Originally uploaded to Bilibili.tv
Lantern Rite is once again at an end. This year the in-game theme seemed to be about Menogias one of the fallen yaksha of the Archon War. The float at the harbor is based on him this year and the focus on kites and the new outfits were both related back to him.
In terms of the playthrough though the theme was around parenting, the generation gap and how each person has their own beliefs and behaviors. The last episode commented on not letting these issues fester until it's too late to resolve them. As it related to Menogias he and his fellow yaksha are dead so everything unresolved between them and the other adepti will never be able to be addressed. And when that happens all that remains is regret.
They fixed the issue between Gaming and his father this episode so there were parts that took on more humorous tones. For example Xianyun's parenting technique being a stereotypical movie martial arts master living in the mountains was to rigorously train her "daughter" Shenhe. So when making idle chatter in front of more typical people it comes off very strangely. "Do you have any problems at work?" "Drunk people can be a bother but I just do like you taught me to and pin their heads to the table." Stuff like that. If only the VA who voiced Yip Tak had done the very stereotypical Cantonese "aiya!" upon hearing that. The VA tried but it wasn't quite there.
The cutscene at the end was impressive as always. I will say I could have enjoyed a typical lion dance just as much. I felt the added fantasy elements both added to the artistry of the scene but also took away from the art form of the dance itself.
Anyway what did you guys think of this year's Lantern Rite?