alias_sqbr (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alias_sqbr) wrote2019-03-21 07:18 pm
alias_sqbr) wrote2019-03-21 07:18 pm
Ozmafia: Robin Hood "Good" End
Reactions masterlist and character guide, also you can see all the characters on the website.
Time for the LEAST ACCURATE ROBIN HOOD IN THE HISTORY OF LITERATURE.
I enjoyed the first 80% of this and then it took a sudden, horrifying turn into NOPE.
I started with some spoilery discussion of what I've heard about other routes, specifically the brothel route, which also gets WAY darker than I was expecting. YES. EVEN FOR A ROUTE SET IN A BROTHEL.
nnng. Adding asterixes because you really want to note this content.
**** Content note: rape, ableism ****
Ok so I looked up some play order recs and got:
and
But also the brothel route is so rapey and unpleasant even otome fans consistently warn for it, which is...not a good sign.
I tried to avoid spoilers but apparently one of the dudes is married?? On the upside people seemed to like Scarlet's route and not find it too underage-y. Still, he has a similar sort of earnest tsundere warrior vibe to Pashet.
And I kind of want to do another of the main 3 Oz dudes, so I don't have to break Axel's heart when I do the minor paths. Caramia seems like the kind of benevolently sexist dude I'm expected to see as the perfect man but don't. Meanwhile Kyrie is an ass, but you're expected to see him as one, and he clearly has hidden depths.
But one review said he's in love with someone else which sounds frustrating after the ambiguity of Pashet.
I VERY NEARLY went to the brothel, but then (WARNING FOR SO MUCH RAPE) read a summary and OH MY GOD?????
What the hell?!
MAYBE NOT, THEN
OK
SO
Let's romance the masked doctor, huh? I'm curious about him too, and HE SEEMS NICE.
...wow this walkthrough STARTS with an image of his (rather bland looking) face without the mask??? THANKS WALKTHROUGH. *uses a different one out of spite*
ANYWAY.
Fuka: You have a beak, can you fly?
Fuka. Fuka my friend. You are so dumb.
Then follows a rather morbid conversation on the practicalities of people throwing themselves off cliffs (to test flight or otherwise), and the aftermath.
Fuka: Aren't you scared?
Robin: The dead can't hurt me. Now, the living...
He asks if she's scared of anything, and she says she can't think of anything, which he likes in a patient.
OOH. I get a little extra Pashet scene because I just played her route! I thought I only got that on my next Pashet playthrough but I guess not. That's going to get crowded when it's all 7 extra routes showing up.
Pashet asks her catboy second Bercy how he feels about being the only man in the Boots famiglia. He says he's fine with it: his family has served hers for generations. But he's less enthused about having to do fencing practice because he doesn't like violence, aw.
Considering how tragic and awful Manboy's route is I'm extra glad I just looked up a summary, having him and the others show up would feel weird.
Fuka asks "Dr Crow" about his famiglia affiliation. He says he has none, but if he had to choose, it's his clinic, Sherwood Clinic.
After Fuka throws herself into danger, Robin tries to persuade her to be more careful.
He basically never leaves the clinic, because someone might need him at any moment.
"Ah, the beauty pageant. My wife was so happy when she won..." IS HE THE MARRIED GUY?
And the walkthrough says to say "I want to win" instead of "You're married"??
Oh god. I THOUGH MAYBE WIDOWER BUT HE REALLY IS MARRIED. His wife is "busy".
OK. A FRIEND KINDLY SPOILED ME. HIS WIFE IS IN A COMA OR SOMETHING.
I haven't gotten any more Pashet scenes, I guess it's just one extra scene per route and hers just happened to be early on. That's more sustainable, even if I'd love more pashet content.
Fuka comes across a pretty blonde man napping in the clinic.
Fuka: Are you a relative of Doctor Crow's? You don't look a bit like him.
FUKA
Fuka: You can't be Dr Crow! He has a dark face and a beak!
Robin: Do you mean this? *grabs mask*
Fuka: DOCTOR CROW'S SEVERED HEAD D:
AND THEN
SHE FAINTS FROM SHOCK
And the next time she visits she still doesn't get it until he explains VERY SLOWLY.
She asks why he hides his pretty face with a mask and he says he has to. (Edit: THIS IS NEVER EXPLAINED)
Fuka asks if it's true what they say, that Robin can cure any illness. He gets a bit pensive and says he can these days. She asks if it's a lot of pressure, and he says it was at first, but you get used to everything over time. Even dead bodies become normal.
Hansel and Gretel bump into Fuka at the clinic and Gretel suggests hurting her to get back at Oz.
Robin: Violence in my clinic will be responded to with extreme prejudice. Medicines can easily become toxins. Mincing you up with a scalpel might be nice too ^_^
OK THEN ROBIN
Once they're scared off he cheerfully invites her to have tea. Fuka is explicitly attracted to him in a way I don't remember her being with Axeleven though Axel is hotter.
Fuka and Robin discuss the later fight with Famiglia Grimm, as an injured Axel sleeps in the clinic beside them. Robin says civilians like Fuka are powerless in such fights, and often die.
Robin: The mafia and their little battles are so troublesome. Do they really think the work they do for the public good absolves them?
I'M GLAD SOMEONE IS ASKING THAT QUESTION
Fuka says she wishes more mafiosa were like Scarlet, who solves arguments with negotiation, but Robin says it's naive to think that's always possible.
After Fuka throws herself into ANOTHER dangerous situation Robin says she's clearly never going to stop, and he worries about her.
Robin: Maybe I should lock you up somewhere to alleviate my fear.
*bumps Robin up the "predicted yandere-ness" scale a few notches*
(that or this is a Northanger Abbey situation where we're led to think he murdered his wife or something)
Caramia sees Robin without his mask and says it's been a few years, and that it's a pity to hide such a handsome face. *I can ship this too, why not*
Fuka asks if Robin has kids and he says no, then asks if she plan to have any.
Fuka: I haven't thought about it, I don't even have a boyfriend!
Robin: I'm sure a sociable girl like you will have one in no time.
But when she is too happy about him saying that for his comfort, he says that was an empty compliment, that it's always easier to say what other people want to hear.
Awww Robin worries about the Wolf Gang because they never come to the doctor. Fuka says he's nice and he disagrees.
I got curious, since this is the last pre-path date choice, and checked Pashet and Axel. And it's the same date you'd get if you'd been dating them all game. Which isn't unambiguous romance/close friendship, but is a little more friendly than would be entirely in character for a tsundere who's been ignored all game.
Fuka asks Robin if his wife minds him working such long hours and he says no, then coldly tells her to stop poking her nose into his private life.
On the Robin path!
Fuka asks the Oz boys about Robin's wife but they just say No Comment. And Pashet says Fuka should leave it be, for Robin's sake.
The next time she sees Robin, he apologises for having been so harsh. She apologises for being thoughtless and nosy. Robin says he hopes he'll be able to tell Fuka one day, and introduce her to his wife, who would like her. Fuka says she looks forward to it.
Fuka goes to the Meteor festival alone. She feels a confusing bittersweet pain at the thought that Robin might be with his wife, and goes to visit the clinic, trying not to get her hopes up that he'll be there.
But he is. He says he's learned not to wish for things that will never happen. "The more you believe in something the greater the shock when your expectations are betrayed. That's why I don't believe in anything"
Fuka: Does that include people?
Robin: It's easier this way. We are all ultimately alone.
Fuka: I don't believe that. I was alone but then I met the Ozes.
Robin: Did it ever occurr to you they're using you for their own ends?
Fuka: I'd be happy to be useful!
He says they think very differently, but he won't try to persuade her to change. She asks to call him "Dr Robin" from now on and he is pleased.
Fuka ponders whether she should continue just being taken care of, and Robin suggests she become his assistant, earning enough money to pay the Ozes rent. The Oz boys are happy for her, but feel a little bittersweet since it's a step towards her leaving them: probably for the best, but still a bit sad.
Axel visits the clinic to check on Fuka, and I'd be annoyed at his surprise that she seems to be competent...but I'm surprised too.
This is the point where the background music looping annoyed me enough that I turned it off, which is actually way better than most games do.
Pashet: You said the doctor wasn't wearing his mask any more. I wanted to see his face again.
Caramia: I said he took it off once, and it was as pretty as ever.
Robin: Interesting hearing I'm pretty from another man.
Caramia: But it's true. I'm sure the signorina thinks you're handsome, right?
Fuka: Of course!
Robin: You say that in front of me so easily...
Fuka: Is that bad?
Robin: No, it just reminded me how young you are.
Kyrie visits and says they're like a married couple, much to Robin's annoyance and Fuka's confusion.
Robin invites her to stay for dinner. Fuka checks that his wife would be ok with it, and can't help thinking about what Kyrie said.
Robin leaves Fuka in charge while he makes a housecall, clearly trusting her to handle basic first aid at this point. She wonders if she should study to become a doctor but trying to read one of Robin's medical books makes her head hurt. And then she notices a strange metal door at the back of the room...
...but it's locked. FINE.
He comes back and asks if she went into the back room, and Fuka feels so guilty she cuts herself. At first he seems angry, but it's just because she hurt herself. He says reminds him of his wife: clumsy, hardworking, and innocent. "Maybe that's why I can't ignore you".
Whoa and then later he straight up asks if she is in love with him!
Fuka: Um. What would you do if I was?
Robin: Nothing. You have a right to your feelings. Anyway, can you come in early tomorrow to help me reorganise the shelves?
Fuka: ...ok :(
(I ship it. It's a weird dynamic, and very unbalanced, but it kinda works)
One day she comes in to find the clinic empty and the mysterious door...ajar!
In the room are scattered papers, weird machines, an odd sound like wind or moaning...and a beautiful woman in a glass case.
Fuka freaks out, and leaves. Just as she's deciding if she should go back to work she bumps into DORIAN GREY AHHHHH. He takes her to the church where she explains what happened and Dorian implies "the woman" is some patient Dorian failed and is covering up. Wow, screw you Dorian.
Fuka: Well the most important thing is...that I apologise for missing work!
Honey /o\
Robin is pissed but WEIRDLY ENOUGH it's more about the invasion of privacy. He tells her to go home.
Seeing how sad she is, Caramia asks what's wrong, then when she explains encourages her to keep apologising until Robin forgives her.
But when she gets there, he already has. He explains that his wife was shot on their wedding day, and so far he's only managed to wake safely her once, for a few minutes.
He takes Fuka to meet his wife again. Fuka sees the love in his eyes for his wife and feels melancholy.
Fuka: I'm jealous. It...must be nice to have someone you care about like that.
Robin: I'm sure you will one day.
Fuka: (It would be nice if it was him. But that is never going to happen)
Robin talks about meeting his wife when she was a nun with Dorian Grey (A nun or a "nun"...) She visited the clinic to see Robin, just like Fuka. Fuka tells Robin she likes the gentle smile he gets when he talks about his wife.
Fuka tells Robin she heard the Oz boys talking about Hamelin being in town and he gets very grim.
Later he shows up to her room late and night and acts like he hasn't seen it before which is a BLATANT CONTRADICTION OF AN EARLIER SCENE but never mind. He says it's cute, then asks if she still has feelings for him.
She says yes and he says he loves her too.
Me: Aww. I'm not sure how they'll resolve this but it's sweet.
Fuka: What about your wife?
Robin: Let me worry about her.
Me: Uh.
Fuka: What did you just put into my mouth?
Robin: A drug to open your mind a bit. Girls like you are hesitant late bloomers.
WHAT
WHAT
WHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTT
FUCKING GENTLE VOICED OLDER MEN WHO OFFER TEA
The next morning she can tell it wasn't a dream because of the MARKS HIDDEN UNDER HER CLOTHES WHAT THE FUCK
Also it looks like he stole some guns from the Oz armoury, though noone but Fuka suspects him.
Fuka finds Robin in his wife's room with a gun.
ARE YOU GOING TO SHOOT YOURSELF YOU GODDAMN RAPIST??
But no. he's going to shoot Hamelin, who shot Robin's wife after pretending to be his friend.
"It's all his fault! The reason she can't wake up and I can't trust anyone any more!"
*plays tiny violin*
Once he kills Hamelin he'll be arrested and won't be able to keep watch over his wife so he came to "say goodbye" eg pull the plug.
Jesus. I don't remember the last time I turned around on a love interest this fast.
Fuka: Give up your revenge and think about how to save your wife! Ask for everyone's help if you have to!
Robin: Ask for help...that might work...
Now I want Fuka to run off with the wife somehow this guy doesn't deserve either of them.
Bluh hamelin gets arrested, Fuka works by Robin's side knowing that "when he succeeds she'll have to give up her spot here to his wife".
UGH. This dynamic would work way better if they'd kissed and then decided not to go any further. It's not like the game even SHOWED the sex, what did it achieve??? Or he could have thought about raping her and then not done it, that would have fit the damaged-but-trying-to-be-good thing they're going for.
UGH and then the wife wakes up and tells him to pull the plug. She's been watching all these years and seen how sad he is and says he needs to move on and find happiness blah blah.
The funeral is attended by Dorian Grey and Manboy?? She was totally a sex worker.
Robin throws in his ring "along with his love for her" because "that's what she would have wanted". Which, apparently, yes, but urrrgh.
On the way back from the funeral a little bit of Fuka is happy and then she feels guilty about it. But then GODDAMN ROBIN asks if she still has feeling for him. ON THE WAY BACK. FROM HIS WIFE'S FUNERAL.
She says she does, and can't do anything about it.
Robin: I used you. Don't you think I'm a bad man?
Me: YES
Fuka: Yes. And you're unfair, too. You said I could keep loving you.
Robin: And you did.
He gives her a quick peck on the lips, laughing at her blush.
Closing credits!!
A...let's say a cute shippy scene. Considering.
Robin: You like me, despite my bad personality? Flaws and all?
Fuka: Haaaa
Robin: Are you regretting falling for me?
Fuka: No. But I do think it's weird.
Robin: If you figure out why you fell for me, I'll tell you why I fell for you.
Fuka: I'll do my best.
Robin: Your best...that's definitely one reason.
THE END
UH.
I think they were GOING for "girl falls for creepy dude, knowing he's creepy, and is not surprised when he continues to be creepy, but she finds out his Hidden Trauma and they work things out."
Except his earlier creepiness wasn't BAD just ODD. Being a cynical goth does not imply rape!! THINGS ESCALATED WAY TOO QUICKLY.
And of course all the Sick Wife stuff but URGH I CAN'T EVEN BE BOTHERED going into that. I AM NOT A FAN OF IT. It's one of my least favourite tropes at the best of times and THIS WAS NOT THE BEST OF TIMES.
I can see why Fuka was extra dumb though. It was going for that "innocent naive girl dates yandere older creepy dude and should by all rights be horribly murdered or something but her sweet kindness saves that day" vibe. HAKUOKI DID IT BETTER AND I STILL DIDN'T LIKE IT MUCH THEN.
Overall they needed to decide on one of:
1) genuinely self sacrificing decent guy who is a bit cold and standoffish because Trauma but ultimately Good
2) Gothic Morally Ambiguous Love Interest, who is unambiguously AWFUL to the heroine because of his trauma, but in a sexy way
and BE CONSISTENT. I can deal with yanderes! YANDERE IS NOT THE SAME AS GOTH.
Blech. NEXT TIME I AM LOOKING UP A SUMMARY IN ADVANCE NO MATTER HOW NICE THE DUDE SEEMS.
Time for the LEAST ACCURATE ROBIN HOOD IN THE HISTORY OF LITERATURE.
I enjoyed the first 80% of this and then it took a sudden, horrifying turn into NOPE.
I started with some spoilery discussion of what I've heard about other routes, specifically the brothel route, which also gets WAY darker than I was expecting. YES. EVEN FOR A ROUTE SET IN A BROTHEL.
nnng. Adding asterixes because you really want to note this content.
**** Content note: rape, ableism ****
Ok so I looked up some play order recs and got:
Caramia > Scarlet > Brothel > Robin > Hamelin > Pashet > Axel > Kyrie > Caesar > Soh > Grand Finale.
and
Brothel > Robin Hood > Hamelin.
Pashet,Scarlet, Kyrie and Axel can be done before or after the three routes above.
If you have done all of those do Caesar > Soh > Grand Finale.
But also the brothel route is so rapey and unpleasant even otome fans consistently warn for it, which is...not a good sign.
I tried to avoid spoilers but apparently one of the dudes is married?? On the upside people seemed to like Scarlet's route and not find it too underage-y. Still, he has a similar sort of earnest tsundere warrior vibe to Pashet.
And I kind of want to do another of the main 3 Oz dudes, so I don't have to break Axel's heart when I do the minor paths. Caramia seems like the kind of benevolently sexist dude I'm expected to see as the perfect man but don't. Meanwhile Kyrie is an ass, but you're expected to see him as one, and he clearly has hidden depths.
But one review said he's in love with someone else which sounds frustrating after the ambiguity of Pashet.
I VERY NEARLY went to the brothel, but then (WARNING FOR SO MUCH RAPE) read a summary and OH MY GOD?????
What the hell?!
MAYBE NOT, THEN
OK
SO
Let's romance the masked doctor, huh? I'm curious about him too, and HE SEEMS NICE.
...wow this walkthrough STARTS with an image of his (rather bland looking) face without the mask??? THANKS WALKTHROUGH. *uses a different one out of spite*
ANYWAY.
Fuka: You have a beak, can you fly?
Fuka. Fuka my friend. You are so dumb.
Then follows a rather morbid conversation on the practicalities of people throwing themselves off cliffs (to test flight or otherwise), and the aftermath.
Fuka: Aren't you scared?
Robin: The dead can't hurt me. Now, the living...
He asks if she's scared of anything, and she says she can't think of anything, which he likes in a patient.
OOH. I get a little extra Pashet scene because I just played her route! I thought I only got that on my next Pashet playthrough but I guess not. That's going to get crowded when it's all 7 extra routes showing up.
Pashet asks her catboy second Bercy how he feels about being the only man in the Boots famiglia. He says he's fine with it: his family has served hers for generations. But he's less enthused about having to do fencing practice because he doesn't like violence, aw.
Considering how tragic and awful Manboy's route is I'm extra glad I just looked up a summary, having him and the others show up would feel weird.
Fuka asks "Dr Crow" about his famiglia affiliation. He says he has none, but if he had to choose, it's his clinic, Sherwood Clinic.
After Fuka throws herself into danger, Robin tries to persuade her to be more careful.
He basically never leaves the clinic, because someone might need him at any moment.
"Ah, the beauty pageant. My wife was so happy when she won..." IS HE THE MARRIED GUY?
And the walkthrough says to say "I want to win" instead of "You're married"??
Oh god. I THOUGH MAYBE WIDOWER BUT HE REALLY IS MARRIED. His wife is "busy".
OK. A FRIEND KINDLY SPOILED ME. HIS WIFE IS IN A COMA OR SOMETHING.
I haven't gotten any more Pashet scenes, I guess it's just one extra scene per route and hers just happened to be early on. That's more sustainable, even if I'd love more pashet content.
Fuka comes across a pretty blonde man napping in the clinic.
Fuka: Are you a relative of Doctor Crow's? You don't look a bit like him.
FUKA
Fuka: You can't be Dr Crow! He has a dark face and a beak!
Robin: Do you mean this? *grabs mask*
Fuka: DOCTOR CROW'S SEVERED HEAD D:
AND THEN
SHE FAINTS FROM SHOCK
And the next time she visits she still doesn't get it until he explains VERY SLOWLY.
She asks why he hides his pretty face with a mask and he says he has to. (Edit: THIS IS NEVER EXPLAINED)
Fuka asks if it's true what they say, that Robin can cure any illness. He gets a bit pensive and says he can these days. She asks if it's a lot of pressure, and he says it was at first, but you get used to everything over time. Even dead bodies become normal.
Hansel and Gretel bump into Fuka at the clinic and Gretel suggests hurting her to get back at Oz.
Robin: Violence in my clinic will be responded to with extreme prejudice. Medicines can easily become toxins. Mincing you up with a scalpel might be nice too ^_^
OK THEN ROBIN
Once they're scared off he cheerfully invites her to have tea. Fuka is explicitly attracted to him in a way I don't remember her being with Axel
Fuka and Robin discuss the later fight with Famiglia Grimm, as an injured Axel sleeps in the clinic beside them. Robin says civilians like Fuka are powerless in such fights, and often die.
Robin: The mafia and their little battles are so troublesome. Do they really think the work they do for the public good absolves them?
I'M GLAD SOMEONE IS ASKING THAT QUESTION
Fuka says she wishes more mafiosa were like Scarlet, who solves arguments with negotiation, but Robin says it's naive to think that's always possible.
After Fuka throws herself into ANOTHER dangerous situation Robin says she's clearly never going to stop, and he worries about her.
Robin: Maybe I should lock you up somewhere to alleviate my fear.
*bumps Robin up the "predicted yandere-ness" scale a few notches*
(that or this is a Northanger Abbey situation where we're led to think he murdered his wife or something)
Caramia sees Robin without his mask and says it's been a few years, and that it's a pity to hide such a handsome face. *I can ship this too, why not*
Fuka asks if Robin has kids and he says no, then asks if she plan to have any.
Fuka: I haven't thought about it, I don't even have a boyfriend!
Robin: I'm sure a sociable girl like you will have one in no time.
But when she is too happy about him saying that for his comfort, he says that was an empty compliment, that it's always easier to say what other people want to hear.
Awww Robin worries about the Wolf Gang because they never come to the doctor. Fuka says he's nice and he disagrees.
I got curious, since this is the last pre-path date choice, and checked Pashet and Axel. And it's the same date you'd get if you'd been dating them all game. Which isn't unambiguous romance/close friendship, but is a little more friendly than would be entirely in character for a tsundere who's been ignored all game.
Fuka asks Robin if his wife minds him working such long hours and he says no, then coldly tells her to stop poking her nose into his private life.
On the Robin path!
Fuka asks the Oz boys about Robin's wife but they just say No Comment. And Pashet says Fuka should leave it be, for Robin's sake.
The next time she sees Robin, he apologises for having been so harsh. She apologises for being thoughtless and nosy. Robin says he hopes he'll be able to tell Fuka one day, and introduce her to his wife, who would like her. Fuka says she looks forward to it.
Fuka goes to the Meteor festival alone. She feels a confusing bittersweet pain at the thought that Robin might be with his wife, and goes to visit the clinic, trying not to get her hopes up that he'll be there.
But he is. He says he's learned not to wish for things that will never happen. "The more you believe in something the greater the shock when your expectations are betrayed. That's why I don't believe in anything"
Fuka: Does that include people?
Robin: It's easier this way. We are all ultimately alone.
Fuka: I don't believe that. I was alone but then I met the Ozes.
Robin: Did it ever occurr to you they're using you for their own ends?
Fuka: I'd be happy to be useful!
He says they think very differently, but he won't try to persuade her to change. She asks to call him "Dr Robin" from now on and he is pleased.
Fuka ponders whether she should continue just being taken care of, and Robin suggests she become his assistant, earning enough money to pay the Ozes rent. The Oz boys are happy for her, but feel a little bittersweet since it's a step towards her leaving them: probably for the best, but still a bit sad.
Axel visits the clinic to check on Fuka, and I'd be annoyed at his surprise that she seems to be competent...but I'm surprised too.
This is the point where the background music looping annoyed me enough that I turned it off, which is actually way better than most games do.
Pashet: You said the doctor wasn't wearing his mask any more. I wanted to see his face again.
Caramia: I said he took it off once, and it was as pretty as ever.
Robin: Interesting hearing I'm pretty from another man.
Caramia: But it's true. I'm sure the signorina thinks you're handsome, right?
Fuka: Of course!
Robin: You say that in front of me so easily...
Fuka: Is that bad?
Robin: No, it just reminded me how young you are.
Kyrie visits and says they're like a married couple, much to Robin's annoyance and Fuka's confusion.
Robin invites her to stay for dinner. Fuka checks that his wife would be ok with it, and can't help thinking about what Kyrie said.
Robin leaves Fuka in charge while he makes a housecall, clearly trusting her to handle basic first aid at this point. She wonders if she should study to become a doctor but trying to read one of Robin's medical books makes her head hurt. And then she notices a strange metal door at the back of the room...
...but it's locked. FINE.
He comes back and asks if she went into the back room, and Fuka feels so guilty she cuts herself. At first he seems angry, but it's just because she hurt herself. He says reminds him of his wife: clumsy, hardworking, and innocent. "Maybe that's why I can't ignore you".
Whoa and then later he straight up asks if she is in love with him!
Fuka: Um. What would you do if I was?
Robin: Nothing. You have a right to your feelings. Anyway, can you come in early tomorrow to help me reorganise the shelves?
Fuka: ...ok :(
(I ship it. It's a weird dynamic, and very unbalanced, but it kinda works)
One day she comes in to find the clinic empty and the mysterious door...ajar!
In the room are scattered papers, weird machines, an odd sound like wind or moaning...and a beautiful woman in a glass case.
Fuka freaks out, and leaves. Just as she's deciding if she should go back to work she bumps into DORIAN GREY AHHHHH. He takes her to the church where she explains what happened and Dorian implies "the woman" is some patient Dorian failed and is covering up. Wow, screw you Dorian.
Fuka: Well the most important thing is...that I apologise for missing work!
Honey /o\
Robin is pissed but WEIRDLY ENOUGH it's more about the invasion of privacy. He tells her to go home.
Seeing how sad she is, Caramia asks what's wrong, then when she explains encourages her to keep apologising until Robin forgives her.
But when she gets there, he already has. He explains that his wife was shot on their wedding day, and so far he's only managed to wake safely her once, for a few minutes.
He takes Fuka to meet his wife again. Fuka sees the love in his eyes for his wife and feels melancholy.
Fuka: I'm jealous. It...must be nice to have someone you care about like that.
Robin: I'm sure you will one day.
Fuka: (It would be nice if it was him. But that is never going to happen)
Robin talks about meeting his wife when she was a nun with Dorian Grey (A nun or a "nun"...) She visited the clinic to see Robin, just like Fuka. Fuka tells Robin she likes the gentle smile he gets when he talks about his wife.
Fuka tells Robin she heard the Oz boys talking about Hamelin being in town and he gets very grim.
Later he shows up to her room late and night and acts like he hasn't seen it before which is a BLATANT CONTRADICTION OF AN EARLIER SCENE but never mind. He says it's cute, then asks if she still has feelings for him.
She says yes and he says he loves her too.
Me: Aww. I'm not sure how they'll resolve this but it's sweet.
Fuka: What about your wife?
Robin: Let me worry about her.
Me: Uh.
Fuka: What did you just put into my mouth?
Robin: A drug to open your mind a bit. Girls like you are hesitant late bloomers.
WHAT
WHAT
WHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTT
FUCKING GENTLE VOICED OLDER MEN WHO OFFER TEA
The next morning she can tell it wasn't a dream because of the MARKS HIDDEN UNDER HER CLOTHES WHAT THE FUCK
Also it looks like he stole some guns from the Oz armoury, though noone but Fuka suspects him.
Fuka finds Robin in his wife's room with a gun.
ARE YOU GOING TO SHOOT YOURSELF YOU GODDAMN RAPIST??
But no. he's going to shoot Hamelin, who shot Robin's wife after pretending to be his friend.
"It's all his fault! The reason she can't wake up and I can't trust anyone any more!"
*plays tiny violin*
Once he kills Hamelin he'll be arrested and won't be able to keep watch over his wife so he came to "say goodbye" eg pull the plug.
Jesus. I don't remember the last time I turned around on a love interest this fast.
Fuka: Give up your revenge and think about how to save your wife! Ask for everyone's help if you have to!
Robin: Ask for help...that might work...
Now I want Fuka to run off with the wife somehow this guy doesn't deserve either of them.
Bluh hamelin gets arrested, Fuka works by Robin's side knowing that "when he succeeds she'll have to give up her spot here to his wife".
UGH. This dynamic would work way better if they'd kissed and then decided not to go any further. It's not like the game even SHOWED the sex, what did it achieve??? Or he could have thought about raping her and then not done it, that would have fit the damaged-but-trying-to-be-good thing they're going for.
UGH and then the wife wakes up and tells him to pull the plug. She's been watching all these years and seen how sad he is and says he needs to move on and find happiness blah blah.
The funeral is attended by Dorian Grey and Manboy?? She was totally a sex worker.
Robin throws in his ring "along with his love for her" because "that's what she would have wanted". Which, apparently, yes, but urrrgh.
On the way back from the funeral a little bit of Fuka is happy and then she feels guilty about it. But then GODDAMN ROBIN asks if she still has feeling for him. ON THE WAY BACK. FROM HIS WIFE'S FUNERAL.
She says she does, and can't do anything about it.
Robin: I used you. Don't you think I'm a bad man?
Me: YES
Fuka: Yes. And you're unfair, too. You said I could keep loving you.
Robin: And you did.
He gives her a quick peck on the lips, laughing at her blush.
Closing credits!!
A...let's say a cute shippy scene. Considering.
Robin: You like me, despite my bad personality? Flaws and all?
Fuka: Haaaa
Robin: Are you regretting falling for me?
Fuka: No. But I do think it's weird.
Robin: If you figure out why you fell for me, I'll tell you why I fell for you.
Fuka: I'll do my best.
Robin: Your best...that's definitely one reason.
THE END
UH.
I think they were GOING for "girl falls for creepy dude, knowing he's creepy, and is not surprised when he continues to be creepy, but she finds out his Hidden Trauma and they work things out."
Except his earlier creepiness wasn't BAD just ODD. Being a cynical goth does not imply rape!! THINGS ESCALATED WAY TOO QUICKLY.
And of course all the Sick Wife stuff but URGH I CAN'T EVEN BE BOTHERED going into that. I AM NOT A FAN OF IT. It's one of my least favourite tropes at the best of times and THIS WAS NOT THE BEST OF TIMES.
I can see why Fuka was extra dumb though. It was going for that "innocent naive girl dates yandere older creepy dude and should by all rights be horribly murdered or something but her sweet kindness saves that day" vibe. HAKUOKI DID IT BETTER AND I STILL DIDN'T LIKE IT MUCH THEN.
Overall they needed to decide on one of:
1) genuinely self sacrificing decent guy who is a bit cold and standoffish because Trauma but ultimately Good
2) Gothic Morally Ambiguous Love Interest, who is unambiguously AWFUL to the heroine because of his trauma, but in a sexy way
and BE CONSISTENT. I can deal with yanderes! YANDERE IS NOT THE SAME AS GOTH.
Blech. NEXT TIME I AM LOOKING UP A SUMMARY IN ADVANCE NO MATTER HOW NICE THE DUDE SEEMS.
no subject
On an unrelated (and much longer) note, have you heard of The Arcana? It's an American-developed fantasy otome game for mobile a friend recommended to me a week or so ago. It's still in development; there's three routes with good/bad endings and a fourth route's just been started. It's in a neat fantasy setting with a Tarot motif (hence the name) and the artwork and character designs are suuuuper nice.
Some of the paid content aspects are irritating and may be a deal breaker for you. For instance, without paying extra you'll read three chapters a day, and you'll have to pay again to re-read chapters, unless you use the other type of currency, which is very expensive to buy with real money and takes aaaaages to accrue for free.
That said, the routes themselves aren't locked behind paid content (you can use currency to reread chapters and unlock extra lore/shippy scenes, but you don't have to buy anything to get a 'good' ending) and the story is pretty compelling, so much so that I emailed my friend complaining bitterly about the paid currency then three days later emailed again 'I'm still playing it though'. :P
The art is very nice, there's a romance route with a female character (it's someone in a position of power and I haven't gotten far through the route yet, but the dynamic feels less creepy/inappropriate and more that she's Very Into the MC and shows it by constantly foisting nice clothes upon them) and it lets you pick between he/she/they as pronouns.
Excuse the long comment, but since you like other otome games, I figured I would mention The Arcana to you! I know you said your tablet/phone is very old but this game has a lot less 'moving parts', you could say, than Mystic Messenger, so you might be able to play it if you're interested.
no subject
Yes, I've heard of it! It's been on my "to play when I get a less terrible phone" list for a while. I think I played and enjoyed a pc demo waaay back. I'd just assumed it would crash my phone but you're right, it might not, I might give it a shot. Unlike mystic messenger it's not timed in a way that makes crashes infuriating.
no subject
Oh! Right, it should have been Bluebeard! Just the name would set up the right sort of red flags for future content before you got too deep in with him regardless of how he was acting, and it wouldn't even be a spoiler because the twist is that his wife ISN'T dead.
no subject
I KNOW. I kept waiting for some Robin Hood related content to show up but NOTHING. He's a creepy cynical pacifist gloomy loner doctor, none of which are words one generally associates with Robin Hood.