Okay, so I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes; I just got around to downloading the intro to Alter Code F- the Wild Arms remake that was supposed to hit the states a year ago, but never did.

The intro to the original Wild Arms game was- and still is- an example of absolute top-notch animation, combined with one of the most awesome theme songs ever. The music, the character and scenery designs, the storyboarding- everything about that intro pretty much pwns on any other intro out there. Yes, I am biased, shut up. I love that game. (And yes, I did just watch the Three Libras video six times in a row. Again, shut up.)

The intro for Alter Code F? No. Just- no. Why is Hanpan the size of a racoon? Why is Jack's face lopsided? Why did you show Cecilia throwing her hair off a cliff? Wtf? And the red balloon? Cute, but no. So much no. No everywhere, like drooling zombie babies. Giving Cecelia curly hair? No. Turning the eighth Golem into a giant mecha a la Gundam Wing? No. Giving Bartholomew any screen time at all? No. You get points for Emma, but Jane with the giant chest of treasure? No.

I could forgive the character designs and the poor directing if the animation weren't so awful- faces all out of proportion, bodies made of rubber, and other, stupid things that are just the result of carelessness. The original intro was just fucking beautiful, and the setting, with the moons overhead and the cliffs at sunrise, was perfect for the intro theme. None of this sunlight crap- it's all about the darkness. For such a lighthearted game, there is a surprising amount of darkness to it, and that's what makes it so wonderful.

Feh. I really miss that game, now. Endless repetitions of Vagrant Story isn't going to cut it; I need to either find my copy, or buy a new one. *goes poking at ebay*