I going to say that this episode is a vast improvement over the last 2 episodes, thing felt like a cohesive package, yet id have to say it left me with a ton of mixed feelings.
Things that were explained were to the point yet, important basic things like whether the players are in the game or sitting at their home computer like dot Hack still are left out, or what are there classes, basic tech, what the purpose of the battle grid is or what it is, or a lastly the basic rules of the game. I getting the feeling you want it all shrouded in mystery but you need give at least shred of basic SOLID information about the world around the characters to chew on. For example the grid comes and goes and we are expected to just accept it. If its vial to the story we should know some basic information about it. Further more the if normal players cant fight, in the city without the grid, then why are the characters able to defend themselves, should they be running away or try to set up a grid? (I think that's was a missed opportunity)
The group debug name now seems to make sense in lieu of there objective but now still it poses the question, why are the "bad guys" trying to fix a problem, when they are the "bad guys", what happen to admins or mods or server checkers.
The episode also feels to be lacking character, and I cant put my finger on what it is.
Maybe its because the music doesn't set a mood and there is silence from it drones one into the other a just tends to get ignored or blocked out.
Maybe the characters seem to be a bit 1 dimensional for some reason, and some behave like background filler, rather than have interesting over generic feel to them.
Maybe its because the Voice Overs feel a bit read-dee in some areas and some things needed to be pushed more than they were.
Maybe its the fact that your colors are bland in everything (except for the voice avatars -VA-), making you feel tired or depressed. The VA's have vibrancy a pop to them (shadows/contrast) keeping you glued to the screen but once they get pulled off screen your loathed to see the bland depth-less "ingame" character counter parts, and backgrounds.
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For some reason the episode gave dull vibe to keep watching, maybe because of the main fact that the main characters (MC's) still have no objective at all not even a small one ( episode exclusive one) that we as viewers can look forward to or a set expectancy. (ex: we are going to the beach, <- automatically your given an expected goal in mind; MC's are going to have fun ) GIVE THE MC's Something to do, even if the main story goal is different than there initial objective, it seems like the "bad guys" the only ones that have a goal (a mysterious one at that) but there is noting the viewer to look forward to/expect to see at all. I understand you might be gearing up for something big but without an current objective or mini-objective it ends up giving a hollow why am i watching feeling like they are just floating in space until the real story or an event starts. Dragonaut does the same angle and looses a lot of people, because aside from the "mystery X creature/thing" their is nothing to else to sink your teeth into.
Why were they meeting up in the first place, we don't know. (no base objective was stated, and if it was the conversations weren't clear enough like the conversation between Nye and Kirb in Ep2 when they were hiding in the bushes)
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But thats about all i can say, really every thing else felt planed out and peaced together, jokes seemed more natural than forced. The Supporting characters stayed supporting (just a little too much though making them a tad bit forgettable IMO) and unlike the first two episode things felt like something happened, like the wheels of a story were actually starting to turn rather than just feel waist of time or a boredom filler, and I applaud your efforts.
Reviews for "TOME Episode 03"
Damn... that was probably the greatest thing I've ever watched. I've been a fan of a lot of these guys for ages. Kirbopher, CardGamesFTW, MasakoX, Shadyvox, etc. But it's only when the first episode of TOME was released that I truly saw the greatest use of all of your efforts put together into one brilliant collaboration, and it has only gotten better and better. It's definitely gone above my expectations. I have high hopes for the next episode. Brilliant shading on the character models too.
Call me cliche', but... it appears that the plot has thickened. Can't wait to see how things progress in Episode 4.
Better than the last two definitely. The characters are handled much better. The humor is better. I love how the situations were done because there are two different struggles happening and I was still able to follow both of them with concern. The cel shade that you have on the talking avatars works really well, but I feel that it should be applied to the rest of the scenes rather than just the avatars. I know that it means more work though, but it's just a thought. It was also nice to see Alpha and Flamegirl's relationship being mentioned without it dragging away from the main scenario.
The music is good to me. It reminds me of chiptunes from Megaman in his 8bit era. I also like how the music that is playing when Flamegirl is talking to her friends, plays on the upbeat on some of its hits, but I think that it needs to set the tone better. However, it does its job well enough for the purpose that it was made for in the first place.
You definitely put a lot more thought behind this one. I'm actually invested in this series now. I hope that you keep getting better at what you do. Keep up the good work!!
I like the new style of speech animation! As usual TOME lives up to it's original roots, and I might even say it surpasses them! Ravenfreak's new look, combined with the voice actor used to bring him to life was astounding! DemonKing is a welcome addition, as are SaturnDiva and Whity. Flamegirl and Alpha are beloved characters, and the relationship between them sets them apart from the others!
Great job Kirbopher, and here's too another job well done!
Great job to everyone involved, im really enjoying the series so far.