阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
Graphic DesignerModerator
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 37
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Finally finished the proofreading while discovering and enjoying the game.
The plot was astonishingly thrilling. I wasn't expecting a pace like this, especially that the plot itself doesn't span more than 48 hours for the characters.
Hence I was expecting that it would be rather hard to be empathic towards the characters but I was proven wrong.
Spoiler for opinion about the characters:
I was really disappointed that Rudolf and Kyrie "died" (since I still have doubt about that), along with Shannon, though I sure was enjoying with glee to see Krauss and Gohda eliminated from the start.
Eva was "working as intended": cunning, sly and playful. She gave me many Takano vibes, though she didn't have a trademark trait (something like Takano's laugh). I must say that she irritated me with her riddles and how she "bullied" Natsuhi, but I must admit she was quite the "meanie greedy" sibling required in the pack.
Hideyoshi, however, was the breath of air required for the family. I wouldn't imagine the plotif he was as greedy as the siblings to be honest. His "negociator" skills and fatherly aura was quite important, hence a tragic effect on the kids. I feel it is a bit disappointing that Battler wasn't mourning more about hideyoshi, because he was seriously the closest adult character to him aside of Kyrie and in some extent, Rudolf.
Rosa was... well, it is difficult to judge. Her mother duty is quite difficult and Maria is nowhere as easy as she might look first. But her role seems more stretched, as the story is implying.
Natsuhi was... frankly the best adult character IMO. She was tortured, trampled, but she still kept her head high and straight. It was quite heartwarming that she was recognized by Kinzo, while Krauss was utterly inconsiderate (though he "might" have been deceiving her with a false boredom). With her shotgun, she was really heroic as a mother and all. Her first impression gave in the game was quickly wiped away, i was glad of it.
I was kinda annoyed by Kinzo's madness. But much like most characters, after what Genji said, it was kinda something understandable, though i feel sorry for the grandma
Speaking of Genji, he was quite the man as a butler, it is a shame he was a "butler" in the very end, without displaying much "humanity".
OTOH, Kanon was really a character who grew on me, with Shannon as well. Being stuck in his role as a chesspiece, he was quite the tragic character, but his final scene was... well "cool" like Battler said. Shannon was just sadly removed from the play quite early, Poor George.
The kids weren't as brilliant as the Higurashi cast, but that's mainly because they didn't have much time to shine (Jessica was nice with the pendant, but she was quite the "brat" during the whole game. George was nice and fluffy, but lacked of impact, aside of his searing hatred when his parents died). except Battler who was a Keiichi MK2. Not as "action" as K1, Battler is sure THE guy in the cast and even if he is cornered by the utter difficulty to prove that beatrice does not exist, he keeps his thoughts straight.
Maria is... well a complete mystery. She was quite moe first, but her personality shift was so freaky and creepy that it didn't have Rena's "sexyness"
But she was sure an oppressive existence, especially with her Kihihihihi and her "shadowed" silouhette.
My favourites characters for the moment: Battler > Natsuhi > Kanon/Shannon > Hideyoshi > Kyrie
As for the music... I didn't expect dai to give such peaceful and noble tones. Hope(ver1.00) is definitely the new "you", and I hope he will keep this track as the emblematic "flag" for umineko.
The creep musics were working like mad. I felt many shivers (though playing around midnight sure increases this effect as well). But the "action" and chaotic tracks were marverlous.
The last scene in chapter 14 was probably my favourite one. The whole thing was almost surreal. Natsuhi with "that", everyone's thoughts in wreck. Really, システム零 by -45 was one of my top favourite track. Chaotic, impending doom and desperate crisis were nicely transcripted with it. Other tracks like nighteyes were nailing the theatral and plot twist scenes as well.
What else...? Nothing much aside that the plot was quite challening and extremely interesting despite the slow and slightly bland start (i was expecting sufficient characters interactions of the start, but the main dish quickly arrived anyway). Much like everyone, many points were quite curious, and pointing them was quite enjoyable
Spoiler for speculations, theories, etc:
The first important thing to know is most likely like in Higurashi: What are the motives of the culprit(s)?
Whatever their identity, it is difficult to figure out the sense without tracing out the motive.
As some people already mentioned, "finding the hidden gold" seems too easy or rather inconsistent. Why using such fancy methods? Why trying to revive the "witch" ?
Finding the gold wouldn't make sense... waiting patiently the end of the family meeting would most likely avoid having rival or unecessary issues with the police, until the culprit(s) knew they wouldn't be able to be found/exposed afterwards.
Getting their hands on the gold requiring this slaughter? It is very hard until they want to cover themselves (aka the fake death theory) and using that fantasy inscription of kinzo about the witch.
That's fine and dandy and most people know that gold does exist. Now the problem is how to find it after this slaughter...?
As Sushi-y said, I can't decently think Rudolf, Kyrie and Rosa would make such play as they would have difficulty to use that gold if they are "dead".
But it is quite weird indeed that Rudolf expected to be killed first, and was found out faceless, along with kyrie and rosa.
Let's try to retrace the firts night:
Krauss, Natsuhi, Eva, Hideyoshi, Rudolf, Kyrie and Rosa were "friendly" talking about the family assets. Gohda was in the manoir side during the night shift, awaiting orders. Shannon was also in the manoir, as she wanted to give a help, though krauss booted Kinzo's "minions".
After a little while, Natsuhi decided to withdraw from this predicament.
Around midnight, Eva and Hideyoshi left as well, leaving then the 6 victims. the problem is then the gap between that event, and when everyone else woke up.
As the characters explained, either the culprit isn't alone, or he/they killed them with an indirect approach such like poison.
The problem with the indirect approach would be how Gohda and Shannon were killed. I believe the brutal brawl would be more logical... a commotion would naturally attract the servants, especially Shannon who avoided the living room on purpose, as she might appeal krauss' wrath. However, we might also consider that shannon was attacked when she was alone as well. The time of death would be quite the decisive clue, because it would determine somehow the type of assault.
Krauss obviously was silenced because he knew about the gold... what is surprising is why they didn't demolished krauss' entire face, so he might be suspicious. Eva, Rudolf and Rosa thought that Krauss found already the gold or knew it was somewhere in the island, hence he was trying to take the control, to secure the access to the gold. That's why he is the prime suspect in term of "gold treasure hunting supervisor"... Hence, after what he showed to natsuhi, I believe kgptzac's theory is quite solid: after the beatrice's letter, Krauss was in complete jeopardy, because someone else aside or within the cast knew about the gold for real. Hence, instead of losing completely his loot, he would prefer to rally the siblings even if the mastermind is within them so he could at least have a piece of the cake.
That's why it is weird that Krauss wasn't peeled off completely... Until it is what the culprit wants: yet another person. If the characters could even think about fake death trick, it wouldn't be surprising for the said culprit to stirr animosity within the cast rank if he eliminate cleanly the principal suspect.
Now for Rudolf, Rosa and Kyrie's case, it is troublesome because it would be difficult for them to harvest the gold if they are considered dead. They should be left aside for the moments, though indeed, the weirdest person among the 6 first victims is without a doubt Rosa.
Now, for Kinzo, what was actually surprising is the sixth toe. Granted, it is sure an innate malformation, but... why leaving such clue if the corpse was so burnt that it was impossible to even recognize the gender?
I don't think it was for the sole purpose to draw someone out, because the door noise would be good enough. Rather, it seems like this incident was kinda a possibility for the cast to discover this corpse.
Hence, I wonder if the culprit(s) didn't WANT them to consider that corpse as Kinzo and no one else. As demonstrated before, it is very unlikely the culprit(s) could recycle some corpses. Even with a master key, it doesn't change the fact that jessica/natsuhi and Battler didn't react with the sixth toe. So Rudolf and Krauss don't have that physical trait. It is thene xtremely unlikely that it was any of the rest of the corpse.
However, I agree that he might be kinzo's relative as it is hereditary. But that play is way too fancy and way too scripted to be really kinzo.
As for Kanon's death, it was particularly special. The culprit KNEW that kanon was alone. The culprit prepared the "wrath" stake in pupose as well.
Personally, I suspect that a "spy" was observing the cast getting caught off guard by Eva's and Hideyoshi's deaths. Hence, I expect that the observer contacted the accomplice through radio to slam the boiler room door, to draw someone out. If they were too many, it would ruin the "ritual", hence the Killer would be contacted if they are too many during the mad rush, escaping from the backdoor towards the courtyard.
Considering the theatral show is important (It looks like a RULE), it is quite definite for me that the culprit is not alone in that mad slaughter.
Now.. let's see the "odd" events:
-Maria's letter:
As long as we allow a 19th person among the culprits, there isn't any problem to consider that a woman was able to cosplay that.
-Method of murder of the six
Not sure if it is that a "mystery" until the culprit is proved to be alone.
-Storeroom of the rose garden
It seems that the culprit has a master key. I don't even think it is weird to speculate that the culprit(s) can lockpick a padlock or so.
-the wax seal of the envelopes
If kinzo is related to this scheme, it is possible that he deliberately threw the ring to a place the accomplices planned before.
Kinzo isn't related to this, it means they were expecting Kinzo to do that, ot they might have duplicated that.
-Enclosed room with chain
The culprit most likely entered "normally": knocking the door, and Eva letting pass...
If we speculate that Eva was among the culprits, it wouldn't be surprising because there are still enough sacrifice: Battler and Jessica can be sacrificed. However, we might speculate the culprit had another agenda and killed them.
It would be unlikely that Eva would let a person different from the survivors to enter if they weren't accomplices (until the culprit is indeed one of the 18 or survivors, but I can't think a way it is possible). Hence if she isn't among the culprits, it is possible that the murderer simply undid the chain door.
1) First method: in the normal way: simply using a mechanical arm or even its own arm to reach the chain and unlock. They said that gap was 10cm. I don't even think it is that stretchy to think the culprit could reach that, then storming in the room, killing Eva and Hideyoshi
2) second method: destroying the chain and replace. What surprised me was how Kanon could cut the chain easely. I know pliers are quite strong, but kanon doesn't have much strength to begin with. If the culprit prepared this death for some hours, it might be possible for him/them to replace the chain.
Now, how they left the room. I think the biggest and most logical way is the culprit simply didn't leave the room (except if they used the first method and could redo that, but it seems hell harder), crawled under the bed or something of the same genre.
Now, this mystery can be solved with the usual "hidden secret door" or something. Even if Genji stated there isn't such thing in Kinzo's study, it might be the case in other rooms of the manoir. But it seems to be the "too convenient" explanation.
-kanon in boiler room:
As I explained before, I do think it is a cooperative work to kill him. The problem is the butterfly... well it might be a simple trick with some random lights around. We don't know Kanon's state of mind in a neutral point of view, hence it might be something distorded in his mind, because of his rage.
-Genji, Kumasawa, Nanjou death
This is most likely very troublesome point, because there weren't any reason to destroy their face, until they are suspicious... or if the culprits want to make them suspicious.
What actually surprised me was "sloth" sin was assigned to Nanjou. Does it mean that he didn't do his proper job as a doctor? As hinted by Battler, it might be possible that the doctor was on the enemy's side from the beginning, confusing the time of death etc.
As for Genji, it is extremely difficult to judge him with his actions, while Kumasawa is completely innocent I believe, as she had an alibi, even for kanon (thanks for our 3rd perspective).
-Natsuhi's suicide:
There is no way Natsuhi would do that considering her temper and pride. As result, I think the trick is:
1) The enemy "hypnotized" or shocked her to the point she really killed herself. it is kinda unlikely, but the butterflies might have distracted her, making her vulnerable.
2) The enemy used the SAME weapon and was faster. As the kids were running like mad, it is possible that the culprit switched both winchester rifles, so it looks like Natsuhi killed herself.
As for the riddle and the location of the gold, i don't exactly think they are relevant without the motive and the culprit(s) identity
Seriously, it was really a great story to follow, and I'm quite glad there was such translation (thanks again theacefrehley).
I hope the patch project will conclude positively for us, as it would be a shame to miss this gem because of the language barrier. (seriously, BUY THIS GAME)
Currently, the proofreading is somewhat complete, though The text need to be checked several times with people having japanese knowledge, as I could obviously not changed some approximations/mistakes.
That said, I'm waiting for Sterling01 to edit the pictures.
As a little announcement: we are currently in dire need of someone who can manipulate and code with ONscripter. If you think you are fitting for this job, please send a PM to sterling01 or myself. That would accelerate greatly the progress of this project.
Last edited by Klashikari; 2008-02-04 at 08:48.
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