i'm feeling pretty mixed about the face rubbing thing

[Misses Elise-chan!]

Just be glad they didn't let us rub any lower,

Edited May 31, 2015 by Rabbattack

[Topazd]

A bad decision is hardly validated by the fact that it's optional. It's not enough for me to denounce the upcoming product based on it alone, but it isn't exactly a benefiting feature, either. That's not to say none of the newly announced features struck me as appealing.

Even so, this inclusion (along with many other aspects) does speak ill of the direction being taken here - and I'm convinced it'll only worsen by future installments. I don't know what I was expecting after Awakening, but this is a rather unexpectedly lecherous turn to take wrt design.

[Cerys]

I just assumed that whenever it showed a male it was fem Avatar doing all the face touching. I do see a lot of news sites scurrying to get a story if no gender lock really is a thing.

Possible, but the selection screen on the video lists males as well as females. With a heart next to one of the guys. However this could possibly have little to no effect on the supports.

Sauce

[BlueL]

I think the actual facerubbing mechanic (using your stylus to rub their face and/or shoulders like they're a pet) is kind of weird, but I don't think it's creepy of Kamui to invite someone they're close to their room and gently stroke their face is weird, unless the stylus is meant to be an exact mirror image of your finger/hand.

[Technoweirdo]

If any 'personal scenes' feel sudden or feel completely out of character, it becomes gratuitous and the creep factor really shoots up for me. It's been a problem in most of the few eroge I've played. On first reveal, I got that feeling and so I can kinda sympathize with anyone here who recoils at the very inclusion of the feature. The reveal certainly was sudden which took me for a shock. On second thought though, it wouldn't be contextually sudden as, far as I know, supports are required and it has to be initiated by you. I just wonder what additional restrictions there are, if any. If none other than your own morality, it'd speak poorly of character integrity to me. Not as bad as having sex with everything that so much as moved, but I can't imagine the characters themselves would be okay with you doing this to everyone. It'd be an off-putting design decision.

Unfortunately, as of right now, I don't know of any additional restrictions.

[Irysa]

Honestly, stuff like this also makes it hard for me to take the narrative and various characters seriously as a result of it's existence. It's as "optional" as the hero worshipping supports that degrade the cast of FE12 by reducing their agency.

It's funny that people make the otaku point though since honestly, FE was already otaku, it just wasn't niwaka esque yet. It's certainly fast moving to that now though.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Irysa

[IceBrand]

Well if this really bothering people they can just ignore it. Like Phoenix mode it's optional. You can choose not to look at barrack conversation in Awakening. IS is try to attract more consumers. But I completely understand if your not pleased with it. I'm for one am ok with it.

[januass]

It didn't seem to be gender locked at all, and now that I'm thinking about it I'm worried there will not be gay marriage, and only this uncomfortable same-sex face rubbing. Weird, huh? But this also points strongly towards gay marriage as well, especially if its an add-on to the support system!

On that note, as weird as it is to pet other peoples' faces, as long as its confined to the face and we can't go any lower, I'm pretty chill.. I think. I'm also kind of worried the units you're petting will say lewd / vaguely lewd things..makes me think about Olivia's critical sayings..I always had to turn the volume off whenever I used Olivia.

[Topazd]

But the 'it's optional, just don't use it' argument doesn't work all the way. This feature will be a part of the game (and it's use will be incentivized in some form, I'm sure) and should not be treated as separate.

Let's take a less linear game, for example. Technically everything that isn't required to finish the game would be considered 'optional' - should one therefore abstain from taking it into account when reviewing the whole product? Or if you really want to stretch the term, let's say you have a cutscene in the main storyline with outright erotic material otherwise not present in the game - you can skip the cutscenes if you don't want to watch them, it's optional!

'Face-rubbing' isn't taking it quite that far, but the fact that it's not strictly mandatory isn't a significant point in it's favour.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Topazd

[Prims]

yeah it's over fire emblem is finished

nah jk I just hope the gameplay isn't as bad as the character designs and pandering. at this point I like the red-headed girl and some of the girly lookin boys and nobody else

seriously disappointed with the direction they're taking these games though. the face rubbing isn't what gets me so much as how the characters look like shallow caricatures designed to be titillating - FE13 was already bordering into this. i know anime wives are what sell but this is some lowest common denominator shit. like man IS you can have characters people would wanna date without immediately delving into all the stupid anime archetypes and fanservice tropes

[dondon151]

Just be glad they didn't let us rub any lower,

supposedly the lips symbolize the vagina

[Sardonic]

Not gonna lie, when it got to the face-rubbing/poking feature in the direct, I was seriously disappointed, lol. I laughed afterwards at all the awkward moments it could conceivably produce, but not before recoiling at its presentation.

This feature works in games like Pokemon, and KH3D where it was used for the dream eaters, but I find it a bit unsettling that it's with other human(-oid) characters, and in FE no less (it didn't help that they were being invited into Kamui's room, which makes it kind of creepy).

I completely understand why some people don't like this or are completely neutral on it.. but as someone who is looking forward to it and thinks the whole skinship thing is pretty funny (I play a lot of otomes, so maybe I'm just desensitized to skinship stuff?) hearing things like "it's just pandering to the weeaboos/otakus/basement dwellers/lonely nerds" and other nasty things is getting really old and kind of disheartening. I just like romance-like stuff in games and I almost feel bad for enjoying that sorta thing when it honestly bothers so many other people :< It's not like I want FE to turn into a dating sim or anything because I enjoy it for the gameplay and characters first and foremost, but optional features (as long as they don't overshadow stuff in the actual game) like this are fun to me. I don't know.. maybe I'm just weird :/

I'm sorry you have to feel that way because of others and I apologize if I'm going to end up coming across as rude and adding to the cesspool of negativity; however, while I can understand this kind of feature in otoges, it just seems out of place in FE. As stated by someone else in the thread, there's a certain dissonance between story and gameplay for certain characters to allow Kamui to just touch their faces or pat their heads, what have you.

And to all the people that say Awakening pandered. I can agree with that. Granted, there was a reason for the marriage thing, even if the reason for it and its execution might feel semi-contrived, but you can argue that it was rooted in the gameplay. But this face-poking feature is just a tad much for me. What does it really add to the game when before -- and now -- it was fine just fighting beside other characters on the grid to build supports? If it's a "minigame" that helps build supports, I would've at least preferred an actual minigame with little gimmicks and rules, not just face-poking, lol. Unlike Phoenix mode and Casual mode, which are also "optional" and garnered much backlash, I feel that the face-rubbing thing doesn't have any real gameplay significance. :/

EDIT: I suppose you could make the argument that it makes building support points easier, but I can't see how they couldn't have just built a better minigame around building supports rather than simply face-poking.

At the very least, I'm glad it's optional.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Sardonic

[Lushiris]

^ Oh no not at all. I completely understand the negative reactions and really don't mind all of the various opinions. My main issue is those that are blanketing people who like the features as being some sort of basement dwelling otaku freaks. People should argue their point of view without putting others down to try and elevate themselves.

Thanks for being so kind about it. :) I can certainly understand many of your viewpoints and I enjoy reading all of the differing respectful opinions about it. A few angles I hadn't considered which makes me understand those who are upset about it a bit more.

[Junkhead]

It's not perverted at all, it's supposed to be adorable...in theory. Yeah, people will make something bad of it- they always find a way. But don't worry about it, love the game and the series for what you know it for. IS' intentions are good!

EDIT: I totally want to rub Felicia, she's cute. And I love the whole maid/butler things.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Soul~!

[DeadGame]

It's.. really freaking awful.

My biggest concern, them turning the franchise more and more into an anime dating simulator, is turning out to be true.

What is it doing in "Fire Emblem", why are they taking this once awesome franchise that had tough strategy gameplay, epic stories,

few cheesy moments and an awesome anime artstyle that wasn't overthetop or anything and not full of designchoices to please the perverted person's eye?

Imagine them taking the Metroid series.. adding bright and peaceful environments and turning it into a freaking porno because that might sell better. That's how I feel right now.

If Fire Emblem had to die out to prevent it from drifting to the abyss.. so be it, it had a great run.

Still, I'm having hope left for the Nohr path. After all, they said they wanted to appeal to the fans that loved the classic games for what they were.

Just had to let that out, eventhough people might be crying out over it now.

[Mighty Kamina]

I don't like the face rubbing, but I just can't get worked up over it. The rest of the "my castle" looks like a fun little intermission between chapters, like the bases of old.

[Loki Laufeyson]

^ Oh no not at all. I completely understand the negative reactions and really don't mind all of the various opinions. My main issue is those that are blanketing people who like the features as being some sort of basement dwelling otaku freaks. People should argue their point of view without putting others down to try and elevate themselves.

Thanks for being so kind about it. :) I can certainly understand many of your viewpoints and I enjoy reading all of the differing respectful opinions about it. A few angles I hadn't considered which makes me understand those who are upset about it a bit more.

Omg this right here. Its really gross how people are reacting to this. Like, i get if someone finds it kinda bizarro or they dont like it. But insulting people and entire demographics (including the Japanese) is really foul.

[Magical CC]

I love to able to react with my characters. Rubbing feature is great! It's the best thing ever! Face rubbing should be the main feature, actually. Let it affect gameplay and all, like rubbing is the only way to heal a unit or recruit a character. Next, you should be able to break your opponent's clothes, like Queen Blade games. I wish they could add more awesome features to annoy the hell out of you stuck up people. Disappointed? Sad? Frustrated? Eh? Because of something that trivial? You dont like the way FE franchise is going? Who care? I am sure 2 million buyers (minus you guys) dont care. Complaining about stereotype characters? Character mating? Waifu? Moe characters? Are you sure you have played any FE before? Fe franchise is going the path it has always been going, what with you people expecting it to do something else? You should be thankful that FE franchise doesnt have bad gameplay like the boring ass Agarest franchise.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Magical CC

[ARGHETH]

It's.. really freaking awful.

My biggest concern, them turning the franchise more and more into an anime dating simulator, is turning out to be true.

What is it doing in "Fire Emblem", why are they taking this once awesome franchise that had tough strategy gameplay, epic stories,

few cheesy moments and an awesome anime artstyle that wasn't overthetop or anything and not full of designchoices to please the perverted person's eye?

Imagine them taking the Metroid series.. adding bright and peaceful environments and turning it into a freaking porno because that might sell better. That's how I feel right now.

If Fire Emblem had to die out to prevent it from drifting to the abyss.. so be it, it had a great run.

Still, I'm having hope left for the Nohr path. After all, they said they wanted to appeal to the fans that loved the classic games for what they were.

Just had to let that out, eventhough people might be crying out over it now.

You're acting like the rest of the game doesn't exist...

[HF Makalov Fanboy Kai]

this thread was going pretty well until this page...heck i said that i'm fine with this game cause the rest of it looks neat, the face rubbing is wierd but as long as its just face rubbing behind an wall of optional modes its, eh i can overlook it.

i might ask for a mod to lock my topic, because i got what i needed from it (a more calm and relaxed mind about this decision) and i'd rather not get mis-blamed.

I love to able to react with my characters. Rubbing feature is great! It's the best thing ever! Face rubbing should be the main feature, actually. Let it affect gameplay and all, like rubbing is the only way to heal a unit or recruit a character. Next, you should be able to break your opponent's clothes, like Queen Blade games. I wish they could add more awesome features to annoy the hell out of you stuck up people. Disappointed? Sad? Frustrated? Eh? Because of something that trivial? You dont like the way FE franchise is going? Who care? I am sure 2 million buyers (minus you guys) dont care. Complaining about stereotype characters? Character mating? Waifu? Moe characters? Are you sure you have played any FE before? Fe franchise is going the path it has always been going, what with you people expecting it to do something else? You should be thankful that FE franchise doesnt have bad gameplay like the boring ass Agarest franchise.

while that last part i do agree with, i can't tell if this post is sarcasm, serious, or angry at every side of the fandom.

It's.. really freaking awful.

My biggest concern, them turning the franchise more and more into an anime dating simulator, is turning out to be true.

What is it doing in "Fire Emblem", why are they taking this once awesome franchise that had tough strategy gameplay, epic stories,

few cheesy moments and an awesome anime artstyle that wasn't overthetop or anything and not full of designchoices to please the perverted person's eye?

Imagine them taking the Metroid series.. adding bright and peaceful environments and turning it into a freaking porno because that might sell better. That's how I feel right now.

If Fire Emblem had to die out to prevent it from drifting to the abyss.. so be it, it had a great run.

Still, I'm having hope left for the Nohr path. After all, they said they wanted to appeal to the fans that loved the classic games for what they were.

Just had to let that out, eventhough people might be crying out over it now.

they already did that with other m and it did pretty bad, but metriod's a C tier franchise and fire emblem is now a B tier franchise (in terms of how Nintendo looks at them today) so i think its being handled far better.

[Blue Sun]

OMG this right here. It's really gross how people are reacting to this. Like, I get if someone finds it kinda bizarro or they don't like it. But insulting people and entire demographics (including the Japanese) is really foul.

That's a good chunk of Westerners (Americans) for you. That's nothing new though, you should've seen many American fans' reactions to Tingle popping up in Hyrule Warriors.

[eclipse]

I, for one, will punch your lights out if you touch my face, and I didn't give you permission to do so.

Because of this, I know I'm inherently biased against it. I don't like being touched/touching others unless I know you very, VERY well, and this is one of those things that transfer over to anything (whether it be cringy moments in movies or forced-touching in a video game). However, if this is how other people bond. . .so be it. I'll probably ignore this feature.

[Crysta]

I'm morbidly curious about it. I hope there's a few "dude, what the FUCK?" responses.

[Tsunami922]

I, for one, will punch your lights out if you touch my face, and I didn't give you permission to do so.

I want there to be at least one character where if you touch them, they'll attack you, and it's a game over if you lose the fight.

[feplus]

My main issue is those that are blanketing people who like the features as being some sort of basement dwelling otaku freaks.

And what's wrong with that blanket?

Someone could tell me they're a big fan of Hyperdimension Neptunia and just want to play a game about sexualized, questionably-aged anime chicks without being judged as a creep. But... that sort of thing is creepy, and liking creepy things implies you might, well, be a creep.

Same applies to face-touching. It's one thing to enjoy it ironically, but if you're getting genuinely excited over the prospect of calling up a fictional love interest to your private quarters and feeling them up to build support points, a little judgment seems perfectly acceptable.