A remaster of Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse
As mankind races to create new weapons to turn the tide in its war against alien invaders, Yuuya, a hot-headed American pilot, is assigned to work with a beautiful but cold Japanese officer on a top-secret project. Can they learn to work together in time to make the weapon that saves us all?
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I'm giving it 4.5 stars because I think it really deserves that and I love this entry a lot, but if I had the power to give this 2 ratings at the same time I would also rate it 1 star for what it did to me
I think this has some cool ideas and the best cast in an ML entry, but there isn't a single thing about the execution that I enjoy. By the end, all I felt was frustration over how it handled things.
Yuuya, Yui and Cryska are parallels of the same type of people, however with different nationalities who need to learn to connect with others despite their differences, whether ethnic, personal or moral. Not just let go of the identities imposed on them and start living as human beings with their own individualities, but understand that it is possible for humans to connect and work together despite everything. Instead of pushing our ideas on others, learn and be considerate of others so that in this conflict of ideas we find a path that leads us to mutual understanding. The purpose of TE is to demonstrate that despite all our differences, human beings can work together despite all obstacles.
After having to deal with the production and writing of TDA after Alternative, I am immensely grateful to see Yoshimune back on the series as a writer and dedicating a lot of time to production, direction, etc. Its amazing. Look, MLA is WAY better than TE, especially cuz it continues to be Yoshimune's life's work, so some may find it strange that I give the same score to both. But I have to follow my heart , this VN is spectacular and even though the level of emotion isn't the same as MLA, it still manages to play with your heart.
In general MLA > TE > TDA = Extra/Unlimited
After having to deal with the production and writing of TDA after Alternative, I am immensely grateful to see Yoshimune back on the series as a writer and dedicating a lot of time to production, direction, etc. Its amazing. Look, MLA is WAY better than TE, especially cuz it continues to be Yoshimune's life's work, so some may find it strange that I give the same score to both. But I have to follow my heart , this VN is spectacular and even though the level of emotion isn't the same as MLA, it still manages to play with your heart.
In general MLA > TE > TDA = Extra/Unlimited
its about cool robots and teasing a sequel that will never happen
when Yuuya said, "I am the Total Eclipse!"
I clapped. The pinnacle of all fiction
I clapped. The pinnacle of all fiction
There are no spoilers for any Muv-Luv content in this.
Total Eclipse is a visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut/alternate retcon timeline of sorts of both the Total Eclipse light novel and LN -> anime adaptation. It features a great deal more content than either of those, and goes along further timeline-wise.
Visually, despite for some reason being the only long Muv-Luv VN to not have chibis (why!?), it is the best-looking and most animated entry. You have more movement than in Alternative or TDA, and for some fights you even have scenes from the anime organically inserted to add more to the mech fights. The soundtrack is great, too, where for a while every major fight gets its own insert track, and it feels like they'll never run out.
There is a prequel story to the main Total Eclipse called Teito Moyu (not released in English, if you can't read Japanese at least watch the first 2 episodes of the TE anime that is like a short version of TM), which features a different protagonist than the main one, and I think it's one of the best stories in the series, on every major level. It adds a lot lore-wise and characterisation-wise. I also like cadet stories like this, Unlimited and some Photon stories.
The main Total Eclipse explores a lot of interesting concepts, some that are parallel or complementary to Alternative, and some are more unique to TE, such as the question of national identity. The main character, Yuuya Bridges, is very compelling, but the supporting cast is also great. The lore in this explores different sides of the political landscape and technology (the depth they go into the tech behind TSFs is crazy in this), as well as different cultures. It takes place on the other side of the globe compared to the original, but still complements it well.
Unfortunately, I did not find it to be as emotional as MLA, or as insanely consistent in quality as TDA, but for many this is their favourite entry, and it's understandable why. The highs are very high.
Overall, I consider this to be a must-read for big fans of the other entries.
Total Eclipse is a visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut/alternate retcon timeline of sorts of both the Total Eclipse light novel and LN -> anime adaptation. It features a great deal more content than either of those, and goes along further timeline-wise.
Visually, despite for some reason being the only long Muv-Luv VN to not have chibis (why!?), it is the best-looking and most animated entry. You have more movement than in Alternative or TDA, and for some fights you even have scenes from the anime organically inserted to add more to the mech fights. The soundtrack is great, too, where for a while every major fight gets its own insert track, and it feels like they'll never run out.
There is a prequel story to the main Total Eclipse called Teito Moyu (not released in English, if you can't read Japanese at least watch the first 2 episodes of the TE anime that is like a short version of TM), which features a different protagonist than the main one, and I think it's one of the best stories in the series, on every major level. It adds a lot lore-wise and characterisation-wise. I also like cadet stories like this, Unlimited and some Photon stories.
The main Total Eclipse explores a lot of interesting concepts, some that are parallel or complementary to Alternative, and some are more unique to TE, such as the question of national identity. The main character, Yuuya Bridges, is very compelling, but the supporting cast is also great. The lore in this explores different sides of the political landscape and technology (the depth they go into the tech behind TSFs is crazy in this), as well as different cultures. It takes place on the other side of the globe compared to the original, but still complements it well.
Unfortunately, I did not find it to be as emotional as MLA, or as insanely consistent in quality as TDA, but for many this is their favourite entry, and it's understandable why. The highs are very high.
Overall, I consider this to be a must-read for big fans of the other entries.