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Musings on the New MNOG Info


emily

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The biggest deal with Templar's update here is their original synopsis for the chapter. It elaborates on some things that are only implicit in the game. For example, Jala says something in passing that implies he isn't fond of the Ko-Koronans and keeps an eye on them, but the synopsis takes things way further:

 

Quote

He needs Tohunga to guard against the Ko-Korans, whom he distrusts almost as much as the Makuta.

I love this. Jala, the stuck-up military mastermind who is married to practicality, probably hates those monks and their mystic, meditative lifestyle and thinks it's all the work of the devil. MNOG is really the only bionicle thing to brush on bonkle racism in a mature capacity and adds a lot to the world. You can see why he'd think like that because the game characterizes Ta-Koro and Ko-Koro are these far-off places from each other with distinct cultures and lifestyles. Also, you know, Fire vs Ice. Of course there would be tensions between them. It's a shame pretty much every other Bionicle story outlet relegates villages to kindergartens the Toa have to keep safe because THE CHILDREN MATORAN

 

The script also decidedly refers to Takua/George as The Visitor. Tales of the Tohunga, the GBA game with Takua's name in it, was only a month out from release, so this raises a few questions. The Kini Nui is also referred to by an early name, the Temple of Legend. 

 

The synopsis also plays up the hunter aspect of Ko-Koronan lifestyle - it describes Takua overcoming various traps in order to reach Ko-Koro. 

 

The end of the synopsis also begins to suggest where the game would have gone if the PC game hadn't been cancelled, forcing MNOG to shoulder the burden of carrying the Toa's story to the finish line. Apparently the entire population of the island would have evacuated to the Kini Nui - this is pretty surprising to me, at most I expected the only difference would have been an expansion of the final minigame - the dialogue pretty clearly indicates it was supposed to be larger.

 

I basically have MNOG memorized at this point which turns out to be pretty helpful when you are reading through a copy of the script posted by the developers! There are a few interesting differences:

 

Jala Reply 2

Script

Quote

I expect many Rahi to attack very soon. The Makuta is massing for a final assault on Mata Nui. It is imperative that the Tohunga build fortifications around their villages and prepare for a final defense.

Vakama says the Toa are gathering at the Kini-Nui, at the center of the island. I am certain they will be attacked there also. We must try to protect them while they fulfill their mission.

 

Game

Quote

Reply_2_Num=3&Reply_2_1=It+is+imperative+that+the+villages+build+fortifications+and+prepare+for+a+final+defense.+I+expect+many+Rahi+to+threaten+the+villages+very+soon.&

Reply_2_2=Vakama+says+the+Toa+are+gathering+at+the+Kini-Nui,+at+the+center+of+the+island.+We+must+try+to+protect+them+while+they+fulfill+their+mission.&

 

Matoro/Nuju Reply 1

Script

Quote

The Toa will unite and find more power in the joining. They shall merge their skills, their knowledge, their wills to become the Wisdom and the Spirit, named in prophecy Akamai and Wairuha. In these forms, they are the Toa Kaita.

The Toa Kaita will, at last, confront the Makuta.

During their absence, the people of Mata Nui must work together to protect their homes and all that they know. They will need great courage, for the Toa will not be here to protect them.

 

Game

Quote

Reply_1_1=The+Toa+will+unite+and+find+more+power+in+the+joining.+They+shall+merge+their+skills,+their+knowledge,+their+wills+to+become+Wisdom+and+Valor,+named+in+prophecy+Wairuha+and+Akamai.+In+these+forms,+they+are+the+Toa+Kaita.&

Reply_1_2=The+Toa+Kaita+will,+at+last,+confront+the+Makuta.&

Reply_1_3=During+their+absence,+the+people+of+Mata+Nui+must+work+together+to+protect+their+homes+and+all+that+they+know.+They+will+need+great+courage,+for+the+Toa+will+not+be+here+to+protect+them.

 

This is interesting! First off we have some classic Wairuha/Akamai confusion, something Templar seemed to slip up with a lot. More importantly, it looks like Akamai originally embodied Spirit, not Valor. Neat.

 

But do you know what is even more interesting? Replies 1-2 and 1-3. When I read them in the script I knew right away I had never seen them before, but I checked and there they were in the files. To verify, I went to the dialogue in-game and, sure enough, they weren't there. This actually isn't the first time I've come across bits of replies in the files that don't show up in-game - however, unlike the other instance, which is the result of a bug, this appears to be intentional. The lines are actually turned off by the preceding code. I'd guess that they wanted to pare things down a bit to stay in keeping with the brevity of Ko-Koronans in general - a good call I think. Its cool to see more genuine article MNOG lines but these don't really add anything or say anything that isn't already said, implicitly or otherwise. Here's another section of dialogue that was cut out:

 

Quote

If the Toa triumph, Mata Nui will know great joy… and great change. The darkness will be dispelled, but we will have to guard our island well to ensure no other evil rises to take its place.

 

It's possible there are other cut bits of script hanging around the MNOG files still. I'll probably go hunting for them someday.

 

 

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