The Sumeru writing really shows how much the Inazuma writing dropped the ball with Kokomi
In the Inazuma quest, we are told Kokomi is a master strategist even before meeting her. And after meeting her, we are still continuously told she's a great strategist...
...but they tell, not show.
I cannot think of any instance in Inazuma quest where Kokomi did something that made me understand why she got the title if great strategist. Her contributions during the quest are telling us securing food is a priority for the army. Which, no shit, that's army survival 101 and not a show of superior strategic knowledge. Her other contribution is... hiring mercenaries to help out in a pinch. Which is also something basic. Even the fact that the resistance managed to reach Raiden's place as we were leaving turned out to be thanks to Ayato and not any actual planning by Kokomi.
Meanwhile...Sumeru. Sumeru shows us great strategizing.
Alhaitham is introduced as a high ranking scribe. We are not told he is a genius strategist. On the contrary, the narrative tries to make him look suspicious until the very last second. Yet this scribe is shown to come up with great and complex strategies. He builds on the knowledge he has, considers each characters unique strengths and creates a complex and intelligent plan to counterattack the overwhelming odds.
They wrote Alhaitham doing what Kokomi should have done, since she is the one we were told to be the master strategist.
Heck, the disappointment goes beyond the Archon Quest. Even her character quest did not improve this. Most of it was how she's so caring and diligent yet overworked, without again showcasing any brilliant strategies. At the end if it we are taken to witness Kokomi on the peace treaty... except there's no real tension for the player. The other side is being represented by Sara, a character we know is on our side and also wishes for peace. So again there's no real showing of Kokomi using her intelligence.
Meanwhile Nilou's quest has more strategy than Kokomi. And Nilou is not touted as that sort of character. Yet her quest also has her needing to go negotiate, and has her needing to think up intelligent arguments and plans. And for Nilou there is more tension: though the other party extended an olive branch by agreeing to the debate, it's clear he still needs to be convinced to agree to allow the theater to exist. Sara never needed to be convinced of letting the rebels go.
All in all, it's a shame what they did to Kokomi. After telling us again and again that she was a great strategist they couldn't even show us one instance of it, and Sumeru writing then shows us what actual intelligent strategizing would be.
vaporwave
kianamaiart
tangentwithtanner
pixelskylines
stormborns
janainaart
areudirty
