Battle Moon Wars (PC) - Part 2

Before you read this article further, i must warn you: 1) You have to read the part 1 first, because i won't tell the basic of the gameplay (which is essential) here 2) This article contain SPOILER of Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime/Melty Blood, same goes to the part 1.

If you aware about those warnings and still wish to read further, so be it.

 Next battle is a flashback where Seo Akira (Akiha's junior classman) is being attacked by 2 vampire zombies.

But Arcueid intercepts them so Akira can flees. So far so good.

 

After all of those zombies are finished, Ciel appears! She's my most favorite cast in Tsukihime series. As usual, she's bickering with Arcueid. Those two seldom in nice term.

Then Misawa Hanei (Akiha's classmate) appears and she quite misunderstands the situation.

To make things worse/funnier, Arcueid justifies her misunderstanding stating that Ciel is super villain that want to change Japan with Curry. :P

 

Actually, that scene is the re-creation of the ones in 'Take Moon' manga here (read from right to left). Credit to: scanlator and translator of 'Take Moon' manga.

 

Unlike in manga, another group of zombie appear. Arcueid told Hanei to stay put which is a stupid order as Hanei is in only few steps away from leaving this map. This is an escort mission in Tactic RPG and you can guess that it's frustrating ones unless you ignore the Battle Mastery condition: Hanei must not be attacked not even once. So, somehow you have to manipulate enemy's AI into not attacking her. Through lots of trial and error, i discover how to fulfill that: 1) Arcueid's position when finishing the last of first zombies is like on this screenshot 2) Arcueid must kills that zombie while attacking, not counter-attacking so Ciel can move into that position after she appeared. So, she's always targeted by Ruriko (the antenna-head zombie) and her 2 companions will go after Ciel instead of Hanei. But don't worry! She has "spirit" 'Guard' which reduces damages that she takes by 75% for 1 turn. Also she regenerates her HP by 10% max HP every turn. 3) Arcueid must kill the volleyball zombie first then the flame-extinguisher-wielder ones. Thankfully, they skip the first turn when they appear. The zombies are push-over, they can be killed by one-shoot from Arcueid (who has increased critical strike chance) or perhaps Ciel. The frustrating part is obviously finding out how to lure them into attacking the heroes and/or finishing them at the right moment. 

The honor of killing the last zombie, belongs to Ciel because she becomes living target for entire turns. Okay, i lied. It's because i fancy her so much. For the trouble, she get Curry! Good for her. For those who don't know why Ciel is related with curry, the reason is simple. She's very obsessive to eat curry or anything with it (e.g. : curry bread, curry soba). As Much as i'm obsessed with any dishes with Patin fish (Pangasius Hypophtahlmus).

 

With that accident resolver, Hanei can go back home safely after thanked Arcueid (not to Ciel too, sadly). After another Arcueid-Ciel bickering, it's back to intermission.

 

Because Ciel and Arcueid aren't the party's member yet, they can't do any training. Furthermore, Saber holds the curry as she's high-energy-consumption warrior. Too bad, Ciel. Apparently, that battle on flashback is to make Arcueid leveling up more and to introduce Ciel, besides tedious Hanei-sitting mission. But the party get FPs and BPs from that battle. I was wrong stating that FP and BP are collected individually. The truth is: no. The party get them according to overall battle performance. Though about "Spending BP and FP for each individual upgrade" part is still correct. Also "exp share depends on individual action" is also right. Next scene: a long conversation between our heroes in Tohno Mansion about Misaki City's situation and Holy Grail War. Rin explained that Holy Grail can grant wish. And Akiha told Kohaku to join the war so Akiha (as Misaki City's guardian) can supervises it.

 

Spy_negativevocalization04.wav. Are you sure, Akiha-san? You knew that acquiring Holy Grail could be a golden opportunity for Kohaku to overthrow you, right?!

 

Cue dramatic sound effect, everyone! Here's the answer of the question on Part 1. It's Archer who assassinated Caster. To be precise, Archer who's Rin's Servant on Holy Grail War at Fuyuki city. So in the future, the party have to deal with Rin's ex-Servant. Here's another separation point for the two main heroes: Haruna will investigate Holy Grail War case (because she's curious to wish-granting grail) while Takumi will investigate vampire's murder case.

 

I skip showing you another battle because it's really dull ones albeit the party have to face some stronger-type of lesser enemies. One of them is black Getter #3 (the robot who attacks using missiles) and it drops our first equip item 'Super Alloy Z' that boost max HP, offense power, and defense power. It's reasonable to equip the item to warrior type character for example: Saber. But on this intermission, i can only manage Haruna, Rin, and Akiha. So the best candidate who dons it, is certainly Haruna. Because not only she's the main heroine but also mage type characters are certainly unfit/unreasonable to don it. Why mages need to boost their max HP if they can attack their enemy safely from afar? Exactly.

 

So we know that Saber along with Kohaku aren't in this battle. Not only we don't have one of warrior but also our reliable medic. At least Kohaku's younger sister, Hisui joins the party for now. Fortunately, she has 'Trust' "Spirit" same as her elder sister. So she can be healer. I order Akiha to deal with enemies on left side alone. This may seems cruel... 

 

...but she's fine on her own. Because she has this special skill that allow her to receive 0 damage if its amount is originally below 4000. But once she took damage (in small amount though) from a green spider/Jirai-Gumo likes, i don't know whether this is bug or not. Aside from that she's doing great attacking and counter-attacking enemy group on the left side alone. You may think because she's mage type character, she's fragile like Rin Tohsaka. Well, you're far way from correct.

 

Once, she punches away all thousand robots. She's really strong. As inhumanly strong as monster. Okay, i'm sorry, Akiha-san! Don't burn me alive, please! *spurting sweats*

Credit to: scanlator and translator of 'Melty Blood Act 2' manga.

 

Anyway, let's discuss about Hisui further. If Kohaku gives buff to allies, Hisui does the opposite. Her attacks is really lax on power, but their main point: giving enemies debuff. For example this mopping attack will reduce enemy's evasion so they can be targeted more easily. This may be reasonable because she makes enemy's footing slippery. But it also works to this flying mystic bird that doesn't need firm footing to avoid attack. Probably Hisui (un)intentionally mops its wing as well. Did i mention that Kohaku and Hisui are twin sisters. Because they have same face & hair but different personality. Though, once, Kohaku dressed like Hisui and no-one can tell the difference, except the twins themselves.

 

Besides able to reduce enemy's avoidance and movement range (on her another attack) using considerate amount of EN. Hisui has special command "Reload" (if she stays put) which is useful for those who has high-consumption on Energy like Akiha and Saber. I think Hisui is Debuff support character.

 

Now that i can manage either Saber or Takumi. I have to deprive that alloy Z and give it to Takumi. But don't worry you can have this Cat Ears/Nekomimi that we got from that fire-breathing bird. Adding word 'nya' or 'nyo' at the end of your sentence, is optional, Haruna-san.

 

Next battle is between Nero's pet and Arcueid & Len. Here you'll be introduce to another Debuffer character, Len. But from now she acts as healer while Arcueid dives into the crowd of enemy. It's best course to finish the battle as fast as possible. Yep, it's the battle mastery condition. With this kind of location, i bet everyone wants to see Arcueid's skateboarding instead.

 

But this is the closest to Arcueid do skateboarding. She kicks Nero's alligator with Tokusatsu-style. Still such kicking rad!

"Yahoo, Shiki's glasses! Oh, wait! What if this is Ciel's. Kuh!"

 

You know about Leon S. Kennedy fights a crocodile in sewer's corridor in Resident Evil 2? Well this is quite different. Instead using canister of explosive gas, Rin blasts the crocodile using her shooty magic. Simple!   

Things get more complicated. Nero comes and keep sending his pet to kill Rin. Fortunately, Arcueid and Len also arrive. To achieve battle mastery, Arcueid and Co must force Nero to retreat by withering his HP to 50%. The problems are: 1) In this battle, Nero is much stronger than before and he has 24000 HP 2) Soon after one of his pet defeated, it will be replaced with any type randomly 3) Nero and His pet have 10% HP regeneration every turn. While the victory condition is simple: Arcueid and Co escape through window at top-right corner. This can be either frustrating battle or golden opportunity to hoard exp, BP, and FP. I don't know whether this is bug or intentionally designed, there's some point where Nero's pets won't be replaced with new ones. So they aren't unlimitedly respawning which is nice breather. In my opinion Chaos turkey Bird is the less threatening type than Chaos Gator and Chaos Deer. Because it's the mage type with not so damaging attack. So conserve that enemy's kind! To make Nero retreat: 1) Rin can shoot him in safe distance, preferably using her 2nd attack (One stone, all my soul) for decent damage but it's limited to 4 shoots. So Rin have to stands next to Len so she can reloads Rin's ammo. Yes, she can reloads too. 2) Arcueid must stands next to Nero and keep kicking him. It sounds risky but Arcueid is pretty tough and she can heal herself. If that's not safe enough. Len can heals her.

 

This battle is good opportunity to show you Len's attacks: sweet dreams and nightmare. Sweet dream makes  enemy lower his/her/its accuracy while nightmare makes enemy lower his/her/its defense power. In sweet dream, Len gives her target image of her cosplaying with thud sounds and random items thrown. Beware! Some of her cosplaying are NSFW. You may want to turn off the battle animation for it. While nightmare changes her enemy into sardine and Neko-Arc jump and nabs it. It's pretty nightmarish to turn into fish and some cats comes to eat you, you know?!

 

Next battle takes place inside Tohno's mansion itself! While Hisui, Kohaku and Saber doing their duty here, Shiki and Rider along with his companions come to wreak havoc. This battle is certainly handicapped for Kohaku. I mean the only decent-damaging type character is only Saber. How we can finish this battle within 8 turns?  

 

But on the turn 4, Shiki and Haruna makes appearance! They're great at dealing damages. By the way, Shiki here's the adopted sibling of Akiha. While that evil Shiki is her bloodline sibling. To differentiate between those 2, the evil ones called with all capital letters 'SHIKI'.

 

Can't you see that they're busy at this moment, Rin? I know Arcueid is still on that hotel holding Nero. But i'm sure she won't mind about a bit of delay to help her. She's very strong, you see.

 

To make SHIKI retreat immediately, all they need to do is: injure Rider moderately. Ignore SHIKI. He's longing for everyone's attention. The attention-seeking moron. 

 

Okay everyone is here to help Arcueid defeating Nero. It seems reckless to put Shiki in the middle of Nero's pets like that. But the crocodiles and the birds can't attack him nearby at all. In this battle, you should prioritize healer role to Len because she can regen some SP and consume lesser SP. Once awhile, have her do the finishing blow! She need exp too. Although reloading can earn her exp, but you know it's boring job.

 

After received finishing strike from Shiki, Nero charging of whatever energy that he can accumulate here. Then he return with full health and become stronger. Care to guess what happen next?

 

The half-wit vampire stills get surrounded and dying. You're really curious to delay turns to defeat you, huh?! To achieve battle mastery: he must be defeated within 15 turns. Here's turn 12. Nice try, walking circus-zoo! *bit sarcasm*. The key to successful siege: using "spirit" accordingly and put some character who have good ranged attack in the safe spot. Shiki can leveling up by 6 levels thanks to Nero's stubbornness also Hisui's cheering on him. Seriously, there's the "spirit" named 'cheer' to double exp on chosen ally's next battle.

 

Yes, of course. Don't forget your belonging in your room, Rin-san! Also the employee and other guests. What happen here's scenario of Nero charging thingamajig energy (again) after he's been defeated (twice in same battle). But don't worry!

 

HeroBladeMasterYesAttack3.wav. Excalipoor! I mean Excalibur, of course. With that Nero is gone for good (in this game, for sure)

 

Hmmm. Interesting. Either Kohaku is pretending she doesn't know Excalibur or she only cares to anything nasty for her scheme against Akiha. Anyway, we got tons of FP and BP from that tiresome battle. I suggest investing the FPs to add extra passive skill for those who doesn't have.

 

Next battle is a flashback from few hours ago. Where SHIKI (with his cohorts, obviously) confronts Rider, her master Sakura, and *uggh* the weak-ass master, Shirou. The spiders deal quite little damage but inflict debuffs. The real problem is: the only decent character is Rider. Shirou has short melee reach, almost mediocre HP, puny defense power, and lame attack power. While Sakura...

 

...shoots magic that has blowback that lifts up her skirt. So she has to cover it everytime she attacks. She's embarrassment to every mage, including her elder sister Rin. But she's still better than Shirou, mind you.

 

When Rider attacks or is attacked by SHIKI, there's cutscene: Sakura is ambushed by this bird (that come out of thin air!) and taken hostage. Rider's willing to be SHIKI's servant in return of Shirou's and Sakura's safety. 

 

Haven't you see Western action movies, Rider-san? Everyone know that badguys never keep their promise/deal/bargain.

 

Shirou try to rescue Sakura. But, you know?, fails miserably and takes big damage. HPitLordYes3.wav.

 

Fortunately, The weak-ass servant, Lancer manages to rescue her in the nick of time.

 

And his master, Caren joins the fray. Soon SHIKI and Rider leave this place.

 

So far, this is the hardest battle mastery condition: defeating that bird, but it will escapes once its HP 4500 or lower. The way that i can discover is: 1) Injure it like usual 2) Once its HP 5000 or so, use Shirou's 1st attack which deals feeble damage to whittle his HP until near 4500 3) Have Lancer use his 2nd attack with Sakura's follow-up attack to finish it in one shoot. While Karen keep boosting Sakura's attack power and act as bait for the bird but within Sakura's protection thus explaining this formation. I assume buffing allies is stackable and last for entire battle. Also you have to trigger that cutscene as early as possible, so Lancer can earns enough WL (to enable his 2nd attack) from many enemies.

 

Next battle is Haruna's group + Shirou & Sakura against Roa + Archer (and their minions , of course). I don't have any grudge against your assassination, but i really dislikes you. You deserve ramification of twin laser rifles on your abdomen and your junk, Shirou...i mean Archer! Later he 's finished by Saber's Excalibur. As Archer have received such beating, i stop showing you more of this playthrough.

I heard that "Battle Moon Wars is Super Robot War with Type-Moon characters". The problem is i never play Super Robot War, so i can prove whether that statement true or not. Least i can do is to compare BMW with other tactic RPG that i have played such as Disgaea, Tactic Ogres on PSP, and Vandal Hearts 2. Range of melee attacks in BMW are varied and interesting unlike on those games which is always 1 tile. BMW has no side-quest or world map roaming, it only consists of story scenes, intermissions, and battles. So it has very narrow leveling opportunity. So you have to rely on doubling exp or BP "Spirits" such as 'Gain', 'Cheers', and 'Lucky'. Also boss enemies net bigger exp, BP, and FP, so i suggest using that "Spirits" when finishing them instead for lesser enemies. I suppose BMW has complexity of battle element on same level with the ones in Disgaea. But Disgaea goes in uninteresting direction thus i quit playing it after 1 battle, this is my personal opinion. So far, the story consists believable scenario especially in interaction among other characters. The music are superb, mainly in the battle. My personal favorite: BGM for Phantasmoon (Arcueid) or Len. The battle animation has gorgeous visual effect. When an attack is connected (especially the enemy's), you probably will think "That looks very painful".

Some of the class for allies and enemies are conventional yet easily identifiable likes mage and warrior. But most of them are not. For example Arcueid, her main attack has good range and damage but she's pretty durable, almost over-powered. Even though this is true to the origin. I think she is Tank class. Not like the one in WoW which is melee class that's really strong in defensive aspect. Tank class that i mean here is like very close to real tank: have superior firepower and tough defense power

BMW also has unlockable features through story progression like: (on this point) Saber has Excalibur attack; Takumi breaks his sword from battle with Berserker and later replace it with stronger one (that changes his sprite and moves); or Shiki re-learn 'seventeen dissection' move through Ryougi Shiki's demonstration. By the way, as for Kara no Kyoukai aspect, Ryougi Shiki and Tohko Aozaki will join the party very later on. You have to take my word for it.

Overall, i can recommend Battle Moon Wars with my whole soul especially if you're fans of these Type-Moon trademark. If you're fans of Tactic RPG's, you should try it as it features neat mechanics such as: special skills, "Spirits", and spending BPs & FPs to upgrade characters further. My complain: 1) i can't manage all of the character at some intermission, though i can transfer items from character that aren't currently in management rooster 2) No "Spirits" to double FPs gained. But this may breaks the game. Imagine if all of the character can follow-up attacks. It'll be disastrous for the enemies.
Credit to: the developer and the translator 

I finish this article with continuation of character's stats analysis.

 

The current head of Tohno Family. She possesses great strength (4/5) and ability to weave hot energy, especially when she's enraged (indicated by her color turning red). She gains that powers from Tohno lineage and she has to drink blood periodically. Hence the reason why Kohaku's her personal maid, though she can settles with medical blood. Despite her hot temperament, she usually pretty calm. That trait and her mystic ability are the reason i state her Intelligence as her primary stats (4.5/5).

 

Arcueid is vampire that's native of the moon. To be precise, she's princess (not Kaguya Houraisen, in this case). Tsukihime means 'moon princess' in Japanese. Thus indicating that she's the main heroine of Tsukihime. She's the character that whimsical yet lack of common sense, that's often seen in many Japanese manga/visual novel/anime. Once, she tends her own bloody wound with duct tape instead of medical bandage. That's why her Dexterity is low (1.5/5). Her super brawn and mystical power makes her primary stats: Strength (4.5/5) and her secondary stats (4/5).

 

Even though Ciel isn't yet regular member of the party, i want to include her in this stats analysis because i'm her fans, obviously. Ciel (means 'sky' in French) is half-Japanese and half-French. Long time ago, she's possessed by Roa as his reincarnation host. Making her ravages her own village along with its denizens. Later Arcueid slays her, forcing Roa to search another reincarnation host. Perfect candidate for Roa's reincarnation are someone 1) with great magic potential and 2) on rich/aristocratic family. As Elesia (Ciel's true name) is a commoner, she's not died along with Roa. Instead she's granted with immortality and eternal-youth. But that bring her big problem. Not only she's considered a monster, but also become test subject by surgery without anesthetic. That's her bleak past. Now she's church executioner agent that's based on Misaki City. Attending at the same school with Shiki (above his grade class, that's why he calls her senpai) at day and patrolling at night. She has same disguise method as Clark Kent: wears glasses when off-duty, not wears it when duty. As i mentioned before that she really likes curry to the point where she's associated (or called) with India and easily distracted or swayed with curry. She's the chairman (and also the only member) of 'Ceremonial Tea' club on her school. Her signature attack: she attacks her opponent with a pile-bunker weapon which no mere human can wields it unless with robot/mecha. Beside using pile-bunker, she's aptitude with throwing the black keys which are long blades that transformed from pages of holy book. Her ability to throw black keys and wield pile bunker certainly need great strength thus her secondary stats: Strength at 4/5. While her magic potential and usual calm thinking makes her primary stats: Intelligence at 4.5/5    

 

Hisui is Shiki's personal maid and younger twin sister of Kohaku. Her expression usually calm or you can say that she tend to has poker-face expression. Unlike her elder sister, she has stable mind. Maybe due to how much she loves her sister, she's always willing to help Kohaku even in the devious scheme. But somehow, she shows not much of revolting against Akiha. My rule of thumb: if a person doesn't have great muscle power, much speed on movement and action, or magic/mystic/telepathic power, he/she most be likely in Dexterity type character. That's quite the case in Hisui: Dexterity at 4/5. Although, she can smash her opponent with a wooden chair (which is quite in the level of WWE action style). While she's good at interior cleaning, she's terrible at cooking.  

 

Most people know that succubus is portrayed as busty female, like Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalker series) or succubus in Ragnarok Online. Type-Moon try to be different by introducing Len. Yes, this tiny lady is succubus. She's originally Arcueid's familiar but later become Shiki's as token of gratitude. Though, she's still willing to obey her order. She can transforms into a black cat and manipulates people's dream. Those mystic ability most likely proof that her primary stats: Intelligence at 5/5. Because she's small she's quite evasive and fast, granting her: Agility (4/5) as her secondary stats. Officially, she doesn't talk at all not even meow-ing while in cat form. So, she often shaking or nodding her head, or use facial expression as communication means.

 

If i'm not incorrect, Sakura is Rin Tohsaka's younger sister until she's sacrificed adopted to Matou Family. She's member of Archery club of her school, though not the extraordinary ones. Every morning, she goes to Shirou's home to cook breakfast for herself, him, and Fujimura Taiga. Even though she's a mage, she looks humble and nice. More likeable person than her elder sister, in my opinion. Once she becomes host of Holy Grail in Fuyuki City, making her Dark Sakura. You know the thing with dark version of a person? Being evil and such or sort of that. You can easily guess that it's goes the same on her case. She's a mage but not as good as Rin, so her main stats is Intelligence (4/5).

 

Shiki's adopted son of Tohno Family. Once he's member of clan of Assassins, Nanaya. But later, they're annihilated by Tohno family's assault. I'm not sure how but Tohno family decide to adopt this Shiki Nanaya instead of killing him. He certainly doesn't hold grudge against any Tohno family because he treats them as family. He may be from lineage of legit assassins, but he has flaw: he's anemic, making him quite fragile. He has 'mystic eye of death perception' which is: his eyes ability to see lines of death and points of death on objects, animal and humans alike. If he cuts this line on his target, it will be cut instantly according to that line. If he pierces this point on his target, the target will be cut instantly into pieces depends on lines of death that connect with that point. That sounds very deadly and over-powered. But the devs really toned down his attacks albeit they have increased critical chance. He's the main hero of Tsukihime and Melty blood. So, you can guess that the heroines of them eager to date him. Yes, including Akiha. For his 'mystic eye of death perception' and his ability to precisely cut/stab on particular lines/point, his primary stats: Dexterity (5/5), without doubt. While his movement is agile and his attack is really swift, so his secondary stats: Agility (4/5). Unlike Ryougi Shiki, he can't turn off this 'mystic eye of death perception' on his eyes. So he wears this magical glasses that's given by Aoko Aozaki to block it temporarily.

 

Shirou is the survivor of horrible accident that's cause by 3rd Grail War on Fuyuki City, 10 years ago. He's rescued & adopted by Kiritsugu Emiya, the participant of that war. Initially, he can't do magic casting well because he isn't inherited with magic circuit from late Kiritsugu. Later, he's better at it thanks to Rin's assistance. He dreams to be justice hero but he's so goddamn weak at everything: magic, physic, and sensible logic. No wonder, Archer dislikes him so well and he deserves to be called the weak-ass master. I heard that he's most hated protagonist besides Shinki from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Again, because he's the main hero of Fate/Stay Night, the heroines of it eager to date him. He's flawed mage, so his secondary stats: Intelligence (2.5/5). While he manages to survive fight in Holy Grail War is more because of his persistence rather than his intelligence (or to be precise, his pitiful logic). So his primary stats: Dexterity (3/5).