Bethany Plays: TTYD Chapter 4 Part 2: Blanking on the Name

Huh, starting right back as Mario this time.

Koops: Gee whiz, was that it? Sort of easy for a boss battle...as it were. Well, anyway, we got the Crystal Star, so let's get out of here, huh?
Flurrie: Oh, mercy! Was that it? This fellow was so easy! I was rather expecting more. Well, I suppose we got the Crystal Star, so let's leave immediately, hmm?
Dr. Agon: That's IT? That's all you got? Man, this guy was a wimp! That wasn't even fair! Well, who cares, right? We got the Crystal Star, so let's get out of here.

Glad I'm not the only one feeling a bit let down. Oh well, they can't all be winners.

The hero leaves, and the camera lingers on the defeated form of our weakest foe so far. OK, maybe Hooktail is less dangerous when ignoring scale, but...

...Huh. I'm in control now. So then, let's take a look at what's going on behind the scenes-

OK, everything seems to be in order.

...Guys?

...We didn't even get the Ruby Star after all? Well, I guess that means there's still meat on the bone to be chowed down here. That's right, this story doesn't end with the Twilighters no longer turned to swine, but it has taken a far, far darker turn.

Time to change the Badges. Anything that's better off for your allies needs to go, Heart Finder needs to be on, and in general get this shadow ready to handle things on his own.

Because that's exactly what he's got to do.

Just don't bother fighting if you can avoid it.

Leaving the ruined church cuts to a scene with characters we were told would be in this area, the Shadow Sirens.

They have a cunning tactic in mind- blowing us to kingdom come. I guess it'll work.

We saw what Beldam did last time, I don't think you need to think too hard to imagine how this scene is going to roll out.

Even Beldam is getting tired of Beldam antics.

Vivian starting to wish she was documenting this.

Seriously, Beldam, can you afford to be taking time out of your busy schedule to harass your little sister?

Doesn't even consider the chance she might've let Marilyn hold it.

The gaslighting queen strikes again.

Beldam finally realising that she's well and truly screwed over the X-Naut cause now.

So she orders Vivian to clean after her messes and takes Marilyn on a vacation of some kind. I can only imagine Marilyn getting to join in this break is another layer to the abuse, although I'm not sure to whom.

You mean this isn't her- ah, who am I kidding.

Don't come crying to me if your evil schemes fall to ruin.

Marilyn would really benefit from having some vocal intonation on these groans.

Well then... that was a scene.

Cut back to us, and one thing I didn't mention about these chains earlier- someone left the key in them. From the back, we can just unlock this and not have to bother with Tube Mode.

So how do you feel about avoiding enemies on narrow roads? Enemies that can Charge their Attacks and lull you into a dozing state to make you unable to fight back? Are you having fun yet?

Welcome to the one thing everyone remembers hating about TTYD.

Quake Hammer is my tool for the Clefts.

It would be nice if they didn't heal them.

At least they run away.

You don't really acknowledge what the Allies are adding until they're gone.

At least this means I'm getting my money back.

This guy. This guy is the worst. If he's standing in front of the nook, you're not avoiding him.

And oh joy, if he hasn't brought some terrifying friends.

I want to go home now.

In the event of an emergency, a Boo's Sheet will make an adequate substitute.

It would be nice if they didn't abuse the timing of it.

Right, the other guy gets to take a swing. I can afford one.

Not what I need right now! Then again, I don't have any damage yet.

Going for the harder Guard might not be worth it. Sure, zero damage, but on the other hand...

Oh yeah, level.

Extra Badges? At this time? Seems a bit too long-sighted.

Yay?

Oh. Of course that's what I'm going with. As good a time as any to use short-term health.

...I only have one of those? There is a second freebie, but it's way later.

Tube Mode makes you go faster. It is much harder to avoid enemies, but that extra dash makes it easier if you get the right lines.

Don't fight these enemies. It's not worth it.

That Dayzee better run, it would be so hilarious.

Sadly, no.

At least I'm not snoring.

...Because that's all I've got.

Thank goodness for the extra damage, huh?

Anyway, once we get to this area of the Trail, we finally get an elaboration on what's going on.

Our tricksy double bursts out of the sky, as is normal for Mario.

At least someone's having fun being me.

...But you are aware you are literally stealing my identity, right? I'd like that back, if you don't mind.

He's not kidding, by the way. Not only has he robbed us of our body, but he has also taken our name with him.

As a shifter, he is able to look like anyone he wants with little effort.

But there's one thing you can't be while disguised as someone else: that someone. The real deal is always wandering around somewhere.

And this guy has figured out how to get around even that.

Still feel like he was a loser?

He says this, but I have no idea how he's going to do it. He must have some idea, though.

And the real deal sets himself to fight back.

This element of the story is based on that German fairy tale with the very long name I can never get right... Rummy-stiltskin or whatever. In all languages other than English, this fellow's real name is a reference to that very story.

Of course, having done this before, I of course know what his name is, and I would gladly name him correctly-

If he hadn't gone and robbed the very interface itself of a critical missing letter. It's a very cool way of showing this guy is as dangerous as he is through mechanics in addition to narrative, but it is unfortunately the reason things are about to get a lot less fun.

I figure, if he's using our name and identity, then the name he's using to describe us must in fact be the term used to describe himself under normal circumstances!

Shoutouts to whatever name you selected.

I guess I can take a boss fight.

In this fight, no damage will be dealt by either side.

No reason to stick around other to lose critical audience members. He didn't enforce that "no running" clause.

...Although the game is.

Second try's the charm.

Neither is fighting in futility.

Anyway, that's us back in town.

...Well, first you might want to close the gate.

...Try talking to all the Twilighters here, it's really a horrifying insight into what it's like to be someone other than the main character.

The Twilighters are absolutely enamoured with their hero-

And utterly dismissive of the real deal.

They certainly fly often enough, considering the sorts of things running around the Mushroom Kingdom.

This guy is interested in your reading habits.

Although he judges you for all the available genres. Ironically, the book he writes next fits one of these categories.

Hold your breath, I think. Works for hiccoughs.

The store now has its inventory available. We can see a handful of useful items that may or may not have been available in bulk before, available at high-ish but reasonable costs. Might be a good time to grab a few Thunder Rages and Life Shrooms, if you have the inventory. The 15 coin item is the mid-tier Shroom, incidentally.

Dupree: Non! Untrue! Monsieur... When I awoke, I was here in zis shop. I swear eet! I do not lie. Please... Say something! Madame... I meant you no 'arm! I promise! Believe me!
Shopkeep: You cad! Why were you in here while I was gone? Answer me! Perhaps I don't want to know... No! I do! Tell me! Be honest! It's MY shop! She's MY wife! I don't wanna have to use a ninja punch to blast you out of here! Now, speak!

The scrolling dialogue for these two as they argue amongst each other.

Turns out the oinker that wandered into the store was not, in fact, the wayward husband. That would be the one out in the woods, in all likelihood. I can only assume Goombella's stalker knew exactly what he was doing, and is now in the "find out" stage of his little shenanigan. Good riddance.

Trust me... no. Just no.

Fortunately, she is willing to resume her normal duties as a store owner, including allowing us to use our storage. And yes, she does recognise which one belongs to us, even though we have no ID.

That's horrible reasoning, and I'm not sure whether I want to object to your selfish desire or your ignorance of cause-and-effect first.

Mario does dabble in the extra-terrestrial at times, although I don't think they've ever been little, green and men all at the same time. Closest are maybe the alien Shy Guys nobody ever saw because the two ways to find them are really hard to get to.

No matter whether you say you think is on the moon, this guy will laugh at you for it.

These three offer the most... rudimentary of understanding of their environment.

And whatever they went through while turned to sows seems to have gone in one ear and out the other.

...Full breaths. Inhale... exhale...

Of course the kid wants him some bacon. He was aware his mother was transformed into exactly that not too long ago, right?

On entering this area, we get a cutscene involving our next objective.

Vivian's still looking for that discarded bomb.

...I don't think that's how that advice works. Your "good memories" should be actually nice moments of your life, and you think about them while you're stuck with your unfortunate circumstance. You don't need to make something nasty feel good while looking back on it.

How exuberant.

Hey, I'm casting a shadow! ...Somehow.

...No, seriously, all this village has to go on is moonlight, how is my shadow that substantial?

We seem to have asked where to find this guy. For some reason.

You want to come on one? I'm currently suffering from an unscheduled strike.

I've had enough of the village. Unfortunately, however, we are stuck here. The way back to the hub required we have something with our name on it.

...We don't have a name.

This guy was so overcome with indifference that he didn't care about transforming. It seems he's trying to better himself, although he has chosen an unusual way of doing so.

And in doing so, has missed the fact he's out of date. That seems to have caused him some new distress.

We can find our thief hanging out with Mayor Dour and our friends. He doesn't seem in much of a hurry to move on.

Dour is lavishing accolades onto a faker.

And casting out the real deal. I didn't even want these accolades and I'm offended on behalf of Mario.

He needs a lot more training before he's mastered the art of Charles Martinet's unbridled enthusiasm.

Let's not let him take that time.

One of the funniest moments stories with silent heroes can do is acknowledge the hero's silence. We assumed Mario was talkative in dialogue that wasn't given to the audience, but no, our faker really is more extroverted than the real deal.

...I didn't really get the thought he was good at this job.

Flurrie favoured the old version, but sees no reason to request Mario change back to normal. I mean, it's his life. ~~Yes, it's ours, but...~~

And Dr. Agon is outright concerned. Considering what exactly the issue is, I don't blame him for not catching on to the reason things are so weird.

I think it doesn't matter if you talk to Vivian first or find this hiding in this bush to the far left, but I figured might as well.

So, we're down on our luck, with absolutely nothing to do other than bemoan our fate, so I figure, what better time to do an altruistic good deed?

And hey, if nothing else, there's an outside chance we may be able to use this to get revenge for the snatching. Not useful revenge, but...

It's Beldam, sis. There's no way.

Well, so much for that idea.

We have an exaggerated reaction to that reveal, for some reason. I sorta know why, but it's a bit of a very subtle inclusion.

Vivian starts going into an anxiety fit, and you can either offer small comfort or trying to set the situation to rights.

I went for trying to lend a hand. Vivian tells us no, we really shouldn't. And, well, no, we really shouldn't try and fix a bomb. I don't think I need to elaborate on why.

She is delighted we tried, though.

Vivian: Thanks... You're very sweet. That actually makes me feel a little better. But what'll I do now? My sisters will be back any minute now...

Dialogue for comforting her.

Vivian decides to make idle conversation while she awaits another lashing from Beldam.

And then Mario does a "talking" animation, but with no matching vocal effect.

Vivian comments on that fact.

And then Mario has an extended dialogue, which is backed by the semi-Italian gibberish Mario is want to say when the game wants to show him talking.

They really went all out to highlight the fact that a) our name was stolen

And b) this is a far more absolute theft than mere identity fraud. Even in magical stories about stolen names, you're usually still allowed to say the word.

Mario and Vivian have an extended "off-screen" conversation where Mario tells Vivian what he understands about this whole scheme.

On one hand, you are being horrifically abused by your sister.

...On the other hand, I think it doesn't get any worse than having your entire life stolen from under your bulbous nose.

Vivian is utterly amazed that we took the time out of our busy schedule of "not being ourselves" to tend to a girl who's just trying to be a good little sister. Which reflects rather badly on Marilyn, admittedly, if she's so kindness-starved that she latches on so readily to us.

Vivian decides "to hell with Beldam, I'm going to do some actual good in the world and give a man his life back."

Mario has a general idea of where this story is going to go, and tries to tell Vivian not to. There is a very good reason for Vivian to not join us, but we are literally unable to tell her why.

Vivian thinks we're talking about her family situation, and assures us that she's just fine ditching that mess. She knew the dam was going to burst eventually, and this way she has an exit strategy for free.

In general, even though her older sister is allied with the utterly evil X-Naut Army, Vivian seems to have acquired none of the required character to do anything other than follow along because Beldam forces her to. Well, she did "steal" Flurrie's necklace, but how bad a deed that was is debatable.

Vivian, as a friendly character who identifies as female, joins in the rest of the roster as having given Mario a kiss before joining the team. I don't want to know what this is intended to feel like to the audience in languages where Vivian is intended as male. Knowing the sorts of uncomfortable-with-LGBT sentiments that version of Vivian's character is built on, I can only imagine it's not intended to fit in.

And with that, we have found the modern-day equivalent to the fourth Hero from Grifty's stories- Vivian, the cute, ghostly girl who defected from the enemy ranks on being shown basic kindness.

Similarly to the ghost we got in 64, Vivian's Veil Field Move renders us intangible and immobile. It will be exactly what we need for this leg of the story, when we're unable to use our full strength.

Veil is worse than Outta Sight in the field, however, since leaving it requires using the X button and doing a long (well, 3-5 second) animation. If you do this while an enemy is standing where you are, you automatically do a First Strike with your Boots, too- sucks if they deal contact damage. Outta Sight allowed you to cancel it by moving.

In combat, Vivian's abilities are... not the greatest. Shade Fist does 3 damage to any target (including ceiling targets) and inflicts them with a Burn if correctly timed. Burn deals a few turns of 1 damage for free, and has some unfortunate interactions with certain varieties of enemies. An essential note to take, however, is that Shade Fist itself is not elemental. Veil is a clear downgrade from Outta Sight, suffering from this game's need to have an Action Command on everything- you need to hit five random buttons in order, and if you fail, you don't get the turn of shielding. The move doesn't even give Star Energy if you don't do the Stylish. Even without that, both Mario and Vivian lose their turns for hiding in the veil- a necessary change, but an unwelcome one. At least it now costs 1 instead of 2.

Vivian has a really cute animation in her flourish, but strangely, they do the first frame and not the second here.

Vivian highlights the thing we need to do to get our body back. In a casual run, you must have Vivian's aid to take her solution.

In the world of TTYD, birds are smart.

Birds try to fake being all dumb around humans, most likely for the free food, but if we stand underneath them and use Vivian's Veil, they'll discard the act. Maybe they could tell us something useful.

Vivian comes with 15 health to her name, and as you might recall, we can't leave town. It would be really nice if we could convert our double-digit number of Shines into a Rank for Vivian to give her more health, Atk on Shade Fist and a new move that would really do some damage on the enemies we are forced to fight, but alas. This exact juncture is the major downside to the switch from "Ranks where you stand" to "turn Shines in for Ranks"- it returns later on, too, but if I could get one field Rank for somebody, it would definitely be Vivian at this exact moment.

Anyway, so what do the birds have to say?

Holy smokes, Vivian wasn't kidding, birds are really modern. The Mushroom Kingdom hasn't even discovered telecommunication over any medium- we still deliver mail by flying turtle.

I... think we haven't made that stage of the internet comically low-ambition since 2004, though.

Remember when we thought of the internet as a new frontier for information at your fingers as a good thing? To be young and to have faith in technology being used for good.

The crows can see the writing on the wall for what's going to shake out after all the hubbub has died down.

...I think this is referring to the aftermath of the dot com bubble? That has come and gone by the release of this game, but I don't usually see it named as "tech-bust".

Onto a subject that the crows are even more acutely aware of than internet culture... climate change.

It's been 19 years, little bird, and so little of that infrastructure dots the world.

This crow gets his own tree, and in not having anyone to ground him in reality, he has gotten too self-aware and has joined the Twilighters in questioning the meaning of his own existence in a sort of existentialist dread that also resonances with countless more souls today than it did at the time.

Fortunately, these crows give us a welcome relief from all this dread and instead talk about their home lives. Still in a comical fashion, considering the Mushroom Kingdom doesn't have such a robust education system (this has more to do with lack of interest than making the Kingdom come off as tyrannical), but the subject matter is that much lighter.