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Life is a story. Which is the one that defines you?
Baclyae Revolution
A humble tribute to the Suikoden series!

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[RMMV] Xenomic's Question Thread!

author=Xenomic
Huh. Odd, when I clicked the link you put, the vid wasn't there because it said the YT channel was terminated lol. Maybe I just assumed it was yours for some reason. ^^;

What are you even talking about? I linked to a gamepage.

Does adding the skill to the specified character only allow them to use that skill if everyone had a Collab command (so if everyone had at least 1 Collab on, they'd all have access to the Collab command)? The reason I'm tying it into the Limit system is so if you have enough for both a Limit or the Collab, the player would have to choose which would be better for the situation (even moreso if they have effectively dual Limits with other player characters.

With Unites, I absolutely used a function call to add both the "Unite" skill category, and relevant skill, to each of the involved members when a Unite's conditions were fulfilled. This was to allow for flexibility on the player's end. Of course, I also had to make sure that the Unite-related objects were taken away when their conditions were no longer met, which was probably it's own function call.

The most infuriating part, though, was, the debugging process. Ensuring that the action input skipped over involved actors when a Unite skill was on the stack, and also making sure the cancel button would skip over actors that were involved in a Unite, but also-also detecting it wasn't the initial actor that put the Unite on the stack, and to proceed with the action selection cancellation as normal?

Bleh. My head aches already.

As for the very specific Collab, that one has a normal one if the requirements aren't meant, and the special if it is, and that one is an endgame superboss. Would this mechanic also apply to party-unique team Limits?

The idea that now comes to mind regarding a party-wide Limit Break is an idea I borrowed/stole from Suikoden 4 in regards to Baclyae Revolution. So, there's a menu in combat that has "Fight" and "Run" as possible options. I inserted a command between them called "Rush", which is only available if your party is full, and you have at least 60 of an in-battle-only resource to spend. You start the game with 0, and generate 1 per turn, and also generate 10 with each victory. The execution of Rush was a bit simpler, because the actual party makeup doesn't technically matter. I still needed to loop through the party members to add their ATK together for the damage formula, of course. The Rush skill also had a super-high SPD modifier (+2000?), so it acts first, and also effectively applied an invisible stun state on the enemy party so enemies don't act on the turn you use it. The purpose of doing that was to emulate Suikoden 4 as much as possible in this regard, but, I thought sharing this tidbit might be of interest.

[RMMV] Xenomic's Question Thread!

I... never had a YouTube channel?

Anyway, from the outlined qualifications, for Collabs in a general sense, it sounds like a lot more doable than Unites. Since you're using MV, you should have access to skills that cost TP. TP isn't exactly the same thing as a limit gauge, since it's qualities tend more toward how IP is generated and used in Lufia 2 - Rise of the Sinistrals. Still, it could be reworked into a conceptual Limit Gauge if need be. I also don't see a problem with attaching a Collab skill to it's related equipment. It would likely be included among it's features, along with the passive stat modifiers, elemental resistance modifiers, and state resistance modifiers.

The "very specific Collab", well, yeah, that might be closer to how Unites work, if I understand things correctly. Though, it would have the additional caveat of "the involved characters must have 100/full TP" along with the other factors for it's use needing to be aligned. For what it is worth, concerning Unites in my game, the only requirement for their availability is for the related characters to be in the party. No MP or TP expenditure was required. However, I set a negative SPD modifier to the skills in a possibly feeble attempt to represent the characters getting in sync. Even if it wasn't for the additional caveat you're asking for, it's a risk, as having any involved character fall unconscious before the skill gets pulled off means... it won't be pulled of. The payoff might be worth it, though, as Unite skills literally combine the ATK of all involved characters as part of the damage formula.

[RMMV] Xenomic's Question Thread!

I'm having a very hard time parsing what you're saying about Collabs/Summons, but, some of what I can parse sounds strangely familiar to Unites in this game.

So, with that system, very specific characters have to be in the party for the "Unite" spell category to even show up, not to mention adding the appropriate skill those characters have access to. Skipping over inputs for characters involved in an "active" Unite was a thing I looked into, and succeeded in. However, I also had the benefit of leaving the combat in a standard turn based system, rather than use an active turn based system. It wasn't a small bit of hell to get everything to work the way it should, but, it did. Though, saying that, I never want to have to do that again, nor would want anybody to go through what I did.

Adventure Unlimited

Every time I see this game being mentioned on Discord, I can only think of a similar-sounding thing.

Best RM series to play all the way through?

You might consider reading over the "Series Master" articles written by sbester on this point. Though, those were written almost 10 years ago, the interview style and insights provided therein about developing a series might be useful/interesting.

For full disclosure, I participated in one of those interviews. However, the games mentioned were certainly among the earlier games I've made, before I really got my footing as a game developer. The gamedev journey of one of my showcase games might be more interesting.

Advice on ABS plugins for a complete Newb

Well, an action battle system, at least in my head, is one where you press a button on the controller/keyboard to perform an action. Examples of this would be Devil May Cry, Dark Souls, and Dynasty Warriors. There wouldn't be a menu to select targets from, but, there might be a menu to assign actions to buttons.

My memory might be a little fuzzy on this point, but, I think Persona 5 might have buttons that can initiate actions by themselves, or call up a menu to select an ability. However, unlike the above examples, it's a turn-based game.

Advice on ABS plugins for a complete Newb

I almost want to suggest using GTBS (Gudib's Tactical Battle System) for Ace, as it would include grid-based movement, and, if I recall, you can set it up so that there's a "player phase" then an "enemy phase". It has been a while since I've messed with it, though.

I wouldn't necessarily call that an action-based system, though, as the player is choosing a list of actions in a menu. I'd actually largely assume anything that grants grid-based movement in combat is going to be more inclined to a tactical, menu-driven action selection system, and likely to be inspired by Fire Emblem, Shining Force, and it's ilk.

[RMMV] Xenomic's Question Thread!

A note tag is probably how I'd do something like this, but, yeah, I feel this effect would largely exist in the realm of of plugins. I want to go as far as say that the function affect would be within the context of Game_ActionResult, but, this is entirely off the top of my head.

screenshots first submission

You upload none of them. Compress the folder that was made with the deploy option with 7-Zip, or like program, and upload the resulting file. I doubt it's nessessary at this stage, but, if that file is over 450MB...

except from https://rpgmaker.net/submission_rules/
Games greater than 450MB cannot be accepted.

...you'll have to find an alternative place to host your game.

Marrend plays Xenosaga Episode 2!


--Session 7 - Everything's Coming up Roses Milta--

Last time, while the crew succeeded in removing a blockade made by the Immigrant Fleet, the Elsa was in no condition to proceed to Old Miltia. The Durandal picked them up, and set course to the Foundation to rest and reconnoiter. The chapter starts off with Gaignun sitting in front of a large console, and, it looks like he's having a seizure of some kind. A memory from earlier triggers, and there, we witness a conversation between Nigredo and Citrine, which goes something like...

Citrine: You're just like us.
Nigredo: Like you?
Citrine: Code name: Red Dragon. A useful, but dangerous creature with the potential to loose control. Our duty is to manage and subdue the Red Dragon's violent nature. Don't you think it's strange? The way you don't react to the U-DO simulator?
Nigredo: You don't mean...
Citrine: That's right. Red Dragon. Red, and precious.

...this. Perhaps this is just me, but, I get the distinct impression this is some kind of reference to Jr/Rubedo. That aside, we get another memory of Nigerdo shooting Dr Yuriev. The seizure won't stop, and Gaignun falls to the floor, his hair glowing and becoming... blonde? What?

Cut to the bridge of the Durandal. Jr gets right down to business, asking about the status of the enemy. The report from Shelly is that the Immigrant Fleet has already descended onto Old Milta. Given the narration from the beginning of the disk, and that the player knows of their connection to U-TIC, this is arguably what we should expect from them. Jr orders the Elsa to be moved to the Foundation bays, and to be repaired to Captain Matthew's specifications. He wants to launch as soon as possible.

A transmission from Helmer arrives. The news from him is that a Federation fleet has been deployed on their own decent mission, but, Helmer fears they might be too late to be of any use. So long as there is even the slightest possibility that the Immigrant Fleet has possession of the Zohar, the Federation is not willing to make any large-scale movements. Jr will do what he can, but, we don't know how long the Elsa will be out of order for repairs. Even if we set aside the costs, and I'm sure that's of concern to somebody as deep in debt as Captain Matthews, the time it would take to repair might make any action Jr and company could do to also be too little, too late.

The medley of cutscenes done, at least for now, we find ourselves in control of the party on...



OST - "The Durandal"

...the Durandal. Back in Xenosaga Episode 1, we could use the tram to go to the park, dock, the Zohar emulator storage, the residential district, or the bridge. Maybe the hanger as well? In this game, the locations we can visit are: the bridge, the park, and the dock. So, quite reduced. There was a casino in the residential district in the first game, and having that entire block be cut off, well! I guess they really, really didn't want money to be a variable this game, ever!

Let me make a minor correction on this, and the "no shop" comment I've been harping on. One of the Global Samaritan Campaign quests allows players to sell unwanted items for the purposes of providing at least some form of debt relief for Captain Matthews. So, as a point of clarification, it's not the player that is receiving the money, it's Matthews. Don't get me wrong, the amount of debt to settle is a rather large sum at the start of the quest. However, while the amount never increases on it's own, there is also no way to increase that debt in exchange for items you'd actually use. I suppose it makes sense for the shop to be a "sale only" shop, but, it's still annoying as hell, and the shop stops functioning after the debt is settled, and the quest is complete. So, it's actually only temporary solution at best to get rid of unwanted items. You're still screwed if you want to acquire items.

That rant aside, we could certainly visit...



OST - "Kukai Foundation"

...the Kukai, Foundation, proper. Except...I cannot think of a single reason to do so? Aside from maybe getting involved in the aforementioned Global Samaritan Campaign. There are some GSC quests that have a funny tendency to direct players to go between the Foundation and Second Miltia, and then right back to the Foundation again because it's the most annoying, Futch-and-Bright thing to ask players to do. Maybe my memory playing tricks on me. Either way, I'm still not going to touch the GSC with a ten-meter stick. Even if you could support me on Patreon, I would refuse.

Going to the bridge of the Elsa, and talking to Captain Matthews, we learn we can, actually, make another attempt at Old Miltia right now. Which feels like a time-skip and a half, but, I'm not going to argue too much here. Matthews mentions that there's an old guy who joined the crew that helped with the repairs. This is a reference to the Professor, a character I might have mentioned briefly once before, either in this LP or for Episode 1. His role in both games include collecting certain items tucked behind Segment Addresses. Collecting them all grants a special Ether for Shion in both Episode 1, and Episode 2. Special Ethers are obtained for all characters via Segment Addresses in Episode 3, but, I'm getting a little ahead of myself here.

So! Choosing to go back to Old Miltia triggers, what else, a cutscene! No, it's not the Elsa getting into trouble for the umpteenth time, though, maybe that will be later. For now, we see the now blond-haired Gaignun talking to a solder over comms, the solider calling him... Dr Yuriev? Well, that's definitely something interesting.

So, Yuriev has been out of the picture for 14 years, so, naturally, asks for an update. The following report isn't something players don't already know. That "one of the URTVs" made partial contact with U-DO isn't new by any stretch to the player, as this is a clear reference to Albedo. However, the soldier's report indicates that this link caused a space-time anomaly, which is also obstructed by the double black holes. I can't say for sure if this space-time anomaly he's talking about is the self-same anomaly that cause Old Milita's UMN column to be silenced for as long as it was, but, it kinda feels possible. Later comes an interesting tidbit.

Soldier: By the way, how are you feeling? I heard your old body was disposed of.
Yuriev: I feel great. There's only so much lifespan-extension one can achieve. But now, I'm fine. Thanks to my son. *chuckles* That is, the son who killed me.

Cut briefly to the space above Old Miltia, where we see plethora of Federation and Immigrant Fleet vessels facing each other, ready for a confrontation, but neither side firing. Cut to the Elsa flying above an ocean during sunset, the camera panning towards the front of the ship, zooming in on the area where the bridge is located. Then, cuts to the bridge, itself. Hammer is tapping on his console, expressing that the capital looks the same, even after 14 years of isolation. Jr adds his own little tidbit of commentary, as does...

chaos: The country of the hills of Mud, the land of Mu was sacrificed. Being twice upheaved, it suddenly disappeared in one night. At last, the surface gave way, and they sank, along with their countries.
Shion: What's that?
choas: A fairy tale. A story about a land that vanished into the sea one night, long ago.

...chaos. I've heard of Mu before, though, my context in this regard relates to Illusion of Gaia, with the vampire double-boss, and Terranigma, where it is an optional area you can resurrect during the first act, and can visit in the third act. That aside, the idea is to do whatever needs to be done here as quickly as possible, and get the hell out. Nobody wants to be here any longer than absolutely necessary. Deploy the wanzers ES!

The Elsa lands in...



OST - "Old Miltia (Submerged City)"

...a submerged portion of a city, not daring to get any closer to the action/Zohar. There's a handy-dandy save point right at the beginning of this dungeon, which I use before proceeding. If the Zohar has not moved yet, it should be stored in Labyrinthos. That building was owned an operated by U-TIC back in the day, and while the Immigrant Fleet is the faction that has a head-start over the other factions, we know they have some connection with U-TIC. Which doesn't exactly bode well, but, I guess we'll soon see how much security they've managed to deploy.

As it happens, the U-TIC drone fights start out pretty early, but, then again, this might be more a game design decision than an indication of how far along the faction is to recovering the Zohar. A number of encounters and screens later, we come across an obstacle in the form of a waterfall. Though, I don't even want to call this an obstacle. The solution is to move to a nearby pool of water, drop a few objects into it, and blow them up to cause a fracture in the wall, making the water level lower, or at least come from a different angle/height than before. Either way, we are allowed to proceed to a handy-dandy save point, which I use.

The next screen is a boss fight against...



Cutscene #64 - Vanderkam's Squad

...Vanderkam? The camera never switches to an internal view so that we can absolutely confirm this suspicion. However, given what is being heard over the intercom, I've my doubts it can be anybody else. A bit further in, there's a vantage point where we can see how close we are to Labyrinthos. However, proceeding on the ES doesn't seem possible. On a platform is a ladder down so, on foot the rest of the way we go.

Upon entering the sewers, we get...



OST - "Labyrinthos"

...a music update. If there is one thing I will not complain about with this game, it's the soundtrack. Anyway, things proceed at a pace until we come across...




...this funky-looking wall. The initial theory floated by Ziggy is that this is the work of nanomachnines. MOMO backs this up, saying she's heard of nanomachines going out of control, making rooms and passageways all on their own. This could be a small reference to Segment Addresses, but, Shion has a different impression. That some form of consciousness was at work here. Jr backs her up, saying that it's U-DO, and worries about it's influence spreading this far out. I can't say for how how far U-DO might be from their present position, or if proceeding will get them closer to the thing, but, I don't exactly have much choice here, do I?

The next point of interest is an elevator that's got two plates in front of it's entrance. There's paths on each side, each one leading to button to release one of the plates. There's both puzzles and battles on each of these paths, of course, but, I'm not particularly inclined to say that there is anything is notable about them. Down the elevator is another puzzle. There's two locks, and removing the first of them allows us entrance into a complex that houses our next cutscene.

Jin and Cannan nod at each other, and get to work. Cannan would appreciate a it if Jin hurries, but, Shion has to ask about what the contents of the data Cannan's been carrying around. Jin takes a position in the Department of Backstory for a moment, and answers that it contains the identity of the person behind the Miltian Conflcit of 14 years ago. The game reminds the player that the person who has been blamed for that incident was none other than Joachim Mizrahi. The camera doesn't show MOMO while this exchange is happening, but, I doubt hearing this, not to mention that Jin threw the term "madman" when speaking of her father, is probably not doing her mood many favors.

Jin presses a button, and there's an obvious time skip before he opens his mouth again. He asks how familiar we are to the U-TIC organization. Shion's response is terse, in that it relays that it was an organization established by the aforementioned Joachim Mizrahi to study the Zohar. However, aren't we a little more intimate with that organization than that? I mean, these are the guys that kidnapped MOMO. Even if the characters aren't aware of their alignment to the Immigrant Fleet, or that they hired Albedo, we as the player, certainly are aware of that. Anyway, Jin retains his post at the Department of Backstory, and in so doing, relays some information. It gets a little blatty...


Jin: The U-TIC organization was originally a part of the Federation. Professor Mizrahi was apparently using the data he obtained from studying the Zohar to convert U-TIC into a military organization, but, he never actually told the Federation government. He kept them in the dark, but, there's something else that's strange about this. It takes an enormous amount of money to fund research and weaponry. Yet, there's no evidence that the Federation ever provided that kind of financial backing.
Shion: So, someone else was funding them behind the scenes?
Jin: That's right. Almost all of the U-TIC Organization's enterprises were nothing more than dummy corporations. That is, all except one.
Shion: Just one?
Jin: This data includes recorded information regarding a business known as Hyams. It's highly likely that this company was the one that actually provided the money, and, the head of the Hyams outfit, a man named Heinlein, happens to be one of the cardinals of the Immigrant Fleet.
Jr: So, you're saying that the U-TIC Organization has connections to the Immigrant Fleet?
MOMO: Did daddy... did daddy have connections to the Immigrant Fleet too?
Jin: No. I presume Professor Mizrahi was merely being used. Their objective was to acquire research data for the Zohar. Even the realian outbursts that sparked the Miltian Conflict were believed to be a part of their experiments, but, something else happened that they couldn't have predicted.
Jr: U-DO awoke, and the door to purgatory opened.
Shion: And the Gnosis appeared.
Jin: Everyone must have thought it was the end of the world, but, that didn't happen. MOMO, the truth of the matter is, your father wasn't a madman at all. In the ensuing chaos, Professor Mizrahi had to make a vital decision in order to prevent to worst-case scenario.
MOMO: What decision?
Jin: He know he had to somehow isolate the Zohar, U-DO, and all of Miltia, and seal their power into a place where no one could touch it.
Shion: So, the reason Miltia was swallowed up by the Abyss was because Professor Mizrahi...
Jin: A great many people were sacrificed for his sake. That's probably the reason he brought judgement down upon himself. To put an end to everything. Your father tried to save the world you were about to be born into, and then, he trusted his secrets to you, the one he could trust most.
MOMO: Daddy. I knew it! I'm so... I'm so happy!
Shion: Wait a second. So, if we just hand over the Zohar to the Immigrant Fleet, they'll...
Jin: Yes, they will likely repeat the tragedy from fourteen years ago.


...but there's two main takeaways here. First, U-TIC has been, and probably still is, funded by company whose headed by a cardinal in the Immigrant Fleet. The other would be that Mizrahi was likely not responsible for summoning the Gnosis, or the awakening of U-DO. Something else caused that, and maybe it's related to the functions of the Song of Nephilim, considering the reactions made by the various cast members to the structure, or the song itself.

Cutscenes done for the moment, the button that disengages the second lock is in the operations room, so, we can proceed to another elevator down. However, Jin will stay behind with Cannan to deliver their findings to Helmer. I'm kinda suspicious about how long that transfer should actually take, given this setting, but, maybe it could take little longer due to making the data transfer secure, or whatever? Regardless of such suspicions, there's a handy-dandy save point were the elevator makes it's stop, which, yeah, let's use that.

The corridor leads to a cutscene with our friendly neighborhood Margulis. This shouldn't be of any surprise to anybody at this point, given that both players and characters know that U-TIC and the Immigrant Fleet have connections with each other. Of course, Margulis has a few choice words to say before launching a ball of energy, but, it gets deflected by a different ball of energy. Jin? Jin. Another colorful exchange of words before the two master swordsmen duel each other. Jin has a distinct disadvantage in this duel, as he's been out of practice, but, he still manages to mostly hold his own against Margulis. The FMV relays this much better than words...



Cutscene #67 - Jin versus Margulis redux
...but, it's boss fight time now. Whatever your party setup was before, the character in position 3 is kicked for Jin. I switched mid-combat so that Shion and KOS-MOS were in the party, and if I must be honest, he didn't seem that hard? Then again, yeah, I've got level 99 characters with all the skills. After the fight, Marguils says a few words about how, regardless of how much we struggle, the wheels are in motion, and there's nothing we can do to stop it.

He leaves the facility via a pick-up job from Hermann's ES, and the party rushes forward and finds the original Zohar standing before them. Shion seems to recognize this place, and KOS-MOS relays that she sense life signs from the capsules ahead. The party moves closer, and Shion is able to read the labels. Cecilia and Catherine. Or, as we've know them in previous references, Cecily and Cathe.

I don't think seeing these two in a rather decrepit state, able to survive only on the life support systems they are hooked into is what Shion was expecting. Still, these are, in fact, Febronia's sisters that she kept talking about, and wishes to be free. Upon this realization, Shion takes several steps back before falling on her butt, and expresses her shock. After Jr and MOMO make some commentary, Shion expresses exasperation at the situation presented to her.

Shion: It's horrible! I can't stand this! I'm... I'm stick of all this! I just... I can't take it anymore! I just can't!

Setting them free from life support means they will die. On the other hand, can one really call the condition they are in "alive"? So, yeah, I can't exactly fault Shion for feeling rather icky about executing the wishes of Febronia, and feeling the pressure of the moral conundrum before her. Jr asks the question of the hour, "Why did they do this?"

A voice from elsewhere answers, "Because using them in their natural state proved difficult." Great, who's this now?




Oh. You. Hi! Jr asks the cardinal to identify himself, but, he is silent. Jin then asks why the leader of the Immigrant Fleet is here, though, I half suspect he already knows the answer to that. While the cardinal responds that there is no need for him to answer questions from the likes of us, he'll nevertheless entertain us. Transcript time? Transcript time.

Cardinal: The Zohar. That object originally belonged to us. To Ormus. Yes, since the dawn of recorded history, we have been its guardians. It turn, we use it in any way we see fit. That is the way of things.
Jin: Ormus. So, that's the real name of your organization.
Cardinal: That's right. Ormus has existed in the shadows since ancient times. Indeed, since before the crucifixion of the messiah. Human beings, no, all life throughout the universe must be guided forward by Ormus, and the Zohar, and they shall be lead unto a higher plane of existence. That is the mission that god has entrusted to us.

Things go on for a bit further, in accordance to the grant agreement with the Department of Padding, before Shion stands up and makes a stand against the cardinal, with the party's backing. Of course, the cardinal has an ace, maybe two, up his sleeves, and one of them is activating the system. A noise is heard, and Jr identifies it as the voice of U-DO. He warns that if the system isn't shut down, it will awaken. KOS-MOS transfers in a weapon to disable the system, but, Shion blocks her line of fire. KOS-MOS politely asks Shion to stand aside, or she will take desperate measures. Shion stands her ground for a while, but, then, Febronia decides to make an appearance, and seems to stop time when she does.

Once more, she pleads for the freedom of her sisters. Shion, now with full knowledge of what that means, pleads for her own sake, asking why this moral conundrum was thrust upon her. Feb only smiles, saying Shion has always been a kind person who wishes harm upon no one. Shion cries and sniffles, but, in the end, she stands aside, and lets KOS-MOS proceed.

Too little, too late. A mech powers up that Jin identifies as...




...Proto Omega. The machine engulfs the original Zohar, using it as it's power source. Jr and KOS-MOS fire upon the machine, but, it's a wasted effort. Proto Omega launches, and the whole facility shakes. Jr correctly assess that this is bad, and orders a retreat to the Elsa. The FMV of the Elsa's escape looks pretty slick but, something really really funky happens to Miltia.




This is a rather extended cutscene, but...



Cutscene #68 - Feb's sisters, and the awakening of Omega

...here it is. As a side-note, the audio craps out after about 4:16. I tried looking for an alternate, but, to no avail.

Now on the bridge of the Elsa, Shion and the others look at the image of what remains of Old Milta on the screen in a combination of confusion (what the Futch-and-Bright just happened!?) and terror (the Zohar is effectively in the hands of U-TIC, so the possibility of what happened on Miltia 14 years ago repeating itself has increased dramatically). The game screen fades to black, then a save prompt, indicating the end of this chapter. So, it looks like Jr and the others need a new game plan going forward. What that is, I guess we'll find out in the next segment of the Xenosaga Episode 2 LP!