Pacing (possible spoilers)

[Chelli]

The pacing in this game is starting to drive me crazy.

I'm in chapter 3 right now, and I've really enjoyed this so far, but the pacing is starting to really annoy me. It seems like there's a lot of filler to pad out the game's length. The story started getting really good at the end of chapter 2, and I thought it would continue at that level for the rest of the game. But once I got to Grancel things slowed right back down again. Now I'm at the point where Prof. Russell was kidnapped, and it's getting really good again, but there were 10+ hours between the end of chapter 2 and what's happening now.

The pump quest in Elmo was completely unnecessary. Sure, I guess it developed Estelle and Joshua's relationship, but I kinda hate that plot to begin with. If they were raised together, they would not feel sexually attracted to each other, regardless of not being blood related. The black orbment plot is good, and the Elmo quest just felt completely out of place at this point.

I really like this game overall, I just wish it didn't feel the need to pad things out like it does. I know it's been a slow-paced game from the start, but it hasn't really bothered me until now. For some reason I just thought going to Elmo was extremely stupid.

[fedaykin]

Perhaps it's true to some extent that the hot springs arc was some sort of "traditional necessity" (translation- fanservice) and didn't really further the main plot. However, as you rightly point out, it did serve to develop Estelle and Joshua's burgeoning teenage relationship, which is, like it or loathe it, a crucial part of the story.

Personally, I think that the the lackadaisical rhythm of the side quests is potentially important, precisely because they create a contrast with the tension and rapid action of the main story, as well as fleshing out the characters and gameworld. I don't think the game's plot is at all bad, but probably the main strength of the Legend of Heroes series is rather the compelling and highly detailed gameworld, which probably necessitates these incessant narrative deviations.

I think it's also pertinent to remark that the pacing of the story is largely chosen by the player, given that the vast majority of side quests are optional.

[Wyrdwad]

The pump quest in Elmo was completely unnecessary. Sure, I guess it developed Estelle and Joshua's relationship, but I kinda hate that plot to begin with. If they were raised together, they would not feel sexually attracted to each other, regardless of not being blood related.

Actually, that's a bit of a naive statement. Psychologically, sexual attraction between adopted siblings (and even actual siblings) is really very, very common. It's not just an anime trope, it's a real thing as well -- there's even a scientific name for it, though I'm too lazy to look it up. (:

But the point I'm trying to make is that, regardless of how taboo it may be, it does happen, and it happens a lot more often than you may think. People just... don't tend to talk about it very often, especially in the puritan-born United States.

-Tom

[Peytral]

Estelle and Joshua's relationship is one of my favorite things about Trails. >: Which is part why I loved the hot springs part. Though I also really liked it for pretty much all of the interaction with Tita once they actually entered the baths.

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, Tita is just adorable, and the whole "you can be our little sister" thing with her always brings a smile to my face. (:

-Tom

[Chelli]

Perhaps it's true to some extent that the hot springs arc was some sort of "traditional necessity" (translation- fanservice) and didn't really further the main plot. However, as you rightly point out, it did serve to develop Estelle and Joshua's burgeoning teenage relationship, which is, like it or loathe it, a crucial part of the story.

Personally, I think that the the lackadaisical rhythm of the side quests is potentially important, precisely because they create a contrast with the tension and rapid action of the main story, as well as fleshing out the characters and gameworld. I don't think the game's plot is at all bad, but probably the main strength of the Legend of Heroes series is rather the compelling and highly detailed gameworld, which probably necessitates these incessant narrative deviations.

I think it's also pertinent to remark that the pacing of the story is largely chosen by the player, given that the vast majority of side quests are optional.

It's not the sidequests I'm complaining about; I actually enjoy doing those, as well as talking to everyone between story events. I don't think they ruin the pacing because I consider those separate from the main story. I think it's just that the Elmo quest seemed like it should have been a sidequest and not part of the story, and I would have been perfectly okay with it as a sidequest. Most of the other previous story quests actually accomplished something; this one felt like pure filler.

[Wyrdwad]

Character development, man! The relationship between Estelle and Joshua is at the very heart of the game, and their almost familial relationship with Tita becomes pretty central to her character as well.

Without the Elmo quest, none of that development would've happened. (And that's skipping all the Dorothy and Nial development you get from that scene, too!)

-Tom

[reyvard]

it seems that in trails games each character is destined to encounter another in order to build some relationship with him like estelle and joshua or oliver and sheherazad , slowly become more and more close , it's what I like in this game and make that we want to follow further the story
indeed the reaction of estelle when she seen joshua in the bath was very " clich?© " and the Idea to adopt tita like a pet was very funny

[Chelli]

Character development, man! The relationship between Estelle and Joshua is at the very heart of the game, and their almost familial relationship with Tita becomes pretty central to her character as well.

Without the Elmo quest, none of that development would've happened. (And that's skipping all the Dorothy and Nial development you get from that scene, too!)

-Tom

Haha, I get that. I just feel like they could have done it better somehow.

And now I'm just playing devil's advocate, but what you said about the sexual tension also isn't entirely true. I know it does happen, but there's also an incest taboo that's ingrained in most, if not all, cultures. Part of this taboo comes from being unattracted to the people you grow up with simply because they're there all the time. These feelings extend to non-blood related people in the same way as actual family members in the same way. So I guess we're both partially right and wrong.

[omgfloofy]

On another note, also, remember- this is the first chapter of the game. The pacing is slow, but once everything begins to happen, it really starts to pick up speed in the later chapters, and becomes more and more of things getting thrown at you left and right.

By the time you're done with Second Chapter, when it comes out, it will make FC feel like it was 'so long ago,' if that makes any sense...?