This review contains spoilers
i don’t think my rating has changed, but i think i really misunderstood the ending my first time through.
i do still think it’s flawed; pico being fine still is just straight up weird and the impact they try to impress of the two being dead is really silly considering the amount of times they’re revived both within this game and in other fnf media that the intro implies to be canon. however, thinking on it more and giving the story mode a replay led me to realize that the anticlimax of it is the point, and it’s a point that actually has meaning beyond cheap shock value unlike i initially thought.
the rest of the song having no hazard mechanics, the cutscene into act 4, the pacing of the act itself, and BF’s ability to evade attack in all other songs strongly implies that Ultra M fully expected BF to give up, and with his regret afterwards might have even wanted to keep him alive if he did so. it’s his strong resistance and determination to keep fighting, his love and commitment, and anger at those who would take GF from him, that lead to M ultimately taking a cheap shot, killing the final thing to bring him amusement.
even if this is a reach, it’s a hell of a thing to make such a good story out of a horror-themed rhythm game about mario fan content that it makes someone want to analyze it this much, and i think that counts for something.
i do still think it’s flawed; pico being fine still is just straight up weird and the impact they try to impress of the two being dead is really silly considering the amount of times they’re revived both within this game and in other fnf media that the intro implies to be canon. however, thinking on it more and giving the story mode a replay led me to realize that the anticlimax of it is the point, and it’s a point that actually has meaning beyond cheap shock value unlike i initially thought.
the rest of the song having no hazard mechanics, the cutscene into act 4, the pacing of the act itself, and BF’s ability to evade attack in all other songs strongly implies that Ultra M fully expected BF to give up, and with his regret afterwards might have even wanted to keep him alive if he did so. it’s his strong resistance and determination to keep fighting, his love and commitment, and anger at those who would take GF from him, that lead to M ultimately taking a cheap shot, killing the final thing to bring him amusement.
even if this is a reach, it’s a hell of a thing to make such a good story out of a horror-themed rhythm game about mario fan content that it makes someone want to analyze it this much, and i think that counts for something.