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Breakdown Misc FAQ
Version 1.0
Copyright:
This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other
web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.
Currently, this guide is only on GameFAQs, if you see this anywhere else,
then please notify me at ethereal.soldier@yahoo.com.
NOTE: If it isn't obvious enough... this guide contains SPOILERS. Lots and
lots of them, read at your own risk. However, I have refrained from
revealing major plot points in the strategy areas of the guide.
Copyright 2005 Katherine Kobayashi.
Contact Me: ethereal.soldier@yahoo.com
===============================================================================
Table of Contents:
1.0 - Introduction/ General Info
2.0 - Move List
2.1 - Basic Combat Move List
2.2 - Combo List
2.3 - Special Move list
2.4 - Weapons
3.0 - Combat Tactics
3.1 - Specific Strategy
4.0 - Game Transcript
4.1 - Clipboards
4.2 - Terminus 4 Tapes
4.3 - Dialogue Transcript
5.0 - Game Theory/ Plot Speculation
5.1 - Game Summary
5.2 - Character Analysis (incomplete)
5.2a - Solus
5.2b - Alex
5.2c - Glen
5.3 - What Exactly Happened and Why
5.4 - Unanswered Questions
6.0 - Random
7.0 - Thanks
==================Section 1.0 - Intro========================================
I won't waste your time here, so I'll get right down to it. You are
reading Katherine Kobayashi's Misc FAQ for Breakdown, from Namco. This game
is exclusively for Xbox.
My email address is twicelostsoul@msn.com. I am sorry to say that I am
not very good at keeping track of my inbox, so I apologize if you experience
delay in recieving a response.
If you have question about the game, or, if you wish to contribute, then feel
free to contact me at ethereal.soldier@yahoo.com. Contributors will, of course,
be fully credited. Specifically, contributions about plot or speculation are
more than welcome. You MUST include the tagline-
BREAKDOWN- NAMCO- in your message intro or it WILL be deleted without being
opened at all. I will NOT answer any emails that use the tagline, but asks me
something unrelated to the game. Your address will be blocked if you do this.
I am regularly on the Breakdown message board.
================Section 2.0 - Move List====================================
This section will attempt to cover all the possible controls you may utilize
in the game.
================Section 2.1 - Basic Move List==============================
Rough Legend- *MUST READ
=> - Thumbstick right
<= - Thumbstick left
^ - Thumbstick up
V - Thumbstick down
L - Left Trigger
R - Right Trigger
W - White Button
Blk - Black Button
A - A Button
B - B Button
X - X Button
Y - Y Button
/ - Next Command Break
* - Special Note
Basic Non-Combat Move List
Y - Change Weapon
X - Access Nearby Item
B - Center View
Left Thumbstick - Movement
Right Thumbstick - Look
White - Throw Grenade
Black - Jump
V / Blk / Blk - Backflip
<= / Blk / Blk - Left Sideways Roll
=> / Blk / Blk - Right Sideways Roll
Click Right Thumbstick - Crouch
Basic Combat Move List
*Without holding a weapon*
- Straight Punch L
- Jab R
- High Kick ^R
- Stepping Uppercut ^L
- Left Hook =>L
- Right Hook <=R
- Uppercut <=L
- Stepping Mid-kick VR
- Sideways Kick VL
- Forward Slide ^L+R (* this does damage, if you slide into the enemy)
- Block Click Left Thumbstick
================Section 2.2 - Combo List======================================
Note: This list is hardly exhaustive. There are critical pieces missing
as well as my own uncertainty and lack of consistency in pulling some of the
longer ones off.
- Two Hooks to Chop <=L / =>R / <=L
Very simple, and easy to pull off. The last input, <=L (chop) must
come quickly after the first two, or it will turn into something different.
- Four Hooks to Chop <=L / =>R / *=>L / =>R / =>L
*There is a _slight_ pause here. If you omit the pause, then it will
end here in a chop. Chaining hooks are always like this. Also, it does seem
to help for some reason to aim the thumbstick slightly downward.
Alternative Way <=L / =>R / VL / VR / VL
- Three Hooks To Uppercut <=L / =>R / *=>L / R
Again, a slight pause here.
- Five Hooks to Uppercut <=L / =>R / *=>L / =>R / *=>L / =>R
Complicated and unwieldy in combat, this move requires steady nerves
to pull off. There are two pauses in this one. In addition, long hook combos
can be performed by changing the left thumbstick movement downwards.
- Two Straights to Kick L / R / R
Very simple, easy, and useful.
- Three Straights L / L / R
- Two Straights to Uppercut L / R/ =>L
- Two Straights to Uppercut to Superpunch L / R / =>L (chargeup) / ^R
This is tricky to pull off. At the animation of the third punch, R
must already be charging as it connects, then there will be a final charged
straight punch. I am moderately sure that this is only available after the
Final Acceleration (trust me, you'll know which one).
- Straight to shin-kick to midsection kick R / L / L
The two Left Trigger commands must almost overlap each other,
experiment.
- Repeating Strikes =>L (tap repeatedly)
Another very useful combo. Its quick, and does decent damage. At
first, there is a restrictive limit on the number of time it can be chained
(3) but this number will increase with each Acceleration.
- Forward Slide to Rising Elbow ^L+R / L
Useful for getting the momentum set for a single enemy fight.
It's uppercut variant is more useful, however. Just be careful not to miss.
- Forward Slide to Uppercut ^L+R / R
- Uppercut to Elbow <=R / =>L
Short, nothing special, even in it's charged form (later in the game).
- Uppercut to Elbow to Uppercut <=R / =>L / R
- Neck Break Line up directly behind any T'lan (except for Solus or the Heavy
T'lan) / L+R+V on both thumbsticks.
This seems to consume T'langen. It is an instant kill, even against
Guard T'lan. This move is most useful in segments where Alex is there to
distract the T'lan while you move up behind them for the instant kill.
I believe you get the ability fairly early, I remember using it before the
first injection Acceleration.
- Grapple Line up in front of any T'lan (except for the Heavy T'lan / L+R+V
This causes Derrick to grapple with the T'lan. He will grab them,
punch them once in the stomach, and toss them over his head. Its very cool
to watch, but I rarely used it. I don't believe you can get this before
the Final Acceleration.
==============Section 2.3 - Special Skills List============================
These skills are slowly acquired and built up throughout the game. Check the
ones you have by pausing and checking the inventory and skills section.
-Shield Break L (R)
This is basically when you can start putting some hurt on the T'lan.
It means that as long as you have T'langen, you can punch and hurt the T'lan.
- Shield Click/hold the Left Thumbstick
Very, very useful. It with every hit that you take, it consumes
T'langen. Once that is depleted, it loses its effect against bullets and
fists.
- Pulse Hold R, release
Not that useful. In some specific instances, it can be used to
thin the mob coming at you, or when you are at the 'border' or the T'lan area.
- Jump Kick Black- hold R to charge
- Shockwave L+R
Basically, you unleash a shockwave to T'langen in front of you
that knocks everyone who did not block backwards, leaving you an
opportunity to take them on one by one.
- High Jump Hold Black
Required to reach certain places. Incredibly useful for escaping
mobs of T'lan in wide open areas.
-Boost Click both thumbsticks at the same time.
Slows down time around you. Useful for getting some serious damage
fast. Beware, the enemy is pretty fast, take them from an angle, or they
may block you in time.
====================Section 2.4 - Weapons=====================================
Breakdown really only has four main weapons. Five if you count the grenade.
Weapons are mainly used to take down human soldiers, as there is only one
weapon that does any damage against the T'lan.
Sub-Machine Gun-
This gun does not have a name, but it reminds me of a MP5, with the stock.
This weapon is reliable enough to use against multiple soldiers at once, but
it has it's drawbacks. Namely, reloading comes at the worst possible times.
It's limited clip size means that you can't afford to miss at all. I
strongly advise you to turn off auto-aim, it will get you killed in hectic
battles when you need to pick your targets well. You can still press A to
get the target reticule up and cycle between them.
There are two basic strategies to remember when using this weapon. 1) Don't
go up close, and find cover. Use two round bursts to slowly chip away at the
enemy. Listen for the enemies firing patterns (usually two sustained bursts,
and stop), and hit them when they are hesitating to fire. This strategy works
for only certain long-range battles, particularly early in the game. 2) Forget
burst firing, put up your T'langen shield (once you get it) and walk straight
to your foe's face. Wait for them to complete their burst fires, and unload
at the target in full-auto spray. This works especially well when there are
only one or two enemies left, as long as you can maintain enough T'langen to
keep your shield.
When faced with a large group of enemies, your first concern is cover. Find
some, and evaluate your targets. Naturally, go for the closest ones first,
and pick firing angles that expose you only to one soldier at a time. There
are tons of opportunities to do this in most battles.
You will encounter two types of T'lan that can be killed with this gun. One
is a black, cockroach like being that crawls on the ground and jumps at you,
inflicting terrible damage (if they come at you all at once.) If you can
see them coming, then pick your targets, go just within the range where you
can target them, and nail them before they can come at you. It's not too
hard, its like popcorn, one bullet to one roach can take out the entire
pack. The other is a white floating ball type T'lan. Use the same strategy
but remember, one well placed bullet is often better than a spray of bullets
that completely miss their target (only when you're dealing with these guys.)
Watch out for Alex during gun battles. She alternates between being really
useful in getting the first shot in, and getting stuck in the doorway where
your enemies are.
Pistol-
The pistol in Breakdown is really just a sidearm. It's better than nothing,
but don't go charging into battle with this weapon. The pistol isn't terribly
accurate, but it gets the job done. Avoid confronting multiple soldiers
with this gun. It's well suited to take out the cockroach T'lan and the
floating white ball T'lan, but that's pretty much it.
There are certain strategies to use when trying to implement this gun in
combat. First, if you are stuck in a long range shootout with multiple
and you are without the rocket launcher, then use this gun to soften them up.
Always empty this gun first, and then switch to the primary gun. The same
pop-goes-the-weasel type strategy for the sub-machine gun works for this as
well, but infinitely less powerful.
If you need to conserve your more potent ammo for a large scale fight
coming up, then take out this gun and bull rush a single soldier. Get
right into his face where your bullets can't miss, and pull the trigger
as fast as possible.
Rocket Launcher-
Yay. My favorite weapon in the game. The rocket launcher is a monster of a
weapon. In mid- to long range, it is the best weapon in the game to use
against human soldiers.
There are certain portions of the game (you'll know when you hit them)
when time is of the utmost essence. When you encounter soldiers during these
segments, you can't afford to waste time on them. If they are between you and
where you need to be, then send a rocket their way. They will be decimated.
If you have human targets that are far away, and you don't want to risk getting
close to them, take them out with this gun. Rockets for the gun aren't scarce
at all, but do make sure that every rocket takes out at least one soldier.
If soldiers are cowardly hiding behind a bunker, get your guard up and move
to the side, then send a rocket in their midst. When you have it, it's MUCH
more effective than the pistol or the sub-machine gun. Just don't fire it at
close range, splash damage is a monster.
Rockets don't do anything against the T'lan.
Grenade-
Grenades have a very limited usefulness in this game. They can't be thrown
very far, and trajectory is unpredictable. They also can't harm the T'lan.
Don't bother using it to take out
anyone beyond mid-range. That said, there are specific instances where
grenades are a must. If you are behind cover, and you know there is a soldier
right beyond your cover, then hurl a grenade their way. Do this by throwing it
over your cover, if you can. If you know where your targets are, and can
anticipate movement, this will take out groups of soldiers at a time, if you
catch them unaware. If a soldier is right beyond a corner, then show your head
as you throw the grenade, and then pull it back until it explodes.
Grenades also have a non-combat use. In one part of the game, there is a
nest of _stationary_ explosive wires. These things inflict massive damage
if you trip them. If you don't want to risk it, carefully toss a grenade
near the bomb end of the wire, and it will explode on it's own. You can
create your own explosive fueled path.
Anti-T'lan Laser-
Many people overlook this weapon for some reason. If used correctly, then
this weapon is very, very effective. Hold the R trigger to charge it, and when
you hear the cue, let go and it will fire a powerful beam that can take out
Assault T'lan in two hits. Don't try to use this in close combat, you will
be overrun. Use it to thin numbers. Watch the charge on this thing.
Laser recharges are somewhat scarce in the game, save it for large scale
battles.
A few things to remember, Guard and Heavy T'lan can block shots from this.
It doesn't happen too often, but watch out for that. I use the laser
mostly when I'm up against large numbers. If it's Guard T'lan, then lure them
to their preprogrammed "border" (the point in the arena where they can't pass,
most places have them) and pelt them with shots from the gun. Watch it,
guard T'lan close the distance faster than you expect.
There is a single battle near the end of the game where the game throws
seemingly endless waves of Assault T'lan at you from two sides. This weapon
is invaluable to survival there, as you can't afford to waste time, or get
too close to one side.
====================Section 3.0 - Combat Tactics==============================
Many people seem to have trouble with Breakdown. At this point in my life,
I don't have the time to make a complete walkthrough, but I can provide
you with fundamental strategies to beat down your foes.
With the exception of only one battle late in the game, T'lan warriors are
not very smart. Namely, they have a preprogrammed border of operation, which
they cannot cross. Find it, and you have the golden opportunity to take your
foes one by one. Now, once you find that border, the T'lan will usually not do
anything. But, get a little close, and they will attack you. Block it, and
they are vulnerable to counter attack. Don't use combos when you try this
strategy, it will push YOU across the border and leave your back exposed.
The most useful attacks in the game are the simple ones. Specifically, the
high-kick (see basic attacks list) is INSANELY powerful. Use it when the T'lan
are down and seal their fate. However, do not charge into battle just using
this one attack, they will eventually learn and counter-attack. I start most
fights with a simple fist combo, usually two jabs to a straight punch. Or,
if I want to play cautiously, then I go into the fight with my guard up and
wait for an opportunity. With the exception of guard T'lan, everyone is
vulnerable right after they have had their attack blocked. When they get
stonewalled into your guard or, even better, miss, take the initiative and
beat them down.
Exploit Alex as your shield. It may sound cruel, but she is useful in that
way. Have her engage the brunt of the enemy attack, while you sneak in from
behind. The neck snap, if applied from behind is an instant one-hit kill.
You should NEVER get hit by an Assault T'lan. EVER. There are just so many
ways to avoid their shots, it isn't even funny. Even if they are in a group,
if you keep strafing to the sides as you move toward them, you can avoid most
of their lasers. These guys are also cursed with low awareness. Meaning...
... Remember what I said about the border? If you engage the T'lan from
outside the border, they can't attack you, they will just stand there. If you
have a mob of Guard or Assault T'lan waiting for you, then use your pulse laser
to soften them up first. They CAN block your shots, so use the smallest,
weakest pulse shot you can send, and keep sending them until you run out of
T'langen. Quantity rules over quality on this. Concentrate on only ONE T'lan
at a time, and take as many out as you can. Thinning the mob is
important before you charge. You can take out a surprising amount just with
this simple pre-fight strategy.
This strategy works with the ones above. Say that you have full T'langen, but
dangerously low health. You know there is a battle up ahead where you can use
the border strategy. You come across a soda. Instead of drinking it right
away, walk into the battle, and pelt them with your pulse shots until you
expend your T'langen as well. Then, walk back to where you found the soda,
and now drink it. Always get the most out of your supplies. Caution: Only
use this tactic when you are SURE that you can get back to your refill.
Sliding into battle is a great tactic. There are portion in the mid section
of the game where you continually engage groups of up to 4 or 6 mixed T'lan
groups at a time, usually guard T'lan and Assault T'lan. It is imperative
at moments like this to thin the amount of damage coming at you from all
sides. A slide to uppercut will kill Assault T'lan in one succession after
you get your first shot Acceleration from Glen. Warning: it is important to
not miss the slide, or you will face the fatal consequences.
Turn off Auto-Aim. Just do it. It will get you killed in gun battles, as
well as against mixed groups of T'lan. You can still use it by pressing
the A button to lock on to selected targets.
Remember, when you have a set destination and are traveling to a certain point,
sometimes, you don't HAVE to engage the enemy. There are some times where the
game will not let you pass a certain door if you don't beat down your foes,
but also some points where if you can make it across the border gap before you
die by your enemy's hand, they can't follow you anymore.
Note that attacks will interrupt each other. Just because you are in a middle
of a combo doesn't mean you have immunity from being hit. This is a real
pain, even when facing just a single foe. I've had my slides be interrupted
by shoulder charges and flying kicks for goodness sake.
This game is hard. I'll be honest, sometimes it's infuriating. Especially
at the very start of the game and then kind of at the very end. The thing to
remember here, if you want to beat the damn game, is that it isn't as
impossible as you might think it is. Developers don't program games (anymore,
at least) with the mindset of "Oo000oo let's piss off all of our customers
and warn them NEVER to buy any game from us ever again, if they want to
maintain their pride." If you are seriously stuck at any part and feel like
snapping the disk in half, calm down, take the disk out and go play Fable for
a while. Then, wake up the next morning and go into it with a fresh mindset.
I am not trying to be condescending or funny with this, I am serious. I've
had to do this with Breakdown a few times, and it always worked. More so, I
learned it from another Namco game, Dead to Rights.
====================Section 3.1 - Specific Strategy===========================
---Human Soldiers---
Early on, you MUST find cover. A corner, a rock, a door,
anything. Their guns will chew you out and leave you for dead in a matter
of seconds if you let them fire at you. Once you find your corner, you
must listen to their firing patterns, usually two sustained bursts and stop.
As soon as the firing ends, you pop out and fire AT MOST 3 SHOTS. Then,
retreat backwards. The human soldiers are notoriously cautious, they take
a LONG time (if ever) to move to your position. Slowly chip away at their
health and don't get ambitious. You will lick all of them, eventually and
are probably in no great hurry.
Second tactic, if they are solitary, they are vulnerable. If you come
across a poor lone soldier, then unload on them, close the distance while
spraying and don't even let them fire a shot at you. They will be stuck
taking the bullets and be unable to fire back. I warn you, do not use
this against multiple soldiers, use it when you must seize the initiative.
This works best with the sub machine gun, but also with the pistol.
Try not to use your fists against these guys unless absolutely necessary,
especially when they are not alone, their friends will tear you apart.
Be wary when tossing a grenade at these guys. If you can get it right near
them, they are as good as dead, since these men seem to have no concept of
running away from the explosive ball. But, this is a task in itself. First,
Derrick simply can't throw. At all. Apparently, throwing mechanics are
built in genetics, and you can do nothing to increase your throwing strength
during life, but this is really pathetic. _I_ can throw better than Derrick.
*ahem* Well, you see... grenades are only useful at short to short-mid
range and almost useless thereafter. If you KNOW that there is a soldier
behind that corner, and they are standing, RIGHT past that corner, then by
all means, throw the damn thing. It can't hurt, since grenades are abundant
in the game and you can only carry five at a time anyway. There are certain
door in the game that open based on movement, meaning they open only when you
approach and close thereafter. If there is an enemy on the other side of
the door, walk right up to it so that it opens, and toss the grenade,
then step back.
The bullet shield function of your guard (which you get fairly early in
the game) seems useful for blocking bullets for a time, but not
really. There are a few isolated incidents where it is invaluable to
survival, but most of the time, you will be hard pressed to find a use
for it. If there are soldiers far away from you and you need to close the
distance fast, without using cover, then put the shield up. If you are
running from a mass of soldiers in search of adequate cover while being
fired upon, then put the shield up. If you get caught with your pants
down and somehow walk straight up to a soldier without your gun at hand,
then retreat while putting your shield up.
The absolute best weapon against the soldiers is the rocket launcher. They
can take out as many as three or four soldiers grouped together at a time.
You will gain this weapon near the middle portion of the game.
There are a few instances where you will come across a few soldiers fighting
some T'lan. Specifically, if they are using GUNS and not LASERs, they have no
reservations about killing you as well. In these moments, let the T'lan deal
with the soldiers first, and then take the remaining T'lan, since they will
always win.
The T'lan.
---The Warrior T'lan---
These guys are the standard in T'lan. They look human and have an exposed
human-like chest, and are the first T'lan you encounter in the game.
You can't fight these guys until your hand starts glowing.
A common tactic is to go into the fight with your guard up and LET the T'lan
hit you first. Wait for them to finish their combo or individual attacks
and unload on them with your own combo. If they block it, then back off and
wait for them to attack you again. These guys are usually vulnerable in two
moments, 1) right after you've blocked one of their attacks and 2) as they
are getting up.
These T'lan can be easily diverted by Alex. Use her as a human shield.
Then, if possible, go around back and snap their necks.
If you decide that you must charge the T'lan, then do be careful of their
flying kick attack or their shoulder charge. Both are painfully damaging
and utterly unnecessary to take.
The first 30 or so minutes of the game will have a moment that pits you
against two of these guys at once. This is quite possibly the hardest fight
in the entire game. You are immensely weak at this point and a few knocks will
put you down for good. In this fight, it is IMPERATIVE that you separate
the two T'lan. They will both charge you and you must nail one of them with
either an uppercut or a sliding uppercut. This will knock one out of
commission for a few precious seconds, during which, you must unload on the
other T'lan. Eventually, the other will get back up, and you must do something
to separate them again. The key here is persistence. DON'T let the two T'lan
gang up on you, and don't let them crowd you. Really, if you get stuck
blocking their blows for too long, you are dead anyway. Passiveness will
get you killed... just more slowly than aggressiveness.
---The Assault T'lan---
These are the laser T'lan. They have four basic attacks. 1) They will
shoot three short rounds off their laser arm at you. This is not that
damaging, and can be easily avoided by strafing to the side as you approach
the T'lan to beat them down. 2) They will raise their laser arm, fully
extended and shoot one strong blast at you. This is mildly damaging, but
can still be avoided by strafing to the side. 3) They will kneel down
and fire an even stronger blast at you. This one is hard to avoid, and
does terrible damage to you. At the first sign of kneeling, you must
move in to take them out before they can fire at you. 4) They will hook
back their firing arm and fire one short round into you for pathetic
damage. They will only do this when you are at extreme range, so the
downside is that you probably can't avoid this attack.
Easiest method, strafe to the side AS you approach them, and hit em hard.
Late in the game, a single high kick will put them out of commission,
as well as a single Slide to Uppercut.
You will frequently come across these guys in groups of up to five
or sometimes even six late in the game. At this point, approach them from
a distance from which you can target them, but they still do not notice you.
Auto-Target them, and fire a single T'langen Pulse laser of your own, as
weak as you can. Keep sending the Pulse Shots, not giving them time to
recover. Warning, sometimes, the T'lan gains a short one second invincibility
to pulse laser shots, usually when they are getting up from being hit.
Thin the mob until you don't have any T'langen left, and head in.
These guys will quickly become the weak link when facing mixed groups of
T'lan. It's usually not a bad idea to either A) Take them out first, or
b) draw your other enemies out to a point where the Assault T'lan cannot
target you. If you are at extreme range with little maneuvering room,
then tactic A is useful. Tactic B is less useful in that it will not
work in wide open areas with no obstructions.
---Stealth T'lan---
These T'lan can cloak. It's usually not that hard to spot them,
just look for a moving outline of bending light. In addition, Alex is
very good at spotting them for you.
These T'lan are the physically weakest in the game. But, it's always painful
to get scarred from behind by a chicken enemy like this. In particular,
you must try your very best to get them all in front of you, to allow you
to gain your bearings on them.
You cannot Auto-Target these things.
They become visible right after they attack you.
They have a nasty fast counter-attack that can interrupt most of your
attacks.
Slide into them and come up swinging. If that is impossible, then know
that they are vulnerable to counter-attack right after one of their
attacks.
They make a tell-tale screeching sound when they are nearby. It sounds like
someone sharpening knives. Also, they give out a sort of pitched cry that
gets higher.
---Guard T'lan---
These guys have a half exposed chest, covered in black otherwise. You
encounter them halfway through the game.
Probably the hardest enemy you have to face in groups for the entire game.
They are freakishly fast and powerful. If you approach them without blocking,
then there is a solid 85% chance that they will knock you down with their
shoulder charge.
When isolating these guys, exploit the border strategy.
When facing one of these guys, its pretty smart to LEt them attack you
first, then counter-attack. Guard T'lan can block very well, so there is less
of a vulnerability right after they attack, but it is still there.
If you CAN'T isolate them using the border strategy, use your shockwave ability
to knock them down. As they are getting up, concentrate your attack on only
one and nail them with high kicks and uppercuts as they are recovering.
It's imperative to thin the numbers.
To thin their numbers from across the border, then take pot shots at them
using the Pulse Shots or the Anti-T'lan laser.
As tough as these guys are, they still can be killed with the neck snap
from behind. Alex is very useful in these fights, let her fight the T'lan
while you come in from behind to break some necks.
---The Heavy T'lan---
To clarify, I got the name of this T'lan from PRevolution's Breakdown
walkthrough.
The "fat" ones. They are monstrously huge, and have impossibly fast charging
attacks.
The heavy T'lan are actually somewhat easy to deal with. They are usually
very slow, save for their charging attack (which, unlike the Guarding T'lan
charge, gives you time to see and react before it connects with you).
Their punches are lumbering and slow, with a fatally long recovery time
after each combo or succession of punches. They can take a good number of
hits before going down.
You cannot neck snap them. Derrick would be swallowed hole if he tried.
The sliding uppercut works well against all of them, as does the high kick.
Again, you will encounter these guys in groups. And, once again, the key
here is separation and patience.
---The "Boss"
There is only one real T'lan boss fight in the entire game, and you'll know
when you hit it.
The "boss" will start attacking you once you hit him with either a hook or a
straight punch, he will throw you to the ground (no damage) and the fight
will begin.
The first phase of the fight is simple. He is very slow, and will not use
combos. During this phase, he has 3 main attacks.
1) An upward slash with an open fist. This is laughably slow, and leaves him
open for counter... big time.
2) A roundhouse kick. Faster than the upward slash, but still leaves him very
open for counterattack.
3) He will either slide back, or he is already away from you, and will
charge his fists, sending either one or two pulse shots toward you. When he
does this you must stafe to the side while closing the distance.
A good strategy for this part of the fight is to just let him throw his
punches, block them, and counterattack. Use simple combos. Throw in a
few high kicks (the most powerful attack in the game) as he is reeling to
speed up the fight.
Once you knock him down, he will get back up again, and announce that it is
Round 2.
If this is your first time fighting him, then it is IMPOSSIBLE
to defeat this monster. If you lose your health and suddenly collapse, then
don't worry, it's a plot point.
You can only take down the boss during your rematch with him.
In round 2, the boss's attacks have become immensely powerful. He is now
more aggressive, faster, and generally will not allow you much breathing room.
--Attacks/Techniques--
- 3 hit combo. This attack is quite fast, but leaves him slightly open to
counterattack afterwards. Use a the left jab to two right straights combo
right afterwards, and you SHOULD catch him as he is about to launch his next
attack.
- The "super" combo. I've never managed to count how many strike are in this
one, but I can safely say that if you get hit with it in its full glory, you
are pretty much done for. There is NO way to counter or interrupt it one it
is in full swing, you can only block and survive it.
- Roundhouse kick. This is his most glaring weakness. It leaves him open for
counterattack big time _IF_ you can evade the kick.
- Boost. The boss will frequently follow up his boost technique with a super
long combo. This MUST be blocked at all costs. Usually, you should be able
to just get your guard up and endure the barrage without having to waste your
own boost technique. Other times, he will follow up with a barrage of pulse
shots. If you suspect this to be the case, then by all means, DO activate
your own boost and evade the shots.
- Charge Rush Attack. This happens quite quickly and is difficult to counter.
I have managed to side step it quite a few times though, and you will end up
with you facing the Boss's back.
- Pulse shots. He now has three varieties of pulse shots.
1) One shot. Signaled by him charging up only one arm.
2) Two shots. Signaled by him charging up both arms at once.
3) +8 shots. Signaled by him charging up both arms at once, as
well as a grunting sound.
There is a delay right after he fires his pulse shots at you. If you
close the distance while he is firing, and manage to end up next to him
by its end, you can land some punches of your own. In fact, my main
strategy in this fight is to "force" the boss to fire his pulse shots at me,
thus leaving him open for my counterattack. It's hard and sometimes random
to accomplish this, but you can increase your chances by watching his
teleportation patterns and predicting where he will stop while positioning
yourself in a place sufficiently far away from him that will trigger his
usage of pulse shots. If you are too far away, then the shots will home
into you, and they will be impossible to avoid.
- Teleport. The Boss will turn into a shadow like substance and glide
around the room. When this happens, it is vital that you keep track of
where he is. If you lose sight of him, then more likely or not, he will
catch you off-guard.
There are ways to replenish health and T'langen during the fight. Each
time the boss goes down, you regain both. Each time you land a blow on him,
you regain T'langen. If he is down on the ground, talking to you while he
staggers up (happens 3 times) and you keep on pounding him, you regain
T'langen.
Keep your guard up throughout the ENTIRE fight. I'm serious, keep it up
while strafing, keep it up while backpedalling, keep it up while
closing the distance.
--What Not to Do--
- DON"T abuse the high kick in the fight, you will get countered.
- After the second time he gets up, STOP using slide to uppercuts. He now
teleports easier, and will evade the uppercut, leaving you open to counter
attack.
- DON'T get reckless.
--Good attacks to use--
- L/R/R This is a left jab to two right straights. It comes out fast,
and can be used as a quick counter after most of his attacks.
- L+R / R This is the slide to uppercut. Use it in the beginning of
round two only. After the second time the boss gets up, he is now prone to
teleporting backwards to avoid the uppercut, leaving you open for his counter.
The most effective way to use it is after his pulse shots from a medium
distance. Also, make SURE that you are LOCKED ONTO HIM when using this
attack. Otherwise, you will probably miss and leave yourself open.
- All Hook chains. They do decent damage, and will not always be blocked.
When the boss is hounding you while you are backpedaling, looking for a good
chance to strike, you can sometimes lead him in a tight circle. While the
boss is awkwardly rounding a "corner" drop your guard and land a quick left
jab. Warning: The timing must be exact.
I can't stress how important it is to constantly switch between lock-on
and manual look. If the Boss escapes your view, then you MUST IMMEDIATELY
locate him to regroup yourself. Press A to lock onto him immediately.
When strafing to avoid his pulse shots, you should have pressed B to switch
back to manual aim. Slide uppercuts should only be attempted while you are
locked on.
Depending on how aggressive you are, this fight can last anywhere from 15
minutes to 45 minutes. He has some strong endurance, and your main concern
really is to just survive. More or less, this battle is a war of attrition.
You know that you are getting close to the end when the music changes again
and the boss gets up silently.
---The WAVE ROOM
This is the nightmare room for many players.
To be completely honest... passing this juncture of the game seems to involve
more luck than skill (a prominent theme in many of Breakdown's more frustrating
moments).
--Things to Remember
- Each little T'langen or health refill will completely bring you back up.
- When running away, remember that the superjump is _much_ faster than simply
backpedalling or running.
- Shockwave is your friend.
- Try to inflict much of the hurt AS the T'lan are landing inside the room,
at this point, they are separated and open to individual assault.
- Consume refills strategically, and use shockwaves judiciously.
Here are the waves.
Wave One: 5 Guard T'lan.
Wave Two: 3 Heavy T'lan
Wave Three: A group of Stealth T'lan
Wave Four: 6 Assault T'lan
Wave Five: Mixed group (initially three heavy T'lan, one guard T'lan,
one stealth and one assault)
My general strategy for this fight is a mixure of running away like a little
girl, isolating the mob by using Shockwaves constantly, and taking down the
isolated enemies.
First off, keep track of how many enemies are in the room, how many refills
there are presently, and where the refills are. If you get in a bad situation,
you must retreat to wherever possible, leading the T'lan AWAY from where your
refills are, and then return so you can heal in peace. You MUST use the
superjump in order to accomplish this, it is so much faster than just running.
In short, draw the T'lan away from your recharges and then double back to heal
up.
The first wave is quite hard. Try to take out at least one guard T'lan before
they swarm on you as a group. Once they start surrounding you, then use
shockwave to damage them all at once and hopefully take out a few that you
previously weakened. Use shockwaves on them until you run out of T'langen,
at which point, use the bait and switch tactic to refill. If you find that
you have no T'langen refills, then you are going to just have to slide
into a particular target and pound on them, all the while losing your health
as well from the other T'lan. Shockwave is your friend. It isolates the T'lan
and leaves them open to individual attack, and it damages them.
Once all five are down, evaluate your status and refill as necessary. Remember,
those floating refills are only going to last so long.
The second wave is also a pain. It is three heavy T'lan. Again, try to damage
as much as possible while they are still separated. Then, go ahead and abuse
shockwave as much as possible, taking the brief respites to pound on a
particular target. High kick and sliding uppercut work well here.
The third wave should be the easiest. When the Stealth T'lan leap out from
the tubes, mind the position they land in and try your best to keep them all
in front of you. Again, shockwave them once they surround your front to
single them out.
Wave four is a battle of attrition on your part. It is 6 assault T'lan. The
objective here is to take them out AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. You are going to get
hit by their lasers quite a lot here, as there are simply too many to keep
track of. The high kick takes down one whole assault T'lan. Use the sliding
uppercut to close the distance and put the hurt on. Remember, if you need it,
refill your health using the refills provided by the defeated assault T'lan.
The last wave is the moment of truth. It's a mixed group of T'lan. Memorize
where every refill is and concentrate all attacks on the three heavy T'lan.
Try your best to keep away from the guard T'lan, using shockwave when
necessary. Keep moving to stay out of the sights of the assault T'lan. Keep
either the pillars or the heavy T'lan between you and the rest.
Again, shockwave is your friend. Use it judiciously. This is the final wave,
so don't be shy about using all the remaining refills, but don't waste them.
Use shockwave as a set up to allow a concentration of damage on on particular
heavy T'lan. Isolate using shockwave, then pound using slide uppercuts
or high kicks, or other heavy hitting combos. Remember, super jumping is
tremendously useful as a regrouping tactic, and is much faster than just
running.
I don't know how many times I have used this word in the past few paragraphs,
but I'll say it again, SHOCKWAVE IS YOUR FRIEND.
Concentrate everything on the three heavy T'lan, the rest are decoys. Once you
take out those three, the others simply vanish after a few seconds.
====================Section 4.0 - Game Transcripts============================
This section is under construction as of now. It's eventual goal is
to list all the clipboards found in the game, as well as the important
dialogue.
====================Section 4.1 - Clipboards==================================
These are the things you find scattered around the place. Although
a lot of it is kind of useless, some of it goes a long way to give some depth
to the background of the game.
{:}
Clipboard found on Derrick's bedside.
Name: Test Subject 7
8/30 - Transferred from Terminus 4
09/03 - Urination x4 Defecation x2
No change in coma state. Dosage 1200
09/07 - Urination x5 Defecation x1
Respiration improved. Brain activity and heart rate are equivalent to
conscious state.
{:}
Clipboard found in the Game Room of Carter Science Center.
Welcome to Carter Science Center (CSC)
This research facility was established as a joint venture between the
United States of America and Japan to pursue research in advanced
technologies and their applications.
CSC is unparalleled in scope as a natural sciences research center.
{:}
Clipboard found in Research Annex.
T'lan warrior status Report #191
Prepared for: Terminus 4 executive meeting
We recommend continued research as follows:
1. Development of an energy weapon that operates on the same wavelength as the
T'lan
shield.
2. Purification of T'langen.
3. Administration of T'langen to animals.
The staff considers administration of T'langen to humans to be too dangerous
and have protested. Therefore I wish to propose the termination of the
clinical trial.
{:}
Clipboard found in Research Annex.
T'lan warrior Research Status Report #26
Prepared for: Terminus 4 executive meeting.
We have identified the buildup of a certain substance when a warrior's shield
is generated. We feel this substance is the key to understanding the T'lan.
We've decided to call the substance "T'langen."
{:}
Clipboard found at Site Zero Lab
Research Report #17
This body is most likely a part of the upper left arm belonging to an upright
bipedal creature. Apart from it's size, the part appears similar to humanoid
in nature. Its fingers and nails appear delicate enough to suggest that it is
not a creature suited to hunting or combat.
{:}
Clipboard found in Site Zero Lab
POWER OUTAGE NOTICE
Distribution: All Terminus 4 Staff
Controlled power outages will be in effect for the specified blocks below due
to Nexus restart experiments.
Time: Tomorrow for approx 15 secs at 0500hrs.
Affected Blocks: A,B, and E.
Nexus Restart Anomalies Status Report
Distribution: N Project Staff
1. T'lan Warrior Reawakening.
2. Silo Activities.
3. Appearance of small unidentified Life Forms.
We have casualties and the conditions here are extremely dangerous. We
recommend the immediate shutdown of Nexus.
Termination of Nexus Restart Experiment
Distribution: Project Staff
Sender: Glen Ogawa
Attempt the following procedures
1. Resend shutdown signal to Nexus
2. Shut down #2 reactor core completely.
3. Shut down all relevant computer systems.
{:}
Clipboard found in Alpha Project Room.
Name: Test Subject 1
7/14 -
02:13 - Sudden heart stoppage; death.
Name: Test Subject 2
7/4
19:30 - Convulsive seizure.
19:35 - Pulse rate drop.
20:01 - Death.
Name: Test Subject 3
7/3 - Pulse rate drop; death.
Name: Test Subject 4
7/20 - Convulsive seizure.
7/21 - Death.
Name: Test Subject 5
8/1 - Complained of intense pain in right humorous.
02:41 - Blood pressure drop.
02:43 - Pulse rate drop.
02:53 - Death
Name: Test Subject 6
7/3 - Acute respiration difficulties; death.
Name: Test Subject 8
7/9 - Blood pressure lower; death.
Name: Test Subject 9
7/6
08:10 - Rapid decline in blood pressure.
08:16 - Administered epinephrine.
08:26 - Administered epinephrine.
09:56 - Death.
Name: Test Subject 10
7/3 - Acute respiration trauma; death.
{:}
Clipboard found in Alpha Project Room.
Name: Test Subject 7
Test Specification: T'langen Treatment Experiment.
8/9 - 35 ml T'langen (administered 8 times.)
8/12 - Subject unconscious.
8/15 - Respiration difficulties; coma.
8/16 - Light emitting reaction in top of right hand.
8/18 - Recovered consciousness; memory impaired.
8/19 - Re-entered comatose state.
8/25 - Still unconscious; condition stabilized.
8/30 - Moved to Main Research Center.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Alpha Project Room.
To: Dr Glen Ogawa, Director Carter Science Center
Subject: Alpha Project Cancelled.
Findings: Mortality rate among test subjects is too high. No evidence of
improvement in physical capabilities.
Conclusion: This project does not satisfy military standards. Further
instructions regarding Test Subject #7 to follow.
{:}
Clipboard found in Alpha Project Room.
Counselor's Test Subject Interview.
Report Author: Beta Project Team.
What's your name? - Ernest.
What do you like? - Alex.
What don't you like? - Medicine.
What do you want to do? - Go hone.
Comments: Although the interview was conducted the fourth day after
administration of T'langen, test subject 12 also appeared to be
psychologically stable. the fifth dosage is planned in a week. Concentration
of the dose will be only 50%.
{:}
Clipboard found in Wojinski's office.
Research Findings Status Meeting Summary.
"Treatment of Amnesia by Episodic Memory Reconstruction"
By Professor Stefania Wojinski.
Summary: Amnesia is caused not by loss of memory, but the inability to search
through them. Accordingly, it is possible to treat the condition by
reconstructing a memory index. This research consists of the following
three procedures:
1. Read Subject's memories electronically.
2. Sort memory fragments.
3. return sorted memories back into subject's brain.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Site Zero Base Camp
Research Report #19
Based on the results of our geotomography survey's, we've determined that Site
Zero is not a natural underground cavern. It appears to be something like a
gigantic casket. In other words, it's a manufactured container or vessel of
some sort that has been buried underground. The vessel is compartmentalized
into three sections. One of the compartments is filled with animal and plant
life. The lifeforms in that area have developed an unique self-contained
ecosystem that has not been affected by external environment of our world.
There are also rivers and oceans that circulate within Site Zero. Not a drop
of water from those places leaves the area. We've decided to call this
artificial self-contained environment, "Sanctuary."
{:}
Clipboard Found in Site Zero Base Camp
Research Report #72
Site Zero is divided into three areas. "Sanctuary," "Silo," "Core." We've
discovered a central computer in the core called "Nexus." We're moving
forward with our research on it. Someone leaked information that this was
an archaeological dig, and they were right, more or less.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Site Zero Base Camp
Research Report #27
The red shield cannot be punctured. We made attempts to breach the shield
with the help of the military but failed. We have abandoned the idea of
passing through the shield for the time being. The green shield on the the
other hand, only blocks light and gasses. It serves to maintain Site Zero's
ecosystem. We can pass through it freely.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Site Zero Cliff Overlook
Research Report #39
The "silo" area seems to function as the T'lan warrior's barracks as well as a
factory to produce them. We must continue our research of the Silo area and
learn how to take control of it before the T'lan warriors awaken...
{:}
Clipboard found at Site Zero.
Research Report #162
According to the results of our analysis on the left arm, this mummified corpse
was not suited for combat like the T'lan warriors. This being appears to be
unrelated to the other organisms found here, so its is unlikely that it was a
resident of the sanctuary. This is all a conjecture, but was this being a
caretaker of this place?
{:}
Clipboard Found at Site Zero
Research Report #170
Carbon dating results show that Site Zero has existed here for about 400
million years. Around that time, the first forests began to flourish. These
forests were populated by fern-like plants. All the plants in Site Zero are
from the fern family. There are two theories regarding the existence of these
plants. There were either brought into Site Zero from the nascent Earth
forests or the plants on the planet itself originated from Site Zero.
{:}
Clipboard Found at Site Zero
Research Report #56
The temperature of the Sanctuary is maintained by an artificial sun. Our
analysis from the surface indicates that Nexus is located above a lake
intersecting the position of the artificial sun. Nexus may have something
to do wit the management of the Sanctuary.
{:}
Clipboard Found at Site Zero
To: Site Zero Research Team
RE: Access Restricted to Outer Wall Area
The path to the Silo area through Site Zero outer wall will be closed
temporarily due to earthquake damage sustained to the temporary footpaths
and handrails. If access is required, get permission from your supervisor
first.
{:}
Clipboard found at Site Zero.
To: Site Zero Research Team.
Re: Temporary suspension of Mummy Research.
The mummified body is more delicate than first thought, and has a high
likelihood of being destroyed by quakes. As a precautionary safety perimeter
around the mummy. No not attempt to recover equipment and documentation the
site.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Post-Apocalypse Terminus 4
Priority Message:
The Anti- T'lan laser unit's defensive line has been breached. The enemy
has entered Terminus 4. Beta Project Subjects must head to D Block to stop
further enemy incursions. The following are the dispatch orders:
Test Subject 12: Ernest
Defend corridor #7 at all costs and stop the enemy.
Test Subject 15: Andrew
Defend non-combatant living quarters.
Test Subject 16: Elliot
Eliminate enemies in corridor #6.
Test Subject 18: Alex
Guide survivors to K block.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Final Hallucination
To: Medical Team
There are increasing reports of Nexus area researchers complaining about
fatigue and anxiety. Some have even reported hearing voices. Please
dispatch a med crew ASAP to investigate this phenomenon.
{:}
Clipboard Found in Final Hallucination
Name: Test Subject 7
Test Specification: T'langen treatment experiment
19:35 - Pulse rate drop.
20:01 - Death
08:16 - Administered epinephrine.
08:26 - Administered epinephrine.
09:56 - Death
09:57 - Death
09:58 - Death
09:59 - Death
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
DeathDeathDeathDeath
================Section 4.2 - Terminus 4 Tapes================================
Terminus 4 Tapes
This is Tape #1.
Apparently the T’lan have infiltrated the shelter. This location is no longer
safe. Derrick, I am recording these messages for you. These are things you
must know, even if I die. You must be told where, no, when you are now. And
what had happened. When we found you, your memories had been completely
destroyed. You were in a coma. I made an attempt to repair your memories...
using the Memscan. The Memscan is a machine that can read memories, and
re-sort them in the proper order. It was Dr. Stefania Wojinski’s invention,
actually. According to Dr. Wojinski, as the Memscan reads memories, the
patient experiences the original events once again. The moments in the past
which are relived seem real to the patient, almost like a dream. Do you
understand Derrick? All of the things you experienced before waking up... your
defeat, the death of Alex, all of these events were what we call a "Memtrace."
You were merely retracing your past memories. Unlike dreams, however, every
event you experienced did occur in the past.
Tape #2
Derrick, do you remember a desert appearing in the middle of the Science
Center? And do you remember the cat that appeared at this time? Both of
these events were generated by the Memscan. Human memory is not flawless.
I said this machine allows you to "re-experience memories" but the process
is not perfect. Some memories become lost. These lost memories are replaced
with those drawn from the brain at random and used to create nonsensical
episodes. These fabricated memory constructs are much like what you would
experience in a hallucination. at desert was one such hallucination. The
"hallucinations" are nothing more than an attempt by the Memscan to preserve
the continuity of your memories. Without them, the order of your memories
would become irrevocably destroyed. Yet, if you can not make it past these
hallucinations, it is unlikely you will ever awaken from your comatose state.
Although these hallucinations are nonsensical, they appear very real to the
person who is experiencing them. They can suck you in if your will is not
strong enough. If you have awakened, then this is the result of you making
your way through the maze of your own memory. No one can help you through this.
All we did was turn the Memscan on. Of course, it makes me wonder; maybe the
world I see before me now is just another hallucination! But that is not
possible. I have seen no cat. The cat always appears when a hallucination
is about to occur. It was an image of at real cat that belonged to
Dr. Wojinski. She included it in the scanner program as a signal to the
patient that a hallucination in progress.
Tape #3
You must have seen our world already. This is a world dominated by the T’lan.
In the time since the events recorded in your memories, they have conquered us.
At the instant of the nuclear explosion, you "time slipped" to now, fifteen
years in your future. No one knows with certainty what triggers a time slip
Derrick, but I have a theory that in your case, a phenomenon is based on the
reaction between the shield energy produced by the T’lan and the energy from
the nuclear explosion. This reaction must have caused a temporal rift in the
space-time continuum which triggered the slip. And you were caught in it,
Derrick. I believe the proximity of Solus to ground zero of the nuclear
explosion was key in triggering this effect. But no matter, what is important
is that, the laws of physics dictate that you will most assuredly return to
the past. Time slip victims can never stay long in their new time period.
This is due to the "Pendulum Effect." The exact mechanism of the Pendulum
Effect is still a mystery to us, but we do know one thing. When you swing
back, you will return to a time just before the time you left. Do you
understand Derrick? This gives us a second chance! You must relive this
short moment in time to stop Nexus, and change history! Or this T’lan
infested world...this will be your future! This is why we woke you up. You
are the only person who can change our world! Of course, just going back
will not be enough. You would simply lose to Solus again, and history
would repeat itself. But we have a plan. We had plenty of time to think
about this, you know. Derrick, ever since I formulated this plan, I have
pondered one thing. If you change history, and the T’lan disappear, what
will happen to us in this time? Will we cease to exist as well? Or will
both timelines remain? I cannot say, I cannot say for sure...I do know that
whatever the result, it will be an improvement on the current situation.
That is why we are placing our fate in your hands. You are our hope, Don’t
let us down Derrick.
This is Tape #4
Back to the matter at hand. Defeating Solus. Actually... (alarms blare)
Wha’!? Those bastards! T’lan soldiers are closing in. I’ll go to the Central
Processing Room. Derrick, please go there, before the Pendulum Effect takes
you back! It’s time for you to save us all.
================Section 3.3 - Transcript of Game Dialogue=====================
Currently, this lists only sporadic bits of dialogue heavy parts. It is still
a work in progress, but I doubt that it will ever be a FULL dialogue
transcript. I simply do not see any point for that.
Beginning
Unseen Voice: Total memory loss?
Unseen Voice 2: We haven't been able to determine the cause. His eyes are
open, but he's not really conscious. Not 100%, at least.
His brain is still asleep.
Unseen Voice: I see.
Old Man: Hey, wake up, you're our last chance.
-Screen blacks out-
-Wake up in a sterile lab, on a bed. Alex appears in front of you,
and keeps disappearing-
Scientist: Well, you lost no time making a big mess! That machine you
knocked over is worth 50 grand you know! Anyway, its good to see
you moving again. How do you feel?
(to someone else) Yeah, he's awake. Uh huh, tell the chief.
Derrick, I know you're still a little groggy, but I'd like to get
started with rehab, and et some baseline data on your physical
capabilities as well. I'll need the data for comparison tests
later on. I'm going to open the door now. The rehab room is in
room one.
Sorry to push you so hard Derrick, but please, work with us. I'll
explain everything once we get started.
Meeting Alex
-Derrick is throwing down a hamburger, gasps, and collapses-
Scientist: Don't worry, we gave you a little something to help you relax.
We'll continue with your rehab after you wake up.
-BANG. Rapid clicking of guns-
Who are you?
-Guns fire, blood splatters. Three soldiers enter Derrick's room-
Soldier: Kill him.
-Glass breaks, Alex leaps out and incapacitates all of them-
Alex: Wow, you're a mess. But at least you're still breathing.
-Alex propped Derrick up on her shoulder and brings him toward the
toilet-
The research lab was full of soldiers. Ok. Now its time to lose your
lunch...
-Derrick throws up-
First thing we have to do is get out of this building. And then meet up
with Glen.
-Alex helps Derrick sit down-
Anyway, it's good to see you again.
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: Who are you?
. Alex: You really don't know, do you?
.
........... Who is this "Glen"?
Alex: You've... you've lost your memory, haven't you?
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Alex: I'm Alex, I came to get you. Glen Ogawa, the chief scientist of this
research center, sent me.
-earthquake-
We can't stay here. If we do, we're history! Derrick, you promised me
that you wouldn't let me die. Time for you to make good on that
promise. Move it soldier.
Broken Building Hallucination
Bloody Face 1: He's having hallucinations.
Bloody Face 2: Don't you think she's acting like herself more than before?
Bloody Face 3: Her?
Bloody Face 4: They're spreading out all over the world!
Bloody Face 5: He is our final hope.
Disembodied Alex: You don't want me to die, do you?
Cognitive Lab
-Stefania wheels around from her computer to face you-
Stefania: Ah, so you woke up, I see.
Alex: You know him?
Stefania: Yes little missy, I know him very well.
You, mister, you are pretty famous among the scientists here, but
it is a pity.
I must be leaving before long.
Please, do not disturb.
-Stefania wheels around again and types, then gets up and walks away-
-Standing in front of Memscan
Alex: What's this?
Stefania: The results of my ten years of research dear. That is to say, it
it is garbage.
Alex: Garbage?
Stefania: Yes, they say, you know. They say, no money to pay for the
garbage!
So they cut from the budget my research.
So this is all garbage.
Proof Completed.
Alex: That's bullshit.
Stefania: (laughs) Is ok. I have a lead for my next benefactor.
-sits down at computer and types
And that just leaves one thing.
I must pay respects to my previous employer, no?
They will regret their decision, I think.
(sigh) Hey, Derrick.
-Stefania wheels around-
How much do you remember?
What is your oldest memory?
-------------------------Dialogue Split----------------------------------------
. Derrick: I remember an angel on the ceiling.
. Stefania: An angel? Are you sure? But that room was...
. Well, you know, best you do not rely too much on memory mister.
. Memories, they are not always from real events.
.
........... Well, I remember a guy in a white coat.
Stefania: I wonder if this is a memory from after you come here? Hmmm.
-------------------------End Dialogue Split------------------------------------
Stefania: Especially for someone like you, who has suffered amnesia.
You understand what I say?
-wheels around, holding a CD case-
I am Stefania Wojinski.
...I wish I met you earlier.
Think of the funding I would have if I managed to cure you, yes?
But, I won't stop my research.
No matter what I must do.
Time to go Casval.
-picks up kennel-
(Meow)
-walks across a doorway-
Derrick, you find a good doctor, OK?
-door locks-
Alex: I wonder what she's planning on doing...
Agh! We have enough problems of our own to worry about.
Let's go find Glen, he can't be far!
Site Zero Research Center
-Glen is looking over a cemetery with ten graves, one is empty. The
memorial headstone says "Your sacrifice shall never be forgotten.
May your souls forever rest in peace-
Glen: I am the one. The one who killed you all.
All of you, the sacrificial lambs of the Alpha Project.
Alex: The Alpha Project?
Glen: You saw the T'lan warriors, right?
Alex: Yeah, I've seen enough of them to last a lifetime.
Glen: I was researching the T'lan under the supervision of the military.
Those monsters are the creation of being other than humans. Tens of
thousands of them sleep underground here. In other words, the one that
could control this army and use it at will would be a major force to be
reckoned with.
Alex: I bet the military would jump at that chance...
Glen: Still, even after ten years of research, I have only managed to solve a
fraction of the mysteries here.
Those hotheaded military types decided to take these paltry results and
apply them to the creation of enhanced soldiers. That was the Alpha
Project.
All the test subjects died except for one. And that person is here with
us now. I am talking about you, Derrick.
Alex: Derrick, this is Glen.
Glen: I heard that you were awake. I can't believe you made it this far.
Alex: Glen, Derrick has been showing signs of Acceleration.
Glen: Acceleration, you say!?
Alex: He can get through the T'lan warriors shields.
Glen: So, the Alpha Project managed to produce one success after all.
Derrick, you may be able to get near Nexus.
Come along
-Glen walks away-
(in the distance): Its this way, follow me!
-Explosion. Scientists run up and open door. Alarm rings-
Glen: Nexus, is something like a control tower for the T'lan warriors, this is
why our first priority is to stop Nexus.
The project team is working on a plan but...
-Door opens, scientist walks out-
Scientist 1: Doctor Ogawa!
The soldiers have ordered us the hand over the data. If we
don't, they'll take control of the research center by force.
Glen: So give it to them. Copying the data shouldn't take long.
Scientist 1: But Doctor Ogawa...the data, it's gone.
Glen: What!?
Scientist 1: Somebody copied and deleted it!
Glen: Are you sure of this!? ...All right, I will inform the military. You
and the others must concentrate on Nexus.
Scientist 1: Yes doctor.
Glen: This way.
-Hallucination-
Voice: You "time slipped"
-Derrick takes the form of one of the scientists he just saw near the
time of the explosion. He loops around the same place several times,
ultimately trying to get to a specific point early enough-
Voice: You will most assuredly return to the past.
Voice: You will return to a time just before the time you left.
Voice: You must relive this short moment.
Voice: Do you understand, Derrick?
-Derrick slips into the room he was supposed to go into-
-A group of scientists are waiting there. They clap and cheer.
Scientist 2: It's all up to you Derrick.
Scientist 3: Thank you!
-End hallucination-
-Derrick ends up in a lab-
Glen: Show me the current geotomography.
Scientist 4: Here it is.
-Site Zero picture is show on viewscreen-
Glen: Take a good look...This is Site Zero. Nexus is located at its center.
We've studied it for ten long years, but it is still full of mysteries
to us. We do not know who created it. But we do know what they created
it for. It is definitely a weapon. The technology is astounding. Our
understanding has not even scratched the surface...no, to tell the
truth, we have not even found a surface to scratch.
Alex: But is it dangerous? A "Pandora's Box?"
Glen: Extracting hope, and hope alone from Pandora's Box...that is science.
Alex: But you failed.
Glen: I won't argue with your assessment. But, as in the legend, hope remains
at the bottom of our box as well.
You are that hope, Derrick. You must stop Nexus. If you do not, the
planet will be faced with a horrific crisis.
Alex: Crisis? Isn't "Apocalypse" the word you're looking for!
Scientist 5: Please... help us...
-------------------Dialogue Split----------------------------------------------
. Derrick: Leave it to me.
. -Scientists clap-
. Glen: (laughs) I knew we could count on you, Derrick.
. Alex: (hands on hips, head cocked)
. Glen: The accelerator's this way. Time to go.
. Scientist 5: Okay, back to work. We have to keep monitoring Nexus.
.
........... I can't do it.
Glen: (sigh) Very well, Derrick.
Alex: (Making a WTF gesture)
Glen: I'll be around here if you change your mind.
Scientist 5: Okay, back to work. We have to keep monitoring Nexus.
------------------End Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------
Glen: This way.
-Glen is attacked by popcorn T'lan-
Alex: Keep them away from Glen.
-After Battle-
Glen: You saved me... All right, let's continue. This way. Here, have a
seat.
-Glen gestures toward chair. Alex lays down on some boxes. Derrick
hesitates-
Glen: If you do not sit down, I won't be able to administer the accelerator.
Alex: Derrick, listen to what Glen says.
-Derrick sits-
Glen: Good, now hold still for a moment.
-Shows Derrick the accelerator-
This is a highly concentrated solution of T'langen. We call it,
"Accelerator." Actually, I would have liked to spend more time on the
purification process, but time is a luxury we do not have. Even at this
level of purity, this should raise your physical capabilities to a whole
new level.
Alex: Glen, how long will it take for the Accelerator to take effect?
Glen: The effects are immediate. An injection of this much T'langen will
trigger a rapid metabolic change in his cells, giving him great power.
Alex: Is it safe?
Glen: Derrick will be able to endure it.
-Facing Derrick-
Glen: This will only hurt a little. Derrick, can I ask you something?
-Taking Derrick's hand-
Who is that girl?
--------------------Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
. Derrick: I don't care who she is.
. Glen: Well, whoever she is, I don't think she's lying to us. But she
. doesn't work for the Science Center.
.
............Don't you know who she is?
Glen: No I do not. She doesn't work for this research center. Why does
know so much?
--------------------End Dialogue Split-----------------------------------------
-Derrick's arms start glowing, blinding Glen and Alex-
Glen: This is acceleration!
Alex: Is that it?
Glen: The number of receptors in his body has increased in response to the
additional T'langen.
Alex: So that's it. Now we're ready to face Nexus. How do we get to Site
Zero?
Glen: Use the direct access elevator. You'll find it in...
Alex: F Block.
Glen: You are well informed.
Alex: Okay, lets go kick some ass!
-assault T'lan attacks-
Alex: Here they come.
-after battle-
Alex: (disappointed) Is that your new power!?
Glen: Amazing! You might actually have a chance to stop Nexus.
Alex: More than a chance, I hope.
Glen: All right, then. I'm counting on you two.
-Glen hits a button to open the door-
Alex: Let's go.
Gianni de Luca
-Derrick sees soldiers fighting against some assault T'lan using
lasers-
Gianni: Hold your fire! I said hold your fire you stupid maggots. Hey pal,
stand down! At ease soldier. We're the good guys!
You're one tough hombre. I thought we were the only ones who could
stand up to the T'lan. But here you are doing it with your bare
hands. If that ain't a kick in the head! One intelligence failure
after another... The officers don't know jack shit about the
situation here!
Soldier: Sir... that guy's Derrick Cole.
Gianni: Ah... well then that explains it. I'm first lieutenant Gianni de
Luca, just call me Gianni. We've been ordered to go underground and
destroy Nexus.
Soldier: But that's classified information sir!
Gianni: Shut your hole, private! Now, listen Cole... My squad takes orders
from higher up the chain of command, and we've got no orders to kill
you. So let's not get in each other's way. Deal?
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: You got it.
. Gianni: Thanks a lot pal.
.
........... I don't trust you.
Gianni: That's... unfortunate. Just don't get in our way.
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Gianni: We'll move as soon as reinforcements arrive. You'd better get going
right away, pal. The next squad leader might not be as understanding
you know. See yah pal.
The Search for Stefania
Romeo one-one-five: Romeo one-one-five to all units- Find and detain Stefania
Wojinski. Objective may be inside Site Zero.
Alex: Stefania Wojinski... They're talking about that scientist in Terminus
4. Why would they be looking for her?
-Gianni and his men are up ahead-
Gianni: Cole! Cole! Thanks for saving our sorry asses out there, pal! So
uh... who's the chick?
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: She's my woman.
. Alex: You mean your partner.
.
........... She's my partner.
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Gianni: I see. I got something to tell you. Nexus is moving zillions of
T'lan warriors onto rockets. It's gonna send them all over the world.
Alex: If that happens... It's the end of our world.
Gianni: Right. That's why we're gonna nuke this shithole before that happens.
Alex: What!? Nuke it? You can't do that.
Gianni: Hey lady, I ain't done talking okay. (To Derrick.) Some crazy
bitch... uhm no offense intended sweetcakes, ran off with the
research data we need. So we can't nuke this place until we find her.
Alex: It's Stefania.
Gianni: I don't know her name, but she bought us a little time. If you don't
want to see this place glowing for the next twenty four thousand
years we'd better stop these goddamn T'lan rocks ourselves.
Alex: You sure?
Gianni: Yeah, we can do it. You see that tower? The T'lan silos are beyond
that. The guys at the research center set up the counter-measures
device there. If we can operate that device then we can jam the
commands coming out of Nexus. Derrick, you gotta help us. Those
silos are smack dab in the middle of enemy territory. We won't be
able to reach them by ourselves. I'm asking you for your help.
What do you say? We can rendezvous at the silos.
Alex: Why not go together?
Gianni: We're going to join up with a transport unit. You don't want them to
see you. So you go on ahead.
Alex: Let's hurry. We might still reach it in time. Come on, over here.
Solus...
Alex: Stop! The bridge is down. OK. I think we might be able to jump it
with the jeep. But, we should be ready to jump out of the jeep in case
we don't make it.
-Jumps-
Get out!
-Alex doesn't make it (XD)-
Solus: (He appears in front of Derrick carrying Alex's limp body over his
shoulder.) Query. Question. Reason. Behavior of female... Why?
Investigation required. Question: Unanswered. Feel... incomplete,
need answer. Question: Derrick. Feel you the same? Ha Ha Ha Ha.
-Leaps away-
The Search for Stefania (1)
Romeo one-one-five: Romeo one-one-five to Delta two. Wojinski has been
located in your vicinity, find her.
Delta two: Understood.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five. Target location confirmed. She's
headed for the elevator. Don't ask me how she got that far! Over.
Romeo one-one-five: Get her.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five. We're almost at the elevator.
Over.
Romeo one-one-five: This is Romeo one-one-five. You are authorized to
neutralize the target if necessary, but do not damage
that disk. You got that?
Delta two: Loud and clear sir.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five, we have acquired the disk, and the
elevator has been activated. Over.
Romeo one-one-five: Understood. Hold your position, and... deal with the
woman. Over.
Delta two: Yes sir.
-Stefania is near a sheer cliff fall, back turned to you-
Stefania: You will guarantee my safety, yes? What are you doing?
Delta two: Walk over there, over the edge.
Stefania: What are you going to do? I gave you the disk, didn't I!? No!
Stop! Please...stop this...please! Help me!
-Stefania falls right next to Derrick-
Delta two: Subject has dropped out of the picture, over.
Romeo one-one five: Understood. You men get to the silo area and seal off
that elevator.
-Stefania rises, head/hand covered in blood-
Stefania: (owww) Oh dear, my hair is wet. (Notices blood) What!? No, I...
I just wanted to continue my research... I'm sorry, forgive me...
Please... no... no, I don't want to die... (dies).
-Derrick intercepts and kills the soldiers coming to pick up the disk
he enters silo area through the manual entrance-
Gianni's Fight (1)
Gianni: (radio) Gianni here, Cole, you listening? Don't worry about the
disk, we still have some time left before they fire that nuke. Let's
stop the T'lan in the silos before that happens! We're going deep
into the silos now. I expect to see you there soon!
-passage of time-
Gianni: (radio) Gianni here, we're deep in the silo area. Watch yourself,
this place is swarming with T'lan freaks.
-passage of time-
Gianni: (radio) You listening? The enemy's hitting us, and they're hitting
us hard! Cole, you gotta help us. Get your ass ouer here! We'll try
to hold out somehow till then.
-passage of time-
Gianni: (radio) Cole! Where the hell are you? We ain't gonna last much
longer in here.
-passage of time-
Gianni: (radio) Holy mother of christ! They destroyed our countermeasures.
We can't block Nexus' commands now!
-passage of time-
Gianni: (radio) Aw shit, we're screwed! They just keep coming...
Gianni: (radio) Damn! More of them! Fire, fire. Hey, watch your flank.
Look out!
-passage of time-
Gianni: (in person) Cole... Yo buddy, we screwed up. I'm the only one who
made it out. The only option left... is to destroy Nexus. But I
think it's... probably... too late.
(Gianni dies)
-Site Zero is shaking violently. The T'lan loading missiles launch-
Charlie two: Romeo one-one-five, this is Charlie two. They're launching some
kind of rockets from underground! I can't believe what I'm
seeing!
Romeo one-one-five: Charlie two, what is going on? Give me details!
Charlie two: The sky is full of these weird looking rockets flying all over
the place! What the hell are they? Wait, one of them is coming
apart in the air! Somethings coming out of it. Hey, they're
T'lan. Their rocket was full of em! Holy shit! They're being
spread across the entire world! Ah!
Romeo one-one-five: Charlie two, come in.
Charlie two: We're under attack by the T'lan! They've got lasers! We need
reinforcements immediately! There's too many of them! Charlie
two to Romeo one-one-five, we need reinforcements now!
-Static-
Romeo one-one-five:
Colonel Anderson: Gentlemen,... I'm sorry. We've lost the war.
Soldier: Colonel? Colonel? Sir, No! Sir, please put the gun down!
-Bang-
Charlie two: Romeo one-one-five, what's going on?
Romeo one-one-five: (diff voice) This is Romeo one-one-five. Christ...
Colonel Anderson's dead. He just wasted himself! Why
that son of a bitch, he bugged out and left us to deal
with this mess.
1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789
First Solus Fight
-Derrick releases Alex from a strange T'langen cage-
Alex: Derrick...Run...
Solus: Leave the Female. Baggage.
-Solus catches Derrick's arm-
Ready?
-Fight, Solus falls-
Not finished yet.
-Gets back up-
Round two.
-Derrick falls. Looks up, and Solus is standing over him-
It is over, human.
-Solus kicks Derrick across the room. Derrick is immobilized-
Radio: Dragon One-Two, this is Command, commence Operation No-Return, over.
Solus: Will the female save him?
-Alex jumps in front of Derrick and fires a few rounds, then charges-
Dragon One-Two: This is Dragon One-Two. Say again?
Radio: Dragon One-Two, I repeat. Commence Operation No-Return, immediately.
Dragon One-Two, do you copy?
-Alex falls and gets back up-
Dragon One-Two: Wilco. Commencing Operation No-Return. Out. Damn! Why did
it have to come to this?
-Alex runs into Solus again is fully beaten. Solus kicks her into
Derrick's arms-
Alex: This must be my fate. Dying like this. At
least, at least there's still hope...Don't look at me like
that. Your work has just begun. Derrick... you have to save us!
Save us!
-Alex is right in front of Derrick. Alex sheds a tear and dies-
Solus: Impossible: Game Over.
-A (supposedly nuclear) missile hits. Solus shields himself. There
is a blinding flash of light. Derrick materializes in a black space.
A Vital Sign Monitor appears on the screen. The word "Disconnect"
flashes. The hallucination cat appears and runs away-
-Derrick falls into a white tube like space. Various hallucinations
flash across his eyes. The screen flashes once and goes out, like
turning a TV off. There is a cardio monitor sound-
The Future
Young Scientist: He's completed the neuromatrix decode sequence with the
Memscan. And he's made it through the hallucinations.
Theoretically, he should wake up soon.
Old Scientist: I sure hope so.
Young Scientist: Hey look!
Old Scientist: Well, what do you know? Relax, you're still alive.
-Derrick wakes up, and is pulled upright. The scientists are all
clapping. The angel is on the roof again. Its the Beta Project Room-
-The message written on the Memscan, "Hope is a waking dream."-
We have Stefania to thank for this. Her prototype gave us hope
again.
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: Prototype?
. Old Scientist: The "Memscan." As you might guess, it's a machine that can
. read memories.
.
........... Was I dreaming?
Old Scientist: I wish it was a dream.
-----------------End Dialogue Split--------------------------------------------
Old Scientist: Derrick, I want you to remain calm, and listen to me. You
losing that fight, and Alex dying... Those are events that
happened a long, long time ago. We were using a "Memory
Scanner" to help you re-experience your own memories of past
events.
-T'lan appear in next room-
Young Scientist: They're here!
Old Scientist: Try moving around.
-The screen and binds keeping Derrick in place open, letting him loose-
-The scientists are all hit-
Old Scientist: (cough) They say every cloud has a silver lining. That must be
you huh? (cough) I'm glad you woke up in time...
Meeting Alex
Alex: (out of sight echoes) Please Ernest! Don't die! Please! Please...
-Derrick turns a corner, Alex is there, back facing him. She has a gun
to her head. He approaches her. She turns around and points a gun
at him-
Who are you?!
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: It's me!
. Alex: What's that supposed to mean? I don't know you!
.
........... Who the hell are you?
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Alex: Wait...I know you...
-Alex holsters gun-
I'm Alex. You're Derrick Cole, right? I heard about you. You...
finally woke up then. There, might be survivors.
Final Acceleration
-coughing sound-
Alex: Who's there!?
-an aged Glen Ogawa stumbles out from chair-
Glen: You're here.
Alex: Glen! You're alive. Are you all right?
-Glen grabs the ultra accelerator from table and collapses. Alex runs
up to him-
Glen: Lend me a hand, will you Derrick?
-Derrick helps him up and props him on his shoulder-
Glen: I cannot die, not yet. Not until I give this to you.
Alex: What's that?
Glen: Time was all we had in abundance, Derrick... This formula is completely
pure.
-Liquid Mixes-
This is the ultra-accelerator.
-Alarms blare, earthquake. Accelerator goes flying. T'lan appear-
Glen: Derrick, use the accelerator!
-Derrick injects himself with Accelerator under the vents. His arms
glow intensely, and he superjumps out of the vents-
Alex: What the...?
Glen: Our savior is born!
-After fight-
Alex: Wow, you're amazing! Glen, are you all right?
-Derrick floats up and is slowly enveloped by bright white light-
Alex: Now what?
Glen: Its the pendulum effect. Stand back Alex, or you'll get pulled in.
-Alex approaches-
What are you doing!?
Alex: If I don't go, who's going to make you save the world, hotshot? Isn't
that right!?
Glen: But if you go... you will die!
Alex: But the future will be saved.
Glen: (shaking head) Alex...
Alex: Just tell me one thing. What should I do?
Glen: First, you must meet up with me in the past, then you must save Derrick!
Alex: All right.
Glen: Derrick, Alex will be killed by Solus, but you may be able to change the
course of your destiny.
-Alex floats in-
Glen: Now go! Go (coughing violently) save our world!
Time Slip:
Alex: Its my fate isn't it? I'm going to die.
------------Dialogue Split-----------------------------------------------------
Derrick: I'll change your fate.
*OR*
Derrick: I won't let you die.
------------End Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
Alex: That sounds like a promise!
-Hand slips Scenes from 15 years ago, failures that Derrick made,
rewinds. Alex and Gianni de Luca's deaths reverse. Missiles pull
back. Stefania's fall is reversed-
Alex: (Floating separately) Ahhhhhh Derrick, don't leave me! (flashbacks)
Derrick, we're going to materialize at different times! But I'll find
you somehow, I swear! Derrick, I'll see you again!
-Incident at Caretaker mummy reverses. Pendulum effect stops-
Solus: Investigation required. Question unanswered. Feel... incomplete,
need answer. Question: Derrick, feel you the same? Ha Ha Ha Ha.
-Solus superjumps away. Mummy collapses-
The Search for Stefania (2)
Romeo one-one-five: Romeo one-one-five to Delta two. Wojinski has been
located in your vicinity, find her.
Delta two: Understood.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five. Target location confirmed. She's
headed for the elevator. Don't ask me how she got that far! Over.
Romeo one-one-five: Get her.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five. We're almost at the elevator.
Over.
Romeo one-one-five: This is Romeo one-one-five. You are authorized to
neutralize the target if necessary, but do not damage
that disk. You got that?
Delta two: Loud and clear sir.
(Passage of Time.)
Delta two: Delta two to Romeo one-one-five, we have acquired the disk, and the
elevator has been activated. Over.
Romeo one-one-five: Understood. Hold your position, and... deal with the
woman. Over.
Delta two: Yes sir.
-Stefania is near a sheer cliff fall, back turned to you-
Stefania: You will guarantee my safety, yes? What are you doing?
Delta two: Walk over there, over the edge.
Stefania: What are you going to do? I gave you the disk, didn't I!? No!
Stop! Please...stop this...please! Help me!
-Derrick superjumps up and kills the soldiers-
Stefania: Derrick! Thank you! You saved my life! I was so foolish,
thinking only of myself. The soldiers were talking about you. You
plan to stop Nexus? I don't know who you think you are... but
you're serious aren't you? Come with me.
-Stefania runs to a door-
This elevator leads deep into the silos. I'll move this. I wish
there was more I could do...
-Door opens, Derrick steps in, Door closes-
Derrick, I don't want to say goodbye to you. I want you to become
the first test subject for my research.
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: I already am.
. Stefania: What, is that supposed to be a joke? Good luck, Derrick.
.
............All right, I promise.
Stefania: I won't forget you said that! Good luck, Derrick.
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Gianni's Battle
Gianni: (Over the radio.) Gianni here? You listening? The other units didn't
get the disk. We've got some time to kill before that nuke hits.
So, lets stop the goddamn T'lan in the silos before that happens!
We're going deep into the silo area, I expect to see you there soon!
(Passage of Time.)
Gianni: (Over the radio.) Gianni here, we're deep in the silo area. Watch
youself, this place is crawling with T'lan freaks.
(Passage of Time.)
Gianni: You listening? The enemy's hitting us, and they're hitting us hard!
Cole, you gotta help us, get your ass over here!
Gianni: Cole, where the hell are you? We ain't gonna last much longer in
here.
Gianni: (In person.) Cole! Help us out here!
Soldier: Great, it's him!
-Derrick and Gianni's men defeat the T'lan-
Gianni: Great, is that all you got? Cole- you saved our asses again. But it
ain't over yet. There's a counter measures device above us that we
can use to block Nexus' commands and shut this damn place down. So
hurry! If the enemy destroys that device, then we're all screwed!
Hit the switch.
-T'lan missiles pull back-
Whoa, holy shit!
-T'lan missiles push back up-
Ah shit! It's no good! They're growing back! We have to destroy
Nexus. It's the only way.
-Gianni drops gun and collapses-
We bought some time, at least. Cole, you'll have to finish this. You
have to destroy Nexus. The entrance is that way. I'm messed up man, I
can't move. Sorry pal. I hate to do this, but you guys can have all
the glory on this mission... You guys should be able to...
Cole? Where's your partner?
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: She's been captured.
Gianni: Ahhh... well, then you'd better go save her! Leave no man OR woman
behind enemy lines. Go. Go destroy that son of a bitch Nexus.
----------------End Dialoge Split----------------------------------------------
-Derrick approaches Alex and frees her from the T'langen cage-
Alex: Derrick... Run...
Solus: Leave the female... baggage.
-Derrick runs up to Solus and throws a punch. Solus catches it and
throws him down.
Ready?
-Derrick knocks Solus down to the ground. He jumps back up and powers
up using the power of the silo-core-
What human, not surprised? Know you my actions? Not important, we
make this round quick.
-Derrick knocks him down again-
A first, Solus knocked to ground.
-Solus falls again-
You death was supposed to be quick.
-Solus is down for good-
Derrick... Derrick! Remember... I am just... Nexus' avatar.
-Solus disintegrates-
After Solus Fight
Alex: I'm alive... Why am I alive?
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
Derrick: I changed your fate.
*OR*
Derrick: I won't let you die.
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Alex: Derrick, you...you...! I was looking all over for you! We got split
up on the way back, and now... I've finally found you. Derrick, do you
remember what you're here to do?
----------------Dialogue Split-------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: I came to save you.
. Alex: No Derrick. That's not why.
.
............I came to destroy Nexus.
Alex: That's right.
----------------End Dialogue Split---------------------------------------------
Alex: As long as Nexus still exists, the world is screwed, and our future
belongs to the T'lan. From here on, history is in your hands. Don't
let me down. You have to destroy Nexus and change the future! Do you
understand what I'm telling you Derrick? Let's go! Nexus has got to
be around here somewhere. (pause) Thank you Derrick. Thank you for
saving me.
-Derrick and Alex are separated by a wall-
Alex: It's a force field of some kind! Damn, we can't get past it! Until you
come back, I'll look for a way up to the surface. So come back, okay?
Promise? Please, see you soon.
Escape from Site Zero
Alex: I knew I'd see you again... But it's not over yet. Hurry!
-Jumps in a car-
Alex: Drive until we're clear of Site Zero! Let's get out of this alive!
-Massive earthquakes-
Site Zero is falling apart!
(NOTE: The next part is a series of frantic radio calls. I can't be exactly
sure on who is who, so this is basically my best guesswork from what
I hear or recognize.)
Radio: Calling all units! We've got evac choppers ready to go! We're
evacuating in 4 minutes! No exceptions.
Alex: We'll be saved if we can get to the chopper. We've gotta head for the
exit, now!
Soldier: We're saved! The T'lan have stopped moving,
I repeat, the T'lan have been neutralized!
Romeo One-One-Five: This is Romeo One-One Five. Site Zero is collapsing.
Radio: There's no help coming! Get out on your own!
Maintain speed! Wait, watch out! Arrgh!
Delta Six: This is Delta Six, where the hell's the exit?! Someone tell me!
I see Cole! What's our orders?!
Soldier 2: The rest of my squad is dead! The cliff collapsed on us!
Gianni: Not yet! Wait for Cole and the woman!
Pilot: We can't wait any longer sir, lets get outta here!
Alex: Come on, the exit's just up ahead.
Ditch the jeep!
-Bridge is down-
Alex: The bridge... Looks like we didn't make it in time.
-Bridge is falling further-
Alex: Oh no, we've got problems. What do we do now?
-Helicopter rises up-
Stefania: There they are! Right there!
Gianni: Get in closer. Jump in, both of you.
Alex: You go first!
Pilot: Hurry, the whole damn place is falling apart!
-Derrick jumps, is pulled in by Gianni-
Gianni: Alright, let's go! Everyone hold tight!
-Alex appears and pulls herself up-
Endgame:
(In the helicopter)
(Meow)
-Cat appears from under Stefania's seat and jumps on her-
Stefania: Aren't you glad you made it Casval?
Gianni: Smart cat, hiding in the helicopter like that.
Radio: Ogawa here. Derrick, you did well, you saved us all. Of course, our
research is down the drain but still, congratulations.
Stefania: That's what he thinks! (holding a CD case up.)
-research center is exploding/ sinking-
There goes the science center.
Alex: It's over... We did it. We saved it all, right? The world, and the
future.
----------------Dialogue Split------------------------------------------------
. Derrick: The future is really saved?
. Alex: It'll be a more peaceful world now, I hope.
.
........... What about your timeline?
Alex: I don't know. I haven't disappeared or anything... It must still
exist.
----------------End Dialogue Split--------------------------------------------
Alex: But if I am still here, and I haven't changed, that must mean that
history has taken two different paths. Our timeline is probably the
same as it was before. But that's all right. We saved this world at
least.
-Alex is enveloped by white light. Casval hides, Stefania pulls back-
Gianni: What the hell?
Alex: It's the pendulum effect! It's pulling me back!
Stefania: Pendulum...?
Alex: Get away from me everyone! It'll pull you in!
-Alex opens door and floats outside-
Alex: I should be the only one to go back to the future.
---------------Choice: Stay Out----------------------------------------------
Choice- Stay out.
Alex: Derrick. We were a good team. Thank you Derrick.
-Alex disappears in a flash of light-
-Credits Roll-
Final Written Message: If what Alex says is true, Derrick saved "the other
world. This suggests the existence of more than one
timeline. If this is the case, had Derrick returned
together with Alex when the Pendulum Effect occurred
perhaps Alex would not have died alone in our future..
---------------End------------------------------------------------------------
---------------Choice: Go In-------------------------------------------------
Choice- Go In.
-They clasp hands-
Alex: Derrick, what are you doing? Derrick no! You'll get pulled into the
future...You...you can't be serious...! You plan on saving our world
too!? That's impossible! But... But maybe... But maybe you can
Derrick.
---------------Dialogue Split--------------------------------------------------
Derrick: Leave it to me.
*OR*
Maybe we can, together.
---------------End Dialogue Split----------------------------------------------
Alex: Lets go then.
-Screen fades out, credits roll in front of time slip background. Take
It All, by TRUSTcompany plays-
---------------End-------------------------------------------------------------
================Section 5.0 - Game Theory/ Plot Speculation===================
(If you have a theory or speculation on anything about Breakdown you can email
me, and I will put your name, along with your theory, in your own words, here.)
Go read Gamespot's review of Breakdown and read what THEY thought
of the plot, then compare it to what you find on message boards. Just do it.
I don't care about what you think of Gamespot and their attitude toward Xbox,
just do it. Then go and think for a while. Then come back and read this.
Remember, interpretation is nothing more than opinion. I'd bet a shiny two
quarters that if any of Namco Hometek's staff or their story writers ever
read this guide, they'd fall out of their chairs laughing at how hard I
tried to connects dots withing the story that simply weren't there to
begin with.
Now that that insane, convoluted introduction is over, lets get down to
business.
================Section 5.1 - Overall Plot Scripting==========================
Ten years prior to Derrick waking up, there was a strange cavern-like structure
found under Japan. The Japanese and American governments both collaborated
in the research of this "cavern." It was named Site Zero. Above it, they
built the Carter Science Center, a legitimate front for their true purpose.
From their research, they gathered several key things. According to carbon
dating, Site Zero is around 400 million years old. It is definitely not of
terrestrial origin, meaning that it was placed here by "beings other than
humans." Within Site Zero, they also found human shaped beings called the
T'lan.
The T'lan possessed amazing capabilities, and the American military jumped
at the chance to seize this buried army for themselves. In particular
the all grown T'lan possessed an energy shield of some type. This covered
their entire bodies, and was active even when the soldiers themselves were
inactive. The shield was incredibly resilient, capable of blocking most
matter that was propelled at it, namely bullets. It was powered by a substance
that the scientists name "T'langen." They originally wanted
to control the T'lan, but in ten years, they wanted results. Thus, the
Alpha Project was begun.
The Alpha Project was a program, supervised by the American military, that was
ultimately intended to produce genetically enhanced soldiers with capabilities
similar to the T'lan. The operation was simple. They injected their subjects
with a dose of T'langen, and waited. There were ten total subjects for the
Alpha Project. Nine of them died during the process. The sole survivor
was Derrick Cole, Test Subject 7.
During the experimentation phase of the Alpha Project, the military decided
that it was a failure. Even though one soldier survived, he seemed to be in
a coma. They ordered the immediate halt of the Alpha Project. In the end,
they decided that they had to erase all evidence of the project itself, to
cover up their tracks. They sent soldiers to the Science Center to kill
Derrick, as well as the scientists above.
By this time, Derrick was awake. Upon waking, the first thing he saw was
a strange woman who appeared from thin air, and then disappeared just as
quickly. He was confused, but decided not to say anything. Derrick
was put through quick rehab, and then forcibly put to bed rest in his room.
It was at this point where the soldiers came to kill him.
Derrick was miraculously saved by two things. A woman by the name of Alex
Hendrickson appeared literally out of nowhere, and defeated the soldiers who
were out to kill Derrick as he was paralyzed. She was the same person he
saw appear when he first woke up. Coincidentally, just when the soldiers
stormed the Science Center was when Nexus finally activated. The scores of
T'lan soldiers they found in Site Zero, as well as the ones they brought up
into the research facility, awoke in a murderous rampage. They began killing
every human they saw, including those who were out to kill Derrick.
Alex began talking to Derrick as if she knew him, and she had expected him
to know her. Derrick was an amnesiac, he had forgotten everything about his
past, right down to his name, which he had to learn from a scientist working
there. When Derrick lets on that he doesn't know her, Alex seems shocked.
She outlines two central goals at this point. 1) Get down to a secret
level of the Science Center to meet Glen Ogawa, the person who sent her for the
sole purpose of saving him. 2) Escape the soldiers out to kill him.
Derrick is still a normal human being. He isn't experiencing anything
out of the ordinary as he engages in firefights with soldiers out to kill him.
Soon however, he experiences a strange vision in front of him, where his vision
is suddenly impaired and he is hallucinating that his hands have no muscle
or skin on them. It is preceded by the appearance of a black and white cat,
which disintegrates before Derrick can ever get close to it.
This ends soon after, and true to his personality he says nothing about
it to his companion.
Afterwards, they run into a room full of murdered soldiers. Alex seems to be
aware of what is happening, but doesn't let on. She yells at Derrick to
run when he encounters T'lan warriors for the first time, and he is forced to
do so because he can't do any damage to them, but continued exposure to their
presence begins to affect Derrick. His right hand begins glowing brightly,
and it gains the ability to penetrate the T'lan warrior shield, something that
not even rocket propelled grenades cannot accomplish.
Derrick runs around the science center by himself for a time, looking to get
back to Alex. He experiences another hallucination. Again, the black
and white cat appears in front of him, and this time, the corridors he
runs through leads to a vast open desert. There are groups of dangerous
bug like creatures here that attack him on sight. All around him are
nonsensical signs of destruction, a wrecked car, body bags, and broken
foundations of buildings. The hallucination stops after he walks through
another doorway, and looking back into the "desert," he sees it was just
an ordinary corridor. He continues his search for Alex. He finds her,
but then is ordered to hide from a T'lan warrior known as Solus.
Solus passes directly over them, and leaves without seeing
the two of them (although that may be debatable.)
They head upstairs and directly encounter Solus. He is about to toss Derrick
out the window to his death, but suddenly stops and jumps through the
ceiling.
Alex and Derrick look to reach the top level of the Science Center, to reach
a helicopter and regroup with the scientists. They are all intercepted by
the military, now armed with an attack helicopter. The scientists trying
to get off the roof all die, while Alex and Derrick make a desperate rappel
off the roof and down several stories to the ground courtyard of the center.
Being relentlessly chased by soldiers and the attack helicopter, Derrick
and Alex make a run for the nearest building, which happens to be the
botanical research facility. Inside, Derrick experiences another
hallucination. Going through a doorway, his vision is again impaired, and
he emerges in a broken desolate room, one that looks as if multiple bombs
were ignited in. Derrick touches red painted "faces" on the pillars of the
room, which seem to be talking to him. They collapse one by one, leading
Derrick to one final pillar that has Alex's rusty knife jutting out of.
He hears Alex say "You don't want me to die, do you? The hallucination
ends, and Alex is behind him again. She has noticed nothing strange about
Derrick or his behavior.
They go deeper into the Carter Science Center, and pass by three rooms of
note. The Alpha Project Barracks, where Derrick learns a bit about the
disasterous results of the project, the Beta Project Room, and a surviving
scientist's room. It is in the Beta Project Room that Alex sees several kids
through a clear glass wall. She recognizes two in particular. One she calls
Ernest, and one that strikes a startling resemblance to herself. The kids
panic, and shut the metal door behind the glass view. Alex laments that
"some of them will survive."
The two pass by a room with a surviving scientist. Her name is Stefania
Wojinski, and she clearly has something pressing on her mind. She stays
around to burn something onto a disk, and to ramble about her research.
A clipboard in the room reveals that it is called the "Memscan." The
"Memscan" was supposed to be machine that would fix amnesia. Simply put,
the victim's memory was sorted by the machine, and then reinserted into
the victims brain in the correct order. Her ramblings
indicate that whoever was funding her "Memscan" had cut her budget, and now
she was going to find another benefactor, as well as make her previous
one pay. Before she leaves, she asks Derrick what his first memory is.
I will discuss this later.
In any case, she leaves the room holding a kennel which apparently has a
cat inside, and the Disk. Alex is still deciding not to let on to Derrick
about anything. They simply continue working their way toward Glen's lab.
Emerging in a cemetery, they spot Glen overlooking the ten graves (one is
empty.) Glen gives a long speech about how he was the one who killed them
all.
It is at this point where Derrick learns most of the information about
his immediate past, how he was the sole survivor of the Alpha Project. Glen
explains some small bits of information about Site Zero, how they came upon
it, and why they researched it. Alex cuts in and tells Glen that Derrick
has been showing signs of "Acceleration." Glen is apparently suprised
and happy about this. He only says that Derrick may be able to get near Nexus.
The next scene has Glen explaining more about Nexus. It is a control tower
for the T'lan. Shut down, or jam the commands coming out of Nexus, and stop
the T'lan. Up ahead, Derrick glimpses two scientists running side by side
going into a door, which promptly closes right after. Glen then engages in
a conversation with another scientist at the facility, who informs him that
the military is getting restless, they want all the research information, and
that they no longer possess the research information. Somebody made a copy and
purged it. (At this point, Glen/Alex and maybe even Derrick is unaware that
Stefania has done this.) Glen remains calm and tells him that he will talk to
the military. It is interesting to note here that the military has suddenly
had a change of heart about the scientists. They no longer go around randomly
shooting them.
This is where Derrick has another hallucination. He walks into a doorway
and the static appears again, as well as the cat. When he passes the mirror,
he notices that he has taken the form of one of the scientists he just saw run
into the room previously. He hears a deep throated voice call out to him,
telling him that he has "time slipped." When he emerges from the door, he
sees himself and his companions in the same conversation they had just had
about Nexus. He also sees the door he is supposed to go through with
his companion scientist close before he can get close to it.
Derrick has no where to go but through the same doorway again,
which causes him to loop back again. This time, the voice tells him that
he will return to the past, and sure enough, the event is repeated again. This
time, however, Derrick emerges through the door a bit earlier than he did the
last time, if he makes a dash toward the door he saw the scientists enter, he
_almost_ makes it in time.
The third time, the voice tells him that he will return to a time just
before the time he left. This is again true in the hallucination, Derrick
is getting closer to the door. The last time, the voice says simply, that
he must relive this short moment. This time, Derrick can cut through the door
with time to spare, just like he saw the two scientists do so beforehand.
The corridor he enters leads to a group of scientist clapping for him. They
tell him that they are counting on him, and thank him before they all disappear.
The hallucination stops as Derrick opens the door at the end of the hallway.
He finds himself alone just outside of a computer lab. The room is filled
with scientists, as well as Glen and Alex. They are busy monitoring Nexus,
while Glen explains to Derrick and Alex all about what they have been doing.
The place is not of this world. Discovered ten years ago, and still,
they know almost nothing major about the place (he may be exaggerating here),
other than the fact that it is a weapon. He tells Derrick that he must stop
Nexus. Stop Nexus and stop the T'lan. He says that if he fails, or does not
try, the planet "will be faced with a horrific crisis." This seems to strike
a nerve with Alex. The scientists all stand up and make a plea for Derrick to
help. Derrick has another conversation choice here, to either decline or
agree. Most evidence and logic suggests that he chose to help stop Nexus.
The scientists all clap for him (like in the hallucination.) Glen then
tells Derrick to follow him to receive the "Accelerator."
Glen is attacked by the strange small creatures that seem to be related to
the T'lan in some way. They are dispatched, and Glen tells Derrick to sit
down on a chair. He is holding a gun shaped needle filled with purple
liquid. It is a concentration of T'langen, which should increase Derrick's
physical capabilities. As he is injecting Derrick, Glen asks him an
interesting question. He asks who exactly "that girl" is. Derrick is
surprised, Alex had told him that Glen was the one who sent her to save him.
No time to think, however, as the Accelerator takes effect. There is a
brilliant emittance of light from both his hands. Soon afterwards, Assault
T'lan attack them, giving Derrick a chance to show off his new powers. Glen
is amazed, while Alex seems disappointed. Glen tells them to use the
direct access elevator to get to Site Zero. Alex already knows where this is,
and the two run off again.
They fight their way to the elevator, until it mysteriously shuts down from
power failure. The door opens, and Derrick is able to lift himself up before
the elevator cable snaps. Alex screams, but then yells back to Derrick to
go separate ways and meet up at the entrance to Site Zero.
Proceeding toward Site Zero, Derrick meets a squad of soldiers using lasers
to fight the T'lan. This is peculiar in that this is the only human fighting
force that does any damage to them. Their leader introduces himself as Gianni
De Luca, Marine Corps First Lieutenant. He tells Derrick that their goals
are compatible, both seek to destroy Nexus, and even though Derrick is
technically his enemy, he doesn't care as long as he stays out of his way.
Derrick leave the soldiers to continue his own path toward Nexus. He travels
through railroad sections of Terminus 4, burning a path through the squads of
soldiers out to kill him. Along the way, he experiences a secondary
acceleration effect from the shot that Glen gave him, which increases his
powers once again. Again, this happens when he is near other T'lan powered
warriors.
Derrick also succumbs to another hallucination, just when he is near the
waterways of the facility. This time, he sees badly scarred and bruised
figures of Alex, who attack him viciously. He defends himself from a few
of these figures, at which point the hallucination ends, and he sees that
he had been fighting cloaked Stealth T'lan all of the time.
As soon as Derrick hits the waterway area, he is trailed by Solus. He
says aloud that he must kill Derrick, as his probable destination is Nexus.
Derrick runs away frantically, turning valves within the waterways to open
a sealed door to the sewers. Luckily, trip wires intended to doom trespassers
are scattered all over the waterways, which delay Solus, or at least alert
Derrick to his presence.
Derrick barely escapes Solus by sliding down a manhole that drops in him in
a sewer filled with more Stealth T'lan. He finds his way out, and that leads
him to a what seems like a groundside excavation area. This area is also
wired with countless tripwires connected to explosives, presumably set up
by the military with the intention to kill Derrick.
Soon, Derrick reaches a helipad where the attack helicopter appears again.
Having nowhere to go, he decides to engage the helicopter with his anti-air
missiles. After a long while, he finally shoots the chopper down, which
partly crashes into a warehouse door, conveniently opening Derrick's next door
for him.
He crawls through some vents, and below him pass half a dozen soldiers yelling
about some woman, presumably Alex. They yell that she locked the door behind
her. Derrick presses onwards before Alex notices him, and appeals to him for
help. Derrick sees the soldiers detonate a bomb on the door separating them
and Alex. This also blows a hole in the vent, which allows him to jump down
and take the soldiers out.
Alex thanks him, and they continue toward Site Zero together. They begin
meeting heavy resistance from the military, who have scattered all over the
area. When they finally walk through the long, long corridor separating
the facility from Site Zero, they appear in a fantastically vibrant world.
The "sun" is shinning brightly, but in actuality, as Derrick learns later, it
it is artificial.
The place seems startlingly natural, except for white floating particles
that emanate from black volcano like structures jutting from the ground. It
has running rivers and oceans, as well as fern planets and trees. Around the
landscape, scattered camps of the surviving scientists getting ready to
evacuate.
Derrick and Alex steal a jeep from one of the camps and ride it toward their
objective. Over the radio, they hear military chatter, specifically, orders
to find and detain Stefania Wojinski.
They drive across the landscape until they reach a camp overlooking a
cliffside. Gianni and his men are waiting there, and the three engage in
conversation. Gianni informs Derrick and Alex that Nexus has begun to load
T'lan warriors onto rockets, to spread out all over the world. Alex seems
reacts as if this is familiar to her. Gianni says simply that the military
will launch a nuclear bomb at the site to prevent it from happening. However,
the military cannot do that until they recover the research data that they
wanted from the scientists (the one that was stolen and erased).
Alex finally realizes that Stefania was the one who uploaded the data onto
the disk she was carrying, and also the one who deleted the information at
the source. In any case, the military is searching for her. Once they
recover the disk, there is nothing that stops them from launching the missile.
Gianni tells Derrick that they must do two things. 1) Keep the research data
away from the military, or hope that Stefania avoids capture, and 2) Destroy
Nexus. If they fail to do so the missile will be launched and they will all
die. He says that he will lead his troops deep into Site Zero, into the T'lan
silos, and that he will need Derrick's help later. However, since Derrick is
still technically his enemy, he cannot travel together. Instead, he must
go towards an alternate path, and use an elevator that lead deep into the
silos.
Alex and Derrick part with Gianni and continue towards the elevator leading
into Site Zero. Along the way, they come across a broken bridge. They
attempt to jump across it using a nearby jeep. Derrick makes it across
safely, but Alex plummets below.
Not being one to mince words, Derrick continues forward. He emerges on the
edge of a cliff to see Solus standing in front of him, with Alex slung over
his shoulder. Solus speaks about how he does not understand why Alex just
did that, and that he must investigate for an answer. Mocks Derrick by asking
him "Feel you the same?" When he is done speaking, he jumps away with Alex.
Derrick fights through waves of T'lan and Human soldiers to get to the tower
where the elevator is at. As he makes his way there, he receives more and more
radio transmissions detailing how close they are to capturing her and detaining
her. By the time Derrick made it to tower, it was too late. He arrives just
in time to see the soldiers hurl Stefania off a sheer cliff wall.
Stefania dies, still mumbling about her research, and drops a keycard that
Derrick picks up. He is forced to take the long route through the silos to
where he and Gianni's men were supposed to meet. He enters Site Zero through
a keycard locked door.
By the time Derrick gets to Gianni, his squad has died all around him and
Gianni himself is fatally wounded. He says a few words to Derrick, about
how they probably already failed, and dies. Derrick listens to a frantic
radio call from military communications systems. The leader of
Romeo-one-one-five kills himself after he learns that the T'lan have spread
all over the world.
There is still one chance at success. Derrick proceeds toward Nexus. Going
down a series of platforms, he finds Alex in a T'langen cage. She is noticeably
more beaten up than when Solus carried her away. Derrick releases her, and
she falls to the ground, telling Derrick to run. Solus appears in the middle
of the arena ground.
Derrick runs up to Solus and punches him. Solus catches his fist and throws
him to the ground. During this fight, Solus is unusually passive, Derrick is
able to knock him down easily. However, once he is knocked down, he jumps
back up and starts glowing, which is somehow related to the fact that the arena
is shaking hard.
Solus makes short work of Derrick, and beats him to the ground. He announces
that it is now over, and kicks Derrick to a corner. While Solus is walking
toward him, Derrick listens to a final radio transmission. It is the military
finally giving the order to fire the nuclear missile. There is some light
chatter here, but it ends with the missile being fired.
At this point, Alex comes in between Solus and Derrick, firing a few rounds.
She ditches the pistol and runs toward Solus. There is a short fight between
the two, which ends in Alex being hammered by Solus' blows and kicked into
Derrick's arms.
Alex looks up at Derrick and says her peace while she is dying. She says
basically that is still okay, that there is still hope. She begs Derrick to
"save us," and finally dies. Solus is looking down on both of them and says
that is impossible. At that second, the nuclear missile penetrates Site Zero
right to it's core and detonates. Solus activates his shield while there
is a blinding flash of light.
Derrick finds himself floating in a black space. A vital sign monitor flashes
in front of him. The hallucination cat appears again and gives a long, howl-
like cry. Derrick is suddenly dropped into a white tube-like structure.
Various hallucinations he experienced throughout the game flash before his
eyes. The screen flashes once and goes out, like a TV.
Derrick hears voices above him, and he opens his eyes. He is strapped to a
machine, and there are scientists all around him. It is the Beta Project Room
that he passed by in Terminus 4, but it is different, more decrepit. The
scientists all clap for him.
The one in the lead speaks to Derrick. He explains that the events he has
just experienced are from a long time ago. The scientists were using
Dr. Wojinski's device, the Memscan, to help him recover his memories. The
T'lan suddenly break into the room next to them, and the scientists scramble
to cut Derrick loose. The door explodes open, killing one, and the others are
all hit by Assault T'lan lasers.
Derrick is free to move, and he defeats the intruding T'lan. One dying
scientist tells Derrick that he was glad he could be alive to see him wake
up. Derrick then makes his way back to where he met Stefania years ago. Her
lab is completely ruined. He spots a tape recorder lying in the middle of the
room, and plays it. It is Dr. Glen Ogawa's voice. He has made 4 tapes for
Derrick to listen to.
Basically, the tapes describe several key things, mysteries about what
exactly happened 15 years ago. Glen says that Derrick time-slipped 15 years
into the future at the moment the nuclear missile detonated, probably due
to some reaction between the missile and Solus' shield. They found Derrick,
and realized that his memories had been completely destroyed. The scientists
needed some way for Derrick to remember what happened 15 years ago (important),
so they used the Memscan to help him piece together his enemies. The
hallucinations he saw were not real at all, just the Memscan generating non-
sensical memories for Derrick, in order to fill in gaps between his memories.
The cat was actually the same cat that Dr. Wojinski had owned, and the machine
used it's likeness to warn the patient that a hallucination was about to occur.
The tapes begin to outline a plan to go back into time, using the pendulum
effect (apparently a basic law of physics that states that all beings displaced
from their rightful time are inevitably reverted to their original time, just
before they actually left), to defeat Solus, stop Nexus, and change history.
The recordings are stopped when alarms blare, and Glen realizes that the T'lan
are nearby. He tells Derrick to go to where he received his injection
accelerator 15 years ago to meet him.
While Derrick is making his way to the Central Processing Room, he hears a
familiar voice sobbing. It is Alex. Derrick turns a corner and sees her with
her pistol pointed at her head, standing over a dead body. As Derrick
approaches, Alex takes notice and snaps at him, holding him at gun point.
She demands to know who he is. Derrick doesn't answer, but she recognizes him
somehow, as the person the scientists recovered, and the one that was in a coma.
Alex presses onward with Derrick, to look for survivors. They emerge in a
desolate city street, completely devoid of life. It is nighttime, and the
T'lan are everywhere. They come across two soldiers using lasers to fight
the T'lan, but watch both of them die. Alex, who is understandably deeply
depressed, predicts that no one is alive anymore.
Derrick and Alex make it back into Terminus 4. They come across a single
survivor, Glen, who has been waiting for Derrick to show up. Somehow, he is
dying. He collapses, and Derrick helps him up while the three of them talk.
Glen shows the two what he called the "ultra-accelerator." Before he can
inject the liquid into Derrick, half a dozen T'lan soldiers appear. The
accelerator is lost under some vents. Derrick goes to retrieve it, while Alex
fights the T'lan.
Once Derrick finds it and injects it into his arm, there is an immediate
reaction. The brilliant light is there again, and he instantly gains
unbelievable power. His legs now propel him further, and he jumps out of the
vents, punching the cover. Alex is stunned, Glen is collapsed on the floor,
but yells out "Our savior is born!"
Derrick is now immensely powerful. He can hit a moment where he moves faster
than anyone around him, allowing him to quickly and efficiently take out
multiple T'lan. He has no trouble beating back the waves that come after him.
Alex is amazed by Derrick's power, almost forgetting about Glen. She runs
over to Glen to see if he's all right. Derrick is enveloped by light as he
runs with her, and he floats in front of both Alex and Glen.
Glen explains that this is the pendulum effect, and that Derrick will now
go back in time. He tells Alex is stand back, but she walks toward him.
She tells Derrick that she has to go back, to get Derrick to "save the world."
Glen doesn't want her to go, but lets her. He tells Alex to 1) save Derrick,
and 2) meet with Glen in the past. Alex leaves him, and allows herself to
be sucked into the pendulum effect with Derrick.
The two float together, holding on to each other. Alex asks Derrick if it's
her fate to die in the past. Derrick promises her, one way or another, that
he will change that. Alex laughs bit. Derrick begins to see events from 15
years ago flash by him, in reverse. Starting with Alex's death, his defeat
at the hands of Solus, the missiles launching. They continue onwards.
Alex and Derrick suddenly lose their grip on each other, and float separately.
Alex yells at Derrick to not leave her. Derrick is still overcome by
flashbacks, Gianni's death is reversed, Stefania's fall is reversed, he now
has a second chance at almost everything. Alex tells Derrick that they
will appear in different times, but swears that she will find him, somehow.
The pendulum effect stops right where Solus jumps away with Alex on his back.
He again asks Derrick, "Feel you the same?" Derrick is not able to catch
Solus, even with his new powers. He starts again, this time with a fresh
chance to right things. He makes his way to the tower where Stefania is being
threatened again.
This time, Derrick uses his superjump ability to leap over the sheer cliff
wall. He eliminates the soldiers, and saves Stefania. Stefania thanks him,
and opens the elevator to Site Zero for him. Before he descends, Stefania
tells him that she wants Derrick to be his first test subject for her research.
Derrick emerges on a platform deep in Site Zero. He is closer to Gianni than
last time. He fights his way through waves of T'lan soldiers and arrives
just as Gianni's men are making their final push up a hill leading to the
counter-measures device. He joins the battle and stems the tide of Assault
T'lan that the silo is sending. At battles end, Derrick activates the
counter-measures device.
As it turns out, the counter-measures devices works, but only for a while.
The missiles all retract into the silo, but then grow back. Gianni says that
the last option is to destroy Nexus. He collapses from his wounds and tells
Derrick that it's up to him now, that he can't continue. Gianni notices then
that Alex is not there, and asks him where she is. In either case, Derrick
leaves Gianni and his men to continue toward Site Zero on his own.
He sees Alex again, and releases her. Like 15 years ago, he fights with Solus.
This time, Solus is shocked by the fact that Derrick is so strong. After a
long battle, he falls. He tells Derrick that he is just an avatar for Nexus.
Then he disintegrates just like the rest of the T'lan.
Derrick goes to Alex and helps her up. Naturally, she is surprised that she is
still alive. Derrick gives her a sign that he is different now, that he knows
what he told her when they were in the time-slip together. She understands,
and the two embrace. She tells Derrick how important it is that he stop
Nexus.
Derrick and Alex let go, and Derrick steps into a blue outline that has now
appeared in the middle of the room. The blue outline turns red, and locks
Alex out. They say few last words and Derrick descends deeper into the core.
Inside the core, Derrick must navigate his way through collapsing platforms
and fast moving pillars. Once he survives that, he arrives in a big circular
room, where Site Zero throws waves of T'lan at him. He beats off all of the
waves, which causes another beam to appear.
Derrick finds himself in a blackened room with one red-pink ball in the
center, Nexus. As he approaches, he suddenly collapses and begins
hallucinating again.
He hallucinates that he back in the Memscan generated world again, where
he first woke up after surviving his T'langen experiment. The events unfold
in a crazy, nonsensical fashion. All the while, soldiers are attacking him
in illogical places.
Derrick gets to the shooting range, where he first fired his pistol. Again,
he is ordered to shoot targets. But this time, the "targets" are images
of people that he must shoot. Gianni, Stefania, Glen, Alex, he must shoot
all of them. When Glen "dies" he drops the accelerator again. Derrick must
run to it and inject himself to overcome Nexus.
Once he does so, he goes into his heightened senses mode, and spots Nexus. He
gives it a few blows, and the hallucination suddenly stops. He is back in
the black room again, still with the pink-red ball in the center. Derrick
gives it a final few blows, and it shatters, along with the black room.
The pieces of the room fall into a lake in the sanctuary of Site Zero. He makes
his way out of the mess, and up a half broken bridge. Alex is waiting for him
on top, and Derrick follows her into a nearby jeep. Alex tells Derrick that
Site Zero is falling apart, and they must make it out before everything
collapses. They overhear a series of frantic radio calls, and decide that
their ultimate objective is to board a military helicopter that is set to
take off in 4 minutes.
The soldiers all scramble to their exits, but Gianni orders one of the pilots
to wait for Derrick and Alex. The two of them make it to the mechanical
bridge leading into Site Zero, but find it withdrawn. There is no place to
go. They are rocked by a steady earthquake, and the portion of the bridge
they are standing on begins to tip downwards.
At that moment, a helicopter ascends toward them. Derrick jumps onto the open
door, and Gianni helps him up. Stefania is there as well. There are a few
more seconds of descent toward where Alex is, and then a sudden ascent. Alex
pulls herself up.
At the end of the game, Alex, Stefania, Gianni, and Derrick are all in the
helicopter flying over the now exploding Carter Science Center. Glen gives
them a call, and congratulates Derrick on his victory. Stefania reveals that
she still has the disk with all their research data, as well as her cat, who
had been hiding in the helicopter.
Once the Science Center sinks, Alex goes on about their "victory." She comes
to the conclusion, that since they "changed history" but at the same time,
she didn't disappear or change in any fashion, that history has split into
two different paths, and that her world is still the same. Once she is done,
the pendulum effect begins to take her back again. She opens the helicopter
door and floats out.
This is the final choice. Derrick can either choose to go back with Alex
using the Pendulum Effect, or stay in his own time. Considering the events of
the game, I think it would be more fitting if Derrick did go with Alex, just
the same as she did with him. But, at the same time, I do sort of hope that
he didn't travel again. Derrick has been through enough for a lifetime.
================Section 5.2 - Character Analysis=============================
Action, motivation, importance, I will attempt to cover them all. Also, know
this. I am highly disorganized. At the original date of sending, I will not
have divided any particular section for the various stickling points of
the plot. Rather, I have ended up discussing most of the troubling plot
points, such as the endings, within the character analysis.
===Sub-Section 5.2a===
Solus-
Here's an enigma if you ever saw one. Let's start with his actions during
the game and then move on to motivation and importance.
Based on where he starts the game at, high up in the research center, Solus
was taken from the silos to study by the researchers. Somehow, they managed
to correctly derive "his" name. When Nexus somehow activates, so does Solus.
His first actions are killing all of the scientists in sight, and decimating
any military attacks against him.
Curiously... the military seems to have focused on eliminating Solus in
particular.
When Solus sees Derrick and Alex for the first time, it really is no contest.
Solus could have easily ended both of them, but something stopped him. Alex
believes that perhaps killing the two of them wasn't his objective. He bursts
through the ceiling and heads topside.
The next time we see Solus is in the waterways of sub-Terminus 4. He
determines that Derrick is heading for Nexus, probably to destroy it, and
decides that he must kill him. Derrick escapes him by frantically running
around and sliding through a sewer vent. Luckily, Solus abandons pursuit
at that point.
In Site Zero, when Alex does not make the jump across the bridge, Solus saves
her! Reason being, that he is utterly dumbfounded by her actions. He needs to
"investigate." Then, he asks Derrick a cryptic question. "Feel you the same?"
Solus takes Alex deep, deep into the silos, past them, and into the core area
of Site Zero. He stops, and imprisons Alex in a T'langen powered cage.
Intentionally or not, it looks as if Alex is being crucified.
When Derrick confronts him there, Solus challenges him, and the two finally
fight. Solus wins, using the entirety of Site Zero's silos to power himself
up. Derrick is utterly beaten, and immobilized. Alex steps in and tries to
beat him, or at least, buy time for Derrick. She succeeds in keeping Solus
from exacting the killing blow on Derrick, but dies in the process. Her
sacrifice allows Derrick to survive his encounter, and set events in motion.
It is unsure what happened to Solus next. I doubt he died, but I have to
wonder what he was doing for the next 15 years. Alex doesn't know anything,
and Glen does not state anything. I would conjecture, from the fact that
through the game Solus continuously works to get nearer to the core of Site
Zero, that he stays there.
Either way, when Derrick returns with the Pendulum Effect, interestingly
enough, is at the same point when Solus asks him again "Feel you the same?"
The last time Solus is seen is during Derrick's epic rematch with him. He seems
thoroughly shocked, and with his dying words he says simply that he just
Nexus's avatar (incarnation).
Let's begin with his words to Derrick as he abducts Alex. I can't help but
feel that thee is a great significance to the words, as they are repeated twice.
"Feel you the same?" Solus may be trying to imply that Derrick is no different
from him. Meaning, that conversation with Solus was basically, "I don't know
why she did that. I have to find out why. Derrick... you don't know either,
do you?" The fact of the matter is, Alex is still very mysterious at the point
where the question is first asked. In fact, Derrick doesn't know why she is
helping him at all. Why is this stranger prodding him to save the world? Who
the hell is she and where did she come from? In a sense, Derrick doesn't know
any more about Alex than Solus does. When Solus laughs afterwards, he is
laughing at Derrick's belief that he is any better than him, or the rest of the
T'lan.
By the time Solus asks the question again, Derrick is a changed man. He
discovered his reason for coming as far as he did, and Alex's sacrifice.
This time, when asked "Feel you the same?"
the answer is no. Derrick's memories and experiences allow him understanding
and empathy of Alex. Unlike Solus, his memories allow him to understand "why."
At this point, if Solus was attempting to tell Derrick that they are the same,
he is wrong. Derrick now has a reason to fight, hopes to live up to.
The avatar line that Solus gives as he dies is also interesting. Avatar simply
means incarnation. Solus is an incarnation of Nexus. The reason why he would
say such a thing was never really defined in the story. If Solus is saying that
he is nothing more than Nexus's incarnation, I personally believe that he's
admitting the meanlessness of his existance. Even though Solus is unique among
the T'lan, he has no control over himself, or, more accurately, he is not an
individual being, as Derrick is. I think I hear a pang of regret or some other
emotion in Solus's words as he says that.
If Solus believes he is "just an avatar," then what does he think
of Derrick? If, when he askes "Feel you the same?" he is implying that they
are the same, is he now telling him that he believes Derrick is just an
incarnation as well?
Why exactly does Solus believe he and Derrick are alike, or how exactly
did he come to that conclusion. Solus's speech and demeanor are machine-like,
calculated- expressing situations in mathematical probability. Just how much
does Solus know about Derrick? Does he know that Derrick is an amnesiac? If
so, does he draw comparison from is own lack of a life before the game? In a
way, whether Solus knows it or not, he and Derrick are alike in some startling
ways. Neither of them has a _reason_ to fight. Truly, for the first 2/3rds
of the game, Derrick is an absolute tool. He doesn't know what he's doing.
How is saving the humans on earth any different from allowing the T'lan to roam
free, to him? Both sides apparently want to kill him, and in addition, from
what Derrick learns throughout the game, the humans treated him much like Nexus
treats their mindless army of T'lan, as a tool for killing.
They even put together a grave for him because they
were so sure that he was going to die before he actually did so (see random).
To Nexus, Solus is the same, a tool for killing.
That brings us back to the final fight. Perhaps the dialogue was meant to
to show how much Derrick had changed over the course of events and why exactly
he was able to defeat Solus. The difference was hope, a basic characteristic
of human enduring. Solus has no reason to fight, other than commands from
Nexus. Derrick's transformation from a tabula rasa state to a worthwhile
human make him so much more capable of enduring punishment and pain than
Solus.
The avatar line could be Solus's resignation, him admitting that Derrick is
something more, and that's why he won. Or, it could be a final threat from
a being who can never understand Derrick or Alex, that Derrick is just
an avatar, who will die just like he did. Or, it could be random dialogue
that bored developers put in there to warn the player of the extreme frustration
they may encounter in their final hour or so of play.
The avatar line could also be a joke on the part of Namco. Note Derrick's
extreme lack of personality. That's because Derrick is OUR (gamer's)
avatar into the videogame universe of Breakdown.
What did he mean by "investigate" Alex? I have looked carefully at Alex's
condition after the fall, and after Solus abducts her, and it is clear that
Alex probably only passed out from the fall down. There is no blood showing
when Solus has her slung over his shoulder. So that means Solus must have
spent a pretty long time just beating her. But he didn't kill her. I assume
that he wanted to interrogate her, but on what?
What is Solus's importance to the game? I originally believed Solus to be
Derrick's "shadow" being. A person's shadow is the embodiment of all the
opposites of that person. But that does not seem to make sense within
the context of this story. He is probably just the antagonist against whom
we can pit Derrick's changes against. It's a very common video game cliche,
if you think about it.
An interesting point, Solus's name. "Sol" is the Latin base
for "alone". I do not know about "us". I came to the conclusion that his name
somehow had a meaning. Solus is alone, the only unique T'lan we encounter in
the game, the only one with any semblance of a personality. It could be a
reference to that. Or, the "us" part could have a meaning as well. Literally,
it could mean "Us Alone." Derrick and Solus? Nexus and Solus? When I
attempted to research more about this on the internet, I came across a strange
site that listed all Latin and Greek bases in a sort of haphazard way.
Apparently, "solus," in it self means "comfort." And then, of course, we have
sol as in the sun. Solar System.
Read into it as you will.
Or not.
===Sub-Section 5.2b===
Alex-
Not quite as cryptic as Solus, but still somewhat confusing, especially when
discerning how much she knew about what it meant when she and Derrick were
separated.
After a long debate with myself, I have decided to start Alex's actions from
the point where the nuclear missile explodes.
At the precise time that nuclear missile had impacted with the core of Site
Zero, Alex was still a child. At the time, she was only 10 years old.
It's interesting that she (or anyone else for that matter) survived a nuclear
missile tearing through and detonating a few miles underneath them, but I'll
leave that alone. In any case, whether it was the effect of the missile or not
Site Zero no longer produced T'lan. The entire manufactered army of soldiers
were now spread across the entire earth. The surviving scientists in Terminus
4 only had worry about external threats, breaches from outside the facility
itself, which were always dangerous.
This gave the scientists a great level of freedom. Apparently, the American
military (seeing as which Japan is not able to support it's own military)
cared enough to provide the facility with a bunker line worth of troops, who
managed to hold out on their own for at least a few years. During this time,
the scientists were despaired. They assumed Derrick had died. Their only
futile hope were the remaining Beta Project Test Subjects, including Alex.
I'll have to go back and count exactly how many there were, but I would
conjecture that the number is close to ten. They continued to proceed with
the Beta Project, although it is likely they sped up the process.
Alex, seeing as which she was the last Beta Project Test Subject to survive,
was quite possibly one of the strongest. However, 15 years of hearing nothing
but war and death took their toll on everyone. When her fellow Beta Project
Subject and quite possibly her boyfriend, Ernest, dies, she becomes victim to
the state of hopelessness. She hold her gun to the side of the head and
seriously contemplates pulling the trigger.
It is here that she meets Derrick. Perhaps she does not remember, but they had
crossed each other 15 years ago, when he passed by the Beta Project Room. Alex
puts the gun down, and decides to go explore with Derrick, to find survivors.
Again, she finds nothing but death. She watches the remaining two survivors
of the Beta Project die at the hands of the T'lan. Her speech and demeanor are
lethargic, at best. She even goes as far as to predict that no one is alive
anymore, across the entire world.
When she encounters Glen, hiding in the central processing room, she gets her
first shot of real hope. Another living human being! Other than Derrick. As
Glen is about to hand the ultra-accelerator to Derrick, the T'lan attack in
full force, and Derrick makes a run for it while Alex fights them off.
Once Derrick injects himself with the Accelerator, he instantly becomes
more powerful than any single T'lan across the entire world. Alex is
amazed by his capabilities. As the pendulum effect takes Derrick back,
Alex is told to stay back. But she steps forward anyway, confusing Glen.
She knows that she must save Derrick and set forth the event that caused
Derrick to appear in the future in the first place. Glen gives her
broad instructions to 1) meet up with him in the past and 2) find and
save Derrick.
Alex then steps inside the "range" of the Pendulum Effect, and floats in a
clear white tube like structure with Derrick. The two converse, and Derrick
makes a promise to Alex that he will not let her die. While floating
together, something happens, and the two become separated. Alex realizes
that this means that they will materialize in different times, but swears that
she will find him somehow.
I am unsure of where Alex appeared. Nor can I really be sure of what the
hell the opening sequence, with Alex shaking Derrick was about. In any case,
once she appears, she finds the research facility under attack by soldiers.
When Alex finds Derrick, her behavior and words to Derrick lead me to believe
that Alex didn't really understand what happened when they had split apart
in the Pendulum Effect. Alex expects Derrick to know her, and does not
realize that the "beginning" of the paradox-like structure has not happened
yet for this Derrick. Derrick can only remember her promise AFTER he makes
it to her, which has not happened yet. Alex's job is to make it possible for
it to happen by saving him and bringing him to Site Zero. This is her part
in destiny.
Unfortunately for Alex, she doesn't realize this right away. She doesn't
realize it until her tragically overmatched fight with Solus.
When Alex gathers that Derrick does not remember him, she concludes that
Derrick is suffering from amnesia. She is right, but not in the correct
sense. Derrick IS suffering from amnesia, but even if he wasn't, he still
would not remember Alex or the promise he had made to her, since he hasn't
made it yet.
As Alex helps Derrick get around, I would imagine that she is getting damn
frustrated with him. He is supposed to be the savior of her people, and
he can barely take on a single T'lan at a time. It is sort of sad to see
Alex shaking Derrick and pleading at him to "wake up," and that she KNOWS that
super-Derrick is in there somewhere. In both respects, she is wrong.
This doesn't stop her from completing her basic objectives, which is take
Derrick to Glen. Along the way, she passes by the Beta Project room, which
contained her younger self. Both Alexs recognized each other, but their
moment was short, and they were separated. Her comment that "some of
them will survive" leads me to two pieces of speculation, either that a
lot of the Beta Project Test subjects died 1) during the experimentation
phase or 2) against T'lan incursions during their childhood.
She lets go quickly, the and the two proceed toward Glen. Along the way,
Alex meets Stefania Wojinski, the person whose invention would result in all
of this being possible. Rather than explain anything about what's going on,
she simply dismisses the doctor's ramblings.
When the two finally get to Glen's lab, Alex acts in a semi-formal way. She
doesn't explain anything to Glen either, but simply introduces the him to
Derrick and vice-versa. Glen and Derrick are both puzzled by the amount of
knowledge this person seems to have of the facility, as well as each other.
At this point, Alex may have realized that none of these people would know
her yet, because they can't. At least, she is beginning to grasp that
concept.
Alex is agitated at the fact that Glen cannot realize the full scope of what
would happen if Nexus is allowed to succeed in launching T'lan missiles all
over the world.
When Derrick receives his Accelerator for the first time, Alex is disappointed.
She was expecting powers like what he showed off during that epic battle
15 years into the future. Again, she dismisses this and decides to continue.
Alex's will to survive and see this through to the end is immeasurably strong,
a startling contrast from her demeanor when she first came across Derrick
15 years into the future.
For a while, Alex and Derrick become separated, and proceed their own ways.
When the two meet up again, it is Alex that is in trouble. In reality, this
is the first time where Derrick actually saves Alex from anything. He is
now close to Alex's equal, and she sees this.
Once the two get to Site Zero sanctuary, they meet up with Gianni. Again, Alex
is frustrated by these people's inability to comprehend the full danger of
allowing Nexus to succeed.
When Derrick and Alex get to the broken bridge, they both attempt a jump
across it by jeep. Although Alex is confident that they would both have made
it, she wrong, and only Derrick makes it across safely. Alex plummets
downwards toward a blackness that Derrick can not make out.
Interestingly enough, Alex passes out during the fall, and Solus catches her.
I believe this to be true from the fact that Alex is still very clean when
Solus has her slung over his shoulder. After taunting Derrick, Solus takes
Alex into the silos and past them into the core of Site Zero.
Although we do not have much direct information about what happened here, it
is obvious that, for whatever reason, Solus beats her to a bloody stump. Her
wetsuit is torn up, blood is everywhere.
By the time Derrick comes around for the first time, Solus is through with
her, for a time. When Derrick releases her from the T'langen cage, all she
can really do is fall forward and say two words to warn Derrick. Then she
collapses.
When Derrick is beaten and kicked away by Solus, Alex takes notice. She gets
up and begins a last ditch effort to buy some time for Derrick. Again, Solus
wins decisively, and kicks her toward Derrick, who is immobilized. Alex tells
Derrick that it's okay, and that his "work has just begun." She begs him to
save "us," and dies.
This is the part where Derrick travels to the future and realizes what the
Alex was talking about for the last hours of his life. He finally makes
that promise to Alex, that he will not let her die, and aims to keep it.
Derrick makes his way to Solus again. Alex is still
in the same condition, and, not knowing that this is a different Derrick from
the one she left, tells him to run. Of course, Solus appears, and the two
engage in an epic battle.
The second battle between these two superbeings ends in Solus's destruction.
Derrick runs over to Alex,
who is still half-conscious on the floor and helps her up. He lets Alex know
that he now knows about the promise that he made to her, and Alex is elated.
The two embrace for a while, and Alex asks if Derrick still remembers what
he's here to do. Whatever his answer, it ends in Alex yelling at Derrick
how serious this is, that only they, as people who have seen the apocalyptic
future, can understand at that point. Finally, when Derrick isn't looking,
Alex thanks him for saving him.
When Derrick and Alex are separated by the impenetrable wall, Alex tells him
that she will look for a way back up to the surface. She does so, and
apparently waits for him by the same bridge that she plummeted off of.
She waits for him to come, beside a jeep even after she learns that Site Zero
is falling apart because Nexus is gone.
When Derrick appears, the two run over the jeep and make a frantic run towards
the entrance to Site Zero. They make it, and board a helicopter at the last
possible second.
Above the science center, Alex is silent as she watches the place explode.
She comes to a realization that although they all went through all that
trouble, they have not saved "her" world. But she seems sadly content with
this fact, saying that "at least we saved this world."
Here we have an inconsistency in the plot. When Alex is about to be
taken back by the Pendulum Effect, Derrick can choose either to let her
disappear into the future by herself, or step in with her and fight alongside
her in the future. If Derrick chooses to make another jump across time
with her by way of latching onto the Pendulum Effect, there are two possible
things that may happen. Which possibility actually occurs depends on
whether people and things effected by the Pendulum Effect constitute as
"time slip victims."
1) If Pendulum Effect is not the same as a "Time Slip" then this ending
is non-conflicting and completely workable. They would materialize in
Alex's time, do whatever they can, and when Derrick returns to "his"
world, he may be dropped off at a point AFTER he was taken in by the
Pendulum Effect affecting Alex (very important). By "not the same"
I mean that "time slips" are accidents, as Solus's reaction to
the Nuclear Missile was to Derrick's slip. Traveling with the Pendulum
Effect would not be an "accident", but rather a controlled method
of time travel.
2) If the Pendulum Effect is the same as a "Time Slip" then this
gets immensely more complex. Remember... the Terminus 4 tapes simply state
that time slip victims will "return to a time just before the time they
left." So, Derrick and Alex will materialize sometime before Alex was
about to kill herself. But, the conflict lies in what would happen as
Derrick returns to "his" world. If he returns to a time just before the
time he left, then, depending on how long he was passed out in front of
Nexus, I would conjecture that he would appear sometime before he saved
Gianni and his soldiers. This confuses the hell out of me. If he replays
all those events again, defeating Solus, saving Alex, making their escape,
then he again has to face the choice of looping back into the future via
the Pendulum Effect with Alex. In which case, he would loop back to his
world via his own Pendulum Effect, and so on and so forth. A closed time
loop that cannot end until Derrick refuses to go along with Alex back to
her world.
If he chooses not to go back with Alex... Then it would be "normal."
Quite literally, it would play out like events should, without time travel.
Alex's world would be decimated by the T'lan and she would die fighting.
Derrick's world will progress normally as well.
Also, know that the pendulum effect is sort of unstable. Look at how
Alex was able to separate from Derrick by simply floating a few feet
away from him. I suppose, that if Derrick tries hard enough, he can avoid
this never-ending fate by forcing himself to appear just AFTER he left.
And then, we must remember that the point of the pendulum effect is regulate
the amount of energy present in a single world, in order to prevent an
imbalance. Technically... Derrick is returning to a world that he recently
left. So, the Pendulum effect may not pick up on the fact that he is not
supposed to be there.
Come to think of it, the odds of the never ending timeline loops are lessened
by considering all the possibilities.
We have an interesting choice here, with the ending. One could doom Derrick to
a repeating series of the same events over and over again, but keeps allowing
him to save Alex's world. The other spares Derrick, but allows the permanent
downfall of Alex's world.
I would really like to believe that the former happened, with Derrick
returning to Alex's world and saving it. But in actuality what would happen?
Say he goes back to his world, and Alex is captured there again. He saves her,
causing it to happen all over. Now, IF Derrick has already saved Alex's
world in the previous loop, during this loop, if Alex returns alone, would
it still be the same?
It's interesting to think a bit about what would be the result of Derrick
repeating his actions more than once. If he chooses to go into the future
with Alex twice, would he effectively eliminate the first timeline, since
the events would play out exactly the same? In the same sense, if he
chooses to go back in time once, and then refuses the second time, would
that timeline also replace the once he created by saving Alex's world? Or,
would they co-exist as parallel realities?
Another, simpler solution would be to disregard the last few paragraphs, and
come to the conclusion that this story simply is not well thought out. In
this case, this is certainly a valid conclusion. THIS IS THE END! DON'T
THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE! THE DEVS DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT EITHER!
Some GameFAQs account user or other (I believe I read it in someones sig),
once said this, "That's fan speculation. Fan speculation leads to FAN FICTION,
very bad..."
===Sub-Section 5.2c===
Glen Ogawa-
I'll try to get through this covering reason and motivation with actions.
Prior to the events of the game, Glen Ogawa somehow managed to create a
human clone. Of course, in doing this, he was banished from the scientific
community. For some impossible reason, the American Military chose this man
to head the most important research project mankind has ever funded.
Approximately ten years prior to the events of this game, he assumed control
of a top secret project in the study of Site Zero. I can be confident that
Glen himself did not uncover Site Zero, that was actually left vague (although
it's possible that it was discovered during a construction project or
excavation, judging from the heavy machinery that you see just outside the
chain link fences near the surface helipad).
Glen and his team uncovered remarkable things. At this point, the T'lan
soldiers were all passive and inactive, the only real activity they
could see was the manufacturing of the T'lan soldiers, as well as a
central command center, which they called Nexus. In order to better
study the T'lan warriors, they began taking their inactive bodies up
into their research labs to study. They discerned several things, the most
important of which was the presence of a strange energy shield that covered
the entirety of the T'lan body. This shield was capable of deflecting
all velocity based projective weapons, including rockets. They
were able to chart a buildup of a substance which they called "T'langen"
when the shield activated.
From the presence of these combat fitted warriors, they made an
educated guess that Site Zero is definitely a weapon. The military
interpreted this to mean "their weapons," while the scientists realized
that these weapons were for the sole purpose of conquering earth.
I would conjecture, that about one or two years prior to the events of the
game, the American Military began putting pressure on to show some positive
results from their presumably vast amounts of money that they poured into
the project. The scientists weren't quite ready to actually control the
T'lan themselves, but they did manage to come up with a project that would
satisfy the military, if only for a time. They would take what they learned
of T'langen and purify the substance, probably condensing it as well, and
inject it into soldiers to try to amplify their powers. This was the
Alpha Project.
Judging by the fact that there was an entire barracks dedicated to the Alpha
Project Test Subjects, the process was probably very long. There were a
total of ten test subjects, one of them being Derrick Cole. When you look
at the clipboards of the experiment logs, you find that nine of the test
subjects died from varying causes. Some died from "respiration difficulties",
while others died from sudden heart failures or seizures. The entire
process took over a month to complete. The first test subjects that were
experimented on were Test Subjects 3, 6, and 10. All of them died within a
day. Note that these three were experimented on and died on the same date,
7/3. One day before American Independence day (coincidence) and interestingly
both seven and three are lucky numbers in Japanese culture (probably
coincidence).
The next test subjects to go were Test Subjects 2, 8, and 9, all on separate
days. Notice here that these tests subjects all died, but Test Subjects
2 and 9 held on longer than the four others. Test Subject 2 lasted for
just over 30 minutes before dying. Test Subject 9 received a substance called
epinephrine that seemed to prolong life, but in the end, proved ineffective in
sustaining it. The rest of the test subjects, excluding Test Subject 7, all
were somehow able to hang onto life further than their fellows, but all
eventually died.
At last, after killing their first nine test subjects, they came to Derrick
Cole. Test Subject 7, another lucky number (in both American and Japanese
cultures). I do not know if the scientists did anything special with his
treatment, but I do know for a fact that he was not expected to survive. In
fact, probably just days after the experiment was deemed a complete failure,
even though Derrick was still alive, they built a cemetery deep, deep in
Terminus 4, just outside Glen's lab. They built ten graves! This is
interesting. What the hell did the military tell these people's families?
Of course, Derrick never got shoved into his. Somehow, he survives. Glen
was probably shocked to learn this. As shocked as he was to hear that the
military no longer cared. The operation was a failure, it wiped out
(probably) nine of their very best soldiers. The only survivor was comatose.
They were probably very pissed off at that, as well as the public
repercussions of having ten soldiers suddenly disappear. So, the military
decided to wipe out all traces of their experiments. They sent soldiers into
the research facility to wipe out the scientists there. Once Nexus activates,
their leadership seems to have a slight change of heart. Rather than kill
the scientists individually, they decide that they would try to take out
two problems with one stone and annihilate them all with a nuclear missile.
Rather than kill the scientists, they begin negotiating. All they need
now is a disk that contains the entirety of the Site Zero and Alpha Project
research.
I have to wonder what the military was going to do with the Beta Project
Test Subjects. At this point, those kids are all no older than 10 years.
The clipboard that you find in the Alpha Project barracks only mentions
the cancellation of the Alpha Project, and does not mention the Beta
Project. In fact, the same room contains a status report on a single
Beta Project Test Subject named Ernest.
Glen had remained calm during all of this. Even when his scientists are being
slaughtered and the T'lan are everywhere, he never lost his composure. Even
though he is responsible for Nexus activating, and the deaths of countless
people, he still seems indifferent. He has one goal, to stop Nexus. When
he meets Derrick and Alex, he recognizes only one of them, Derrick. He does
not realize that the Alex in the Beta Project currently is the younger self
of the Alex in front of him. Either way, he sees this as a great opportunity
to stop Nexus, and seems to truly believe that it is possible.
After Derrick and Alex leave the lab, the scientists probably can do nothing
but monitor Nexus and hope for the best. Of course, during the first run
of events, they realize that Derrick had failed, and the T'lan were spreading
all over the world. Interestingly enough, when the nuclear missile launches,
it probably penetrated a few dozen miles underground before detonating, but
the research lab itself was oddly unaffected. The scientists actually
survived. As well as the Beta Project Test Subjects.
Once the nuclear missile hits, and the T'lan have spread, the scientists
in the facility receive military backing from the Americans. At least
they no longer want them to be slaughtered. I don't know exactly what the
scientists were doing here, other than condition their Beta Project Test
Subjects to become effective T'lan killing machines.
In any case, Glen and the scientists were probably very nervous at this point.
They know that it's inevitable that the T'lan will breach the facility, and
that they will probably all die horribly.
When Derrick appears 15 years ahead, Glen may or may not have already pieced
together what was going on at that point. After all, his Beta Project Test
Subject Alex had grown up to look exactly like that woman who came with
Derrick 15 years ago. In either case, by the time that Derrick had already
appeared, Glen apparently already had a pure T'langen solution waiting for
him. Perhaps it was there in case they ever got any other Test Subjects,
I don't know.
Glen makes a series of Tapes for Derrick to listen to, in order to explain
to him about his situation and how he got here. Note here that he seems
to be changed slightly from 15 years ago. No longer optimistic or vain.
In fact, he recognizes that there is a likely possibility that even if
Derrick goes back in time to save the world, their world may just
continue to exist. But he says that that does not matter.
While Glen is making these tapes, the facility comes under attack, and Glen
makes a run for the Central Processing Room. Note here, that when Alex and
Derrick find him, he is in terrible physical shape, either he somehow survived
a T'lan attack, fell down from an earthquake, or was sick to begin with. It
is unlikely that he was sick to begin with, however, the tapes have no coughing
or such in them, nor any signs of physical pain.
When Derrick finally emerges as superman from the past, Glen believes him
to be their savior. In truth, he does kick ass. Even Alex is in awe from
witnessing Derrick's abilities.
Here comes the moment of truth. Derrick is about to be taken away by the
pendulum effect. Glen tells Alex to step back. In reality, Glen probably
wanted her to step forward, and if she had not, he probably would have
died in despair knowing their last hope (for this run) was gone. Glen
realizes that Alex must fulfill her destiny in allowing Derrick to come
to the future in the first place. When Alex consents to traveling back
with Derrick, Glen already has two clear objectives for her. Save Derrick.
Come meet with Glen of the past.
I do not know if Glen died after Alex and Derrick were taken back by the
pendulum effect, but it is likely. Perhaps not from his coughing, but
from the marauding groups of T'lan.
Alright, let me skip over to the end of the game. Again, Glen, not having
went through fifteen years of hell on earth, is still an arrogant man. He
can't realize the full scope of what would have happened if Derrick had not
succeeded and Site Zero had not fallen, and seems overly concerned with
his research (which Stefania still has a copy of).
To be honest here, I never did think that Glen was that deep of a character.
He has none of the mystery surrounding Solus or even Alex, nor does he have
that complexity of action that needs to be discussed deeply.
There is one thing that bothers me about Glen's involvment with the plot.
After the nuclear missile impacted in Site Zero, and his Beta Project
Test Subjects are growing up fast, when exactly did he realize that the
woman who accompanied Derrick was "his" Alex? At whatever point that
he did realize the truth, what did he make of it?
Let's speculate a little. Say, that Glen realizes that the Beta Project
Test Subject named Alex was the younger self of the person he just saw
accompany Derrick. Once he makes the connection, he tries to figure out
what it means to their situation. First, the only piece of information that
he has to work with is the fact that an Alex 15 years older than the one he
has in front of him just went by him. Say, that he somehow finds out that
Alex was actually saving Derrick from being slaughtered.
So, logically, Glen would have to assume that Alex has a destiny already
written for her. In 15 years, SOME event will happen in such a way that
will propel Alex into the past. This is written in stone, there is no
denying it, no matter how much he doesn't want to see her die. But, what
use is it at that point? The scientists can make no other assumption that
Derrick and Alex failed, and as a result, died. Glen doesn't know that
Derrick actually time slipped and is hurtling toward the future. Alex is
meant to go back into the past and die, along with Derrick, as far as he is
concerned. What use is that? It is nothing but a repeating loop.
Furthermore, does he tell Alex? Does he go up to her and tell her about
her destiny and fate as soon as she is old enough to comprehend? Probably,
yes, judging from the fact that Alex already knew Derrick's name as he
walked up to her in the future.
I would have to say that Glen wasn't able to make sense of these things
just from realizes who that woman who was with Derrick actually was. All
he knew was that in 15 years something will happen to Alex that shoves
her backwards in time. Once they find Derrick, it should have been clear as
day to Glen.
But then again, Glen repeatedly mentions to Derrick about how flexible they
were in regards to time, as if they were waiting for Derrick to come
for 15 years.
Glen already knows about the Pendulum Effect, he knows that Derrick must
travel back to a point in time just before the time he left, thus giving
him another chance at stopping Nexus. After the scientists find him, they
have roughly half a day to prepare before he is pulled back. In that time,
they hook Derrick up to the Memscan and have him relive his memories, which
has again, been destroyed. Glen either already has a pure T'langen
concentration waiting for Derrick, or he rapidly makes one. He prepares
a series of tapes for Derrick to listen to, for him to make sense of what
happened, as he has.
At this point, Glen knows exactly how the immediate future will play out.
Alex will go back with Derrick using the pendulum effect, thus fulfilling
her destiny, something that was already written out for her. Despite
how he warns Alex to not go back, he understands that it is an eventuality.
Her fate is to die for Derrick, and allow him to come to the future, as
far as he knows.
Another thing, Glen could have been lying to Derrick when he first met him.
Notice how Glen specifically calls Alex a "girl." I don't know about this,
but it seems strange to me. Alex could have dropped him a hint about the
events to come afterwards, and encouraged him to lie to Derrick. You
never know.
===Sub-Section 5.2d===
Derrick Cole-
Let's just do me a favor and skip the game summary for this man, shall we?
-Taken Directly from http://www.project-breakdown.com-
"Former U.S. Marine Derrick Cole was pulled from the brink of death
and subjected to top secret experimentation without his knowledge. Trapped in
a mysterious laboratory and unable to remember his past, he begins to
discover his extraordinary powers as he fights for survival against a
determined military faction and legion of seemingly invincible super-human
warriors!"
First off, Alpha Project Test Subjects were apparently tested without their
consent. Since Derrick's situation is not necessarily true for all of
the Test Subjects, we still don't have concrete information regarding this.
But, we do know that the American Military pulled at least one man into the
project without their willful consent. Interesting.
Second, what does it mean that he was pulled from the brink of death? Was
he fighting a war in Iraq? This could be plausible, considering the desert
hallucination we get in the middle of the science center. He could have
been nearly fatally wounded, pronounced dead, and sent to Terminus 4.
I found some of the hallucinations to be very interesting. I suppose
that giving Derrick too much character would conflict with the idea of
complete immersion on the part of the gamer, but I found that his static
nature eroded the plot in profound ways. Breakdown has some of the best
scripted moments ever conceived in videogame history, and yet, they
could have been so much more powerful if we knew a bit about this man
who is experiencing said events. The hallucinations, to me, seemed like
the only window we had into Derrick's past and personality.
================Section 5.3 - What Exactly Happened and Why===================
Due to the ambiguous nature of the game itself, I can't believe that there
is a concrete answer to a lot of the questions. But these are a collection
of possible scenarios that explain what exactly happened and why.
But, before I get into specific theories of what happened, you should
read up a bit on the current theories regarding Time Travel. In particular
the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle seems to have a gigantic hold on this
game's plot.
In a nutshell, the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle is anti-time-paradox
protection (at least the part that applies to this game). It states that
if time travel were ever possible, events would be restricted in order
to remain consistent with any changes that future events would hold on the
past.
Meaning, say that you meet your older self, who tells you that you are destined
to travel back in time to tell yourself something, in order for you to become
to person you are supposed to become. Then, your older self disappears,
leaving a permanent (but not necessarily noticeable) change in history. You
go through your life thinking about that encounter. You are scared to hell,
and don't WANT to mess with time, and don't WANT to go back in time in fear
that you will screw something up. You decide, that at the moment that you
are supposed to travel back in time, you will do whatever it is in your
power in order to avoid it.
Of course, NOT going back in time would create a paradox, you yourself
would be irrevocably changed by the fact that you didn't give yourself the
message, in which case, you would cease to exist.
The Novikov Self-Consistency Principle states that it is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE
for you to deviate from the path that led you into the past, in order to
give your younger self the message, whatever it was, since it already
happened. Even at the cost of EXTREMELY UNLIKELY events taking place,
you will return to the past, NO MATTER WHAT!
In other words, once time travel is introduced into the scenario, the
probablity of events that would lead to a paradox is zero percent.
Read it over. Or google it for a better explanation. This could be the
entire building block of the story. You must understand this for either
Theory 1 or Theory 2 to make any sense at all.
NOTE: I am currently only including the time aspects of the plot, I believe
the rest is sort of self-explanatory.
---The Current Thinking---
{+++} Theory 2 - Past Happens Before Future
The first theory approaches the timeline as if the entire thing is set off by
the presence of Derrick in Alex's timeline. This theory will take things as
if all in game events are set off by Alex's presence in Derrick's time.
By the way, as a side note, read Theory 1 before reading Theory 2, please.
These two share a lot of things with each other.
Very first thing that happens, Nexus activates, coinciding with a military
raid on the Carter Science Center and Terminus 4. At this point, Alex
materializes somewhere in the facility with one goal, to save Derrick. Notice
here, the difference between this theory and theory 1. Derrick going into the
future is not destiny. Rather, Alex coming into the past is destiny. It is
MEANT to happen. She is responsible for bringing Derrick into the future
and allowing him to power up.
Then, of course, the events of the game happen, and Derrick is propelled into
the future. He meets Alex and saves her from killing herself, just like it
was meant to play out. Like it or not, he still has little to no control
over the events that are happening around him, just like the poor soul I
described in the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle. He powers up, and is
shot back into the past with Alex. They separate, just like it was meant to
be.
Derrick defeats Solus and ends up in the helicopter with Alex. They conclude
that their actions have causes history to split into two different paths.
One is the original timeline where Derrick and Alex failed to stop Nexus, the
one that is already 15 years into the future and cannot be rewritten. This
timeline remains, alongside the new timeline that they have created.
The new timeline was exists because of Derrick's return to it as a changed
person and NOT because of Alex coming to Derrick's timeline. Why?
Because Derrick returning to his own world is the only time where it
fulfills the conditions to create an alternate universe, which is returning
to your past from the future as a returner.
Here's the nice thing about Theory #2. It's uncomplicated. There is no
"natural" timeline, where time travel is non-existent. There is simply one
flowing timeline (up until the very end) where Alex was already aware and meant
to come back and save Derrick. Which sets off a chain of events that has
Derrick going into the future and then back again, taking Alex with him.
Everything happens exactly once as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Again
see Novikov Self-Consistency Principle.
Remember, the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle would dictate, that
since Alex appearing into the past is already written, everything that
Derrick is there to do is to propel Alex into the past, no matter what.
No matter how hard or impossible the odds, Derrick must survive the
ordeal until he can meet up with Alex in the future and cause her
the events that led up to her appearing in the past. It is a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
The only point in which Derrick has nothing propelling him to do
anything is after he materializes back in Site Zero as super Derrick.
It actually makes a bit of sense. Really, play through the game again
and watch just how many times Derrick gets lucky breaks through the
first 3/4ths of the game.
Everything that happens after that is due to his strength and that
alone. The prophecy of him returning to the past because of Alex
has been fulfilled, he just has to take it from there.
This theory is simple in it's structure, as long as you assume the
Novikov Self-Consistency Principle is true. Basically, there
are only two timelines, (unlike the other theory). Timeline 1 is the
game as it progressed before Derrick gets shot into the future, he
fails to stop Nexus and the T'lan launch all over the world. Timeline 2
is the branch that occurred when Derrick traveled back to his past to
"rewrite" history. They run alongside each other as parallel universes.
There is only one problem with this theory. The Novikov Self-Consistency
Principle assumes that there are no parallel universes. The entire point
of the theory is to prove that Time-Paradoxes are impossible and do it
without resorting to the infinite parallel universe theory.
Of course, there is no direct contradiction within the usage of the
theory to this plot. Meaning, there was only one timeline that needed
the use of the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle, the other timeline
was a result of the events that happened because of its usage. The
only thing that goes against the Principle itself is the existence of
the second timeline. The Principle held true in the first timeline,
which was why Alex came back to save Derrick before he actually did
it. More clearly, the existence of the second timeline does not
cause a paradox.
---The Past (unlikely) theories.---
{+++} Theory 1- Destiny (Future happens before Past)
In order to add clarity to this particular theory (which I no longer truly
believe anymore)
I have attempted to rewrite it several times. Each time, I end up with a
longer, more convoluted "explanation" than before, almost to the point where
not even I could understand the original intention of writing. But,
unfortuantly, you must still read this in order for theory 2 to make much
sense, so do it anyways.
The setting of the game is the Carter Science Center, and Nexus has just
activated. Derrick is lying paralyzed in his lab room when three soldiers
come in and identify him as a hostile target and shoot him. Having no one
to rely on, the military fails at its attempt to stop Nexus and the T'lan
spread out over the next 15 years, creating a desolate timeline.
(Timeline No. 1)
However, something happened here, something that according to "destiny"
was not supposed to happen. Derrick was not meant to die against the
soldiers, he was destined to come into the future and meet Alex, in order
to get her to save him from his horrible defenseless death. This is not
the natural course of events, but the way things are supposed to work out
according to "destiny".
At this point, recognize this: The first timeline is incorrect, according
to destiny and must be replaced. The overriding timeline is the one where
Alex comes into the past to save Derrick, and runs around and into Site
Zero with him, ending in her death, and his ticket to the future.
(Timeline No.2) Unfortunately, this timeline can't happen without
Derrick going into the future first, as if at the second Derrick was
killed, history rewrote itself a new direction, but it can't actually
implement this new history until Derrick goes into the future to get
Alex to save him in the past.
It resolves this by allowing Derrick to go into the future anyway inexplicably
in order to set off the second timeline. At this point, Timeline No. 2 has
already been written, it runs alongside Timeline No. 1, and is ready to
replace the original timeline. In a sense, Timeline No.2 and Timeline
No.1 are separate at this point, both have happened, but soon the first
timeline will be replaced.
At the moment when Alex and Derrick go into the pendulum effect together
and travel back in time is where the Timelines switch again. Timeline
No.2 replaces Timeline No.1, so in essence, the natural timeline has
been erased. Also, Timeline No.2 is on a set path absolutely nothing
about it can be changed. Alex is destined to die in that Timeline.
Derrick materializes in Site Zero in his super form, and knows what he
must do. However, when he materializes in Site Zero in this form, the
fact that he is returning to the past as a changed person creates a third
timeline. This is the completion of the game timeline. (Timeline No.3)
Alright, lets recap. Timeline one is irrelevant now, gone, replaced
by the absolute destiny that is Timeline No.2. The successful completion
of Timeline No.2 (which has already happened) has also caused the
existence of Timeline No.3, where Derrick goes on to save the world and Alex.
At the conclusion of the game, the two come to the realization that
history did split into two different paths and Derrick makes a choice.
To clarify, before Derrick makes any choice to stay or to go back to
the future with Alex,
Timeline No. 2's existence has caused the existence of Timeline No.3.
The only reason why Derrick was able to go into the future in the first
place was set of events that technically did not happen yet as a genuine
"real" timeline that was destiny. Do you get me? He was able to go
into the future before the events that propelled him to be there actually
happened in a "valid" timeline purely because it was destiny that he
do so. Once he travels back in time with Alex, the events that lead
him into the future actually physically take place. See Novikov
Self-Consistency Principle. Something in the future already happened
because it was already triggered by events in the past that have not
happened yet. Also, before me makes any choice, now that although
the existence of Timeline No.2 caused the existence of Timeline No.
3, the intended effect of CHANGING Timeline No. 2 did not occur
(yet). Alex's future is still broken and desolate.
If Derrick chooses to go back with Alex, then the story comes full
circle. Note that this is different from the Novikov Self-Consistency
Principle. That idea lost all hold on these people at the time when
Derrick materialized in Site Zero as Super Derrick.
Note the problems with this theory that prevent it from becoming
valid (in my opinion). 1. It stretches the meaning and purpose of
the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle. That principle is there
specifically to disprove the idea that Time Paradoxes can happen, and
the overall point of this theory was to prove that there was never a
Time Paradox to begin with. The presence of Timeline No.1 seems to
over complicate the plot (which is addressed in Theory No.2). Originally
this was intended to explain the plot as disprove the paradox WITHOUT
the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle.
2) The ending is way too ambiguous as the future events
(see Alex's char analysis).
In any case, read Theory 2.
{+++} Theory 3 - This Game is Crap
Easy one. Yay.
Breakdown is a frickin budget game. No frickin way is this frickin POS anywhere
near as complicated as frickin elitists make it out to be. This is the
frickin problem with all the frickin people who read frickin books and such.
95% percent of all frickin books have no meaning at all, or no intention in
their frickin writing. The frickin @%#@$^ who think they are frickin better
than all us other frickin people ascribe a non existance "meaning" to the
story that just isn't fricken there.
You know what this game is about? It's about an amnesiac (yeah, way to go for
originality Namco) who wakes up in Generic Laboratory #12515134 and is
rescued by a sexy futuristic ninja woman (such innovation here!). They
run around like idiots randomly opening doors to reach another $%!%!hole
named Glen. Then they run around some more, and it becomes apparent that
the main character is on crack and repeatedly taking trips "out there."
Then that ninja woman dies, and we find out that the main character is
a parody of Keanu Reeve's acting quality (uncoincidentally being the
deepest part of this pretentious plot). Then, we go into the future
and find out that it's even more of a Matrix parody, being that nothing
was real.
Then that idiot goes back to save ninja woman and defeat Sephiroth clone
#4242345614353245, saving the world (o man, its like they invented
another genre). Then both of them re-enact that last scene from Halo
and furiously drive a jeep that just MAGICALLY appears out of nowhere,
jumping onto a heli at the end.
This game's plot is complete and utter pretentious crap.
You do not know how much better I feel after writing that.
Which one do I believe?
I don't really know anymore. At the beginning, when this guide was supposed
to be a quick one week project, I was utterly convinced that Theory 1 was true.
But now, looking back on it, Theory 1 is a long mess of rationalizations
and over complications. Theory 2 is a lot simpler and well-defined.
Theory 3 is there just to vent my rage.
In the end, it would come down to either Theory 2 or 1. Both follow the
same basic premise, that is built up on the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle,
so maybe they are not so different at all.
If anyone can understand whatever the hell I actually wrote for Theory 1, then
please send an explanation to me. ;) In any case, Theory 2 would probably
be the way to go. It's simple and well defined, and actually isn't too
different from Theory 1, except in the lack of a natural timeline (where
Time Travel does not exist and Derrick is lying in his bed and defenseless
against the soldiers who came to shoot him). It's just a lot
shorter in writing only because I'm to lazy to rewrite all the stuff
I had to write for Theory 1, that also applies to Theory 2.
But then again, listening to Dir en Grey while typing this makes me love
theory 3. In the end, if the writers of Breakdown's story ever read this,
it may very well turn out that Theory 3 is correct. Connecting dots that
just aren't there...
As a redundant and implied note... feel more than free to disagree with me. If
you even have a suspicion that I am wrong, which is more than probable, and you
want to show your stuff on this guide, then email me at
ethereal.soldier@yahoo.com.
================Section 5.4 - Other Plots=====================================
---Time travel and it's consequences.
Consider the grandfather paradox. You travel back in time and kill your own
grandfather before he met your grandmother, thus stopping one of your parents
from being born, thus stopping your own birth. What happens? You killed your
own grandfather. But, in doing so, you stopped your own birth, and in doing
so you were never born. Thus, you couldn't have killed your own grandfather.
Meaning, your grandfather is still alive, meaning, you do exist, meaning that
your grandfather is dead, meaning that you don't exist, meaning that... etc.
Notice the problem here?
How can this be solved?
Well, you got me, I don't really know, and neither does anyone else in this
world short of God. From here, we are dealing with pure speculation...
I suppose one way out of it is through the existence of parallel universes,
as if each time someone were to move through time at a faster rate than
normal, another reality is created. Of course, you can stretch this to
mean that every time someone makes a choice between anything, you create two
branching realities, with each reality stemming from the different choices
of the situation.
And then, we come to the types of loops that can happen.
Supposedly, there are two types of time loops. A closed time loop,
and an open time loop. A closed time loop is like a circle, with no real
starting point or ending point, it is merely as series of events that
move back onto itself, with the end sequence triggering the beginning
sequence, and the beginning sequence leading to the end sequence, and so
forth and so on. A closed time loop has no way out.
An open time loop is similar, but it offers a way out of the eternal
repeating sequence. It would be as if an ending sequence were to
cause an opening sequence, and the opening sequence eventually leads to
the end sequence, but then since that event happening only triggers a
past event that already happened, life goes onwards. Think of it
as guaranteed pre-destination or a self fulfilling prophecy.
Think of the differences between an open and closed time loop as if it
were a perfect round circle, as opposed to a single line that curves
upwards and moves back onto itself, crossing itself at the lowest point
of the loop, and then going onwards.
---Time Travel and its Validity.
Technically, we are all traveling in time now, toward the future. Going into
the past, is a scary prospect non the less. Even if the Novikov Self-Consistency
Principle holds true, any attempt at time traveling into the past is
unperceptably scary.
In the past, many scientists have put forth theories on how exactly to "time
travel." In my eyes, most of
it is extremely impractical.
The Online Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org lists the current
variations and theories regarding time travel.
Specifically, check out the varying theories regarding the nature of
time itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Return
The above article lists the concept of Eternal Recurrence.
The below rant goes on the unproven assumption that
the ending of the game causes a never ending closed loop.
Here's something interesting about the ending of the game. Remember
the paradox situation? Hypothetically, it's possible that if Derrick
goes back to save Alex's world, he dooms himself to a sequence of
looping events. Each time he saves Alex's world, he loops back
to a point in his timeline where he must re-do events. This is a heavy
weight on Derrick.
However, it would fit nicely with some interpretations of Eternal
Recurrence. Imagine time as a finite entity, that all things are meant
to fold back and begin all over again. Considering this concept to be
frightening and the heaviest of all burdens to bear. At the same time,
this concept was treated as the ultimate guarantee of the continued existence
of life. Something unbearable as being trapped in this never-ending sequence
of events is what keeps life sustained forever.
Apply this concept to Derrick's (hypothetical) situation. Imagine him
as the sole bearer of life's continuance. It is through his actions, by
going and "saving" Alex's world that he allows all life to continue forever,
as he folds back time to loop back onto itself forever by doing so. His
actions are what traps us, and ultimately, what "saves" us.
Why is this viable? It fits into the overall theme of the game.
Derrick is an amnesiac "human" who is wanted dead by all sides on the
chessboard. Through their actions, the few allies that he gains all
wind up dead. However, he is given a second chance to redeem himself
and save his allies. His transformation from an essentially dead man
walking to a powerful entity capable of empathy for humans is the
prevailing theme of this story. To be trapped in a never-ending cycle
in which it is only through his love and empathy of life that preserves
all existence is the ultimate sacrifice of self, and the ultimate love
of existence.
There are the only flimsiest of "evidence" that supports this theory on
the ending.
- The image of a dragon eating its own tail, thus forming a loop, was
the symbol of the concept of Eternal Recurrence during the middle ages.
When the military is about to drop the nuclear bomb on Site Zero, name
of the plane to do the deed is "Dragon one-two."
- The scarab beetle symbolized the concept of Eternal Recurrence
in Ancient Egypt. Note that one of the enemies that Derrick faces
throughout the game is those beetle things that jump and explode at
him.
- Remember the hallucination that Derrick has at the Nexus research
facility, where he continually loops in order to get to a certain point?
That scene could possess a double-meaning. Aside from the obvious
foreshadowing, it also symbolize Derrick's future fate, to repeat in
order to preserve all life.
In any case, this is just musing on my part. I like connecting dots
that aren't on the same page.
To quote a good man, "Looking up too much makes you lose perspective."
---Competing Notions of Hope
One of the recurring themes of this story is hope. In fact, the one
that strikes us most profoundly is Aristotle's quote, "Hope... is a
waking dream." I am not entirely sure of this quotes origin, but I have
heard that it was Aristotle's dismissive attitude when once asked to
define the word, but that may be legend.
And then we have the story of Pandora's box. Here's the strange thing,
I have heard two different versions of this Greek myth. They both start
the same, with same back story about Pandora's Box being a punishment on
humans for receiving the gift of fire from Prometheus. The Gods
created a being named Pandora, with each prominent God giving her a gift.
Most interestingly, Zeus gave her curiosity, and Hephesteaus have her
a golden box... along with instructions to never open the box. Of course,
curiosity, the gift from Zeus, gets the better of Pandora and she opens
the damn box.
Here is where the stories that I have heard diverge from each other.
In one version, which seems the most common, everything negative that
besets man today were released from inside the box. Plague, pain, death,
jealousy, animosity, hate, etc. Pandora, in a brilliant stroke of
genius, shuts the box just in time to trap one thing inside. Hope.
For a time, the world remained a bleak place of suffering and death with
no hope for a better future. Then Pandora, again with curiosity getting
the better of her, opens the box again and lets hope out.
In the other version, retold in the book "The Greek Gods" (by Brenard
Evslin, Dorothy Evslin, and Ned Hoopes, copyright 1966 by Scholastic
Inc.), Pandora opens the box and out comes all the negatives that will
plague man forever. Hate, envy, death, pain, etc. However, Pandora shuts
the box before the final beast could escape, nearly killing herself.
What was this beast? It was the ultimate despair that, if let loose,
would have informed every man on earth exactly what trials they would
face every single day for all their lives, and tell them of all the
failures they were destined to live through every morning. The thing
at the bottom of the box, the only thing kept in, was the destroyer of
all hope. If it had been released, then men would have fallen, and
eventually ceased to exist. Why? Because humans at their core are
natural optimists. The only reason they work toward something is
in hopes that their lot will be better tomorrow than it is today.
To deprive all humans of any hope at a better tomorrow is to deprive
us of our incentive to live.
I don't know why such a discrepancy exists, to be honest. If anyone
knows, then please e-mail me!
In any case, I'm going to assume that the first version is the
correct one. But I am not completely sure.
This story is probably a re-telling of the ancient legend. There are
many obvious parallels (Site Zero- Pandora's Box, Derrick- Hope), but
where does Aristotle's quote fit in?
Hope is a waking dream.
What is a waking dream?
What is a dream?
What does it matter?
I interpret the quote (and could be wrong) to mean that hope is a
quickly fleeting thing, that forces us to reach beyond to touch what
is not really there. As if we where dreaming of something while awake.
So, how is Derrick the hope, in that case?
Derrick is a waking dream?
The quote was written on the cover shell of the Memscan device,
and it was probably written by Stefania Wojinski.
It was not meant to be about the apocalypse of the T'lan...
And the T'lan symbolize the evils that escaped from the box. They are
the manifestations of all horrors that plague man, just like the legend.
They were defeated by hope...
In the end, the entire theme of the story is the strength of having
hope, it is that which makes us human. To be able to look to the future and
believe that what you live through today would be in promise of a better
tomorrow is our complete incentive for living.
---Significance of Memory
It's interesting to think of how much the scientists thought of memory when
trying to "revive" Derrick.
As Derrick awoke from the T'langen experiments performed on him the first
time, there was no way to help him recover his lost memories, nor did there
seem to be a will to do so. Derrick was such a blank slate at that point, he
could not even remember his own name, a victim of complete and total amnesia.
The irony is, that the first half of the game as we experience it is the
solution to that mistake of denying him memories.
So, just how important are memories?
I would think... that memories are what we base our hopes for the future.
Without memories, we have nothing to hope for, no purpose in goals.
Without memory, we are not really alive.
The two seem to be interconnected within the context of the plot. The
regaining of memory is what allows us hope. Note the words on the Memscan,
"Hope is a waking dream."
It is no coincidence that when Derrick loops back to the incident at the
Caretaker mummy that Solus asks him, "Feel you the same?"
With his memories, and his hope, Derrick's answer is simple.
---Paradox, Plot Hole, or None of the Above??
Consider this.
1) Derrick can't come into the future to get Alex to save him, without Alex
saving him in the first place.
2) Alex can't have any mechanism for coming into the past without Derrick
appearing in the future first.
What is this?
More importantly, does is conflict to a degree in which this game could have
never happened, thus becoming just another plot hole?
I have put forth 3 theories regarding this, but the answer
may still be different.
Is this a paradox? Apparently, the general consensus among scientists
today is that time travel, even backwards time travel, CAN'T cause a paradox,
like those you see in Sci-Fi flicks.
It is closer to a self-fulfilling prophecy that closes on itself after
one run. Hence, I call it destiny.
---The Caretaker
I really have to wonder what the significance of the caretaker is. It's a
mummified corpse of the biggest T'lan creature we see. Clipboards in Site
Zero and Terminus 4 reveal that the creature's limbs where somewhat similar
in structure to a human's, and that the makeup of the fingers suggest that
it was not suited for combat. It hypothesizes that the creature may have
been a "caretaker" of Site Zero.
Unfortunately, the rest seems to be speculation... The game does not even
elaborate on what exactly the creature was taking care of.
Here's something interesting...
All T'lan beings disintegrate after being sufficiently damaged... but the
caretaker's body was "mummified." It did not disappear, it remained.
At the same time, it possesses a T'langen shield.
From here on, all we can do is make wild leaps of logic and speculate.
All right, assuming that you aren't disgusted by my rampant deviations
from in-game evidence, lets speculate a little on the origin of this being.
Its probably NOT a T'lan. It it seems to have taken care of the T'lan. It
was flesh and bone, similar to human in structure, apart from size.
If Site Zero's original intent was to decimate life on earth and make it
susceptible to being conquered, then it could make a bit of sense. Remember,
apart from size, this thing was unsuitable for combat. Maybe an entire race
of these beings are what created Site Zero in the first place. They created
the T'lan, artificial beings manufactured by them to soften up earth and
open it up to invasion.
Then, they shoot it down to earth, where either by accident or intent, it
lays dormant for millions of years. In that time, the structure
develops itself, and waits.
Perhaps if there was ever a plot sequel to Breakdown, we could confront
such a being...
---Perspective On Plot
To be completely honest, Breakdown's plot is nothing spectacular. It's just
somewhat confusing. It's HIGHLY unoriginal, and falls straight into the
mold of most Sci-Fi stories out there. (The strong woman, the repenting
scientist, the military, the evil mindless enemy.)
I think that Gamespot's take on the plot was very correct.
================Section 5.5 - Unanswered Questions============================
1) I may have missed something about this within the game, but I always did
think it was strange that Site Zero apparently dropped human-shaped creatures
on Earth 400 million years prior, when vaguely human shaped creatures have only
inhabited the Earth for around ~100 thousand years. The clipboard about the
fern plants does not apply to this.
2) I have to wonder, exactly how long does it take for the Accelerator to be
purified? Does a completely pure solution take 15 years to make? If not, then
why o why didn't the scientists bother giving the Beta Project test subjects
further acceleration? Was it hopeless then? Did the nuclear missile
contaminate things to the point where no man could walk into Site Zero anymore?
Or, did the method of gradually introducing T'langen into the Beta Project
Test Subjects render them immune to further accelerations?
3) So... where exactly did the scientists find Derrick? For that matter,
where does the pendulum effect drop off people who are outside of their
world?
4) What the original purpose of Site Zero? For that matter, what the hell
was Solus doing?
================Section 6.0 - Random==========================================
- Hell candy must taste DAMN GOOD! Derrick just shovels those things down,
even when they magically appear in that white pit of hell that is Site Zero.
- Hmmmm, I may have imagined this, but just a little while ago, I was passing
a room with a dead body and a ration, at full health. So, I ignore it and
decided to note it's location if I should need it later. I'm picking up a
Sub-Machine gun clip, and I suddenly hear crunching noises. When I looked,
the ration was gone, and Alex had her hand at her mouth...
- There is an unusually well rendered Xbox and some games lying around in a
room in the Carter Science Center. No wonder the T'lan broke loose...
- Goddamn scientists! They gave up on all the Alpha Project Test Subjects
before they were dead! Look at the cemetery that Glen is overlooking when
you first meet him. There are ten graves, one for each test subject. The
tenth is empty btw.
- Am I the only one who burst out laughing when Alex didn't make the jump
jump across the bridge? I'm sorry... but that was so... anti-climactic.
- Was Breakdown a budget game? It doesn't LOOK like one, but it's priced
at one. I read somewhere (and I could be wrong) that this was the single
worst selling game Namco released in 2004.
================Section 7.0 - Thanks==========================================
This guide would not be possible without all the people whom I've learned so
much about the game from.
However, I did not use any other guide to create the combo
lists, nor the clipboards or the Terminus 4 tapes. That was all done on my
experiments, and I still have the paper loose leaf documentation to prove it.
The story elements are similar to what you see written all over the Breakdown
message boards, and I will admit to having that help me articulate into
words the various theories concerning the plot.
Needless to say, I credit the following:
- The INSANELY good Breakdown walkthrough by PRevolution on GameFAQs.
- All the people on the GameFAQs Breakdown message board. I would have never
written this at all if it weren't for them.
- The theories on time travel listed on Wikipedia. I tried to use them
to get a better rudimentary understanding of the logic of time travel.
- Namco for having the drive to create such an innovative game.
- Teachers.
