You've probably noticed that this isn't actually the full loop. I'll probably reupload this later if I can get a group of folks to agree to AFK phase 2 until a full loop plays.
@@ApexGale It was moreso that I wasn't expecting the arcadion to have as many explicit references to professional wrestling as it does. (But hey, there's two more tiers, you never know...)
It's so, so genuinely funny that leading up to this, we had a whole discussion that's it's unclear if Sphene herself truly would've wanted this or if it's just her programming interfering with her identity, and then she comes back from having her existence ERASED, setting up for the "I can't control it" trope, just to say "Fuck you actually I WANT to do this"
That's exactly not what's happening. It says that the data for the Endless Sphene is partially restored (not the full data for non-Endless Sphene), so this is more like a fragment of a fragment at the end.
@@fleurdemur I think there's been a misunderstanding, I do mean the Endless Sphene, and in my mind there is no difference between the two other than one has additional programming. When I say her existence was erased I MEAN the Endless Sphene, who was having her data deleted SO her additional programming is able to operate without Sphene's emotional interference. So when Sphene is partially restored, just to confirm that she wants this, with no input from the additional programming, since that's the rest of the machine we're fighting, that tells me where HER true beliefs lie
@@benign_canine3423 I see your reasoning and I think it's valid, but I disagree that that's what's happening. I think it's more likely that the machine is a thing that's separate from Sphene since all of her (including her programming) was deleted. But there's nothing we can point to to definitively decide which one of us is right.
@@fleurdemur That's definitely fair, there's not a ton of definitive answers as far as Sphene, the Endless, and the *exact* process of everything as of right now, so multiple interpretations of everything that happened are to be expected until we have more to go on, either way I really enjoyed msq and Im very excited for more, especially if we learn anything more about this shard in particular
I absolutely love the subversion of expectations with Sphene being restored only to reaffirm her actions. It’s not a case of “Oh I’m back to beg you to stop us!” It’s “You cannot change my mind, it’s your resolve vs mine”
IT'S GOOD! IT'S PEAK! IT'S GOOD WRITING! IT'S NOT THAT SHE WANTS TO BE SAVED, SHE WANTS TO SUCCEED! it's why Wuk Lamat is adamant about making sure She carries Sphene's legacy!!!
@@gulusgammamon Gotta wonder how long that will go. I'd say that glance we get at Sphene's Crown after the Credits means we'll see her again pretty soon. They did mention at one point how it is a special type of Regulator
@@MrKozeljko Yeah i wish it continued similar to the original combat soundtrack where that's from, but they tend to do a different verision of the expansions OST for the end
I actually love both phases themes equally, and they fit into their placement of the fight well. And i actually love the brass and happy tones in the motif. Tuliyolal theme also had some some similar vibes in that aspect so it makes sense to tie everything. Also not every epic final boss song has to be the same style, i think this fits the more futuristic vibe more. Only thing is that i can understand feeling that this theme is a bit "scratchy" on the ears at some points, but that's more of the fact that this isn't orchestral. But yeah i love it
Feel people are partially misunderstanding the tonality of the track here? It has it's high "happier" sounds generally in sync when Wuk is trying to have final pleas for Sphene to stop. And it reverts back to a more intense sound when Sphene doesn't relent. And the song itself takes a Triumphant tone (1:10) because, well, a big emotional victory is made to a degree (Us and Wuk's cries out managing to undo part of Sphene's memory erasure and effectively restore her, giving her humanity back for the final phase)| And compositionally wise, the track is effectively the smashing of the Dawntrail Theme (Wuk Lamat) and Sphene's theme (the techno elements), as they have their final clash. 1:10 being where it reaches a full alignment on the natural sound/DT Theme where Sphene is temporarily restored, but then falling back into the techno element clash as Sphene holds to her desire to keep the Endless safe.
Wuk Lamat didn't even ask her to stop, though. She literally says it at the 0:12 mark. "I know that you won't be swayed from your course." This isn't Wuk Lamat begging her to stop, this is Wuk Lamat challenging her to show some dignity as the Queen and follow through with her choice instead of erasing her consciousness and letting the machine do it. One of the themes of the expansion is "what it means to be a leader." What Sphene is doing is cowardly, she wants to make a heavy choice without experiencing the guilt or weight that comes with making it. Even Emet understood the weight of what he was doing, it's why he asks you to remember the Ancients. The Scions shoulder his legacy and the legacy of all the ancients who perished. Sphene would erase the people of Tuliyollal and willingly choose to avoid remembering them - an insult to their legacy.
Me playing the game : "Oh cool a new character being introduced and actually playing a big role in fights feels good after endwalker and all" Other people : "Yeah... but what about mysogyny for no reason" TwT
@@myrmesuwu607 LMAO It isn't misogyny it's just that Wuk Lamat is annoying af. She is ALWAYS following us around and talking with us and we are ALWAYS paired up with her. We can't even fight the final boss without her interrupting. She only makes stupid jokes about seasickness and alpacas, or goes on about how she loves peace and friendship and it gets old. This is a very common viewpoint and I see it in dungeon/party chat, world chat, FC chat, reddit etc. It's not because she is a girl, it's because she sucks as a character.
@@myrmesuwu607lol, lmao even. Gotta love the deflection. “They don’t like this character, therefor it’s misogyny!” No, I dislike her because she felt poorly written, and she felt flat compared to other characters like Koana.
Omg when the DT music started, the shiver and thrill. So alike the final boss of EW but so different. Gaming really is built on these moments. I can’t wait to get the OST!! Thanks for uploading !!
Lyse and Wuk Lamat haters seeking out content that involves their dislikes so they can be a vocal minority loudly complaining when everyone else is having a great time and loving it:
@@clintmatthews3500 Oh, please. We have male characters in this game with just as many writing issues as Wuk, and nobody gives a flying fuck about them. The one VA that everyone decides to whine about because of their performance is also just happening to be the trans one. Come the fuck on.
i was actually hyped, wuk didnt try to save her with the power of friendship or something, she tried 1 last time to reason with her, and then it "was on"
Alright, but can we talk about how the second phase suddenly changes the color scheme from Aether blue to Dynamis golden? The same color scheme used in Living Memory, mind you. Or the limit break bar when full. Also a very close color scheme to the one orb we see being absorbed along with the Aether orb during the Tuliyollal attack cutscene. Not to mention the same color scheme most ultimates use in their final phase - except for Thordan - he's just a big *sshole, I guess. Specially with Dynamis being tied to strong manifestations of emotions, such as hope or resolve.
Now, that you mention it, Gold/Yellow is a color that practically dominates at least 3 final phases in the Ultimate Raids, Bahamut, Ultima Weapon, and Omega.
@@leomoreno7369 There's also Perfect Alexander that, although the arena itself isn't golden per se, his transformation gives him a silver-golden color scheme that might or might not be related to the same thing as every other ultimate. Omega is confirmed related to Dynamis, which also brings to mind the other three (again, except Thordan, guess he's just being an idiot) might also be related to that. But, yeah, pretty much anything that shifts to this yellow/golden color scheme in the game is related to Dynamis in a way. The limit break bar, turning golden from blue for all these years, being the prime example.
@@lethalgeek I believe that every being comprised partially of Dynamis is able to channel it, even when ignorant of the fact. Dynamis is pretty much the explanation for these "limit breaking" moments - anytime a character goes beyond mortal limits or does an impressive feat by force of will alone that's a manifestation of Dynamis. While Aether manifests as raw power, Dynamis manifests as strong materializations of emotions, such as hope or despair.
Everyone talking about the violin which is amazing but I want to comment about 1:47 I really like when they put a "happy" part in final boss themes so this part also hit hard like the violin for me
I really like the the reason why the rest of the song isn't like 1:10. It's actually tied to the story. Because it's Sphene's resolve to fight where she silences everyone and everything for her goal of preserving her people. However we are there to both save her people and stop her scheme. Which is why the violin becomes a background element layered below our theme as the WoL and Wuk Lamat. Where we agree with saving her people but letting go of the Endless instead of holding onto them.
We will have many thoughts about this series. But this theme is everything you want in a final fight. I may not be the main hero of this story - but I am here to adventure and kick ass. And we're all out of adventure. (for now) So lets EFFING GOOOO Soken-san and Team.
The only complaint about wuk i have is i wish the second part of the story had koana as well. The first part of the story we were helping wuk but i wish we could have gotten more koana as he does have a huge part to play. Most of that happens offscreen though
The DT trailer song felt that way too. It felt like 3 different songs/vibes all in 1 song and it throws me off every time. Not sure what they were thinking this time.
I'm especially worried we're gonna get another Endsinger situation where the boss just gets completely floored far quicker than intended. They just can't seem to manage item levels for older patch content.
Oh man, when the screen went black, I thought we had wiped because Queen had recast Absolute Authority again an I had already wasted the Tank LB on the first one and healer used the 2nd LB to recover. I was so relieved to see Wuk. What a fight.
I can't believe I missed the whole phase transition cutscene cause I was being raised. Just Wuk Lamat's voice lines being played over nothing and everyone sitting on the floor with the Down for the Count debuff lol.
@@christophermader7577very incorrect take, i’m not sure if you actually read the story content this expansion or if you somehow misunderstood most of it, most of what we actually talk to wuk lamat about is us giving her advice as we go along, like a mentor would
@@christophermader7577 Lamat would have died so many times if it wasn't for us. What the fuck are you even talking about??? She literally couldn't win without us.
@@hiddenmaster6062 When exactly she defeats Bokool Jar Jar alone we were not needed in the first trail Zoraal jar even talked about how easy it was at the fight against her fathers ghost Wuk Lamat saved everyone Alisae said after the fight without Wuk Lamats help we would have lost she even had to save us in the final boss fight but go ahead tell me what did we do?
@christophermader7577 we got her to that point. This whole story has been about her growth as a leader, and our role is the mentor/overseer/Obi-Wan Kenobi making sure that she's safe on her journey. Hell, she admits to us that if it weren't for us backing her up, she wouldn't have the courage to even step up to the plate as a contender for the crown. Her father asks us to watch over her after proving we're a bad ass. We're the parent taking our kid to the pool, letting them explore their agency while sitting at the bar sipping piña coladas until we're really needed. But on that note, please tell me when have we ever been the focus of any expansion's story and not just a mute "gofer" with little to no agency on the plot.
Personally i f like phase 1’s music better then phase 2. Probably because it feels idk to heavier or something. Everything after the violin is great tough
They couldn't bring Maker's Ruin that would give the Wol credit and Wol is to busy being Wuk Lamats fan girl we are not allowed to do something in this expansion only cheer for Wuk Lamat
Honestly don't think this song fits at the end here, especially when you hear the whole thing. There is parts that do, but some of it doesn't even sound like serious fight music to begin with.
Some of the other comments: *Wuk Lamat discourse among people that like, meh, or hate her* Me: *Vibing to the badass remix of the expansion theme and greatly enjoying the trial*
This is such a nice ost, and I love the story. But man, Wuk Lamat ENG VA or at least the voice director can definitely do better 😂 Guess this is the disadvantage of having two Voice acting studio, you can't do stuff at the same time.
The only bother with this fight is that it feels like a copy paste of endsinger. Large boss with fake death with secound phase that is just a dps check. They could have done something different.
I know what you mean but to be fair this has been a sort of MO of theirs since ShB. You have the Ryne/Gaia interaction in E8, the flailing of Hades at the very end followed by Thancred breaking through. I think they've zeroed in on a storytelling method that allows for dynamic predetermined camera movements/voice lines and are using it as a base. I'd like to see more interesting stuff too though!!
Limit Breaks are canonically just you going ham with Dynamis, and she's dropping them all over the place in the Bakool Ja Ja fight, so yes Edit: Someone somehow ninja'd me by 10 minutes on this week old comment
Phase 1: WoL: We're shutting you down. IT'S FIGHTING FANTASY TIME! Phase 2: Lamat: Come back it's fighting fantasy time! D: Sphene: I'M BACK AND I"M STILL GONNA KILL ALL OF YOU. IT"S FIGHTING FANTASY TIME! WoL: LIMIT BREAK! YEAH! GOLDEN!!! \o/
@@hiddenmaster6062 more like Phase 1 Wol did nothing for the whole expansion and is losing to a stupid Machine Phase 2 Wuk Lamat can somehow defeat an enemy the wol could not Sphene go away you took anything from me why should I care about you Wol well I'm useless in my own story but at least I can be a good cheerleader for Wuk Lamat
All in all loved this xpac got a kick ass battle theme, got to role play as an alpha beyblade aka a superior fruit ninja aka mr/ms press ALL the buttons! GGs all around🎉
Wow, so much Wuk Lamat hate here. She was a great character who grew into her role as a leader and more than deserved to have a victory moment here. Love for the cat!
She literally went through the WoL's character arc, compressed into an expansion. She even did the whole "befriending and having to put down a technologically advanced, all-powerful being of a bygone age trying desperately to preserve their society and people at the cost of others" thing! Norvrandt is almost analogous to Tural! Come on people the dots are right there!!! WUK LAMAT TRUTHERS RISE UP
I don’t think she wants your apology if it’s because you’ve found a new scapegoat Both are great characters… I never hated either of them I swear to god I better not see any of you start liking wuk Lamat when you find a new character to hate you made your choice stick to it or stop doing this bullshit
I'm mixed on this. I love everything up to around 1:30, then it's a bit of a miss for me. I get the uplifting expansion theme as we are winning, but it feels a bit too much for my taste. It worked to have that sort of thing on the Endsinger, since it was the final boss of a 5 game storyline, with the WoL theme playing. But here is feels a bit... too happy? I don't know, people might not agree, but just my take.
I think it's the mixing that is bad. There's so much going on, and they're all on the same level, that it just comes out sounding like straight noise. People like the violin part because there's something clearly taking the main stage. During the other times everything is fighting and it sounds... Not great.
Purely from "listening to this song" perspective, I like everything up to the string intermission, which also sounds incredible, but the following theme doesn't do much for me yea.
@@Calvinooi I think I can accept this only if they add a lot more interesting mechanics to that section and extend it so that the song actually has a chance to play it's part instead of the boss dying faster than this theme has a chance to really show what it can do. Endsinger and this all suffer from being more a victory lap with nothing really going on other than incredibly simple dodges. I find Endsinger slightly more tolerable though in it's simplicity because I vibe with the high octane energy that comes with Hearts Aligned. The start of this theme on the other hand is incredibly rough and doesn't start to get good until the boss is pretty much dead :( For example, with Sphene partially restored they could add a lot of callbacks to Alexandria like we see in the MSQ dungeon with maybe airships coming in dropping aoes or shooting cones or something like that. But ya Shinryu EX really cooked hard in it's last phase there. If we get something like that I would be very happy.
