SPOILERS FFVII:R Chapter 4 Spoiler Discussion
- Thread starter Lex
- Start date
This chapter is pretty much entirely focused on Jessie. We learn that she used to be an actress for the Gold Sauce, she even got the starring role once, until her father suffered from a work related accident under Shinra, which made her quit and join AVALANCHE instead since she believes her father's soul is trapped between his body and the planet or something. We also get a couple of boss battles with Roche, one on a motorcycle while the other on foot.
oty
Pro Adventurer
- AKA
- ex-soldier boy
Overall, I really liked this chapter. Felt like a nic change of pace, and the Avalanche trio is probably one of the best things in the game lmao. The only odd thing to me was the intervention of another Avalanche cell (higher ups I think?) which felt kind of rushed, or maybe I missed out on something, but even then, nothing to really fuss about.
Tetsujin
he/they
- AKA
- Tets
Just finished this one.
Enjoyed the motorcycle minigame. I like how you can do a blade beam for long-range attacks!
Roche is fucking NUTS lol, what is his deal?
Walking around in a residential area on top of the plate is nice. This is the type of stuff I wanted from this remake. Getting more time with the Avalanche trio and learning more about Jessie is really cool too.
The other Avalanche cell with the Before Crisis outfits coming in was a surprise. Still funny though that Barret's cell was considered too extreme if BC is still part of the lore.
Also, Jessie's horniness is reaching new heights in this chapter.
To quote Jim Sterling:
"Get you some, Jess.
Fucking GET IN THERE Jessie."
That Dementor hovering over Cloud at night....creeeepy af
Anyway so now that we're leaving for sector 5...I wonder if the Remake lets us back into Sector 7 one last time or whether this is truly the last we see of it...
Over 6h in now. In the original, I was out of Midgar at this point.
Enjoyed the motorcycle minigame. I like how you can do a blade beam for long-range attacks!
Roche is fucking NUTS lol, what is his deal?
Walking around in a residential area on top of the plate is nice. This is the type of stuff I wanted from this remake. Getting more time with the Avalanche trio and learning more about Jessie is really cool too.
The other Avalanche cell with the Before Crisis outfits coming in was a surprise. Still funny though that Barret's cell was considered too extreme if BC is still part of the lore.
Also, Jessie's horniness is reaching new heights in this chapter.
To quote Jim Sterling:
"Get you some, Jess.
Fucking GET IN THERE Jessie."
That Dementor hovering over Cloud at night....creeeepy af
Anyway so now that we're leaving for sector 5...I wonder if the Remake lets us back into Sector 7 one last time or whether this is truly the last we see of it...
Over 6h in now. In the original, I was out of Midgar at this point.
cold_spirit
he/him
- AKA
- Alex T
I'm keeping a log of my thoughts after each chapter. Here's Chapter 4!
- Oh god the Avalanche trio are adorable. Their chemistry is so campy. No Remake please don't do this
- I thought the bike minigame was impressive visually, but the combat was sluggish. I wish I could catch up to the enemies quicker. The fight against Roche was a bit too long, he was quite the damage sponge
- I didn't realize how much I wanted to walk a suburban street of Midgar at night until now. Seeing the Shinra Building towering in the distance... imagine looking up to that on your day-to-day walk. It was such a short section, but I stood there and soaked it all in. It helped that the music was so calming too
- Jessie's mom makes a special pizza called... the Midgar Special. I love it, that's gold. There's been some great humor in this remake
- Breaking into Jessie's house is such a surprising and creative scenario. Then hearing her story... God dammit Remake stop doing this, stop making me care about these goofballs
- I'm real glad Biggs reminded me of the summon materia before the big fight. I would've totally forgotten to equip it otherwise
- JESSIE SLAPS WEDGE'S BARE ASS. I was in shock. Like, holy shit did Square have fun with this chapter. I love it. I'm absolutely in love with its over-the-topness
- Learning that Wedge is a crazy cat man, seeing that Biggs is a worrywart, Jessie making Cloud promise to be back tomorrow night... REMAKE WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS YOU SICK BASTARD
- This is my favorite chapter yet. And it's all new stuff! I laughed and was getting emotional near the end. Can't ask for more than that
- Wonder why the Guardians were after Jessie. They stopped their attack after plummeting into her. Is it because Jessie, more than anyone, has deviated Cloud from the events of the original? If the Guardians are the player's expectations (which is my theory), then attacking Jessie has realigned the plot. And sure enough, after putting Jessie out of commission, Cloud was asked to join the mission. I think I'm onto something
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Theozilla
Kaiju Member
I think that's a valid meta-way of interpreting the scene, but I think the in-universe explanation is more likely Sephiroth needs/wants Cloud to get out of Midgar (i.e. to runaway) and getting Cloud to join with Avalanche is the most efficient way to achieve said goal.
cold_spirit
he/him
- AKA
- Alex T
To me that doesn't explain how the Guardians are connected to time itself. It seems out of place/unnecessary.
Furthermore, it's odd to me that Sephiroth and the Guardians are working together. As we've seen with Jessie, the Guardians of Fate ensure that the plot of the original is more or less followed. However, that will ultimately lead to Sephiroth's demise. So I don't see the Guardians as an extension of Sephiroth because he has just as much reason to defile them as Cloud. It's like they're a third party to the conflict. Maybe their goals align for now, but that won't be case after the Northern Crater.
Obsidian Fire
Ahk Morn!
- AKA
- The Engineer
From what I've seen, I think it's less the "plot of the original" and more "Sephrioth's narrative of how events should go". One of the reasons Sephrioth is such a fun villain to watch is that he's got a flare for the dramatic. And that includes what his plan for the future is. Sephrioth really should have just gone and had the Sephrioth-Copies brute-force the Temple of the Ancients to get the Black Materia and then cast Meteor. It's smart and no one would have found out about it until it was too late. Only... Sephrioth wants the shrimp of a grunt to suffer for killing him when no one else could.
Even in the OG, Sephrioth was pupeting Cloud to leave Midgar, get the Black Materia, realize he's nothing more than an extension of Sephrioth's will and give Sephiroth the Black Materia. That was something Sephrioth planned to happen all the way back while Cloud and Co. was in Midgar. The only thing that seems to have really changed with Whispers is that it's now obvious to the player that Sephrioth is planning this whole thing since the start of the game. Also that Cloud and Aerith (and through them everyone else) are aware Sephroth wants something with them. It's no longer Cloud and Co. chasing Sephrioth just to chase Sephrioth. It's Cloud and Co. chasing Sephrioth because he's pretty much dared them to do so.
I also get the feeling that for now at least, the true nature of the Whispers is being purposely veiled. Those of us who have played the OG already know Sephrioth is using the Planet's knowledge and defenses against itself. The knowledge he absorbed while in the Lifestream and the defenses are the WEAPONs he pretty much purposly triggers the Planet into releasing. I really think the Whispers are something of the Planet Sephiroth has bent to his own ends. I also think the SE story team isn't stupid enough to reveal such a plot-point early. It feels a lot more like something they'll reveal later on when they want to drive home exactly how much Sephrioth is messing with the Planet. Since the OG's revelations are something like this...
The Lifestream contains the memories of the Anchients, including what Jenova really is. Guess what?! Sephrioth found out Jenova really wasn't an Ancient Shin-Ra killed and he still decided to destroy the entire Planet!
The WEAPONs are pretty much giant mechs the Planet created to combat Jenova and never had to use. Guess what?! Sephiroth got them all to activate and they started attacking humanity!
I pretty much see more info about the Whispers being revealed both in Cosmo Canyon and Icicle Inn about how they are "supposed" to work. Only for Sephriroth to reveal at the Northern Crater that he took them over and has been using them to manipulate events ever since the game started. Bonus points if they really start messing with Cloud's head even worse when Aerith dies.
Even in the OG, Sephrioth was pupeting Cloud to leave Midgar, get the Black Materia, realize he's nothing more than an extension of Sephrioth's will and give Sephiroth the Black Materia. That was something Sephrioth planned to happen all the way back while Cloud and Co. was in Midgar. The only thing that seems to have really changed with Whispers is that it's now obvious to the player that Sephrioth is planning this whole thing since the start of the game. Also that Cloud and Aerith (and through them everyone else) are aware Sephroth wants something with them. It's no longer Cloud and Co. chasing Sephrioth just to chase Sephrioth. It's Cloud and Co. chasing Sephrioth because he's pretty much dared them to do so.
I also get the feeling that for now at least, the true nature of the Whispers is being purposely veiled. Those of us who have played the OG already know Sephrioth is using the Planet's knowledge and defenses against itself. The knowledge he absorbed while in the Lifestream and the defenses are the WEAPONs he pretty much purposly triggers the Planet into releasing. I really think the Whispers are something of the Planet Sephiroth has bent to his own ends. I also think the SE story team isn't stupid enough to reveal such a plot-point early. It feels a lot more like something they'll reveal later on when they want to drive home exactly how much Sephrioth is messing with the Planet. Since the OG's revelations are something like this...
The Lifestream contains the memories of the Anchients, including what Jenova really is. Guess what?! Sephrioth found out Jenova really wasn't an Ancient Shin-Ra killed and he still decided to destroy the entire Planet!
The WEAPONs are pretty much giant mechs the Planet created to combat Jenova and never had to use. Guess what?! Sephiroth got them all to activate and they started attacking humanity!
I pretty much see more info about the Whispers being revealed both in Cosmo Canyon and Icicle Inn about how they are "supposed" to work. Only for Sephriroth to reveal at the Northern Crater that he took them over and has been using them to manipulate events ever since the game started. Bonus points if they really start messing with Cloud's head even worse when Aerith dies.
Misterbadguy
Phantom Lord
- AKA
- METEODRIVE
Chapter 4 - Jessie is cute, Roche is chewing scenery and Wedge has a sore arse.
10 on 10, loved every minute, and I'm not even joking.
10 on 10, loved every minute, and I'm not even joking.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
You guys weren't wrong. This was a really great chapter that fleshed out the Avalanche trio even more. There were a lot of great laughs in this but also some brilliant story points, including Jessie and her Mako poisoned father. Wedge really came alive in this chapter. I love all the butt jokes that Mr Cat Man got, and all the 'bro' bits. Was really great to see Cloud slowly warm to everyone and you see his genuine concern grow for them all.
The bike battle and the duel with Roche was epic.
The bike battle and the duel with Roche was epic.
Lex
Administrator
I'm surprised by how much I really enjoyed the motorcycle chase segment.
I also liked the Roche fight, but I'm not sure how I feel about him as a character yet. He really is insane (in an OTT way).
The entire chapter was great, beginning to end. I loved being on the upper sector 7 plate. I did briefly wonder if we'd catch a glimpse of Denzel or his parents, because that would have been a hell of an opportunity. Infiltrating Jessie's house, learning her backstory, and also raiding the warehouse was excellent.
One thing though: what was the deal with that training ground just before the warehouse? Did I miss something? It was 3 sentry rays and it was repeatable, but it felt pointless lol.
I also liked the Roche fight, but I'm not sure how I feel about him as a character yet. He really is insane (in an OTT way).
The entire chapter was great, beginning to end. I loved being on the upper sector 7 plate. I did briefly wonder if we'd catch a glimpse of Denzel or his parents, because that would have been a hell of an opportunity. Infiltrating Jessie's house, learning her backstory, and also raiding the warehouse was excellent.
One thing though: what was the deal with that training ground just before the warehouse? Did I miss something? It was 3 sentry rays and it was repeatable, but it felt pointless lol.
Shademp
420
Chapter 4 has an uphills battle to fight because it wasn't in the original game. Even though this chapter accomplishes so much, I feel myself instinctively judging it more harshly than the rest because of what a bold move it represents.
I would call it a filler chapter if it didn't accomplish one essential thing very well: Showing Cloud's gradual change to letting down his "hard edge" (come on, that has got to be an intentional pun
). Not only that, but remembering the heroic aspects he wants to aspire towards. Something he had very much forgotten when he almost killed Johnny.
Notably, Tifa never used Cloud's promise as leverage in neither Chapter 3 nor Chapter 4. I think this is a masterful move. Using a childhood promise as leverage, whether it be to have Cloud stay or to perform ecoterrorism or both (even disregarding the fact that the FFVIIR version of Tifa is conflicted about the ecoterrorism part) is bizarre and childish. In the high-fidelity presentation of the remake it would feel beneath Tifa's pride to bring up the promise as leverage. Therefore I much, much prefer it that Cloud remembers the promise on his own.
The context in which he remembers it is one of the top silly moments of the chapters: Looking at an air duct fan and remembering the fan attached to the well in Nibelheim.
Srsly? Not even the dialogue by Biggs or Wedge triggers the flashback. So far I think that the writing in FFVIIR is among the best that Square Enix has ever put out and it is usually masterful in its callbacks, transitions, dramatic tensions, emotional payoffs etc. But the trigger for one of the most iconic flashbacks in Final Fantasy history is so random and surreal that it's laughable. Even so, it does what it's supposed to do. We see Cloud having a moment of reflection afterwards and I assume that this memory contributes not only to Cloud being slightly more relaxed with Biggs+Wedge+Jessie, but also to Cloud taking in Marle's words about listening to Tifa and her emotions. At least I hope that this is the intended meaning of placing the flashback where they did.
FFVIIR feels very much like a movie that's been adapted to a TV show and thus far I'm sensing more benefits from it than negatives.
I would call it a filler chapter if it didn't accomplish one essential thing very well: Showing Cloud's gradual change to letting down his "hard edge" (come on, that has got to be an intentional pun
). Not only that, but remembering the heroic aspects he wants to aspire towards. Something he had very much forgotten when he almost killed Johnny.Notably, Tifa never used Cloud's promise as leverage in neither Chapter 3 nor Chapter 4. I think this is a masterful move. Using a childhood promise as leverage, whether it be to have Cloud stay or to perform ecoterrorism or both (even disregarding the fact that the FFVIIR version of Tifa is conflicted about the ecoterrorism part) is bizarre and childish. In the high-fidelity presentation of the remake it would feel beneath Tifa's pride to bring up the promise as leverage. Therefore I much, much prefer it that Cloud remembers the promise on his own.
The context in which he remembers it is one of the top silly moments of the chapters: Looking at an air duct fan and remembering the fan attached to the well in Nibelheim.
Srsly? Not even the dialogue by Biggs or Wedge triggers the flashback. So far I think that the writing in FFVIIR is among the best that Square Enix has ever put out and it is usually masterful in its callbacks, transitions, dramatic tensions, emotional payoffs etc. But the trigger for one of the most iconic flashbacks in Final Fantasy history is so random and surreal that it's laughable. Even so, it does what it's supposed to do. We see Cloud having a moment of reflection afterwards and I assume that this memory contributes not only to Cloud being slightly more relaxed with Biggs+Wedge+Jessie, but also to Cloud taking in Marle's words about listening to Tifa and her emotions. At least I hope that this is the intended meaning of placing the flashback where they did.FFVIIR feels very much like a movie that's been adapted to a TV show and thus far I'm sensing more benefits from it than negatives.
Shademp
420
Miscellaneous notes post.
- Each time you completed the Training Ground you got a "Training Ground Bonus". Here's hoping this reward actually means something and that I accumulated this invisible score. If this bonus does nothing then this will be the most non-bonus bonus that ever non-bonus'd. Bogus Bonus.
- The music in this chapter is phenomenally pumped. While fighting the guardhounds dogs and entering Tactical Mode I was in awe at the coolness of it all (see 01:18 in the video).
MIDGAR SPECIAL! DON'T FAIL ME NOOOOWWW!!!
Every time I rewatch the parachuting scene (both before and after the jump) I keep expecting the Top Gun Anthem to start playing...because that's what it sounds like! The music here is just so gosh darn awesome and smile-inducing. I want montage videos of the Avalanche trio put to the Top Gun soundtrack! And of course a CloudxJessie video would use "Take My Breath Away".
Notable mentions would also be the bike bgm, fighting the sweepers and the music when escaping from the warehouse facility.
- Jessie says after finding the parachutes "Fifty-fifty is pretty good odds, if you ask me!", then she makes brief eye contact with Cloud. Only realized on second watch that this is a callback to the chapter 2 scene when Cloud says to Jessie "Survival can be a matter of luck or skill. And you can't rely on luck." Well guess what Cloud she still relies on luck!
- Wedge says about Biggs "He's got a habit of overthinking things. Worrying about all the possible outcomes till his head hurts."
My instant fear was that this would be a character trait we only ever hear about but which is never actually shown.
There is in fact a moment in Chapter 4 that shows this personality trait.
When the team is about to sneak into the facility, Biggs asks if Cloud is ready. If you say no, Biggs will reply "Yeah, I hear ya. Times like this, you always feel like you're forgetting something."
Excellent writing there, Nojima (presumably)!
- Roche is, so far, an eyesore and an ear-sore I would like to quickly forget. So far he feels like a personification of "all style and no substance", which in other words remind me of Final Fantasy at its lowest points. I doubt any later appearances by Roche will amend how painfully obnoxious I think him to be.
- The Sector 7 upper plate view is just so gosh darn beautiful.
- Glad to see I wasn't the only one looking around for Denzel and his family. Would have been so easy to include them here that I wouldn't be surprised if they get retroactively inserted in a patch or re-release of the game.
- In the process of scouring the sector I noticed that many of the house interiors are just 2D textures on a flat plane. They don't do a good job of faking 3D architecture. I wonder if the developers cut corners here to save on the game's workload.
- Agreed with @cold_spirit that acceleration and deceleration in the bike minigame was too slow. Here's hoping that the Hardy Daytona feels more satisfying to control. I do appreciate this Ch4 section teaching me the bike controls before the REAL DEAL happens at the end of the game.
- Just like I have a nitpick with re-used NPC models (as described in my Ch2 post) I have a nitpick with re-used texture backgrounds, in particular the posters. I can understand in context the constant re-use of posters for Banora Apple Juice, Hair Tonic, Loveless etc for the train station, the sector 7 slums etc... But what in the heck are these posters doing in the middle of a heavily guarded Shinra warehouse facility?!?! That's just the designers feeling the wall was empty and so they plastered the Chocobo- and Hair Tonic posters on there. But it doesn't make sense for them to be here, right inside the facility. I AM INORDINATELY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS
- Recall that the remake omitted the OG scene where Wedge's butt catches on fire after they escape from the reactor. I feel like the scene with the guard dogs chasing Wedge is a reference to that but remade to add an element of heroism to it. While I will admit that the amount of "WEDGE IS FAT" jokes go against my personal sensibilities, the writers are at least aware enough to make Wedge into more than just a walking joke. Wedge not only makes himself a living target for the dogs but also saves Cloud from being caught by the sweeper's chains. Cloud's facial expressions when Wedge does the latter is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.
- This sign is almost entirely in Japanese. For the curious, here are transcriptions and google translations.
- This exchange between the Shinra Middle Manager and his friend near the Beginner's Hall...
Shinra Manager, don't pretend like we never spotted you in that place.
- *sweats profusely* I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE
- My heart breaks for this poor girl who visits the daycare in the middle of the night.
This is just too friggin' sad.
- Each time you completed the Training Ground you got a "Training Ground Bonus". Here's hoping this reward actually means something and that I accumulated this invisible score. If this bonus does nothing then this will be the most non-bonus bonus that ever non-bonus'd. Bogus Bonus.
- The music in this chapter is phenomenally pumped. While fighting the guard
MIDGAR SPECIAL! DON'T FAIL ME NOOOOWWW!!!
Every time I rewatch the parachuting scene (both before and after the jump) I keep expecting the Top Gun Anthem to start playing...because that's what it sounds like! The music here is just so gosh darn awesome and smile-inducing. I want montage videos of the Avalanche trio put to the Top Gun soundtrack! And of course a CloudxJessie video would use "Take My Breath Away".
Notable mentions would also be the bike bgm, fighting the sweepers and the music when escaping from the warehouse facility.
- Jessie says after finding the parachutes "Fifty-fifty is pretty good odds, if you ask me!", then she makes brief eye contact with Cloud. Only realized on second watch that this is a callback to the chapter 2 scene when Cloud says to Jessie "Survival can be a matter of luck or skill. And you can't rely on luck." Well guess what Cloud she still relies on luck!
- Wedge says about Biggs "He's got a habit of overthinking things. Worrying about all the possible outcomes till his head hurts."
My instant fear was that this would be a character trait we only ever hear about but which is never actually shown.
Thankfully, Chapter 5 proved me wrong there.
When the team is about to sneak into the facility, Biggs asks if Cloud is ready. If you say no, Biggs will reply "Yeah, I hear ya. Times like this, you always feel like you're forgetting something."
Excellent writing there, Nojima (presumably)!
- Roche is, so far, an eyesore and an ear-sore I would like to quickly forget. So far he feels like a personification of "all style and no substance", which in other words remind me of Final Fantasy at its lowest points. I doubt any later appearances by Roche will amend how painfully obnoxious I think him to be.
- The Sector 7 upper plate view is just so gosh darn beautiful.
- Glad to see I wasn't the only one looking around for Denzel and his family. Would have been so easy to include them here that I wouldn't be surprised if they get retroactively inserted in a patch or re-release of the game.
- In the process of scouring the sector I noticed that many of the house interiors are just 2D textures on a flat plane. They don't do a good job of faking 3D architecture.
I wonder if the developers cut corners here to save on the game's workload.- Agreed with @cold_spirit that acceleration and deceleration in the bike minigame was too slow. Here's hoping that the Hardy Daytona feels more satisfying to control. I do appreciate this Ch4 section teaching me the bike controls before the REAL DEAL happens at the end of the game.
- Just like I have a nitpick with re-used NPC models (as described in my Ch2 post) I have a nitpick with re-used texture backgrounds, in particular the posters. I can understand in context the constant re-use of posters for Banora Apple Juice, Hair Tonic, Loveless etc for the train station, the sector 7 slums etc... But what in the heck are these posters doing in the middle of a heavily guarded Shinra warehouse facility?!?! That's just the designers feeling the wall was empty and so they plastered the Chocobo- and Hair Tonic posters on there. But it doesn't make sense for them to be here, right inside the facility. I AM INORDINATELY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS
- Recall that the remake omitted the OG scene where Wedge's butt catches on fire after they escape from the reactor. I feel like the scene with the guard dogs chasing Wedge is a reference to that but remade to add an element of heroism to it. While I will admit that the amount of "WEDGE IS FAT" jokes go against my personal sensibilities, the writers are at least aware enough to make Wedge into more than just a walking joke. Wedge not only makes himself a living target for the dogs but also saves Cloud from being caught by the sweeper's chains. Cloud's facial expressions when Wedge does the latter is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.
- This sign is almost entirely in Japanese. For the curious, here are transcriptions and google translations.
月極有料駐車場
空きあり
神羅カンパニー 建設課
Google translate
Monthly toll parking
Available:
Shinra Company Construction section
- This exchange between the Shinra Middle Manager and his friend near the Beginner's Hall...
Guy: Have I told you lately just how much our friendship means to me?
I even remember where we first met - at that one place in Wall Market.
Shinra Middle Manager: Right, but don't mention that to my wife.
Guy: Don't worry - my lips are sealed.
That one thing, oh, and that other thing... It'll stay just between you and me.
Shinra Manager, don't pretend like we never spotted you in that place.
- *sweats profusely* I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE
- My heart breaks for this poor girl who visits the daycare in the middle of the night.
Girl: Are you here to play too?
I like playing in the park. Do you?
You know, I'm not supposed to be here.
I'm sick, so I should be at home. But I sneak out at night a lot.
You don't have any friends? Yeah, me neither... You're just like me!
I know! We can be friends. Yay, a friend!
I'm real glad I decided to come.
This is just too friggin' sad.
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Shademp
420
^Yeah that bit was wonderful. I was pretty much jumping up and down in glee, shouting "IT'S NOT A T-POSE! IT'S NOT A T-POSE!"
More miscellaneous notes for Ch4
- It was in this chapter that I added a materia slot to the Buster Sword. I feel like a sinner and a blasphemer. The Buster Sword is not supposed to have more than two materia slots! At least they don't change the actual appearance of the sword to fit this upgrade.
- While Ch3 is the worse offender, both Ch3 and Ch4 make me wish for more quality-of-life design when it comes to triggering NPC voice clips and dialogue text. I spent hours in Ch3 just unlocking text and well over an hour doing the same in Ch4. Time doing this would be severely cut down if it was easier to trigger the NPC you want. Often I would activate the wrong NPC and this was pain when you had to wait for them to finish their babbling so that you could attempt to activate the adjacent, correct NPC. Even just devoting a button to cancelling current NPC chatter so you can immediately try your hand again at re-triggering dialogue would save A LOT of time.
I hope Square Enix will perfect this design by the time later installments in the remake are released. If I have to go through these same trials of patience when scouring Kalm, Junon, Costa del Sol, North Corel etc for NPC text...I will be disappointed. Here's hoping Square gets the proper feedback and that they design the sequels accordingly.
- By the end of Chapter 4 I was so overwhelmed with CloudxJessie baiting, and Jessie material in general, that returning to Tifa felt like a joke.
"Tifa, what are you doing in this game? Do you even exist?"
If you measured the interactions and screentime Cloud has with Tifa versus the amount he has with Jessie, I'm sure you'd come up with a depressing disparity. Even though Cloud clearly doesn't reciprocate Jessie's advances it still feels like the focus on Jessie downplays Tifa's importance too much in this part of the story. I am very much a Jessie fanboy (right along a million other fanboys and fangirls right now) but the back of my head tells me that they went ever so slightly overboard with the focus on Jessie. Just slightly. Learning her history and seeing her family was still awesome, of course. "Jessie Raspberry".
- In Chapter 2 I encountered a sound bug where voices became distant and echoed. At the end of Chapter 4 this sound bug returned, though with voices mostly being almost inaudible and no echoing effect present. THREE TIMES I triggered the end of Chapter 4, but the sound bug was triggered each time and remained up until the first NPC dialogue in Chapter 5.
A common element of when I trigger this sound bug is that I load a save file not far from the spot where I trigger the glitch. The bug hasn't happened so far after a more lengthy play session where I've transitioned between more areas and scenes.
More miscellaneous notes for Ch4
- It was in this chapter that I added a materia slot to the Buster Sword. I feel like a sinner and a blasphemer.
The Buster Sword is not supposed to have more than two materia slots! At least they don't change the actual appearance of the sword to fit this upgrade.- While Ch3 is the worse offender, both Ch3 and Ch4 make me wish for more quality-of-life design when it comes to triggering NPC voice clips and dialogue text. I spent hours in Ch3 just unlocking text and well over an hour doing the same in Ch4. Time doing this would be severely cut down if it was easier to trigger the NPC you want. Often I would activate the wrong NPC and this was pain when you had to wait for them to finish their babbling so that you could attempt to activate the adjacent, correct NPC. Even just devoting a button to cancelling current NPC chatter so you can immediately try your hand again at re-triggering dialogue would save A LOT of time.
I hope Square Enix will perfect this design by the time later installments in the remake are released. If I have to go through these same trials of patience when scouring Kalm, Junon, Costa del Sol, North Corel etc for NPC text...I will be disappointed. Here's hoping Square gets the proper feedback and that they design the sequels accordingly.
- By the end of Chapter 4 I was so overwhelmed with CloudxJessie baiting, and Jessie material in general, that returning to Tifa felt like a joke.
"Tifa, what are you doing in this game? Do you even exist?"
If you measured the interactions and screentime Cloud has with Tifa versus the amount he has with Jessie, I'm sure you'd come up with a depressing disparity. Even though Cloud clearly doesn't reciprocate Jessie's advances it still feels like the focus on Jessie downplays Tifa's importance too much in this part of the story. I am very much a Jessie fanboy (right along a million other fanboys and fangirls right now) but the back of my head tells me that they went ever so slightly overboard with the focus on Jessie. Just slightly. Learning her history and seeing her family was still awesome, of course. "Jessie Raspberry".
- In Chapter 2 I encountered a sound bug where voices became distant and echoed. At the end of Chapter 4 this sound bug returned, though with voices mostly being almost inaudible and no echoing effect present. THREE TIMES I triggered the end of Chapter 4, but the sound bug was triggered each time and remained up until the first NPC dialogue in Chapter 5.
A common element of when I trigger this sound bug is that I load a save file not far from the spot where I trigger the glitch. The bug hasn't happened so far after a more lengthy play session where I've transitioned between more areas and scenes.
Alex Strife
Ex-SOLDIER
Minor nitpicking but I think it's "Rasberry" without the P!
Eerie
Fire and Blood
Ah, this is what I feared, since the start of the game focus on the Avalanche trio and then on Aerith, that Tifa would feel like an afterthought, even if they tried to make her even with Aerith, it's clearly badly timed. I've heard several people playing who said it too so you're not alone into thinking that. It bums me even more that I dislike Jessie's face (I find her very ugly, don't judge me, Aerith and Tifa are much much cuter to me, yes, my JP side talking probably since I hate long faces) and that her character is unappealing to say the least (the flirty side of Aerith made me hate her in the OG, remember...).