Yeah, seems Reddit has a different take, ranging from rage to dissapointed…mmmm, I guess you could say it is a real life version of the pressure of the media where you have people who look to find deeper meaning in a work and you have others who take a more surface look or react emotionally with them comparing the work to others that left them disappointed.

Almost like Love Today or Tokyo Blade

Shows you why Aqua decided to try bury all his family trouble with him

All I can think of is people carrying expectation from Aka’s other work and how his earlier stories proverbially poisoned the well so to speak - as there seems there is a feeling of Aka not being able to “end a series”.

Cannot help but think of the Manga artist scenes at the start of the play arc and how it is re-enacting it self out.

People loved the characters and are probably dissappointed in not receiving the payout they felt they deserved or expected from the personal investment in the story.

I say fair enough, hope no one takes it too far then the show becomes too real, but I have to try accept that not everything clicks with people like same way things do not click with me

That is a nice take on a meta-narrative level as the most powerful moments have shown how “popular” tragedy is as, I for one when thinking back, has it’s strongest points anchored around tragedy with Aqau’s moments that draw in the audience throughout the series, Akane’s tipping point, Ruby’s channeling of her darkness, Melt’s acrobatic display, even Kana with how people were gravitated by her acting born from her channeling her pain ( with her trying to overcome it through her feelings for Aqua and how that also manifested in a positive way,somewhat, in the play) and heck even Kamiki seemed to be successful despite his proclivities.

There are examples with almost all the characters showing how the industry has effected them in some way, most of it being tragedy or dealing with its reality and trying to work within the system.

It shows how we, as humans, seem fascinated by the darkness and how captivated people are by those able to channel that or overcome it.

The industry knows this and it is eager to profit off of it just as much as it is eager to profit off those that know how to “play the game”.

One needs to adapt, be strong and endure the suffering and through that can one’s strength of character be radiant but that is contrasted by how ruthless the industry is as well, as people are quick to come to conclusions and how powerful that pressure is as people resort to all sorts of terrible ideas and actions in pursuit of trying to find meaning from that pressure - which can dangerously become their crutch as the industry expectation bears down on the individual.

It is personal opinion and all, but I liked it - not mind blowing but satisfying enough… it started with lies to make one happy, and ended with lies making one happy - although Ruby seems to be living with lies with some depth born from love whereas Ai lied to find love and tried to love in that deception.

Kana seems to have to find peace in her regret and probably processes it through her acting like how she used her mother.

Ruby did what her mother couldn’t which is bitter sweet but a dream was realised, in multiple ways if one wants to intepret the brighter stars as her playing to her intended audience.

Overall, satisfied with the conclusion as I can try to fill in the blanks on my own with my own narrative based off what the series showed what the characters are capable of and it brings to an end the journey of follow them

“The man with the rifle shoots, the man without the rifle - charges”

The “White Knight” vs the Peasant “Hole-y” Man

That is fair in the case of fishing, foraging and to a lesser degree farming

If one wants to finish it as soon as possible then there is a pressure to not miss something - a bit of a heresy - but Joja Mart route can ignore that pressure, but it does feel better getting the community center up and running though.

I know the T.V. channel that Pam provides is helpful for fishing and for me I try to set up a schedule where I dedicate a day to get a particular item or to improve a skill to make it easier to get a item I am looking for.

My first two years are usually very busy as my farmer is on a “sigma grindset” and approached as a game getting everything sorted.

I do feel that it plays better when I tried to compromise a bit and try to roleplay like start the day, sort out my fields and animals, have regular meals, visit the town, greet everyone, maybe look at the message board - doing something like fishing, foraging, mining or cave diving for a bit, head to the bar at night for a night cap and then make my way home for the night - especially Friday nights.

I break that habit a bit when it is a really lucky day but I can write that off as a day that my character felt like some “me” time or they are focussed on getting resources for an upgrade to the farm or an item for center

One starts to learn everyone’s schedule and you start to feel part of the Valley as familiarity helps build the “community” feel

That reminds me of the earlier versions where the Grandpa would judge you harshly if you didn’t get enough points and in the worse case scenerio would wonder if he should have given the farm to some other relative at the end of year 3.

But Concerned Ape removed that as it went against the spirit of the game - there is only one time sensitive event in the game and is a friendship event with one of the characters that should be done before the end of year one

I missed it for the longest time, but it does help flesh out that character but besides that, the valley is in a proverbial time bubble where everything can be done at your leisure within the time frame - which is usually dedicating a day for something.

I would say that that the desert dungeon requires planning and being efficient with your time to get to the 100th floor in a day though

Just my opinion - but Stardew Valley, for me, is best enjoyed in the same vein like something like Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing.

It is like Sims: Rural. I liked the idea of someone being sick of the corporate drone lifestyle and being given the opportunity to start a new life in the country-side.

While I agree, especially in the beginning that the timers do feel restrictive, farming can be a chore when you are starting out and the stamina can be annoying but it has been built towards an idea that

“This is your character’s life and just enjoy a new start in the countryside”

It does get easier, more streamlined and opens up more options when one starts getting into the specialisations in leveling and gain benefits from progress which brings with it more “set and forget” tasks (like ancient fruit in a green house with sprinklers) which are profitable and if farming isn’t your thing I was going to say to try animal husbandry - which starts out with just giving the animals you buy some attention and food everyday ( buy hay or use a scythe on long grass), open the barn hatch in the morning (when not raining) and close it at night and collect the resource either by picking it up or having the right tool for the animal.

Animal husbandry is a lot of initial setup and then animal maintainence to get a resource, which leaves more time to explore other aspects of the game

I guess it is a game best enjoyed to roleplay as one learns about everybody in the valley and make your mark as someone of important as you can either make your fortune, have a family, make friends or just check off the list of collectables

I do feel it is a bit unfair to compare it to something like Rimworld as it is a great colony simulator in its own right with it having the focus of developing a “blank slate” community of random people in a harsh and cruel world where the player is the “architect” as you create the plan and the pawns enact it.

Comparatively, I do feel Rimworld farming is more involved than in Stardew Valley as there is a lot of external factors to consider like fertility, effective crop placement to avoid disease ruining all your crops if your pawns are too slow to contain it, raiders burning it, weather and events that ruin the crops, etc)

While Stardew it is a cycle of seasonal preparation, planting, watering, scarecrows placement to avoid crows stealing crops and harvesting - it is quite simple although more hands-on in practice and some of these steps can eventually be automated.

I guess Stardew Valley is predictable and consistent without much risk and can come across as a chore whereas Rimworld has a lot of external variables that keeps one needing to have a plan in the back of one’s mind when things go wrong.

Fair enough if you do not find it interesting, it might just not be your style of gameplay. Give credit where credit is due that you gave it an honest go at it and if you do not refund it it, maybe you will enjoy it one day

“Injury and despondence set the stage for heroism… or cowardice”

A part of me feels that Ruby understands the difference in the deaths, like Garou and Ai were killed and there was no justice, she wanted to punish the ones that took away the most important people in her life.

But now she is still upset and grieving, but maybe she feels like she got that justice she was looking for, but it cost her someone really dear to her.

So she is grieving her love, but sort of understands how much he loved her when she probably got told of the assassination attempt and him putting a stop to it once and for all

True, especially since they have a confession with a list of suspects that are not connected to the incident but to murders related to Kamiki and it probably looks like a case of the one murder he decides to get involved in to finish off Aqua as he is his son, but Aqua could have been prepared because of the movie research - kind of line of investigating

As the expression goes, paraphrased: “When plotting revenge against your enemy - dig two graves; one for your enemy and one for yourself.”

Edit: I do feel Aqua/Garou is the kind of guy that doesn’t believe in half measures and when he fully commits to something when he puts his all to it.

On reflection, he fell in love with Ai, because Sarena loved her.

His stand-out performance in the play comes from having to torment himself into method acting.

And he spent I would think almost all his income on DNA tests - which in hindsight is a bit of a weakness in Aqua’s plan if that type of information became public knowledge, but I guess the movie being released helps distract people from looking too deeply into his past and focus more on Kamiki instead.

This is the type of stuff I really appreciate and was looking for - a lot of emotion and closure without much unneccessary words.

“Detective” Akane being the narrator as the great Kamiki mystery is solved and how she explained how Aqua might have thought leaving nothing behind gave some insight in how he really wanted to separate and remove everyone he cared about away from any kind of rumour or suspicion for them to have the best life.

Kana crying genuinely and having her show her true emotions, Miyako showing indignation and rage when she thought Kana disrespected Aqua’s corpse with a slap to breakdown when she saw Kana’s heartfelt and painful confession.

Seeing Taiki, who is shown as so stoic, showing some real emotion and even Frill seems to show sadness

With what Akane said in the final scenes I am sure at least Ruby is going to perform at the Dome, now with both her brother-Aqua/ person she loved -Garou and mother in mind.

I like how “Dark” Ruby is on scene when thinking why everyone leaves her and on the last page has her revert to “Bright” Ruby

Kana is probably studying a movie script but who knows what the final chapter will bring with showing Ruby and Kana’s resolve

Judging by that dark elf’s face it was the most excrutiating experience of that guardman’s life.

That guardsman is a true follower of the faith as he endured hours of rigourous torture rejecting the xenos advances - to have it all be futile however.

Well guess it’s time to call the Inquistion, they can take it from here

True, I am sure if Aqua didn’t kiss her that time they found his body Akane would have probably pieced together the Aqua/Gorou link.

Overall lots of pain incoming,especially as you said, for Kana who has made Aqua her “star” and I sure Ruby will also not handle it well either.

Who know maybe B-Komachi performs at the Dome as a send off with Kana doing one last performance in Aqua’s memory.

Thanks for confirming, I saw the finale text and I was left feeling like something was missing and didn’t check if more was coming

Edit:

The scenes preceding this moment was pretty visceral with the adrenaline wearing down and the panic setting in as everything comes into focus before finally just accepting that what is done is done and going out again at least this time with happy thoughts

Speaking of Rome: Total War

The power of the flaming pig compels the the elephant to lose its mind

Feel uneasy if this was Aqua’s final moments like “see the tunnel” experience.

Its set up in a way where Aqua/Gorou can die and his spirit fades away or he is being brought back to life and he is comes back as Aquamarine Hoshino as Sarina’s key chain is left behind which I feel is like saying Gorou’s part of him has finally found a reason to move on and allow him to be Aqua and act his age.

“Yooz seez u git, yooz ain’t krumpin’ enuf thatz whyz yooz aintz happy”

Alternatively:

Warboss powers up power claw to make an ork smoothy