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Characters, Plot, and Themes / Re: General RD Script/Character Analysis Thread *SPOILERS*
« on: August 14, 2008, 09:21:58 pm »
I haven't played RD in quite a while (or maybe I never finished it?), but based on CT I think your insight into Magus here is a sound one. Remember what the Elder says about Janus in Zeal:
Imagine having the raw arcane talent of Magus and living in Zeal of all places without using magic AT ALL. That seems like a clearcut example of a "mental wall"; it would be akin to an able-bodied person deciding never to walk. Of course, Magus later embraces magic, but he never does unlock his heart (as far as we're able to see in CT). What's most interesting to me about this sequence in RD is the suggestion that Magus is starting to recognize what he's done to himself and is trying to grow out of it. Does that jibe with what you know about the rest of Magil's portrayal in RD?
Quote
I heard from the Philosophers that Jyaki-sama hides an incredible magical power that surpasses even Sara-sama. However, he hates that power, which drives the Queen mad and torments Sara-sama, and along with his heart...... he has shut that power away.
Imagine having the raw arcane talent of Magus and living in Zeal of all places without using magic AT ALL. That seems like a clearcut example of a "mental wall"; it would be akin to an able-bodied person deciding never to walk. Of course, Magus later embraces magic, but he never does unlock his heart (as far as we're able to see in CT). What's most interesting to me about this sequence in RD is the suggestion that Magus is starting to recognize what he's done to himself and is trying to grow out of it. Does that jibe with what you know about the rest of Magil's portrayal in RD?
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Characters, Plot, and Themes / Re: Chrono Trigger: An Existentialist Reading
« on: July 25, 2008, 10:12:36 pm »"Wait, did Marle ever get a center for her fragmented personality? Did she just give up and decide to be a baby factory? Wh- it's over already?"
I noticed this lingering question, too. Marle's got a pretty strong character arc going at the beginning of the game, but then it just trails off. I think Marle shows the most growth in the Moonlight Parade endings, especially the versions where Crono hasn't been resurrected yet. She's proactive and determined in those endings -- and shows no compunction about ditching her dad to go time-hopping -- but she seems more responsible and self-possessed at the same time. I like the symbolism of replacing Leene's Bell with Nadia's Bell, too.
But, yeah, between Marle and Magus, Chrono Trigger is a game in dire need of a real sequel. I would be very interested to learn how life worked out for Queen Nadia.
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Characters, Plot, and Themes / Re: Chrono Trigger: An Existentialist Reading
« on: July 25, 2008, 03:01:13 am »It definately has a place on this site, though sometimes I felt like it needed cleaning up in some places and expansion in others.
Yeah, it's not my most polished work, owing to the sheer volume of material I had to cover. If you've got suggestions on what I should expand, clarify or cut, I'd like to hear them (either here or in the journal itself). In any case, thanks for reading.
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Characters, Plot, and Themes / Re: Masamune power theory
« on: July 24, 2008, 01:20:16 pm »
By the time Frog fights Magus, he's beginning to awaken to his creative will. What I mean is that he's acting out of a real desire to change the world, not purely to find atonement or vengeance. Magus, on the other hand... as admirable as he is in some ways, his grudge against Lavos is fundamentally a case of arrested development. Magus is trapped by the past.
Now, Masa and Mune are dream creatures, and the Masamune gains its power directly from the will of the person wielding it. Thus, I think it is more powerful in the hands of a person who is oriented toward the future. One might compare it to the Time Egg, which is just a catalyst that combines the effort of the PCs and the dream of the planet into a magical effect. IMO, Magus has no vision for the world post-Lavos, he just wants to kill the SOB. That would make the Masamune (or any similarly-powered weapon) useless to him.
Now, Masa and Mune are dream creatures, and the Masamune gains its power directly from the will of the person wielding it. Thus, I think it is more powerful in the hands of a person who is oriented toward the future. One might compare it to the Time Egg, which is just a catalyst that combines the effort of the PCs and the dream of the planet into a magical effect. IMO, Magus has no vision for the world post-Lavos, he just wants to kill the SOB. That would make the Masamune (or any similarly-powered weapon) useless to him.
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Characters, Plot, and Themes / Chrono Trigger: An Existentialist Reading
« on: July 24, 2008, 12:59:27 pm »
I've just finished a pretty lengthy analysis of Chrono Trigger as it relates to philosophy, especially existentialism. I'm not a regular on these forums, but because Chrono compendium was such an invaluable resource for me, I thought I'd post the finished series here. It's a 6-part series on my LiveJournal; the following link goes to an index of all six entries.
Chrono Trigger Analysis
Each of the entries starts with a partial synopsis of the game that will be old hat to all of you. The commentary comes at the end of each article and is marked as such. I'd appreciate any feedback.
Chrono Trigger Analysis
Each of the entries starts with a partial synopsis of the game that will be old hat to all of you. The commentary comes at the end of each article and is marked as such. I'd appreciate any feedback.
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