Part 43: Operation Didn't We Do This Already?
Update 37: Operation Didn't We Do This Already?
Hey, look, it's snowing again. It's worth mentioning that we'll cycle all the way back to the winter theme starting with next month. It'd be a neat detail, if the rest of this game wasn't so horrendous.
Music: Autumn in Lanseal
Here's the autumn theme, just in case you wanted to hear it again for some reason.
Anyways, let's get to it, as there's only two updates left to go after this.
----
~ Classroom - Main Story Event ~
Music: Everyday Life of the Class
: The counteroffensive at Randgriz has begun. The army's fighting back.
: Yeah, totally.
: Huh? Oh, sorry.
: Has something happened, Professor?
: Orders have just come in from headquarters.: Operation Alabaster Gale, the Army's move to retake the capital, succeeded.: The Army's won a decisive advantage, and victory is now a matter of time.
: That's awesome!: It's a bit early for celebration yet. I'll get straight to the point.
: The bulk of their forces under Audrey Gassenarl have already pulled back.: Word is, they've hunkered down in the harbor city of Anthold.: (Was that Leon's...Is he there with them?)
: We need to take the port before the remainder of their force arrives.: Gather in the briefing room as soon as you're prepared to sortie.: Um...: Snap out of it, Avan. We need to get ready.: Ngah?! Y-You don't have to drag me by the arm!: I know exactly what's going through your mind. Some master strategist.: You really think you can bring him back when you're this spaced out?: I don't... I don't know.
: I have no intention of forgiving him.: But I'm willing to give you first crack at him.: Though given your state, I'll be sitting on the sidelines until I'm gray.: Hey!: Hmph. I'm not dying out there because your brain up and walked off.
: Sheesh, could've fooled me.
Twybil's Summary posted:
----
Like that, the capital was retaken in a snap. Supposedly this is because Baldren wasted all of his troops at the mines, but I think it's because they didn't want to make a map for Randgriz and they'd be ripping off the first game even more.
It's rather boring writing, but I'm not really going to complain because it meant one less mission I had to do.
Anyways, briefing is next. But remember that the game does not stop forcefeeding us missions we have to do on the side to progress.
Even in the final month it won't stop. It's obnoxious padding.
Note that each D rank you see is me just waiting out the end of every defense map because it's not fun to try and play hide and seek with this dumb game.
----
~ Briefing Room / Anthold - Main Story Event ~
Music: Briefing
: As I mentioned, the rebels are consolidating forces in Anthold.: And they're likely setting up base camp by the port.: They're cornered and they know it. They'll be fighting for their lives.: Failure in this mission means certain death. I trust you all know that.: We've heard the gloom and doom before, teach. We're all coming home safe.: Heh heh. I knew you would say that. Very well.
: The same pack of cadets again?
The Archduke is fighting to hold down the capital as we speak.: We cannot afford to lose this ground, men!: All units, prepare for combat! Hold Anthold as you would your very lives! Yes, ma'am!
Twybil's Summary posted:
--
----
I'm pretty sure I still had to do a daily mission after this to progress the story. Maybe not, but that would mean I had to do 4 missions to see this event.
The padding. It's awful.
----
~ Anthold - Main Story Event ~
Enemy Turn Music: Return Battle
*Big cannon fire*
*Rifle fire*
: We're heavily outclassed. There's no getting through head-on.: But the only way to this port is past the aqueduct.: If we can't get trough them from the front... There! We'll hit 'em from above!: If we lure them below the aqueduct then blow it--
: Get Brixy on the horn! We can get him to send in some explosives, too.Music: Briefing
: Placing the explosives would require at least one of you in their camp.: You're up against elites there. It's too much, even for you.: We won't know that until we give it a--: And if they did detonate the aqueduct, the chance of them surviving is nil.: Do you understand that the plan you're proposing will cost a squad mate's life?: That's not... Well, fine. Then I'll--
: Zeri, you can't really mean that.: What? No way, man! I should be the one to go.: You're the squad's leader. So, stay here and lead.: What? But--: Professor, I understand your reservations. I think it's insanity myself.: But Avan's insane plans have gotten us this far.: Squad G won the Laevatein Cup because he was able to pull us together.: Avan is Squad G's leader.
: Zeri, wait!: You're not going to ruin my stirring speech by telling me not to go.: ...: Fine. Hold up a sec.
*Snap*
: Honestly, sometimes... Of course. It'd be a crime to leave it like this. ...Although it does rather suit you this way.: Heh, jerk.
Twybil's Summary posted:
--
--
----
Anthold Aqueduct is a mostly unique map, and just recycles the trolley cart gimmick from the mines. The only thing worth noting is that Zeri starts alone in a map covered in enemies, and it can't be reached otherwise. Mostly, you just run for it.
Let's move on then so we can be done with the update.
----
~ Anthold - Main Story Event ~
Music: Theme of Class G
: But they're not dumb. It's just a matter of time before they figure it out.: Work fast, Zeri!
: What happened to the fire they showed at Roendahl?: Hm...: Fetch me a scout!
*Radio signal*
: The wireless! Zeri! Did you get it?!: Stop shouting in my ear.: I rigged the waterwheel at the center of the aqueduct to blow in five minutes.: Hah! You're a genius, man! Come straight back!: I'd planned on it.
Music: Conflict
*Gunshot over radio*
: Hrngh!*Radio cuts out*
: Zeri? Hey, Zeri?!
: Two minutes left. I've got to get out. : Don't let him escape! Fire!*Gunshots, Zeri runs*
: Thirty seconds. Just a little farther and--
*More gunshots*
: Reinforcement? Damn, my route is blocked.: ...No!*Timer goes off*
Enemy Turn Music: Return Battle
Music: Tear of Wars
: Zeri's fine! He's alive and he's coming back.: He's too proud to let that meal stay broke. He's too strong for this!: Avan...
: Wha--? There!
Music: Theme of Class G
: Oh, thank goodness!: That was a crazy plan, even for you, Avan.*Golden screen flash and a clink noise*
: There, that's better.
: Ha ha, yeah!Twybil's Summary posted:
--
--
*Gunshots*
---
*Bam, bam*
*Bam, bam, bam*
*Click*
*Aqueduct explodes, Audrey gets washed away then explodes? and Zeri fails to recover from the overflow of water*
--
: He's probably de-
*Magically restores the medal by power of friendship?*
----
I mean, seriously, this is just a knockoff of the mission in VC1 where you destroy the bridge the death train is on. Instead of a bridge, it's just an aqueduct, and instead of destroying a super train, it's just a high powered tank. It's a very similar plot point, at least.
I don't think you'll be able to argue "just similar" with what happens next, though.
Anyways, it took the power of water to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, when all Leonard had to do was use that pistol of his for something other than shooting himself.
Next time, on the penultimate update, we resolve this whole thing with LEON. Also another person dies in a cutscene.
Be there. Or don't, I won't judge.
...
Oh, and there was the final vote I promised... I should probably put that up soon given we've only got two updates to go... So, uh...
Reader Participation:
Vote for whoever you want to get the final shot of the game and end this waking nightmare of a game.
You can vote for:
- Any of the previous characters in any of the votes can be voted for.
- Alt Cosette, Alt Ali, or Alt Zeri
- Characters from VC1 (Welkin, Alicia, Largo, Rosie, Isara, Varrot, Edy Detachment, Selvaria, Prince Maxmillian, and a few more)
- Brixy
- Ms. Candyhair Fanservice
- Leon himself
- A character from an entirely different game (PSU2)
- Two random people who don't show up until after the end of the game
- Debug characters
- Avan from the beginning of the game
- or a combination of the above.