KLoWn
Member
Ech.
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The House in Fata Morgana |OT| Obsession. Sadism. Avarice. Zealotry. Death.
- Thread starter Vazra
- Start date
LOL
Finished it, at least the true ending, a really fascinating experience. Some thoughts.
My favourite chapter might be the 7th. I really liked Michel and his inner struggles proved to be one of the most compelling themes in the story. I was actually surprised they touched that quite thoroughly, even if it was a secondary plot point. Also, the whole deal with his family and their unwillingness to help was an even bigger torture than Aimee... And the stuff with Didier sealed the deal. Chapter 5 was also great because it had some of the happiest moments, and it's certainly something I appreciated after all those tragedies.
The witch's story also hit pretty hard, it was sheer brutality and some of the atrocities that happened were far more than I imagined. Just a thought of having a girl locked and taking her blood is very chilling. The overarching plot was nicely executed, though I'm still a bit disappointed with the VN's overall length. I think they could trim a bit of the fat and still achieve the same emotional result. Mell's and Nellie's antics on Ch. 8 kind of overstayed their welcome.
Also, I'm glad it had a happy ending, I was afraid they'd go for a vague one, which would have left me unsatisfied. I feel bad for Michelle though.
The witch's story also hit pretty hard, it was sheer brutality and some of the atrocities that happened were far more than I imagined. Just a thought of having a girl locked and taking her blood is very chilling. The overarching plot was nicely executed, though I'm still a bit disappointed with the VN's overall length. I think they could trim a bit of the fat and still achieve the same emotional result. Mell's and Nellie's antics on Ch. 8 kind of overstayed their welcome.
Also, I'm glad it had a happy ending, I was afraid they'd go for a vague one, which would have left me unsatisfied. I feel bad for Michelle though.
Doors 4 & 5:
4 was easily the weakest door, but it seemed intentionally so, they basically called it out after the fact. I think it helped set up door 5 as the best so far. Door 5 seems to rely a lot less on twists than the other doors. It's more about two people *slowly* finding their way out of their own misery. And the slowness really works in it's favor. By the time it gets to the happy point, it feels earned. And there are no obvious roadblocks or twists, the happy ending seems like a matter of course. Then the world just goes "Fuck you, die in misery" and the door ends. It looks like it continues in door 6.
Someone else said it earlier in the thread, but door 4/5
is really meta in a way. The game knows it's so good that the lower quality of door 4 is an actual plot point.
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Ending
Despite my complaints throughout, I ultimately love the experience. It manages to make me empathize with most its characters despite their ugliness. I'm buying two copies for my friends because this game deserves much more people playing it and I hope that localized Vita proposal will come through because I - and the rest of humanity - need it.
The segment with Michelle is... weird? Her expositioning her entire existence and then just quickly die made it kinda like her entire purpose is narrative misdirection and I'm not really feeling it.
Other than that, whew, what a conclusion. Tears were had. It concluding with the opposing parties simply saying what they need to say and then go their separate ways feels right, and I'm relieved Morgana's forgiveness is not so cheap.
Michel, on the other hand, is way too kind and understanding. He should also have scribbled on Didier's face, at least.
(And please somebody who is familiar with other Fata Morgana media tell me that Georges is not dead-dead. I'd be really salty)
I'll also echo Qurupeke's sentiment that I'm happy they explicitly show Giselle and Michel reuniting instead of going for some vague thing. This story doesn't need that kind of artsy-fartsy nonsense after all they've went through.
Seriously though where's Javi.
Other than that, whew, what a conclusion. Tears were had. It concluding with the opposing parties simply saying what they need to say and then go their separate ways feels right, and I'm relieved Morgana's forgiveness is not so cheap.
Michel, on the other hand, is way too kind and understanding. He should also have scribbled on Didier's face, at least.
(And please somebody who is familiar with other Fata Morgana media tell me that Georges is not dead-dead. I'd be really salty)
I'll also echo Qurupeke's sentiment that I'm happy they explicitly show Giselle and Michel reuniting instead of going for some vague thing. This story doesn't need that kind of artsy-fartsy nonsense after all they've went through.
Seriously though where's Javi.
Despite my complaints throughout, I ultimately love the experience. It manages to make me empathize with most its characters despite their ugliness. I'm buying two copies for my friends because this game deserves much more people playing it and I hope that localized Vita proposal will come through because I - and the rest of humanity - need it.
Yar, that's what I was getting at. Understanding the motives of these villains seem like an attempt to forgive them, but I felt like it's already much too late for forgiveness. It made more sense to just forget and move on, and digging up the past didn't seem conductive to that.
It turned out well in the end due to the whole Jacopo switcheroo, but that was a big gamble Michel did, there.
It turned out well in the end due to the whole Jacopo switcheroo, but that was a big gamble Michel did, there.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Yeah I think the final door was trying a bit hard to make us sympathise with people who are frankly irredeemable if I'm being honest, but I think it works with the ultimate message which I don't think is about forgiveness, but that it's easier to wallow in hate than to just move on, mostly because Morgana doesn't really forgive them, she just managed to finally move on from her own hate.
Other than Michel who's just too pure for his own good.
Other than Michel who's just too pure for his own good.
super-famicom
Member
I went through Door
tonight, felt it was shorter than the previous doors I've gone through.
I stopped and saved my game at that point, since I have to get up early​ for work. What other VNs are as good as this? I already have Steins Gate. Any other recommendations?
4
Then shit gets real. Holy shit. I saved my game and went through all the choices, and got the first couple of endings. Now I'm an hour into Door 5 and Giselle went back to the mansion and told Michel everything. Wow, so many feels.
And the music is so amazing!
And the music is so amazing!
I stopped and saved my game at that point, since I have to get up early​ for work. What other VNs are as good as this? I already have Steins Gate. Any other recommendations?
Funyarinpa
Member
In emotional terms (and OST quality), I think only Umineko comes close.
But if you're asking about VNs in general, I'd recommend 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors. Its sequel Virtue's Last Reward is wonderful, but the third game is trash- as 999 is self contained, I only recommend that one.
KLoWn
Member
I 100% agree.
Stories where everything ends all fine and dandy isn't usually my favorite kind of ending, but in this case I was extremely happy to see it happen lol. They had been through enough shit.
(Ending spoiler)
I feel like
About the last scene...
I feel like
people are a bit too hard on the 3 men. I mean, what they did to Morgana was obviously monstrous and I absolutely liked that she didn't forgive them because fuck them in the end, but even herself agreed that Mell for example was a victim. They weren't one-dimensional evils, and I think that was the point of the story. Ultimately, no one deserved to be cursed in their next life, especially because that ended up turning Morgana into a monster herself who fucked over people like Maria who did nothing to her (She even apologizes in the extra lol). Michel's approach to things was ultimately the best.
About the last scene...
it's absolutely fabolous yeah, I liked that they also managed to include Morgana with the flower/butterfly/breeze, though looking at the Vita OP it may have been retconned.
super-famicom
Member
I've played through 999 and own VLR, but haven't played it yet. I finished 999 years ago and have been meaning to replay it before jumping into VLR. I'll have to check out Umineko.
(Backstage stuff)
This is hilarious. I'm still on the Jacopo part, but goddamnit, the dialogues are perfect. Morgana's even more snarky than usual, Jacopo is even more pathetic and he's a jealous Italian who hates French.
Also, it's good to see confirmation that Giselle has the most gifted bosom. Heh.
Also, it's good to see confirmation that Giselle has the most gifted bosom. Heh.
Scrooge McDuck
Member
So I am replaying the game because I read that there'll be some different dialogues. I find the new lines pretty interesting, but I wish there's some kind of a "skip to unread text" feature. Does anybody know if the altered texts are only in the Mansion segment, or do they also exist within the Doors?
Also, it seems that the "A Requiem for Innocence" fandisk is mostly about
? I'm not sure I'm up to seeing that, honestly...
Also, it seems that the "A Requiem for Innocence" fandisk is mostly about
more details from Morgana's past
Oh definitely. They're just humans trapped in ugly situations and responded with their own human ugliness. But at the end of the day what they did is really obscene. Take Iron-Jacopo: I can understand that feeling of inadequacy and the constant fear of being mocked, but he still abused his wife to reassure himself of his power and thus it's really hard to feel for him.
The reason why I felt Door 7 is draggy in parts is because I'd already grasped what kind of persons they are and wasn't really interested in getting more of those with slightly different flavoring. At that point I was in a "I understand and you don't need to explain anymore, but I still never want to see you again" relationship with them, you know? (well, Mell less than the others)
It's why I think the conclusion is the best it could be. Morgana acknowledging that she needs to let go and recognizing the three men weaknesses, but still not forgiving them. Because how could you even begin to forgive something like that? Need at least another game, haha.
The reason why I felt Door 7 is draggy in parts is because I'd already grasped what kind of persons they are and wasn't really interested in getting more of those with slightly different flavoring. At that point I was in a "I understand and you don't need to explain anymore, but I still never want to see you again" relationship with them, you know? (well, Mell less than the others)
It's why I think the conclusion is the best it could be. Morgana acknowledging that she needs to let go and recognizing the three men weaknesses, but still not forgiving them. Because how could you even begin to forgive something like that? Need at least another game, haha.
Aside from changing
"you"to "the departed"
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Oh phew. Thanks!
Funyarinpa
Member
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Yar, there is no change in plot or anything, but basically in the Manor segments, instead of
the Maid doing monologues as if Michel is a Persona protagonist, they actually engage in dialogues and we can also read Michel's thoughts on things.
Funyarinpa
Member
Holy shit
Fata: The gift that keeps on giving.
Funyarinpa
Member
I can't deal with this, I don't have it in me to replay the game...
Is just the first 4-5 chapters that have that new content.
Lumination
'enry 'ollins
After reading through the thread, I realized there are tons of small details I've forgotten. Maybe it's the same for you.
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Backstage
With this... it's finally over, isn't it? I'm kinda feeling forlorn now and worried that its writing standard has raised my VN expectations too high (I tried Dies Irae and bounced really hard off that intro speech that basically repeats the same magniloquent things five times over)
I'm in the mood for something lighthearted after this. Any recommendation for fluffy and romantic VN on Steam or Vita?
An awesome conclusion to the whole thing. Morgana just savagely rips those three perpetrator apart and it felt so good. Not even a jocular extra could make an encounter with Aimee less depressing, though. Then MangaGamer let Giselle down by letting "A Requiem for Innocence" out of 2016 release.
And seriously where's Javi.
And seriously where's Javi.
With this... it's finally over, isn't it? I'm kinda feeling forlorn now and worried that its writing standard has raised my VN expectations too high (I tried Dies Irae and bounced really hard off that intro speech that basically repeats the same magniloquent things five times over)
I'm in the mood for something lighthearted after this. Any recommendation for fluffy and romantic VN on Steam or Vita?
Funyarinpa
Member
If you want something lighthearted... Best I can do is Grisaia's common route, I'm afraid. I normally don't like stuff that focuses exclusively on romance/lighthearted stuff, so that's the best I have.
Do note: playing those will majorly fuck up Steam's recommendation algorithm for you.
Y'all are going to really, really dig the new music from the Vita version. So good. (And some stunning arrangements of existing themes, too.)
(Novectacle has announced plans to sell the Vita version soundtrack CD already, by the by.)
(Novectacle has announced plans to sell the Vita version soundtrack CD already, by the by.)
Funyarinpa
Member
I'm going to fucking scream ;_;
There is a vocalization of Serie de Fragmento uploaded by Novectacle themselves on YouTube by the way, and it's in A Requiem For Innocence, and it is absolutely sublime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BoYihsF7gQ
Pretty sure the whole ARFI soundtrack is on Spotify, also (albeit with badly translated track names/mixed order, I believe.)
Scrooge McDuck
Member
It seems that there is a lot of these Grisaia games? As a narrative-completionist this rather intimidates me but I'm taking it into consideration, thanks!
The artstyle is pretty cute and one is even free! But... Sorry for doubting, but please tell me straight whether these are serious recommendations or not because those titles do not suggest fluffy and lighthearted affair at all...
Do note: playing those will majorly fuck up Steam's recommendation algorithm for you.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Kindred spirits on the rooftop.
Funyarinpa
Member
I specifically meant Grisaia no Kajitsu (The Fruit of Grisaia), which is the very first installment. There are two sequels (Rakuen and meikyuu- Eden and Labyrinth are the translated titles I believe) and quite a few spinoffs.
Lumination
'enry 'ollins
I know it's still waaaay premature, but I was hoping for some communication at E3.
Kindred Spirits on the Roof
I imagine all involved companies' E3 plans were solidified before the campaign even got underway, alas!
The author of Fata Morgana will be at Anime Expo this year, attending MG's panel. https://twitter.com/mangagamer/status/875806701731139584
MG also has a form link they tweeted if you can't attend but want to ask questions.
MG also has a form link they tweeted if you can't attend but want to ask questions.
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Just finished that not so long ago, actually! Good stuff. I'm highly anticipating "Future Blessings".
I tried the demo for a bit at it seems exactly what I'm looking for. Well, except for there being no guys but I can roll with it. Putting this on my Wishlist for the upcoming Summer sale, thanks!
Would you also recommend the Drama CDs?
Oh darn, exciting. It's less than two weeks from now, yar?
The Drama CDs are good, yeah.
AX starts June 29th and runs through July 4th this year (although the 29th is basically a "get settled in" day and the 30th only has a few things happening), MG's panel is on the 1st of July.
Funyarinpa
Member
Door 6 to just before final door:
I really like how this story continues to play around with perspectives. Even on what's effectively the 3rd run through Michel & Giselle in the mansion, it manages to reveal new bits that dramatically change how I look at a scene. And right before the final door starts, Michel even points this out to Morgana, and I assume the last door is a different perspective on hers, although I wonder if his theory on the white-haired girl is exactly right.
super-famicom
Member
Jacopo's design remind me of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
"You thought the bitch was Jacopo,
but it was me, Maria!"
"You thought the bitch was Jacopo,
but it was me, Maria!"
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Maria is... fine. I can see how people could like her as a character.
I can see how people could like anyone in this game, really. Except for that one character. I'll fight anyone who actually like that person.
