Quick Look: Xenoblade Chronicles X

@jacksukeru: I feel similarly to you. Can't fathom how people are this excited about this game compared to other RPGs with better combat systems or stories. I got tired of the first one a bit earlier than you did.

I really dug The Last Story, which seemingly no one played.

This strikes me a being a LOT like Xeno Saga. Is that the idea?

@czarpyotr: No, I actually liked the combat. My only real issue with it was the very limited control you had of your party members and the only direct orders you could give them was tied to a super meter. Actually that was a pretty mayor issue, but I still enjoyed it.

It was playing through all the side stuff, which wasn't interesting, that eventually burned me out on the regular mechanics of the game.

YEAH!!

Cross = Fred

Lin = Velma

Elma = Daphne

Lao = Shaggy

Tatsu = Scooby

I really need less Troy Baker, I'm sorry, I said it.

Exclusives aren't the only games on consoles, but I'd forgive someone with a Wii-U for not knowing that ;)

2: This seems really similar to the first Xenoblade game on Wii, which had such boring combat. I couldn't make it past the first 10 hours before getting sick of the slog. The impressions from other folks I've read say that the combat in this game is similarly boring (specifically the impressions after 80 hours by one of the Kotaku editors who's name I'm blanking on.) I'll wait and see what Austin has to say after some more time, but I think that the scale of this game is overshadowing a real lack of satisfying combat depth if it has anything in common with the first game.

Serious response to your second point though, that's what I've been worried about too. I did manage to get through the first game (with a 1-year gap in the middle somewhere), but this game seems like it just adds even more superfluous systems in the background (did we seriously need resource mining micromanagement?) instead of making the core systems better. It doesn't sound like the writing/characters are any better this time around, so I definitely don't feel the need to come back for another hundred hour Xenoblade RPG.

@teddie: Haha well I have the other consoles as well, but I guess I just don't like seeing people say that there isn't a reason to get a Wii U, when really there isn't a reason to get either of the other consoles if you can get a PC anyways outside of Halo, upcoming Persona, the rare first party type thing. So many of the best made games this generation imo have been on my Wii U so I get sad that it gets a bad rap.

But yeah, especially given that there are about a million and a half other open world RPGS that didn't really hold my attention this year, and despite the fact that I'm a huge JRPG fan, I just don't think this game is changing it up enough to get me through that many hours.

Ya know what RPG on Wii was awesome was Last Story! Another rainfall game that had a vastly more interesting combat system and a manageable 30 or 40 hour length. I feel like Xenoblade stole that game's thunder with it's big production values but the mechanics in Last Story were far more interesting, and the story felt like an old JRPG story in the right ways.

That was awesome, great job @austin_walker!

Gerry Crab = Bernie Sanders.

Why in gods name would you put MMO style quests and combat in a single player game? Those things are lame in MMOs because of technological and design limitations. There's no reason for it in single player.

Ahh I'm so looking forward to this game!

How did 8-4 ever translate this beast of a game?

I'm not gonna lie, that initial jump gave me butterflies in my stomach.... oh god, VR is really going to get me.

A ton of crunch time, it seems. I think this is easily their biggest project yet.

it's the cheapest console with way more unique games you'll never see on the PS4. i seriously would go there first if you've already got a PC, unless you really don't like Nintendo.

I know I'm not the only person to think this game kind of looks like a hot mess, right?

It seems to follow that classic open world scheme of being as wide as the ocean with the depth of a puddle, and that combat system looks atrocious. Like, it looks so bad that I'd much rather play FFXIII.

I'm sure this is exactly what some people are looking for, and that's great! I hope you have a really fun time with this game, but MAN. It is absolutely not for me. I love the idea of that character web though. I could see that being a great mechanic if it was given more depth.

@winnipeger: What does being as 'wide as the ocean with the depth of a puddle' even mean in the context of Xenoblade Chronicles X? You say the combat is bad, but did you even understand how it works? This game has been getting glowing reviews in regards to its combat. Rewatch the QL from about 14:10 onwards; Austin does a really good job of explaining the game and its basic combat in layman's terms.

I like these videos, they are good.

:)

data packs...

Data Paks.

There we go. Localized it.

@austin_walker, does Xenoblade Chronicles X have a Japanese language option?

@mercanis: nope

Oh boy. Between the lack of a proper go this and Witcher 3 will get from the staff, GOTY discussions this year are going to be the most infuriating to listen through maybe ever.

Thanks for the info, but that's sad to hear. I enjoyed having access to the original Japanese language tracks in the previous Xenoblade Chronicles. I'm guessing space on the disk for this latest game was at a real premium.

This game looks so good! Mechanics/system-heavy video games are always so much fun.

Monolithsoft did it again.

Vinny on freaking fire in this QL

Without going into these criticisms too much, I've got to say I agree. Austin's stuff has been a breath of fresh air. Really excited to see his work when it comes up now.

It has come to my attention that there is a skill in this game called GHOST FACTORY.

I lasted until about 6:50 then I was done. I've had my fill of Ubisoft games, thanks.

This looks like another fine reason to finally buckle up and get myself a Wii U. If Vinny were actually voicing those monsters I'd buy one right this second even.

The graphics are amazing, but way too japanese for me.