what's wrong with Alisha leaving?

[Osamaru]

So, this was a pretty big complaint from some people, but I don't really get what the problem was/is. Ok, ya, it is not explicitly stated why, but it's pretty easy to deduce WHY she left, and why they let her.
The way people where complaining about it, they made it seem like she just left the Inn for the night or something, and never showed back up, with everyone actting like she never even existed, or something along those lines. Did they change the story flow from the console version or something?

[Stink Bug]

As I understand, in Japan prior to the PS3 release the advertising focused alot on Alicia and gave the impression she was to be the main heroine. Apparently some Japanese fans were angered when they discovered that wasn't the case, and more when the DLC was announced (wasn't originally intended to be free).

[Quote]

The problem is the story was written as if she was going to be your partner forever. She literally becomes your squire, but you forget about her and do the rest of the quest with Rose. To add insult to injury, they give her a set of costumes and DLC, but you'll only ever see it for the first 8 hours of the game. Then as a way to appeal to the fans, they release a (paid) DLC chapter featuring her as the main character, but goes against the mechanics of the game. Especially since all the promotional materials show her, not Rose.

I'd argue Rose is a way better character to play as, but that's besides the point. This was a bait and switch on the same level as Metal Gear Solid 2. People that played the game after the fact don't even realize that they got something that was different than what was promised. Still, this isn't the first time Tales studio does something like this. Vesperia's Flynn Scifo for example. Fortunately the story was written as if he was never going to join in the first place, so the one battle you get to join forces was actually meaningful.

[Zunnoab #931]

It's hilarious seeing this coupled with complaints that there aren't major spoilers. Boy would this actually be a big spoiler if everyone didn't talk about it all the time.

[Ryan Fenton]

It's a bit like Darren leaving in Bewitched. It's not so much her leaving, as it is the pure perceived artificiality of the replacement.

The whole reason she left was just a "oh, here's a new rule we've suddenly decided exists", followed by "oh, here's a new character playing the same role you have to start over with on skills."

I can certainly see why it would be seen as a '♥♥♥♥ move' by a LOT of players. You invest time and resources in a character, only to have that kicked away, and a new character put into that same slot... and then a DLC to purchase to even have anything to do with that old character again.

Another analogy would be the ending of Mass Effect 3. It's not even that the outcome is a kick to the stomach - so much as it is a sudden, with only bulls-hit explanation, switch of context entirely. Even if you consider the decision to change the focus all of a sudden a 'artistic choice" - the way it's switched with such dull artifice acts like a giant middle finger to anyone trying to interpret meaning from the work and their time spent in that world.

It's also why so many people disliked the ending to Battlestar Galactica. Sudden switches in focus in a story are annoying for invested fans.

Oh, and Ultima IX... just the whole game.

Ryan Fenton

[mystic]

Because she didn't die. If she had, it would have been seen as emotional and great storytelling :p

[Mist]

Originally posted by Yatagarasu:

The problem is the story was written as if she was going to be your partner forever. She literally becomes your squire, but you forget about her and do the rest of the quest with Rose. To add insult to injury, they give her a set of costumes and DLC, but you'll only ever see it for the first 8 hours of the game. Then as a way to appeal to the fans, they release a (paid) DLC chapter featuring her as the main character, but goes against the mechanics of the game. Especially since all the promotional materials show her, not Rose.

I'd argue Rose is a way better character to play as, but that's besides the point. This was a bait and switch on the same level as Metal Gear Solid 2. People that played the game after the fact don't even realize that they got something that was different than what was promised. Still, this isn't the first time Tales studio does something like this. Vesperia's Flynn Scifo for example. Fortunately the story was written as if he was never going to join in the first place, so the one battle you get to join forces was actually meaningful.

You're really comparing her case to Flynn who you NEVER get to play ? That's just dumb.

Want to compare?
Dude ♥♥♥♥ SE they didnt tell us Aerith would die and , by this, leave the party at the end of disc1 . Screw them, let's all ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥ every review about FF7 this piece of trash showing her in trailers and all.
Yeah, that's more like it.

Japanese where this dumb. It's pretty obvious why she left as far as story goes. She's also pretty boring. None of her dlc are lost and goes to Rose too.
What do you want them to do? Advertise the game with a disclaimer at the end "Spoiler alert : This character will leave your party early for plot reasons . " Yeah sure dude.

[Arsene Lupin]

Originally posted by Stink Bug:

As I understand, in Japan prior to the PS3 release the advertising focused alot on Alicia and gave the impression she was to be the main heroine. Apparently some Japanese fans were angered when they discovered that wasn't the case, and more when the DLC was announced (wasn't originally intended to be free).

I'm only six hours or so into the game, but Alisha is very, very much being portrayed as the game's heroine. She currently has more relevance to the plot and setting than all of the other party members combined.

[Adohleas]

Originally posted by Arsene-Lupin:

Originally posted by Stink Bug:

As I understand, in Japan prior to the PS3 release the advertising focused alot on Alicia and gave the impression she was to be the main heroine. Apparently some Japanese fans were angered when they discovered that wasn't the case, and more when the DLC was announced (wasn't originally intended to be free).

I'm only six hours or so into the game, but Alisha is very, very much being portrayed as the game's heroine. She currently has more relevance to the plot and setting than all of the other party members combined.

Get further and you forget and dont care about her as much. Even the DLC clothing that she wears can be worn on Rose.

[Ryan Fenton]

Really dumb? The only reason Alisha had to leave, and Rose had to join, was because, all of a sudden (without a game mechanic), Sorrey got sleepy during cutscenes, and Rose went from being afraid of ghosts to seeing them.

It's a completely artificial switch, which makes both the characters seem like just meaningless placeholders for a role, at least for a few hours. It's a big sinking feeling if you cared for those people as important parts of your journey.

It's just not a good use of storytelling time - or game time building up a character.

Oh yeah, it's also why Raiden from Metal Gear Solid 2 was ultra-unpopular for a very long time.

I'm sure there's other examples too. Shadow the Hedgehog perhaps. Tons of others. Replacement characters are rarely taken well.

Ryan Fenton

[aquapendulum]

Conspiracy theory: Something fell out mid-production with the Japanese voice actress of Alisha (which was Kayano Ai) and her contract with Bandai Namco ends for a time. Production must proceed to meet the deadline of the franchise's 20th anniversary, hence they picked a previously NPC into the party to replace Alisha's role.

[Fedorya]

I don't care about females in games, only true mens can save the world, females heroines should rest at home and take care of childrens O_O

Seriously : Don"t care about Alisha, she's boring anyway.
And plot wise, honestly, it better like this, a princess abandoning her country in the middle of a major crisis to go venture with some unknow teenager ? Haa yeah, i never understood that.

[Osamaru]

Originally posted by Ryan Fenton:

Really dumb? The only reason Alisha had to leave, and Rose had to join, was because, all of a sudden (without a game mechanic), Sorrey got sleepy during cutscenes, and Rose went from being afraid of ghosts to seeing them.

It's a completely artificial switch, which makes both the characters seem like just meaningless placeholders for a role, at least for a few hours. It's a big sinking feeling if you cared for those people as important parts of your journey.

It's just not a good use of storytelling time - or game time building up a character.

Oh yeah, it's also why Raiden from Metal Gear Solid 2 was ultra-unpopular for a very long time.

I'm sure there's other examples too. Shadow the Hedgehog perhaps. Tons of others. Replacement characters are rarely taken well.

Ryan Fenton

Actually, no, Sorey's degeneration (caused by Alisha having no real talent as a Squire), was hinted at from the moment the Squire thing was introduced. And there where several other hints from that moment on.

[M'igo Kazan]

Yeah, Alisha left 'cause she knew Sorey would die otherwise since she just didn't have enough resonance to make a good Squire; she was an enormous energy sucker.

Rose, on the other hand, had likely been at Denel's side all her life just like Sorey, so she had resonance rivaling his and could handle being a Squire with little to no energy waste.

...And then people whine that nothing's explained when it really is.

[Dregora]

Originally posted by Torigoma:

Originally posted by Ryan Fenton:

Really dumb? The only reason Alisha had to leave, and Rose had to join, was because, all of a sudden (without a game mechanic), Sorrey got sleepy during cutscenes, and Rose went from being afraid of ghosts to seeing them.

It's a completely artificial switch, which makes both the characters seem like just meaningless placeholders for a role, at least for a few hours. It's a big sinking feeling if you cared for those people as important parts of your journey.

It's just not a good use of storytelling time - or game time building up a character.

Oh yeah, it's also why Raiden from Metal Gear Solid 2 was ultra-unpopular for a very long time.

I'm sure there's other examples too. Shadow the Hedgehog perhaps. Tons of others. Replacement characters are rarely taken well.

Ryan Fenton

Actually, no, Sorey's degeneration (caused by Alisha having no real talent as a Squire), was hinted at from the moment the Squire thing was introduced. And there where several other hints from that moment on.

They said she had potential, if i'm correct. Besides, when did we ever learn that a Squire can hold back a Shepherd in this way? I can't recall it, but feel free to tell me wrong.

[M'igo Kazan]

Originally posted by Inférnum~:

Originally posted by Torigoma:

Actually, no, Sorey's degeneration (caused by Alisha having no real talent as a Squire), was hinted at from the moment the Squire thing was introduced. And there where several other hints from that moment on.

They said she had potential, if i'm correct. Besides, when did we ever learn that a Squire can hold back a Shepherd in this way? I can't recall it, but feel free to tell me wrong.

It's not explained, though it's very heavily hinted at. Notice how Leilah whispered a few words of warning in Sorey's ear before he made the pact with Alisha? And how he steadily became weaker and weaker after he did it?

We prolly learn what those whispered words were later in the game.