Finished Xenoblade Chronicles DE after 110 hours. Did all heart-to-hearts and raised affinity between characters to their highest level. Did all sidequests, so that I ended up at level 97 when I did the final boss. Needless to say that it was a walk in the park. Final boss spoiler I really liked how Shulk was like, screw gods, we don't need them, and just ended the whole journey with it.
Despite some (minor) criticisms, it's great, one of the best RPGs of the last decade. Yet I still think, like in my original playthrough, that the first 2/3s or so up until prison Island, is the better part of the game. Traveling all the way up to the head of the Bionis is the most important feature of what makes this game stand out. After that, the game is just a bit too long for it's own good.
Leveling up was a bit of a nuisance, but with the right equipment, gems and characters, most enemies weren't that difficult, even when underleveled. And at this point, you are accustomed to the battle system and arts and affinity are high, so chain links are more likely, which makes fights even more easy and fun.
The cutscene direction has gotten improved in XB2 imo, and Monolith also learnt one or two things about menus. Can't wait for what they have in store for us in XB3.
Off to Future Connected and seeing the party one last time.