Ok, so my wife saw me playing Killer 7 and she asked me 'Why does it look like 1998 up in here?"lol
Ok, so my wife saw me playing Killer 7 and she asked me 'Why does it look like 1998 up in here?"
GameStop has the GameCube version for $5.99: http://www.gamestop.com/gc/games/killer-7/33104 (http://www.gamestop.com/gc/games/killer-7/33104)
the Yakumo is a text which was created by 7 Japanese founders(politicians) in the past. The Yakumo (text) is said to have a power to change the world.
During his brief scene, in SUNSET, Toru Fukushima described the Yakumo as a policy that was created by the Union-Seven. The contents of the Yakumo are implied to be able to propel a nation toward total domination of the world--or, at least, primary control. Further, this policy may have been developed strictly for Japanese execution, but (as Fukushima admits) Japan is too weak to implement it on her own.
Another historical departure might be useful, now. Japanese foreign policy was established early in the second millenium of the Christian calendar as "Hakko Ichiu." The ideology holds that the Japanese emperor is not merely the sovereign authority over the Japanese people, but over all people of all races. The self-righteousness of their cultural self-perception was manipulated easily during the Second World War by Japanese Emperor Hirohiko (also a high Shinto priest who very much believed in his own deity) into justification for all types of nationalistic aggression. Translated, the foreign policy aims to bring "all the eight corners of the world under the roof of Japan."
"When I first played Killer7, my impulse was to regard the phrase "U. N. Party" as indicative of the United Nations' presence in the fictional universe. However, the U. N. Party is not the United Nations.
During his brief scene at the start of SUNSET PART TWO, Kurahashi says that all of the U. N. Party's efforts will be destroyed, and that they have been in motion for "65 years" since Japan's American occupation at the end of World War II. Most historical resources seem to agree that Japan's struggle after World War II involved two major ideological forces: the liberal, individualistic ideas that wanted to depart from Japan's culturally historical means of thinking and acting-- and the conservative, collectivistic ideas that wanted to return the government to the control of an oligarchic shadow- government and the pursuit of Shinto and Bushido ideals.
we may conclude that the Yakumo--as a governmental policy developed by the Union-Seven- is enmeshed in conservative Japanese ideals. The U. N. Party comes from this cultural tradition. seems to be a renovated form of "Hakko Ichiu."
Further, this policy may have been developed strictly for Japanese execution, but (as Fukushima admits) Japan is too weak to implement it on her own.
Smith, have a minute to share? It could open your eyes. Japan doesn't have its own defense system. It's survival is contingent on the United States. But as far as the homeland is concerned, Japan is extra baggage. Its usefulness as an ally is long past. Straight up, it ain't worth saving, you see? That's reality for you. So, chief, you still gonna do it? You know what is meant by fireworks? They're missiles. The explosion that occurs when missiles collide . . . . Well, sure, that's a beautiful sight indeed! But you'll only see it if the defense system is activated(fireworks a reference to first cutscene in Sunset)
Straight up, he's desperate. Fukushima's only ace in the hole is the Yakumo. The secret conference of the U.S.-Japan Territory Talks held at the Kaku Building tomorrow represents the time limit. The Yakumo will determine whether the 'fireworks' launch. It's Fukushima's offering to the gods. What's your move, chief? Kill him and sink Japan? Or let him live and get the Yakumo. The Yakumo is dangerous. It will allow the United States to rule the world. The course of humankind is in your hands, chief.
She's hottie, ain't she? What a waste, though. The last fruitless attempt at resistance by the Liberal Party.
Using a woman as a weapon? That doesn't bode well for them. The kind of thing only an inept party would resort to. Japanese politicians are rotten to the core. Smith, there's no sex discrimination here. Don't hesitate. Take her out like the rest of 'em!
Hitting their weak spot is a thrill, but the aiming is so spotty it's frustrating.
Ok, so my wife saw me playing Killer 7 and she asked me 'Why does it look like 1998 up in here?"Ahahahahahaha! ;D That's awesome!
I didn't vote for Killer7 (in fact I didn't vote at all, since I've just registered), but I was hoping it would win. I've owned the game for years now, and never played further than the first level, so I'm looking forward to playing along with you guys.
Since Jonny was worried that people who voted for Killer7 wouldn't play along, can I cancel one of them out?
Matsuken was a lower, younger member of the U. N. Party, until
he became frustrated with the seeming ineptitude of his party
elders. He shot them--Akiba and Kurahashi--and prepared to shoot
himself. However, Kun Lan touched him and "adopted" him with
the "Hand of God."
Matsuken represents the violent anger in Japanese culture
toward America, due in large part to the destruction of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki with the atomic bombs.
After becoming "adopted" by Kun Lan, Matsuken takes the reins of the U. N. Party
"How's this for a stuffy atmosphere? This is the
Information Terminal Central, where the elites of the world
gather. While the backroom movers and shakers stared each
other down, the debate heated up over the subject of the
disposal of Japan. Not a single country argued in her
favor. The Japanese territory would be a prize to any
neighboring country. Straight up, Japan is on her own."
"You wanna hear something? I'll tell you straight up,
okay? Basically, these talks are a war of proxy for the
owner, Fukushima. But the attendees are 3rd-rate
bureaucrats. And when the prey is sub-par, so are the
assassins. What a charade. The US has given up on the
talks. Fukushima was the backbone of the UN Party. But
now the UN Party is a toothless organization. These talks
will determine the fate of Japan."
"Beware of the basement! A hitman has already infiltrated.
The suave dude, DePaul, who was at the restaurant, is a spy
from the International Ethics Committee. Their goal is to
disrupt the final talks between the U.S. and Japan.
They're planing a secret meeting somewhere in this
building. By interrupting the talks, they hope to delay
the sinking of Japan. Take him out, Smith. Take him out."
"The talks broke down. All according to plan, I guess.
Now the skies will rain on Japan for sure. But straight
up, it doesn't add up. Why doesn't the US destroy the UN
Party? Why do they let them live? Somebody is pulling
strings. Could it be a Fukushima adherent? Kenjiro
Matsuoka is the Director of the Central Management Office.
Or Matsuken for short. Can he pick up where Fukushima left
off? Can this dude lead Japan?"
I'd like to explain what I think was meant by "the promise made 30 years ago." Since Garcian delivers the quoted words in 2010, he indicates that the promise was made in 1980. I have researched lightly Japanese-American diplomatic relationships during 1980, and I discovered nothing significant. However, a
significant occasion occurs in 1983, when President Reagan addressed the Japanese legislative assembly (the Diet). The contents of his address seem to relate most closely with the events of Killer7, and I think that it may be the "promise" alluded to in the game.
I will highlight some of Reagan's remarks, and comment on
their relevance to the game. You can read the entire text of
the speech here:
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1983/111183a.htm (http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1983/111183a.htm)
The outward, visible alternative political history of Killer7 starts in 1998, I think. Almost everything before 1998, in real political history, can be considered relevant to the
game.
Reagan's address to the legislature--the Diet--was the first formal address given by an American, to a Japanese political group, in a very long time. It marked a new understanding of Japanese-American relationships. The diplomatic interests are clear in Reagan's speech: "The bonds of friendship which unite us are even greater than the ocean which divides us." And, later: "Japan will not have to bear the burden of defending freedom alone. America is your partner. We will bear that
burden together."
As well, the speech emphasizes the parallel development of Japan and the United States: "In 6 years you will celebrate your 100th anniversary of representative government in Japan, just as we will celebrate the birth of our own Congress. I bring you the best wishes and heartfelt greetings from your American counterparts, the Congress of the United States." Taken in the context of the fictional history of Killer7, some of Reagan's remarks foreshadow the dissolution of airlines and
commerce, in the interest of retarding terrorism: "Our two great nations, working with others, must preserve the values and freedoms out societies have struggled so hard to achieve. Nor should our partnership for peace, prosperity, and freedom be considered a quest for competing goals. We cannot prosper unless we are secure, and we cannot be secure unless we are free." It is worth noting that the siezure of airlines, as a way of retarding terrorism, was given historical precedent
well before September 11, 2001; a while before Reagan's speech to the Diet, over the Sea of Japan, 269 people were killed when a Japanese civilian airplane was shot down.
Reagan remarks upon one of the hottest issues of the times, which we see reach a half-conclusion in "the missile shows": "Arms control must mean arms reductions. America is doing its part. As I pledged to the United Nations less than 2 months ago, the United States will accept any equitable, verifiable agreement that stabilizes forces at lower levels than currently exist. We want significant reductions, and we're willing to compromise."
Even the Japanese "occupation" of the American government in Killer7 is foreshadowed. Reagan comments upon the Japanese economy's strengths, over the United States', and says:
"Sometimes I wonder if we shouldn't further our friendship by sending our Congress here and you coming over and occupying our Capitol Building for a while."
I believe that the political circumstances in Killer7 are science-fiction extrapolations of Japanese-American diplomatic relations, as they are communicated in Reagan's speech. I wrote that I thought that Hulbert's cassettes were recorded in 2000, but now I change my mind. I think that they are recorded in 1996. I think it more probable that electoral suspicion would arise in a president who was so interested in pursuing the goals of global disarmament, that he would dissolve some
of the sovereignty that separates America from Japan.
Anyone else find that Deadly Premonition has a lot of the same traits? Humour, awful controls and overall oddballness? (Yes I just made up a word).
It's possible someone bought the game, I don't think the website updates right away (not sure how long it takes between a game being sold and the website being updated).It's certainly possible, but that was back on Saturday and the website still says they have a copy. And yes, it's possible someone traded in another one after I left, but the odds of that are ridiculously low.
Critical: Increases the likelihood of critical weakspot shots
no, upgrading your critical basically makes the hitbox bigger, so its really the other way around.Critical: Increases the likelihood of critical weakspot shots
So even if you put the cross hairs directly on a critical spot there's still a chance you may miss?
And in the end is basically where I realized I did kinda love the game. I loved the graphics, the voice/sound and music. The crazy story was awesome. I didn't really understand the whole political angle, but I loved the story of the assassins and their connection. And getting criticals, especially mutliple criticals in a row is a great feeling.
Yeah...it sounds like that Gamestop hasn't updated it's Gamecube database in a while. I've had a much harder time lately finding a local Gamestop that still carries old Gamecube software at all.Yeah, they usually have them tucked away in a corner and haphazardly thrown onto a shelf, so I've a feeling that they won't be around much longer. There's also one store near me which still has some GameCube games, but they don't have them on the shelves. If you haven't already, you can try asking if they have any when you don't see any.
"You know what was behind the assault on the immigration office (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hhaDsG1Les&playnext=1&list=PL48151D5F0488B425#t=02m25s)? Pedro monopolized the market. Before, the rule was the old man [Curtis Blackburn] had the girls, Pedro had the boys. That is, until Pedro broke it. There's a big business in orphans. But there was a shortage in fresh organs. Heaven Smile caused the birthrate to drop more rapidly. Increases in contagious diseases started eating away at bodies. And voila --- control of the market on boys was no longer enough. That's why Pedro betrayed the old man. Pedro can run but he can't hide." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKeYi10ynNY#t=40s)
"This is all just hearsay, but the old man has some freaky hobbies. Apparently, he's a black market organ trader. And that's his 'public' face. His private life? He lives with orphans. Straight up, all girl orphans. And it's all sanctioned by the government. Pedro is the middleman. He controls the organ trade routes. The ties from the self-defense days would appear strong. Can you believe the nerve of it?"
"You're slipping, Smith. How can the old man be giving you this much trouble? Ayame, the machine gun girl with the crazy costume? That's the kind of **** the old man gets off on. He trained her himself. You saw the the pile of bodies in the back, right? That's the old man's true colors, shining through. He only needs the girls . . . . No use for the boys . . . . Some tragic ass ****, that's for sure."
"There's quite a history between the old man [Curtis] and the Hellion. The Hellion'll go ape **** if he so much as hears Curtis' name. Even the chief wouldn't be able to hold him back. Where did he get killed, anyway? Chief, you recovered the body, no? Tell me straight up -- just how much do you know?"
"You sure don't show much interest in your pals. Do these people even exist? You're not one of those multiple personalities, are you? The old man [Curtis] was the Hellion's mentor at the Seattle self-defense force. Dan learned the ABC's of murder from the old man. Dan was accused of betrayal, and taken out in an alley. No trial for that one, baby! Chief, you're the one who recovered the body, right? But Pedro, who had connections to the self-defense force, was the man behind it all."
Pedro siphoned capital to a foreign syndicate. But then he tried to skim a little off the top. The members of the Seattle self-defense force signed a pact of brotherhood in blood. Traitors are punished by death. The Hellion was framed by Pedro. Pedro assigned Dan to launder the dirty money, and had the old man [Curtis] take Dan out, or so the story goes.
What a pitiful pervert. Doesn't deserve to live. And Pedro? He's probably a filthy bastard as well. They're all the same. Rats who profit by bartering in human lives.
And you know who should settle this? The Hellion. Cause he's been around it from the start. A fitting way to tie up old ends, right?
Facts don't tell the whole story, or the truth. (Laughs) It's so cliché, but it's the truth about the state this country is in. This school is controlled by the government of another nation. Students here are trained to become elite agents who work for the government. Graduates are assigned to leading positions in the government and promised their life. Some are recruited as Yakumo party members. Those selected become key players in the intelligence war. In other words, they have the capability to spark some fires in the United States. That's the job of a Yakumo
party member.
"Quiet! If you're overheard,. you'll be in deep trouble.
Lemme tell you straight up, just between you and me. This is the spot where the homeland's elections originate. The spot for the primaries for the first presidential election. The first president of the US was the principal of this school. Win over your neighbors, and win over the world. That's the way politics works."
Don't raise your voice, man! Nobody knows who could be listening. Twenty-four people. That's how many electors have been assigned to this state. Ten percent of the total vote. Hey, that makes it the key state! Now, wouldn't that be a nice place to control? The lord of this state is the lord of the land. But who must you sweeten to gain this fair prize? It'll take a mountain of money. But for whom to write the check? You must know by now, right, so just tell me straight up?"
...Most ballot booths are at schools. The Education Ministry is in charge of the schools. The results of the election are rigged from the start. Voting is just for show. Before votes are counted, the Education Ministry does a switcheroo. The biggest magic trick on Earth. In other words...
The most powerful man in the country is the Education Secretary...
"Laugh, killer.
The actor pulls the curtain himself. You never know what fate might bring. You can't become the President without getting a little crazy.
Hear me out, killer.
You're standing on the wrong stage. Sometimes it's harder to let people live.
Listen up, killer.
This country is pumped. A monopoly on money, power, and interests. The reward?
Heaven Smile.
Foresee, killer.
See into the future. This nation will be the focus of concentrated fire. But it
still won't die.
Figure it out, killer.
I'm not dead. Blood flows through Japan again. The UN Party and the Opposition
Party are holding secret meetings.
Kill, killer.
Don't expose the nation's shame. Topple the young members of the UN Party.
Go, killer.
Open the forbidden door. Your mission is to bury the dark pages of history. If
you do, paradise awaits you."
...The most powerful man in the country is the Education Secretary
But a Japanese put him out. The dog bit back at his owner. Revenge for being left for dead. This is big trouble. Corrupt officials are at a loss. The country has been revealed for what it is - a monster.
But will anything change? You expect some revolution? Well, a dog can't do ****.Has a dying country ever created anything worth its salt?
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Smile: part 1
this ones a little more obvious, this is an origin's story to the killer 7 persona's as we know them in the game. game play wise, I don't like this part of smile, since you're literally doing the same thing over and over here.
Is there any significance to the way that the Personae's powers work?
All of the Personae's powers suggest elements of their deaths, inthe Union Hotel. All of the powers are inversions of the elementsof their deaths.
Kevin Smith was in disguise, but his disguise failed. In the Killer7, Kevin Smith's disguise is perfect: he turns invisible.
Con Smith did not hear Emir enter his room, and he did not run away. In the Killer7, he has perfect hearing and he can run at impossible speeds.
MASK De Smith was completely nude, exposed, and he died without putting up a fight. In the Killer7, he is disguised entirely, and he is the superhero-in-residence.
KAEDE Smith was a coward; she ran away when she had the chance to warn the remainder of her comrades, and she hid in a closet. In the Killer7, she instead slits her wrist and showers forth blood--an action reminiscent of self-sacrifice, the opposite of her behavior in the Union Hotel. As well, instead of placing a barrier between herself and a threat--as she did when she hid from Emir in the closet--she removes barriers.
Coyote Smith hid unimaginatively from Emir. In the Union Hotel, Coyote had the option of climbing onto the fire escape to flee. Lacking the imagination to do so, however, he was killed when Emir instead used the fire escape to catch Coyote off guard. In the Killer7, then, Coyote possesses the ingenuity and cleverness that he failed to display at the Union Hotel.
Dan Smith talked a lot of trash, bragged to Emir's face, and even beat Emir to the draw. In the end, though, he was unable to cash the check his mouth had written. In the Killer7, then, he is
still a braggart, but he is able to follow through with the claims made in his speech. He is even able to fire the devastating Colatteral Shot--a supernatural version of the gunshot that could
have saved his life from Emir Parkreiner, in the Union Hotel.
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I have to say I'd be extremely surprised if any of your posts get read out on the podcast :P: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
Also, Jonny, I approve of the comparison with the old Resident Evil games. I am highly tolerant of those games and I actually think that Killer 7 has decent gameplay and some quite good puzzles. It's archaic, but to me it's an acceptable form of archaic.
We didn't read Lithium's posts on the show, but I did refer people to the thread specifically to check these out. The effort and persistence is much appreciated!
Foresee, killer.
See into the future. This nation will be the focus of concentrated fire. But it
still won't die.
Figure it out, killer.
I'm not dead. Blood flows through Japan again. The UN Party and the Opposition
Party are holding secret meetings.
Hear me out, killer.
You're standing on the wrong stage. Sometimes it's harder to let people live....
Kill, killer.
Don't expose the nation's shame. Topple the young members of the UN Party.
I got to the giant smiles back when I played K7, could never deal with those quickly enough to continue the game past that point. Might play it again but I'm ignoring Lithium's posts so I can witness the insanity on a fresh mind.
-- This really should have been on Wii. Aiming would be more intuitive, the on-rails movement wouldn't feel so out of place, and I bet you could fit the whole thing on a single disc.
Did anyone try the modes that are unlocked after beating the game?