Gagharv Mobile: Tears of Vermilion Chapter Clear

 It has been about a month since I picked up Gagharv Mobile. Some rough landing in the early parts aside, Gagharv Mobile is actually quite a pleasant ride for Old-Time Falcom fans who wish to revisit the classic trilogy storyline. Few days ago I have managed to complete the Tears of Vermilion storyline and overall I am quite pleased with the end of my journey. At first I have my misgivings for relatively obscure Japanese JRPG IP to be picked up by a Korean Dev but for the Tears of Vermilion storyline, It turns out to be quite a faithful adaptation of the series as the key moments are executed exactly the same way with the PSP version.

This article will serve as afterthoughts covering the finale part of Gagharv Mobile adaptation of Tear of Vermilion chapter as well as highlighting some of the moments in the storyline which I consider noteworthy from this classic JRPG. So I would recommend fellow readers to stay away if you are still interested to witness the journey of this particular Chapter of Gagharv Trilogy for yourself.

 The Premise of Tear of Vermilion is the Typical Light against Darkness conflict where the main Protagonist, Avin got entangled in the whole conflict as his sister, Eimelle played a crucial role in this particular conflict. TOV storyline take place Eons after the conflict of God of Light Bardus with the God of Darkness Octum concluded in the land of El Phildin. Even after the two Gods went into rest, their proxies kept fighting each other with Avin got separated with Eimelle during their childhood due to the fateful day where Octum Apostles invade the Church of Bardus where they resided in order to kidnap Eimelle who served as keypiece to resurrect their God, Octum.

Years after separation, Upon coming of age and his caretaker's passing, Avin sets forth on a journey once again to reunite with his sister Eimelle. This journey will not be an easy one as Avin will have to face many tribulations with Octum Apostles getting in his way in reuniting with Eimelle.

At the end of Avin's journey after encountering many allies and gathering the fragments of Bardus to fight against Octum evil powers, Avin will have showdown with Belias, the leader of Octum Apostles himself who managed to kidnap Eimelle in the middle part of TOV storyline. In this encounter, Belias will reveal his reason to lead the Octum Apostles sowing destructions and killing many people. For a leader of a very evil cult, Belias are not exactly the vilest kind of Main Villain as you can have easier time to hate Borgeid instead. But certainly Belias actions are iredeemably evil despite he can dispense some act of compassion just like how he treated Rutice.

 In TOV Final Battle, you got to face Belias in his Demon form before facing the Evil God Octum. Overall the story mode can be easily cleared with Lvl 60 Party which I used Avin-Mile-Gawain-Madram-Eimelle team setup to be more immersive. Back in the PSP version of TOV, I recalled the final party setup was Avin-Mile-Rutice-Gawain. Given the heavy MMO influence on Gagharv Mobile due to its Korean roots, good Healers and Tank are very crucial to clear all of the stages before facing the Final Boss.

 After Avin got separated with Eimelle during his childhood, Avin was under the custody of one of Bardus 3 Sages, Sage Lemuras who provide him some training before he came to age. During this time, Avin befriended another boy similar to his age, Mile who will become a steadfast friend and stay as Avin's loyal companion. However during the time where Octum Apostles intercept Eimelle, Mile met his apparent death as Belias came down himself and his body was taken along by him.

However things take a rather sinister turn as Mile returned to life but clearly under evil influence with his unnatural White Hair and served for Octum Apostles sinister goals. Toward the end of Avin's journey however, through some miracle and unbreakable bond between the two, Mile managed to come back into his senses and rejoin Avin's party to thwart Octum's resurrection. Upon Octum's defeat, the reunion between Avin and Mile didn't last long as Mile only came to life with Octum's power and have to return to underworld once again. Not wanting to lose his best friend once again, Avin took an impossible feat of a lifetime and plunged himself to Underworld to rescue Mile which is another Miracle once again.

My level of writing may not be sufficient to express it but this is easily one of the Peak moment from Tear of Vermilion which make this series a personal favorite of mine from all Gagharv Trilogy. It takes a certain quality of an Individual that values his friendship so deeply to even consider sacrificing his own life and dive into literal Hell for a chance to save his friend. If Mile had been a girl, Rutice simply stood no chance to win Avin's heart.

 Another reason for Tears of Vermilion being my personal favorite would be Rutice who is actually low key Top Tier waifu from Gagharv Trilogy. Avin encounters Rutice as enemies at first since the latter used to be a loyal agent of Octum Apostles. However due to some turn of events, Rutice travels with Avin after renouncing her allegiance with Octum Apostles. I got to say Avin and Rutice relationship buds into a very beautiful one as they complete each other covering each weaknesses and the few moments where Avin shown his care toward Rutice are simply wholesome. Very glad that Fowgames did the Avin Rutice Reunion part quite well which is another memorable moment from

I think Rutice is one of the better designed TOV characters by Fowgames Gagharv mobile adaptation as her waifu factor saw some significant improvements compared to the PSP version which did look way too masculine in my opinion.

 The main overarching plot of Tears of Vermilion has always been the Avin trying to reunite with his sister Eimelle and the Finale part is a satisfying one after Avin struggled to overcome many trials that appear before him. 

Fowgames overall did another good job for this part and it is a smart move as well from them to make Eimelle available as player character considering She was not even playable despite having a major role in TOV. In Gagharv Mobile, Eimelle is also a very good healer that is pretty much necessary in a party who can only be replaced by Gueld or Philly.

 After finishing Tear of Vermilion chapter of Gagharv Mobile, overall I am quite satisfied with the adaptation made by Fowgames. Because they did a very faithful adaptation of the storyline and the Director in charge appear to know what he is doing. Very thankful that he decide to do the right thing and put a handicap on himself to revive Gagharv trilogy even if he will have easier time had he picked other IP. Given the commitment by Fowgames team, I will patiently wait Gagharv Mobile complete Song of the Ocean and Prophecy of Moonlight Witch storyline.