There are no spoilers for any Muv-Luv content in this.
Total Eclipse is a visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut/alternate retcon timeline of sorts of both the Total Eclipse light novel and LN -> anime adaptation. It features a great deal more content than either of those, and goes along further timeline-wise.
Visually, despite for some reason being the only long Muv-Luv VN to not have chibis (why!?), it is the best-looking and most animated entry. You have more movement than in Alternative or TDA, and for some fights you even have scenes from the anime organically inserted to add more to the mech fights. The soundtrack is great, too, where for a while every major fight gets its own insert track, and it feels like they'll never run out.
There is a prequel story to the main Total Eclipse called Teito Moyu (not released in English, if you can't read Japanese at least watch the first 2 episodes of the TE anime that is like a short version of TM), which features a different protagonist than the main one, and I think it's one of the best stories in the series, on every major level. It adds a lot lore-wise and characterisation-wise. I also like cadet stories like this, Unlimited and some Photon stories.
The main Total Eclipse explores a lot of interesting concepts, some that are parallel or complementary to Alternative, and some are more unique to TE, such as the question of national identity. The main character, Yuuya Bridges, is very compelling, but the supporting cast is also great. The lore in this explores different sides of the political landscape and technology (the depth they go into the tech behind TSFs is crazy in this), as well as different cultures. It takes place on the other side of the globe compared to the original, but still complements it well.
Unfortunately, I did not find it to be as emotional as MLA, or as insanely consistent in quality as TDA, but for many this is their favourite entry, and it's understandable why. The highs are very high.
Overall, I consider this to be a must-read for big fans of the other entries.
Total Eclipse is a visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut/alternate retcon timeline of sorts of both the Total Eclipse light novel and LN -> anime adaptation. It features a great deal more content than either of those, and goes along further timeline-wise.
Visually, despite for some reason being the only long Muv-Luv VN to not have chibis (why!?), it is the best-looking and most animated entry. You have more movement than in Alternative or TDA, and for some fights you even have scenes from the anime organically inserted to add more to the mech fights. The soundtrack is great, too, where for a while every major fight gets its own insert track, and it feels like they'll never run out.
There is a prequel story to the main Total Eclipse called Teito Moyu (not released in English, if you can't read Japanese at least watch the first 2 episodes of the TE anime that is like a short version of TM), which features a different protagonist than the main one, and I think it's one of the best stories in the series, on every major level. It adds a lot lore-wise and characterisation-wise. I also like cadet stories like this, Unlimited and some Photon stories.
The main Total Eclipse explores a lot of interesting concepts, some that are parallel or complementary to Alternative, and some are more unique to TE, such as the question of national identity. The main character, Yuuya Bridges, is very compelling, but the supporting cast is also great. The lore in this explores different sides of the political landscape and technology (the depth they go into the tech behind TSFs is crazy in this), as well as different cultures. It takes place on the other side of the globe compared to the original, but still complements it well.
Unfortunately, I did not find it to be as emotional as MLA, or as insanely consistent in quality as TDA, but for many this is their favourite entry, and it's understandable why. The highs are very high.
Overall, I consider this to be a must-read for big fans of the other entries.
Snegurochka
7 months ago