Is it just me, or did 5.3 represent a big decline in storytelling? (spoilers)

[Lersayil]

I can agree with the Elidibus part, but my judgement might be compromised since I didn't like the twist behind his identity, or his personality.

I'm ever so slightly worried about whats to come, as Zenos and Asahi+1 doesn't strike me as interesting in any way shape or form. Not sure any amount of writing quality can change that, but I'll reserve judgement until we get 6.0.

[Recon1o6]

One of my biggest gripes with shb in general was that lyna was underused so much. You can talk to her after the ending and she is really relieved hearing graha got home safe.
Now how many people would go out of their way to do that?
She really deserved more, a proper farewell scene and staying as our only ranged trust. Everyone else is magical.

I agree elidibus was a tad rushed. I think some of his story should have come up in 5.2 to better set up 5.3

that said im not so sure about the rest of your post bar the ending between Fandaniel and Zenos

Zenos is not even a character, just a poorly written, boring plot device that overstayed his welcome
Fandaniel is...annoying. In a bad way. He's not shaping up to be an interesting villain like Emet or Elidibus were in their first appearances.

[Fynlar]

I'm ever so slightly worried about whats to come, as Zenos and Asahi+1 doesn't strike me as interesting in any way shape or form. Not sure any amount of writing quality can change that, but I'll reserve judgement until we get 6.0.

Funny thing is, I bet there were people who said the exact same stuff about "Solus" and his similar antics in his introductory scene. Yet Emet-Selch went on to become probably one of this game's most popular characters.

So, yeah, you never know.

[Lersayil]

Funny thing is, I bet there were people who said the exact same stuff about "Solus" and his similar antics in his introductory scene. Yet Emet-Selch went on to become probably one of this game's most popular characters.

So, yeah, you never know.

Oh I agree! I was one of those sceptics. Never been happier to be proven wrong. Hopefully they can keep up their track record.

[Penthea]

Funny thing is, I bet there were people who said the exact same stuff about "Solus" and his similar antics in his introductory scene. Yet Emet-Selch went on to become probably one of this game's most popular characters.

So, yeah, you never know.

I instantly disliked Emet-Selch when he was first introduced to us. He appeared as little more than a cheeky tyrant who enjoyed mocking the mortal races. I thought his visual design was great but as a person he appeared to be a very two dimensional villain with nothing interesting about him save for his great power.

And well when I got know what he is really like I ended up loving him. He is such a well written character. I understand now that in his first scene he was putting on an act. Perhaps a coping mechanism because we know the truth is he was suffering from a bottomless depression coupled with despair and immeasurable weariness. The act could have also been serving a real purpose in his quest because acting with absolute confidence in himself would make it more likely for others to fear, respect and obey him.

[Luna-M]

Don't agree I think the story was amazing.

This. The story was great imo.

[Enla]

If Ishikawa remains the head writer going into 6.0 I'm okay giving Zenos and his new shitbird a second chance. I feel like she has a good enough grasp on how to 'fix' characters and make them interesting, or at the very least serviceable to the plot. Which given how mellow her version of Zenos has been, the man practically lives off of xanax the last few times we've seen him, does give me room to at least be cautiously optimistic.

Course if Zenos ends up being offed in the lead up to 6.0 as would be ideal I'll be even happier. Much as I adore Ishikawa's writing style I'd rather just have a fresh villain instead of having to fight against 'ultra-weeb' for the enth time.

[Lhunuial]

I have to agree with everything Penthea said. I enjoyed this patch immensely. In my opinion 5.3 is one of their best patches to date. It was beautiful and emotional and I was so invested in it I even forgot to screenshot everything from the trial to the end. (On the one time I managed to beat the QTE in the trial). At first I was wondering why we weren't saying goodbye to Feo Ul, but she's still connected to us and pretty much appear whenever she wants, so it makes sense we didn't say goodbye to her. Plus we can travel to the First whenever we want.

[Sonikku]

I don't like where the story is heading. If they were going to just "bring back" characters they killed off, I would rather they brought back Emet Selch rather than Zenos and Graha tia. Imagine if the final cutscene was Emet Selch exiting the crystal tower. Only he wasn't "our" Emet Selch, but the Emet Selch from the dark timeline who successfully killed the WoL and ushered in the 8th umbral calamity, having followed Graha into ours. That by confirming a multiverse would patch up Graha tia not paradoxing himself out of existence by changing history would just be a bonus. Giving us a path to fight full power Zodiark from Graha's parallel universe in which all shards were ultimately rejoined would have been even better.

[Reap00]

5.3 story was fantastic. I wholeheartedly disagree.