Raid [003] - Review

There were some characters that didn’t reach the actual fighting part, but the audience got to see a variety of fighting styles, some of them unorthodox. Team Dark did a lot of mocking, posturing, and “You cannot stand against the will of MORDOR!!” which was very in character. Also appropriate was their all out blitz when Team Neutral didn’t budge. Team Neutral for their part were more reserved and stoic. I appreciated that their inner narrative made it clear that they were defending the castle with their buddy inside of it, which made their immobile defensive style make more sense. In this way I believe they utilized their strengths better, concentrating their position in a chokepoint and minimized the disadvantage of their lesser numbers (even if this made the enemy’s myriad area attacks all the more effective). Dark for their part was far more random and individualistic in their fighting style, and while in character was far less tactical and skillful. This section goes to Neutral for superior maneuvering against desperate odds.

There was some amount of confusion at points, which isn’t so much a discredit to the writers as much as just an inevitability with so many characters with so many abilities in one place. Overall the sportsmanship was pretty good, though the word “unavoidable” was utilized a little gratuitously by Dark at few points, and some mismatch in estimates between players in Neutral about just much damage Ciru’s attacks would absorb. Minor technical quibbles though, both teams did admirable at tracking things despite the madness. A particular shout out I think due for Ciru here, who had the foresight to elaborate in simple terms what his various buffs did. Particularly interesting what the start of a show-down between Terranort and Dieter, an interesting tactical and character decision on Terra’s part that was very unique, also kudos to Dieter for playing along with a move despite its obvious tactical disadvantages. In the end, I’m giving the vote here to Dark. Their various internecine squabbling was very in character, the mad-dog on a leash dynamic between Vanitas and Papa Nort, Xemnas’ motivation to reclaim his standing after failure, Terrable-teen-nort primarily interested in turning the Dark weilders on the opposition, Papa Nort wanting his Seekers to prove themselves again, and Laurium providing a “Oh look if it ain't Flower-Power Judas!” factor, which all gave good cohesive context for the various RP interactions.