Who the hell is Arnaud?

[[ZSU] Dave247]

Did I miss something, with how/why Arnaud suddenly switched sides and is now being hunted by the count for some unexplained reason? Or are we supposed to just accept what the game tells us? I was so confused when he showed up in chapter 7 without his armour and had no idea who is mystery character is that is helping them now and had to look it up, as they don't even call him by name in that first cutscene,

[Soul]

It is explained better later on in the story.

Arnaud (who is called "The Wall" when you first meet him) is the guy that knocks Alicia out shortly after she receives the crossbow and Hugo defends Alicia with rats. While his intentions for helping you aren't known yet exactly, he does mention he no longer wants to be in his mercenary band, and wants to escape the Count de Provence's men.

I should say that it was confusing for me at first as to why he just randomly decides to help Alicia and Hugo, but it is explained in a later chapter. Arnaud's story is probably my favorite story line in this game, but I digress.

[der.dida83]

I also meant to ask that. He tries to kill you, sends his men after you to kill you several times and then he suddenly decides to help you? WTF

They better have a good explanation later then...

[Soul]

Yeah, at first his only use to the party is that he claims to know where the island Hugo sees in his dream is. It does get better explained in a chapter or two, although I do agree it is quite confusing at first lol.

[[ZSU] Dave247]

Since when was he a mercenary, and not just a promoted guard/knight of the count though? I think the first time I even heard the word mercenary used in-game was from Alicia in (chapter 7?) when she says something like "That damned mercenary" which then poses the question, how the hell does she even know that?

I'm seriously starting to think there is some serious storytelling issues with the game, and it makes me worry what the rest is going to be like. From what I remember about the first game, I didn't think it was the best thing ever and while I'm sure there was things I disliked, I don;t remember questioning the story so harshly even before I was done playing it.

[Star Rain]

Look i get to make him hack enemies apart with his broadsword so im not asking questions.

[Soul]

Originally posted by ZSU Dave247:

Since when was he a mercenary, and not just a promoted guard/knight of the count though? I think the first time I even heard the word mercenary used in-game was from Alicia in (chapter 7?) when she says something like "That damned mercenary" which then poses the question, how the hell does she even know that?

I'm seriously starting to think there is some serious storytelling issues with the game, and it makes me worry what the rest is going to be like. From what I remember about the first game, I didn't think it was the best thing ever and while I'm sure there was things I disliked, I don;t remember questioning the story so harshly even before I was done playing it.

I agree that the storytelling in Requiem is a lot worse than the storytelling in Innocence. A main issue I had with Requiem is there isn't a clear enemy in the entire game, until about the last few chapters.

SOFT SPOILERS AHEAD (nothing concrete stated, but may accidentally allude to story spoilers)

Arnaud's story is super confusing at first, and then is shallowly told to you a few more chapters in, and then his full story is revealed right before he parts ways with the party. The way Arnaud's story ends though feels satisfying to a degree, but also lackluster in the grand scheme of the game. His motivations become clear before the end of the game, and if the story was about just him I think it would have been a good story for the most part. However, the way his story plays into the game itself feels out of place, and kind of thrown in to be a 'deus ex machina' solution. It just feels off, on top of me disliking the ending of the game in general.

[Lucifer_]

Originally posted by Soul:

Originally posted by ZSU Dave247:

Since when was he a mercenary, and not just a promoted guard/knight of the count though? I think the first time I even heard the word mercenary used in-game was from Alicia in (chapter 7?) when she says something like "That damned mercenary" which then poses the question, how the hell does she even know that?

I'm seriously starting to think there is some serious storytelling issues with the game, and it makes me worry what the rest is going to be like. From what I remember about the first game, I didn't think it was the best thing ever and while I'm sure there was things I disliked, I don;t remember questioning the story so harshly even before I was done playing it.

I agree that the storytelling in Requiem is a lot worse than the storytelling in Innocence. A main issue I had with Requiem is there isn't a clear enemy in the entire game, until about the last few chapters.

SOFT SPOILERS AHEAD (nothing concrete stated, but may accidentally allude to story spoilers)

Arnaud's story is super confusing at first, and then is shallowly told to you a few more chapters in, and then his full story is revealed right before he parts ways with the party. The way Arnaud's story ends though feels satisfying to a degree, but also lackluster in the grand scheme of the game. His motivations become clear before the end of the game, and if the story was about just him I think it would have been a good story for the most part. However, the way his story plays into the game itself feels out of place, and kind of thrown in to be a 'deus ex machina' solution. It just feels off, on top of me disliking the ending of the game in general.

The "clear enemy" is the macula

[Angrypillow]

His character was very poorly introduced. I couldn't figure out why Amicia even recognized him since you never saw his face prior to that point. Everything about his character's place in their group felt hamfisted.

[CeeRiL]

Yeah, Arnaud story is really confusing, I still have no idea why Arnaud hates the Count of La Cuna and wants to kill him or did I miss something from the dialogue?

Arnaud born in Guyenne - same place where de Rune family lives which explains why his shield coat of arms is a red Griffin (google Guyenne & Duchy of Aquitaine), not yellow-ish flower --> fought in battles between France & English --> knight of the Count --> ???? --> merc hired by Provence

[Lucifer_]

Originally posted by AngryPillow:

His character was very poorly introduced. I couldn't figure out why Amicia even recognized him since you never saw his face prior to that point. Everything about his character's place in their group felt hamfisted.

you did see his face prior to that point. maybe try playing the game with your eyes open

[Angrypillow]

Originally posted by Lucifer_:

Originally posted by AngryPillow:

His character was very poorly introduced. I couldn't figure out why Amicia even recognized him since you never saw his face prior to that point. Everything about his character's place in their group felt hamfisted.

you did see his face prior to that point. maybe try playing the game with your eyes open

Maybe try not being a complete douche farming for free jester points. The only time I ever saw his face was that moment where amicia recognizes him. The rest of the game prior to that point he was fully armored.

[[ZSU] Dave247]

Originally posted by AngryPillow:

Originally posted by Lucifer_:

you did see his face prior to that point. maybe try playing the game with your eyes open

Maybe try not being a complete douche farming for free jester points. The only time I ever saw his face was that moment where amicia recognizes him. The rest of the game prior to that point he was fully armored.

You do get to partially see his face for as few moments when he lifts up the visor, at least I think that was him and not someone else? Honestly I'm not sure, that's how confusing the whole thing is.
However the slit is extremely small and only shows his eyes, nose and mouth and nothing else so it's not something I paid much attention to, let alone be able to remember.

[Star Rain]

But he looks so badass taking on your foes with his sword and board, talking ♥♥♥♥ the whole time.

[Razadune]

Originally posted by AngryPillow:

His character was very poorly introduced. I couldn't figure out why Amicia even recognized him since you never saw his face prior to that point. Everything about his character's place in their group felt hamfisted.

You can see who he is prior to when he becomes important, but it'd be easy to understand how many people won't. There's a lot going on in that section, and it really needed a well-defined cutscene to make it clear who he is. I think most people are going to confuse The Beast and Arnaud at that point in the game and think they're the same character; I'm not sure why you wouldn't, really, which makes what comes immediately after that section fairly confusing at first.

[der.dida83]

Even after finishing the game I still don't understand why he suddenly decided to help you.

I understand what his goal was ( to get lead to the count and kill him )

But why all of a sudden? Why was he moments before Gung Ho about killing you? I don't see the character progression there although he becomes really cool/badass/likeable afterwards.