Arknights Endfield Story: Timeline & Lore Explained
Alright, so you've heard of Arknights, right? That super cool gacha game with the anime waifus and husbands and the very complicated lore? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because its prequel, Arknights: Endfield, is dropping soon, and it's promising to be even more lore-tastic.
Think of it like this: Arknights is the messy, epic finale of a long-running sci-fi opera. Endfield? That's the origin story. The juicy bits from before everything went completely bonkers. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good origin story? Especially when it involves space and giant robots and people who can, you know, do stuff.
So, what's the deal? Why should you even care about some dusty old timeline? Because, my friend, it’s where all the cool kids got their powers. It’s where the grumpy old men made their questionable decisions. It’s where the seeds of disaster were sown, like little evil popcorn kernels.
The Big Picture: A Galaxy Far, Far Away (But Not Really)
Okay, imagine a universe that’s super old. Like, older than your grandma’s knitting patterns. This is the universe of Arknights and, by extension, Endfield. It’s filled with planets, stars, and a whole lot of stuff happening.
Endfield specifically takes place on a planet called Talos II. Now, Talos II isn't exactly your postcard-perfect vacation spot. It's a bit... rugged. Think of a world that's seen better days. Like, a lot better days. It's got a serious case of the post-apocalyptic blues, but with more crystals and less Mad Max.
The big players in this universe are these guys called Originium. Sounds fancy, right? Well, it's basically a super-powered, glowing mineral. It's the ultimate MacGuffin. It gives people cool abilities, makes their hair glow, and also, you know, kills them slowly. Classic sci-fi trope, am I right? Makes for great drama!
Originium: Friend or Foe? (Spoiler: It's Complicated)
This is where it gets interesting. Originium is like that friend who’s super fun to hang out with but also has a nasty habit of burning down your house. It grants people amazing powers, turning them into what we call Arts Users. They can shoot lasers, control elements, do all sorts of neat tricks.
But! And it's a big ol' 'but'! Exposure to Originium also causes a disease called Oripathy. This is the big bad of the Arknights universe. It slowly turns people into stone, like a really, really grim Medusa. It’s the source of a lot of the suffering and conflict.
So, in Endfield, you're going to see a lot of Originium. It's everywhere. It’s the reason Talos II is so, well, talos-y. It’s the engine driving their technology and their problems.
Enter: The Endfield Mobile!
Now, what are you actually doing in Endfield? You're playing as a "Doctor." Sound familiar? Yep, it's the same role as in the original Arknights. You're the brainy one, the strategist, the one who makes sure everyone doesn't accidentally blow themselves up.
But this Doctor is different. They’re not on Terra, the main planet from Arknights. They’re on Talos II. And they’ve woken up with amnesia. Classic! You’re basically a blank slate, trying to figure out what the heck is going on, just like the player. It’s a great way to introduce you to the world without overwhelming you.
Your job? To lead the Endfield Mobile. This isn't a fancy car, by the way. It's more like a... mobile fortress? A giant, walking research facility? Think of it as your base of operations, your trusty steed as you explore this weird new planet.
Your Crew: The Quirky Bunch
And who’s on your team? A bunch of lovable misfits, of course! You’ve got your grizzled veterans, your wide-eyed optimists, and probably a few characters who look suspiciously like they belong in a fantasy novel. They're all trying to survive on Talos II, dealing with its harsh environment and the ever-present threat of... well, everything.
You’ll meet people with their own reasons for being there, their own secrets, and their own unique quirks. Maybe there’s a chef who can only cook with Originium-infused ingredients. Or a historian who believes the planet is actually a giant space potato. You know, the usual.
The Timeline Shenanigans: When Did All This Happen?
This is where it gets a little fuzzy, and that’s part of the fun! Endfield is set before the events of Arknights. We’re talking centuries, maybe even millennia before. It’s the ancient history, the stuff legends are made of.
Think of it like the prequel to your favorite movie series. You get to see how the heroes got their powers, how the villains developed their evil plans, and how the world got to be such a mess. It’s all about the setup.
One of the key elements you’ll notice is the "Age of Discovery." This was a time when humanity was really pushing the boundaries, exploring new planets, and making huge technological leaps. Talos II was likely a part of this grand exploration. Maybe it was a research outpost, a colony, or a pit stop for intergalactic travelers.
The "Great Collapse" and Its Aftermath
And then, as these things often go, something went wrong. Terribly wrong. This is where we start hinting at the "Great Collapse." This is a major event that likely reshaped the galaxy and led to the current state of affairs in Arknights. Endfield is going to show us the events that led up to this collapse, or perhaps the immediate aftermath on Talos II.
It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. You know it's coming, you know it's going to be bad, but you can't look away. You want to see how it all went down. Was it an Originium overload? A scientific experiment gone awry? Alien invaders? The possibilities are endless!
The lore hunters will be having a field day trying to piece together the clues. You’ll see the remnants of advanced technology, the signs of a once-thriving civilization now in ruins. It's a mystery wrapped in an enigma, sprinkled with existential dread.
Why Is This So Darn Fun?
Because it’s a puzzle! Arknights lore is already like a giant, intricate jigsaw puzzle. Endfield is adding a whole new box of pieces, some of which might not even fit the original picture… yet!
It’s a chance to see familiar concepts in a new light. The origins of certain factions? The early days of Oripathy? The very first Arts Users? We're going to get glimpses of all of that. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arknights universe.
Plus, it’s all delivered with that signature Arknights flair. You've got the stylish character designs, the epic soundtrack, and that slightly unsettling vibe that makes you question everything. It’s a recipe for a good time, even if that good time involves contemplating the slow demise of humanity.
So, whether you're a die-hard Arknights fan or just someone who enjoys a good sci-fi story with a side of mystery, Endfield is shaping up to be one heck of an adventure. Get ready to dive deep into the lore, meet some awesome new characters, and try to figure out what the heck is going on on Talos II. It's going to be a wild ride!