Hi! I like making cool sprites, but I also like finding cool sprites in games you've never heard of. That's what brings us here. Originally I was going to just rip the sprites, get them all onto the database and be done with it, buuuuuuuuut I was having trouble with the sprite dump approach. And the longer the game held out, the more I realized that it actually looked like a genuinely fun game. It seems like the closest the GBC came to Zelda without actually being Zelda. The only trouble is that whole "being in Japanese" thing.
But it's okay! I googled how to read Hiragana yesterday two days ago, so I can transcribe it now, and Google Translate would never steer me wrong. So I'm sure it'll be fine.
(No but seriously, this shouldn't be too bad. I've been cross-referencing two different machine translations, and from what I've found one or the other usually pulls through. And in a pinch, I've tried taking some artistic liberties to smooth the dialog out. Actual Japanese speakers Aevin and hubydweyer have also helped out here; Aevin in particular has bailed me out a bunch of times already so far. I'm sure there's details and nuances I've missed, so feel free to let me know! I'll be happy to edit things as needed.)
This does have an English title, by the way: it's called Metamode. There's not much other English information on it out there. There's one page you can read if you want, although it has a few plot spoilers. I'm not sure yet how important the plot is going to be, there's definitely a whole lot of intro exposition so far, at least. A Japanese LP can be found here. Oh, and there's some racist costumes on twitter. So, uh, that's also thing we'll be seeing.
I've never done an LP before! I really hope the actual game is fun, I've spent so much time trying to line everything up here that I haven't actually gotten to the gameplay part.
EDIT: The player spritesets, all 90 of them, have been uploaded to the database here! In the coming weeks, I'm hoping to do more uploads for background tiles and for edited versions of the bosses.
Edited by Ether, 08 September 2021 - 09:24 PM.
DarkFlameSheep, Anthus, Mitsukara and 4 others like this
The first bits are really exposition heavy, fair warning. I won't even get to select a character until the end of the next post.
Starting off...
>Daddy!
>It's bad!
The head of the village got injured by a monster. It's happening so much!
>What?
>This is it. I'll kill all the monsters!
......I'm gathering the villagers!
>Don't do that!
Spoiler
Japanese:
>おと うさーん！
たいへんだよ！
そんちょ うさんが
モンスターに ケガをさじせられたって
すっごい おこってるよ！
>なんだと？
>それでね
モンスターを みんなやっつけてやる！
。。。。。。って
むらの ひとたちを あつめてるよ！
>それはいかん！
Google Translate:
>Oto Usan!
It's hard!
Soncho-san was injured by a monster
It's really happening!
>What?
>That's it
I'll beat all the monsters!
.. .. .. .. .. .. I'm collecting the people of the village!
>That's fine!
Papago:
>Daddy!
I'm in trouble!
He said he was injured by a monster.*
It's happening so much!
>What's he say?
> I'll see you later.
I'll kill all the monsters!
I'm gathering the people of the village!
>Don't do that!
*Both machine translations change things up depending on how I concatenate the lines. "そんちょ うさんが" alone translates to "Mr Mayor!" and Aevin also interpreted it as referring to a village head.
Dad's out.
>Monsters are happy to see people, and jump at them out of joy.
But they're so strong that they can't help but hurt others.
I wonder if there is any way for monsters and humans to live together...
Spoiler
Japanese:
>モンスターは ひとを みると
うれしくて とびついてくる
でも ちからが つよすぎるから
ついつい ひとを きずつけてしまう
>モンスターと ひとが
なかよく くらす ほうほうは
ないものか。。。。。。
Google Translate:
Monsters are happy to see people and jump at them, but because the power is too strong, they just hurt people.
Isn't there a way for monsters and people to live well? .. .. .. .. ..
Papago:
Monsters jump at people with joy.
But he's so strong that he can't help but hurt others.
I wonder if there is any way for monsters and humans to live together...
>Elder!
>What is it?
>Please stop fighting the monsters!
>I know that even monsters aren't truly monstrous. But this can't continue.
People are getting hurt.
>Please, give me some time!
I'm sure...
I'm sure I can find a way for humans and monsters to live together!
>......
One week...
You can have a week. Find a way to do it by then.
>Thank you!
Spoiler
Japanese:
>そんちょう！
>なんだね？
>モンスターたちを やっつけるのは
やめてください！
>ワツだって モンスターに
わるぎが ないのは わかっておる
しかし これいじょう
ひとが きずつくのは ゴメンじゃ
>じかんを ください！
かならず。。。。。。
かならず ひとと モンスターが
なかよく くらしていく ほうほうを
みつけてみせます！
>......
いっしゅうかん。。。。。。
いっしゅうかんだけ まってやろう
それまでに その ほうほうとやらを
みつけてくるんじゃ
>ありがとう ございます！
Google Translate:
>Respect!
>What is it?
>Please stop defeating the monsters!
>I know that even monsters don't have a monster.
However, this is fine
I'm sorry that people are sick
>Please give me a break!
Always. .. .. .. .. ..
Be sure to find a way for people and monsters to live well!
>......
a week. .. .. .. .. ..
Let's just wait together
By then, you'll find that one
>Thank you!
Papago:
>Respect!
>What's that?
>Stop beating the monsters!
>I know there's nothing wrong with monsters.
But I don't want to hurt anyone any more.
>Give me some time!
I'm sure...
I'll definitely find a way for humans and monsters to live together!
>......
For a week...
I'll just wait a week.
You'll find a way to do it by then.
>Thank you!
>Gentlemen!
>Thank you for waiting.
>How did it go? Did you find a way?
>Yes.
The way for people and monsters to get along...
That's...
This!
>What? What is it?
>It's Metamode!
>So what?
>Well, please take a look.
He has transformed.
>Oh!
>With Metamode, you can change your appearance like this. But...
>Even if you can change form, the monsters can't. So if you don't restrain yourself...
>That's dangerous.
>Oh!
>If you use Metamode to power up, you can protect yourself without killing monsters.
Spoiler
Japanese:
>そんちょう！
(Another person walks in with our pacifist inventor)
>おまたせしました
で どうしゃ？
ほうほうは みつかったのか？
>はい
（inventor walks forward）
>ひとと モンスターが
なかよく くらしていく ほうほう......
それは......
これです！
（he takes out the metamode）
>なんしゃ？ それは？
>メタモードです！
>だから なんなんだ？
>まあ みていてください
(he spins around and transforms)
(everyone jumps)
>おお！
>このメタモードを つかえば
こうやって すがたを かえられます
しかしじゃ......
すがたが かわっても
モンスターに やられないとは
かぎらんぞ
(he walks to the table)
そこ おぶないですよ
(he sets the table on fire. everyone jumps.)
>おお！
>メタモードを つかって
パワーアップすれば
モンスターを ころすことなく
みを まもれます
Google Translate:
>Respect!
>Thank you for waiting.
>Did you find it?
>Yes.
People and monsters
How to live well ...
that is......
This one!
>What? that is?
>Meta mode!
>So what is it?
>Well, please take a look.
>Oh!
>If you use this meta mode, you can change the shape like this
But then ...
Even if it changes, it doesn't mean that the monster can't do it.
There is no danger
>Oh!
>If you use Meta Mode to power up
You can protect yourself without killing monsters
Papago:
>Respect!
>Thanks for waiting
>So what? Did you find a way?
>Yes, sir.
>How people and monsters get along well......
That's......
This is it!
>What's that? What's that?
>It's meta mode!
>That's why?
>Well, look at it.
>Oh!
>With this meta-mode, You can change your appearance like this.
But then......
even if someone changes his appearance It's not like you can't be beaten by monsters.
That's a big deal.
>Oh!
>If you use meta-mode to power up
You can protect yourself without killing monsters.
>But now we human beings are too strong...
>There's no need to worry about it. Please try it out.
>All right! Transform!
>Hey, that's weird!
>That?
>Metamode reveals the strength of a person.
Only those who are trying to get stronger can get stronger.
What do you think, Elder?
>It's wonderful. Now we don't have to kill monsters. Thank you very much.
Now hurry and hand the Metamode out to everyone in the village so they can transform. Then we'll gather up a security force to protect the peace.
>Do you mean we'll use Metamode against human evil?
>Yes, that's right.
>Do you want to be a security guard...?
It'd be kind of cool. I'll do my best, I want to join the forces.
>I want to join too.
>I know I'll be there!
>Oh god, I can't wimp out. I'll join too!
...
>You gave us an amazing invention. I thank you.
Spoiler
Japanese:
>でも こんでは にんげんが
つよく なりすぎるんじゃ......
>その しんぱいは ありません
>ためしに つかってみてください
(he switches places with the metamode)
>よし！ へんしん！
>おい！ へんしんだ！
>あれ？
(the inventor walks up to the elder)
>メタモードは そのひとの つよさを
みきわめます
つよくなれるのは つよくなるために
どりょくをしている ひとだけ......
どうです？ そんちょう？
>すばらしい
これで モンスターを
ころさずに すむわい
ありがとう ございます
では さっそく メタモードを
むらのみんなに くばってくれ
それから すでに へんしんできる
そしつが あるものを あつめて
けいびたいを つくろう
むらの へいわを けいびたいで
まもるのじゃ
>メタモードを つかって
にんげんの わるさも
ふせごうって わけですね？
>そういうことじゃ
>けいびたいか......
なんか カッコいいな
おれも がんばって
けいびたいに はいりたいな
>あたしだって はいりたいわ
>オレは ぜったいに はいるぞ！
>ちくしょう まけてらんねえぜ
オレだって はいってやる！
(everyone except the inventor and the elder leave)
>スゴイ はつめいを してくれた
かんしゃするぞ
Google Translate:
>But in this case, the human beings are too strong ...
>There is no such thing.
Please try it.
>Alright! Reply!
>Oi! It's strange!
>That?
>Meta mode reveals the strength of the person
The only person who can get stronger is the person who is trying to get stronger ...
How is it? Respect?
>It’s wonderful. Thank you so much for not letting the monsters fall.
>Then, let's get the meta mode to everyone in the village.
Then, let's collect the things that already have peace that can be peaceful and make peace.
I'll protect you
>Isn't it possible to use the meta mode to prevent human beings?
>That's it
>Do you want to be a kid ...
Somehow it's cool, I want to do my best, I want to go
>I want to go
>I'm at all!
>Chikusho, don't give up, I'll go in!
>It ’s amazing that he gave me an invention.
Papago:
>But people are getting too strong this time......
>There's no need to worry about it.
>Please try it out.
>Good! Change!
>Hey! That's weird!
>That?
>Metamode determines a person's strength.
Only those who are trying to be strong can be strong......
What do you think, sir?
>wonderful
Now you don't have to kill monsters.
Thank you very much.
>Now, distribute the meta-mode to everyone in the village.
And then you can get back to me.
Let's build a security force together to make peace in the village.
Don't protect me.
>Do you mean that meta-mode is used to prevent human evil?
>That's not the case.
>Do you want to protect me......
It's kind of cool.
I want to do my best to join the security team.
>I want to go in, too.
>I'm sure I'll be there!
>Oh, my God, I can't lose. I'll go in, too!
>Thank you for your great invention.
tl;dr In the spirt of Undertale, monsters like people but keep attacking them by accident because they're dumbasses. I'm pretty sure the game itself still consists largely of hitting monsters with swords while wearing a variety of magical girl costumes, though, so I have no idea if the themes presented here will hold!
Having actually done all this, I'm not actually sure if this is the direction I wanted to go in. If nothing else, strategically concatenating the machine translations in the spoilers made them much less funny, as well as creating more work. I want to be funnier but I also worry that snarking too hard at a game nobody's heard of, one that I genuinely intend to enjoy, seems counterproductive too. Hopefully a middle ground will present itself once the big exposition's cleared up and I can actually play the game!
Well, wow. The game looks adorable and the plot from what I gather is rather off the beaten path. Like, it's whimsy and original, puts a smile on my face. It's also silly, but yeah.
(Katakana has three smiley faces. One of them is noticeably smaller than the others, I have nooooo idea which of the other two this one is. I tried plugging both in and neither of them really make sense, so ¯\_(シ)_/¯.)
Google Translate:
This is Cools Honbu
A man, a woman, an old man, an old man, an uncle, an aunt, an old man, and an old woman.
Everyone is longing for
Sakaijuu's peace is protected.
Once upon a time, "Keibitai" made from a certain unevenness ...
It's a peacekeeping organization all over the world.
Once upon a time in a village, a "security force" was built......
Now that's the case.
It's gotten this good.
What's more, cools?
It's called by a shy name.
This time I'm trying to feed in the lines exactly as they appear without massaging the line breaks. It's less work and you already have my best sincere effort at a translation either way. And also some of the translation fails are pretty funny.
This is the Anpo branch of the Kools.
Everyone calls this place "Tiger's Den..."
The training here is strict. Only a strong-hearted person can become a Kools. And...
There's going to be an entrance test soon.
How many people are here this year?
I wonder how many of them are going to Tiger's Den.
And how many of them will become Kools and protect world peace.
Spoiler
Japanese:
ここは クールスの アンボしぶ
みんなは ここを 「とらのあな」
......と よんでいます
ここで きびしい くんれんをうけ
かちのこった ひとだけが
クールスの せいしきな たいいんに
なれるのです
そして......
もうすぐ ここ「とらのあな」に
はいるための テストが
おこなわれます
ことしは なんにんのひとが
とらのあなに はいれるのでしょう
そして そのうち なんにんのひとが
クールスの たいいんに なって
せかいのへいわを まもるのでしょう
Google Translate:
This is Cools Ambo Shibu
Everyone here is "Toranoana"
I'm reading ...
Receive a strict training here
Only people who are stubborn
Cools's sequel
Can be
and......
Soon here at "Toranoana"
Test to yes
Will be done
This is what a person is
What can I put in Toranoana?
And some of them
Cools is good
Will protect the peace of peace
Papago:
This is the Ambo Branch of Coolus.
People call this "Tiger's Hole."
It's called ......
I'm going through a lot of training here.
only those who have won
in the official discharge of Couls
You can get used to it.
And......
It's almost here in "Tora-no-Anna'
There's a test to be done.
It's going on
How many people are there this year?
You're going to get into a tiger's hole, aren't it?
And how many of them?
in Couls
It's going to protect world peace.
Knack: "I'll be back, Mom."
>Please be careful.
You're like a big brother to that kid. I'll help out however I can.
Knack: "I know."
(I want to note here that this is Knack talking to his own mom.)
>So your sister's kid is finally entering the Tiger's Den?
Don't worry...
When Knack went to Tiger's Den, it made him stronger.
It seems like named characters have their names listed before their dialog lines. The inventor from the backstory in the last post doesn't seem to have had one, and he seems like he'd be a pretty important guy if he were still around. So I think it's a coincidence that he and Knack's dad here share a sprite?
I know from out of game material that the player character and Knack are cousins. I made up the exact family tree details wholesale just to keep their gender ambiguous before selection, so if there's a plothole later, whoops!
Spoiler
Japanese:
>ナック 「それじゃあ かあさん
いってくるよ
>きをつけて いってらっしゃい
あなたは あのコの
おにいさん みたいな ものなんだから
いろいろ たすけて あげるのよ
>ナック 「わかってるって
(Knack walks off, and his dad walks in)
いよいよ あのコも とらのあなに
はいるときが きたのか
おもいだすなあ......
ナックが とらのあなに
はいったときを......
アイツも たくましく なったもんだ
Google Translate:
> Nack "Then, mom
I'm coming
> Please be careful
You are that girl
Because it's like an old man
I'll help you in various ways
> Nack "I know
>Finally, that girl is also Toranoana
Is it time to enter?
Don't worry ...
Nack is Toranoana
When you say ...
He's also strong
Papago:
>Nack "Well, then, mom."
I'll be back
Have a safe trip.
You're that guy's.
It's like an older brother.
I'll help you with a lot of things.
>Nack "I know."
>Finally, in that hole of a tiger,
Is it time to be here?
I remember......
The knuckles are in the tiger's hole.
When I entered......
He's getting stronger, too.
Mom: "Oh, it's Knack!"
Knack: "Hello."
Mom: "Come on in!"
Mom: "What happened today?"
Knack: "Well..."
Knack: "...we're going to Tiger's Den..."
Mom: "Oh no! They're still asleep! I have to wake them up quickly!"
Ugh gender neutral language is hard.
Dad: "By the way, I have the Metamode ready. I haven't used it at all."
Knack： ”This isn't good! Let's just set it up now. Where is the Metamode?”
Dad: "Here it is."
Dad: "My father kept it for a long time."
Knack: "I'll just enter the name and gender, it won't take long."
Spoiler
Japanese:
>おかあさん 「あら？ ナックくん
>ナック 「こんにちは
>おかあさん 「さあ はいって
>おかあさん 「きょうは どうしたの？
>ナック 「どうしたの？
......って きょうは とらのあなに はいるひじゃ......
(mom jumps)
おかあさん 「あら いけない！
あのコ まだねてるわよ！
はやく おこさなくちゃ！
(mom runs off)
>おとうさん 「そういえば
メタモードも かってきたままで
ぜんぜん つかってないな
>ナック 「それは いけません！
いまのうちに せってい だけでも
しておきましょう
メタモードは どこに おります？
>おとうさん 「ここだよ
(he takes out the metamode)
>おとうさん 「ずっと おとうさんが もっていたんだ
>ナック 「なまえと せいべつを いれるだけなので
すぐに すみますよ
Google Translate:
> Mom "Oh? Nack-kun
> Nack "Hello
> Mom "Come on, come on
> Mom "What happened today?
> Nack "What's wrong?
... That's what Toranoana is today ...
(mom jumps)
Mom "Oh no!
That girl is still sleeping!
I have to wake up quickly!
(mom runs off)
> Dad "By the way
Meta mode is still coming
I haven't used it at all
> Nack "That shouldn't be!
Even if it's just set up now
Let's keep it
Where is the meta mode?
> Dad "Here it is
(he takes out the meta mode)
> Dad "I always had a dad
> Nack "Because you just put in the name and the seibetsu
I'll be sorry soon
Papago:
Mom Oh, my God.Nack-kun
>Nack Hello
Mom, come on in.
Mom What's wrong with you today?
>Nack What's wrong?
......I'm in a tiger's hole today......
( mom jumps )
Mother Oh, no!
She's still sleeping!
I have to get up soon!
( mom runs off )
Dad Come to think of it,
with meta-mode still in stock
I didn't use it at all.
>Nack That's not good!
even if it's just a matter of time
Let's do it.
Where is Meta Mode?
Dad It's here.
( he takes out the metamode )
Dad He's been holding it for a long time.
>Nack I just put my name and gender in it.
I'll be right there.
♂: He's very strong, but not so skilled.
♀: She's clever with her hands but not very strong.
I'm not certain exactly what this means in terms of mechanical difference, but we still have to choose!
We also need a name. Names are in Japanese, of course, which might mean a bit of fudging. I believe the default names are Eddy and Ami.
Some other relevant information:
-I do know that this game has a skill system, and I think it's tied to acquiring new transformations (among other things, which are tied to those appearances).
-Whatever we choose here, I intend to 100% this game twice to collect the spritesheets for both, or otherwise find some means to acquire them. I don't plan to LP the game twice, though.
-Both of the video LPs of this game that I'm aware of chose the male protagonist.
-Each gender has 45 different transformations, so we won't be stuck with the specific sprites displayed here for very long.
I'm not much of a connoisseur of GameBoy music, unfortunately...at best, my reaction tends to be, "Huh, this would be pretty good if it weren't held back by being Gameboy music," and then search for good remixes. And I'd be pretty surprised if there are remixes to be found here. (A few soundtracks like Pokemon Pinball and the Pokemon TCGs still have a place in my heart anyway, though.) But for anyone who's interested, you can find the soundtrack here!
I'm gonna just fall back on a female character called Ami and keep going. That said, I've mostly been doing scene transcriptions off of the video LP, which means that if there's a gender difference in the dialog then I miiiiiiiight miss it.
Knack: "Perfect."
Dad: "I'm sorry, Knack."
I'm not totally why he's apologizing here, or what's with the backstory about his father having the metamode before him, if that's not a mistranslation. I...don't think it matters? Hard to say yet.
Mom: "Come quickly, you won't make it in time!"
Mom: "Hurry up!"
Knack: "Shall we?"
Dad: "Thank you for everything."
Knack: "No, no. Anything for my adorable cousin."
Knack: "Let's go!"
Mom: "Ami!"
Mom: "You're so excited you forgot the Metamode!"
Mom: "Do your best, Ami. Even if you can't get into Kools, it'll be okay."
Dad: "When you've finished your training at Tiger's Den, come see me first thing."
Knack: "There's an orange building if you go south from here. That's the Tiger's Den.
Don't you want to see everyone in town before you go?
I'll go on ahead. Take your time."
...
Knack: "If you want to save data in this state, press the start button and hit Record."
Spoiler
Japanese:
>ナック 「これで カンペキですね
>おとうさん 「すまないね ナックくん
(mom comes back)
おかあさん 「はやく おりてきなさい まにあわないわよ！
(player comes down the stairs)
おかあさん 「はやくしなさい！
(everyone gathers around the table)
>ナック 「それじゃ いこうか
>おとうさん 「いろいろと ありがとね
>ナック 「いえいえ かわいい イトコのためですから
>ナック 「じゃ いくぞ
(Knack leads you out of the house, but before the screen transition:)
>おかあさん 「[name]!
>おかあさん 「メタモードを わすれてるわよ！
ホソトに ウッカりさんね！
(mom picks it up and hands it to you)
>おかあさん 「[name] がんばるのよ
もし クールスに はいれなくたって
きにすることは ないからね
>おとうさん 「とらのあなでの
くんれんが おわったら
まっさきに おとうさんに
あいに きてくれよ
(cut to outside)
>ナック 「ここから みなみに
まっすぐ いくと オレンジいろの
ビルが ある
そこが とらのあなだ
とらのあなに いくまえに
まちのみんなに あっておきたいだろ？
ボクが [name]の かわりに
てつづきを すませておくから
ゆっくり まちを まわってきなよ
(Knack starts to walk off, then)
ナック 「このじょ うたいで
データを セーブしたいときは
スタートボタンを おしてから
「きろく」を えらぶんだよ
Google Translate:
> Nack "This is perfect
> Dad "I'm sorry Nack-kun
(mom comes back)
Mom "Come quickly, I don't like it!
(player comes down the stairs)
Mom "Be quick!
(everyone gathers around the table)
> Nack "Well then, let's go
> Dad "Thank you for everything
> Nack "No, it's because it's a cute cousin
> Nack "Well, let's go
(Knack leads you out of the house, but before the screen transition
> Mom "[name]!
> Mom "I forgot the meta mode!
Ukkari-san!
(mom picks it up and hands it to you)
> Mom "[name] I'll do my best
If you can't put it in Cools
I don't care
> Dad "In Toranoana
When the brick is over
To the dad
Please come
(cut to outside)
> Nack "From here to Minami
Go straight and you'll see the orange color
There is a building
That is Toranoana
Before going to Toranoana
Do you want to meet everyone in the town?
I'm instead of [name]
I'll keep going
Slowly go around the town
(Knack starts to walk off, then)
Nack "Konojo Utai de
When you want to save the data
After pressing the start button
Select "Kiroku"
Papago:
>Nack "That's perfect.
Dad I'm sorry, Mr. Knack.
( mom comes back )
Mom "Hurry up and come down. You won't make it in time!
( player comes down the stairs )
Mom "Hurry up!
( everyone gathers around the table )
>Nack Let's go now.
Dad Thank you for everything.
>Nack No, it's for the cute squid.
>Nack Let's go.
( Knack leads you out of the house , but before the screen transition : )
Mom [name]!
Mom I forgot the meta mode!
You're so happy!
( mom picks it up and hands it to you )
> Mom [name] Good luck
If you can't get into Coolus,
There's nothing to worry about."
Dad In the tiger's hole
at the end of training
to one's father first
Come and see me.
( cut to outside )
>Nack "To the south from here"
If you go straight, you'll see orange.
have a building
That's the tiger's hole.
before going to the tiger's den
You want to see everyone in town, don't you?
Instead of [name],
I'll finish the procedure.
Take your time going around town.
( Knack starts to walk off , then )
Nack "In this state,
When you want to save data,
after pressing the start button
Choose a record.
And with that, we have control. Everyone was in such a rush before, but I guess it's fine now?
I'm not going to go into depth until the rest of our options fill in, but here's what our menu looks like:
Anyway. Let's take a leisurely stroll while our mom hyperventilates.
Woman:
There are monsters on the outskirts of town, you know?
Monsters are very powerful around here, but they don't come into town...
It's because the Kools crew is watching over us.
Man:
I'm a member of the Kools. I can transform myself into about 30 forms.
I heard you can use about 200 techniques.
200 seems a bit high from what I know. I think there are 45 in-game for each gender?
I can also open the drawers, which just returns, "There seems to be no problem."
Wait, what was I even looking for in there? Did I just conduct an illegal search? I feel dirty. But I'm still going to have to make sure that no other set of drawers in this town has any meth in it.
Old Woman:
Caves and forests have monsters who are crazy. The Kools make sure they don't attack people.
Old Man:
I'm grateful that even at this age, Metamode can protect me from monsters.
Everything in these drawers seems to be in order too. Unless they hid something under the mattress.
Perhaps Knack's house is where the goods are.
Knack's Mom:
Oh, Ami! You finally got into Tiger's Den, didn't you? You can be a safe member of Kools!
Knack's Dad:
I see...are you in Tiger's Den?
If there's anything you don't understand, you should ask Knack.
It's good to be taught at the Metamode Laboratory.
This is the first time I've heard about a lab. Assuming it's not a mistranslation I am here for it.
The bookshelves here also say, "There seems to be no problem." Man...I get it with the drawers, you wouldn't go through a person's drawers unless you think they're hiding something, but what if I just wanted to read a book?
...Then I searched the bookshelves and drawers on the other side of their house, and got a plum.
Mom: Did you leave something behind? That's annoying, isn't it...
Dad: If you become a member of Kools, you've attained everyone's dream...
...it sounds like a lie.
...Huh.
Doesn't seem like there's anything of note in my room.
Checking more houses...
Woman:
I've heard you're in Tiger's Den?
I've only tried it once.
I made it through the training, but I failed the last exam...
I can't do it.
Boy:
Yeah? Starting now, I'm gonna be in Tiger's Den. Are you in?
You're lying! Really? You're ahead of me!
Woman:
You're finally at Tiger's Den, aren't you?
If you can become a member of Kools, I'd like your autograph.
Old Woman:
Good luck and do your best.
Younger Man:
If it weren't for Metamode, I wonder what would have happened by now.
Either the monsters or us would be gone.
Old Man:
I can transform into 10 different shapes with Metamode.
I can use about 60 techniques.
Okay, so techniques are distinct from forms.
Old Man:
I've been signing up to train at Tiger's Den for fifty years.
And I've failed the training fifty times.
But I won't give up yet. Someday I'll be a member of Kools.
Girl in the first house:
I finally got a Metamode!
That's why I'm gonna be in Tiger's Den this time next year. Then the year after that, I become a member of Kools.
I'm gonna be great there. I'm going to protect the peace and become a heroine all over the world.
Boy in the second house:
Kools's guards are called their "security force." It's a dumb name, isn't it?
Old Woman:
If you start fighting monsters in Metamode, I'd like to talk to you. I'll give you some pocket money.
...I'm suddenly wondering if Kools users get paid for their labor. Outside of an old lady on a bench, I mean. Becoming a shapechanging superhero sounds awesome but I hope I'm not just in it for the exposure, you know?
I don't have a 100% confident translation for the sign, but I think the gist is, ”Show me your transformations. I want to help you get even more! I'll be waiting. -Shokuan.” Going in...
Shokuan:
Come whenever you've trained in Tiger's Den.
I'll modify your Metamode so you can change more.
Spoiler
Japanese:
house nearby:
woman:
まちの はずれにいくと
モンスターが いるでしょ？
あの あたりたいる モンスターは
とても ちからが つよいのよ
でも まちには はいってこない......
なぜなら クールスの たいいんが
みはってくれて いるからなの
man:
クールスの たいいんって
３０コくらいの すがたに
へんしんできて
わざも ２００コくらい
つかえるんだってさ
さすがたよね
shelves:
もんだいは ないみたいだ
another house
old woman:
どうくつや もりには
ドエライ きょうぼうな モンスターが
いるそうじゃ
にんげんを おそわんように
してくれとるのが クールスんじゃよ
old man:
このとしになっても
メタモードの おかげで
モンスターから みをまもれる
なんとも ありがたい はなしじゃ
knack's house
knack's mom:
あら [name]ちゃん
いよいよ とらのあなに はいるのね
あなたなら だいじょうぶ
クールスのたいいんに なれるわ！
knack's dad:
そうか [name]ちゃんが
とらのあなに はいるのか
もし わからないことが あれば
ナックに きくか
メタモードけんきゅ うじょで
おしえてもらうと いいよ
drawers with item:
うめぼしを てにいれた！
my own house
dad:
おとうさん： 「もし [name]が
クールスの たいいんになったら
[name]は
みんなの あこがれ......
なんだか ウソみたいだな
mom: わすれものしたの？
ホントに [name]は
ウッカりさんね
outside three houses
とらのあなに はいるんですって？
わたしも なかし１どだけ
ちょ うせんしたわ
くんれんには たえたんだけど
さいごのしけんに おちちゃって......
ダメだったわ
house1
boy:
え？ いまから とらのあなに
はいるの？
ウソ？ マジで？
さきをこされた！
woman:
いよいよ とらのあなに はいるのね
クールスの たいいんに なれたら
サインちょ うだいね
house2
old woman:
がんばって クールスのたいいんに
なるんだよ
younger man:
もし メタモードが なかったら
いまごろ どう なってたんだろうな
にんげんか モンスターか
どっちかが いなくなってたのかな
house3
old man:
ワシは メタモードをつかって
１０のすがたに へんしんできる
わざだって ６０くらい
つかえるんじゃぞ
outside 2 houses
old man:
ワシは いままでに ５０かいも
とらのあなの くんれんに
いどんでおる
５０かいとも つらくて
にげだしたがな
しかし ワシはまだ あきらめとらんぞ
いつか クールスの たいいんに
なってやるんじゃ
house1 girl:
やっと メタモードを
かってもらったの！
だから らいねんの いまごろは
わたしは とらのあなに いるの
そんで さらいねんは クールスの
たいいんに なってて
そんで そのぎには
クールスの えらいひとに なって
せかいのへいわを まもって
せかいじゅうの ヒロインになるの
house2 boy:
クールスってさ なかしは
けいびたいって よばれてたらしいぜ
ダッセエ なまえだよな？
next screen
old lady outside:
メタモードをつかって
モンスターと たたかうようになったら
はなしを きせておくれ
おこづかいを あげるからさ
sign:
へんしんできる すがたを
ふやしたい！
そんな ひとを おまちしております
ここは ショクアン
shokuan
とらのあなで くんれんを つんだら
いつでも おいでよ
メタモードを かいぞうして
へんしんできる ように
してあげるからさ
So, uhhh...
I wanted to explore the entire town this update and then go into Tiger's Den next time, but oh god, there's a lot. I think I'm gonna stop this here for now.
With the road blocked, there's a theater on the outskirts I can't get to.
By the way, I do have a sword at this point in the game. I've had it since I could control the character.
In a moment I'll add my current spritesheet to the second post, as well as all the NPCs I've encountered. I've...got to admit, I don't love these. I like the NPC sidesprites, mostly, but the fronts and backs leave something to be desired. And my own player character scares me with her vast empty eyes. I think before a database upload I'd want to edit them into something more in line with the Oracle games.
The sword itself feels satisfying! At least, I think it does; I haven't had a chance to hit anything with it yet. It's a slash, not a stab. It doesn't seem to cut tall grass, but that's okay. Movement is 8-directional. My character's walkspeed is a little slow, but I think that speed is a stat that can be raised through the skill system. So the vanilla class being slow at the very start of the game isn't cause for concern.
I feel a little let down by the sprite situation, and trying to assemble all the sprites and Japanese dialog is definitely slowing me down a lot--but don't get me wrong. I'm still enjoying this game, and I hope that what I'm doing here makes it more accessible for the rest of you. It only has to get translated once, right?
Boy:
"When using Metamode, push the Kools button if there's a command you don't understand. You can see the explanation."
I do really like these shallow water tiles. The gif I tried to make of them feels wrong because I think some frames are longer than others, so when I do it it's like there's a moment where the water ripples suddenly jerks forward? And the flowers and the boy aren't actually synced up with the water like this, so yeah, this isn't an accurate representation of what I was actually seeing. Anyway, I'm not sure this game has transitional tiles between shallow and deep water, but getting a good set of these should also be on my list.
There are some presents like this laid out in the outskirts of town. This one is okaka, which upon googling seems to be some kind of rice topping. There's a gift on the southern edge that drops curry. And...
I got the goat seed.
Aevin assures me that this is definitely what it's saying.
Sign:
WELCOME TO ANPO TOWN!
Girl:
"Did you know that you could see the map with the select button?"
Here it is! I can select places I haven't visited yet, but their location text is just question marks.
Clicking on a place I have been to gives me a more in-depth map, though. It labels whatever square I've selected if there's something on it, and hides any squares I haven't been to yet.
I can't take the north exit on this screen; a kid walks up and reminds me that Tiger's Den is south of here.
Another house I can't get to. The map labels it "private house." This one is guarded by...
...him. He has the same dialog as the man guarding the south exit, which is odd, because in this case it's not a path off the map and I can clearly see the road to get to the house. It's got a bunch of umbrellas strewn around for some reason, but it's not DANGEROUS.
There does seem to be an underground route that he's also blocking off, though...
...
Speaking of umbrellas, do you think Mary Poppins is a battleform I can take? God I hope so.
Sign:
TOWN OF RONEF AHEAD
A little boy blocks my way, of course. He promises not to tell the whole class I'm too scared to go to Tiger's Den, which I think was pretty gracious of him.
Spoiler
Japanese:
men guarding the south exit and the path to Private House:
このさきは キケンだ
メタモードを つかいこなせように
なってから きなさい
boy next to puddle:
メタモードを つかっているときに
わからない コマンドが あったら
クールスボタンを おしてごらん
せつめいを みることが できるから
kid on north exit screen:
セレクトボタンで
ちずが みれるって しってた？
sign on north exit screen:
ようこそ！ アンボのまちへ！
trying to leave (I didn't translate this word for word)
おーい！ [name]！
(he walks up to you)
きょう とらのあなに
はいるんだよな？
なのに どこに いくつもりだよ？
あ！ とらのあなの
ばしょが わかんねえんだな？
ダッセエの！
とらのあなは おまえんチから
みなみに いけば あるよ
gift behind puddle:
おかかを てにいれた！
southern gift:
カレーを てにいれた！
goatseed:
ヤギのタネを てにいれた！
man next to tiny lake (I didn't translate this):
お [name]ちゃんじゃないか
とらのあなに はいるんだってな
くじけるなよ！
Ronef sign:
このさき ロヌフのまち
little boy (I didn't translate this word for word):
なんで こんなところに いるの？
とらのあなに いくんじゃ......
あ！ わかった！
みちに まよってるんだ！
しんぱいしないで
クラスの みんなには いわないから
Sign:
"COME ONE, COME ALL
SHOP"
Well, whatever. Linguistics is hard, let's go shopping!
"Hello, Ami!
I heard you're in Tiger's Den. Come shopping when you've got some money."
At least, I think from the context of him being a shopkeeper that he said that. Both translations are a little hazy on it and could also imply coming here to make money, but that doesn't seem correct. Whatever, man, I JUST said I was coming here to get away from this stuff.
Sign:
Mix the seeds you don't need! This is MIX!
I don't think I can mix anything yet. The goat seed is the only one I have...I think. Actually I'm pretty sure I picked up something else on a bookshelf at some point and forgot to pause long enough to note what it was, and my start menu doesn't let me check my items yet.
Mixologist?
"Hey! Ami!
You're in Tiger's Den! Good luck! Keep it up!"
Sign:
METAMODE LABORATORY
Lady:
"This place is convenient. It tells me everything about Metamode."
Huh, so there is a lab.
West Receptionist:
"This isn't Tiger's Den. To get to Tiger's Den, just go west for a while."
East Receptionist
"Oh, Ami.
It's finally your time at the Tiger's Den. If there's anything you don't understand about the training, come ask me a question! You can drop in on me on the way."
Lady:
"Welcome to Metamode Laboratory!
Metamode specialists come here. You can learn Metamode through the Kools style."
I can also raid their filing cabinets for tuna.
There's three floors to this place. Nothing on the second floor, and on the third...
Girl:
"I really like this place! Because I can talk to the Kools crew!"
Old Man:
"Someday, I'll be a full Kools member......
That's why I keep studying."
Are shapeshift powers a cure for aging? I feel like I'm reading too much into this.
...
Okay. I glossed over some random NPC by a very small lake, but I think this just about covers everything. Next time, Tiger's Den.
I've set things up for you to take the training. Before you go through it, you need to learn how to use Metamode. There's a test to make sure you know.
Don't worry if you're confused. I'll try to give it in an easy to understand manner. And if you have any questions, ask him.
Then do your best.
The test is in the room to the north."
He starts walking away, then remembers...
Knack:
"Yeah, you'll need to be able to use Metamode.
...... ......
...... ...... ......
There, it's done!
I'll be in the next room."
And he's gone.
Receptionist:
"Before training in Tiger's Den, you'll have to take a simple test. Go north for more information."
Wall:
It's adorned with a picture of a great Kools leader.
I have a full menu now, aside from a single remaining ???. I explored it for a while, but trying to translate the skill system broke me emotionally. Almost all the skills in this class are foods I've never heard of that kept throwing off my translations, curing various conditions that the translators also struggled with. I realized a ways into it that my translations were getting thrown off by it writing skills and conditions in katakana, which is probably what sabotaged me so hard. I'll...eurgh, I'll get to it eventually when I'm in a better mood. I think this building is going to have a large tutorial portion anyway.
Knack:
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask the guy testing you."
Other Kools guy:
"There are three forms you can unlock from Normie.
Submariner, Swordswoman and Nurse.
Swordswoman is the best if you want to be strong.
If you want to be good at magic, go Nurse.
Submariner......
...it's kind of weird. I can't explain it well."
I'll take any of those, anything that gets me out of this foodie hell.
Normie is a name for the base class that I cribbed from a twitter post. The Japanese class name, パソピー, it seems to translate loosely into commoner.
The giftbox contains a "fake shield," whatever that is.
Blonde Kools:
"Tiger's Den is the Kools branch here in Anpo, so there can be a place here for official Kools members to train."
Top guy:
"Check the ABILITIES command under SELF.
ATTACK and DEFENSE are especially important."
Middle girl:
"DEFENSE is determined by TOUGHNESS and AGILITY.
Even if you're not strong, you can dodge."
Bottom guy:
"ATTACK is determined by STRENGTH and DEX.
No matter how strong you are, you can't aim for vital points without DEX."
I'm pretty sure STR vs DEX was the gender difference at the start. I guess I have a higher crit rate?
Anyway, it's time to start the actual test.
Spoiler
Japanese:
(when entering Kools)
ナック 「お きたきた
ナック 「くんれんを うけるための
てつづきは すませておいたよ
くんれんを うけるまえに
メタモードの つかいかたを
しっているか どうかを しらべる
テストが あるんだ
わからなくても しんぱいないよ
テストをだすのは ボクのトモダチで
わかりやすく おしえてくれるように
たのんであるから
わからないときは
かれに きくと いい
それじゃ がんばって
テストは きたのへやで
おこなわれているよ
（he turns and starts walking away, then comes back）
ナック 「そうそう メタモードを
つかえるように しておかないと
...... ......
...... ...... ......
ナック 「よし！ これでオッケー！
ボクは このとなりの へやにいるよ
(Knack walks off to the left)
receptionist:
とらのあなで くんれんするまえに
かんたんなテストを うけてもらいます
くわしくは ここの きたのへやへ
sign on the wall:
クールスの えらいひとの えが
かざられている
Knack (west room)
ナック 「わからないことが あったら
テストをだしている かれに
なんでも きくんだよ
other guy (west room)
パンピーから へんしんできる
すがたは ぜんぶで３つ
サブマリナーと けんしん
それから ナース
ちからを つよく したいのなら
けんしが オススメね
まほうが とくいになりたいから
ナースよ
サブマリナーは......
ちょっと ヘンテコな すがただから
うまく せつめい できないわ
gift:
にせのたてを てにいれた！
south of that room:
blonde captain:
とらのあなは
ここ アンボのまちにある
クールスの しぶなのよ
だから こうやって
せいしきな クールスの たいいんが
くんれんする ばしょも あるのよ
top guy:
コマンド 「じぶん」の
「のうりょく」は
ちゃんと チェックしろよ
とくに 「こうげき」と「ぼうぎょ」は
じゅうよう だからな
middle girl:
「ぼうぎょ」は 「がんじょうさ」と
「すばやさ」で きまるの
からだが がんじょうじゃ なくても
すばやいヤツは
かわすのも ウマいってわけよ
bottom guy:
「こうげき」は 「ちから」と
「きようさ」で きまるんだ
いくら ちからが つよくても
「きようさ」がないと
てきの きゅうしょを
ねらえないってわけさ
Guard:
"Past here, only Kools members are allowed."
Desk Guy:
"This will be a test on basic Metamode usage.
You'll have to pass this test to get Kools training.
So for this first test...
I'm going to give you a major tool. Set it up with B.
Talk to me if there's anything you don't understand.
Don't hesitate to ask."
There's a line in the middle that seems to imply it's already been done and he's confused? I don't know, I deliberately haven't set any skills yet. Let's do it now, carefully without trying to learn the entire Normie skill tree because I'm still mad.
It's the first option, Set.
The left and right arrow keys let me switch from A to B. Setting it is easy.
As I understand it, this class lets me eat foods in the field to restore health and recover from status effects. Each food is a different skill, and I only have some unlocked. I may have mentioned that I hate this aspect of the system and I can't wait to be any other class.
As far as I've seen, there are Small, Medium, Large and Passive skills. I think you need to hold down the relevant button and charge up to different degrees to use the first three types. I can swap each one independently.
The bottom text says,
"Normie technique. Use items in the field."
I would love to tell you what the rest of the Japanese means. The M skill is Antidote, I'm pretty sure. I have no idea about the others.
Desk Guy:
"Good! Perfect! As expected of Knack's cousin!"
This doesn't make me a full Kools member yet, I have to talk to him again.
Desk Guy:
"Now let's take the second test.
Set the techniques Umeboshi and Torf on the A key's S & M settings.
Okay, let's go!"
Umeboshi (うめぼし) is like that plum I got, I think. Torf (トルフ) is...fuck, I have no idea what Torf is, even changing it to hiragana gets me nothing. Torf is a jelly donut now, I'm the best at translating Japanese.
So I have to switch this skill from B to A, and tell the game it's okay to do that. Then remove Torf from the L slot and move it to M. I'm...a little confused on how this works, but I think Torf was always supposed to be an M skill, and overcharging a weaker skill is allowed.
S: Umeboshi: eat a plum and recover a little from the fight
M: Torf: recover a little bit of HP and MP.
At least, I assume it's MP. I have a red bar and a blue bar under that and they say the same words in tiny text as this entry does.
I also take the liberty of equipping that fake shield, while I'm here.
The tester doesn't seem to recognize it at first, possibly because I clicked around a bunch after the Set commands. But when I go to Set again and leave, he sees that I did what he asked and congratulates me. Question 3:
"The next test finally involves using a Set technique.
You need to use the skill "Torf." Any button is fine.
Anyway, go ahead and try it.
Yeah, to use "Torf" you need to have the item Torf.
You don't have any, do you? That's okay, here's 2."
Ami got 2 torf!
I'm pretty confident I can do this, but I do want to see what he has to say about it.
"If you leave the set button pressed for a while, the marker will blink over your head.
Release the button when the rank marker with "Torf" is blinking.
That's why I gave you the Torf--because it's going to be used."
Pressing A still triggers a slash attack, but when I hold the button down now, an S eventually appears over my head. This becomes an M if I leave it long enough, and...
"Okay, good! Let's do the next test. I'll give you an explanation, so come here."
....I may have overcharged it. I thought my Aseprite window where I was holding the screenshots was my game window, and I was going frame by frame to try to capture the shot. And, uhhh, that backfired!
"The next test isn't very different from the previous one, so you can probably do it fast.
Set "Egg" on A+'s S and use it.
Here's an egg! Take it!"
Ami got two eggs!
Eggs are タマゴ. I think A+ and B+ are tied to pressing both an action button and a direction. The skill description says something about recovering from eating eggs, but トクシュ being in katakana makes me think that there's some kind of "special" recovery mechanic here. Whatever, I still hate this class and the sooner I can become a submarining swordsnurse and never eat food again the better.
Asking for further advice, I get:
"For A+, press the D-pad first and then the A button.
When the marker at the bottom of the screen starts blinking, you can release the cross button or move in any direction. And you have to have set the egg.
When the S appears over your head, just release the button.
When you fight monsters, you'll be moving around a lot, so use A+ and B+.
You'd better set up some common tricks."
"Isn't S the one where you had Egg set?
You have to release the button while S is over your head."
Another screenshot fumble--I waited too long. Still, cool to see that there's skill-using sprites for all directions here and not just the front.
"So cool! As expected of Knack's cousin!
Now I'll explain the last test, so come here."
This time I was careful to frame advance. And frankly, if you think about it, pausing time around you to line up your attack is absolutely a badass superhero move befitting of a Kools.
"Use B+'s M with Antidote.
You've passed this test so far. It's easy, isn't it?
Then here's some Antidotes. Look!"
Ami got 2 Antidotes!
Antidotes are ゲドクザイ. Whenever I change what button my skill is tied to, it seems to also restore some defaults, and one of them is M - Antidote. Simple enough.
Sooooooooo...I did it, but the game EDIT: MY EMULATOR's A AND B BUTTONS, ACTUALLY seem to have frozen here and I can't advance the dialog. So, um, you know what, I'll take this as an excuse to stop here. I guess I'm going to redo this and continue next time? Documenting it all was the hard part, really.
AS A BONUS EPISODE, here are my incomplete notes from when I was trying to translate the Memory command. (This is the one that lets you spend points, which I think you earn via leveling, to unlock new skills. Set, the one we were tested on in the last update, is about equipping the skills you already have.) This is but a small window into my descent into madness, held back by the petty constraints of language.
Language is just the fucking worst.
Spoiler
MEMORY
とくいわざ
どのすがたの わざを おぼえますか？What transformation skill do you remember?
おぼえた！ I remember!
のこりボイ__Remaining [???skill points???]
S[list of various foods I can eat；I already have these]
Listing out the ones I haven't learned yet:
Sメカラウロコsome kind of bun I think
メカラウロコを のむ ゲンエイが なおるGet better after drinking [not-a-bun-then]
SリョクチャGoogle Images is showing me tea, I guess this is tea
リョクチャを のむ マヒが なおる Recover from paralysis by drinking [tea]
Sオシンコ Oshinko, I have no clue what this is either.
オシンコを たべる チンモクが なおるThis one helps with Silence, I think.
S ナマウニSea urchin
ナマウニを たべる ピヨルが なおるSome kind of healing with some gibberish in the middle, I hate this.
Sエダマメ Edamame! I actually know this one!
エダマメを たべる フリーズが なおる I think this one ends Freeze.
Sナマワサビ Wasabi
ナマワサビを たべる フドウが なおる Cures...bad luck?
SオロシワサビAnother kind of wasabi
オロシワサビを たべる カナシバリが なおるSome kind of paralysis/binding cure
Sジャコ Google Images says that Jako = some kind of superhero alien dude. Sure, whatever, it's not cannibalism if it's an alien.
ジャコを たべる コンランが なおる Confusion. (It's at this point that I realize that it's normal-ass words being written in katakana that's throwing my translators. Note that this is out of order and this is after everything else.)
Sニボシ Teeny little dried fish
S ツクダニ Who gives a fuck
S カラアゲ Fried chicken
S ドンガラシ Might as well be goddamn arsenic for all I care
I hate this. There's so fucking many and half of them might or might not do the same thing. I can't wait to get out of this class and not have to deal with this foodie horseshit. I think I need to master specific skills to unlock new classes, and until I do it I'm stuck here. What a horrible nightmare cycle.
Huh, fair enough. That dictionary doesn't seem familiar with Torf either, but this could definitely be helpful.
And yeah, there seems to be an oddly high number of status conditions for a top-down action game. And those skills I posted were just a little less than a third of all the skills for this class, and I didn't even transcribe all their descriptions. So who knows how many others there are that just haven't been identified.
Even without the language barrier in the way, I kind of wonder how well a game could telegraph the difference between stun and paralysis and immobility and sleep paralysis. We're going to find out, I guess.
I'm really blown away by the tile-work on display here, especially the outdoor details. It's like a tileset made for an alternate-universe Zelda game but with a Gameboy Pokemon eye towards general asethetics. Very neat stuff, thanks for going through the ludicrous hurdles needed to post this stuff.
The emulator I'm using (GBE+) has done that glitch two more times since last time. It doesn't necessarily lose me progress--I can save state while frozen, and if I close the emulator and reopen it I can reload that state and keep playing like nothing happened--but it is extremely annoying. And a Windows 10 glitch is stopping me from taking advantage of the one thing I originally picked GBE+ to do. And various other features, like its pause button either requiring two keys or clicking it on a menu where it's the option right over "Reset," are also getting to me. I think I need to pick out another emulator before anything else.
