentence review: I’m a diehard Yakuza/RGG/Like A Dragon fan but I stg this is the worst game in the series, I never even beat it.

13. Devil May Cry 2

2/5 stars. One sentence review: Bad mechanics and bored me.

The Superlatives

The Best Title in a Series

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

An easy pick for this category and a game that is second only to Shadow of the Colossus, is Metal Gear Solid 3. It is a fantastic game as much as it is a great entry in an amazing series. For those who don’t know, MGS3 is a prequel for the entire series and takes place even before the old 8-But Metal Gear games. MGS3 follows Naked Snake who becomes the infamous Big Boss, the notorious antagonist for the rest of the series, and is the first game in the series to really perfect the stealth combat with the addition of an over the shoulder camera and new camouflage mechanics. Other notable aspects of MGS3 are that graphics for the game still hold up today, the characters are some of the most memorable in the series (I LOVE YOU BOSS!!!!), and the boss fights are engaging. Not to mention that if I had to guess, you’re probably humming “Snake Eater” to yourself right now.

MGS3 is such a good MGS title that I believe it sort of set Kojima up for failure with every game that came after it.

The Best Game You’ve Never Played/My Personal Favorite PS2 Game

Blood Will Tell: Osamu Tezuka’s Dororo

The only reason Blood Will Tell isn’t number one is because I felt bad putting Shadow of the Colossus as number 2. I fucking love this game with my whole heart and soul, I really don’t know where to begin. The title of “the best game you’ll never play” isn’t one that I came up with myself, many people refer to Blood Will Tell by that superlative and you’re probably wondering why that is. Blood Will Tell was released by SEGA in 2004 and flopped in the Americas despite many looking back on the title fondly, as a result of its recent popularity (largely due to the 2019 Dororo anime and rise of the collector’s market) and little supply, it became an incredibly rare game with the highest selling price for a PS2 game I have ever seen. Blood Will Tell goes for anywhere between $400 to $700 USD, for reference: Silent Hill 2 goes for about $100. Which is why I don’t give this superlative away lightly, even the copy I own isn’t legitimate. There’s no way I’m spending that much money on a game without playing it myself.

So this brings to the second superlative I gave it: my personal favorite PS2 game. It’s the best game you’ll never play for a reason, there is a demand for it for a reason. While the dub is laughably bad, the game itself is incredibly rich. The goofy voice acting adds to the game’s charm and, in my opinion, makes a fantastic game more enjoyable. The gameplay is addictive and one of the most fluid for the 20 year old console, Blood Will Tell is a hack-n-slash that feels like a mix of Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima to me —which is funny because both of those games came out the same year and fought for the GotW award. You play as Hyakkimaru, a boy with swords for arms who is cursed after his father gave away all 48 body parts to demons in a deal for power. Now it’s your job to get your body back, piece by piece. This plot allows for incredibly unique visual story telling that is astounding for the time it came out in. For example, in the beginning chapter Hyakki is blind. They show this by making the world entirely black and white until he gets his sight back in which color floods your screen in a beautiful way. Since he can’t speak he has a filter that makes it sound like he’s talking in his head… etc. Even some of the 48 bosses are hidden and optional, something I didn’t expect to see in a game this old. On my first playthrough, I missed some bosses because the map is deceptively big. I think my only critiques besides the silly voice acting (personally, I like it) are that Dororo’s sections of the game aren’t great but they don’t drag on either so I don’t mind them and that the music is stale and repeats.

All in all, I can yap about this game all day because I love it so much. If you are unwilling to spend $700 on Blood Will Tell, I highly recommend that you buy a cheap repro or emulate it on your computer. If neither of those are options for you consider watching a playthrough on youtube or, better yet, reading/watching all the other adaptations of Dororo! Blood Will Tell is based of the 1963 manga Dororo by Osamu Tezuka (the mangaka of Astroboy and Black Jack) and there are many versions of this story!

The Best Adventure Game

Okami

I like to call Okami “the game that raised me” because it pretty much did. I first remember playing it in sixth grade and have played a run through of it probably once a year since. I’ve played it on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, and Playstation 2… and I’ll honestly say that it plays best on Switch. When Okami came out it originally launched on the Wii, which is why it plays so well on Switch as well. The reason for that is because of its unique, never before seen gameplay. Okami’s premise is that you play as Okami Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun in the form of a white wolf, who is resurrected in order to save the world from darkness. Ammy’s special ability is that she can manipulate the Celestial Brush, which has 13 different techniques that allow the player to literally play God by painting onto their surroundings to summon things like wind, water, fire, and vines or to literally stop time or cause nature to bloom. This Celestial Brush is why it plays so well on Nintendo consoles, which is actually why I recommend playing this game on one instead of on PS2. Okami has been remastered and really has no reason to be played PS2. In addition to why it isn’t fantastic on the PS2 is that Okami is most known for its visuals. The entire game is done in a painterly style with cell-shaded brush strokes that outline everything decoratively to aid it’s themes of traditional Japanese mythology… And one thing that makes that style look even better is when it is not played in low poly on the PS2.

So to put the kebash on this one, Okami was the best adventure game on the PS2 despite not being suited for the console itself. So please, play the remaster to enjoy the story even more!

The Best Fighting Game

Yakuza

I know a lot of you might disagree with me on this but please know I am only going off games I have played and that I also don’t care about what others think. I love this series. There are 8 Yakuza games, 10 if you count Like A Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth and Gaiden, 13 if you count Ishin, Ishin (Remake/Remaster), Kenzan!, and Dead Souls, 15 if you count Kiwami 1 & 2, and 17 if you count the Black Panther games… but it all started with this one game. Yakuza is a beat ‘em up that was advertised as “Japan’s GTA” which I think is an apt description only for the street fighting you do. In actuality, Yakuza is a game that follows the ex-yakuza Kiryu Kazuma as he fights to save the people he cares about and struggles with his loyalty to his former life a made man. The combat is fun and engaging with its use of combos and cinematics, however the controls are a bit finicky but nothing that will drive you up the wall. Another drawback of this title is the voice acting for the same reason as Blood Will Tell, it is a horrendous English dub. But I think it’s enjoyably bad, Mark Hamill and John DeMagio jumpscared me when I first heard their voices.

Although, I don’t necessarily recommend Yakuza to anyone who doesn’t have a PS2 at all, really, and that is because Yakuza Kiwami exists —which is a remake for modern consoles of this game with a million new things, better graphics and combat, and no English dub. This remake highlights everything that was so good about the original.

The Best Horror Game

Silent Hill 2

I think I can keep this one short because Silent Hill 2 is a game that needs no introduction. It practically invented the psychological survival horror genre as we know it be today and still is an amazing game that manages to always unnerve me. From its multiple endings to its atmospheric environment, Silent Hill 2 sets the bar for what should be a good horror game and inspires many series still. But above all else, Silent Hill 2 has the best soundtrack out of any game that I’ve mentioned so far. Akira Yamaoka is a genius songwriter.

The Worst Game I’ve Played So Far

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir

I love Fullmetal Alchemist (if my account was any clue into that haha) and I thought that my love for that series was going to help get through this game. But I was so wrong and I should’ve listened to my gut. FMA works really well as video game if you actually try to make it one or else it doesn’t work, the ingredients are there you just have to follow the recipe. But Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir takes this way too seriously. Not only does it harp on the most boring episodes of the original series, it does so in the worst manner possible. The game itself looks like plastic, it’s cellshaded blandly. The music is loud and at times annoying, the fighting is stiff and uninspired when alchemy could be so much fun if done right, and it follows a clunky visual novel style in cutscenes for no reason. Even in the menu you can see that it was trying to be an RPG but never committed and I think this game could’ve shined if it was one, instead of the lame fighter it is now. The only benefit I see in this game is that the voice acting is all the original cast. So that’s nice… everything else? Not so much.

Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for me to play!

[prismatoxic]

anyway, fun story:

so @captainfkingmagic got into mgs sometime in 2008. we've been together for like 8 or 9 years now and he's mentioned it a lot (and made me watch metal gear awesome a whole bunch) but you'd be surprised how much media you have to share with each other when you get into a committed relationship. there's still a decent handful of things we haven't gotten around to

so, anyway, this year (like 4 months ago?) he got a hankering to play mgs1 again. he has the ps3 collection, and that seemed the best way to play, and he got somewhere after the ocelot fight when our ps3 (which had been having issues previously but we had repaired) started overheating again. to the point of shutting off. now, this ps3 was my ps3, and his ps3 had already bitten the dust some years prior for similar reasons (exacerbated by it being a launch version with bad soldering). so you can imagine how frustrating this was.

well, we had enough money at the time for him to just go ahead and get us a slim ps3. which took like a week to arrive, and, you know, by then i think he could be forgiven for not having the energy to go through mgs1 again up to the ocelot fight. i don't remember when he decided to try anyway; if it wasn't the night the ps3 arrived then it wasn't too long after.

so he finally gets to show me mgs1. all of mgs1. sans the meryl ending, bc fuck that, he went otacon. i mean, i had to see it, right?

needless to say, i was pretty hooked. i liked it a lot but, admittedly, wasn't super jazzed about mgs2 conceptually bc i knew raiden took over. he said he'd wait a few days to start it, then started it like. 1 day later. gamers amirite

anyway, mgs2 was great. hooked me also. but then i wasn't super jazzed about mgs3, bc it wouldn't be about snake and otacon.

anyway, mgs3 was great. hooked me also. but then i wasn't super jazzed about mgs4, because otacon cheats on snake and also snake gets old and dies.

anyway, mgs4 was... fine. like, it wraps up the solid snake arc pretty well, but it's also fucking batshit and there were several plot points and characters who i just found grating. (naomi. i found naomi grating)

so we finish mgs4 and like, okay, that's the solid snake story. fuck rising, and mgs5 is its own whole beast. so i finally said: hey. you wanna rp otasune?

and of course he did, he's been into otasune for like 15 years but never really got into the fandom aspects of it back then. so here's where things get amusing...

see, i've had trouble getting him to agree to fandom rps in the past, or if he does, had trouble getting him to stick with them. he's too oc-brained. which is fine, but after 4 games i was obsessed and i really doubted i'd find anyone better, more interesting, or more willing to put up with my bullshit. so i was like, okay, let's ease into this. we can do a silly little high school au so the pressures of the canon setting aren't present. and, of course, i'd let him play otacon.

...now you may be looking at my icon. and all my otacon posts. and wondering what that was about. well, see, he likes snake and otacon both, and hadn't expressed to me at any point just how much snake was his favorite (or if he had i had glossed over it). so because otacon was my favorite, i think i just assumed otacon would be his favorite, and even though he knew that wasn't true, he agreed anyway. (maybe i sounded like i really wanted to play snake? in truth i was trying to excite myself about it; i wanted otacon, but if i couldn't have otacon, i wanted to want to play snake).

he did say maybe we could switch it up sometime. i thought maybe he just didn't know who he really liked best, but i was happy to agree.

the first rp was fine, but fizzled out fairly quickly, which made me anxious. despite all my careful approaching, it seemed like we wouldn't be able to stick with it. maybe it was for the best; i found snake hard to capture. i wrote a fic in the high school setting to try and satiate myself.

well, eventually he brought up that he'd like to do something in canon instead. he'd been concerned with living up to canon settings in the past, but mgs was so zany that he figured he could handle it. so we picked after the tanker to set a rp. he asked if maybe he could play snake this time.

i found otacon way easier to write, though i was still feeling out what i wanted to do with him. within days we had a new idea. and then another... and another...

and we're still doing otasune rps. the first one started july 12th. at some point he finally said, hey, i never wanted to play otacon, he's not my favorite. and i was like. oh. well i feel silly now. but i have embraced otacon as my little blorbo now that i know i don't have to compete for him, lmao... love is all about sacrifices! it's also about being a fucking idiot sometimes

[fancyshooting]

MGS3 SCRIPT NOTES: DEFINITIVE OCELOT EDITION

[All machine translated. Taken from MGS3 scenario book. Comments in square brackets were added by me.]

FIRST ENCOUNTER AT RASSVET

距離はかなりある。 スネークをザ・ボスと間違う程。

The distance is considerable. So much so that he mistakes Snake for The Boss.

早撃ち。 撃つ��とに肘を曲げ、リコイルの衝撃を吸収する。 (オーバーアクションにみえるが、高等テクニック)

Rapid firing. Bends his elbow after each shot to absorb the shock of recoil. (This may look like overacting, but it is a high level technique)

オセロットは大佐から聞いているので、ザ・ボスだと思っている。 オセロットの言葉「伝説の ボス」の意味には気づいていない。

Ocelot thinks he is The Boss because he has heard it from the Colonel. He is unaware of the meaning of Ocelot's term "The Legendary Boss".

「なんだ? その構え方? その銃は?(麻酔銃か?)」

"What the hell? What's with the way you're holding yourself? What's with the gun? (Is that a tranquilizer gun?)"

目の前にマガジンとジャムっていた運命の弾丸が落ちてくる。この弾丸を本編では首からぶら 下げる事になる。いつも弾を弄るのが癖。

The bullet of fate, jammed in the magazine, falls in front of him. This bullet is to be hung from his neck in the main story. He always has a habit of fiddling with the bullet/playing with bullets.

負け知らずだったオセロット、信じられない。自尊心崩壊。

Ocelot, who had never lost, can't believe it. Self-esteem collapses.

スネーク、銃口をオセロットに向け、冷徹に話す。教官のように。

Snake, muzzle pointed at Ocelot, speaks coolly. Like an instructor.

スネーク

「(見真似で流行りの技術を使おうとする若者を見て一言いいたくなった) 初弾を手動で排していたな。 考え方はおかしくない。 だが、聞きかじっただけ の行為を実戦で試すもんじゃない。だから弾詰まりなど起こすんだ」

Snake: "(I wanted to say something when I saw a young man trying to use trendy technology by imitation.) You manually ejected the first bullet. The idea is not strange. But you shouldn't try out in battle what you've only heard about it. That's why you get jammed bullets."

オセロットはこの時の強烈すぎる屈辱でスネークに惹かれる。 またこの時のセリフをMGS1 のATで言う。

スネーク

「だが早撃ちは見事だった･･･いいセンスだ」

オセロット

「いいセンス･･････」

―オセロット、動揺し、そこで気絶する。

Ocelot is drawn to Snake because of the intense humiliation/disgrace at this time. He also says the line at this time in the AT [?] of MGS1.

[惹かれる - to be charmed by; to be attracted to; to be taken with; to be drawn to]

Snake: "But the quick shot was brilliant... good sense."

Ocelot: "Good sense..."

Ocelot, upset, faints there.

[動揺 - disturbance; unrest; agitation; excitement; commotion; turmoil; discomposure; feeling shaken]

IN THE HELICOPTER

[Couldn't find anything very interesting here but included some lines anyway.]

ヘリ内(ハインド)のカーゴ内には大佐とオセロット、 山猫部隊。 オセロットは元気なく、ジ ヤミングしたマカロフと弾丸を見つめている。

In the cargo of the helicopter (Hind) are the Colonel, Ocelot, and the Wildcat Unit. Ocelot is in low spirits, staring at the jammed Makarov and bullet.

大佐の狂気の行動にショックが大きい。

Colonel fires. Ocelot is shocked by the madness of the Colonel.

SECOND ENCOUNTER AT RASSVET

オセロット

「(嬉しそうに)その構え、その構えだ(見たかった)」

スネークに会えてかなりうれしい。

恍惚のオセロット。EVAは身体をよじって逃げようとする。

Ocelot: "(Looking happy) That's the stance, that's the stance (I wanted to see)." He is quite happy to see Snake. Ocelot is ecstatic; EVA twists and turns to escape.

スネーク

「確かにいい銃だ。だが、その彫刻は何の戦術的優位性もない。実用と鑑賞用は 「違う」

オセロット

「･･････ (かなり傷ついた)」

Snake: "It's a nice gun, to be sure. But the engravings have no tactical advantage. There is a difference between utility and appreciation."

Ocelot: "... (quite hurt)."

リボルバーには残弾がなくなっている。マカロフが8+1なので6発で空撃ち! マカロフに

慣れていたのでうっかりしていた。

The revolver has no more ammo left. The Makarov is 8+1, so 6 rounds and empty! He was so used to the Makarov that he was careless.

スネーク、説教を続ける。

Snake continues preaching.

二度の失態に苦い顔。さらにスネークが好きになる。

Two blunders and a bitter face. He likes Snake even more.

手でEVAを制するスネーク。

スネーク

「待てっ!(オセロットが好きになりだしている)」

EVA

「どうして?」

スネーク

「奴はまだ若い」

Snake controls EVA with his hand. Snake: "Wait! (He is starting to like Ocelot.)" EVA: "Why?" Snake: "He's still young."

BOLSHAYA PAST CREVICE

実はザ・ボスはCQC時に発信機を付けた。 コブラ部隊はこの発信機のおかげで先回りしている (発信機情報を頼りにオセロットや蛇軍団は待ち受けている)。

The Boss attached a transmitter during CQC. Cobra forces are ahead of him thanks to this transmitter (Ocelot and the Cobra Unit are waiting for him, relying on the transmitter information).

オセロット

「やはり来たな。 ザ・ボスの情報 (発信機)は確かだ」

Ocelot: "I knew you'd come. The Boss' information (transmitter) is solid."

―顎でスネークの背後を示す。 と、スネークの背後(エリアの入り口) 山猫部隊が塞いでいる。 山猫部隊が見張っている。つまりはスネークとオセロットのタイマン勝負の環境を作っている。 山 猫部隊はスネークにAKを向けている。GRUの一般兵士、 コブラ部隊に邪魔されない、通れないように見張っている。

編注:製品版では合図が猫の鳴きまねに変更されている。また、山猫部隊がスネークを、GRUの一般兵士が森の入り口を見張るような配置をする。

He indicates behind Snake with his chin. And behind Snake (entrance to area), the Wildcat Unit blocks. The Wildcat Unit is keeping watch. In other words, they are creating an environment for a one-on-one match between Snake and Ocelot. Wildcat Unit has AKs pointed at Snake. General soldiers of the GRU, watching to make sure they are not interfered with or passed by the Cobra Unit. Editor's note: In the production version, the signalling has been changed to a cat meow. In addition, the Wildcat Unit should be positioned to guard Snake and the GRU general soldiers to guard the entrance to the forest.

オセロット「12発だ･･････いいか、今回は12発だ」

スネーク、戸惑う(銃を抜かない)。 オセロット、見事なガンプレイで銃をホルスターに戻す。かなり銃が手に馴染んできている。 オセロットらしさが光る。

Ocelot: "Twelve shots... Okay, twelve shots this time." Snake, confused (does not draw his gun). Ocelot, with excellent gunplay, puts the gun back in its holster. The gun is becoming quite comfortable in his hand. Ocelot's character/essence shines through.

一蜂の大群が来襲! 蜂は暗雲となり、空を包む。辺りをすっぽりと包む。夜のように暗くなる。 山猫部隊パニックに陥る。ここではまだペインは出さない。蜂が山猫部隊に襲う。 スネーク、姿勢を低くして蜂の来襲に備えている。 オセロット、たまらない!

A swarm of bees attacks! The bees become a dark cloud and envelop the sky. It completely envelops the area. It becomes dark as night. The Wildcat Unit panics. The Pain is not released here yet. The bees attack the Wildcat Unit. Snake, keeping his posture low, preparing for the bees to attack. Ocelot, irresistible!

オセロット

「(ふん、ふん、えい、えい等、蜂をよける息)」

オセロット、ガンプレイで蜂をよける。

Ocelot: "(Damn, damn, ei, ei, etc. breath to repel bees)

[I think えい is onomatopoeic. One website says this: (1) *son of a bitch!*; (2) *shriek* *aiiee!* Yelled when getting down to serious physical business.]

Ocelot, dodging bees with gunplay.

PONIZOVJE WAREHOUSE

ザ・ボス

「勝手な真似はするな(クレバスでの事)」

ザ・ボス、リボルバーをオセロットに見せる。

ザ・ボス

「奴(スネーク)は我々コブラ部隊が処理する」

ザ・ボス、手の中のリボルバーをバラバラにして返す。対面するザ・ボス。(母親と息子)

オセロット、怒って去っていく(基地に入っていく)。

The Boss: "Don't do anything rash (in the crevasse)." The Boss shows the revolver to Ocelot. The Boss: "We'll take care of him (Snake) with our Cobra Unit." The Boss returns the revolver in his hand in pieces. The Boss faces him. (Mother and son.) Ocelot, leaving angrily (entering the base).

GROZNYJ GRAD

大佐

「必ず内部にスパイがいる」

オセロット

「同志を疑うなど(自分がフルシチョフ派のスパイなので)」

Colonel: "There is always a spy on the inside." Ocelot: "I don't doubt my comrades (since I am a Khrushchevite spy)."

大佐

「CIAの犬め!」

大佐

「残るはザ・フューリーのみか......。伝説のコブラ部隊がいとも容易く……」

オセロット

「(うっとりと。つい本音を言ってしまう) さすがだ･･････」

右手でリトルジョーを回している。 大佐、 オセロットをキッとにらむ。

大佐

「惚れたのか?」

ボス、白い馬に近づく。

Colonel: "CIA dog!" Colonel: "Only The Fury remains... The legendary Cobra Unit is easy..." Ocelot: "(Enraptured/absentmindedly/in a daze. I can't help but say how I really feel.) As expected..." He spins Little Joe [The Fear's crossbow] with his right hand. Colonel, glaring at Ocelot. Colonel: "Are you in love?" Boss, approaching on white horse.

オセロット、つまらなそうに基地内へ。

と、EVAの背後を通り過ぎようとして立ち止まる。

オセロット 「ん?」

鼻をひくひくさせる。EVA、緊張して一歩下がる。

オセロット

「(鼻をひくひくさせる音)」

オセロット

「香水か?(どこかで嗅いだ臭い)」

EVAに近づき、全身をジロジロと見る。右手でリトルジョーをくるくる回している。

オセロット

「ふむ(思い出せない) ••••••」

EVAの足下、バイク用の編み上げブーツを履いている。着替える時間がなかった。

もしくはゴーグルを首にかけていてもいい。

リトルジョーの矢先をEVAの首筋にピタリと向ける。

オセロット

「いいブーツだ。ちゃんと磨いておけよ」

バイク用のブーツ、左足の甲がバイクのシフトペダルでEの字にかすれている? 乗り方が荒 いので激しいキズ、また��特有のシフトチェンジ癖で独特の形になっている。オセロット、去ってゆく。ほっとするEVA。

Ocelot, looking bored, went into the base. And, trying to pass behind EVA, stops. Ocelot: "Hm?" Nose twitching. EVA, nervous, takes a step back. Ocelot: "(sniffing sound)" Ocelot: "Perfume? (I've smelled it somewhere before.)" Approaches EVA and stares at her. He is twirling Little Joe with his right hand. Ocelot: "Hm (can't remember)..." EVA is wearing laced up motorcycle boots. She didn't have time to change. Or she could wear goggles around her neck. Little Joe's arrow tip is pointed squarely at EVA's neck. Ocelot. "Nice boots. Make sure you polish them properly." Motorcycle boots, the back of the left foot is scratched in the shape of an "E" by the shift pedal of the motorcycle? The back of the left foot is scratched up into a distinctive shape due to rough riding, or a peculiar shifting habit. Ocelot leaves. EVA is relieved.

WEAPONS LAB WEST WING

ザ・ボス、顔を背けて、部屋を出る。

室内からスネークを殴打する音が響く。

戸口にオセロットが立っている。 恨めしい表情。

ザ・ボス、 オセロットと目が合う。

目をそらすオセロット。 ザ・ボス、去っていく。

編注:製品版ではザ・ボスはオセロットと目を合わせない。視線をさけるように去っていく。

大佐の暴行は続く。

スネーク、気絶する。FO。

The Boss, turning away, leaves the room. The sound of Snake being struck echoes from the room. Ocelot is standing in the doorway. Reproachful expression. [恨めしい - reproachful; hateful; bitter] The Boss makes eye contact with Ocelot. Ocelot looks away. The Boss leaves. Editor's note: In the production version, The Boss does not make eye contact with Ocelot. She leaves as if avoiding his gaze. Colonel's assault continues. Snake, faints, FO [?].

TORTURE

大佐、スネークに身体に電流を流す! 震えるスネーク。

スネーク

「(電撃をくらった悲鳴)」

やるせないオセロット。といいながらも大佐の電撃拷問に惹かれる。

Colonel, applying an electric current to Snake's body! Snake trembling. Snake: "(screams as he is hit by an electric shock)" Ocelot, unwilling to do anything about it. But he is drawn to the electric torture of the colonel. [惹かれる to be charmed by; to be attracted to; to be taken with; to be drawn to]

オセロット

「大佐の拷問に耐えたな」

オセロット

「耐え抜いた奴を見て初めてわかった。 (拷問も)悪くない」

オセロット

「究極の表現法だ」

Ocelot: "You survived the Colonel's torture." Ocelot: "I didn't understand until I saw the guy who endured it. (Torture) is not so bad." Ocelot: "It's the ultimate expression."

WATERFALL

スネーク 「! (意を決し、飛び込む気合)」

オセロット 「スネーク!(やめろっ!)」

スネークを失いたくないオセロット、悲痛の叫び

Snake: "! (Determined and ready to jump in)" Ocelot: "Snake! (Stop!)" Ocelot, not wanting to lose Snake, cries out in sorrow. [悲痛 - grief; sorrow; extreme sadness; heartbreak]

HANGAR AND VOLGIN FIGHT

スネークに向けてオセロットが自慢げに言う。

オセロット

「臭いだ。臭いでわかった」

スネークが口を開こうとすると、オセロットはそれを制して。

鼻をひくひくならすオセロット。

オセロット

「ガソリンの臭いだ。バイク用のな。女にガソリンの臭いが染みついていた」

Ocelot boasts to Snake. Ocelot: "It's the smell. I could tell by the smell." When Snake tries to open his mouth, Ocelot stops him. Ocelot, with his nose twitching. Ocelot: "It smells like gasoline. It's for motorcycles. The woman had the smell of gasoline all over her."

オセロット、感極まる。

オセロット

「この時を待っていた･･････待ちわびていた」

オセロット、2丁拳銃を回す。

スネーク、背後に向き直り、構える。

オセロット、リボルバーで「ダメダメ」の仕草をする。

Ocelot, overwhelmed. [感極まる - to be overcome with emotion] Ocelot: "I've waited for this moment... I've been waiting for this." [待ちわびる - to be tired of waiting; to wait impatiently]

去り際にスネークを見ると、大佐に見えないように、小さくガッツポーズ(やっちまえ)。

As he leaves, he looks at Snake and does a small guts pose so that the Colonel can't see him (Just do it!).

["Guts pose" is the gesture Ocelot does throughout the game.]

MOTORCYCLE CHASE

そこにあったバイク(サイドカーついていない)に飛び乗る。

近道するために大ジャンプ!! EVA同等のハイテク!

He jumps on a motorcycle (without sidecar) that was there. Big jump to take a shortcut!! High tech on par with EVA!

大佐は「あるスイッチ」を入れる。

シャゴホッド、変形してロケットブースターモード（フェイズ2）になる。

ロケットブースター全開！ ターボ音が轟く。

大佐、オセロットがブースター近くにいるのを知っている。

追いつこうとしていたオセロットに燃焼ブースターがもろにかぶる。

オセロット「（悲鳴)」

火傷するオセロット。罵る！ニヤリと微笑む大佐（対決の仕返し。

オセロット「ビッチ!(アメリカ人的に)」

思わず、米語で口走ってしまう。 やや道をそれるオセロット。 またしても遅れる。

The Colonel flips "a switch". Shagohod, transforms to rocket booster mode (phase 2). Rocket boosters at full throttle! The turbo sound roars. Colonel knows Ocelot is near the booster. The combustion booster is right on Ocelot's head as he tries to catch up. Ocelot: "(screams)." Ocelot getting burned. Curses! The Colonel smirks (payback for the confrontation). Ocelot: "Bitch! (American) Instinctively, he blurts out in American English. Ocelot slightly off the road. Delayed again.

WIG

静かにオセロット告白。

オセロット

「おまえと最後の勝負がしたい」

オセロット、首にぶら下がったジャム弾を指さす。

了解するスネーク。

スネーク

「いいだろう」

Ocelot confesses calmly/quietly. Ocelot: "I want to have a final match/play a final game with you." Ocelot, pointing to the jammed bullet hanging around his neck. Snake, understanding. Snake: "Alright."

騎士道を感じて、名前を聞くオセロット。 Ocelot, feeling chivalrous, asks his name.

[If you choose the loaded gun but don't fire:]

オセロット

「なぜ撃たなかった?」

オセロット、ピュアな笑み(友情)を浮かべる。

オセロット

「･･････まあいい」

Ocelot: "Why didn't you shoot?" Ocelot, pure smile (friendship). [友情 friendship; fellowship; camaraderie] Ocelot: "...Well, okay."

[If you choose the loaded gun and fire at Ocelot:]

撃つスネーク。銃口から硝煙が上がる。

オセロットはなんともない。

オセロット、両手を上げて笑う。

オセロット

「空砲だ。 楽しかった」

オセロット、ピュアな笑み(友情) を浮かべる。

Snake shoots. Gunshot smoke rises from the muzzle. Ocelot is fine. Ocelot raises his hands and laughs. Ocelot: "Blanks. That was fun." Ocelot, pure smile (friendship). [友情 friendship; fellowship; camaraderie]

RADIO CONVERSATIONS

[Radio conversations in the original Japanese script don't seem to vary much from the official English translation but some lines have direction notes that add some extra info.]

【On the Admonitory Speech to Ocelot】

【オセロットへの訓示について】

Pメディック

「さっきのお説教は何?」

P-Medic: "What was that sermon you were giving earlier?" [Included this because of the word "sermon", which hints at the dynamic between Ocelot and Snake. Snake is also described in the second Rassvet encounter as "preaching".]

Pメディック

「彼は敵でしょう? どうしてそんなアドバ イスをするの?」

スネーク

「...... (本当になぜだか分からず考え込む)」

Pメディック

「スネーク?」

スネーク

「………どうしてだろうな。なぜだか放っておけなかった･･････」

Pメディック

「(意味のわからないことを言い出したので ちょっと心配になった) スネーク、あ なた大丈夫?」

スネーク

「…………ああ······(まだ考え込んでいる)」

P-Medic: "He's the enemy, isn't he? Why are you giving him advice like that?" Snake "...(pondering, not really knowing why)" P-Medic: "Snake?" Snake "...I don't know why. I couldn't leave it alone for some reason..." P Medic: "(I was a little worried when he started saying things that didn't make sense) Snake, are you alright?" Snake: "...Hm... (still pondering)"

【Letting Ocelot Escape】

【オセロットを逃がしたこと】

EVA

「ところでスネーク、なぜオセロットを逃

がした��?」

スネーク

「言っただろう」

EVA

「まだ若いから?」

スネーク

「ああ」

EVA

「答えになってないわ」

スネーク

「そうか?」

EVA

「ええ」

スネーク

「……そうかもしれんな (本人もなぜ助けて

しまったのか、まだよくわかっていない)」

EVA: "By the way, Snake, why did you let Ocelot go?" Snake: "I told you." EVA: "Because he's still young?" Snake: "Yeah." EVA: "That's not an answer." Snake. "Really?" EVA: "Yes." Snake: "...Maybe so. (I'm still not sure why I helped out, either.)"

Pメディック

「スネーク、「荒野の用心棒 (For a Fistful of Dollars)」って知ってる?」

スネーク

「いや、知らないな」

Pメディック

「イタリア製の西部劇よ」

スネーク

「(怪訝) イタリアの? さしずめマカロニ・

ウエスタンだな」

Pメディック

「かっこいいのよ。主人公のガンさばきな

んて特に」

スネーク

「ガンさばき······(オセロットを想起)」

Pメディック

「私は少佐に教えられてイギリスで観たんだけど、本国ではまだ公開されていないの」

Pメディック

「でもあんなに格好いいんだもの。きっと 観られるようになるわ。 スネークも必ず観てね」

スネーク

「ああ」

P-Medic : "Snake, have you ever heard of 'For a Fistful of Dollars'?" Snake: "No, I don't know it." P-Medic: "It's an Italian western." Snake: "(Puzzled [怪訝 - puzzled; perplexed; quizzical; dubious; suspicious]) Italian? It's a macaroni western [spaghetti westerns are called macaroni westerns in Japan]." P-Medic: "It's cool. Especially main character's gunslinging." Snake: "Gunslinging...(reminds me of Ocelot)" P Medic. "I saw it in the UK after the Major told me about it, but it hasn't been released at home yet." P-Medic: "But he's such a cool guy. I'm sure you'll get to see it. Make sure you watch too, Snake." Snake: "Hm."

【Food Missing From Equipment】

【装備から食糧が消えている】

EVA

「あなたと同じものを食べてみたかったらし いわ(スネークにあこがれるがゆえの行動)」

スネーク

「どういうことだ?」

EVA

「わからない?」

スネーク「ああ」

EVA

「朴念仁」

スネーク

「......??? (全くわかっていない)」

EVA: " He wanted to try the same things you did (actions due to longing for Snake)." [憧れる - to long for; to yearn after; to admire; to be attracted by] Snake: "What do you mean?" EVA: "Don't you understand?" Snake "Hm." EVA: "[朴念仁 - 1. quiet unsociable person​ 2. obstinate person; blockhead]" Snake: "...??? (I don't understand at all)"

[onecornerface]

My YouTube - future video essays (plese subscrbbie)

My YouTube account is Megaritz. Currently I’m still messing around, uploading whatever. But better things are coming-- eventually.

The Plan: After I get 100 subscribers, I will obtain a slightly better microphone, and start making video essays soon thereafter. Pls subscrieb to me !!!

---

Possible video essay ideas (incomplete list):

1. A philosophical analysis of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind. I will discuss how the show develops themes relevant to metaphysics. Diavolo and the heroes embody different ways of viewing issues such as personal identity, a person's relationship to their own past and future, and the reality vs. unreality of the past and future.

2. An analysis of President JSchlatt’s narrative function in the first season of Dream SMP.

3. An in-depth argument that the ending of "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" makes no sense. MGS4 makes it impossible to understand what Ocelot was doing in MGS1 and MGS2. Moreover, it is incomprehensible why "Liquid Ocelot" was a thing at all. I will attempt to describe and refute all theories that purport to make sense of Ocelot's overall plan.

4. A response to Philosophy Tube's video "Suicide and Mental Health." I will argue that Abigail Thorn has several mistaken assumptions about the relationship between suicide, mental illness, irrationality, and social dysfunction.

5. A video about Elimination Society, the reality tv show hosted by the guy who played "Russell Brand" on the Eric Andre show. This show has apparently been seen by only a few hundred people on YouTube and nowhere else, making it perhaps the least-watched reality tv show of all time.

6. A nostalgia video about Dangerous Dave. This was one of John Romero's first games (even earlier than Commander Keen), rarely discussed.

7. A nostalgia video about Lemmings 3D. There are some nostalgia videos already in existence on the original Lemmings-- but practically none on Lemmings 3D.

8. A video about Richard Janczarski, the only person who ever believed in the Time Cube theory besides its creator.

9. An investigation: *Was* "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" really booed at Cannes? Some say yes, and some say no. It sounds like it probably wasn't. But then, how did the story begin? I'm not sure if anyone has done enough digging to uncover the truth for sure.

10. A video-essay arguing that anti-drug laws may have played a role in causing some of the most tragic events in BoJack Horseman.

11. A video reviewing several recent books about addiction, and how these books make dubious assumptions about the relationship between addiction and drug policy. I argue that the question of whether addiction is a "disease" or a "choice" is a deeply confused question, and must be dissolved and replaced by several superior questions.

[youlltrytobreakmetoo]

For MGS ask: 6 9 34.

Hi Lily! 💗

6. Lethal or non-lethal.

Yikes. This is where I admit that if it’s MGS2 (the tanker more specifically) I tend to stick to non-lethal. When it comes to other MGS games that I play over and over, I tend to do a mix of both.

Since MGS4 is what I tend to play the most, I use mainly the tranquilizer (the reload on it is the fastest in the series) but with the (Drebin) weapon system, it’s hard to stick to non-lethal.

I wanna note that in acts 1&2 you can assist the rebels in their fight against the PMCs, so I tend to do that in my playthroughs. it has some benefits. (I also love using Sniper Riffles for guards that are far away. So that counts as lethal.)

9. Favorite theme?

The theme of Solid Snake! From Metal Gear 2.

The entire OST for that game is actually really nice, imo. I also think that game is a bit underrated? I think that maybe not everyone gives it a chance since it’s older/8-bit, but I definitely think the entire game is amazing.

Edit: a close second is the Old Snake theme. (The Theme of Solid Snake gets me hyped, where as the Old Snake theme gives me mixed feelings in my chest of both sadness and comfort.)

34. Which character is most like you?

I already answered this in my previous post, so I’ll just paste what I wrote here :3

I’m gonna say Meryl. A young girl who (at least at the start of MGS1) was struggling to figure out what she wanted to be. She was inspired by Solid Snake and others like him. But ultimately still had difficulties in knowing for sure what she wanted to do. Unsure if she could measure up to the challenge. (She did.)

I guess it’s because I’m starting to be at that set age where I’m struggling to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. And If I even have the right stuff to make it in the world.

And besides that ‘deep stuff’ - I too admire Solid Snake a lot, lolz.

Thank you for asking questions!

MGS ask game.

[exeggcute]

top 10 ocelot moments

1. in mgs4 when snake and eva find him sitting on the volga dolefully smoking a cigar in silence before resuming his persona of being Wacky Liquid Snake with the whole "blackout!" scene moments later

2. the telephone conversation at the end of mgs3, with a tie between "we have John--I mean, Snake--to thank for that" and "I'm always at the CIA's disposal... mr. director" (followed by the iconic brass flourish and "snaaake eaterrrr")

3. when venom snake brings back the missing kids to mother base and ocelot gets all paternal and goes "don't you ever run off like that again... making me worry like that..." (shit like this is why I can never agree with people who hate troy baker ocelot)

4 jumping into a low-flying aircraft to say hi to snake, play a little russian roulette, and tell him his real name before leaping back out and hitting the ground

5. "less enfawnts terribles."

6. the entirety of his entrance scene in mgs3: the bravado, the defeat (one of the few times we see him really get bested and not simply pretend to be), him going "pretty... good..." before passing the fuck out, and of course the fact that he puts the jammed bullet on a necklace and wears it for the rest of the game.

7. also the entirety of the boss fight against him in mgs3. I love when you shoot his hat and he gets mad and runs off to find it, the whole "it's just you and me at last" thing, that it's his first time trying out revolvers and he LOVES it ("I've never felt a tension like this before!"), and if you're on a playthrough with the SAA in your inventory and start spinning it for him he'll just stand and watch and make approving comments. and of course the gunspinning. and the background music is fucking phenomenal

8. the kiss in mgs4.

9. pulling the knife out of venom in mgsv and when venom says "be gentle" ocelot replies "of course."

10. "excellent speech! the gift of a silver tongue. they say it's the mark of a good officer... and of a liar!"

11. when he introduces himself in mgs1 and takes at least thirty seconds to say "revolver... (spins guns in ps1 polygon graphics) ocelot." (and of course the ensuing bullet-themed innuendo)

12. tormenting the fuck out of huey

13. "BROTHAAA... it's been too long!"

14. if you bring home one of the desert cats in mgsv (a caracal I believe?) he goes "cute... but completely lacking the nobility of an ocelot."

15. in the truth tapes when he's talking to (the real) big boss and they both go "John..." "Adam..." and it kills me. also the MOTORCYCLE SCENE in the truth chapter holy fuck how did I forget that... when he lights bb's cigar... that's a top moment for sure but I'm not going back and reordering all of these. anyway I've already said too much. you're all going to use this information against me

[akumathreblogs]

Angry guy yells at game: internet erupts.

Preface

So who is Angry Joe? He is a reviewer online who focuses on games and is prone to anger. That’s pretty much all I know about him since I only see him via crossovers or cameos of reviewers I do follow (Linkara being an example).

What is Kingdom Hearts you ask? First, how is living under a rock? If you really don’t know (and I seriously doubt you don’t), Kingdom Hearts is a series of games by Square Enix that allows you to travel to various Disney Worlds and help their problems. Now if you ARE a Kingdom Hearts fan, you know there is more to this story but to quote SuperButterBuns “there’s only so much a story summary can help you with”.

And that’s where this problem arrives. Apparently Angry Joe is planning to review Kingdom Hearts 3. And his first tweet on this subject that was brought to my attention said this: “I literally have ppl telling me not to review the game or they’ll brigade me & harass me if I don’t play ALL of the previous games first.” A lot of people decided to retweet him, saying that he isn’t professional despite a following tweet saying “No. I’m a bit smarter then u give me credit for. But if the game isn’t friendly to new players then I have every right to say so.”

And again, he is getting criticized for not doing work. Looking through his twitter to find the direct links to said tweets, I found he replied to someone I do follow with the statement: “What I said Is I'm going to take it from a new players perspective and NOT play all the other games to personal completion. I planned to watch story summaries to get up to speed. Is that okay with you? You just made assumptions and reacted to those. Is that your error or mine?”

So on my reblog tumblr, I reblogged that if a story is good, it doesn’t need supplementary material. And I got reblogs saying why would people play the third game of an ongoing story first or my examples are not valid to compare with. So instead of continually reblogging it, I will pretty much make my argument here.

It Will Be People’s First Game

An argument is that with the collections so readily available, why would you start with 3 when you could get the collections before that? Well, let’s start with the best argument for new commers I didn’t realize till recently: they have an XBox One. Kingdom Hearts 3 will be the first game of the series to get on that system. Keyword: FIRST.

As far as I am aware, the Collections are not available to the XBox One. You would think they would mention the collections before KH3, but it looks like they aren’t. This interview about KH3 states the following: “Similarly, Nomura didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of HD collections on Xbox One, but noted that he isn’t sure demand exists outside of the West.”

And that’s why Kingdom Hearts 3 must be able to stand on its own. This game has to so the possibility of those collections to be on the XBox One or the entire series on the Switch. Because if Kingdom Hearts 3 fails to live up to its expectations, then it could be likely that this maybe the last Kingdom Hearts game.

For those with PS4s already, why would they start with KH3 over the Collections. You get more games for much cheaper and it’ll prepare you for KH3. Why wouldn’t they get them first. Well, to quote SuperButterBuns again, “recommend just getting the first collection to see if you like the series first” Then if people bought the collection and find out they don’t like the series, then KH3 will lose its steam. Square is counting on KH3 to be a best seller and eventually make people want to get the collections, not the other way around.

People will jump in a sequel before the prequel

People said my examples of the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn’t count because its a universe while KH is an ongoing story. They also countered by saying nope to my MGS analogy and said that like Mass Effect or the Witcher Series you can’t jump into a sequel and expect to get the story. Well, I decided to look up how they did on VGChartz and see how much it holds true.

Metal Gear

The highest selling game of the series is MGS2 for the PS2. It sold 6.05m units to MGS1′s 6.03m. MGS4 (the one I see people argue the most that you can’t just jump in) sold 6.00m units for the PS3. MGS3, on the other hand, sold 4.23m. When you add Subsistence and the PS4 HD Collection (the first one since they weirdly added multiple) you get 5.96m in total, but that is under the assumption that each individual unit sold has only bought those specific versions.

Mass Effect

According to the chartz, ME2 sold 3.10m units on the 360. Followed by ME3 with 3.04m. And the original game only sold 2.91m. So based off the 360 alone, there have been more players for the sequels of Mass Effect over the original. And while that game gives you the option to continue playing the character you built from the previous, it is optional so newcomers can jump in without having to go through all that.

The Witcher

The Witcher 3 sold 7.54m units alone. Looking at the chart alone you can tell the total of the originals doesn’t come close. On the Wiki, by September 2014, the series reached 8 million copies. The Witcher 3, conversely, in March 2016, CD Projekt Red reported that the game had shipped nearly 10 million copies. So there is a high chance that the Witcher 3 is their first game.

Kingdom Hearts

To finish this off, the original Kingdom Hearts sold 6.40m units. The sequel, on the same system, sold 4.33m. Now if you have to play all the spinoffs to get the story, then that means 2.48 people did not play the GBA game: Chains of Memroies (1.85m). And all the games before the collections get lower and lower. Again, to quote SuperButterBuns, “has covered many platforms to an almost absurd degree” and as they pointed out, NOW is a better time to get into the series thanks to the collections.

So how did the collections do? 1.5 for the PS3 did 1.85m, 2.5 did 1.25m. The PS4 versions did 1.36m and 2.8 for the PS4 sold 1.09m. In total that is 5.55m units sold in total. This is assuming people only bought one of them (which is immediately thrown out since the PS3 needs you to buy both individually while the PS4 requires you to only buy one). So taking out 2.5 on the PS3, that means 4.30m units were sold for those wanting to prepare for KH3. Which is about as much as the original 2 sold and still far from the original 1. 

In short, by looking at the numbers alone, there is a high possibility that people who buy KH3 will be making their first purchase to the franchise through this game. There is a precedent for people to jump into a franchise in a later installment in games and I bet there are numerous examples of other media as well. But since this is a game, I focused on examples through that.

An installment of an on going story can stand on its own

Despite what people think, an on going story line and a universe are the same thing: it is a major story split apart by smaller events. So if the story is good, it can stand on its own without needing the supplementary material. And I will be giving examples.

Metal Gear Solid 2

The game begins with you controlling Snake. Through this prologue, you not only get used to how the game works but you also get introduced to Snake if you’re a newcomer. It gives you enough information to know what role he will play in the rest of the story, as your focus is now on Raiden. You learn of Raiden’s backstory, his quirks and motivations and when the reveal of it being a simulation is revealed you’re just as shocked as he is.

And if this game did its job well, it will not only make you look forward to the next game but also wish to play the original. Playing the original is not needed to enjoy MGS2. In fact, not playing would most likely help as a common complaint I hear about this game is you don’t play as Snake. So while the Prologue will introduce Snake to newcomers, it pretty much sets up disappointment for those who have been expecting to play as him in the sequel.

Metal Gear Solid 4

This story once again begins with you playing as Snake. While you learn about how to play this game, you will also learn about Snake's motivations in this game. You'll find out that he is dying as is pretty much on his last mission. You understand Liquid Snake's plans and why Snake has to stop him. And there is plenty of information as well as cutscenes where past incidents are explained, but can be skipped and still know you have to stop a terrorist. And not playing MGS2 won’t stop you from thinking Cyborg Raiden is awesome.

Kingdom Hearts 2

Yes, Kingdom Hearts 2 can be played without the need to play KH1 or Chain of Memories. In the opposite of MGS2, you play as Roxas in the Prologue so while you’re learning how to play the game you’re learning more about him as a character, So when you find out about his true origin, newcomers should be hooked to the story and wish to find out what happens to Roxas. And if this game doesn’t give you the answers, the following games should.

As for Sora, you get reintroduced to him, noticing the similarities he shares with Roxas, while understanding his motives for finding Riku and uncovering Organization XIII’s true plans. If this story did its job well, it would make you want to get into the rest of the franchise. But of course, even if they do get the story they could still complain about it without it being related to understanding the story. MC Chris�� rant of KH2 has him not playing the original yet his criticism is more about the story KH2 presented. Which is saying that its slow compared to Resident Evil 4.

Conclusion

Yes, there are plenty of people out there who will review Kingdom Hearts 3 with the knowledge of the past games. Examples, if you didn’t figure out one of them yet, is SuperButterBuns who also gives you a video about which order should you play them in. Another example is SomecallmeJohnny who has reviewed every game in the series so far. So you do have plenty of options for those who are fan of the series.

But for newcomers, they may see this game and want to jump in because of the Disney worlds they presented, not really caring about the story itself. And there has to be someone who represent those people who are curious. As far as I can see, Joe is a professional when it comes to reviews. When trying to look up moments where he doesn’t do research, the only one I found was about Halo 5 and removing the split screen options. Apparently he was ranty in that video about it and while I can imagine it was over the top, the reason it was taken out is definitely a negative.

So let Joe review the game. You’re still going to buy it regardless of what he thinks or says. And since his review is going to be based around the newcomer, he’ll either give them the warning to play the originals before this one or say “jump right in, this game is awesome”. Unless the game play sucks like if it is like 358/2 Days.

[eloarei]

Because I like shipping and statistics, I guess.

(Sort of prompted by this post. ...Or maybe it was this post.) So, here's me, looking at all my ships and deciding if they (and their canon relationship) count as the “emotional heart of the story”, OR if I were to reach in and rip them (primarily their relationship) out, would the story be torn apart? YES = they are necessary to the story! NO = the story would get on fine without their relationship UNCLEAR = their relationship has an uncertain importance to the plot Before you read the whole long list (and keep in mind, these are just my ships, and not even all of them, and just my opinions), have some statistics. TOTAL SHIPS = about 87 YES ships = 56 (m/m = 28, f/m = 28) NO ships = 15 (m/m = 9, f/m = 6) UNCLEAR ships = 16 (m/m = 8, f/m = 7, f/f = 1) and because the original intent of this post (as mentioned here) was to see if m/m ships tend to be the “emotional heart of the story” (aka do I mostly ship m/m and is that why?) : M/M ships = 45 (YES = 28, NO = 9, UNCLEAR = 8) F/M ships = 41 (YES = 28, NO = 6, UNCLEAR = 7) F/F ships = 1 ^^; (UNCLEAR = 1) And have one more set of stats, dealing with if these ships are canon or not. (“Mostly Canon” are ships whose canon status is debatable, like it was never explicitly stated, or it's an option, like in some games.) CANON = 27 (m/m = 5, f/m = 21, f/f = 1) Mostly CANON = 12 (m/m = 2, f/m = 10) Not Canon = 48 (m/m = 38, f/m = 10) So, I could probably stand to analyze these stats a little more, but the overall takeaways I'm getting are these: – My ships are fairly evenly SPLIT between m/m and f/m. – MOST of my ships are relevant to the overarching story of the series. --Most of my ships are NOT CANON, but not by a huge margin. --The “heart of the story” is SPLIT between m/m and f/m ships in my favorite series. Feel free to scroll through my 87 ships, if you want to see how I labeled them (“heart of the story”, versus not). Includes some reasoning, in most cases. Ships (or their series, in a few cases) listed under the cut: Killugon, Leopika, Oumugi, Cobymeppo, UsoNa, ZoLu, Hanna/Zombie, McHanzo, Reaper76, Roadrat, Promptis, Gladnis, DekuMight, Mammet, Genosai, Victuri, Destiel, Shakarian, Jaal/Ryder, Newmann, R/Julie, Kataang, Zukaang, Korrasami, Wuko, Gigolas, ZADR, Wolfstar, Fawkes/LW, Gob/LW, Nick/SS, Trying Human, Otasune, Bosselot, Torikoma, Noragami, Oremo, Gamako, JeanMarco, CLAMP, Taibani, Tiger/Bunny, Okabe/Kurisu, 93, 58, Otani/Koizumi, Doctor/Rose, Johnlock, Sterek, Hannigram, Rumbelle, Hopurai, Sorriku, Akuroku, Leo/Ezio, Haytham/Ziio, JakDax, Nate/Elena, Lutecest, GoldenHeart, Mitjo, Blackice, Felix/Calhoun, Om/Shanti, Grocket, Max/Furiosa, Capable/Nux, Seregil/Alec, Thom/Goran, Diana Wynne Jones, Robin McKinley, Jesse/Suze, Mabelmando, Muck, Vito/Wilhelm, Lewis/Vivi, Fry/Leela, Goliath/Elisa. Good lord I can't believe I typed those all out. Well, anyway. Now you don't have to bother clicking through just to satisfy your curiosity, if none of those piques your interest.

Hunter x Hunter: --Gon/ Killua : YES, Gon and Killua's relationship IS the heart of the story. Without their intense friendship, many of the plot points in the story would never have happened. While Gon may still have found his father, the whole story would be extremely different, perhaps to the point of unrecognizability. –Leorio/Kurapika : NO. Unfortunately, as much as I love them, their relationship is not strictly integral to the story. --Meruem/Komugi : (mostly canon) YES. While it's not the entire story, their relationship IS vital to the fate of both characters and that particular arc. One Piece: --Coby/Helmeppo : UNCLEAR. While Coby and Helmeppo are not main characters, Coby was a catalyst in the early part of the series, and will probably be important again towards the end. Also, while Coby could have gotten where he is without Helmeppo, Helmeppo would likely not be who he is now without Coby, making Coby integral to Helmeppo's story. --Usopp/Nami : NO. I love them a lot, and they're both important to the story in different ways, but their relationship is not strictly necessary. --Zoro/Luffy : UNCLEAR. Obviously, Luffy is the main character, and Zoro is also super important. The story probably could have gotten where it was going without Zoro's involvement, but there have definitely been several key points which would have been different without him. (Early one, especially, and the end of Thriller Bark.) This one might require more thought. Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name: Hanna/{Zombie} : YES. While the story may still have happened without {…} (Conrad still showing up that night), the entire story would have had a different tone, as {…} is the narrator, and certain key events would have played out differently. Overwatch: McCree/Hanzo : NO. Admittedly, they don't have a lot to do with each other in canon, no matter how much I like them. Soldier 76/Reaper : YES. Their story was vital to the formation of Overwatch as we know it. Roadhot/Junkrat : NO. Not exactly vital to the overall story, although they do seem fairly important to each other. Final Fantasy XV:   Noctis/Prompto and Gladio/Ignis : NO. I mean, I love the ships, but technically neither of these ships are really super important to the overall story. I would be willing to listen to arguments for this one though, since obviously the relationship between the four of them actually is super important. Boku no Hero Academia: Izuku/All Might : YES. Nothing would have happened in this series if it weren't for the relationship between these two. Not only would Izuku be lacking the power to succeed, he'd have been lacking the training and also possibly the inspiration. Likewise, All Might would likely have stagnated, instead of grown as a character. Back to the Future: Marty/Doc : YES. There would be literally no point to the entire series without either character or their relationship exactly as it is. One Punch Man: Saitama/Genos : YES. Although it may be debatable, I believe that Genos' involvement with Saitama is critical to the story. Is it, at very least, critical to Genos' growth. Yuri on Ice!!: Viktor/Yuuri : (canon) YES. Canon-gay main characters; kind of the point of the story. Supernatural: Dean/Castiel : YES. Though Dean and Sam's relationship is probably still more important, I would definitely argue that most of the plot from season 4 on could not have happened without Castiel's involvement with Dean. Mass Effect: Shepard/Garrus : (mostly canon) UNCLEAR. Garrus was fairly important to the story, especially early on, but even if he had never come around at all, the story would have been about the same. However, since you get to determine the story to some degree, you could say their relationship is about as important as you make it. Ryder/Jaal : (mostly canon) UNCLEAR. About the same as above. Their relationship was important, but not significantly moreso than other characters'. Pacific Rim: Newton/Hermann : YES. Without them working together, the plot would not have been resolved. (One could even argue their arguing was critical to the story.) Warm Bodies: R/Julie : (canon) YES. Like most of my other book ships, these two were written with each other in mind. Avatar/Legend of Korra: Katara/Aang : (canon) YES. Though the story could have got along without their romantic involvement, their general relationship was absolutely vital to the plot. Zuko/Aang : YES. Their relationship provided most of the conflict from the early half, and much of the character development from the later half. Korra/Asami : (canon) UNCLEAR. If they had been only acquaintances, the plot would likely have carried on mostly the same, however the ending would have been different, of course. Mako/ Wu : NO. Their relationship made a couple of plot points in the last season, but the story would have got by okay without it. The Lord of the Rings: Gimli/Legolas : NO, although I'd be willing to hear arguments to this one. I don't recall that their relationship was particularly necessary to the plot's resolution. Invader Zim: Zim/Dib : YES. Literally the entirety of the story would be pointless without their relationship. Harry Potter: Sirius/Remus : YES. Primarily in the 3rd book/movie, but the story would have gone drastically differently if not for their past friendship. It would likely have had a huge butterfly effect. Fallout 3: Fawkes/Lone Wanderer : YES. Fawkes was key in helping get the GECK, and also having LW, y'know, not die in the DLC. If Fawkes didn't massively respect the LW, the LW would just be shit out of luck. And also dead. Gob/Lone Wanderer : NO. Poor Gob's just stuck slaving away as a bartender. Hell I don't think you even have to talk to him once to advance the story. =[ Fallout 4: Nick Valentine/Sole Survivor : YES. Nick is instrumental in helping SS find their son, and if it weren't for his respect for them, SS would have a very difficult time with several legs of the journey. And don't get me started on how their backstories are a mirror of each other! Trying Human: Rose/Hue, Longus/Don, Philena/EBE1, Quazky/Gracelis, FJ12/Pigment : (canon) YES. The charm of a good webcomic, eh? =D Metal Gear Solid: Snake/Otacon : YES. Moderately important in MGS1, Otacon and Snake's relationship becomes crucial in 2 and 4. Also, “Can love bloom on the battlefield?” Yes, Otacon. Yes it can. (I'd write a manifesto about these two if I had the energy.) Big Boss/Ocelot : YES. Quite a lot of the entire series would never have happened if it weren't for Ocelot's hero-worship crush on Big Boss. It's pretty important. Toriko: Toriko/Komatsu : YES. To be fair, I haven't read/watch this series in years, but the earlier parts of the series put a lot of focus on the budding partnership between these two characters. Ugh, talk to me about the part where they climb a giant beanstalk in order to eat a heart-shaped vegetable in tandem to commemorate their partnership. Geez. It's a little hard to say if their relationship was vital to the actual plot, because I'm still not sure what the plot was, but it was definitely vital to the story. Noragami: Yato/Hiyori : (mostly canon) YES. As the main characters, the story revolves mostly around them, and if they didn't care for each other, there would be no reason for half of the events to happen. Kazuma/Bishamon : (mostly canon) UNCLEAR. At least one key backstory event only occurred because of their relationship, but the story might have happened similarly without it. Kofuku/Daikoku : (mostly canon) NO. I love them, but the story could probably exist okay without them. Ore Monogatari: Takeo/Yamato : (canon) YES, but obviously, as it's a romantic comedy. The story is literally all about them. Kill la Kill: Gamagoori/Mako : NO. Although they featured together in a few important scenes, the story could have progressed without them ever being in the same frame. Attack on Titan: Jean/Marco : NO. The entire story would have probably been just fine without them, although Jean might be a different person without Marco's influence. CLAMP: (mostly canon) YES. I'm just gonna go ahead and say that all of my ships from CLAMP series are vital to both the story and the characters' growth. This might be an exaggeration, but only slightly. Tiger&Bunny: Kotetsu/Barnaby: YES. Because, obviously, what's Tiger&Bunny without Tiger and Bunny? The story would have gone nowhere without either of them, and the focus on their growing relationship was super important. Steins;Gate: Okabe/Kurisu : (mostly canon) YES. The plot forces the relationship between Okabe and Kurisu in an interesting way, so it is sort of super relevant. Saiyuki: Sanzo/Goku : YES. Gojyo/Hakkai : UNCLEAR. To be honest, I just haven't watched the series in a while, so I'm a little cloudy on the finer points of this ship. I'd say they're important, and from what I remember they are important to each other's story, but I don't recall how vital their relationship is to the overall plot. Lovely Complex: Otani/Koizumi : (canon) YES, because it's a romantic comedy and these are the two main characters. Doctor Who: Doctor/Rose : (canon) YES. In love with two different Doctors, and (as far as I know) the only one to end up with one permanently! Their relationship was so damn important that it came back even after Rose retired as a companion! Sherlock: Sherlock/John : YES. The series wouldn't even remotely exist without their relationship. Teen Wolf: Stiles/Derek : NO. The necessity of either character to the overall plot is debatable; they certainly didn't have to interact in order for the series to continue, even if those were some of the best scenes. Hannibal: Hannibal/Will : YES. Though I never caught up with the series, it was clear even from the very start of season 1 that the relationship between these two was the drive of the whole story. Once Upon a Time: Rumpelstiltskin/Belle : (canon) UNCLEAR. Though they're both important to each other and other characters at multiple points in the story, their relationship is probably not all that important to the other characters. (To be fair, this is based mostly off of seasons 1 and 2.) Final Fantasy XIII: Hope/Lightning : NO? It's been a while since I played the game, and while I love Hope, I seem to recall that he wasn't terribly important? (Was anybody important in that game? What even was the plot??) Kingdom Hearts: Sora/Riku : YES. I mean, Sora did spend pretty much forever searching for Riku, and Riku did spend basically the whole time being a pain. Axel/Roxas : UNCLEAR. Roxas' existence and story probably could have happened without Axel. But to be honest, it's Kingdom Hearts; I could never remember all the fine details. Assassin's Creed: Leonardo/Ezio : UNCLEAR. I mean, Ezio would have died or failed several times without Leo's inventions, but Leo himself wasn't strictly necessary. Haytham/Ziio : (canon) YES. Well, Conner wouldn't exists without them, so. Jak and Daxter: Jak/Daxter: YES. There would have been literally no point to the series if it weren't for their relationship. Uncharted: Nate/Elena : (canon) UNCLEAR. A rare female love interest, Elena was there from the very beginning and throughout the whole series, kicking ass and helping the plot along. Could the series have gone on without her and Nate's intricate relationship? Probably. But who would have wanted that? Bioshock Infinite: Robert/Rosalind : (mostly canon) YES. Only because of their fantastic weird obsession with science and themselves was the cross-dimensional travel that made the plot happen even possible. Nimona: Blackheart/Goldenloin : (mostly canon) YES. Their relationship is central to the backstory, and the later parts of the story. Long Exposure: Mitchel/Jonas : (canon) YES. Again, because it is a webcomic, and they're specifically written with each other in mind. Rise of the Guardians: Jack/Pitch : UNCLEAR. While both are critical to the story, it probably could have gone on fine without their interactions. However, Jack's personal arc wouldn't have had the same emotion without Pitch's involvement. Wreck-it Ralph: Felix/Calhoun : (canon) UNCLEAR. Their relationship was a key point in the story, but the overall plot could have probably happened without it. Om Shanti Om: Om/Shanti // Om/Sandy : (mostly canon) YES. Without Om's love for Shanti, the entire second half of the plot wouldn't have worked out. Sandy's love for Om was also critical. Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket/Groot : YES. I think it's safe to say that the whole crew would have died if it weren't for Groot, and it's unlikely that he would have been there in such a capacity without his partnership with Rocket. Mad Max: Fury Road: Max/Furiosa : (canon) YES. Story couldn't go anywhere without them, and their relationship was important at certain points. Capable/Nux : (canon) YES. Though their relationship was not vital to the overall story, it played a huge part in the resolution. Nightrunner: Seregil/Alec : (canon) YES. Canon-gay main characters, obviously the story goes nowhere without them. HERO: Thom/Goran : (canon) UNCLEAR. Though the relationship between the characters is a key element in the story, it probably could have happened pretty similarly even if the two did not develop a romantic involvement. (Would've been a different story; still, Thom's other relationships are roughly as important.) Diana Wynne Jones' books: Howl/Sophie, Vierran/Mordian, Tom/Penny, etc : (canon) YES. All main characters, written with the intention of being involved with each other, they are vital to their stories. Robin McKinley's books: Narl/Rosie, Cecily/Little John, Beauty/Beast, etc : (canon) YES (mostly). Main characters written to revolve around each other, with the exception of Cecily and Little John, whose relationship was probably not strictly necessary for the overall story. The Mediator: Jesse/Suze: (canon) YES. Same deal with my other canon book ships: they were literally made for each other. Gravity Falls: Mabel/Mermando : (mostly canon) NO. Their relationship was only relevant for an episode, and had it not existed, most of the story would have been the same. Motorcity: Mike/Chuck : UNCLEAR. It probably ought to be a “no”, but the series didn't get that far, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. XD; The Reward: Vito/Wilhelm: (??? canon?) YES. I mean, the story was 100% about their bromance. Mystery Skulls Animated: Lewis/Vivi : (canon) YES. Poor ghost man just misses his nerdy girlfriend. Futurama: Fry/Leela : (canon) UNCLEAR, since Futurama didn't really have an overarching plot for their relationship to be relevant to. But GOD did you see the last episode? I mean, they were definitely a central plot point of the story, even if they weren't strictly 'necessary' to it. Gargoyles: Goliath/Elisa : (canon) YES, hella yes. Their relationship (both platonic and romantic) was greatly important to the overall story, many times. Though the gargoyle characters could have existed without Elisa, the story would have lacked most of its emotional component. (And that’s just about that! I left off a bunch of old ships, because there’s just no way I have the time and energy to list stuff I haven’t been into in years. Also I probably forgot some, but oops?) 

[pudgyvenomsnake]

For the Metal Gear Asks meme: 1, 2, 8, 9 even though the answer is pretty obvious (◔◡◔✿), 27, 31, 34 and 38 ^u^

Thanks for sending me some numbers! (´ ꒳ `)

Fave Game?

Oh man, that’s hard but I’d have to say MGS3 probably!

Fave Character?

Big Boss/Venom Snake since I’ll never pick between the two uwu

Fave Song In The Game?

Snake Eater, although I love Sins of the Father a lotttt too!

Fave Ship?

Definitely VQuiet!! Haha (◕ ω ◕✿)

If there was a new metal gear game, what would you want it to be about?

I think it’d be wicked cool to have a game about The Boss!! 

A character you relate to?

Hmm, I’ve been thinking this one over and I’m actually not sure haha It’ll probably hit me later~

When did you first get into mgs?

Late 2015! All of our friends were playing MGSV and my husband and I had just started playing MGS1 haha 

If you had to explain the plot of mgs in one sentence, what would it be?

Trust no bitch! 

That’s what I yelled out at every twist during each game haha