You thought there wouldn't be an update on Easter.
You thought
wrong.
Episode 2!
The Gaiking plot starts (and never stops)!Remember the kid, Daiya, from the last update? He's on a beach now.
Daiya: The monsters are coming, just like five years ago! Why doesn't anyone believe me? Drats.
Naoto: Because it's... kinda hard to believe, Daiya.
Naoto, ordinary schoolkid and (against his better judgement) Daiya's only friendDaiya: What's so hard to believe about giant, armored beasts summoned by the black flame?! Besides, one of them was different. It was friendly, and five years ago I ended up on board! There were people there and they gave me this.
Naoto: This lens, I know. You said so already, but... ow! It's really warm!
Daiya: Hey, it really is! What's going on?
Boom! Explosion time! The best time to return back to Dannar Base.
Kiriko: Now you say you forgot your past, Mist... How awfully convenient... and suspicious.
Mist: Not as suspicious as Gou marrying your daughter. How young is she? Is that even legal?
Alert!
Mist: Good timing.
Momochi: Ma'am, an unidentified force is attacking! It's not the Mimetic Beasts!
Kiriko: Dannar Base crew, get going! Kouji and Sayaka - I'm sorry that you got dragged into this. You don't have to come and fight now. In fact, you shouldn't.
Kouji (Kabuto): What, Mazinger and not fighting? No way! See, Professor Yumi is okay with us tagging along.
Main screen turn on.
Professor Yumi: The enemy that just appeared is most likely the Darius Empire. It is a mysterious group that was off our radar until not too long ago. The one thing we know about them is that they want to conquer the world (OF COURSE). And yes, I give permission for Kouji and Sayaka to fight them.
Kouji (Kabuto): Thank you Professor Exposition!
Sayaka: Thanks, dad!
Kiriko: Sigh... I need a drink.
And so, everyone went to fight the monsters!
Suspage: Yes! Nobody can stand in the way of Darius Empire! Submit now, pitiful worms, or be crushed under these giant feet! Most fabulously.
Suspage, Kefka-wannabeSuspage: Oho, the resistance arrives. I will be your villain of the day, so do me a favour and DIE!
Kouji (Kabuto): These things look like Mechabeasts! Is that bastard Doctor Hell, back!
Kouji (Tetsuya): Hey, look at that weird battleship!
Shizuru: Why are you out of your bed, Kouji?
Gou: Watch out,
they're attacking!
The battle starts! Enemies aren't too tough (it's only the second stage), but that's enough to make an impression on a young mind.
Daiya's mom: Wait, where are you going? Daiya! Stay right here!
Daiya: No, mom! I'm sorry but I gotta go! These armored beasts are back! That means... that means we can find father! I know he didn't die five years ago!
Daiya's mom: It's dangerous outside! These monsters are out there!
Daiya: I know, which is why I gotta go! They're the key!
Naoto: A harpoon?! He's going to fight them?
Mist: There're two enemy types! This one's even uglier, I'll shoot it!
Shizuru: Engaging sniping mode.
Supporting fire!
Okay, it wasn't an actual offensive support. Supports work slightly differently in K than in other SRW titles. We will see soon enough.
Boss: You didn't think I'd call it quits, right? Ha ha ha!
Watch this, Boss Borot's real power!
I can't believe that worked. Boss's attacks are so hilariously weak, the game takes pity on us and summons mysterious stranger reinforcements.
See?
Kiriko: What is this now?
Kouji (Kabuto): A giant dinosaur ship!
Kagemaru: New vessel, identify yourself!
Captain Garis, the masked commanderGaris: My name is Garis and this is the Daiku-Maryu. It is the mission of my men to battle Darius. We will lend you our assistance!
Suspage: The rebels are here! Lucky day - helmsman, change your direction so we can fire at them!
Kouji (Tetsuya): Friendly reinforcements! Excellent opportunity to show everyone what G Gunner is capable of. Okay!
Strong Buster - FIRE!Gou: Let's go, Anna! Godannar Twin Drive, combine!
Anna: Alright, Gou-chin!
Kouji (Tetsuya): Please don't steal my spotlight, Gou-chin...
Gou: Ahh, don't call me Gou-chin!
Anna: Gou-chin!
Gou-chin: Groan... what is it, Anna?
Anna:
We're under attack!
Suspage: Damn! Damnation! How could that miss? And what's with the triple take attack!?
Daiya: Okay. I have a harpoon and the big beasts are really... big. But I have the height advantage! I'll jump on them!
Mysterious voice: Can you hear me? Please leave this place. We're fighting and it's really dangerous.
Daiya: A girl? A girl's voice... coming from my lens! Wait. A girl gave me that lens five years ago! It was you, wasn't it?
Voice: Umm... well, you have to go now or you will get killed!
Daiya: I can't do that! Okay, time to pretend this is One Piece. Jump!
Voice: Captain! That boy just jumped off a high tower! He will get killed!
Garis: We must rescue him. Daiku-Maryu, move out immediately!
The giant dinosaur-like machine saves Daiya in the only way possible. That is, by eating him. Wait, what?
Daiya: Woah! Woah! I was eaten! Wait, a giant robot? What's going on!
Daiya: Why did I turn Super Saiyan?
Voice: That wasn't supposed to happen... but it seems you are the chosen one! You are the only one capable of piloting this machine - Gaiking. It woke up because of your Flame.
Daiya: I don't get it...
Voice: In short, we want you to get out and use Gaiking to fight the enemy.
Daiya: Woah, that was fast! Can I really do that?
Shizuru: Sniper Shot!
Suspage: Not so fast!
Engage the Monty Python cannon!
Suspage: Hey, where did all the beasts go?
Kouji (Tetsuya): Hehe... I was the hero for a day after all.
Suspage: This doesn't look good...
: Don't forget your original mission, Suspage. This was only a diversion.
Suspage: You!
: Why don't you retreat for now? Here, I brought a few friends to cover your escape.
Suspage: Grr... withdraw!
: Smart boy.
Anna: Gou-chin, look! Mimetic Beasts!
Kouji (Kabuto): What, we're going mimetic now? That doesn't make any sense!
Suspage's battleship withdraws in this stage if you either shoot down all his mooks or the ship's HP drops under 6000 HP. You
can drop him and get some extra items and money for your trouble, but that requires careful preparation. Preparation I do not have the patience for! Ha ha ha!
Ahem, please disregard that last sentence.
Garis: More enemies appear! All units, scramble and cover Gaiking. Serpent, Stinger, Bunker Crab - go!
Gaiking support pilots role call!
Puria, hot-headed ace dogfighterLee, laidback martial artistYanma, Hacho and Bubi - bumsLee: Here we go... alright, Gaiking. We've got your back.
Yanma: We're totally trustworthy. Believe us.
Bubi: Yup, yup.
Puria: Hey, less chatter, more support fire!
Despair Sight!
The enemy is kinda out of their league. Even if they cheat by stacking two units on one tile! But wait, what's this!
Single units whose pilots have the Combo Attack ability can hit both enemies in a group. Or if the ability's rank is high, several groups at once. This only works with certain attacks, and there's a drop in damage drop.
Unfortunately, so far the list of our people with Combo Attack includes Mist, and Mist alone.
Garis: Daiku-Maryu, engage the opposition. Mr Rongo, prepare the Dragon Cutter!
Rongo, the unfortunately-named helmsmanRongo: Aye aye! Dragon Cutter!
Lee: Puria went on ahead as usual...
Yanma: We gotta help Big Sis, or she'll yell at us for being useless!
Lee: Then, let's do just that. Serpent Cannon!
Laying cover fire!
Daiya: Everyone's fighting, I gotta help them!
Voice: Quick, use the Despair Sight!
Daiya: How! Ah, this button? Okay!
Despair Sight!
Mimetic Beast: Gao...
Insert your own "if looks could kill" joke here.
The rest of the mission is pretty much a roundup of remaining enemy forces. It's almost like they were brought here only to buy time, not to destroy anything. But what are the odds of that?
For now, enjoy these dynamic kills.
Mist: Steard, beam gun mode on.
I won't miss!
Shizuru:
Spiral Stinger, engage!
Kouji (Tetsuya): Oh, I wish I was that Mimetic Beast for once!
Shizuru: Idiot.
Daiya: Let's try another attack!
Counter Cross!
Boss: No, my screentime!
Daiya: I knew it. Everything was real, all along.
Garis: We must depart immediately.
Daiya: Wait! I must know about my father! We got separated five years ago, when you rescued me! Tell me!
Voice: Do you want to know? If you learn about Daiku-Maryu and Darius, you cannot go back.
Daiya: Yes! I need to know!
Voice: Then, please come aboard.
Kouji (Kabuto): So it wasn't Dr Hell after all.
Garis: No. The Darius Empire exists in a different world, under the Earth's surface. There are portals between that world and Earth, and one is not far from here. The Empire seeks to expand itself at Earth's nations' expense. And we are here to stop that from happening.
Mist: Conquer, destroy... and here I expected some peace for a change. Conflict follows me whenever I go.
Kiriko: Ooooh?
Mist: Umm, I mean. My head. Ow, can't remember a thing!
Garis: I should return to Daiku-Maryu. I have a guest to attend to.
Daiya: Hello, voice! Where are you?
Ruru: Welcome on board of Daiku-Maryu, Daiya.
Ruru, operations officerDaiya: I remember! I really met you five years ago! You saved me from drowning! And then you gave me that lens!
Ruru: Yes. Because I believed you were the one chosen to pilot Gaiking. That one day you would help us.
Daiya: So, is this something special? Like a chosen one's ring or something?
Ruru: Actually, it's just a communicator.
Daiya: Oh... so, tell me! About that Darius thing!
Shizuka, Daiku-Maryu's chief engineerShizuka: Let's do that offscreen. Hello, Daiya. Nice to meet you. My name's Shizuka, and I'm the boss of the belowdecks.
Daiya: Offscreen? Talk about convenient!
Ow, the fourth wall. Jump cut!
: Don't forget your original mission, Suspage. Head for Kyuushu. If we wake up
that... it'll help everyone in our little group of friends.
Suspage: Tch. Who does this guy thinks he is? Some outsider thinks he can boss me around...
Daiya: So, you don't know about my father...
Shizuka: I'm sorry. Maybe the captain will know more! In the meantime, meet the rest of the crew.
Puria: So, this shrimp is Gaiking's pilot? I expected someone stronger-looking...
Daiya: Hey!
Puria: Well, whatever. Nice to meet you kid. Name's Puria Richardson.
Daiya: Urgh... tough to pronounce name... Nice to meet you, Puria Retardo-san.
Puria: HEY! You want me to break your arm?!
Daiya: Ow! What did I do now!
Gou: Anna... I'm sorry for earlier. I doubted your ability to fight. Or maybe I wasn't sure I could protect you.
Anna: Oh? So serious, no shanenigans? What's going on this time, Gou-chin?
Gou: But it changed. When we combined, all my doubts were dispelled! I... never told you "I do". Well, this is why we are here now. I do.
Anna: Gou-chin...
Gou: Anna...
Priest cameo: I'm still here, you know. Get a room you two.
Daiya's mom: What happened now, Daiya? Where are you going this time? Your hand! Is it broken?
Daiya: No, it's okay! Mom... I'm really glad that you raised me alone when dad went missing. And now, I gotta repay for that! I know he's alive. I'm off to find him! With Gaiking and Daiku-Maryu!
Daiya's mom: What are you talking about!
Daiya: Anyway... I'm off! Don't worry about me! Damn... I really should've said that in a cooler way...
Intermission time! And now we have something to play with.
A servomotor will upgrade Revlius's mobility. Hopefully Mist will get hit less now. What, you didn't know? He scored a hit for 50% of his HP this stage. This totally happened.
New units in our roster!
[spoiler]Daiku-Maryu: It's a battleship. That means it has lots of HP, an ability to dock and release units, and only average weapons. Well, the latter improves if Gaiking is not around on the map, but we don't want that, because...
Gaiking: In one word, powerhouse. It has really strong attacks and only keeps getting better as the game progresses. On the other hand, it runs out of juice really fast.
Stinger: Support unit. Can repair, can dodge quite well, fast too. Average weapons.
Serpent: Support unit. Can resupply, a decent attacker. I would be unwise to totally ignore Lee, because he gets a huge upgrade later.
Kani Tank Crab Bunker: Support unit. Do we see a pattern yet? Tankiest of the three, worst dodging. Can resupply. Has three pilots - just like Boss Borot![/spoiler]