Xenoblade 2 is a wonderful game.

[TJTree]

I hope they won't work with this new designer again and hire an industry veteran like Kosuke Fujishima of Tales fame or Hidari for the next game.

I'd love to see them work with Hidari.

 

[The Chairman]

I hope you're not trying to defend a game that have overtly sexualized designs and sexist tropes that are present in the game. But yes, the bulk of the complaints often center around the sexualized designs of a number of the women presented in the game (plus some of the more problematic sexist tropes presented in the game, such as the hot spring scene and the main character awaking up to Pyra's chest in full view close to his face). Some people don't care for the overly flamboyant and exaggerated designs and that's more of a personal taste issue. I completely get if that's not your cup of tea at the end of the day.

However, that said, the above designs are a bit more than just that and it's completely worth discussing the problems surrounding them.

There isn’t any detail in what 9-Volt specifically finds bad, but I’ll jump in since you went straight for the “just being sexy” line: please don’t reduce issues with sexualized character designs down like that. Folks have as much right to criticize character designs in the game as they do praising the gameplay or story of the game. I’m sure you’ve seen enough discussion to know what people’s issues with the designs are that you don’t need to imply they are just being prudes

What's wrong with sexualized character designs? i thought this is a plus in any game since it's "fanservice" and servicing fans is a positive thing not a negative.

 

[Lichtsang]

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

 

[Yzz]

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

I'll recommend 1 first, I'd say it's like an introduction to Xeno 2's combat.

 

[Vilifier]

XBC2 the moment the combat opens up and "clicked" it became one of my favorite games. It's just such a fun game.

Only gameplay piece I hope doesn't return in a sequel besides the many questional Blade designs is the gacha summoning system. So many Relentless Arduran were slaughtered for those Legendary Cores.

Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

Probably 1 first. The combat system is hard to go back to after playing 2.

 

[Comic Obsessed]

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

You don't need to play XC1 to follow the story in XC2, they're like Final Fantasy in that regard. However, there are a few nods to XC1 in XC2 which would make you appreciate the connection between the two if you XC1 first.

Also, is preferable if you play XC1 first because the combat system in XC2 is simply much better and going back would be a bit hard (Seriously, even with XCDE, the combat of the original is a downgrade).

 

[Sirhc]

The best JRPG.

Spoiler

But the gacha sucks, wish we got every blade through side quests only.

 

[Mendinso]

What's wrong with sexualized character designs? i thought this is a plus in any game since it's "fanservice" and servicing fans is a positive thing not a negative.

This you?

 

[BGBW]

So happy Pyra and Mythra were added to Smash as DLC after XC2 "missed the boat". They're so much fun to play as.

 

[Brewster123]

XC2 has a bunch of flaws, from its skeevy character designs/models, bad UI, ineffective tutorials, and frustrating field skill system. However, in spite of those issues, I love Xenoblade 2 so much. Its battle system is amazing to play once it opens up, its characters and their chemistry is touching, its story is emotionally and thematically resonant. It just has so much to offer. Its probably my favorite flawed game of all time.

 

[Comic Obsessed]

This you?

Yeah, this is a trend.

 

[Aigis]

Omg, is this Aigis, imo?!

Your opinion would be correct imo

 

[The Chairman]

This you?

Yes, that's me. i hate to see people laughing at old men that just died. so what's your point?

 

[Raytro]

Played it about 20 hours back in end of 2017. It was really cool: I thought the combats were even better than in Xenoblade 1. Story seems cool but I only was at Chapter 4 so I don't know more. I would like to restart it and finish it but I am not ready to play Xenoblade right now to be honest.

 

[Lichtsang]

Alright, XBC1 will be my next purchase after SMT V!
Thank you all!

 

[Lozjam]

No lies detected.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is absolutely fantastic! Yes, it has a few problems with character design. But it kind of sucked that discussion of Xenoblade 2 became only about the character design, instead of how the mostly female cast is actually portrayed and treated. Don't get me wrong, first impressions are probably poor due to character design, but there is so much more to these characters than character design.

Not only that, but what a game! It's really fantastic, and it's got so much heart. It also has the single greatest character in any game. Captain Padraig.

 

[Gambit]

Alright, XBC1 will be my next purchase after SMT V!
Thank you all!

I can't believe that Edelgard could be reasoned with.

Wow.

Well done!

 

[Nmanic]

I absolutely love Xenoblade 2. It's one of my favorite RPGs.

I will say that it took me like 25 hours before I got hooked (this is largely due to the gameplay system being a bit elusive to me until that point) but once I got rolling, it is SUCH a satisfying experience.

I don't really love the female character designs though, as I've seen discussed a bit in this thread. I just think you can make characters look attractive while being a bit more tasteful in some cases, but this is less a complaint I have with xbc2 and more Japanese media in general.


Edit: and female character design aside, I LOVE the actual characters themselves. They are precious and I'd die for them

 

[Lichtsang]

I can't believe that Edelgard could be reasoned with.

Wow.

Well done!

Don't make me regret this decision!

 

[Jersh]

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

Hard to say. There's definitely fans of both that don't really like the other. If you do think you'll end up playing both even if you're not big on the first one you play, then I'd start with DE.

Also Zeke is more than just a few hours in IIRC lol

 

[Gambit]

Don't make me regret this decision!

I'm sorry, I take it back Empress.

 

[Lichtsang]

Also Zeke is more than just a few hours in IIRC lol

It's been 4 years and I have a terrible memory! But I remember stopping there because other things came up.

I'm sorry, I take it back Empress.

I accept your apology. You are dismissed.

 

[Subnats]

I'd struggle to call it anywhere close to wonderful but for all my issues with it I definitely still couldn't call it worse than a good game. Torna is absolutely amazing though, one of the best rpgs I've played.

 

[Jbone916]

XBC2 is one of the most content-rich games I can think of. Outstanding music, deep combat mechanics, creative world design, and a story that leaves a lasting impression.

I cannot wait for whatever Monolithsoft is cooking up next!

 

[Benzychenz]

One of the best JRPGs ever made.

Playing this, Persona 5, and Dragon Quest XI in a relatively short time was the most fun I’ve ever gotten out of the genre, and that’s saying a lot.

 

[Donnie]

Staff Communication

Users are reminded to please use the report function if they see something they believe to be objectionable beyond the confines of the discussion, rather than engage directly. We are here to help

 

[Mendinso]

[Warning] Users are reminded to please use the report function if they see something they believe to be objectionable beyond the confines of the discussion, rather than engage directly. We are here to help [/warning]

Apologies on this! Will definitely refrain from doing that going forward.

EDIT: Oh, huh, that's odd how the Staff Communication doesn't quote correctly, looks like?

 

[Benzychenz]

[Warning] Users are reminded to please use the report function if they see something they believe to be objectionable beyond the confines of the discussion, rather than engage directly. We are here to help [/warning]

I’m choosing to read this as a direct reply to the OP because it’s hilarious.

 

[Mercury_Sagit]

To me, XC2 has higher highs and lower lows compared to XC1.
Higher highs:

• The battle system with more customization options
• World design especially in term of intricacy, scale and variety
• Story: despite somewhat excessive usage of shonen tropes, the overarching plot is grandeurous and manages to link itself well to XC1's plot. Both Jin, Mythra/Pyra, Malos have their background story and personality constructed in great depth (I refer to u/ultrazap's character analysis of Jin on Reddit as an example)

Lower low:

• Blade gacha
• The skill check system
• Locking QoL changes behind a paywall.

Regarding over-sexualized character designs, I'm indifferent to them and I also think that it is within women audience's power, not my, to judge if such designs should be removed or not. My criticism to character design is their lack of consistency but this has been corrected in Torna so I'm positive that MS can improve on that front in their future releases.

 

[BGBW]

I like the idea behind the gacha, your party members can join any order so your playthrough is different from someone else's, but it could use a rethink. Either lock them all behind sidequests, like some already are, or just provide chances at set intervals throughout the store for you to draw a new party member (which also means scrapping all the common blades) so by the end of the game (or game+) you will have unlocked all of them.

 

[juuso]

I think the combat, the environments and some of the story are wonderful.

The critisism is repeated to death and I know I won't change anyone's opinions, but to me the character designs, animations and some of the interactions are just extremely awkward and embarrassing. It doesn't utterly ruin the game, but it gets in the way of the stuff that I could otherwise enjoy.

 

[Kitty Paws]

I have issues with some of the character designs being sexualized to the point of looking ridiculous but overall I enjoyed my time with the game a lot. And it has a great soundtrack!

Forever sad about Dahlia because she has a very sweet personality, and she could have looked very pretty if her designer hadn't gone so over-the-top.

 

[OTBWY]

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

Spoiler: Minor clue

Definitely play 1 before 2. The two games are connected with each other, however the thing that connects them doesn't really determine an order. However, the thing that I think will help with playing 1 first is getting used to this type of battle system and mission/area layout as it is a bit simpler in 1 compared to 2.

Edit: Also don't be hating my mans turtle!

 

[vhoanox]

Near the end of Persona 5 or most jrpg even XC1, I was so tired, just wanted them to end.

Not XC2 though, all characters are so wonderful, I didnt want to say goodbye.

 

[WestEgg]

Near the end of Persona 5 or most jrpg even XC1, I was so tired, just wanted them to end.

Not XC2 though, all characters are so wonderful, I didnt want to say goodbye.

Xenoblade 2 does the ending really, really well. I think that, while this isn’t to say there aren’t good twists at the end, you basically know what you are trying to work towards and accomplish from near the beginning all the way to the end, and while the context is increasingly elaborated on, it mostly remains the same. The bad guys are bad, even if you sympathize and understand why they are bad. The world is dying, even if you learn more about that. There’s no sudden last minute “oh you thought you were done, but here’s a whole new 10 hour thing you have to do before the actual endgame that’s like the opposite of what you expected” moment. So what you get feels like what everything has been building up to since the start.

 

[Oregano]

Xenoblade 2 does the ending really, really well. I think that, while this isn’t to say there aren’t good twists at the end, you basically know what you are trying to work towards and accomplish from near the beginning all the way to the end, and while the context is increasingly elaborated on, it mostly remains the same. The bad guys are bad, even if you sympathize and understand why they are bad. The world is dying, even if you learn more about that. There’s no sudden last minute “oh you thought you were done, but here’s a whole new 10 hour thing you have to do before the actual endgame that’s like the opposite of what you expected” moment. So what you get feels like what everything has been building up to since the start.

Haha, I kind of think the ending is the opposite. Chapter 10 is a massive lore dump and

Spoiler

basically reconstructs the overarching Xeno- mythos

.

It's a brilliant ending though.

 

[bellydrum]

Haha, I kind of think the ending is the opposite. Chapter 10 is a massive lore dump and [spoilers]basically reconstructs the overarching Xeno- mythos [/spoiler].

It's a brilliant ending though.

FIX DEM SPOILER TAGS

 

[Oregano]

FIX DEM SPOILER TAGS

Don't ban me pls

 

[Moltres006]

Why does Rex dress like that though?....is he going to a Halloween party or maybe going shopping at Walmart...idk.

 

[Puruzi]

Why does Rex dress like that though?....is he going to a Halloween party or maybe going shopping at Walmart...idk.

he's a diver

 

[WestEgg]

Haha, I kind of think the ending is the opposite. Chapter 10 is a massive lore dump and

Spoiler

basically reconstructs the overarching Xeno- mythos

.

It's a brilliant ending though.

It does that in the meta sense for sure, but I was speaking more from the character perspective. Everything they learn still doesn’t impact what they want or feel they need to do. And I think that, while I love the greater world around the game, at its core Xenoblade 2 is about the characters first and foremost.

 

[AceBandage]

I’m choosing to read this as a direct reply to the OP because it’s hilarious.

The staff wishes they could stop me.

 

[vhoanox]

Because Rex is a diver lol!
A little silly outfit is always on par with the genre, I don't get why people keep pouching on that like it ruins the game.

 

[Oregano]

It does that in the meta sense for sure, but I was speaking more from the character perspective. Everything they learn still doesn’t impact what they want or feel they need to do. And I think that, while I love the greater world around the game, at its core Xenoblade 2 is about the characters first and foremost.

That is true, and the ending really is the culmination of years of training all the character work from earlier in the game.

 

[NabiscoFelt]

Why does Rex dress like that though?....is he going to a Halloween party or maybe going shopping at Walmart...idk.

It's because he's a good kid and just wants to give Shulk a chance in "Best Xenoblade Protagonist" contests

 

[AceBandage]

It is annoying that you couldn't change outfits like 1 and X

 

[Arynio]

XC2 is an amazing game in spite of its flaws, which have been pointed out by many here. Any RPG fan should give it a/another chance.

XC2 has a bunch of flaws, from its skeevy character designs/models, bad UI, ineffective tutorials, and frustrating field skill system. However, in spite of those issues, I love Xenoblade 2 so much. Its battle system is amazing to play once it opens up, its characters and their chemistry is touching, its story is emotionally and thematically resonant. It just has so much to offer. Its probably my favorite flawed game of all time.

I couldn't have worded it any better. This is exactly where I stand.

Post

Please consider removing that post. The game was marketed under the opposite premise, and discovering that during the playthrough blew my mind and is one of my favourite moments with the saga. I believe others should have the opportunity to be surprised to.

Okay, you won me over.

I'll finish Metroid Dread today or at least this week. After that I'll play SMT V in November. But then I have time to play Xenoblade over the holidays.
Should I play 1 before 2? I played 2 for a couple of hours back in 2017, until I met Zeke, but I would start over.

Yeah, I agree with what others have replied. Any order is fine, but playing 1 before 2 makes more sense and allows for an overall greater experience in my opinion. Hope you like them.

 

[Donnie]

XBC2 is a fantastic game in many respects. To have such an expansive beautiful world so early in the switch's lifespan and to be able to play that entirely portable was really something to behold. The story and the

Spoiler

establishment of a greater lore between games

was incredibly exciting to see unfold. I really loved the battle system too and learning it's nuances (and they really managed to home in on what worked and take it even further with Torna). Honestly it was really cool to hear a video game lead with a Northern English accent too lol and a jrpg with high production values that isn't published by SE never goes amiss.

That said, it clearly has it's issues. I've only ever played two games that my partner was literally offended by, and she thought Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was down right ugly as far as character designs went and some of the tropey scenes and behaviour. While I didn't love them , I think I had become a little numb to just rolling my eyes at this stuff when playing the game so that really put it on my radar that game is offensive to groups of people and it's important to accommodate and acknowledge that. That doesn't stop it being a great videogame , but it's a flaw that needs to be recognised to allow for something even better and much more inclusive to come next. There's nothing wrong with men and women being sexual in a video game within the right context, that can be a powerful and strong thing for a character to take hold of and a valuable inclusion in the right kind of story but there's a fine line between that and exploitation for the male gaze. Also I didn't love the Gacha mechanics and that you were somewhat beholden to it to then have the right skills checks and so on.

But yes, XBC2 is a wonderful game. Its clear a lot of love and creativity was poured into it and it's hard not to respect how experimental Monolith are willing to be entry to entry.

 

[Joseki]

It is annoying that you couldn't change outfits like 1 and X

The alt costumes of 2 are few but miles better than 99% of the junk of 1 and DE.
Dress Uniform Mòrag and Crimson Orchid Brighid are chef kiss

 

[Yzz]

The alt costumes of 2 are few but miles better than 99% of the junk of 1 and DE.
Dress Uniform Mòrag and Crimson Orchid Brighid are chef kiss

NO