Mary Skelter: Finale

PC (Steam)

October 1, 2021 EU

September 12, 2023 EU (PC-Steam)

***Mary Skelter Finale*** (神獄塔 メアリスケルターFinale, *Kami Gokutō Mearisukerutā Finale*) is a dungeon-crawling role-playing video game developed by Compile Heart for the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4. It is a continuation of the True Ending of *Mary Skelter: Nightmares* after the completion of *Mary Skelter 2.*

*Mary Skelter: Finale* includes a “Before Story” that features the stories of both *Mary Skelter: Nightmares* and *Mary Skelter 2*. Even if you have not played previous entries in the *Mary Skelter* series, you will be able to enjoy the series in full. You will also be able to play *Love Prison Tower Mary Skelter*, which was included as a pre-order bonus with *Mary Skelter 2*. In total, you can enjoy three different adventures in addition to the main game. Though not mentioned in promotional material, the game also gives access to *Love Prison Tower Mary Skelter: True End* and as such actually gives access to five different adventures.

While it was originally planned to be released on August 27, 2020, it was delayed until October 8, 2020 and then again to November 5, 2020, likely due to reasons related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The English website was launched on March 4th, with a predicted release of Fall 2021.

## Plot

The Blood Maidens and Jack are separated after the ending by Massacre Pink, splitting into a few groups: the Jack group (Jack, Otsuu, Little Mermaid, Miko, Mamoru, Hikari, and Michiru), the Mary group (Mary, Charlotte, Alice, Chiaki, and Gatou), the Clara group (Clara, Gretel, Hameln, Sukui, and Kaede), the Toh group (Toh, Snow White, Kaguya, Jabberwock, Towa, and Haru), the Red Riding Hood group (Red Riding Hood, Thumbelina, Cinderella, and Kunai), and the Pyre group (Pyre, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Takumi, and Itsuki).

Jack and Mary's groups, Clara and Pyre's groups, and Toh and Red Riding Hood's groups merge together shortly afterwards with most of the game moving forward with said three groups.

## Gameplay

*Mary Skelter: Finale* holds the same basic gameplay that defined *Mary Skelter: Nightmares* and *Mary Skelter 2*. Dungeon-crawling and the timing of dungeon features works on a turn-based system similar to the likes of Etrian Odyssey. Blood Maidens have special field abilities used to solve puzzles and navigate dungeons. By attacking the weaknesses of enemies and/or overkilling them, the player could accumulate Blood, allowing Blood Maidens to access the powerful Massacre or Blood Skelter states depending on their Corruption. Nightmares make a return as an unkillable boss requiring quick thinking to escape rather than by brute-forcing the solution.

### Commissions Guide

Commissions are, just like in the previous games, fetch quests that the player can accept and upon completion, will be rewarded with gold, items and/or blood crystals. Each group have their own set of missions, that they can get access to through the commissions at their main base. This guide; Commissions Guide (MSF) serves to help with item locations, Marchen whereabouts and helping you see what items you should keep for future use, as new commissions unlock every chapter.

### New Features

* **Zapping System**: The zapping system allows the player to switch between the groups in real-time, allowing them to play whichever group whenever they want. Items can be given to different groups through special dustboxes. Some groups will reach a dead-end in which a different group will have to interact with the environment to pave the way forward.
* **Before Story System:** Allows the player to view story scenes and events along with the "Bonus" option, featuring the "Gallery," "Music," and "Character" menus, from the previous games.
* **Insectmare System:** An eerie existence that sticks to Blood Maidens. It causes certain skills and commands to become unavailable, such as being unable to attack, use skills or even escape battle. However, it can be repelled with blood packs and that in turn can generate blood for Massacre Mode. Leaving it untreated can cause more commands to become unavailable.

## Support Campaign

Compile Heart put out a support/preorder campaign, promising rewards to players depending on how far the “Jailbreak Distance” goes. It started on March 28, 2020, and ended July 31, 2020. The ultimate goal is 384,000 km, although how each kilometer is measured has not been disclosed. One can contribute by either tweeting "#メアリスケルター応援" on Twitter (only counted once per day, no bots) or preordering the game, but as preorders are exclusively Japanese as of now, it is mostly relegated to Japanese consumers. It was originally going to end on June 30, 2020, but it was extended due to the delay of the game.

It reached 42,285 km from March 31st to April 6th, 69,045 km from April 7th to the 14th, 91,200 km from April 15th to the 22nd, 151,855km from April 23rd to the 30th, 173,150 km from May 1st to the 8th, 190,190 km from May 9th to the 16th, 205,525 km from May 17th to 24th, 218,905 km from May 25th to June 1st, 249,360 km from June 2nd to the 8th, 267,290 km from June 3rd to the 10th, 291,210 km from June 11th to the 18th, 308,345 km from June 19th to the 26th, 329,540 km from June 27th to July 4th, 340,220 km from July 5th to the 12th, 357,570 km from July 13th to the 20th, and 380,305 km from July 21st to the 28th, and 395,235 km from July 28th to the 31st.

The goal of 384,000 km was met and exceeded by the end of the support campaign, so all benefits were achieved.

The rewards are as follows:

* 10,000 km – Consumable Items (x3)
* 50,000 km – Early-Game Advantage Equipment (x5)
* 100,000 km – *Mary Skelter: Nightmares* Special Job Costume Set 1 Added
* 135,000 km – *Mary Skelter: Nightmares* Special Job Costume Set 2 Added
* 170,000 km – Purged Portrait Illustrations Added to the Gallery
* 210,000 km – *Mary Skelter 2* Special Job Costume Set 1 Added
* 245,000 km – *Mary Skelter 2* Special Job Costume Set 2 Added
* 280,000 km – Staff Voice Commentary Added
* 315,000 km – *Death end re;Quest 2* Collaboration Costumes Unlocked
* 350,000 km – Cast Voice Commentary Added
* 384,000 km – *Love Prison Tower Mary Skelter: True End*: Adds Ending(s) That Let You Go All the Way with Each Character

## Gallery

*Finale* pre-release concept art*Finale* pre-release concept artThe six protagonists: Jack, Mary, Toh, Red Riding Hood, Clara, and PyreCharlotte in battleCharlotte in battleCharlotte licking AliceMary's group interacting with a switch, allowing Clara's group to move forwardA NightmareThe Insectmare (Known as Babymare in Japan)Massacre Mode (Alice)Blood Skelter (Red Riding Hood)
## External Links

* Japanese Website: https://www.compileheart.com/mary-skelter/finale/
* English Website: http://ideafintl.com/mary-skelter-finale/home.php

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/mary-skelter-finale-teaser-trailer-first-details-and-screenshots