I’ve made some progress since the last entry. Got all the Inferian craymels and finally left to Celestia to collect the craymels there. At this point, I still feel the storyline a bit lacking. All the characters are likable, maybe except Keele (I need to write an entry on Keele sometime), but there’s no real depth to them. They do show a bit of flashbacks of the past, but I didn’t find them to be significant, yet. I didn’t find the flashbacks to reveal anything about the character’s motives.
The other thing that’s been bugging me as well is the lack of presence by the villain. I’m going around gathering the greater craymels of both worlds and you’d think that the villain would find that threatening? Reid and co. have the potential to wreck your plans. You’d think the villain would send out his henchmen to give you trouble. But no resistance while I gathered the greater craymels.
One guy, whose name I forgot, and assume it was one of Balir’s minions, destroyed Meredy’s town. I forgot the dialogue that was exchanged, but I’m not exactly clear why this guy did it. Also this is the second time you encounter this guy. Where has he been all throughout the rest of Disc 1? Why does he show up now?
So anyway, I continue through the game to the point where I end up at Balir’s castle. I found out why Balir wasn’t present…because he’s dead! He’s been dead for about 10 years. So who’s causing the grand fall? Balir’s consort, Shizel, who also happens to be Meredy’s mother. It didn’t look like Meredy was bothered that Balir, had been mummified at his throne…
Shizel’s reason for causing the grand fall was something along the lines of cleansing the world or starting anew. I forgot the exact details. Anyway, you briefly fight her before Ras comes in to help you. The fight leaves the castle destroyed and Ras dying. What’s more sad is that I didn’t feel anything for Ras as he died. To add insult to injury, the poor guy wasn’t even given some sort of burial. After his final words, the group just left him there. I think Ras’ death could have been more dramatic had his character been developed more. Some point later in the game, you replay a scene that was encountered in the beginning, where you kill this Eggbear in the cave. It’s last thoughts were, “I..I want to live…” and then Reid proceeds to make jerky out of him. I found that scene to be way sadder than Ras’ death. Its funny how that Eggbear was more developed than Ras…Sure you interacted with both for a short time, but the Eggbear invoked more emotion.
I’m not sure how long this game is, but I’m hoping things will improve storywise. Maybe some more about Meredy and Shizel? It’s her mom after all, she’s got to have some thoughts about fighting her own mom. I guess next time’s play through will tell.