Xenoblade Chronicles

[*Jess♥]

Question, is this game any good?

Answer, you really need to play it.

it's a tough one really when it comes to any games, there will always be haters so we can never guarantee a games success, but when I compare this game to final fantasy 13, I have to say that square-enix need to take a lot of notes. this is how you make a game. this is how you tell story, this is how you do awesome cut scenes. and this is how you create an immerse world that draws people in.

you may have seen screenshots of the game and you might think they are mere publicity artwork. I will give you a screenshot here and rest assured, this is an IN GAME environment. yes the view is a lot wider than it normally would be, just to give you a nice vista, but this is a true in game environment. it does look that good!

(please also use the music on hte official website to enhance your viewing pleasure - http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/sx4j/index.html)

this game puts to shame all those games like zelda, final fantasy etc. the size, complexity and uniqueness of the environment is quite stunning. it can take a long time to explore all the areas and it is so rich, you have missions to complete and lots of items to collect that do have a very real bearing on later events.

the story is slow to build. you start off with very little understanding of the world and the people that inhabit it, but as time goes on, all sorts of things are brought in to play that have you questioning and also making educated guesses as to what will happen.

This game is not available in the USA yet, but it has been available in europe for quite some time.

I would like to recommend all europeans to get this, and you americans to pre--order it!

This is one game that is worth buying a Wii for outright.

there is no RPG/action adventure game on this generation of consoles that comes close to this IMO.

it is the final fantasy 7 of it's generation.

[ErutanXiku]

Thanks for the review! I have yet to play this since my brother likes to watch my gameplay, but he's at Uni. I could have played this over Christmas, but he chose instead for me to play Skyward Sword and that was a fulfilling and great game in itself.

I do have some concern over your choice in phrasing it as the 'FF7 of it's generation,' simply because it will open it up to all kinds of negative criticism (like with The Legend of Dragoon - people branded it an FF7 rip-off when it had zero similarity to it, apart from being an epic game), but I understand what you mean in that what FF7 meant to most gamers, Xenoblade Chronicles means the same to you...or rekindled that feeling.

I look forward to playing this even more now!

[*Jess♥]

yeah you got it.

I personally feel that there are some very interesting influences from final fantasy 7 in this game.

like I can say that one of the areas is called Eryth Sea.

but apart from the references, this is very much it's own game. what I mean by this is that it is the strongest RPG type game with a strong story that can keep a RPG lover busy for a very long time.

back when ff7 came out, there was no game like it. in this generation, there is no game like Xenoblade. at least none that I know of.

[odin]

I will definetly buy this when it is available to the states, it is one of the wii Rpg's that Operation Rainfall dedicated itself to being localized to Europe and america and gamestop help to make that happen so I will keep supporting them by buying the game since it is apparently so good, glad to hear you like it Ryuki. awesome avatar btw.

ps. Btw, the other 2 rpgs are Pandoras Tower (not an rpg my bad, it is an action game from the looks of it) and The Last story, look them up if you get the chance.

Edited January 18, 2012 by odin

[ErutanXiku]

yeah you got it.

I personally feel that there are some very interesting influences from final fantasy 7 in this game.

like I can say that one of the areas is called Eryth Sea.

but apart from the references, this is very much it's own game. what I mean by this is that it is the strongest RPG type game with a strong story that can keep a RPG lover busy for a very long time.

back when ff7 came out, there was no game like it. in this generation, there is no game like Xenoblade. at least none that I know of.

'Eryth Sea' hehe, that's a nice tribute Saying that Xenoblade Chronicles is its own game is nice - I think this is where SE is failing with their new titles; rather than creating new things, they're too busy emulating the previous titles or emulating things from other games and repackaging as something new.

I will definetly buy this when it is available to the states, it is one of the wii Rpg's that Operation Rainfall dedicated itself to being localized to Europe and america and gamestop help to make that happen so I will keep supporting them by buying the game since it is apparently so good, glad to hear you like it Ryuki. awesome avatar btw.

ps. Btw, the other 2 rpgs are Pandoras Tower (not an rpg my bad, it is an action game from the looks of it) and The Last story, look them up if you get the chance.

I thought Operation Rainfall was only interested in games being released in America? After all, I heard what triggered its creation was the displeasure at Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story getting EU localisation only since those games were announced for EU release before Operation Rainfall began?

Incidentally, I also heard that even though Xenoblade Chronicles has been given the go ahead for NA localisation in response to Operation Rainfall...there haven't been many people placing pre-orders or showing interest in it, but that may have changed.

I'm really excited for The Last Story and I can't believe Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming to the Midlands MCM Expo to promote it...I really have to go - the man has been such an inspiration for me.

[*Jess♥]

Saying that Xenoblade Chronicles is its own game is nice - I think this is where SE is failing with their new titles; rather than creating new things, they're too busy emulating the previous titles or emulating things from other games and repackaging as something new.

I want to elaborate, since it is impossible to make a game that is totally new.

to describe the battle system, I have noticed there is a lot of influence from the world of warcraft battle system. although there is positional strategy involved in this. advantages for strikes from behind and from the side. it's more like WoW sped up and with more of a challenge.

there is no 'pocket dimension' the battles take place in the real world. you can run away from most fights just fine. as long as the area isn't crawling with baddies of course.

oh yes, there is materia in this game. in name and in spirit, although not together. the slots are filled with gems that attribute stat boosts etc. and the name materia is used for something else.

but it doesn't feel like a wallpaper job, that is what I think you were referring to.

[odin]

I thought Operation Rainfall was only interested in games being released in America? After all, I heard what triggered its creation was the displeasure at Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story getting EU localisation only since those games were announced for EU release before Operation Rainfall began? Incidentally, I also heard that even though Xenoblade Chronicles has been given the go ahead for NA localisation in response to Operation Rainfall...there haven't been many people placing pre-orders or showing interest in it, but that may have changed. I'm really excited for The Last Story and I can't believe Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming to the Midlands MCM Expo to promote it...I really have to go - the man has been such an inspiration for me.

I must of missread it then, It is focused on making those 3 games being localized on America, I did not read the part where it xenoblade was being localized to Europe before operation rainfall began, my bad..the important thing is that these great games are getting localized so i will definetly will buy them once they arrive. : )

[Matt]

Great review Ryuki. You know i could talk for hours about this game so i'll try to keep the word count down lol. I have enjoyed it so much since getting it, it's become an addiction but i've had to force myself to do other things so i can make it last otherwise id play it nonstop. I've racked up over 50 hour so far and i'm loving it. the last rpg i had this fun with was golden sun 1&2 on the GBA, 8 years ago.

True that pretty much every RPG released outside of japan is compared to FF7 and its unlikely Xenoblade will become as iconic as FF7 which is a shame really because it ticks every box to make it iconic.

The storyline which as ryuki said starts off slow but it builds and builds and there are a fair few surprises and shocks (sorry if that was a spoiler) instore if you and ive still got some way to go til the end (im in sword valley atm for those who have completed the game) the day and night time shifts are brilliantly done along with the weather (rain, thunderstorms, sunshine, even shooting stars = only on Eryth Sea as far as im aware) each one will bring out different monsters and certain ones will bring out mini bosses. same with the quests in towns, different people will out in the streets at certain times of the day and will give out quests (if you need to find them after the quest you can see what time of day they are availible in the affinity chart menu) its a very indepth game and should be explored throughly. The game also has an awesome soundtrack aswell and you should check it out.

just to prove how big the game can be Eryth Sea is HUGE. I swam all around the edge of the map (just to uncover it all) and it took me around 3 hours (i live a sad life lol) quite a few in-game days past lol.

I could continue talking about it but i'm sure it'd just bore you all lol, so as ryuki said go and buy it, i did and it was the best choice i've made in years. gotta get it finished though before The Last Story release in Febuary. It's times like these i'm proud to be a European aswell as a Wii owner.

[odin]

Hey guys, I'm back I just have not been in the mood to do anything for some problems that i have been having but mostly it's because I was occupied playing this gem of a game, I just freaking love every aspect of it, The story tho predictable at some points it gives you some amazing twists and the message that it tries to convey makes you think a lot at the end

about fate and the importance of a god in the world

the battle system is fresh and entertaining as well as the leveling up system, it also borrows from one of my favorite games of all time: Mayoras mask as it allows you to interact to the worlds npc's and affect their daily life as you progress which is a stroke of genious, the boss fights are fun and challenging at the same time and don't get me started with the music, no track is missedused in this game and gives each scene it is used a meaning specially one before your journey begins that accomplishes a sense of dread and sadness for something that I will not spoil, like smash brothers brawl, Xenoblade is a game that makes you want to buy a WII , if you have not played it yet I suggest you buy it as soon as possible cause you are missing out on an amazing experience.

Edited August 26, 2012 by odin

[*Jess♥]

hey dude, nice to see you back

I understand how you feel, I also don't really feel like writing much recently due to personal problems.

I also recommend this game.

I sold my Wii to get a ps3, but as soon as I can start earning good money, I will buy a wii again for this game.

[odin]

Thanks man, what where the characters that you enjoyed to use more? I like them all but Dunban and Melia are my favorites with sharla and shulk as support, I'm still trying to get the hang of Riki since he seems like a tank but also as a status effect inflicter, Shulk and Reyn are average to me they have cool skills but they are in my opinion too straightforward with no variations, I am currently leveling up the characters so I can face the optional super bosses and then start the game again in New Game+ mode.

[*Jess♥]

good luck with that they are tough.

I generally used reyn and riki.

reyn was always a good tank from the beginning. not indestructible though, so riki was a good backup, while dealing serious amounts of damage at all times.

reyn didn't do such huge damage but he really kept their attention. riki wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for reyn, but when reyn went down, riki kept them off me and did a good job of lasting until I could revive reyn.

[odin]

I see, how do you build Riki then?

[*Jess♥]

I'm really not sure what you mean...

haven't played it since January so I don't have any idea how it works.

I remember he had something called 'bitey'. oh yeah I am remembering things now. there was a line with coloured icons. I remember choosing blue ones that were good for my friends. and different coloured ones that had a lot of damage points. were there armour choices too? yes I remember armours... it made him look different. I remember he looked like he was wearing a woolly scarf at one point. I'm not sure about statistics on the armours.... i think high defence was a priority. oh yeah there were gems and sockets weren't there? I remember i think i gave him some yellow ones. yellow gems. does that make sense? maybe i got mixed up with final fantasy 7.... oh yeah riki needed gems with higher magic attack. can't think of much more than that. did i cover it all? does it make sense to you?

[odin]

yea it did, that is what a build is in Rpg terms, a way to making a specific character do a particular play style, i for one saw him effective in doing accumulated damage so I gave him spike gems and raised his Ether as well. I finally finished reconstructing Colony 6 so I got the ether mine maxed in terms of gems you can harvest.

With Dunban since he does not have that much HP I concentrated on making him very agile and strong so I raised his attack and agility making the enemy miss A LOT when facing him (I do the same for shulk), as for melia it is obvious to raise her Ether since i think she is mostly magic and is the one that deals the most damage in the game with her lightning bullets, and if you link her with Reyn's ability to equip heavy armor she can at least survive more often.

[*Jess♥]

ah yes. you play these games very technically.

I tend to be a spearhead type player. I'm very single minded in my setup. make it so the enemies can't hurt me much, but make sure i can kill them as fast as possible. therefore i usually stack my attack power above all else. I also focus on the spear tip, that is a very focused single tip. all my stats go into making one ability or move type as powerful as possible. then i use that to plough through them.

I don't like to focus on a lot of different tactics because i simply can't cope with it.

with my support players, I choose abilities which are passive and provide support to my main focus moves. if I can;'t do that then I create a separate sideline tactic that is designed to draw fire and cause a specific weakness.

I can't deal with different tactics. it's the way my mind works. I'm very good at focusing on one thing, but poor at multitasking.

[odin]

That's ok everyone has their own style and this game allows you to do just that thus I like to experiment a lot to see which is the most fun, I also try to go as fast and aggresive as possible and improvise depending on the situation so I don't use characters like Reyn a lot since I don't like to defend that much.