by ad518 » Thu Aug 15, 2013 4:25 pm
Having some free time right now, so I thought I would try to tackle this question. There is really no easy or definite answers.
Music:
I like music in mm5 better, which is not to say that it is not good in LF at all. Music in LF is very FITTING. It is just very beautiful in mm5, which is also very fitting.
Art work:
MM5. Gorgeous!
Plots and story lines:
I think LF wins this round. It feels like the plots are ... well... deeper and more extensive in LF. It feels somewhat more linear with mm5. First of all, I suspect side quests might have some influence on that. They seem to be of completely different nature. The whole scheme FEELS like with more twist and turns, as well as surprises, in LF. The intensity and the "magnitude" of their missions are also very different. To be frank, the difference is not very tangible. It is just how they feel like. For instance: Random rallied heroes all over to fight against evil vs friends trying to support Marine's dream. I am probably exaggerating a little trying to give an example here. But there seems to be the general lack of consensus and unity in Marine's team. Half of the members were not really there because they wanted to save the people in Myst. They were there to "support Marine" or they owed Marine favors. Plus the plot is very narrowly focused on Marine. It FEELS like it was all about getting what Marine wants (probably the feeling is exaggerated somewhat here). This feeling is the strongest when I got to the part when Marine tried to recruit Bokden, where she trusted the feeling of the warmth of Bokden's hand than all her friends' opinions. I am not saying that she shouldn't trust her own instincts (Right or wrong is irrelevant here). But it made others look like idiots and feel like dispensable or easily replaceable. On the other hand, together, Random's team is a strong and united force. Individually, each one has pretty strong presence as well. Random is a powerful character. But he never overshadowed others so much that others couldn't stand out on their own. Random does NOT work miracles. He relies a lot on his teammates, and everyone of his teammate has something unique to offer. On top of this, they were there to defeat evil, not just to support Random (except for Sarah perhaps), even if some of them were recruited through friendship initially.
OK, sorry for going on an on. Like I said, the differences are not all that tangible. There is no easy way to describe it. Don't take it so literally. The point is, the whole atmosphere makes LF more... well... gripping.
Characters:
Both have their merits. Characters are funnier and more lovable in MM5. They are more "human", which I like. On the other hand, they feel like kind of "light weight" compared to those in LF. Probably just because most of them are not as "professional" in fighting. Characters are more "intense" in LF and, as I said earlier, they are have stronger presence. (off topic, I am probably one of the very few people who strongly dislike Sarah. JUST. CAN"T. STAND. HER.)
No sure what other aspects I have missed. Overall, I think I like LF better.