Click Here for Update 112
: We’re going to get through the first part of Maruki’s palace this update. I couldn’t finish it in one session because it is full of cutscenes and is generally a boring shitpile.
: “Well, English slang is constantly evolving with the times. Textbook English is more static. It’s so lame… but sometimes you can work out the meanings behind slang through context clues.”
: “Some are just natural extensions of English-language constructs that have already been in place for years. Others might combine normal words, or use more common phrases in new or unusual ways.”
: “Take ‘thirsty’ for instance. Ordinarily, it describes a need for a drink. That’s a pretty serious need, right? But as slang, it describes someone who’s a little too desperate. Like a boy who won’t stop asking you out…”
: Joker glares at Morgana.
: “Oh, and ‘hangry’! That’s when you’re so hungry, it puts you on edge, and everything makes you mad. So here’s a test! Mr. Kurusu! Would you say you’re feeling a little.. salty?”
: “What would ‘salty’ mean if used in the slang sense?”
: If you speak English, you know the answer. I want to skip this. I want this LP to be over. I fucking hate this game.
: “All right, I’ll help. So we need to figure out what ‘salty’ means in the slang sense? Maybe there are clues in words like it. You can call someone ‘sweet’, right? What does that mean when describing a person?”
: “Yeah.. you’re right. And it has a pretty positive connotation. So what kind of connotation would ‘salty’ have in that context?”
: “Yeah, I think so too! After all, people only describe food as salty when the salt overpowers everything else. So if it’s a negative connotation, then… it’d have to mean someone’s feeling bad somehow.”
: I have a hundred other games I could be playing instead of this trash fire. I haven’t even touched Shin Megami Tensei V, I never finished Metroid Dread…
: “And it’s probably something you can say about yourself or other people. So with all of that in mind, ‘salty’ probably means…”
: “Yeah, I think so too! It makes me think of someone who’s ready to pick a fight, you know? So if you call someone salty, that probably means they’re angry or resentful! Phew, that was a rough one…”
: At this point, I’m not even angry anymore. I’m just tired. Very, very tired.
: “Excellent! Yes, it means you resent something. Other flavor-based descriptors apply to people, too - like sweet or sour. Slang can be rooted in many origins - common words, acronyms, and of course, portmanteaus.”
: Actually, I’m still angry. Fuck you, Royal writers! We don’t need any more of these pointless fucking questions! There’s not even another exam because the game fucking ends in a week! Fuck you!
: “Have you ever heard of the word ‘frenemy’? It’s a portmanteau of ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’. Think something like a rival, or an enemy who acts friendly with you.”
: “So? More fun than stuffy old standard English, right? But it’s good to learn the rules before you break them. If anyone wants to learn some extra slang vocab, I would be positively psyched to offer some bonus lessons!”
: “Frenemies, huh…? I’ve had enough of backstabbing.”
: Today, we have an optional event with Haru in Tsukishima.
: “Akira-kun, won’t you teach me?”
: “You’re right. This is an important learning experience, after all! Oh, there are instructions here. Okay, let’s start with the basics of making monjayaki!”
: “Hm? It seems underdone in this picture.. is that really how it’s supposed to be eaten? This says you use the spatula to pick it up.. then eat directly from the spatula…!?”
: “This is amazing! I’m quite curious about the taste too! Well, we should order.”
: I like to think monjayaki was the creation of an angry Japanese chef who went “Fine! You fucking do it then!”
: “To think you can enjoy making it in addition to eating it… monjayaki is a splendid food. However, it’s a little hard to judge when it’s ready. Sorry I burnt our last few attempts.”
: “I suppose I just need to train harder. Can you still eat more, Akira? Oh! Today is the restaurant’s anniversary, so they gave me a commemorative present! Do you think you can use it to cook?”
: This is the Jagao Doll, the last crane game prize. Not pictured - Yusuke hurling Morgana out the window.
: Today, we finish Sumire’s confidant. After this, there will be nothing left to do but Maruki’s palace.
: “It looks like… my coach is yet to arrive. I’m usually so nervous when Coach Hiraguchi watches my performance. Partially because she’s worked with me for so long - that’s why I don’t want to let her down..”
: “But today… today I’m excited about this.”
: “When you compliment me like that, I feel like everything’s going to turn out well in the end!”
: “Thank you for making time to observe me today! I really wanted to get an unbiased evaluation from you.”
: “Yes, ma’am. I’m confident in the routine I’m about to perform.”
: “Well, at first glance, I’d say you look like you’ve got it all figured out - but! I’m here to gauge your performance, not just let you brag about it. Now begin!”
: “Ma’am!”
: “Could this be your doing?”
: “You two are cute together.”
: “Thank you for watching!”
: “…”
: “…”
: “You’ve grown so much, Sumire. I’m sure this is no surprise to you, but the path to international success will be harsh and relentless. Are you ready?”
: “Absolutely! I WILL be the number one in the world of gymnastics! I will make our dream a reality!”
: “Glad to hear you’re so sure. With your natural grace and dedication to reach the gauntlet, no matter how far it is from your grasp.. your dream is no longer impossible. And, you’re the one who decided that, not me.”
: “Huh?”
: “You didn’t even realize it, did you? Today’s the first time you’ve told me you will win on an international level. Until today, you’d only tell me ‘I hope I win’.”
: “Oh…!”
: “And am I correct in believing you weren’t alone in this mission of yours?”
: “Coach… yes, that’s right!”
: “It’s good to hear you have someone who really understands you in your corner. …Your performance today truly was impressive. I’m looking forward to your next lesson already.”
: “Happy doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel… I’m super-duper-happy right now! Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve finally found the answer I’ve been searching for…”
: “…As well as discovering what’s most important to me while performing. I genuinely can’t thank you enough.”
: “Ah… good point. I’ve only just approached the starting line. I’m sorry for repeating this to death, but I really do need to say it again… I’m so grateful that I got to meet you, Akira-senpai.”
: “I’ve learned all sorts of things from my time with you… now, I can show everyone how I really feel - and the two of us can take the crown of the gymnastics world!”
: Maria is the worst ultimate Persona. No, seriously.
New Persona: Maria
Origin: The Bible
First Appearance: Shin Megami Tensei NINE
: We have a whole list of increasingly less useful party members who have big heals, and Heat Riser sucks when you have Attis. I don’t think you can pass down any of her abilities, either.
: The game considers this to be 100% - this is because the final two confidants (those being Sumire’s Rank 11 and Akechi’s Rank 11) are automatic if you have their Rank 10.
: We also get the award for dating everyone, but we don’t get the one for not dating everyone because I didn’t bother saving after most of my re-records.
New Persona: Freya
Origin: Norse Mythology
First Appearance: Megami Tensei II
Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Twin sister of Freyr, who was Ayase’s ultimate Persona in Persona 1. She’s referred to as “Vanadis” in Royal, which is a different name used for Freya in the Prose Edda.
: The game gives you the ability to take Dodge Curse, and I do not know why. Dodge Curse doesn’t even work if you have Ali Dance, because of the way Ali Dance overwrites the normal dodge mechanic.
: “It’ll be you and me… and Kasumi. All three of us taking on the world as a team!”
: “No matter where I perform… even if it’s on the other side of the earth… it feels like you’ll still be there, watching over me. I really do believe that with all my heart!”
: “Thank you so much for coming out to support me today. I really hope we stay as close as we are on our way to the top! …Boy, my body’s still so jittery. I feel like I need to keep moving!”
: “Senpai! Please join me in a bit of extra training. We’ll start with some basic stretches! We’re going to do a full routine, so I hope you came prepared.”
: “I feel like I’ve finally managed to move past the trauma. I’m ready to be an international champion. And Kasumi.. well, she’ll be right there with me.”
: "That’s why I want to turn this world back to how it used to be. I want to keep my promise to her. "
: “Great! I’ll do everything in my power to support you. With me, Kasumi, and you combined… we’ll be invincible! I’m thinking of tying my hair up again… I know it sounds a little pretentious, but it’d be proof of my resolve.”
: “Like a reminder. So I always remember Kasumi’s true feelings. …Oh, I’m sorry for talking so long. I hope we can accomplish even more together. Okay, good night.”
: Today, we’re going into Maruki’s palace. It’s a day early, but we have nothing else to do.
: Because we’ve met the criteria to unlock Sumire’s Showtime attack, we do so today. Note how lame and generic this is instead of just having it unlock during her Rank 10 or something.
: “Wow, you got here fast.”
: “Well, while I was travelling here, I suddenly had this epiphany… so I had to hurry over and explain it to you.”
: “Right… I’ve been wondering for a while if there’s any way I can bring some personal flair to my fights in Mementos.”
: “Your own flair, eh? And you came up with something?”
: “Yes! But, I do have a small favor to ask, Akira-senpai.. what we’ll do is…”
: “I see.. how interesting!”
: “I feel like… this move would allow me to honor Kasumi properly. So.. how about it, Akira-senpai?”
: “Thank you! This should make for one killer routine!”
: “Oh…”
: “I’ve definitely never seen anything like what she’s planning - I can’t wait for this!”
: “I won’t let you down!”
: With that, let’s go right into the palace.
: “Rather fortuitous that we tried out the console we found in Mementos - now we can proceed.”
: “Okay! Let’s go, Senpai!”
: The second half of Maruki’s palace is very much a Persona 1 or Persona 2 dungeon.. but without the robust auto-battle options that stopped Avidya World or Xibalba from being unplayably bad.
: I get Akechi’s new finisher screen and then immediately dump him.
: As soon as we’re down the starting hallway, Morgana lets us know about a will seed. Unfortunately, before we can do anything…
: “Let’s take a closer peek!”
: Oh, I know! Is it.. being an effective villain? Having a single coherent vision for what his dream world actually is? Writing quality? I feel like it’s writing quality.
: “Gaaah, it talked! Ahem.. but that’s not the part that matters now. What’s it talkin’ about, Doc losin’ something? Is this some kinda riddle?”
: “That’s a security question, like when you reset a password - only the one person’s supposed to know the answers. That’s how you end up with private information being used like a key.”
: …We’re breaking into Maruki’s email. Got it.
: “I see. So, we need information on Maruki’s life… well, this is his own Palace. I bet we’ll find some clues to the answer if we look around thoroughly enough.”
: “Alright, if that’s the plan, let’s get to clue huntin’!”
: This part of the dungeon sucks for much the same reason that the final area in the base game did - there’s enemies we can’t insta-kill who have no weaknesses and are more of an annoyance than a challenge.
New Persona: Alilat
Origin: Kingdom of Nabatea
First Appearance: Soul Hackers
Mother goddess of several countries in the Middle East, most prominently of the Nabateans, a nomadic people who ranged from what is now Yemen to Gaza. Was one of a trio of gods worshiped in Mecca before Islam, and was thought to reside in the Kaaba (hence the in-game model).
: Alilat is a passable ice Persona if you don’t have Satan for some reason.
: We already know who Rumi is from Maruki’s confidant.. and logically, this SHOULD be enough to tell you what the answer is to get through the door. Unfortunately, it’s not.
: “What could this be…? A diary…?”
: “Looks like it. Judging from what was written inside, it’s most likely Maruki’s…”
: “It seems like he has written about things in the past, but it looks like they are only fragments of them…”
: “Doesn’t look like it has any meaning to it either. Not sure if it’ll come in handy for the investigation, but let’s hold on to it and see if we can find other ones.”
: The only reason we came in here is for this vent.
: The vent leads to another room where you can jump across a bunch of platforms to reach the first will seed.
: This door is on the other side of the area from where we found the will seed, and it’s where we need to go to progress.
: At this point, I’m actively running from battles because they all suck.
: Remember how Innocent Sin had those dungeons with cutscene rooms? Guess what this is.
: “The entire Palace has been rather bizarre, but this room is rather strange in its own way.”
: “A CRT TV, huh? Talk about old school. Look, it’s even got a built-in VCR.”
: “Hmmm… maybe we’ve gotta watch some TV first?”
: “I highly doubt that.”
: “Actually.. there’s a chance he’s right. There appears to be a tape by the VCR.”
: “Well, it appears we don’t have any choice but to watch the tape, do we? Of course, it could possibly just be a trap.”
: This is so low-effort it hurts. Remember in Innocent Sin how the cutscene rooms had ghosts in them, and the party’s watching events unfold around them? Why the fuck didn’t they do that here?
: “Nothing’s happening.”
: “It’s making some strange noises - could it be broken?”
: “Do you think we should try whacking it?”
: “Uh, please don’t…”
: “Oh, it’s playing - stay on guard, everyone.”
: “Sorry I came empty-handed.. I’ve just been so busy with the research lately, I haven’t had the chance to pick up any part-time work.. I know - I’ll buy you flowers the next time I come.”
: “Do you remember that wildflower field we use to go to, back in high school? You really loved it there, didn’t you? Oh - would you prefer if I brought you some snacks instead?”
: Do you remember the TYPO COUNTER? Seriously, “we use to go to”?
: “Which should I bring, sweet or salty? I know you like both, so… actually, I have some news for you today. So, first: I’ve finished my paper. The other thing is…”
: Rumi’s model might look familiar - that’s because she’s a reskinned Kawakami, from that one confidant event where you meet Kawakami in the hospital.
: “Of course, that doesn’t mean everything’s over and done with, but things are going to proceed as they ought to.”
: “…”
: “Everyone comprehends the world in a different way, depending on their cognition.. so basically, if one could tap into a person’s ‘cognitive world’… one would be able to alter how that person views reality - in every way.”
: Thank you, writers. Truly, I would not have known what cognitive psience is, having not just played some 95 hours of the base game, where it’s explained several times.
: “…That’s what my paper’s all about. Heh, here I am, going way over your head with this stuff just like always..”
: “…”
: “But anyway - I’ve recently met soemone who thinks my research could be fruitful. If everything moves forward as planned, they may even fund my work. At that point, I’d be the first professional ‘psientist’ in the world.”
: “My goal is to find a way to stop crime by putting my research into action. Many of the criminals in this world are deluded to the point of seeing everything through a distorted lens…”
: Okay so here’s what I don’t get, right? Maruki clearly dated her long enough that he gives a shit that she’s in some kind of PTSD coma, but never explained what it is he does to her at any point?
: I also don’t get what the point of explaining this is. We already KNOW what Maruki wants - or rather, we don’t. We know he wants either a world without pain or a world where everyone’s dreams come true. One of those.
: “If I could change their cognitions, it would stop them from committing crimes before they even considered them. And if I were to succeed… the things that happened to you would never happen to anyone else again.”
: “…”
: “I want to save you.. no, not just you - I want to save the whole world with my cognitive psience! Well… at least I know your family would appreciate it.”
: “Rumi! It’s me. Are you all right? Can you talk?”
: “Takuto… Fa…mily…”
: “…!”
: If this was competently written, it could’ve been a good scene.. except it’s not.
: “Rumi!? Rumi! It’s okay.. calm down..”
: “Give them back! Give me my mom and dad…”
: “…!”
: “Guh! These migraines are… dammit.. don’t worry, someone’s coming to help!”
: “Phrasing… I’m so sorry, Rumi… it’s all my fault. Deep down, I knew… I could end all crime across the world - it still wouldn’t bring your family back. What you truly need is to be set free from that horrible tragedy… but, how can I do that?”
: There’s no way that at some point when writing the script this wasn’t supposed to be Nyarlathotep.
: “Nngh! What… what was that!?”
: “Takuto… please… stop this… I.. want to.. forget…”
: “Oh - but, wait… by altering a subject’s cognition - by changing their heart - any related trauma is eliminated.”
: “So, by that logic… all that pain… Rumi’s trauma and everyone else’s… it can be undone!”
: “Yes… I’ll do it. I don’t care who you may be.. lend me your strength! Please.. help me save Rumi’s life!”
: You know what game did the whole “guy makes deal with demon to revive his dead wife” thing better? Koudelka.
: “What was that!? Rumi! Are you okay!?”
: “Um.. I’m really sorry, but I don’t know who you are.”
: “Rumi? What do you mean?”
: “I’ve just gone through surgery.. ever since I was born, I’ve been unwell. I lost my parents when I was young, so I live with my grandparents in the countryside now.”
: “When you were… young? You can’t… it’s me, Rumi! Don’t you remember me?”
: “Um… I really am sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Well, I’m going to be discharged from here pretty soon, now that I’ve finished my last round of surgery.”
: “I can’t wait to see my grandparents again and show them how well I’ve recovered.”
: God this is so fucking awkwardly written! Fuck! “Oh hello stranger, let me explain my life story to you.”
: “This is… were her memories actually revised? Wait… was that voice really…”
: You know, I take back all those times I shouted about “Show, don’t tell” because this sucks.
: “Um.. are you all right?”
: “That’s absurd… how could something like- oh! I mean… it’s nothing. I’m just glad you’re doing better now. She remembers nothing of the incident. So, for Rumi…”
: This is how the dialog actually is. It’s tilted as fuck and should have been two scenes, one without Rumi in it. I get that Maruki is an awkward character, but.. fuck.
: “By the way, what are you doing in my room? How do you know my name?”
: “Oh. Well, I’m… ah… sorry. I mistook you for someone else.”
: “Another person?”
: So wait, you explain your fucking life story first, and then ask how he knows your name and what he’s doing here? What the fuck is this shit?
: “Yeah, my… my girlfriend’s name is Rumi, too.”
: “Really? That’s so nice to hear.”
: “Yeah…”
: “…?”
: “Looks like I really messed up finding the right room - I really am sorry to disturb you.”
: “Um… so, I know this might sound odd, but if you’d like to meet again sometime..”
: “Thank you for the offer, but… I’m sorry. I’m going to be getting busier than ever soon, so I don’t believe we’ll be meeting again.”
: “Really? But, what about your girlfriend?”
: Wandering into someone’s hospital room looking for your apparently dead girlfriend? Totally normal. Nothing weird about that at all.
: I can’t tell if them forgetting the portrait here was intentional or not.
: “Yeah, I’m pretty sure it was.”
: “Based on what we’ve seen, we can surmise that Dr. Maruki’s memory was somehow on that videotape.”
: Akechi has been reduced to stating the fucking obvious. I wonder if they gave him this role to make people hate Makoto less.
: “The way that woman was acting at the end.. that’s just how it went for me, too…”
: “So he rewrote her cognition…”
: “Considering what he was saying in the video, that might have been the moment he first awakened to his ability.”
: There’s no reason why Maruki’s Persona works outside of the metaverse, other than that the writers seem to have forgotten that this isn’t Persona 2.
: “Could Dr. Maruki possibly have wanted us to watch this memory?”
: “Eh, I don’t think that’s the case… it’s possible that this is just an old memory he tried to bury in his unconscious mind.”
: “Still, if this actually occurred, there’s no mistaking it for a trivial memory - this is clearly important to Maruki.”
: “Whether for good or bad, it appears that this incident is what led Dr. Maruki to his correct mission..”
: “You’re right.”
: There’s a couple of locked chests in this dungeon, but we need none of them.
: “I know the answer after watching that video… I assume you know as well? You can do the honors.”
: “Aw yeah! Nailed it!”
: “It’s quite thorough… and it seems that we still have a long way to go.”
: “Maruki Cognitive Psience Laboratory…”
: “This Palace is a lab!?”
: “You really hadn’t figured that out yet? Given Maruki’s past and the Palace’s appearance we’ve seen so far, it wasn’t difficult to deduce.”
: “Shuddup! This place is just so weird that I didn’t bother thinkin’ about it yet! You get me, don’t you, Akira!?”
: “…For real?”
: “A Palace’s appearance is based on what its ruler thinks of someone or something. In Takuto Maruki’s case, he must think of this stadium as a laboratory.”
: “Yeah, I get that part - but why the stadium, of all places?”
: “Oh… that reminds me of something I heard a while ago. Before starting construction on the stadium, there were apparently plans to build some kind of research facility. I wonder, could it have anything to do with that…?”
: “It’s possible, but for now, we should focus on progress in the Palace rather than trying to answer questions.”
: “Doesn’t this look like some kinda research facility to you now?”
: Next time, we’ll see more cutscenes, get psychologically evaluated, call Salty Vanilla because I had a brilliant idea for a Yusu-Gay, and then finish this palace.