NFBE Chapter 200: If Elysia Dies, I Will...
Chapter 200: If Elysia Dies, I Will...
Chapter 200 - 200: If Elysia Dies, I Will...
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Versions 5.6 to 5.9 revolved around the Elysian Realm storyline. For players, these versions were relatively more relaxed; however, the narrative remained unpredictable and full of twists and turns.
In terms of characters, although each version introduced one new character, this pace was generally acceptable compared to earlier releases. Most notably, aside from initial S-rank characters, many others could be obtained through grinding gameplay.
Despite that, Stigmata and weapons still required drawing from gacha pools. To address this, the developers struck a balance by offering alternatives like Eden's Stigmata, which were not only powerful but also obtainable through grinding, making them versatile for various characters.
Each of these characters had their unique strengths: Pardo's versatility was unquestionable, effectively phasing out the once-popular Ana armor across several versions—though not entirely, as Pardo primarily focused on ice support, while Ana's armor excelled in elemental penetration.
However, when it came to energy regeneration, Pardo truly dominated. Additionally, as is well-known, supports endure while main characters come and go. Coupled with Pardo's appealing backstory and role in the plot, her popularity soared alongside positive reviews.
Griseo marked the long-awaited return of loli characters, instantly garnering significant fanfare just based on her archetype. It's worth noting, though, the frenzy among certain fans, particularly some bloggers leading the charge.
In terms of power, as a physical bleed support character, Aponia's strength is entirely satisfactory. As a lightning-based main DPS, she pairs perfectly with Eden and dominates under her exclusive weather conditions. However, when it comes to versatility, she falls short compared to another lightning-based main DPS, Mobius.
Nevertheless, compared to Mobius, Aponia's team composition is more established, and her gameplay is significantly simpler—almost mindless. With just one Aponia draw, even casual players can make waves in the Red Lotus of Extinction.
Lastly, there's Vill-V.
Undeniably, both in terms of power and character design, Vill-V holds her own. Unfortunately, she has the lowest ownership rate among these characters, primarily due to the upcoming release of Herrscher of Human, Elysia.
However, objectively speaking, Vill-V's strength is indeed commendable. Older fire-based main DPS characters simply cannot compete with her on this front. It's unfortunate, but since acquiring Elysia is a must, Vill-V, who debuted in the previous version, takes a backseat.
Additionally, in terms of popularity, Vill-V does fall behind the earlier mentioned characters, evident from the cosplay representation at comic conventions.
Version 5.6 was Pardo's time to shine. In terms of storytelling, compared to previous arcs, it unfolded at a more measured pace. Although there were twists and turns, they weren't so convoluted as to leave Captains utterly lost—after all, everyone understood the overarching narrative.
Raiden Mei ventured into the Elysian Realm seeking answers; her death could not be definitive, or else there would be no resolution for her character arc.
Thus, Aponia's actions undoubtedly had a purpose. Her persona made it clear that she couldn't possibly be a villain—and indeed, this proved true.
At present, most Captains' attention was focused on other characters, such as Kalpas.
This wasn't surprising. From both the written narrative and character development perspectives, considerable emphasis had been placed on Kalpas. The only comparable enigmatic figure, another outsider to the Elysian Realm, was Ana.
However, without question, Ana's storyline was not the primary focus within the Elysian Realm. After all, Ana was merely a visitor, and despite featuring prominently in many passages, her memory fragment rarely appeared herself.
Regarding Ana's backstory, one might say that much of it was already revealed from the beginning, albeit not immediately accessible.
At this moment, Captains still wore smiles on their faces, confident that everything was under control—a victory seemingly assured.
Just a minor Elysian Realm? We've got Raiden Mei by our side; let's handle it together!
This version had a remarkably relaxed atmosphere, whether due to its storyline or character interactions. Some players even temporarily abandoned their plot analyses amidst this vibe. Consequently, gamers subconsciously categorized the Elysian Realm as simple and straightforward.
The Captains seemed to forget they were playing a wholesome, uplifting game.
Not for a single moment did they mourn the departure of Version 5.6, as Version 5.7 swiftly arrived!
During the early part of the prerelease livestream, the entertainment value was commendable, albeit somewhat routine and unremarkable. Just as everyone was immersed in laughter over Fresa-kun's antics, she abruptly unveiled something new.
It felt akin to leisurely enjoying street snacks while strolling, only to suddenly hear a thud—the unmistakable sound of a flying knife lodging itself into someone beside you. As you turn with bewilderment, you realize, shockingly, it's your very own goddess!
Moreover, you think you caught some details, yet not entirely clear. You can't even determine if this is staged performance or a genuine incident.
However, no worries; this is just a sneak peek for the upcoming update. As everyone knows, Old Mi enjoys throwing curveballs. The true content can only be revealed by experiencing the storyline firsthand.
Our esteemed streamer, Brother Cake, also shared this viewpoint. Consequently, he paid little attention to the bullet comments and patiently awaited the update release.
This time, he refrained from making any bold predictions. After years of anticipation, he had grown weary. Moreover, he could distinctly sense the approach of heart-wrenching moments.
But here's the catch... This is the Elysian Realm, a world of memories. Everyone has long since passed away; they're merely memory constructs. How could it possibly hurt us emotionally? No matter how intense, it couldn't truly cut that deep, right? Many people held onto this belief.
Regardless, with these thoughts in mind, Brother Cake eagerly awaited the update.
As soon as the patch went live, Brother Cake didn't even bother with his usual card draws or stick to his regular streaming schedule—he started broadcasting early, waiting impatiently for the moment to dive in.
His enthusiasm was unprecedented, surpassing even the fervor during Genshin Impact's maintenance updates. It clearly demonstrated Brother Cake's unwavering love for Honkai Impact 3.
After acknowledging greetings from some loyal viewers, Brother Cake couldn't wait any longer and promptly launched the game.
"Honkai Impact 3! Launch!"
The initial part of the storyline unfolded exactly as Brother Cake had anticipated; it felt quintessentially Ellie. However, halfway through, with everything still calm and steady, his suppressed excitement began to surge anew.
"Brothers, I must say, the previous teasers were pure misdirection. How could they possibly stab Ellie like this? How? Someone tell me?" As he spoke, the narrative reached the segment involving the typewriter scene.
Initially, when Raiden Mei started
However, when the time comes... only one can exist: the true Ana or the Herrscher of Corruption Ana. At that juncture, the Captains... no, rather, they, how will they choose?
Ana smiled, genuinely delighted.
"Oh, oh dear, I truly am such a... devil."
Fortunately, Ana's thoughts remained unknown to both the stream viewers and MiHoYo's staff; otherwise, they might have wailed in despair. After all, her new ideas undoubtedly increased their workload, whether it be revising storylines or introducing new characters. However, despite the added burden, everyone would likely embrace it with mixed feelings of pain and joy.
Extending the main storyline essentially prolonged the game's lifespan, right? What do you mean, "What about a sequel?"
Frankly speaking, for a gaming company, dragging out the first installment as long as possible is more advantageous. Who wouldn't want to stay comfortably within their familiar zone for an extended period?
Thus, MiHoYo showed remarkable courage in pushing forward. But we must also mention their neighbor—a game from roughly the same era as Honkai Impact 3, which unfortunately suffered due to the new atelier's disastrous management...
The game won't go cold immediately, though, especially since development costs are always a concern. Even if many players publicly quit, the silent majority often continue playing without complaint.
Their presence allows developers to act recklessly, but ultimately, relying on past successes can only last so long.
Despite the barrage of mournful bullet comments, it didn't take long for Brother Cake and his viewers to accept Elysia's disappearance or presumed death.
The storyline subsequently revolved around investigating her fate, unfolding across multiple parallel threads. Essentially, almost every Heroic Spirit was involved, yet their efforts yielded disappointing results.
"Kevin...is he really this hesitant?" During the heated argument between Raiden Mei and Kevin, even Brother Cake couldn't help but comment. Although with a semi-omniscient perspective, he could see that Kevin had done much behind the scenes, practically speaking, Kevin appeared overly cautious and restrained. This behavior did not align with Kevin's usual assertive character; it felt...extremely stifling.
After all, Kevin is a warrior inscribed with the duty to save the world. Within the Garden of Eden, he should undoubtedly be the strongest.
Brother Cake's critique resonated with the viewers, sparking a wave of criticism towards Kevin. However, it remained lighthearted banter, acknowledging that unless there was a complete breakdown of his character, Kevin must have his reasons.
Unfortunately... despite extensive exploration and investigation by numerous Heroic Spirits, no progress was made.
Despite their impressive performances earlier in the storyline, Heroic Spirits like Aponia and Su had little to no effect now, leaving the Captains feeling frustrated and helpless.
But just then, he appeared! With boundless fury, he made his grand entrance!