FULL POWER S.I.S. - Let's Play 「 Hearts Like Clockwork (Demo | Abstract Nonsense) 」- 3
4Hearts Like Clockwork
Developed by Kayako Amaya w/RPG Maker MV
Link: https://kayakoamaya.itch.io/hearts-like-clockwork
Description: Many countries have been ravaged by out-of-control robots due to the manufacturers' lack of respect for Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics. After Japan restores most of their civilization, all seems well, but Crypton class prez Rin Kagamine finds that the world still isn't quite safe.
=======================================================
Walkthrough / Playthrough
Abstract Nonsense difficulty
Previous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03_ATEW6Cew
=======================================================
Note that the game received another update to fix the skip dialogue choice. It also reduces EXP rather than stop enemy encounters when you're overleveled.
Somehow, someone sent Rin a threatening email telling them to go to Crypton High School. You can call one of your friends to accompany you. I chose Gumi because she proved her combat prowess against Hideki, she didn't get as many scenes as the other two, and I figured I should pick the more "wild" character after picking Riliane in Corruption of Laetitia.
Once the duo arrives at school, they're attacked by berserk Roombas, which are called Doombas. And yes, the school is filled with them. On higher difficulties, it's possible to encounter stronger Doombas variants like Boomba. If this game goes commercial, the Roombas might have to be renamed to avoid legal issues.
Once you enter the front door, you'll hear a crash outside. Turns out Haku, like Gumi, received a suspicious call. She sets up shop outside of school and now sells weapon upgrades for all party members. I recommend buying a new weapon for your partner before the chapter boss, though I don't recommend buying Light Core or Replica Katana because they can be found within the school.
At the computer club lab, a robot will take control of your partner and force her to fight you.
[ 18:56 ] Boss: Dominator and brainwashed partner
You need to focus on the Dominator to free your partner from its control. The Dominator will heal and buff your partner throughout the fight. On Abstract Nonsense, I had to level up to 5 to stand a chance. Note that your partner won't hesitate to use some of their more supportive skills, like Gumi's ability to take attacks in place of an ally.
Afterwards, Rin learns that the Dominator was keeping surveillance on the cantina, where there's a secret underground passage containing weaker versions of the Dominator. They don't give much EXP, but if you're desperate you can grind them to level 6.
At the end of the passage, you'll run into a robot woman, who wants to kidnap Rin for unknown reasons. Fortunately, the two you didn't pick will join the party during the pre-boss cutscene. They will also scale to your level, so it may be worth grinding to 5 or 6.
Note that if you died to the boss before, choosing to skip the cutscene will weaken her. This really needs to be disclosed more clearly and cutscene skipping shouldn't be coupled to difficulty lowering. I assume the boss gets overconfident if you skip the cutscene because she thinks if she beat you once, she can beat you again.
If you're not sure which version you're fighting, take note of what she says at the start of battle. If she mentions your party's headcount, that means you're fighting the stronger version. If she says the battle is already decided, you're fighting the weaker version.
[ 32:52 ] Boss: S.I.S. (Full Power)
It took me several tries to beat her full power variant due to her insane speed and offense. EMP Grenades (slow) and Song of Absolution (power weaken) will go a long way in making her DPS manageable. You can also put the enemies to sleep with Miku to buy time for healing and buffing, though the cooldown on her sleep skill is really long. Whatever you do, DO NOT KILL HER MINIONS! She will buff herself in response.
Also, bleed/oil spill can kill a character. This can work for or against you.
After the fight, S.I.S. will apologize and say this is what her mother wants. We also get her Clockwork Heart, which fell out of her broken body. Rin Kagamine is now a keyblade wielder who can unlock hearts /sarcasm.
"Clockwork Hearts is Light!"
=======================================================
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bugfragged_TWT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bugfragged/
Tumblr: https://bugfragged.tumblr.com/
Mastodon.social: https://mastodon.social/@bugfragged
#HeartsLikeClockwork #RPGMaker