Part 135: Swimsuits and Snowboarding

So, out of all the costumes and attachments the 360 version had, what was missing?


That's right, swimsuits! (Of course...)





By going back to the ruins of Yormgen, we can find a quite bizarre family of nobles.






Oh, boo hoo. I'm in the middle of grieving! Don't talk to me like you know me! Who do you think you are? Leave me alone! ...Is what he says.
...
Oh, forgive me for not introducing everyone. This is my master, Cruz, his wife, Celica, and their son, Misomiso. As for myself, I am but a lowly butler. My name is Daniel. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
S-so, what brings you here today?
...
Well, you see, we heard there was a beach resort here, so we came out here to look for it. ...Is what she says.
...
I'm totally disappointed! And after all that time I spent getting these nouveau swimsuits! I went out of my way to find the best boutiques and everything! ...Is what he says.
...
That's too bad. But there's no barrier here, so I think it's too dangerous to stay.
She completely ignored the nouveau stuff...
Fear not! Though low in status, I am more than prepared to take on any monster!
I guess you have a point. You did manage to make it all the way here.
Yeah, and he was protecting three people the whole way. He must be really strong.
Ah, such praise... You honor me, ma'am.
Still... I'd cut my losses now, if I were you. Hurry up and get out of here.
...
It's too late for that. We're positively seething with anger! ...Is what he says.
Sheesh, this family doesn't know when to give up.
...
Oh! I just had a great idea! We'll give the swimsuits to you! ...Is what he says.
We don't really need them.
But they bought so many... Oh, and there are women's suits as well!
Like I said, we don't nee--



Come on, old man...
...
However, we'll only give them to you for a price! Somewhere in the world, you'll find a microcircuit. Give us that! It's quite a gem of an antique! But it was stolen or something, so nobody knows where it is. We won't move from here until you bring it to us! ...Is what he says.
A microcircuit? What's that, a blastia part or somethin'?
Well, yes, but...
All right! We'll be right back!
Are those swimsuits really worth the effort?
It's always good to try your best. That's what makes it so rewarding!
Do you ever think about what you're saying? There's no way we can find it without a clue! Do you have any idea how big the world is?
I did once try to find it myself.



A land of intense cold? Do you mean up north?
That's it exactly. If I knew exactly where it was, even I could run out and get it right away. However, I must remain here and protect my master. Please, find it for us.
A land of intense cold, huh? We'll go out and get it for you, so don't do anything stupid, got it?
Very well, then. I'll keep you in my prayers.


So really, this is just a short series of fetch-quests. The only place in the game that fits the description are the Blade Drifts of Zopheir.





Somehow, a new treasure chest appears right near the entrance after talking to the nobles. I feel like it has different shading than the rest of the map too, quite odd really.




Cold cold cold...



Hm? What's this?
...It's a microcircuit. They used to be used as integrated aer circuits in blastia. You don't come across old parts like these very often. I never thought we'd actually find one.
A land of intense cold... He was certainly right about that.
All riiiiiiiiiight!! Let's get back to Yormgen right away!
He completely forgot about the cold...



Swimsuits! ♥ Swimsuits! ♥
Man, what are we gonna do with him?
Aye. The look on his face when we found it... I thought he was about to keel over!


Carry that back to the nobles...




We found you a microcircuit!
...
Hah! A microcircuit! You did it! You've done well, finding this. I'm truly delighted. ...Is what he says.
We're seriously giving away such a rare item for swimsuits? I can't believe it! This is the worst!
Rita, calm down.
S-so then, y-you'll give us the swimsuits now, right?!
...
Mhm! Go pick any that tickles your fancy! ...Is what he says.
Yaaahoooo! W-we'll need to make sure everything fits right, so we'd better have everyone t-try them all on.
...And where do you think we're going to change in these desert ruins?
Have no fear.



Huh?! You prepared a changing room? Here?
That is correct.




...
Wow, Flynn, you kind of look like a life guard. That's so cool.
Heh, thank you. And that snorkel suits you perfectly.
Woof!
You two really match!
With the two of you on guard, I don't think anyone's going to be drowning.
And what about your outfit, Yuri? Don't you think it's a bit... loud?
I think it's just right for a vacation. Wouldn't you agree, old man?
...
Raven?
...This is wrong.
Huh?
Why?! Didn't you say there were suits for the ladies too?! Swimsuits equals perky girls! Discrimination is bad! Why aren't any of you getting one! Huh? Huh?!
I hope you don't think this is our fault. I would have been happy to get one myself.
She's right! But I don't think these ones are on offer...



My husband is the one interested in the microcircuit, not me! I didn't say I'd give you MY swimsuits! ...Is what she says.
But you were fine giving out your son's swimsuits!
He enjoys antiques too, just like my master.
No way...
I can't believe you'd go this far for someone else to get swimsuits...


The male "swimsuit" set is amazing. Flynn's wetsuit especially is one of my favorite costumes in the game, as if that party hat wasn't enough to not take him seriously anymore.









The rest are neat too.


But yeah, as suggested in the previous scene, there's also a female set. Just talk to them again, and...




I-if we bring the madam something she wants, will ya please give the ladies' swimsuits? Pretty please?
...
Well, I might consider parting with them if you bring me... a Super Aer Conductor. ...Is what she says.
Huh? A Super Aer Conductor is another old-fashioned blastia part. You could even consider it an antique, so your husband would have been happy with it too. Why didn't you just ask for it to begin with?
Come now, Rita! Don't say that!
No, she needs it for her own, personal-use esthétique blastia. The original one is broken.
What? An esthétique blastia? Like I believe that.
An esthétique blastia? That sounds more interesting than the swimsuits. I'm sure it's quite lovely.
Did you just say Estelle-ique? I don't really get it, but I wasn't the one that broke it.



A-anyway! All we have ta do is bring ya a Super Aer Conductor, right? Then, you'll give us the ladies' s-s-s-swimsuits?
That is correct. However, we have no idea where you might find a Super Aer Conductor.
All riiiight! I'm all fired up! Come on, let's go look for that Super Aer Conductor!
A Super Aer Conductor, huh? I don't really want a swimsuit, but I would like to take a look at one of those. But there's no way we'll be able to find something that rare without any clues.
How about we try asking someone who specializes in blastia like that? Or perhaps someone who has interest in all sorts of items?


To get a Super Aer Conductor, we have to talk to the Aspio mage who wants the completed Collector's Book. He's hanging out in Halure.

As far as I'm aware, it's possible to lock yourself out of the female swimsuit set for the current playthrough if you never talk to him before Aspio collapses.





...Oh, yeah! You, tell me if you've ever come across a Super Aer Conductor.
A Super Aer Conductor? What would you want with that? Blastia don't use those anymore.
...We need it. No matter what the cost! The world's at stake!
Quiet, you!
Have you seen any around? We don't mind looking for one ourselves, but we need some information to go on first.
I've got better than information! I own three of them!



I told you to shut up already!
So, uh, sorry for asking, but would you mind giving us one?
Well, you are fellow collectors, so I guess it's fine. One should be enough for you to study. I'll go get it. Just wait a minute.



He seems pretty easygoing about the conductor. I thought it was valuable. You don't think it could be a fake?
Mages normally have more pride than that. He wouldn't go out of his way to bring us a replica. But if he does bring us a fake, I'll give him a thrashing!



Wow... So this is a Super Aer Conductor. It's my first time seeing one in real life. Are you sure we can have it?
Yeah. I've actually already finished my thesis on the topic, so I don't need them any more.
I'm happy to take it off your hands, then.
We're really grateful. Really, thank ya so much!
H-hey! Wait!
It's fine. If you want to do me any favors, finish off that Collector's Book.


And again, taking that back to Yormgen.




Here ya go! One Super Aer Conductor!
You really have to stop acting so desperate...
...
...Yes, this is just the thing. This will serve perfectly. She is quite delighted. Take whatever women's swimsuits you fancy! ...Is what she says.
Y-yahoooooo! Now, w-which one is the most edgy?!
And why are you asking that?!
Hehe. Come on, Rita. It's a gift.
That's right! So take them!
I don't want one.
Don't say that, Rita. I'm sure you'd look cute.
W-well, if you say so. I guess it couldn't hurt...
Come on, let's go to the changing room.




See, Rita? I told you you'd be cute!
Y-you're... cute too...
Hehe... I hope mine isn't too bold. Oh, Patty, is that the kind of swimsuit you want?
I'm a lady of the sea, so I've already had my fill of swimsuits. That's why this high-class one-piece is such a fine catch!



What?! How?!
He's completely out. Even though he's still standing...
Was he that happy?
Ho ho... Ah, to be young!


Not a big fan of most of these. Patty's is cute though.








Putting all the characters into their swimsuit costumes also triggers a skit.


Skit: Points / Baldurdash
Please don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing...
Oh, come now. A little peep never hurt anyone.
I-I wasn't looking!
Estelle.
Eighty points.
Rita.
Two points.
Wha! What are you all doing? How can you rate how the women look in their swimsuits?
Judy.
Two trillion points.
Well, she's certainly overwhelming...
Wait!
So you're looking too, Flynn...
I-I was just... Patty, why are you participating? You're a woman!
Because I've already been rated! "Ninety points, to a certain audience."
Ninety? I don't understand this rating system at all! What's it even out of?!
So that's your only problem with it?
Y-Yuri, when did you--
Let's not worry about it.
So, how did everyone score?
W-well, Lady Estellise is an eighty, Rita is a two, Judith is two trillion, and Patty is for a specific demographic.
Huh? What's wrong, everyone?
...Ready to die?



We're also going to finish up the Repede snowboarding minigame today. Last time I only did the introduction and got one costume, because we didn't have most of the Overdrive dolls yet, so let's do the rest!






Refresher on how this works: Each course has an assigned character, equip the corresponding Overdrive doll and finish the course under a certain time limit to get a costume for that character. We only have Rita's costume at the moment, so let's just go through the rest in order.






Course 1 is pretty simple once you get a hang of the controls, nothing special here.




I like that doll. It's got a kind of elegance to it.
If only I could glide elegantly the same way...
Hm? Glide elegantly. That's a good one.
Huh?
I can see the publicity now!
I'm happy for you!
I'll give you these clothes as thanks.



Oh, these clothes...
Aye! You and Repede go rather well together!
Hehe... It's such a happy look. You're happy too, right, Repede?
*Whine...*
Repede...








Course 3 is Course 1 again with worse visibility and different enemy and object placements. Worse than 1 but not too terrible.



But of course! Everyone loves ol' Raven!
... The real thing doesn't really live up, though.
Ouch! Come on, words can hurt, ya know?
Guess I've gotta work with what I've got. How about you try these clothes on? Try to clean up a bit.
Got it! Just gimme a sec!



Whaddya think? Pretty good, right?
Woof!
My fans won't be able to resist!
*Whine...*








Course 4 is course 2 again with the same changes. This one is pretty annoying.



I get it. I can FEEL your way of life from that doll. No matter how hard life gets, you'll desperately hold on to whatever purchase you can get.
You think so?
A way of life! What a good catch phrase! I'll give you this present as thanks.
Thanks. I wonder what it is?
Why don't you try it on?
Okay.



...Why a reindeer...?
Reindeer are the partners of Perpetual's winter mascot. No matter how tough, they just keep pulling the sleigh!
Well, I think that's very cool.
Woof!
Really...?








Courses 5 and 6 are 1 and 2 but without any enemies, obstacles, or pickups. I actually like these courses, mostly because I'm bad at avoiding enemies.



Please, take these clothes!
Hehe, why thank you. I'll go try them on.
Please.



Just perfect.
Woof!
Are you sure I can keep this?
Of course!
If you're sure it's all right, I'm happy to accept.








Still, you'd think they could have made more than just two courses...



Amazing. I could actually feel the trust you two have in each other by seeing him go down that slope with a doll of you on his back. Hm? Feel the trust? Sounds like a good catch phrase!
That's quite the honor. Don't you think, Repede?
Woof!
And, since you're so special to him, we've provided matching outfits! Consider it a gift.
They match? That sounds lovely. Yuri, why don't you try it on?
Do I have a choice?



What's the deal with delivering presents in this getup, anyway?








And finally, courses 7 and 8 are literally 1 and 2 but mirrored. They didn't even change the enemies and objects this time.

For those curious, we picked up Patty's overdrive doll in a chest in the final dungeon's optional section.



Protecting Repede from atop his head as he lightly flies down hill... I like it! That doll really sets the mood.
Aye. Protecting those close to us is important to both me and Repede.
Woof woof!
"Protect those close to you." What a great catch phrase!
Aye. You can only glide freely if you know there's someone there to protect you.
You're right. Here, take this as a token of my appreciation.
Thank you. I'll go try it on right now.



Snow?
That's right. I designed a doll of snow.
It definitely feels like winter.
Woof!
But despite looking like snow, it's actually really warm!
Come by any time!








We actually don't have Flynn's overdrive doll yet -- it's in the PS3 exclusive bonus dungeon -- but just roll with it.



A knight, riding a dog, flying through the snow, holding his sword ever high in order to protect everyone!
A knight should always strive to protect the people, after all.
Even your doll version is awesome! This will be great for publicity.
Woof!
But don't you get tired of always wearing armor? Why don't you cut loose once in awhile? Here, try this outfit on for a change.
I'm not sure about cutting loose, but I'm happy to accept the outfit.
Why don't you try it on?
Certainly.



It looks really good on you.
Woof!
Thank you.
But you know, it'd look better without the sword...
Not happening.




Overall a pretty good set of costumes. With those in hand, there's only one thing left to do here: Finish the first course in under 45 seconds for a trophy.

Watch the good run here! / Baldurdash

Trophy:

Snowboarder






You may have noticed the attachment I had on Repede in this video. Here it is in its full glory:







It's the Great Overdrive Brigade and you can get it once you have all other regular Overdrive dolls. It owns. Probably the best attachment in the game.

And with that, we're done for today!