Xenoblade Thread. Done...and Dusted.

Jam Warrior

Played for two hours. Just running around colony 9. OMG so many quests!

I am paranoid about missing some though with the amount that people move around and the quite short distance that the ! pop up on your map.

Niceguyeddie616

played it for a few more hours,

Fiora NOOOOO!!!!! I was just warming up to you despite your low HP, whyyyyyy

such a big thing to toss at you this early..:(

carmofin

Oh wow, in the gamefiles there seems to be a massive area of the game that has been cut!

The Bionis' shoulder area. This video explores it thouroughly, it contains a brief sequence of the games ending, that contains no information or spoilers, but you've been warned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l86GCaqZuxY
One part of me is really disapointed that I didn't get to explore this in the game. The other part, that just got done questing for hours while walking and walking and walking is kind of relieved...

Xenogears of Bore

Professor Snugglesworth wrote:

I really could use a chart or guide that listed where each type of creature was. Can't find any damn Bunnits or Wisps in Bionis' Leg, even though I've run into them plenty of times before quests.

Turn left from the beginning for Bunnits, wisps are in the middle but fly pretty high. Just start R targetting whenever you see a red dot that you can't pick out.

Waka Laka

I'm going to admit I have not enjoyed a JRPG for a long time, but this is really good. After the horrible taste FF13 left in my mouth, I thought I wasn't going to be able to play a decent open-ended JRPG that is easy to start, open-ended and deep. So far after 4 hours it is what I've been wanting from a Final Fantasy game for a long time, but never got it. It is nice to have a world as large as an MMO that can be explored and enjoyed at pace, rather than having to play catch-up with thousands of other players just to get anywhere.

Honestly surprised by it.

Magic Pink

Man, my game better show up today. Otherwise EMPTY HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

Calaveron

So this game is the anti-FF13, what with it being open, with sensible, likeable protagonists with not-retarded fantasy names, a universe naturally integrated into the plot and not dumped in a codex, and in general fun.
What's the name of the song that plays on the Bionis' Leg?

Xenogears of Bore

It's a lot like what FF XIII could have been.

Similar AI based gameplay but with more action, similar but more unique roles, big ass numbers from the start appearing everywhere.

Magic Pink

Calaveron wrote:

So this game is the anti-FF13, what with it being open, with sensible, likeable protagonists with not-retarded fantasy names, a universe naturally integrated into the plot and not dumped in a codex, and in general fun.
What's the name of the song that plays on the Bionis' Leg?

Uh, excuse me? Shulk? Reyn? Those are dumb. Those are sounds you make when you get punched in the nuts, not names.

Calaveron

Magic Pink wrote:

Calaveron wrote:

So this game is the anti-FF13, what with it being open, with sensible, likeable protagonists with not-retarded fantasy names, a universe naturally integrated into the plot and not dumped in a codex, and in general fun.
What's the name of the song that plays on the Bionis' Leg?

Uh, excuse me? Shulk? Reyn? Those are dumb. Those are sounds you make when you get punched in the nuts, not names.

Fantasy names. Much better than "Your name is Hope and you give us" Hope, Lightning, Snow, Fang, and Vanille.

Klyka

Calaveron wrote:

So this game is the anti-FF13, what with it being open, with sensible, likeable protagonists with not-retarded fantasy names, a universe naturally integrated into the plot and not dumped in a codex, and in general fun.
What's the name of the song that plays on the Bionis' Leg?

"Gaur Plains"

SyphonBlue

There are still stupid Japanese names, bu tthey're not as egregious as Duodecim, or 352/2 Days or Dream Drop Distance

Seriously Square lately is fucking retarded

But Xenoblade is p good

Calaveron

SyphonBlue wrote:

There are still stupid Japanese names, bu tthey're not as egregious as Duodecim, or 352/2 Days or Dream Drop Distance

Seriously Square lately is fucking retarded

But Xenoblade is p good

The worst of all is FFv13's main character. Can't even recall his stupid, stupid name.

So yeah, music playing on the Bionis' Leg. Ain't it great?

Chen

Holy fucking shit.

Prison Island.

:? :shock: :winky:

SyphonBlue

I'm pretty sure Square spends more time coming up with nonsense words than they do actually making games.

Magic Pink

I really don't understand all the hate FF13 gets. The game is fine.

Professor Snugglesworth

Man, quest overload aside, I've finally begun to understand how deep the affinity system goes regarding NPCs.

Not every quest is some random fetch quest; many of them involve the relationship (friendly or tense) between certain NPCs, and each of their specific quests advance their stories even further. Before you know it, you've started memorizing these characters by name, and even continue to check up on them when their quests are over.

They've effectively found a way to turn NPCs from faceless blobs of exposition to individuals with intriguing stories.

I can't wait to write the review on this sucker.

carmofin

Professor Snugglesworth wrote:

Man, quest overload aside, I've finally begun to understand how deep the affinity system goes regarding NPCs.

Not every quest is some random fetch quest; many of them involve the relationship (friendly or tense) between certain NPCs, and each of their specific quests advance their stories even further. Before you know it, you've started memorizing these characters by name, and even continue to check up on them when their quests are over.

They've effectively found a way to turn NPCs from faceless blobs of exposition to individuals with intriguing stories.

I can't wait to write the review on this sucker.

And it only gets better when suddenly quests start forming giant story arcs spanning over various areas and their inhabitants. I was pretty amazed when suddenly some quests I did near the start of the game turned into something that spanned all the way into the midgameareas. I'd say the quests alone are about the storyquality of your contemporary final fantasy game (which is pretty low quality, but just saying).

Professor Snugglesworth

Can the quests have different outcomes, though? Because I had this one instance where I would have two quests at once that basically determined the fate of a certain NPC.

I'm referring to the refugee camp quest where you need to prevent the outcome of Pata drowning, but while you're doing that you're also treated to another quest where you need to give the medicine to his caretaker so she can keep an eye on him.

Wondering what happens if you finish one quest but not the other, especially since they were timed.

Chen

You can't complete both quests fyi.

There are mulitple quests in Colony 9 that have different outcomes depending on what you choose.

The loan shark and curry chef for example.

carmofin

Professor Snugglesworth wrote:

Can the quests have different outcomes, though? Because I had this one instance where I would have two quests at once that basically determined the fate of a certain NPC.

I'm referring to the refugee camp quest where you need to prevent the outcome of Pata drowning, but while you're doing that you're also treated to another quest where you need to give the medicine to his caretaker so she can keep an eye on him.

Wondering what happens if you finish one quest but not the other, especially since they were timed.

Quests can have very different outcomes in some cases, sometimes you are forced to make decissions and these decissions not only have lasting effects on affinities, they also affect which quests you will get later on. So far I haven't found anything that would make you miss out on anything major though, so it's mostly a matter of personal preference, still it's pretty impressive considering how massive the whole system is. These decissions affect what other NPCs say for example, then you have to consider that sometimes some of your characters have specific dialogues for quests, it's simply mindblowing and I think a hint as to why NoA decided against localizing the game. Also do not underestimate the importance of timed quests, because everything is connected you can miss out on many things in other areas as well, not just one.

Xenogears of Bore

Melia with maxed ether up and maxed insert element here up is beastly, especially considering you can pretty easily achieve this with level 3 gems.

Chen

Melia is so boring to play with though. Just spam lightning and repeat summon all day erry day.

Xenogears of Bore

With that setup though you can also pretty much heal through any mob fight that's not ten levels higher than yours just by keeping aqua up most of the time.

WotanAnubis

Professor Snugglesworth wrote:

Can the quests have different outcomes, though? Because I had this one instance where I would have two quests at once that basically determined the fate of a certain NPC.

I'm pretty sure there are quests out there with diffirent outcomes.

At one point I encountered an NPC who couldn't decide whether become a soldier or an artist. I encouraged them to become a soldier and since then they've been walking around in army fatigues (also their portrait on the Affinity web changed to a more 'military' look). I'm fairly certain this would not have happened if I'd encouraged them to become an artist.

Also, saying that Quests with a watch icon next to them are 'timed' is, perhaps, misleading. It only means that the quest can become unavailable. There are quests out there that are mutually exclusive and they, too, have the watch icon simply because when you finish one you can't finish the other because, well, they're mutually exclusive.

Xenogears of Bore

stuff like deciding who gets a job or who goes out with whom. Very basic. The game warns you about all the serious game changing stuff.

Professor Snugglesworth

Xenogears of Bore wrote:

stuff like deciding who gets a job or who goes out with whom. Very basic. The game warns you about all the serious game changing stuff.

How about whether an NPC lives or dies, such as my example above?

And again, I'm still wondering whether relationships between party members can change from how you handle the heart-to-hearts and/or affinities? Can everyone have maxed out affinity with everyone? Or do you basically have to make a decision regarding possible romantic outcomes?

For example, I viewed a Reyn/Dunban HtH, and viewed the different outcomes for choosing either dialog option.

Basically, the conversation will go one of two ways:

A) Reyn talks about his friendship with Shulk

Reyn contemplates his growing feelings for Sharla

Since it's been confirmed that NPC story arcs can go a certain way, I'm wondering if the same holds true for NPCs.

And as yet another neat touch, higher affinities with party members also opens up more dialog during battle. Dunban compliments Reyn for his improved footwork, for instance.

God, why is Monolith the only developer who seems to understand how important character development is?

Okay, Atlus too.

DemonStacey

So this seems like a game where I'm going to want a strategy guide for quick reference to all the complicated systems. Yea I caould check online but that involves getting up everytime I want to check something.

Problem: I can't find a strategy guide.

Question: Does anyone know if any company is working on one?

carmofin

Professor Snugglesworth wrote:

Xenogears of Bore wrote:

stuff like deciding who gets a job or who goes out with whom. Very basic. The game warns you about all the serious game changing stuff.

How about whether an NPC lives or dies, such as my example above?

And again, I'm still wondering whether relationships between party members can change from how you handle the heart-to-hearts and/or affinities? Can everyone have maxed out affinity with everyone? Or do you basically have to make a decision regarding possible romantic outcomes?

For example, I viewed a Reyn/Dunban HtH, and viewed the different outcomes for choosing either dialog option.

Basically, the conversation will go one of two ways:

A) Reyn talks about his friendship with Shulk

Reyn contemplates his growing feelings for Sharla

Since it's been confirmed that NPC story arcs can go a certain way, I'm wondering if the same holds true for NPCs.

And as yet another neat touch, higher affinities with party members also opens up more dialog during battle. Dunban compliments Reyn for his improved footwork, for instance.

God, why is Monolith the only developer who seems to understand how important character development is?

Okay, Atlus too.

I think the major character stuff is set in stone. everyone can have max affinity with everyone and it won't affect the story. HtH events expand the main plot, they can't change it.

agoaj

How are the controls with wiimote and nunchuk, because targeting enemies in large groups with L and R is annoying.

Vangu Vegro

My replacement Wii should arrive from Nintendo sometime next week.

Counting the days until I can play Xenoblade again.

Andy Joe

Just ordered this from Zavvi after hacking my Wii. I decided I might as well jump in all the way and got the European versions of Pikmin 2 New Play Control and Another Code: R along with it.

WotanAnubis

Heh. Quotes (mis)overheard in the midst of battle.

Sharla: "We're starting to look like a team, guys."

Dunban: "I think we should set our sights a little higher than that."

Professor Snugglesworth

Dunban can indeed alter between inspiring adult figure to critical asshole at times.

Man, the armor sets for Sharla are certainly....unique. It's like with every new piece the devs are trying to come up with new ways to pronounce the T&A.

Compared to most of what's come from Japan, it's not too big a deal but...well, it certainly makes one thankful for the party leader feature.

I'm tempted to just say "screw the stats" and deck out all the party members in Makar gear for a full tribal effect. I still haven't found any suitable gear replacements for Dunban's default, since agility is his biggest priority.

Chen

Shipping Reyn with Sharla is wronger than mayonaisse on eggs. Sharla and Dunban is OTP. This is undisputable. You cannot argue the contrary as I have a PhD in Shipping.

Reyn can have Riki.

Chen

On a break - fucking hell Valak Mountain is big - and downloaded the sountrack off Club Nintendo. Everyone knows Gaur Plain, but these are pretty gud too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4vCEHpv6Hg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p45gdP2OKmU

PS. I just found out that you can add stuff to your collectopedia which hands out free items. Forty-five hours in.

Rotam

Everytime 'You will know our names' comes on I'm like lets murder some monsters, bitches! I get ridiculously excited. Too excited.

I didn't realize about the collectopedia until I'd reached Colony 6. Sold all my loot as well.

Dashui

I really wish I didn't sell a lot of the materials I had. I was getting full and just started selling them off. I ended up with almost 600,000, but now I don't have all the materials I need for rebuilding a colony. Dammit.

Klyka

I knew about the collectopedia ever since I first picked up a blue item cause the tutorial tells you *shrug*

Professor Snugglesworth

Rotam wrote:

Everytime 'You will know our names' comes on I'm like lets murder some monsters, bitches! I get ridiculously excited. Too excited.

It certainly is the best track in the game so far.

I just hate when it gets interrupted by the "uh oh, this fight is getting hairy" theme.

Speaking of which, during the cutscene with Shulk in the Markov Forest....

where he encounters Alvin and the Telethia.

Would you call that a "Future Fake-Out"?

Because....that's what I'd call it.