Part 6: Drago Plateau
When Flint and Alec leave the Magypsy house, Alec tells Flint that Claus probably went through the cave behind it to get to Drago Plateau. But before Flint can proceed, Alec mentions the stern look on his face. He then says, “All you need to do, is smile. Understand?” Flint is clearly stressed out about the current situation. He can not afford to lose both his wife and son in the span of 24 hours. However tense things may be, though, almost everyone in Tazmily wants Flint to cheer up. Is that fair to tell someone to feel such a way at such a time? Should he be happy when his son’s life is in danger? The game seems to be challenging the player to think about these things.
The moment Flint enters the cave, Alec says once more, “That super-serious look on your face will only bring us trouble. You gotta relax! Understand?” He really seems to think a good attitude is the only way to get through this.
As they continue on, Alec continues to interrupt the player to say silly things, such as his impression of the Magypsies, “Oh Flinty-poo!” while instructing him on which path to take. Alec will say, “Wait…! (fart noise) Was that you? Just kidding, it was me, hehehe.” At one fork in the road, he says that he’s been pretty forgetful lately, but thinks there is a vine to the north, saying they need to “vined” it. After the you take a few steps, he interrupts again, telling Flint that he’s allowed to laugh at his pun. When they go all the way up the northern path, Alec says, “A dead end… Sorry Flint, looks like we should have gone west at that last fork in the path.” Is Alec taking any of this seriously? Did not his own daughter just die? How is he able to have such a positive attitude? It seems that Flint won’t let up so easily, though.
When Flint and Alec make it to a brighter area in the cave, they encounter some more pig-masked people sitting around, who immediately flee at the sight of them. Flint is free to use a strange-looking machine they abandoned that completely revitalizes him in mere seconds. Usually, to get completely healed, the player has to sit around in hot springs a little while, literally soaking it all in. This machine is much faster, and much more mechanical. Is it better to enjoy a slow, relaxing hot spring, or jump right back into the action with an instant revitalizing machine? These are more things the game wants you to think about.
As they enter daylight again, they finally find themselves at the Drago Plateau. Claw marks cover the landscape. Further up ahead, they find a baby Drago, investigating a small object. When the you get closer, it is revealed that it was one of Claus’s favorite shoes. This is very similar to when Flint found that scrap of cloth stuck on a tree. What could this mean for Claus’s fate?
After this tragic discovery, they continue onward, fighting off… sentient trees that explode after getting hit? Is this fitting for the situation? No, not really. It seems like the universe itself wants Flint to cheer up. This is yet another example of emotional whiplash in Mother 3.
Along the way, another piece of strange technology is found. It looks just like whatever was powering the Reconstructed Caribou from earlier, but much larger. It seems to be broken.
The music that plays at the Drago Plateau is quite ominous. Ambient synths drone throughout, moving up and down, but never really ending on a satisfying note; it’s tense. You can also hear what sounds like wind in the audio, which is appropriate, given the high altitude. The game is setting up for something big. First we see the shoe, then we find the odd machine. What might be awaiting us at the end of Drago Plateau?
At the end of the path, Claus’s other shoe is found. Alec shouts for him, but there is no response. No response, other than that of an adult Drago, partially covered in metal plating.
Interestingly enough, this Mecha-Drago has one tooth missing. It releases a loud roar, and attacks Flint and Alec. This is the strongest enemy in the game so far, surpassing that of the Reconstructed Caribou. It stomps its feet and even breates fire, something that animals aren’t supposed to do. Alec reminds Flint of the Drago fang that Bronson gave him, and urges him to pierce its tough hide with it. Only after using it, Flint can damage the Drago.
The music that plays during this boss battle is very appropriate. The timpani bangs all throughout the song, and grand trumpets introduce us to the final “boss battle” of the chapter. From the first few seconds of the song alone, you can tell the immensity of the enemy you are fighting. I think the flute symbolizes the natural aspect of this Drago, and what it used to be. However, it contrasts greatly with the threatening rhythm of the song. This Drago is not friendly like it should be. At the end of the song, if you listen closely, you can hear a little bit of the tune that plays for the pig-masked people. They were certainly involved in the modification of this creature.
After a fierce battle, Flint emerges victorious over the Mecha-Drago. The beast falls to the ground, helpless to fight back. Flint takes out the Drago fang once more and prepares to thrust it into the Drago. That is, until the baby Drago jumps out from behind the rocks to protect its mother. Alec cautions Flint, warning him that going any further would only put the baby through the same tragic loss Lucas and Claus had to go through. Flint eases his posture, and the baby licks its mother’s wounds. The camera then pans to reveal Claus lying unconscious between two cliff faces. They were so close to finding him! Perhaps, Flint was so focused on revenge, that despite finding Claus’s shoes, he was using them as a means to hunt down something else rather than rescue his son. A narration begins to scroll across the screen:
“It is possible that until now, the people of Tazmily Village had never known sadness.
On sunny days and on cloudy days, they have always greeted each other with smiles.
They lived in harmony with the creatures of the forest.
The strong would help the weak, and those who had would share with those who had not.
However, it now appears the villagers have learned all too much about sadness.
Suddenly, everything is changing for the worse…
When did this change begin?
Where did it begin?
What set it in motion, and why?
Almost as if toys, the peaceful animals are being transformed into strange, ferocious creatures that attack people.
Some people, like Flint, have even had their families torn apart.
Just what is this suspicious group that wears pig masks?
What are these eerie objects that soar through the once-beautiful skies?
And where could the missing Claus be…?
The mysteries continue to pile up/
And so the tale first begins…
…as a tragedy.”
I couldn’t have put it any better myself. At the end of each chapter, Itoi writes a summary of the state of the story, which are some of my favorite parts of the game. This perfect peace that Tazmily had could not last forever. It was impossible to always live in harmony with the world. Somehow, some way, the peace was shattered, and life itself was corrupted. However sad this may be, Chapter 1 remained silly all the way through. There were jokes thrown around at even the darkest moments. While the world may now know sadness, it is far from devoid of happiness. How do we choose to deal with devastation? Do we remain stern and focused like Flint, or have fun and crack puns like Alec? Is there a time to be both?
The game goes back to Duster giving his dialogue to Flint, who is leaving the jail. After saying everything, Flint gives some dialogue of his own for the first time, “…Duster. Thanks.”
Before walking away. Duster remains on the screen, which fades once again to reveal the title of the next chapter:
Chapter 2: Thief Adventure
This concludes part 6 of the analysis.