[Deathryuger]

Holy shit, the energy riders look "pah-fect". I like Sigurd's Viking-esque design, but the colors on Duke are just plain sexy. I wish that they each had their own signature weapon, but since it seems the energy lock seeds are more of a creation of Yggdrasil it makes sense they all use the bow.

Second, as to the point of these guys. I think the opening battle scene is more of a red herring. It seems to me that after the base camp was saved by a "street urchin", Zangetsu decided it was time to change up the game. At first the beat riders were just guinea pigs, but it seems they are more of a real threat now.