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We'll see! I considered not putting any game artwork in the OP that showed who we were going to get, but then it would have just been text.
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Jul 28, 2020 00:14
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Do men just not pilot battlemechs for some reason?
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Jul 28, 2020 02:53
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TheGreatEvilKing posted:Do men just not pilot battlemechs for some reason? yes. the reason is anime.
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Jul 28, 2020 03:46
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chiasaur11 posted:Yeah, hiring an assassin is one thing, but hiring larger forces to impede her mission is just... confusing. Seems like since our ship is so much more powerful than her dinky gundam, what he wanted is to have her killed off in the fighting. So let's just go with the original mission. But remember we can't trust anyone except our fists/torpedoes.
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Jul 28, 2020 04:39
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Best girl must give way to Better decision.
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Jul 28, 2020 07:02
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sullat posted:Seems like since our ship is so much more powerful than her dinky gundam, what he wanted is to have her killed off in the fighting. So let's just go with the original mission. But remember we can't trust anyone except our fists/torpedoes. What about trusting that Lt. Quattro fellow? I hear he hasn't Betrayed anyone. Ever!
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Jul 28, 2020 08:13
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chiasaur11 posted:Yeah, hiring an assassin is one thing, but hiring larger forces to impede her mission is just... confusing. Given that he's going against his President's orders, I figure his plan was to have the pro assassin do a quick in-and-out job, and have the receipts for hiring us as protection in case he needs to cover his rear end. Of course, it'd help if your "pro" assassin didn't (a) decide to get tangled up in random fight on her way to do the job, or (b) when stumbling across a fight between actual-PACT forces and some other guys, decide that the real PACT was the ones the PACT ships were fighting. Guess that's anime.
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Jul 28, 2020 14:18
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a lot of things in this game are like this. my lasting impression (beyond "grr bad anime") was that they really tried to do some high-concept stuff like this space intrigue but between the anime tropes and the mediocre writing they just couldn't pull it off well enough. tactical game was good though.
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Jul 28, 2020 14:33
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Radio Free Kobold posted:a lot of things in this game are like this. my lasting impression (beyond "grr bad anime") was that they really tried to do some high-concept stuff like this space intrigue but between the anime tropes and the mediocre writing they just couldn't pull it off well enough. tactical game was good though. The impression I'm getting is that there's a cool space game buried deep under anime (trinities uuuuuugh). Not to poo poo on Moon Slayer, I'm enjoying the thread so far.
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Jul 28, 2020 16:44
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yeah as much as i screech about "GAME BAD" it's still a fun thread and frankly i've been meaning to go over this again and see if it's really as eye-rolling as i remember
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Jul 28, 2020 17:47
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Yeah, as I said before, it's huge tonal whiplash, which can make you hate the anime tropes even more.
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Jul 28, 2020 17:55
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A big part of why I wanted to do this LP was so I could do some rewrites to emphasize the interesting stuff and tone down the stuff that was too anime. (There's only so much I'm going to be able to do about the beach episode, though) Voting is still open, and updates will resume tomorrow. Currently I'm rabbit-sitting for my sister which is why there's been a brief hiatus. 
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Jul 28, 2020 18:12
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Moon Slayer posted:Currently I'm rabbit-sitting for my sister which is why there's been a brief hiatus. ...Fine. Stay of execution granted. Bunbuns are an acceptable excuse. :p
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Jul 28, 2020 20:05
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Moon Slayer posted:A big part of why I wanted to do this LP was so I could do some rewrites to emphasize the interesting stuff and tone down the stuff that was too anime. (There's only so much I'm going to be able to do about the beach episode, though) aww! they're adorable! please, post a few more.
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Jul 28, 2020 20:32
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Radio Free Kobold posted:aww! they're adorable! please, post a few more.   
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Jul 28, 2020 21:43
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This is a good pivot for the thread, 10/10 update
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Jul 29, 2020 02:55
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Bunnystar Galagomorph: Let's Play Sun-Rabbit Sitting
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Jul 29, 2020 03:23
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Good old Sunrider, the story is fine, it's harem Gundam, so at least they are borrowing from something competent. Gameplay fell apart when it became clear that I wasn't winning so much as the AI was losing. My decisions in combat seemed to matter so much less than the AI's that it really killed it for me.
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Jul 29, 2020 03:32
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HerpicleOmnicron5 posted:Yeah, as I said before, it's huge tonal whiplash, which can make you hate the anime tropes even more. It's not just tonal whiplash. That can work pretty well, if it's done right. Catch 22 can go from humor to tragedy in a blink, and it's one of the best military novels of all time. Contrast gives you the funniest jokes and the most bitter tragedy. The problem is that it doesn't seem sure what tone it wants in a given moment. You get characters still doing the "ally of justice!" schtick while discussing war crimes without the game seeming to DO something with that. There doesn't seem to be a core tone, and that makes everything much rougher reading. (Also, Harem Gundam is Iron Blooded Orphans.)
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Jul 29, 2020 07:18
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4.2: The Die is Cast She's obviously crazy. We're going to complete our mission and save those diplomats. I won't have the blood of civilians on my hands, Ava. Noble of you. But know this captain: War between the Alliance and PACT will happen one way or another. All we would be doing would be hastening the process. Every second we wait, PACT will have conquered one more neutral world and grown that much stronger. The quicker the war between the Alliance and PACT begins, the more lives we can save in the end. Duly noted. What's our next step?Ava’s a good XO, and devil’s advocates whatever choice we make.  All right. Will we be bringing them aboard? Actually, they've arranged to escape on the civilian liner Agamemnon. We'll be providing escort in case things get hairy. A civilian liner? I'm not so sure ... They tell me interstellar law prohibits them from coming aboard a foreign military vessel. One challenge after another. Keep me posted, Ava.Let’s see how the rest of the crew feels about this.  Yes, this is the new uniform for non-Cera ryder pilots. Just … just go with it. I presume you've heard the rumors about the mercenary we've captured. Well, we're still gonna rescue those diplomats, aren't we? And beat up the PACT fleet, of course! I don't think we'll be able to destroy the whole invasion fleet by ourselves, Asaga ... Don't worry, don't worry! Just leave it to me and mah Black Jack! We'll take care of the invasion fleet in no time! What do you think about what the mercenary said?  You gotta stand for what's right! We're gonna win this fight the hard way, but the right way! You're right. We're going to win this war with our principles intact. Hell yeah, capt'n! Thanks for the talk, Asaga. I'll see you later! What's your take on what's going on with the mercenary? Ummm ... I'm not very good with making decisions, so I think you'd be much better suited to thinking about it than I am … Eh-heh. Whatever the captain decides, I'm sure it'll be the right decision. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Chigara. How’s the research station coming? Ah, I've finished setting my equipment up. Even though it's still at the beginning stages, I'll be able to get started on some basic research projects. Great, let's see what projects need funding ... The R&D station lets you upgrade (or even downgrade) almost every aspect of your units.  Funds are limited this early but I upgrade the Liberty’s energy reactor. More energy per turn = more ways to mess up enemy defenses.  I should be focused on getting them out of here safe, but I can't get what the mercenary said out of my mind. Some part of me feels that she has some ulterior motive and she's tricking us all. Maybe she's a PACT spy leading us into a trap. Maybe the diplomats know something that PACT doesn't want getting out and she's just fooling us into silencing them. Or maybe she's really telling the truth.  Security to my quarters, now! Of course, I've already disabled all communication out of this room as well. What do you want, mercenary? Just talk? I never imagined that I'd find myself onboard a Cera vessel. It must be hard, being the only ship left. I don't disagree, but we get by. Tell me ... How many people died at Cera that day? Your attempts at manipulating me won't work, mercenary. Who's that in the picture album behind you? That's none of your business. She looks young. You don't seem like a father though, so I'm thinking... your sister? You're walking on thin ice. I suggest you drop it. What's the matter, captain? Did I hit a soft spot?  I know what it's like to lose family. Listen to me, captain. PACT killed my entire family years ago. I swore I'd get them back for what they did, and I'm finally so close. We can work together, you and I. Let's bring the Alliance into this war. I'll even work for you as a pilot if you're going after PACT. What if I said I don't trust you? Get with the program, captain. Everyone in the Alliance military knows that war is inevitable. You can save those diplomats now, and with each passing day PACT will conquer another planet. Millions more will lose their lives until PACT finally runs out of neutral planets to conquer and turns to Alliance space. Then there will be an interstellar war of unimaginable proportions, with PACT bringing to bear the resources of every planet of the Neutral Rim against the Alliance. While a few may have to be sacrificed, you will save the lives of millions. Admiral Grey understands this. That’s why he hired me to ensure those diplomats never make it out of Verstra space. And why would Admiral Grey send us here to save the diplomats and then hire you to make sure they get captured by PACT? Admiral Grey still has to obey President Alythe. The President has ordered that war with PACT is to be avoided at all costs. That's why the admiral used official channels to send the Sunrider here to protect the diplomats. Then unofficially he contacted me to ensure that the diplomats are captured. If the Solar Congress continues to be mired in politics while PACT swallows up the entire Neutral Rim, the Alliance military will act to protect its citizens, with or without the support of the civilian leaders. So, what will it be captain? Will you stand by while PACT conquers one neutral planet after another, growing more powerful with each day, or will you make a stand and stop PACT once and for all?This is where you can change your choice, but at this point I think the thread was pretty clear about how they felt, so … I hate PACT and everything they stand for. That includes killing innocents to accomplish your goals. Now get back to the brig where you belong. You don't understand, captain. PACT is evil. They don't care about the lives of innocents. We have to act now to stop them, before it's too late! We still have a duty to our humanity on board this ship. I will not condone abandoning innocents. PACT must be stopped no matter what, and I won't let you interfere with my mission.  *Runs away* Are you alright? Yeah. I ran up here as soon as I realized the mercenary escaped. Looks like I was almost too late. Find her and detain her! All pilots, scramble your ryders and pursue! O-oh! Press quick save, Chigara, it's go time! E-eh!? What's going on down there!? Oh nuthin', was just in the middle of a game, that's all! They were off duty .... Unbelievable ...*ALARM* What now? Contact! PACT signatures detected! Battle stations! All hands, battle stations, battle stations, battle stations. Set condition one throughout the ship! This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill. It's the PACT invasion fleet. They arrived here early. Just one thing after another. Asaga, come in. Focus on defending the diplomats against the PACT fleet, and keep your eyes out for that mercenary ryder. I have the feeling she'll be back to interfere with our mission. Aye capt'n! Bring us alongside the Agamemnon. A civilian transport won't last long against that PACT fleet without the Sunrider's cover fire. Aye captain. We are being hailed by the Agamemnon. Put her through. Glad to be here. Stay close and let us do the fighting. Warp as soon as we leave Versta's gravity well with or without us. Uh, Agamemnon, did we just hear that last transmission correctly? (As if this couldn't get any worse! So that's why they were so against escaping with us!) How many? This mission just got even more complicated. If you had agreed with Icari to let the diplomats get captured/killed (the game is a bit unclear on what exactly PACT is going to do to them), you have one last chance to change your mind here. I was going to let the thread vote again with this new information, but you all were pretty clear, so ... All ryders: your orders are to defend the Agamemnon at all costs. Don't let a single PACT unit through. Understood, captain! Don't worry, we'll keep those children safe! Yes, captain! All ryders, launch!
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Jul 29, 2020 17:43
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I see what you mean about the anime. It's a VN, gotta get the school uniforms in somehow!
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Jul 29, 2020 23:47
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Moon Slayer posted:A big part of why I wanted to do this LP was so I could do some rewrites to emphasize the interesting stuff and tone down the stuff that was too anime. (There's only so much I'm going to be able to do about the beach episode, though) Oh god there's a beach episode. Because of course there is. We're gonna need more bunnies.
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Jul 30, 2020 00:42
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Commander Keene posted:I see what you mean about the anime. It's a VN, gotta get the school uniforms in somehow! To play devil's advocate on the uniforms, all the dress uniforms seem to be based on the 19th century navel uniforms. The ryder pilots are wearing enlisted uniforms. Japan's school uniforms are also inspired by 19th century navel uniform.
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Jul 30, 2020 00:55
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Maigius posted:To play devil's advocate on the uniforms, all the dress uniforms seem to be based on the 19th century navel uniforms. The ryder pilots are wearing enlisted uniforms. Japan's school uniforms are also inspired by 19th century navel uniform.
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Jul 30, 2020 01:13
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I'm just glad the game didn't give you the option to try to bang Yellow Skintight Suit girl when she snuck into your quarters, because I legit thought that's where we were going. Look, it's an anime VN.
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Jul 30, 2020 01:25
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It's not that kind of VN.
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Jul 30, 2020 01:26
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Moon Slayer posted:It's not that kind of VN. You say that, but when I looked it up on steam one of the first reviews was talking about an 18+ patch so now I'm suspicious
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Jul 30, 2020 01:41
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I hope you all trust me enough to know that I wouldn't put anything gross or NWS in this LP.
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Jul 30, 2020 02:08
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quote:Yes, this is the new uniform for non-Cera ryder pilots. Just … just go with it.  actually i kinda like this mercenary. she's got a real, well, mercenary attitude to her. shame about what happens to her, she could've been good. she turns into a generic tsundere, baka
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Jul 30, 2020 02:46
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In complete fairness, she's like that with literally everyone - which admittedly still marks her as a tsundere, but not of the romantic sort.blackmongoose posted:You say that, but when I looked it up on steam one of the first reviews was talking about an 18+ patch so now I'm suspicious From what I recall, they're almost entirely confined to a non-canon bonus story section selectable from the main menu of the third game (and even there the stories hardly need them). If you're familiar with something like FSN, or the Eternity Sword series if we're sticking with Steam TRPG titles with those kind of patches, it's a similar type of thing - they're in there because that's what's expected, but they take up an incredibly minimal amount of the overall game time, are mostly/completely contained to near the end of a character route, and can be removed/replaced with minimal fuss with basically no notice. I'm... not actually certain what that patch affects in games 1/2 - I'm guessing probably some nudity scene or something rather than anything more than that.
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Jul 30, 2020 04:10
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Don't talk about things that haven't been covered in the LP yet, please.
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Jul 30, 2020 12:50
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4.3: Escort Mission Like all escort missions, this one sucks.  The goal is to either get the Agamemnon to the far right side of the map, or destroy all enemies. Spoiler, clearing the map is easier, because enemies are constantly spawning in. If you just focus on moving, you’re going to get overwhelmed eventually.  We’re still going to make a run for it, just in case the RNG isn’t kind. I also pop All Guard to boost everyone’s defenses. 90% of the time I’m running Full Forward (the boost to damage) but in this case I need to make sure the Agamemnon can take more than a few hits.   Because PACT will go for it hard. Keeping the Agamemnon inside the Liberty’s shield bubble is critical.       Okay, maybe we’re making some progress …  NOPE, time for reinforcements, including:  Bombers. Joy.  Chigara eats a torpedo and I have to burn a turn using her repair ability instead of moving the Agamemnon forward.  Okay, you know what? gently caress this.  Remember the big gun the Sunrider was built around? Well, we got it fixed.  GET  hosed    It’s very satisfying. It also uses 2500 command points, so you’d better have enough banked up that you can still keep the attack or defense boost active.   We’re getting nose-to-nose with the PACT fleet, close enough that the Sunrider’s main guns come into play. We’ll be using these a lot more when I can pump more funds into upgrades. In fact, late-game Sunrider is built around dealing kinetic damage.  The remaining bomber is making a nuisance of itself still, but we’re sitting pretty good, until …    Oy! Don't you see what's happening here!? If you go through with this, all those children are gonna die! And if I don't, a million more will die as PACT conquers planet after planet! You don't even know if letting everyone die now will prevent that! Screw thinking about what might happen tomorrow! 'Cause you've got innocents to protect today, right in front of you! You're naïve. War cannot be won without sacrifice. The righteous like you are just blind to reality! Y-you're crazy! Icara, possibly having let Asaga get under her skin, flies right up to our fleet.  Fortunately after moving halfway across the map she doesn’t have enough energy to do her melee attack.  Which is good because while Asaga’s armor is holding her HP is getting worrying.  She gladly returns the favor though, and the Phoenix is out. For now. It respawns … I want to say every 2? … turns, forever.  Fortunately, the RNG has been kind this time around. Because I lowered the difficulty level even more. This mission sucks.   HAH! You think you've won? The only thing you'll accomplish today is allow PACT to win this war! And I'll never allow that! With these very hands... I'll rid the galaxy of PACT! For everyone that they've murdered! Icari, stop!   … … Why ... Because you're not like PACT, Icari. Don't ever forget that. Spool up our warp drive. Get us out of here too. All ryders, return home. That includes you, Icari. ... Understood. Phoenix, returning. Good job, Asaga. I admit, I was starting to sweat pretty heavily there. Eh-heh ... Any time! Good job to you too, Chigara. Eh-heh … Thank-you, captain. ... Well, I guess it's better being one of the good guys after all, huh Icari? … I guess I was wrong. For just a moment there, I would actually have done it. I would have shot at those kids, just to get even with PACT. My whole family was killed by PACT when I was just twelve years old. We were ... just space explorers. But they still came onboard, demanding charts that we knew nothing about. I ... barely managed to get to the escape pod before they blasted the ship... I drifted through space for five days until I was rescued by an Alliance patrol. In the end ... I was the only survivor. They all deserve to die for what they did ... I've spent my whole life trying to avenge my family. And I won't stop now. You want to avenge your family by murdering a bunch of children? You won't be any better than PACT if you did that. I know... I know a better way. Our hangar bay's awfully empty, and we're looking for skilled pilots. You play by our rules, and there might be a space for you onboard this ship. We'll defeat PACT the right way, without harming any innocents. It'll be a hard mission and we might all die trying, but I'd rather be dead than forget about what we're fighting to protect. You'd still have me on your team? Even after all I've done? Everyone on this ship knows what it feels like to lose family. Don't think for a second that you're alone. There is a way to win. PACT won't get away with what they did to Cera, or your family. I'll make sure we all get payback. All right ... You have a deal. I'll help you defeat PACT ... and in exchange, I'll play by your rules. Oy, Capt'n, you suppose putting this person on our ship is a good idea? She's already tried to betray us one too many times ... We're all trying to stop PACT, aren't we? Besides, we'll need all the help we can get. All right, I guess an extra wing mate isn't so bad ... So long as she's aiming at PACT. I swear, I'll win your trust. We'll fight together from now. Yeah ... but I think I'll lock the doors when I sleep, just in case ... Ah ... W-welcome to the team, Icari ... Eh-heh... Unbelievable ... Haahhahahaha! C'mon capt'n! Come join me and Chigara! We have so much to talk about! Well Ava, looks like you'll be taking a break. And Icari, you too. S-seriously... I guess I have no choice then … Next time: Medical Emergence
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Jul 30, 2020 20:38
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Escort missions...and the tsundere comes out. B-b-b-aka, don't get the wrong idea i-it's not like I read this LP because I enjoy it or anything! Holy poo poo the character faces with that dialog. 
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Jul 30, 2020 21:53
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actually that was pretty cool
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Jul 30, 2020 22:02
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Poil posted:Escort missions...and the tsundere comes out. B-b-b-aka, don't get the wrong idea i-it's not like I read this LP because I enjoy it or anything! They hold that expression for the entire speech about her family getting killed. And what the thread voted on before was not a false choice: you really can leave the Agamemnon behind, and people will comment on it throughout the series.
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Jul 30, 2020 22:23
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Gotta say, killing your own people (or, more often, letting them die) to provide a casus belli is a classic, but it's work that wants a delicate touch. If it's traced back to you, you're worse off than where you started. For this, it has the additional problem that the people who'd be killed seem like they're going to be useful advocates while alive. A ship full of war orphans with stories of PACT atrocities might not be quite as good as having PACT murder your diplomats, but it's still pretty good for shaping public opinion. Meanwhile, hiring an assassin known for anti-PACT sentiment is clumsy, points right back at you. (It gets even worse when it turns out she's the type to name drop her employer) There's gestures at some good themes, but the game's been pretty awkward in the handling, and so far, it doesn't feel good at making the (for lack of a better term) "renegade" options feel tempting.
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Jul 31, 2020 00:32
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To be fair, history's proven that it really doesn't need a delicate touch. Even if the other power isn't involved at all, you can always pull the classic blame the Maine on Spain.
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Jul 31, 2020 01:03
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Grey wanted a Gulf of Tonkin but got an Operation Frequent Wind instead. 
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Jul 31, 2020 01:10
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TFW the patsies you hired to do the cover job your boss asked you to do sabotage your real project, and then poach your freelancer.
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Jul 31, 2020 01:17
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 02:45 |
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chiasaur11 posted:Gotta say, killing your own people (or, more often, letting them die) to provide a casus belli is a classic, but it's work that wants a delicate touch. If it's traced back to you, you're worse off than where you started. You're mostly right here, but the children don't have any stories of PACT atrocities as PACT hasn't actually invaded yet. You can still absolutely shape a narrative around that, but not quite that one. Moon Slayer's basically spot on in referencing Frequent Wind for what the diplomats were doing. Regarding Icari, I'm not too hard on her for the loose lips since she is more thinking she can get you on-side with the name dropping for a variety of reasons, not just randomly doing it - and it flat out wasn't going to happen unless she gets out of that cell anyways. Besides, word-of-mouth is just hearsay, and any actual electronic proof was probably wired to be deleted (if she had some on her to begin with).
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Jul 31, 2020 01:30
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