Click Here for Update 105
: Goddamn, that was a horrible fucking dream. I dreamt I had a copy of Eternal Punishment in English, but I was all boring.
: I wonder if it had to do with that email I sent a few months ago - one of the developers working on the fan translation of Eternal Punishment PSP put out a patching tool that fixes the names in the PS1 version.. but it doesn’t have save transfer capability, so I couldn’t LP it.
: Anyway, this section is entirely on rails - you can’t fast travel, and you’re forced to visit the party members in a certain order.
: By the way, you can buy a giant fuckoff Yaldabaoth for the roof of the Thieves Den.
: Most of the minor NPCs have already been affected by Maruki’s bullshit. I’m only going to show off this one and one other. This is the family who asked if the Phantom Thieves could steal what was making their dog sick.
: In the base game, their dog dies shortly before the end of the Shido arc.
: Some of the people walking around the station have smiles on their faces the way they did in Maruki’s palace.
: See that guy in the foreground with the brown jacket and the bag? I kept seeing the smile as a Hitler moustache when I was recording this.
: “Aw, I’m not the one who deserves the credit - you kept up your best effort and now you’re finally being recognized! Akira!? I can’t believe it! Over here!”
: “Long time no see, Kurusu-kun. Do you remember me?”
: “Wow, you remembered me? We didn’t even get to talk all that much since I transferred to another school so early into the semester.”
: I’m disappointed but not surprised that they didn’t put in an alternate bit for if you’ve completed Ann’s confidant and saw Shiho there.
: “Of course he remembers you! He HAS to remember, what with the bragging - I’ve told him all about how amazing my BFF is at volleyball.”
: “Oh, Ann… Sorry you have to put up with all that, Kurusu-kun.”
: Joker’s like “It’s fine, I just appreciate knowing I live in a world with someone as gay as I am.”
: “Shiho was the MVP at the big meet the other day too. Not only was she in the starting lineup, but she scored more points than anybody else! No wonder she’s the star of the team! I’m just so proud of you, Shiho!”
: “Aw, you’re too much…”
: “Everyone in volleyball knows that Shujin’s the top school when it comes to the sport. That’s how I was able to convince my parents to let me transfer back.. after more than a little begging.”
: “I was so sad when she transferred for her parents’ jobs, but all’s well that ends well! I feel like everything’s just perfect!”
: One thing I don’t like about the writing in this part of the game is that what Maruki can do with his reality warping bullshit is wildly inconsistent.
: Why is it that he was able to overwrite several years of Futaba’s life, but didn’t bother to make it so that Shiho never left Shujin to begin with?
: What he’s asking is if she wants to wake up, or if she’s happy here. In fact, this entire plot arc is what happens when you take Dream of Butterfly and try to turn it into a script.
: “Huh? What does that mean? Of course I am..”
: "“Wh-What do you mean, ‘any doubts’? Well, I know I don’t. I spent so much time worrying over everything that now I’ve - wait.. what? Something is.. I remember being so cornered that I just wanted to die, but then I met everyone, and…”
: “What does that-”
: “Huh!? I just…”
: “Ann, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
: “Oh, um, I’m fine! I think I’m just… feeling a bit tired? Why don’t we go find some place to sit and relax for a bit? Sorry, Akira! I’ll call you later…”
: “See you, Kurusu-kun.”
: I’m pretty sure this is a fuckup with the script, but Ann never played volleyball.
: These two thought bubbles pop up every morning, so I’ll skip them.
: “Hm? Are you looking for someone? Haru? She was thinking about setting up a shop in Kichijoji. She went to inspect the new location with the president. She sure looked happy for doing a bunch of busywork.”
: Once you visit Ann, the game will let you warp to Shibuya.. where we have to walk to the station. The station is where the other interesting NPC is.
: This is the hobo hitman from the Mementos request.
: Maruki has even infested the world map. We can only go to places that have a party member in them, but today we’re forced to visit Haru. I even tried visiting Ueno (where Yusuke is) and the game would not let me.
: Haru is scouting out the location for “Foreheadland”, a bangs-free amusement park.
: “The research says this community is most interested in high-quality ingredients and a modern store design. Perhaps this location should focus more on organic produce, and a simple but elegant interior…”
: “Oh! Akira-kun? I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
: “I’m helping out my father today. We’re here to inspect a potential site for a new company store.”
: “Is this a friend of yours?”
: “Yes, he’s been a wonderful friend to me. He’s an underclassman at my school.”
: “…Or are you truly ‘just friends’?”
: “Geez, Father! Don’t jump to conclusions like that!”
: “Hahaha, calm down, Haru. I was merely teasing. But still… were such a man to apear in your life, make sure you tell me right away, understand?”
: “Oh, Father - is that jealousy I’m detecting?”
: Haru didn’t really have much of a personality in the base game, but I think the writers misunderstood what it is she actually wants.
: “It’s been quite some time since I last saw Haru like this. You must truly be a wonderful friend for her. Please keep being as good to her as you have been. After all, my daughter’s happiness is my own happiness.”
: “Father… oh, would you care to do something together, Akira-kun? We have a bit of free time, so we could grab a coffee or something.”
: “Yes he is, thank you. …Although he can be a bit overprotective at times. But, he’s honest and caring.. he really is my ideal father.”
: “My dream? Oh, no, I wouldn’t call my life anything so drastic. After all, I’ve been so busy lately that I can barely handle what’s on my plate, so- wait… I just..”
: “O-Oh, okay…”
: “What!? That just now… that was…”
: “Haru? What’s the matter?”
: “Ah, nothing, Father! Nothing, really.”
: “You must be getting exhausted after all this surveying. Why don’t we take a break somewhere? My apologies for cutting this short - I do hope we’ll have the chance to speak more in the future.”
: “You’d think training would be a drag, but he sure seems to be enjoying it. …I’m a little tired from thinking too much. I think I’m gonna go for a walk and clear my head…”
: We’ll see what he’s having so much trouble thinking about after this update.
: “It’s not for sure or nothin’ yet, anyway. I’m just sayin’ the school’s gotten word of something like that.”
: I feel like the writers for Royal forgot that Ryuji exists. If you’ll recall, at the end of his confidant, the track team invites him back and he declines. The problem here is that Ryuji is kind of a non-character.
: It would’ve been better if they had done something else with him - say, have a world where he got to focus on school because Kamoshida never antagonized him, so he’s no longer at the bottom of the class.
: “Aw, you’re still jumpin the gun with this. I’m just trying my best so I don’t get laughed off the team by you guys.”
: “Akira? What’re you doin’ here? It’s still winter break.”
: “Ooh! That’s nice of you guys - how about an extra large beef bowl and some pork miso soup? Hey, why don’t you come with us, Akira?”
: I’m surprised he didn’t ask for the pork to be in chicken stock so he could go through the entire meat spectrum in a single meal.
: “Uh, yeah it’s fun, but whaddya mean? It’s just what I like doin’, y’know? I get all down when I’m not runnin’.”
: “My leg… oh, you’re worried about me? It’s totally fine, dude! No problems there since that injury a while back. And that was actually Kamoshida’s fault, so- wait… what? …Ain’t something wrong here?”
: “How do we know each other, anyhow? First we met in front of the station by school, then…”
: “Uh… sure.”
: And I’ve got to / make my decision / this time it could be my moment.
: “Whoa! The hell was that…?”
: “Uhh, nothin’! Sorry, I gotta get back to practice! See ya!”
: Finally, we can go visit Yusuke.
: “He sounded pretty emotional, said something about a piece finally getting recognition. Maybe you should check it out. …Hey… have you gotten shorter or something? I feel like I used to look up at you…”
: “Nevermind. You’re heading out, right? Stay safe.”
: All of the other party members are open as of today, and of course Makoto is in a spot where it’s very easy to accidentally run into her. In fact, that’s what happens tomorrow.
: “Take a look. My mother’s painting is finally receiving the public attention that it deserves. It’s on display for this week only, so I’m glad we have this chance to view it together.”
: “…I am truly blessed. I’ve waited so long to see this painting here. My drive to create a masterpiece of this caliber grows stronger every day… but thanks to my sensei’s patronage, each day also brings me closer to painting such an impactful work.”
: Yusuke’s reality is easily the laziest. What they should have done is obvious: made it so his mother never died and the Sayuri was finished… but that’d take effort.
: “Nothing in the world could make me happier than I am at this moment.”
: “Why, my sensei, of course - Madarame. Even after mother’s passing, Sensei never stopped advocating her work to the public. Not only that, he took me in and cared for me when I lost my only family… I truly cannot thank him enough.”
: Yep, they went the lazy route.
: “Ah, I just had a wonderful idea! Why don’t you come join us for dinner? Sensei’s been very interested in meeting you. Don’t worry - he’ll even pay for the meal!”
: “Yes, I’d say so, but… what’s this about, so out of the blue?”
: “The… ‘Sayuri’? That’s not the painting’s name… no, wait. That seems.. something’s not right.”
: “What is… could I be making the same mistakes as I did before?”
: “Akira, I… actually - I’m sorry… but I’d like to be alone for now.”
: I had talked with Salty Vanilla about doing a Yusu-Gay for this scene, but it was too complex to draw. The idea was that Joker shatters Maruki’s hold on Yusuke with a single hug.
: “This is not how things should be.”
: Today’s the day I accidentally ran into Makoto.
: “We were just doing a bit of shopping. But soon, we’re going to celebrate our dad receiving the superintendent general award!”
: “Come on, Makoto, you don’t need to raise your voice over it. Remember Dad telling you earlier to just act like it’s no big deal?”
: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it… I’m just so thrilled for him - it’s like he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
: I wonder if Makoto was also stuck in a burning shrine, because logically that’s what her father would be getting the award for, given that she’s a shitty genderflipped Tatsuya Suou.
: “Well, I do feel the same way. So, what groceries do we need to pick up before we head home?”
: “I wonder what Dad would like me to cook… I made eggplant miso soup for your birthday…”
: I looked up some recipes for eggplant miso soup, and it sounds like the blandest goddamn thing ever - kind of like Makoto.
: “You had fried mackerel on yours, right? I can still remember how you pestered Dad about it until he cooked it for you…”
: “Sis! I didn’t pester him! He asked me what I wanted to eat for my birthday!”
: “Ooh, I just had an idea! Akira, would you like to join us for dinner tonight? Oh - I guess I don’t know what we’re having yet, though…”
: “Don’t you think it’s possible he already has plans by now? Look at you, Little Miss Outgoing! Where’d this turnabout come from?”
: Here’s the real question. Is Sae’s “world where all dreams come true” a world where she has the tramp stamp but no one finds it ridiculous, or a world where she never got it in the first place?
: “Uh - Yes? You think so?”
: “Yes, just as well as always. Even when she’s busy at work, she always has my back. I couldn’t thank her enough for all the.. wait… something’s wrong…”
: “Mom died.. so Dad raised us alone… and Sis…”
: “Wait, what are you saying?”
: “Makoto? What’s wrong?”
: “Oh… no, I’m sorry. It’s nothing. Sorry, Akira. We have more shopping to do. I’ll see you later.”
: “I think they said something about hunting for games over in Akihabara. They look like such a happy family.”
: “Akira…? I think something’s wrong with me… or, maybe not…? I don’t know… sorry, I didn’t mean to hold you up. Don’t mind me.”
: “I would never have been able to put such an amazing exhibit together all on my own. Everything was made possible thanks to the hard work of all the staff and my apprentices.”
: “But on the subject of the next exhibit, I was actually hoping to display some of my apprentice’s work instead of my own.”
: “Correct. Yusuke is the son of one of my apprentices. He inherited quite a bit of natural talent from his mother. As she is sadly no longer with us, I bear the responsibility to spread that boy’s talent to the world.”
: “A collaboration with Yusuke…? chuckle Yes, I think that’s quite a nice idea. Now I can’t wait for this exhibition to come.”
: The existence of this is a massive failure on the writers part. They acknowledged when they said that Maruki was supposed to be designed to not be hated that the other villains were.
: Having Madarame here isn’t exactly helping the “Accepting Maruki’s reality isn’t a bad ending” argument.
: “But.. but… can’t you feel it!? All the limited editions and the gaming gear… it’s the store’s fault for being a one-stop shopping emporium for gamers! Soooooo… mom?”
: I feel like this is half a step away from being an advertisement.
: “No, ma’am. Do you think I get supplemental grants with nothing but puppy-dog eyes? Motion for additional funding: denied.”
: “Hrrghhh, my case was dismissed… hm? Akira?”
: “Oh hey, look who stumbled into us. C’mon, hurry up and pick something already. You still wanna get lunch after this, right? We can take him too now.”
: “Oh, what a thoughtful gentleman. Hear that, Futaba? Sojiro’s gonna treat us all to lunch.”
: “Hey, don’t go putting words in my-”
: “Really!? Then, back to Leblanc, people - it’s curry time!”
: “Uh, you eat that all the time, though…”
: You know, I just realized something. I’m not sure whether this scene is decently written or the result of the writers for Royal not even reading the script of the base game before they wrote the expansion.
: If you’ll recall, Futaba barely knew Sojiro until after her mother died - up until that point, she only really knew him as a guy who worked with her mother.
: On one hand, you could say that the reason Sojiro is here is because this is his dream world as well - he did mention wanting to get together with Wakaba in his confidant, and this setup makes sense that way.
: On the other, given that the writers for Royal feel like they barely played the base game, I’m not so sure.
: “That’s 'cause it’s the best!”
: “You really can’t get enough of that curry, can you, Futaba? I mean, she does have a point.”
: “Heh… thanks for the glowing review.”
: “Sound good, Akira? I KNOW you know how awesome Sojiro’s curry is!”
: Actually nah, this scene sucks because they squandered it.
: Out of all these scenes, this one should’ve been the strongest. There should’ve been an element of Futaba consciously accepting Maruki’s reality and trying to make the player feel like shit for taking that away from her.
: I would also have had Maruki appear in all of these scenes. They had no problem overusing the fuck out of him when it didn’t matter, but for some reason were afraid to use him when it does.
: “Of course! Sojiro and Mom worked together to improve its flavor, y’know. And… huh?”
: “What’s that supposed to mean? What are you getting at? Is it a dream? No, but…”
: “I still don’t get it… c’mon, why won’t you just tell me…?”
: I feel like they should’ve re-posed the model for this one, because it looks like Futaba’s high on something.
: “What WAS that!?”
: “Are you all right? You two are getting a bit weird.”
: “Could this be a case of raging hormones? Look how serious they’ve both gotten.”
: “Um… it’s nothing! Let’s go, Mom. The curry can’t wait! Akira’s still got stuff to do! I assume! Well, see ya!”
: “I’ve uncovered a few things in my investigation this week.. so I thought I’d share my findings with you.”
: “First, regarding Maruki himself… he’s been researching ‘the treatment of patients through changes in their cognitions’ since his college years… you already knew about that, correct?”
: By the way, “cognitions” isn’t a word. Cognition is both the singular and plural.
: “Maruki’s work apparently had enough investors that he was planning to break ground on a research facility somewhere… and as you know, those plans never came to fruition - his funding was cut off and his research was ended for him.”
: I’m pretty sure you mean “grants”, not “investors”, unless Maruki was trying to be Umbrella Corporation or something. Cognitive psience Chris Redfield into seeing everything as a boulder.
: “It’s probable. However, we can’t be certain of the reason why - at least with our current understanding. What was the purpose of his research into cognitive psience? Doesn’t it feel like there’s more to the story?”
: This is dumb because Akechi should know why. The answer is “because Shido” by the way.
: “For example.. maybe his research was stymied by someone else for their own reasons. Anyway, that’s all I could dig up about Maruki’s history.”
: “The only thing that’s become clearer is his stance on using cognitive psience - he’s dead serious about ‘saving’ people. He distorted reality itself to make his dream come true. I can only imagine how delighted he is right now.”
: We fucking know! Stop recapping shit that happened not even an hour ago! Fuck!
: “Ah, that reminds me - there was one more thing I wanted to tell you. About the reality Maruki’s put us in… it seems that Okumura and Wakaba are both considered alive by all accounts.”
: “They aren’t mere illusions, or cognitive beings - they truly are alive and existing in this world. In fact, their deaths seem to have never taken place at all in this reality.”
: Stop stating the fucking obvious!
: “Shido was the only one arrested on the crime of attempting to overthrow the government… it seems the Phantom Thieves were causing a stir in this society as well, but there’s no record of your arrest now.”
: Dammit! I thought you were fucking cool now!
: “Basically, in this reality, you and I haven’t committed any crimes. I don’t understand how Maruki was able to distort reality to such extremes… but at the very least, he was being honest when he told us he’d make such revisions - and rather convenient ones.”
: “That’s quite the funny joke. It makes me want to puke. Remaining in this Maruki-revised reality means living under his thumb forever… and I refuse to live like that. I’ll be the one to choose my path.”
: You know, something I just thought of: technically, he’s living in Philemon’s reality since the ‘real’ reality got destroyed in Innocent Sin. Why is he okay with that?
: “That’s how I’ve lived up to now, and it’s going to continue from here 'til the end… but what about you? You saw them for yourself, didn’t you? Your friends seem to have taken a liking to Maruki’s version of reality.”
: “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind after seeing them…”
: “I see. I pray your answer doesn’t change when we face Maruki tomorrow. That takes care of the info I wanted to share. See you soon.”
: “With Akechi? You guys are really hitting it off lately. Of course, that’s not a bad thing. Hey, so… about what you said before… you know, that stuff about my happiness…”
