Xenoblade Chronicles X

[exdeath]

I disagree, that XCX is "far weaker in story". XCX has more story content than XC overall, but it's split between the main story arc and affinity quests. XCX is just more like a western RPG in it's story structure. The affinity quests are at least somewhat effective in making the player feel like their character is a new LA citizen. Under the game's budget and time constraints, I don't think a longer main story arc was possible.
- The only problem I have in the story, is that XCX's isn't completely self contained, kinda suggesting a sequel at the end. I like self contained stories in games better.

I do agree, however, that exploration and combat are a greater focus in this game vs XC. Beating the same dead horse, this is more of a JRPG Western RPG hybrid, while XC was simply a well done JRPG. This is a much more ambitious game overall, and could be the best attempt of a 'JRPG + Western RPG hybrid' yet. I think XCX is a really cool game for what it is.

XCX is a more rare experience than the "dramatic story JRPG" that you crave.... although, there hasn't been a big heavy hitting JRPG of that type for a while. I'm hoping that we'll get a home run from at least a couple of the upcoming big budget JRPGs. There a Persona, numbered Final Fantasy, numbered Dragon Quest, a Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, and you know, it's getting pretty stacked actually. Just fingers crossed one of them delivers the type of experience you want, since I like that type of game too... and it's been a while since I found a good one.

Nah I'm pretty certain there are several end of chapter story furthering cutscenes in Xenoblade Chronicles that are longer than all the affinity quests in X put together. Let alone the entire game start to finish.

I'm at 80 hours in XCX including grinding, exploring, getting Ares 90, and idling a lot to get miranium and money, etc. My XC save file was at 164 hours before I completed all the things.

The story in XCX feels like an afterthought.

 

[exdeath]

< 1 min Ygg Z farm runs and hitting 9999 tickets in < 10 mins is extremely satisfying payback though.

 

[Harrod]

I'm liking the game so far, I think I'm at level 17.

Is there a point of running over to the other areas before getting a skell? I ran over to one and saw nothing but level 50 enemies running around and decided to fast travel back to the main town area.

 

[exdeath]

This is my favorite game of 2015.

I bought it a week after launch and have put 300 hours into it. I'm at 98.7 survey rate for the whole game; missing 5 lobsters, 2 tyrants and some heart to hearts.

This game alone was worth buying a wii u for. Actually, I bought the wii u for it and totally accept I got my money out of both.



My team is 3xAres 90s and a lvl 60 Amadus with a level 60 zenith cannon + 3x Phys attrb damage XX + 3 phys frame XX +10 of the slayer versions of fauna/insectoid/humanoid XX, etc. You think Gbuster rules? try the default attack on an Ares 90. I one shot level 98 tyrants before they realize I hit them.

Yeah Zenith cannon with 3x W ATK XX and frame with 3x ATR PHYS XX blows away Ares 90 lol

 

[Rage187]

I'm done at 99.7% complete survey rate for the whole game. I have moved on the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. I put 20 hours into mh3u in the last 2 days.

 

[Fulle]

I'm liking the game so far, I think I'm at level 17.

Is there a point of running over to the other areas before getting a skell? I ran over to one and saw nothing but level 50 enemies running around and decided to fast travel back to the main town area.

Before unlocking your level 20 Skell, the game will start to encourage going into the other zones with small survey rate requirement as a prerequisite to starting a story chapter. So you might need to drop a few probes at the front of Oblivia or Noctilum in order to progress soon.

 

[Harrod]

Before unlocking your level 20 Skell, the game will start to encourage going into the other zones with small survey rate requirement as a prerequisite to starting a story chapter. So you might need to drop a few probes at the front of Oblivia or Noctilum in order to progress soon.

Thanks

 

[Harrod]

I finally completed the main quest of this game, it was well worth it, there have been times that I had questioned getting a Wii U, this game definitely made up for it.

 

[Rage187]

I'm done at 99.7% complete survey rate for the whole game. I have moved on the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. I put 20 hours into mh3u in the last 2 days.

I'm embarrassed to say that I have 300 hours into mh3u and it hasn't even been a month...

 

[exdeath]

Definitely still a reason to get a Wii U, but doesn't hold a candle to the original in the story and music departments. I'd wager anyone who argues otherwise isn't normally a JRPG fan. XCX is definitely casualized towards the action crowd. I was hoping for something a little more dramatic and drawn out like Xenosaga and Xenoblade Chronicles, while X seems to want to get the story out of the way in a scant dozen chapters as quickly as possible so you can explore and kill stuff. Very weak in that department.

Actual gameplay however is great other than the huge difficulty curve at the beginning when it seems like things 10x your level regularly pop out of the ground or fall from the sky on route to your level 3 objectives... But that's not even a matter of difficulty so much as hopeless frustration... like really guys? You don't really get the freedom to explore until you get your first Ares 90 otherwise you risk getting 1 shot without even seeing what did it.

I'm sitting at 2 zones left at 97% or so and have backed off playing time and only play when Ygg Zero is up.

Just a few more augments to roflstomp Telethia and what's his face in the sphere and it should be time to hang it up.

Also Blossom Dance ftw, who needs skells?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Sorry to necro this, but I finally just purchased this game 2 weeks ago (couldn't find it anywhere and bit the bullet on an online sale). It was on my list to pickup once I got a Wii U (which I did last April or so).

I already have 110 hours on this game..... I'm just at Chapter 7 (maybe 8). I can sort of see exdeath's point, but I really didn't have much of an issue dealing with things much higher level then me. I think that might be because I am use to playing games that have things that will just kill you if you draw aggro from the wrong thing, and made sure not to have AOE skills in use on me and my party so that it wouldn't happen (it makes you analyze the situation and adaptor for it).

As for the things that pop "out of nowhere", that really isn't true. Things that drop down, are actually dropping down and if you happened to look up and pay attention, they were there above you. Most things that are borrowed under the ground also give a clue that they exist, and/or give you enough time to escape from a fight. Very few things are true ambushes which don't have a warning of some type, even if it is the "nothing is there, so you better watch out for something hidden" type of warning. That isn't to say I havn't died in the game, but it was always because I did something stupid, not because "hey, $%*(& you, sudden insta-death".... You simply need to know when to run, until you get an OP build/setup.

I think my only complaint is the affinity grind. I wish I could simply take other characters with me on some of the story missions as well, since so much affinity is given during those (already 5 hearts with both Elma and Lin, and I still have 4 or 5 chapters to go).

 

[ImpulsE69]

I fell away from it about 60 hours in....still haven't got a skell - think i'm on chapter 5 or 6. I want to go back to it at some point though.

yes, the affinity grind is a pita.