Part 4: Noa

Update 4: Noa



It's supposed to be time to sale Mt Rikuroa and awaken the Genesis Tree at its peak, but...





Let's hurry to the top of the mountain! Our friends...Our friends must be there!





The camera returns to the world map and show us another mountain, just a little to the north...







Meet Noa. Her personality isn't readily apparent since she temporarily usurps Vahn's silent protagonist role while we're playing as her, but she's basically the game's resident Grand Supreme Little Darling, and a pretty strong contender for my favorite character. We'll get into all that later, of course. For now, just know that she is interrupting our regularly scheduled game for her own antics.












Music: Noa's Dream


Noa runs toward the light, but it fades away to be replaced by another.





???: Noa! I want to see you! I need you, Noa...















Music: Snowdrift Cave


Yes, well, you should always remember your dreams, no matter how painful. Dreams tell you about the future. Alright, then. Time for practice! Come with me.





It seems Noa has been raised by a talking wolf. I like this little...erm...shanty?...that they built for her. I could think of worse things than hanging out in some cave with a talking wolf.







A lot of this bit is following Terra around through a basically linear path, occasionally stopping to talk to her.







Terra also gives us a quick recap of things so far, just in case any of it hasn't sunk in yet.


Correct! A Seru touched by the Mist begins to act on its own and possess the human that uses it. So you must be careful.





That's right, Noa. Soon you will be entrusted with the reviving of Genesis Trees. How soon that day comes depends entirely on you.





You can find two or three Healing Shrooms along the way. Like Healing Leaves, they are a 200 HP heal, and are pretty substantial heals for a decent amount of time. They're also a bit unique in that, unlike Healing Leaves, I don't think you can buy these anywhere, so there's a finite amount in the world. Not that it really matters, just odd trivia.





I timed the screenshot poorly, but I really did pick the right answer. Honest!


Correct! It's the Genesis Tree at Mt. Rikuroa! Mt. Rikuroa is located south of this cave. Although now we are trapped inside Snowdrift Cave, someday, someday...The day will come when you and I will go to Mt. Rikuroa together! Noa, I look forward to that day with eagerness. Now come with me. After using the mind, it's time to use the body. Time for training!





Terra informs us that we should fight Red Piuras if we aren't confident, and Black Piuras if we are. I'm not too sure about how well I'll play as a new level 1 character, so let's fight a red one first.







While neither of the enemies are especially difficult, the red ones are indeed a little easier. I got it in my head somehow as a child that Terra was lying to me as some sort of psychology trick and that the black ones are actually easier, but after fighting them again now I'm pretty sure child me was full of it.





Noa's job is speed. Noa is very, very fast. As a corollary, Noa also has the longest attack gauge. Before Spirit, she is just barely able to fit four attack commands (versus Vahn, who's still only able to use three despite being level six).





And after Spirit, she can fit five, nearly six.

The thing with Noa is that her stats look terrible compared to Vahn's – she's weaker, frailer, and has less intelligence and MP. But as it happens, her massive speed and agility make up for it. Her Arts are powerful and easy to string together, though that's offset by the fact that if you don't know what the correct combinations are then they are worthless. Basically, this game values speed enough that even though it's her only strength, she can still keep up with the other party members most of the time. I tended to view her as the best character as a kid, and I'm curious to see if she holds up to that hype now.





PizzAAAAAA!


Did I mention the character make some funny noises when they attack? Vahn hasn't gotten any of his funnier ones yet, but Noa's New/Hyper Arts shout always amused me.







Another thing worth noting about Noa (wow, I have a lot to say about Noa) is her Arts tend to require more commands than Vahn's do, presumably to take advantage of her longer gauge. I believe all of Vahn's normal Arts take only three or four slots, while Noa's got about as many threes and fours plus two fives and a six command Art. She has enough lower command Arts that you can string together alright, but I always like to go for her longer attack strings.

(bear in mind this isn't all of her Arts, just a few of the ones I remembered offhand)





And here's a picture of a Black Piura just because.





Terra will heal you in between battles. I believe you need to win three or more before Terra will let you leave.





Now it is time for me to tell you everything. Noa, let's go over there. I must tell you something important.





Music: It's that kind of but not quite spoiler-y song again!


Suddenly, an earthquake! I wish these things were easier (or possible) to convey in screenshots...


...I think it's over. We've lived in this cave for some time, but that's the biggest earthquake yet...

...Noa! The wind is blowing! A hole must have opened in the cave. Be careful, Noa! It's the Mist! They're out there, in the Mist! We'll follow the wind to the Genesis Tree! Hurry, to Mt. Rikuroa!





Now it's time to backtrack through the same path, but with enemy encounters this time! Most of them are unremarkable, but there is a Seru monster that hangs around here now.





I'm guessing this one's a boy Seru.





I can feel the wind blowing here. Do you know what that means, Noa? It means we can go outside! Let's head for Mt. Rikuroa and the Genesis Tree.







Now we have Terra as a guest party member. She acts on her own, is completely invincible, and can heal Noa for most/all of her HP for free. Needless to say, Terra is a very welcome addition to battles.





I forgot the combination for this Art and finally looked it up; it's Tough Love! This Art takes five inputs and deals negligible damage, but it also can charm an enemy, which makes them stop attacking you (and possibly attack other enemies, although they never did that for me in this update). I don't use it a lot, but it's a cool idea and since it's an Art you only spend the easily renewable resource of AP.

Just a little further, and...





We're outside! I wonder if this is the first time Noa's ever been outside the cave.





We could go straight to Mt. Rikuroa, but first let's check out this passage to the east.





Music: Buma in the Mist


Beyond that valley is where the Mist is born. From there it flows out into this world. Though the Mist is too thick to see clearly, there is a Mist Generator beyond this valley.


Terra suddenly lies down, and Noa runs over to check on her.


I'm sorry, Noa. Suddenly I feel a little ill. The Mist is too thick. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can go any further.





Noa, you are such a good child. Don't worry about me. I'll feel better once I get away from this place.





Ah, and here we have a much-needed attack boost for Noa. Now for something to test it out on...





The enemies here are the same as what Vahn faced on the world map, just in larger groups.

Also, Noa hit level three, and with that, has boosted her (Spirited) attack gauge far enough to fit six commands. Time for Tempest Break!









Yeah, that's the stuff.





This seems like a good place to stop. Next time we'll finally scale this mountain!