Suikoden IV Part #19 - Flight from Obel

Part 19: Flight from Obel

What's that you say? Too much complaining of late? Not enough Shit Suikoden IV Gets Right?

...well then, how about an entire update of it?

Pictured, the least awesome part of this update.

(Well, okay, it could still be pretty bad if that's all we have to go by.)

After a near death experience, it's nice to get some fresh air-

-what the heck was that?

I know, goddammit, I came here to tell you that.

Returning to base, the place seems empty. I guess we should check this one room we've never been to before...

There is only one video for this update. It is fairly long (~11 minutes) but I still recommend watching it because I find this one of the best, most atmospheric parts of the entire game. No funny edits this time, either - I've only cut out the parts where I'm running around like a headless chicken.

If you're not into moving pictures, at least check out this music which plays over most of it. It doesn't have a lot of melody to it, but I find it still sets the mood quite well for the... well, imminent threat.

We barely make it inside before Setsu comes running.

Master Setsu, wh-what's the matter?

Mr. Setsu... Don't tell me... That Rune on his left hand... Are you asking him to use it again?

Gee, I don't think my companions trust this guy very much! It couldn't have anything to do with his sparkling personality, I'm sure.

What an awful man you are... Taking his life for granted like that!

Thanks, but that would feel a lot more sincere from a man who hasn't personally tried to kill me for it already.

Within the past 30 minutes.

No, no! You've got it all wrong! Please hear me out! You must let me explain!!

No need for that. Anything Setsu could tell us, Lino can tell us better.

Lazlo! I beg of you... Please protect our king and princess!

"I've got my eyes on you, you sneaky little bastard!"

Well, they just--

Allow me to explain.

Please do.

"Say what?"

"Did you know that?"

"I totally knew that!"

"You're all imbeciles."

Relying solely on the Royal Fleet made me uneasy, so I had it built in secret, never thinking we would have to use it so soon...
Anyway, we need to all split up and begin preparations for departure. We may be criticized for fleeing, but it cannot be helped. Unfortunately, this is our only option right now. Will you go out and gather volunteers to join us?

Lazlo nods.

I will go, too!

Less

.

Emoticons aside, Flare now joins the party. We have a princess, guys!

Let's strip her naked.

(Come to think of it, her gear really isn't worth the effort, so I could have gone through this update feeling considerably less creepy if I had thought about it for a few moments more. Oh well.)

We could head out, but our recruits have new dialogue, so let's go talk to them first.

I have a feeling this experience will inspire an incredible article!

Oh, it will be incredible, all right.

You want me... to help, too?

...go back to your drink.

Lazlo! So, this place is a ship? What's with that?? First that, now I find out we're setting sail real soon... What in the world is going on?

Didn't you say you'd be okay with anything as long as it involves hitting people with your sword? Well, look at it this way: we're going to drive closer to the enemy so you can hit them with your sword. Happy now?

So, there will be even more people coming into this room. Hmm... It will be quite crowded...

Not really! There's more of this place that we haven't been able to access yet.

For... not telling you... that this is a ship until now, I am very sorry...

Man, you look like you're sorry! Don't be so hard on yourself.

No need to worry about that. _{I can't actually progress with the game unless I do.}

So, you are going to gather people? Please be careful...

So, this was a ship? I didn't notice at all...

What kind of a child are you? You're suppoed to go exploring and discover all this so you can be all smug and go "I knew that!" when the reveal comes.

Lazlo, keep on gathering people. We'll be working hard in the meantime!

This place... I had a feeling that this was a strange building, but even so... I didn't expect this to be a ship.

When the ship sets sail... I wonder if we'll be able to enjoy a little more sunshine...

As we leave the building, the scene shifts to the Kooluk fleet.

Kooluk Soldier: Ah, sir, what shall we do?

We should anticipate that they have some sort of plan in mind. Tell Colton to search the entire area.

Sharp as a tack, that Troy.

Kooluk Soldier: Yes, sir! I'll relay the message to the 2nd Fleet at once!

---

The ships are drawing closer...

---

Flare is an archer. I kept hoping for a crit/close-up for a better view, but sadly, no.

These two are hanging around outside the palace. I haven't shown them off before because all they have to say is basically "Nice island you have here! I hope it doesn't get invaded and overrun by enemy forces or anything!"

We will stay here and protect the citizens. After all, we owe them a great deal. I will show my appreciation in any way I can. You understand, don't you? Now... please go!

Ema: But dear...

Ema, you can escape on the ship...

What are you saying? I plan on staying here, too!

Fine, but keep yourself alive until I can come back and recruit you!

Next, we need to look through town for people willing to come with us. As we pick them up,

...we see glimpses of our party preparing back at the ship.

Sadly, there's no last-minute boost to this guy's skill; all he can do now is sharpen...

...Flare's arrows.

(If you don't know she's temporary, this is kind of a newbie trap, but I have enough cash and these upgrades are not very expensive yet.)

Both Flare and Lino (spoiler, the nice guy with the portrait, name and unique model joins the group!) have weapons named after Egyptian themes. Flare's go Hathor -> Heket -> Isis, and Lino's Aten -> Horus -> Pharaoh. Nice little family tradition. I was actually hoping to see if her bow looks different upgraded, but alas we don't get into any more fights.

All aboard!

Meanwhile, our companions load the Rune cannons...

...and the Kooluk fleet draws even nearer.

A bunch of people are gathered at the entrance to the harbour. Here's the girl who gave us that lottery ticket!

If there is anything you need, please let us know.

All right.

Look, a familiar face!

I came all this way to Obel to buy gold ore, but now, I can't get home...
What? What's that? A ship? You'll take me with you?
I'll go, I'll go! Of course, I'll go!

I don't care if you're semi-transparent - I hope you're ready to work!

I'd like to come aboard, too... but...
I'll think about it a little more. I'm sorry.

Hurry it up, or I'll leave you behind!

Actually, the thing is the NPC won't join us until we recruit the last actual person in town. Adrienne is optional, but Lino said he wants a doctor, so we need go grab one.

There we go!

And we're done.

Flare won't come all the way back with us, however. And hey, close-up! I think her arrows were a bit more drab before, but it's kinda hard to tell when they're five pixels wide.

Please tell my father for me, okay!

Lazlo is standing there wondering "Why me?"

Don't worry! I'll be fine! Hurry on inside!

Goddammit, it's a good thing Lino is so chill.

Speaking of which...

Wh-Where is Lady Flare?

Lazlo just hangs his head at this.

No... Don't tell me she decided to stay...

Wh-What?! Why didn't you try to stop her?

What am I supposed to do, throw the royal princess over my shoulder and leg it? For all I know, that's a hanging offense in Obel!

Setsu, it's fine. We need some people to stay on the island, too.
She truly takes after her mother...

I don't know. I think I see quite a bit of similarity between the two of you, too.

Th-Then I shall also go outside. Make sure everything's okay. Everyone, please look after His Majesty!

Setsu.

Y-Yes, sir?

Yes, sir...

Also, tell the remaining citizens...

He thinks about that for a moment.

to just hang in there for now, okay?

I will.

Why postpone it?

Let's go!

Let's go be awesome!

All right!

---

Kooluk Soldier: Yes. According to Sir Colton's message, the people in the area are gathering at the wharf. What shall we do?

The wharf? Something's going on... I'll go see for myself. Inform the other ships to standby and stay alert.

Kooluk Soldier: Yes, sir!

Closer and closer...

Hey! One of the ships is headed this way!
Hurrrrryyyy!!! Hurry up and escape! I will take care of this!

Time for Setsu to redeem himself!

Kooluk Soldier: Hahaha... What does he think he's doing?

What indeed!

For whatever reason, Troy is not amused.

Full speed ahead!

Your majesty!! Your majesty!! Hurry!!

And on our side...

Good! This is it. We've got only one chance at this. You're in charge here.

They shall stare into Lazlo's eyes and know despair!

How?

I don't give a fuck!

Damn that's a big hole!

Troy is even less amused.

Kooluk Soldier: It seems the wharf has collapsed!

No, there's something inside! Prepare to fire the Rune Cannon!

Oh, you should have thought of that earlier.

I mean. Sure, it's big, but do you really think any of your men stand a chance of hitting this thing once it's actually moving?

Fun fact: it actually does head to port! Someone has been doing their research!

...well, even if it's a wild guess, I suppose they had a 50% chance to get it right.