Part 5: Mission 3 - I Am Providence - Part 1
Alright, it’s time to check the intermission menu. Normally there’d be a list of our current top aces at the bottom, but my recording came in a bit wonky and the bottom screen was pretty much all cut. This doesn’t matter much, since 95% of everything this game does is in the top screen, but we’ll check the bottom one later.
That said, NG++ means our kill counts are horribly inflated: Richard is 1st with 352, Heroman is 2nd with 334 and Saya is 3rd with 279. And, by the by, whenever your top aces kill something, you gain 20% extra cash.
Now, here’s the rundown on these menu options and what they do, from top to bottom:
Pilot:
- Pilot List – checks your pilots stats, etc.
- Skill Parts – like in all DS games, your pilots gain abilities and stat boosts by consuming Skill Parts.
- Switch Pilot – reassigns pilots to different units. Various limitations apply, so don’t expect to have Richard controlling Heroman.
- Assign Tactician – certain pilots can be set as this, providing several bonuses to all your troops.
- Unit List – unit’s stats.
- Mech Upgrade – spend your cash to boost various stats in your units and/or their weapons.
- Squad formation – not available yet, but we’ll be able to pair our guys into various duos.
- Search – lists all the skills, abilities, spirit commands, etc. that we have and who has them.
- System – options menu. More importantly, allows you to set different BGMs for your mechs.
- DLC – haven’t looked up any of it.
- Data Save
- Proceed to next mission
And in case you’re wondering, the three yellow stats at the bottom of the screen refer to, in order, the total number of turns you’ve taken so far, how much money you currently have and (when applicable) how many times you’ve cleared the game.
And with our homework done, let’s be off!
#1: Hrgh…! #2: Accept your defeat… #2: You may be lauded as the mightiest of all, but, without a master, you stand no chance of defeating the Liber Legis. #1: Kch…!
#2: Know when to give up. Away with you! #1: Ugh-Gwaaaaah!
#3: Should we not pursue, master…? #2: It matters not. I’m certain she will fall upon that city. #2: All shall be as Fate decrees, and the Wheel of Fortune is ever in my hand. #3: Yes, master…
Cut to Arkham City, our folks have arrived and Leica is very glad to see Kurou back safely – she was worried sick. Joey and the others excuse themselves and come in, Psy very much digging the chill atmosphere of the church. Pretty nice place. Lina, meanwhile, is beat and really could use with a shower.
Leica takes a look at these people and freaks out: “Kurou, I know you’re broke, but resorting to kidnapping is just…!” Nooo, that’s not what’s going on – how can she even think that?! Kurou explains that they’re from Center City and had no place to go, so he brought them along.
Denton apologizes for imposing on Leica, but we really had no other options… but, of course, the nun welcomes them all. It’s the duty of the church to help those in need, after all. “OH! Such enormous kindness, it’s like I’m looking at an actual angel!” Richard cries. “In fact, I’m certain of it: you must be an angel given form!”
Leica lets out an embarrassed laugh – he gives her too much credit – and quickly remembers that there were people who wanted to see Kurou.
That’d be Winfield and his boss, Ruri Hadou, and they’ve a request to make of him. Kurou immediately recognizes Hadou, as in the Hadou Financial Group, of which Ruri is the known president! Denton’s also familiar with them, the only company to rival the Rubens Foundation in worldwide dominance.
Richard notes that the previous company president was one Kozo Hadou, a man renowned as America’s Railroad King. The Hadou Financial Group invested heavily in the development of Arkham City, to the point where they are the de facto rulers of the place. Huh, Psy’s surprised he’s so well-informed. Did he live here before? “Non, non. Not at all.”
Regardless, Winfield confirms that Richard is right and said Kozo Hadou is Ruri’s grandfather. “I-If I may ask, what request could a lady such as yourself have to make of people like us?” Kurou says, a much more formal tone setting on his voice.
The truth is…
: I can’t believe the Hadou Financial Group asked me to find a grimoire…: And one with actual power, the sort that sorcerers use, at that.
: Yeesh, first aliens, now sorcerers? The crazy-train never stops, huh?
: Guess not, ahahah… But did you really mean that? Sorcerers actually exist?: Eh, who knows? But whatever the case, pretty much all grimoires are compilations of unholy knowledge. : Anyone who wants something like that isn’t a very good sort, I’ll tell you that.
: Hmhmm, I see how it is…
: Still, we owe Kurou much for what he’s done for us. So how about we split up and help him with his job?: Okay!
: (Are we clear on what to do, Saya?)
: (Yes, sir. I’ll continue to accompany and investigate Joseph Carter Jones.)
Location: Hadou Manor – Ruri’s Room
: Was it truly fine to hire that man…?
: While Mr. Daijuuji quit halfway through, he did engage in occult studies at the Miskatonic University. In other words, he’s studied magic theory. : All students are sworn to secrecy, and it was no easy task uncovering his name. I don’t think we have any other option but to entrust this matter to him…: Demonbane… my grandfather’s heirloom. The means for us to stand against the Black Lodge…: But we require a grimoire – a true grimoire – if we are to activate it.
Location: Arkham City – Mysterious Bookshop
: A-choo!: Do you have a cold, Kurou?: Naah, it’s just these old books – they’re covered in dust.
: Now why do you assume it’s the dust? Maybe my books are whispering behind your back…?: But which one is the whisperer… a grimoire with power, perhaps?: …?!: (Wh-Who is this woman…?!): Hahah, that’s kind of a weird idea, lady. A book whispering?: Is it truly a weird notion? Don’t you think that, given enough time, a soul, a will… even a life may take root within something? Like, say, a real grimoire, vessel to untold power, or perhaps…: A doll, endowed with human emotions…?: …?!
: (Does… does she know about Heroman?!): Hmhmhm…: …: Who… who are you…?: Ah, my apologies – I never quite introduced myself, did I? I am the owner of this fine establishment. My name is, hmm…: Well, why don’t you call me Nya?
: Mister Daijuuji… Escape, por favor… (Saya shifts into full engrish here, so I needed to replace that with something.): Huh? But we haven’t found a grimoire yet…: Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. You will certainly get your pretty hands on one, and in the very near future.: Yes, the mightiest of all grimoires… the ultimate grimoire, one that can summon even a god…: Wh-What do you mean by that…?!: Mister! Por favor! Sei schnell!: O-Okay. I’ll stop by later, Ms. Nya…*Off they go.*
: Hmhmhm… Karma flows in a circle, coming to fruition at samsara's end… : Ah, things are getting interesting. I wonder what kind of ending we’ll reach this time…: Oi, Saya… you didn’t even give me a chance to hear what that lady had to say.: Pardon. But that bookstore veeryy perigoso, mucho strange.: Um… you mean you thought the place was suspicious, then, right?: Oui, oui. (She switches between engrish and French, yes): (The way you speak is a whole lot more suspicious, if you ask me.): Move! Out the way!: Huh…?: Qu'est-ce que c'est?!: Aah?! There’s a girl falling this way…?!
: I said, MOVE, FOOOOOL! : Ah—Waaaaaaaah!*Smack!*
Mission 3 – I Am Providence
: O-Ooow….
: Wh-Why in blazes would you simply stand there?! You cretin! You gigantic fool!: Who the hell expects someone to just come falling out of the sky?! : Hey, Joey!: Psy! And Lina!: We heard this huge noise coming this way… what happened?*Guitar solo!*
: Hey! You there, young man! Hand over the girl, nice and easy!: …?! : Um… And you are?*Another guitar solo!*
: W-w-w-w-w-whaaaaaaat?! You don’t know DOCTOR WEST, the greatest scientific genius in a BILLION years?!: The ignorance! And ignorance is a sin! Ignorance is a tragedy!: What’s wrong with this man…?: D-Don’t ask me…: You sad, sad man... Way I see it, fueling my career in the Black Lodge with your death is the more better choice for someone like you!: ?! B-Black Lodge?!: Black Lodge… What’s that?: There isn’t a single person in this city who doesn’t know that name… It’s a secret society renowned for its incredibly evil activities!: Wh-Whaa?!
: …!*
*: M-Machineguns?! Are those real?!: (Major, do you copy?! We’ve an emergency! Please advise…!): Farewell, my childhood! That fleeting summer’s romance! I AM ROCK ‘N’ ROLL! LET’S PLAY! FIIIIREEEEEE!*Machinegun fire!*
: Yaaaaaah!: Kch…!*Magic!*
: W-Whaaaaaat?!: No way… What’s that?!: Sh-She blocked all bullets with a magic barrier! How the hell… Who is this girl?!: Haah… Haah… M-My powers fail me… Indeed, without a master, I…!*Faint.*
: H-hey! You alright?!: U-Urgh…: Everyone, run! I’m calling Heroman!: Joey?! But they’re…!: We’ll be fine! Heroman and I can handle it!: Heromaaaan… ENGAGE!
: Hmm!: Whaaaat?! A-A robot?!: Go, quick!: Wait! I don’t see Saya!: Huh?! She ran off without us…?!: N-Never mind that, we need to go too!
: Graaaargh, blast you…! You dare dangle that bot before the eyes of brilliant DOCTOR WEST?!: I’ll show you the magnificence of some REAL robots!
: G-Giant robots…?!: WAHAHAHAHAHA! Forward! Turn that piece of crap into pieces of scrap!: And while you do that, I’ll run down that runt. 
: Urk… Now what do I do…?!
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness: Those are… that robot and plane from yesterday?!: Whew, looks like we made it just in time. Can’t have the target of our investigation get destroyed, now, can we?: But what about your health, major? Are you well to do this?
: Hey, we just need to not use the Hell Stringer and everything’ll be A-OK! Come on, Saya!: Yes, sir!: They’re on my side…?: Well, alright, then! Heroman, GOOO!
Again, kill everything and don’t lose anyone. Dr. West’s MP Destroyer Robos are made of sturdier stuff than that Skrugg, but not by a whole lot. Their accuracy is actually worse against Heroman due to the size difference, though they hit a wee bit harder.
Still, it’s nothing different from our previous fights.
SRW UX - JOEY AND HEROMAN
And as the battle carries on, right at the next enemy turn.
Location: Hadou Manor – Underground Command Center
: Black Lodge’s Destroyer Robos have appeared?! Is that true?!
: My lady! (Sonya): Call me “Commander” when were down here!: Y-Yes, Commander! We’ve got several of their units currently engaging the mysterious mechs seen in Center City!: The priority right now is making sure the population of nearby areas is evacuated safely! Do it!: Right away, Commander.: (The Black Lodge wouldn’t be running amuck like this if we could just get my grandfather’s Demonbane to move…!)
Back up top, I’ve the sinking feeling this game’s AI follows the same pattern as L’s as nearly every Destroyer Robo prioritizes Richard and his high HP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQTnEwYqGnw
Heroman does get a kill, right as the plot kicks in again.
: Haah… Haah… Did we lose them…?!: H-Hrm…: Ah, you woke up?: You… carried me…?: I couldn’t just leave you back there, right?: I see… then you have my gratitude… Hm?: You… have the scent of darkness about you. Are you a sorcerer?: ...?!: “Sorcerer”?!: He’s one...?!: N-No... that’s... I just dabbled in it a bit, nothing major...: Hm, then you have not a book of your own? That is good. : And he seems to have quite a lot of potential hidden within. How fortunate.: Nah, I don’t, which is why I—*GUITAR SOLO!*
: MWAHAHAHAAHA! AAHAHAHAHAHA!: You thought you got away, but the eyes of THE! GREAT! GENIUS! DOCTAAAAAA WEEEEEEEST! Are impossible to deceive!: Gaah, this creep’s a real bloodhound!: They force my hand…! Human! What is your name?!: Aah?! Is this really the time to ask that?!: Answer me, human! Names are important!: It’s Kurou… Kurou Daijuuji!: And I’m not a sorcerer, or some hero, alright?! I’m just a detective!: Very well, Kurou Daijuuji… I make a covenant with thee!: Whaaa…?!
: Carve mine name into thine soul, Kurou Daijuuji! : I am Al Azif! The mightiest grimoire of all, penned by Abdul Alhazred himself!*Kiss!*
: I-I’m…!?: The hell, he transformed?! What’s going on?!: I-It can’t be…! Al Azif chose a boy like him as its master?!: Is that what happened…? And where are you?!
: Over here! Our covenant is complete, and with nary an issue!: Aw, how cute… she’s like a little doll now.: You’ve shrunk a whole lot…: However, in exchange, you shall find that your powers have grown quite significantly!: And as the chosen bearer of the grimoire Al Azif, you are now a sorcerer! That is to say, you are a Magius!: A Magius…: Come! We shall fight together!: What, don’t I get any say in this?!
: (Was that the light of spellcasting just now…?): (What was that huge light we saw…? Are Kurou and the others are alright?)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNfwjSIqzU
Carrying on!
All mooks are weakened, so everyone nabs a kill.
While I could have killed the rest on the enemy turn, I find it to be safer to leave one alive to kill on our turn.