OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Prison (6)

I wonder what Freedan's style of fighting is like?

I proceed to take care of the green Dianogas...Now that's quick fighting!

I head back into Dark Space, where the statue of Freedan has been replaced by a running Will.


Now to transform back into Will...

But I'm stuck, as I can't reach the button, and transform back into the "Dark Knight" Freedan.

Freedan's sword is long enough to reach the bridge button, and we can cross forward.

The next monster we face is no ordinary Skeleton. After we take care of it, a floating skull's left, and he's a quick one!

We continue our escape, still as Freedan, but another floating skull stops our progress short! Dangit!

I'm now back at Will's prison cell...

...and I have to fight the monsters again! Plus, like in Soul Blazer, all of the Dark Gems that I collected are now gone!

Time to reclaim them back!

In the second Dark Space, I learn that Gaia can also heal wounds! Thank you, Gaia!

What a fun session tonight was!

And this is probably it for my playthroughs this week!

OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Prison (5)

No boss yet, thank goodness.

However, there are 22 monsters to take care of in this area.

Four green Dianogas! Aaaah!

After taking care of the west flank, a flash of light destroys the blocks in the middle, and opens a door to Dark Space!

There's also someone new there!


It's a statue of a man with a sword. I have Will approach him.


Long time?


Freedan: "Let me help you on your journey. As time goes by, you'll come to understand my nature..."

Now what's happening to Will? What is Freedan doing?


Oh my god!


As I control Freedan now, I talk to Gaia, who gives out more advice.


So this is more like a superhero form for Will of sorts, hmm?

I save and head back to the tunnel once more.

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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Castle (4)

Inside is another chest, and a will-o-wisp (probably a prisoner's soul or Gaia herself?) in the corner. The wisp gives us more advice, mentioning Dark Gems.


So that's what those small red things were! I thought they were money...

He adds that if we collect 100 of those Dark Gems, we get more health!

His last message is slightly encouraging, but still ominous.


We open the chest, and pick up our first Red Jewel!

We see the fairy, who runs and hides inside a dancing rose!


I'm betting like in Soul Blazer, this rose can talk.

I check the menu first to see our reward, the Red Jewel's warm flame blazing in its core.

The rose gives out another tip.


I hit the button, which bumps back up again.

So Grandma's melody is our next try. It works!


The tune's a bit calming, just like Grandma said.

Now something's happened, as someone gives us more advice.


Will dashes to the other side.

Voice: "The door won't open unless you push this switch on the count of three. When I shout, push the switch. I'll count 1, 2, 3. Don't make a mistake."

The countdown begins!


I fail the first time, though, as the voice tells I have to push both switches at the same time. Is that a translation error?

As soon as the display says 3, we hit the switch! It's all a matter of reflexes with this puzzle!

Now our ticket forward is open.


But, I have a feeling there might be a boss coming up...

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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Prison (3)

Into the next room, where after taking care of Dianoga monsters, another surprise awaits!


If Grandpa Bill designed this part of the maze too...

More stairs to climb...


A spear drops before the west exit! Treading carefully...

The red switch can't be pressed because it's "rusty"...

I head up, take care of more monsters there, and drop down to press that rusty button! A doorway opens, but I sweep the whole area of monsters before going in...

Up top, there's a Bat of a different color, with his four minions flying in formation!


The red Bat takes slightly longer to take care of, but I do it, opening another doorway forward!

I use up the Herb from earlier, knowing Will's health is almost gone...

And now for the rest of the monsters here...

...and Will wins another Jewel!

Let's see what's in this tunnel here...


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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Prison (2)

In the next room, we come across our first hurdle!


Not a problem...

There's a fluttering fairy (?) near the statue. Everytime I strike them with Will's flute, they respond...


We pull the statues away and continue our escape.

The fairy seems to say something else to us as they fly away, but I miss it.

I find out the map only shows the surrounding enemies, not everyone in the area. Plus, I see there's treasure here.

Spiked balls make their return. I hope there isn't any complex puzzles in this game too.


And as I take care of a Dianoga monster, Will takes his first hit!

I clear the rest, and Will grows ever more stronger!

I hit the red button, moving the spiked balls...


Oooo, I wonder what's inside?


As I recall Fidget's advice, I smash the chest open, or I approach it.

This Herb's going to be very useful...


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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 8: Escape From Edward's Prison (1) (TW: for bats, insects, skeletons for the entirety of Part 8)

We're now in our first dungeon!


Unfortunately, Will doesn't have a weapon equipped, only a melody to hum...

Just like what Gaia said, when I press start, I see a display of the enemies I need to take care of...


Three Bats, but no weapon.

In the next room, where the prompt tells us that we're officially inside the "inescapable" Underground Tunnel...

There's 15 monsters here in this tunnel.

By pressing A, or circle, I can attack the Bats! I return to the previous room and take care of the monsters there.


They usually take two to three hits from Will's Flute to go down!

After taking care of the Bats here, I win a prize!


It's a Health upgrade!

Will tells us the same thing Gaia said: if we take care of the monsters in one area, we win a Jewel!

Now to the next room...

A fireball tried to hit us as we go up the stairs to the other side of the canal, but it missed!

The fireball thrower's a green Dianoga-like monster in the water!

As soon as we take care of him, a shining light ascends and breaks through a cage, where a Skeleton is!


Now we continue as we have seven more enemies left in the tunnel...

I seem to do a lunge attack everytime I have Will dash.

A lunge attack delivers twice the damage to an enemy!

After I take care of the last monster, another Dianoga-like crawly, Will gets another Jewel, and a Strength boost this time!

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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 7: Imprisonment...In 2D! (3)

Will: "Do I have to...?"

Will's question is the same as mine.

The flute tells us about a "stone [our] enemy left." Enemy?


Flute: "That power will prove to be your ally..."

He tells us of our next mission.


What are the Mystic Statues?

Flute: "The closer you get to the Crystal, the stronger the evil power will be..."

Our next destination is to go to the Incan Ruins.

I hear an oink from somewhere...

I hope the Princess comes to save us...


Will asks if that's Hamlet. I'm guessing he is! There's a key and a note the pig's carrying! Yes, the Princess saved us!

We read the note.


"It's terrible what my father has done, but hear what I have to say. I too am a prisoner—in a prison of silk and gold. But tonight I will leave the castle forever. You also will be free."

Thank you, Princess. :)

I equip the key and open the door...

I see another portal to Dark Space in an empty cell, where Gaia gives out combat advice. So we are going to fight soon.


The start button, Gaia says, tells us where nearby enemies are.

I have a feeling that this might be a trap of sorts, doing this fetch quest. I'm worried that it might not be Will's father speaking through the flute at all...

OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 7: Imprisonment...In 2D! (2)



Whoa, what? The flute can talk?


Flute: "This is your father."

Huh?!

The flute, or the father speaking through it, compliments his son. He even asks about Grandma's snail pie!

Will: "Uh, sure Dad! Where are you?!"

Olman doesn't want to give away his location. Oh my god...


Now what should I decide here?

I go with the first choice.


So Will's father's trapped somewhere...

He tells us to look at the "left-hand wall" in the cell.

Something drops from the wall!

We get five of something!

The flute asks us about any news from Grandpa Bill, and mentions the stone from the wall has a "secret." Hopefully, it can take us out...

But the flute has more warnings to give us...


Oh boy...

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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 7: Imprisonment...In 2D! (1) (TW: mention of manipulation)

Back to another jail cell...

Aside: Counting my Berseria and Mana playthroughs, this is the fourth time a main character's in prison.


Will: "I wonder why I have to suffer so...I wonder what will become of me now."

Now we have to find an escape route...but how?

Will notices a ball-and-chain nearby. But who got free?

I'm still guessing the King and Queen are probably manipulated by some unknown force. I mean, why would they hire a hunter, and then lock Will up in a jail cell for not having a ring for?

I run and walk around the cell. Nothing.


Will: "These prisoners must have been encouraged by any sign of life..."

After a bit of wandering, we hear some soldiers talking...

...about bread and water.

A loaf drops down from the ceiling.


Poor Will...

"For some reason, he really misses Grandma's creative cuisine..."

How do we get out of here?


Will: "It pains me to think of the prisoners' feelings, not knowing what they should do..."

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OcamposMoon Plays Illusion of Gaia

Part 6: Edward's Castle (3)

The soldier calls to Princess Kara.


She begs Will to help her leave Edward's Castle.


The soldier tells us in a not nice way to leave!

Back downstairs we go, and upstairs to the west room the guard was formerly guarding...

The guards warn us to be careful when talking to King Edward.


King Edward mentions Will's "shabbiness" yet again.

He asks us if we have the Crystal Ring. I take awhile before answering. We answer honestly "no."


What the heck, Your Majesty?!

And then he has us locked up!

He also tells the guards to search for the Crystal Ring in Will's house!

Will begs for the Queen to save him...


Queen: "Did you say 'Ma'am?!'"

Queen Edwina pretends she heard nothing.