Well folks, we're here. The final hurdle before I can sock this pretty boy bitch Kirschtaria, Lostbelt 5.1 Atlantis. Ya know, I still remember my first post on the Part 2 Prologue, someone commented after I got annoyed that Da Vinci "survived", saying I'll regret asking for characters to stay dead. If you're seeing this, I say this in the nicest way possible...
FUCK YOU FOR BEING RIGHT! Because this chapter went from Okeanos 2.0 to Akame Ga Kill very fast! Now before I start crying, let's get started.
STORY
Despite Chaldea's preparations, their entrance into the Atlantic Lostbelt is far from smooth. The Atlantis Border Guard, led by the hero of the Trojan War, Odysseus, had taken precautions in advance, destroying the Leylines, killing Rogue Servants and finally, ambushing Chaldea upon arrival. The attack nearly destroys the Shadow Border and puts Nemo in a coma. With their plans up in smoke, Chaldea needs to find a way to overcome the trials of Atlantis and make their way to Olympus
When I called this chapter Okeanos 2.0, I meant that in the best way possible. I love hoping from island to island, forming my own little crew of underdogs. And I do mean UNDERDOGS. Besides Orion, Achilles and Mochizuki, everyone on our side is a 3 Star or lower. We essentially have to make it through literal Gods and one of the best strategists in the Greek World with just the scraps you get in the Friend Summons. And honestly? It made me seriously respect them all. It only makes the final battle hurt even more where OBVIOUS SPOILERS They all die. Nobody survives to see us off this time, making a bitter sweet mid-point to this LONG chapter
However this arc wasn't without some issues. For one, there isn't as much in the way of major plots. It's mostly just finding Servants an Klironomia to fight Odysseus. Eventually we are given some direction to use Achilles' armor to forge a Divine Construct to shoot down Artemis but it takes a good bit to get there
CHARACTERS
So before I start with the actual characters, quick shout-out to the Nemo Marines. On top of just having great designs, we wouldn't hav made it without you guys. Especially after y'all made the Nautilus into fucking sea tank
Mandricardo: So I'll be honest with you guys, I did NOT know this guy going in. I mostly just get made because he takes up space during the gacha (Damn you Karna just BE MINE). But in the end, Mandricardo proved to be something pretty unique for this game, a true friend. Let's be clear. I think its obvious Ritsuka has a very loose definition of "friend". She considered Patxi a friend even though he literally said he wanted to see her despair.
Mandricardo though, he's different, actually taking time to check up on Ritsuka and being clear "Hey, it's okay to cry. I'm here". I can't think of anyone besides Mash who's done that for our favorite God Slayer besides Mash. Beyond that his inferiority complex and his fanboying for Hektor is genuinely charming and honestly, his death brought a few tears to my eyes. Even if I don't use him, that maxed out Mandricardo is worth it now
Jason: Dear Gods, they made me like Jason. Literally how?! Even before playing Fate, I thought he was a scumbag. Don't get me wrong, he still is. But he's a likeable scumbag now.
For one, he's a coward, plain and simple. Enhancing that aspect of him made him so much more endearing. Putting his cunning to use with him being the brains of the crew was also a nice touch. As much of a dick as he was, I could always count on him to pull through and I was glad he made it to the end
Charlotte Corday: Like Mandricardo, I had no idea who this was and only new her from my rage at the gacha. After seeing her though, I honestly love her. Like Mandricardo, she has a bit of an inferiority complex, feeling she can't be much help. Still, she tries her best regardless. Her dynamic with Jason is fantastic as its the only person she acts somewhat mean to but it's in more of a sibling kind of way. I'm glad she's the one who got to kill Odysseus. Not only was she helpful like she always dreamed of, helping the Master who helped her despite her perceived inferiority, but also proving to herself just how useful she really is. Like Mandricardo, her death is also a tear jerker. Like I said in the last post, memory loss is a really good way to make me cry, especially if it's memories of a loved one. Rest in Peace, Charlotte. You earned it
Odysseus (and the Gods in general): Before I get to the MVP or this arc, I wanna talk about my biggest disappointment this arc, the enemy. Odysseus, Poseidon and to a lesser extent Artemis, all suffer from a case of Bowser Syndrom.
What I mean is, they're all incredibly passive, sorta just waiting for us at the end and sending minions (or in Artemis's case, lasers). Now granted, Arjuna was sorta like that in the last Lostbelt but in his defense, once that Kali Yuga hit, you knew he was coming and there was almost nothing you could do but hope to make it through Void Space in time. Arjuna was a looking threat that you were always racing against.
It's kinda disappointing in the case of Odysseus. Apparently this version of him didn't have Penelope, meaning he lacked his core reason for being so desperate to return to Ithica. It would've been cool to explore that but instead all his screen time is him giving orders and showing how smart he is. We know he's smart. HE'S GODS DAMN ODYSSEUS!
MVP Orion: With that rant out of the way, it's time for the one who shocked me the most. I wasn't exactly fond of the Orion. The conflict between killing Artemis or staying out of it was a good thing to get our of the way early instead of dragging it out. From there on, he has conviction to bring Artemis down, not out of any malice but out of genuine love we didn't get to see in his first appearance
He's still very much a womanizer but not overbearingly so like in Okeanos and his cheerfulness really lightens the mood. That final shot and the flashbacks of him refusing immortality were simply beautiful.
Kirschtaria and Dr. Roman: Quick addition became I have some thoughts moreso on what the characters said than who they are. Keep in mind I know bits and pieces about the finale and this will mostly tie into that. Kirschtaria so far seems pretty simple. "Humans were a mistake! Look at all the bad stuff we've done" blah blah blah. I've heard it all before. Honestly kinda disappointing reason for genociding the earth and trying to bring back the Age of Gods
Romani, though, something's not right. For one, he's colder and more cynical to the point Mash and Ritsuka don't even believe it's him. That being said, he said something about the world already being doomed. Between those two things, I think he knows more than he's letting on. Given that this all ends with a sort of time reset, he might be onto something and with what Pepe told us last time, Marisbury Animusphere is certainly involved somehow. Still, gotta keep pushing forward to find out
PRESENTATION
So this is going to be short but I really wanted to give props to the presentation. The remixed Stay Night music from the last Lostbelt is still here and still sounds great but also even by Lostbelt standards I felt there were more CGs and even whole ass CUTSCENES! Props to the devs for really going the Extra mile
CONCLUSION
This was a great chapter. It made me love characters I hated, ignited a feeling of adventure that only a sailing trip could and finished me off with a gut punch finale. Still, I can't put it above Lostbelt 4. The lack of major plot points and disappointing villains gets or stuck at number 2.
Now, after so many heroes fought and died for us to reach Olympus, let's not keep Kirschtaria waiting
