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Big Band Story Mode Discussion - MASSIVE SPOILERS

Cellsai

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Valentine Cerebella
Please keep all discussion of Big Band's story mode in here for the moment.

If you are in this thread you have absolutely no grounds to complain about things being spoiled. Continue at your own peril.
 
Dat Irvin.

I REALLY like how Big Band's story mode flawlessly segues fights with cutscenes, before and after. There are no cases where you are just "I GUESS I FIGHT YOU NOW FOR NO RAISIN" like there were in the original story modes. They went all out yet again, and I'm happy for it.
 
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That was really neat seeing Irvin again. When I saw him in the flashback I was all "Tee hee! It's Irvin!"

The story mode itself wasn't all that spectacular (though it is neat seeing L0 getting better and better at actually making the cut scenes), but it was pretty cool to see what all the other characters were actually up to. Painwheel hooking up with Illeum's crew was especially nice.

I'm also curious about BB's reference to the huge amount of theonite radiation in the River King. Was that from the Life Gem? Eliza? BB seemed pretty surprised at just how much there was there.
 
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Since his mouth apparatus is so easily removable, I'm surprised we don't see his face for a single frame in the actual match, for example in a frame equivalent to Val's hit one.

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I'm really happy with this story mode. What it lacks in actual plot progression it more than makes up for by being a coherent sequence of events. Also, having another story end in a team match is also a huge plus in my book and this made my fight with Marie less tedious than any of the solo bouts.

I didn't recognize Irvin during the flashback but it's interesting to see him as Big Band's partner. It makes you wonder how well those two have kept in contact since BB joined up with the labs, although their dialogue seems to indicate that they still communicate. And given what changes Irvin seems to have undergone over the years it makes me wonder who that fifth person was beating up on Big Band. I mean, both of them were clean cops but only one of them got put in an iron lung. It wouldn't be too cliche to think that maybe Irvin had a hand in his partners early retirement, but that's the pulp fiction reader in me thinking.

All in all my only complaint is that Big Band's story felt very brief and before I knew it I was standing in front of Marie. That's not really a bad thing all things considered, and the real prize is him finally hitting the retail version of the game. Cheers to Lab Zero!
 
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Man, what the police did to Big Band was just brutal. I was just glad I get to see the other members of Lab 8 and Painwheel getting the help she needed after the abuse she suffered.
 
PaperBag_Sniper said:
I didn't recognize Irvin during the flashback but it's interesting to see him as Big Band's partner. It makes you wonder how well those two have kept in contact since BB joined up with the labs, although their dialogue seems to indicate that they still communicate. And given what changes Irvin seems to have undergone over the years it makes me wonder who that fifth person was beating up on Big Band. I mean, both of them were clean cops but only one of them got put in an iron lung. It wouldn't be too cliche to think that maybe Irvin had a hand in his partners early retirement, but that's the pulp fiction reader in me thinking.
Maybe Ben was set as an example and Irwin decided to leave on his own after that. Maybe he left before Ben's incident.
 
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PaperBag_Sniper said:
And given what changes Irvin seems to have undergone over the years it makes me wonder who that fifth person was beating up on Big Band. I mean, both of them were clean cops but only one of them got put in an iron lung. It wouldn't be too cliche to think that maybe Irvin had a hand in his partners early retirement, but that's the pulp fiction reader in me thinking.
That whole situation reminded me a lot of the Jet's partner episode of Cowboy Bebop
 
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Given how Rich Brown is a fan of Cowboy Bebop, that might not be a coincidence.
 
Dear mods, posting a big sign saying "LOOKIE SPOILERS ARE HERE" do not help the weak willed xoxox
 
Muro said:
Since his mouth apparatus is so easily removable, I'm surprised we don't see his face for a single frame in the actual match, for example in a frame equivalent to Val's hit one.

It's a breathing apparatus. If it's easily removed by outside forces, this kills the band.
 
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Big Band without his mouthpiece was quite surprising.
Pretty mellow story mode, not that it's a bad thing.
 
I enjoyed the Painwheel section of it. It's nice that she isn't utterly depressing in every ending but Filia's ending. I enjoyed hearing from Illeum, and Stanley. Only question though, aside from "What's theonite", is what did Cerebella think Big Band was doing? Did she think he was smuggling something?
 
So, the Theonite he sensed couldn't have been from Cerebella?
 
The Peacock and Painwheel parts reminded me of 2nd Impact's win quote screen.
Wonder if that was on purpose.
 
All that Battletoads.
 
Fantastic story mode... While squigly's was a much more coherent story, big band's really shines through its character interactions.
Some particular points of interest that no one's brought up:
>Irvin seems to indicate that the minette case is now distressing in some way, and says he was going to ask big band for help. It could be nothing, just concern for minettes well-being, or perhaps something came up.
>Big band seems to indicate that peacock's powers are very limited... that probably didn't sound very weird to most people, but until now she's seemed to have an incredible amount of power- I assumed she was only slightly less powerful than the trinity at her full potential. I mean, she can apparently bend reality to her will. Big band seems to think she's quite a bit less powerful, though, which makes me wonder whether he's just flat out wrong or if her reality bending can only go as far as her cronies.
Oh yeah, and men confirmed for the ability to destroy the skullheart, horseman read to far into that quote :PUN:

Zidiane said:
what did Cerebella think Big Band was doing? Did she think he was smuggling something?
I think she was just concerned by the presence of a superweapon. She seems to know that he's a synthetic parasite user, they probably don't want a stranger with the power of an entire army in their casino.

Zidiane said:
So, the Theonite he sensed couldn't have been from Cerebella?
He says it was a TON of it- I doubt vice versa has so much theonite in it that he would get so concerned.
 
Horseman said:
I think she was just concerned by the presence of a superweapon. She seems to know that he's a synthetic parasite user, they probably don't want a stranger with the power of an entire army in their casino.

One correction, Big Band is just a cyborg and not a synthetic parasite user.

Given Cerebella's history with the mafia she would probably have experience in recognizing a cop, even if he has been out of the service for some time. And since Big Band was in full on detective mode and is quite imposing physically it would be easier to notice that something isn't right about him being in a mafia run casino.
 
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There were a couple of times where I felt like they were just explicitly stating information to get it out there, as opposed to making it sound natural.
Big Band & Valentine (paraphrased) said:
"What happened to The Last Hope?"
"Oh, them? I KEEP ALL THEIR WEAPONS AS MEMENTOS, cool fun fact, right?"

My other dislike is just as minor, but still bothers me. It was nice that they had Big Band and Peacock team up, and that's likely what would be required to do the job, but I really hate when they make a story mode where each character just plows through the opposition regardless of how strong they're *supposed* to be. Big Band takes out Cerebella, weak Double, Peacock, Fortune, Painwheel, powered-up Double, and then Valentine, all by himself, and all while keeping a smug grin on his face. If he was that good, why the hell did we need to make all those other ASG soldiers?

I can get suspending one's disbelief (and the fact that these aren't canon story modes), but I just thought they'd try harder to hone in on that, "he's not the best, but he's got the experience," angle they mentioned in the IGG. I wanted some of that, "ex-cop against impossible odds," flavor, but I got none :(
 
PaperBag_Sniper said:
One correction, Big Band is just a cyborg and not a synthetic parasite user.
Huh. I just kind of assumed that the tympany drive was a synthetic parasite. Kind of makes me wonder what the difference is, since it's been confirmed that synthetic parasites don't have a mind of their own like real parasites do.

Professor Icepick said:
I'm really hoping the whole "Lab 8 rescues Painwheel" plot point ends up making it into the game's actual canon. Also, this story mode is the best one they've done so far, I can't wait to see the other ones.
Honestly, this story mode seems like the most canon story we've got so far. I can see this being the canon ending if marie/umbrella/dahlia never get in, with an extra side story about what parasoul, filia and squigly were doing in this timeline.
 
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EA575 said:
Big Band without his mouthpiece was quite surprising.
Pretty mellow story mode, not that it's a bad thing.

Its strange seeing the mouth piece off. I keep thinking the mouth piece was stuck to his face lol
 
Overall, I think I liked Squigly's story mode a little more, but this one was fantastic regardless.

Pretty much every single line between Big Band and Peacock was perfect, especially that last joke at the end.

One thing that this story has reminded me, as I always have this thought whenever I replay Ms. Fortune's story: How would Irvin have fared if he was one of the voteable DLC characters? He has a pretty nice design, could have probably been given a decent moveset, and his hypothetical inclusion would have allowed for the continuation of the "Minette rescue" plot as his story mode, just as Minette's would have.

I am almost completely certain that Irvin wouldn't have actually won, as the popularity of the two that did make it are huge, but I still sort of wish I knew how far he would have made it in the vote.
 
juju_for_president said:
Overall, I think I liked Squigly's story mode a little more, but this one was fantastic regardless.

Pretty much every single line between Big Band and Peacock was perfect, especially that last joke at the end.

One thing that this story has reminded me, as I always have this thought whenever I replay Ms. Fortune's story: How would Irvin have fared if he was one of the voteable DLC characters? He has a pretty nice design, could have probably been given a decent moveset, and his hypothetical inclusion would have allowed for the continuation of the "Minette rescue" plot as his story mode, just as Minette's would have.

I am almost completely certain that Irvin wouldn't have actually won, as the popularity of the two that did make it are huge, but I still sort of wish I knew how far he would have made it in the vote.
But he WAS in it.
He was just crossdressing.
Wink wink nudge nudge.
 
Horseman said:
But he WAS in it.
He was just crossdressing.
Wink wink nudge nudge.
no

also I love how all the side characters were given more spotlight in the last couple stories, great story
 
I recognised Irvin in Big Band's flashback but I was like "No it can't be". Hopefully with this reveal he's gonna get more exposure in future story modes.

Professor Icepick said:
I'm really hoping the whole "Lab 8 rescues Painwheel" plot point ends up making it into the game's actual canon. Also, this story mode is the best one they've done so far, I can't wait to see the other ones.
Time to ship Leduc x PW tbh. #Kreygasm
 
Muro said:
Since his mouth apparatus is so easily removable, I'm surprised we don't see his face for a single frame in the actual match, for example in a frame equivalent to Val's hit one.

I suppose the mask sits tight, but Big Band can control it because it’s a machine connected to his body.

In my head, the mask slides a little bit forward and then down, accompanied by a mechanical sound. If he wants it back own, the same deal backwards.

If Big Band is around his friends or talks for a longer time, the mask is off, but in a mission or in battle it stays on. Kinda like the new Optimus Prime from the movies does it with his faceplate.
 
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I just watched the story mode on YouTube and man was it fantastic. Lab Zero is getting better and better at their craft. It gives me high hopes for when Beowulf comes around. Unlike Squigly's story I had no idea how this one was going to turn out, I was happy not to be disappointed.

Important facts that I've taken from Big Band's story.
Dr. Avian most likely has no chance of survival in the canon story.
Ms. Fortune and Irvin working together to investigate the Innsmouth kidnapping is consistent.
Irvin is older than I thought he was, If he was Big Band's partner than he's probably in his mid to late 30's.
Lab 0 and Lab 8 both work towards the same goal but clash with each other ethically.
Big Band is a handsome devil.
Like I've said before everybody seems to overestimate the power of the main cast.
Even I'm guilty of this, I always thought that Peacock was way stronger than everybody else, but according to BB she's only kind of strong. As I expected Cerebella is still a scrub.
 
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Night Phyre said:
My other dislike is just as minor, but still bothers me. It was nice that they had Big Band and Peacock team up, and that's likely what would be required to do the job, but I really hate when they make a story mode where each character just plows through the opposition regardless of how strong they're *supposed* to be. Big Band takes out Cerebella, weak Double, Peacock, Fortune, Painwheel, powered-up Double, and then Valentine, all by himself, and all while keeping a smug grin on his face. If he was that good, why the hell did we need to make all those other ASG soldiers?

I can get suspending one's disbelief (and the fact that these aren't canon story modes), but I just thought they'd try harder to hone in on that, "he's not the best, but he's got the experience," angle they mentioned in the IGG. I wanted some of that, "ex-cop against impossible odds," flavor, but I got none :(

That's one of the limitations that having such a small roster imposes on these storylines from a gameplay perspective (since I'm not in a position to comment on the overall direction of the plot of skullgirls). We have only 3 people right now who could logically be teamed up with Big Band for different reasons (Peacock, Valentine, Painwheel). Of those 3 only one is on good terms with Big Band, one is/was an antagonist, and one was seemingly unknown to him prior to this story. Aside from the other members of Lab 8 who aren't in the game, it's not like there are a lot of options for additional team members which is a shame.

It's been my hope for a while now that if we ever get enough characters into the game to really get into a canonical story mode, that it will focus more on using the game's team dynamics to keep problems like the one you mentioned from happening. I can understand Big Band taking down Cerebella, Ms. Fortune, and a weakened Double in a one-on-one fight because he's built to take down tougher foes and has a lot of combat experience. But once you step into Z-rays, eldritch abominations, ninjas and necromancers it does seem off that the guy in the teched out iron lung can keep going forward with so much ease.
 
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I liked how his story somewhat tied to Fortune's story, kinda like how Squigly's story tied with Filia's story.

The new portraits were nice to look at, and the Painwheel part was so sweet that it almost killed me. Damn this was a good story
 
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To be honest, I thought that the story was good overall, the ending wasn't the best, but I liked the animation of Big and Peacock rushing out of the catacombs. The fact there was a lot more interaction between characters was really good, paved the way for more story. Slightly bummed his story art hasn't been added to the gallery yet, I found there were some really good pics.
 
Chrono_Tata said:
I recognised Irvin in Big Band's flashback but I was like "No it can't be". Hopefully with this reveal he's gonna get more exposure in future story modes.


Time to ship Leduc x PW tbh. #Kreygasm

I've been doing that before it was confirmed in BB's story. Nice to see Alex agrees with me that LeducxPainwheel is so much better and makes more sense than LeducxPeacock.

I AM however, once again, VERY PISSED that none of you voted for Leduc to be playable. I wanna see where this side story goes. And I also now wanna see Brain Drain playable. Surely he's not too happy about Painwheel running off with them.
 
Dang it Lab Zero, you have to stop doing the thing where you force a team up with another character to fight the last boss. At least in Squigly's story it was with a character I'm decent with, but I'm not a good Peacock payer at all. Couple that with the fact that I cannot wrap my head around using more than one character at once, and it becomes a massive handicap. I know, I'm probably the only one with this problem, but how hard would it be to add a little "team up with (character)?" prompt?

Really though, great story, and the interactions between Big Band and Peacock were amusing.
 
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Lucky said:
stuff

While I can see where you're coming from, personally I'm glad they teamed up because I am not a good BBand player =p. I predicted they would team in the end and thanks to the Brass assist, it only took 2 tries to beat Marie!
I was a little surprised that Big Band didn't start on point, considering it's his story.
 
Saw the playthrough on YT (damn video card wont let me run my copy) and loved what I saw:

-Cool to see the interactions with more characters, especially the unplayable Lab 8 crew

-Holy crap, Ben's betrayal was rather brutal! His legs!

-Didn't expect Ben to be such a handsome fellow, I've seen fan art where he looks real cool, but a little heftier and not as striking.

-Glad to see more of Big Band's personality: cool dude, dedicated and caring, but he does NOT suffer fools heh

-The fights made sense, and I rather liked the interaction with Brain Drain (who's surprised eh? Hah)

-Here's hoping that the actual canon has Lab 8 taking Painwheel off of Brain Drain's hands and helping her gain some bit of normalcy in life.

- And finally, a +100 points for the Battle Toads reference
 
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