I recently finished Dawntrail's main scenario quests, taking notes along the way.
For context, normally I'm a serial cutscene skipper (my rule is that once a cutscene starts to bore me, I skip it, and if it seems I missed something important, I look up the cutscene on youtube). But this time I committed myself to watching everything and taking meticulous notes on my thoughts along the way.
Upon review, I've identified a few patterns that DT's introduction circled.
Mainly, that we get told a lot of things that are almost immediately contradicted.
I could continue, but I think you get the point. I think the correct way to characterize the introductory segment of Dawntrail is "inconsistent". Almost every fact we're supposed to learn about characters early on is somehow undercut - Wuk being both a clueless meathead AND our exposition machine being the most irksome. And it didn't need to be this way. Most of those contradictions are, ultimately, avoidable with just a bit of restraint.
I haven't seen anyone else bring it up, so I'm wondering what y'all think.
Continue reading...
For context, normally I'm a serial cutscene skipper (my rule is that once a cutscene starts to bore me, I skip it, and if it seems I missed something important, I look up the cutscene on youtube). But this time I committed myself to watching everything and taking meticulous notes on my thoughts along the way.
Upon review, I've identified a few patterns that DT's introduction circled.
Mainly, that we get told a lot of things that are almost immediately contradicted.
- We can express hesitation towards going to Tural, but then immediately are forced to act excited for new adventure.
- Alphinaud and Alisaie state their motives for going to Tural are to study the political landscape in order to help resolve the Garlemald problem, but seem to forget that instantly and it's not brought up again.
- The voyage to Tural is said to be dangerous and poorly-charted, and yet plenty of merchants and common folk are accompanying us. As well, once we arrive, the way to return (without teleportation) is a much smaller boat.
- Wuk Lamat has recurring seasickness, but she's able to instantly overcome it when the plot demands something dramatic happen.
I could continue, but I think you get the point. I think the correct way to characterize the introductory segment of Dawntrail is "inconsistent". Almost every fact we're supposed to learn about characters early on is somehow undercut - Wuk being both a clueless meathead AND our exposition machine being the most irksome. And it didn't need to be this way. Most of those contradictions are, ultimately, avoidable with just a bit of restraint.
I haven't seen anyone else bring it up, so I'm wondering what y'all think.
Continue reading...