The memo system and progress

I have been continuing to play, but didn't make real progress until yesterday.  I figured that it would be much better to post when things happened or I could discuss some of the game systems in depth than a "still grinding" post.

This post will be discussing the memo system and the jungle that Hermes was guarding.  But, first, pictorial commentary on modern sci-fi shows.

Take that, Joss Whedon!

Every time you enter a dungeon area, you are asked if you want to connect to the Gazer network.  If you do, there are these little pieces of paper on the ground that you can read if you hit the O-button.  These notes are left by other players, and you can leave a message yourself.  There's a controlled vocabulary, so you can't simply type things out.

In some cases, you end up with helpful messages like this:

This tells you that if you have Comet equipped and kick the wall, you will get a Soul Skull.

Hardcore players can skip connecting to the network and go through everyone on their own, but this can be a nice way to find items.  I don't think I've run into a secret that hasn't had a note mentioning its existence.

However, due to the...odd vocabulary in the game, the typical memo seems to be more along these lines:

The controlled vocabulary includes 'moe' so that tells you a bit about who they expect to play the game.

So, the memo system is not exactly an unqualified benefit to the game.

The jungle where Hermes had made his lair was tougher than the graveyard, but it wasn't that difficult.  Mostly, it was a bit sprawling with the areas not necessarily connected in a straightforward way.  Finding the demon circles took time, especially since there were spinners at a number of intersections.

What you see when you want to place a gem at a Demon Circle.

During my explorations, I beat a mimic, which was harder than Hermes himself.  With Hermes down, I had the demon keys to make the token that allowed my party to breathe underwater.  But first, I had some mandatory wackiness go on at the inn.

Ruriruri is displeased at the existence of an evil albino loli in the game.

Storyline wise, my character is still trying to earn back the trust of the inn's inhabitants.  This involves gathering everyone's laundry.

It's like someone saw Final Fantasy XIII's Sahz and said, "You know what we need?  Four chocobos in an afro that are pursued by a shark."  The character designer was trying too hard.

It's not a complete success.  However, I did get Hermes's key and the underwater token.  Interestingly enough, magic spells cannot be cast underwater, but you can use skills.  This includes the most important skill in the game:

The most important skill of the game.  Frankly, it's overpowered.

It's a good thing that I'm stocked up with all sorts of items that duplicate spells!  The game calls those out as being able to be used.  Neptune, here I come!

I should mention that I tried to see what an encounter in Pluto's area was like.  It turns out I can't get past the locked doors.  That would be a hint that I'm too low level for the area.