P-XCEL is a little too buggy to be of use to me. (To be fair, it is super alpha and possibly not intended for working with curved surfaces like this in the first place.)

Guess I’ll have to texture this thing the hard way.

I actually started working on a game last week. Not the one I wanted to make, of course, but a light strategy game I was talking over with a friend that would use freely available pixel art (RPG Maker stuff.) We then quickly established the variety of free pixel art available is less then ideal and I decided I’d take a shot at lowpoly modeling instead. I’ve been putting that off since, maybe announcing my plans to the internet will shame me into getting started.

Oh, and I finished the Kimika branch of It’s my own invention. Now I’m not really eager to play the normal branch and move on because it will not contain a comparable quantity of adorable Kimika.

I’m off to Anime Expo. If you are too, and plan to buy anything Muvluv related, better do it before I get there. I have quite a stash earmarked towards cleaning MG’s booth out.

Other than that, I’ve been slowly slogging my way through It’s my own invention while dealing with addiction to a myriad of other games, most recently FO3 that someone gifted me for my birthday. Oh, and I’ve accomplished precisely nothing towards creating my own game. Big surprise!

Well, see you next month. (´・ω・)

00,001/86,400

Helpfully, this gives me no choice but to actually get to work on one of my own game projects. After finals, that is.

School is likely to ramp up soon anyway so I think I’ll not stick to a schedule and just try to post whenever I can find both time and motivation. That means not today, either. >_>;

Hopefully in May or so I can return to some degree of regularity.

Spoilers, as usual.

Thanks to Bukkuru’s assistance last time, Saki’s ruined cosmosphere has been transformed into a huge book. Aoto remarks that a candy village has already appeared, and… well, it’s certainly what he would expect of Saki, but he wonders if this world is turning out okay.

He heads to the village, where he encounters Saki. He asks her why she made a candy village, and she replies “Well, Bukkuru says I could draw anything, so… I thought I’d try making the candy village that appeared in my dream!” She reveals that she made a house for him as well. The floor and the ceiling are also edible, so he can feast on candy every day.

Aoto points out that doing that is bad for both the house and one’s body. “People wouldn’t live very long in this village,” he remarks. Saki complains that everyone here is eating with gusto. Aoto asks, “Who’s everyone?”

Tatsumi appears, saying that it’s really tasty and complimenting Saki on her wonderful village. Hikari also appears, saying that he accidentally ate a whole house. Both aren’t acting much like their usual selves. Aoto wonders where the heck that house went to in Hikari’s body, but Saki tells him not to worry about such trivial things.

Aoto remarks to himself that even Saki’s acting strange, but at least she seems happy. Suddenly, someone shouts “Ugh! What the hell is this place?! Gross!” Aoto and Saki ask who it is.

The speaker reveals herself, saying only “It’s me!” Aoto asks who they are, and adds that as a girl she shouldn’t talk in such a manly fashion (this is harder to convey in English.) He corrects Aoto that he isn’t a girl, and gives his name as Arke. Saki exclaims “You’re a boy! Even though you’re so cute…”

Arke replies, “That supposed to be an insult? Well, whatever. I don’t care, as long as I can…” Saki interrupts, “Eat a candy house?” Arke says, “Yeah, eat a… Wait, that’s not it, you dumbass!” He explains that he came to deliver a message from his master. “My master has laid claim to this world, and has already occupied the Organitto Cabin! There’s no way your childish village can hold out against us… You’d better devour the whole place while you still can!”

Aoto demands to know who this ‘master’ is, but Arke has already left. Saki mutters depressedly, “My village is going to be taken over…” Aoto says that he won’t let that happen. “Let’s go, Saki! We’re going to…” Saki exclaims, “Eat all the candy houses that are left?!” He replies, “Yeah!… Wait, no! Why are you giving up so easily?”

Aoto says that he’ll protect the village. This book exists for Saki’s sake, and he won’t just hand it over to anyone else.

Saki thanks him for standing up for her, and Aoto decides that they should head over to the Organitto Cabin.

There, they encounter an armored Hymma, who shouts “Whoa! It’s an enemy attack!” Saki exclaims “We’re not attacking! We just wanted to scout out the enemy!” and Aoto mutters “That’s not much better, Saki…”

Arc arrives, saying “Oh, it’s you annoyances again!” Aoto exclaims, “So you returned here, Arc!” and he replies “Did you think our front-line base would be unguarded? Well, since you’ve invaded, consider this our declaration of war!” Aoto says, “And you coming to our village earlier wasn’t an invasion?” Arc replies “I was simply conveying a message, but you’ve come to scout out our weaknesses.”

Saki apologizes to Aoto, saying “It looks like I messed up…”, but Aoto tells her this conflict was inevitable. “This is your world. There’s no way we could let someone nonchalantly march into it and take it over,” he says. Arc corrects him, “This isn’t just Saki’s world, so if you’d merely stop claiming all of it for yourselves…” Aoto is surprised by this, while Saki says, “Do we have to fight? Can’t we just talk and reach an agreement?”

Arc says with a smirk, “Unfortunately, that can’t be done. My master does not intend to parley with you… you’re way too childish to be reasoned with, after all.” Aoto interrupts, “Stop badmouthing Saki! Who the hell is your master, anyway?!”

Arc’s master is apparently ●$”#$!-sama. Too bad this section is unvoiced. Aoto says, “Sorry, I’m not sure I heard you right…” and Arc repeats the same thing. He says “What kind of morons are you? Anyway, get lost! If you don’t leave, we’ll throw you out!” Aoto tells Saki that there’s nothing more to be accomplished here and they should return to the village.

Back in the village, Aoto mutters about that being a pointless conversation and how if it isn’t just Saki’s world, he doesn’t think there can be a peaceful resolution to this. Saki is feeling depressed as well, but Aoto has an idea. “You can draw anything you want, right, Saki?” he recalls. “Why don’t you draw us some weapons? A sword or a spear… nah, something that goes ‘boom’ would be better.”

Saki refuses. She says that this is a candy world and there are no weapons here. Aoto says that’s why he’s asking her to make one, and Saki says that she doesn’t want any weapons here; she wants everyone to live in peace. Aoto points out that’s a pretty unreasonable outlook when her world is being invaded. Saki reluctantly concedes, and suggests a gun that shoots cream. “If we shoot cream at the enemies, they’ll be so busy eating the delicious cream they won’t invade the village!”

Aoto begs Saki to take things seriously, and Saki complains that she is being entirely serious. He mutters that this doesn’t seem like it’s going to work.

After a DP event, Saki has another idea. “I’ll become a hero of justice! Like a magical girl, you know?!” Aoto is speechless. “Because this is my book, it’ll definitely be a success, just like my candy village!” Saki continues. Aoto replies, “No, that’s not what I’m concerned about…” but Saki ignores him.

She says, “Let’s go! Nya-nyasu nyamo nyamu nya-nyasu nya, I will become a hero of justice!” She proceeds to Purge, and…

Saki begins “The hero of justice is… h-huh? Waaaaaah! W-what happened to my clothes?” She promptly transforms back.

“I thought I’d become a really cool hero of justice, but I guess this time I failed…” grouses Saki afterwards. Aoto says, “Well, this isn’t time to play around anyway…” when suddenly, an explosion sounds in the distance. He tells Saki “Hurry up and make us something to fight with! It looks like this is the real thing!”

Saki again refuses. “I decided I’d become the hero of justice, Nyamo Kamen!” she insists. “I won’t let everyone stop getting along with each other! If I created a weapon… they’d cause painful thoughts for a lot of… I can’t do that, no matter what!” She decides with clothes or without, she’ll become Nyamo Kamen and do what she can, and runs off.
Left behind, you gave a choice of whether to go to the World Tree Arphage or the Organitto Cabin. The PV decides to go to the World Tree, whereupon Aoto promptly wonders why he came; he’s got to go help Saki.

However, before he can leave, a Hymma appears. “So chaos has descended upon this world,” it says. “Do you yet understand why Saki despises fighting so?… I am the Hymma Animeshia. I have been waiting for you, Aoto.” Aoto replies simply, “Me?”  Animeshia says, “Yes, you. Now, have you an answer?”

You’re given a choice to reply “It’s because she’s immature” or “It’s because she believes with all her heart this world must be peaceful.” It should be pretty obvious which is the correct answer.
Once you have Aoto say the latter, he adds, “It’s borderline delusional.” Animeshia corrects him, “It is no delusion. This world originates from her, and if her ardor becomes not irresolute, it is one with her.” Aoto remarks, “Whoa, difficult words…” Animeshia continues, “If the world’s origin is denied, it will cease to be. The other personalities fail to understand this. That is why I have a request of you… will you protect Saki?”

Aoto replies, “Even if I say that I will, what should I do?” Animeshia replies that he must simply be Saki’s ally, and support her when it seems her spirit is faltering. She says that she will lend him her own power, and joins your Hymma arsenal.

Upon returning to the Organitto Cabin, Saki is there, attempting to convince Arc to talk things through. “I… I really don’t want to fight!” Arc replies that he’s already said that’s impossible, wasn’t she listening? Saki retorts that he’s the one that needs to listen. “If you keep on being that selfish, Nyamo Kamen is going to come and punish you!” Aoto tries to interrupt, but Arc says “What the hell are you talking about? Let ‘em try!”

Saki says her chant and transforms into Nyamo Kamen, again without her clothes. This distresses her just as much as before. Arc is tired of this and orders his Hymma, Arclight, to deal with her.

Arclight begins charging a Song Magic, and Aoto moves to intercept it with his own body, but… suddenly, Animeshia arrives, saving Aoto from injury. She faces off against Arclight, telling Aoto to take care of Saki. Aoto scolds Saki for having been reckless earlier; he tells her not wanting to fight is fine, but she shouldn’t do things that could get her killed.

He notes that this time, unfortunately it’s come down to a fight, but… Saki interrupts, saying that it’s okay. She’s decided that she was mistaken, and it’s okay to fight if it’s for the sake of her friends. Furthermore, she doesn’t want to put Aoto in harm’s way again.

Saki decides that she will create a weapon to protect Aoto. A shining light emanates from her, and she creates…

Bakudan Man-san. “Within this sinister world, my heart continues to explode. Now, tonight, whom shall my heart set aflame?” Aoto is nearly speechless, but at least it seems more affective than her last idea. Saki tells Bakudan Man to show Aoto what he can do. “I shall do this for you alone,” says Bakudan Man. “But when I have returned, I will make you my bride. Does this please you…?” Saki replies, “Yes!” Aoto tries to get a word in, but fails…

Bakudan Man charges in and blows up Arc and Arclight, meanwhile ceasing to exist and solving the quandary of that marriage proposal. Saki says “See, even with a cute weapon like that I was able to protect Aoto!”

The Paradigm Shift is triggered. Arc, seeming to have survived the explosion, remarks about it. He says he’ll definitely win against Aoto next time and runs off, while you gain Arclight as a Hymma as well. At the Stonehenge, there is the usual chatter before Saki enters the Paradigm Shift.

Sorry for the horrible sloppiness of this whole entry. Izzy will do a better job of it eventually, if he hasn’t disappeared. >_>;

What I was planning to do today instead was hold a fancy poll in celebration of nearly finishing Phase 1. But that’d be a bother to set up on this netbook, so I’ll just ask you to leave comments. It’s been quiet lately, don’t make me threaten to stop blogging again!

So, who are your favorite characters so far? You can have as many as you want, so don’t give me a heroine popularity contest like the poll over at ARM.

And which ending shall I plan to go for? Saki, Finnel, the third Reyvateil who hasn’t appeared yet, Tatsumi, or bad end? I’ll probably blog about them all since it’s easy enough with the PVs, so this just decides my own playthrough, which is at this point rather irrelevant. (I think my latest save’s still back in Tokoshie Canopy, for that matter.)

Don’t be shy, keep me entertained while my computer cannot!

“Are β-Types always flat chested?”
“Misha (adult) wasn’t.”
“Then Akane must be this game’s Shurelia-sama.”

This entry covers the final part of the cutscenes after finishing the Mebius Factory dungeon.

Spoilers, as usual.

The party takes the elevator back down and walks down the hallway, stopping and turning as they see soldiers running in the direction they came. Aoto worries they’re working for Clusternia, but Tatsumi corrects him that they’re the Arkia military. Aoto wonders what Arkia is doing here. Tatsumi comments that they arrive whenever something smells like trouble to see if they can profit from it… or so his master says.

Serendipitously, Gengai arrives at that moment. After greeting each other, Hikari asks how the Great Fang Militia is faring, and Gengai replies they’ve already broken through the main gates and invaded during the sudden commotion earlier; he entrusted the subdual of the main town to a subordinate and headed straight here. Saki wonders whether ‘the sudden commotion earlier’ was caused by the hymn she sung, and after realizing they were responsible, Gengai congratulates them on a job well done.

Aoto says that Katena deserves the credit, but Katena isn’t anywhere to be seen- until a moment later, when he arrives, asking them if a huge Clusternian Reyvateil passed by this way. Aoto replies, “That shemale? No, she didn’t pass by here… did something happen?” Katena says that it was nothing important, and makes the acquaintance of Gengai.

Hikari says that there’s no need to stay here and suggests that they head back to town before they’re accosted by the Arkians. His suggestion comes a bit too late, though.

The woman who’s just arrived recognizes Hikari. He, in turn, exclaims “…Rikka?!” in a tone of voice that suggests she was not someone he particularly wanted to encounter. She is quite excited to see him, exclaiming, “Kya, Doctooor! Where have you been?! I really missed you!”

She runs toward Hikari, only to trip and fall. Aoto asks if she’s okay, while the doctor remarks that she’s the same as ever. Scrambling back to her feet, she demands, “What have you been doing all this time?! When you disappeared all of a sudden, I was so sad!” Hikari asks what she’s doing here, and Rikka replies that she came to defend the Great Fang. Katena says, “Arkia defending the Great Fang? That’s a good one. Haven’t you always maintained neutrality in the past?”

Rikka retorts, “We have always been defenders of the weak. When Clusternia launched that huge army, of course we came to your aid. Though if we’re having a little workplace gathering here, you could’ve invited me… How thoughtless of you, Katena.” Aoto asks whether Katena knows this Rikka too, and Katena says ‘knows’ isn’t quite the right word… but this person is Rikka Ryosya, second in command of the infamous Arkia Laboratory.

Rikka asks “Well, now that we’ve been reacquainted, and it seems the problem’s already settled… what exactly happened here?” Katena explains that with Aoto and his companions’ help, he activated the DFP, which sorted things out quite nicely. He continues, “By the way, what reward are you planning to extort in return for helping the Great Fang?” Gengai remarks, “True, there’s no way Arkia would help anyone for free. You must have an ulterior motive.”

Rikka assures them they have nothing to worry about; this wasn’t a profit-seeking mission. “Clusternia’s offensive would have been unfortunate for us as well,” she says. “Jouteimon is our only point of contact with the Great Fang. We didn’t want it falling into their hands.” Katena replies, “I see, so you had a selfish reason of another sort…”

The serious business dealt with, Rikka switches back into ditz mode, demanding to know where Hikari’s been and complaining how cruel he was to abandon her. Hikari asks Rikka to stop clinging to him, and Aoto remarks he’s not someone to be underestimated after all. Katena says he never knew Gojyou and Rikka had that kind of relationship. Hikari denies there is anything between them, while the way Rikka is acting suggests quite the opposite.

Rikka says now that they’ve met again, Hikari should come back to Arkia with her; she doesn’t want to be apart from him again. Saki recalls out loud that Arkia is where those children were… that place, in her hometown… Aoto speaks up, asking Rikka if she can take them to a place named Ougai in Arkia; he says he wants to take Saki there.

Hikari says that he also wants to return Saki to her home, and will go with them if need be. This settles the matter, Rikka complaining she can’t possibly refuse anything he asks of her. “Well, since you settled the problem of Clusternia so neatly, I suppose taking you to Arkia is the least I can do to show my gratitude,” she admits. She asks them to come to Morokakka Harbor once they’re ready to depart.

Hikari sighs, muttering “I never thought I’d be returning to Arkia again…” Aoto asks him if something bad happened there, but Hikari says it’s nothing to worry about.

Tatsumi and Finnel linger in the factory for a private conversation. Tatsumi says, “…Finnel. This is our chance to reach the Tower.” Finnel seems shocked, and Tatsumi asks if something’s the matter. Finnel denies this awkwardly…

Outside, on the streets of Jouteimon, Aoto asks Gengai if he’s going to come to Arkia as well. Gengai retorts that he doesn’t intend to put himself further into Arkia’s debt. He says that earlier Rufan made arrangements to stow away on a ship to Clusternia, though. He’ll gather his associates on the inside, while Gengai gathers them in Jouteimon, and they’ll prepare to assault Clusternia.

Aoto apologizes for being unable to fight with Gengai, but Gengai says it’s fine as long as he’s keeping his promise to Saki. Tatsumi tells him to take care.

Nearby, Hikari asks Katena what he plans to do. Katena remarks that he can’t continue his research in this condition, and Hikari asks if he’ll come to Arkia as well. Katena begins replying that that’s absurd, but Hikari asks if he truly wants to continue his research.

Hikari continues, “I don’t know whether it’s of use to you, but I have some interesting information. That Reyvateil over there, Saki… her Soulspace is divided into many pieces.” Katena is surprised by this, and Hikari says “When I saw the map of her Soulspace, it reminded me of the one of that Reyvateil you showed me earlier.”

Katena says, “Ah, that old map…?” Hikari asks. “Do you still have it with you?” Katena doesn’t, but decides in a snap he will come with them to Arkia.

Finally, the cutscenes are over, except for a Party Talk Topic where Tatsumi again wonders if Finnel is a Clusternian spy. Aoto stands up for her, however, insisting that no one that clumsy and dimwitted could be trusted with any spying. Tatsumi still wonders why she seemed to be friends with Akane, though…

You can now wonder around Jouteimon, which I’ll probably take advantage of to dive into Saki again before embarking to Arkia and Phase 2. This Tuesday I’ll likely take off again too (last midterm), but I’ll have something less lame as a substitute for you this time around.

This entry covers the boss battle at the end of the Mebius Factory. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of cutscenes left to cover in the next entry.

Spoilers, as usual.

Once done clearing the huge backlog of talk topics with Saki, the PV proceeds to run through the second part of the Mebius Factory dungeon with no encounters as usual, the filthy cheater. It’s a bit of a maze with plenty of chests along the way to grab.

After going up a lot of elevators, the party will find their way to a machine that looks like a prime contender for wrecking havoc upon with Saki’s new Hymn. Finnel remarks it looks kind of scary, while Katena runs to the control panel to observe it. He tells Saki to begin singing, and she’s about to do so, when…

Mute arrives. She begrudges, “To be able to escape from all those robot soldiers… you guys really are something out of the ordinary, eh?” Aoto replies, “To keep coming back for more after we’ve beaten you so many times, you’re something out of the ordinary too.” Mute froths, “This place shall be your graveyard! This time, I’m gonna bash and smash and crash you to a pulp!” In the true fashion of shounen protagonists, Aoto states confidently, “There’s no way I’m dying here! Because I promised I’d return Saki to her hometown… to Arukia!”

Aoto shouts for Saki to continue her hymn while he fights Mute off. Saki clasps her hands as if in prayer, and…

Well, you should probably just watch the YouTube video.

Aoto and Tatsumi react with shock, but Katena says that the hymn is working; they just need to defend Saki until it finishes. You’re then launched into battle with Mute and her entourage, while EXEC_EP=NOVA/. continues playing in the background.

After the battle, Mute screams and collapses. Red warning lights flash, and a speaker announces “Was ki ra exec DitailWave Flea Pulse en khal nnoi”, which essentially just indicates the DFP activation was successful. Katena says it’s just a bit longer before the power reaches 100%, while Mute shouts “I can’t lose here!” Suddenly, a new arrival appears on the scene…

It’s Mute’s superior, whom we saw briefly way back in blog entry #2. She realizes DFP has been activated, and orders Mute to retreat. Mute addresses her as “General Akane”, and Finnel reacts with shock at this. Katena shouts that he’s activating DFP, and for everyone to grab onto something.

“Stop fighting, pleeeease!”

Clusternia’s airships proceed to fall out of the sky.

Mute has passed out, while a strange creature has appeared before Akane. The party is shocked by its appearance, while Akane says, “Kukurou…! Thank you for protecting me. I’m okay now…”

With those words, Kukurou transforms into a considerably less intimidating form. Finnel shouts, “Akane-chan!” and Akane finally seems to recognized her, surprised by her presence. Aoto asks if Finnel knows her. Akane politely introduces herself: “I am the Commander in Chief of the Clusternia Military, who has been tasked with subjugating the Great Fang. Please call me Akane.”

Aoto remarks, “…Commander in Chief…? This little girl…?” Akane ignores him, saying, “It’s been a while, Finnel.” Finnel attempts to begin explaining herself, but Akane interrupts “I do not need to hear your excuses. I have not the right to intervene in your course of action. However, I can interpret your companions’ action just now only as a declaration of war. If you continue to support them in the future, I do not intend to forgive you.”

Finnel again shouts “Akane-chan,” seeming pained, but one of Akane’s subordinates runs up and informs her there are too many casualities and they must fall back and abandon Jouteimon at once. Akane agrees, and asks her to find someone to carry Mute; “Ten of you should be sufficient.”

Akane begins to leave, but Finnel shouts for her to wait. She says that she doesn’t want to fight Akane. Akane replies, “You and I are not the same. Carry out your own duty. Shouldn’t you make up your own mind and do something of worth with what meager lifespan you have left?” Finnel is speechless, and Aoto interrupts, saying, “…Meager lifespan… What the hell do you mean by that?” Akane replies, “It is not something that I need explain to you,” irritating Aoto.

Akane continues, “Regardless of what you do, we shall know. So it would be best if you no longer involved yourself with any of this. If you do, it won’t be long before…” Aoto interrupts, “Quit flapping your mouth and get lost. I won’t let you interfere with Finnel!”, his patience at a limit. After staring at him briefly, Akane excuses herself and departs without another word.

Aoto asks if Finnel’s okay, and Finnel begins crying with gratitude. Hikari compliments Aoto on showing Akane who’s boss (I think I might’ve missed something in that conversation…), and Saki agrees it was really cool. Finnel recovers from her emotional breakdown in but a moment and glares at Saki for butting in. It seems there’s a rivalry developing.

Hikari says now that the enemy’s retreating, there’s no need to remain here; they should go somewhere else and plan their next move. They head down the elevator, while Katena remains with the DFP machine.

“Well, that was a splendid success. Now all that’s left is the proper cooldown…” he remarks. He turns and looks at the unconscious Mute, still lying nearby. “Still unconscious? Theoretically speaking, the possibility exists she will awaken momentarily, but… this is a chance for me to gather data!”, he decides, approaching.

Suddenly, Mute stirs. “Because of that pipsqueak, my honor was tarnished…!” she says, weeping. “But I won’t lose…! I definitely won’t lose again! Next time… next time…!” Katena asks if she is alright, and when Mute asks who he is, explains he is Katena, a researcher at the laboratory. Mute is surprised, seeming to recognize his name. Katena repeats, “Are you okay? Your face is awfully red… if you’re feeling ill, I can get you some medicine…”

Mute insists she is okay, and stands up, running away all of a sudden…

And I think the first flowering of the game’s most touching romance is a good place to stop. There’s five minutes left in the PV, but that goes well with the five minutes of cutscene in the next one before the player parks themselves in the inn to catch up with Saki’s item syntheses.