Xenoblade - New Monolith RPG for Wii

Jolly Bill wrote:

I've petered off on this game as well... I'm burning out on side quests and leveling a bit. I'd done so many sidequests previously that when I got bored I could mostly steamroll through the story, but now I've hit a bit of a wall. Mostly just bored with the game and... probably because we just had a baby I can't focus on it as much.

I should try to get back to it soon.

I'd recommend that the "right" way to play this game is to just completely ignore the side quests. You'll still finish a lot of them by accident, and the game will still be 90 hours long.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Just a couple weeks until the handheld version. Anyone planning to get it?

I'm tempted. I'd have to upgrade my XL to the new one, but I was considering doing that for the improved 3d on the bus. If I could sell off my current one with its CPP, the cost isn't awful.

The real trick is that I'm kind of totally into MH4 right now, so I'd have to ditch one game for the other.

Are they doing a custom 3DS model for Xenoblade? That could push me over the edge.

Not getting the portable version, but sure am enjoying it on the Wii. I play it for bursts of 2-3 hour sessions, maybe 2 - 4 a sessions back to back, then let it simmer a little. Has proven to be very enjoyable that way, especially with the emphasis on side-quests at each settlement/area.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D - Video Review

One thing - the 3d is underused and not really needed

farley3k wrote:

the 3d is underused and not really needed

I have yet to see a review of a 3DS game that hasn't made that complaint. It's pretty much a system-level gripe, and I wish reviewers would stop banging on it.

Well, it is called Xenoblade Chronicles 3D.

By that token I should be disappointed that every HD remaster doesn't really live up to my visual expectations of that generation it has been ported into.

Pretty sure those get a free pass.

I just sat down with this game after some talk in the 3DS thread, and 3 hours and 45 minutes later I am not even up to the front door of the Military Establishment I am meant to be going to (2Am local time too, WTF?). I got lost 100%ing the items for Colony9, and then I picked up a few side quests, and those led to more, and then I was delivering cookies, and now I am looking for Lukas...

I may just need to look at getting the portable, as I'm not sure I can 'just' play this a few times a week, when the TV becomes available, or I am available.

Thanks again Farscry, this is awesome.

Spoiler:

and now I REALLY want a Shulk Amiibo!

Quite welcome, m0nk3yboy, it's one of the best games of the previous generation and well worth playing!

I wouldn't stress the Shulk amiibo unless you just like the character. As far as I know, he doesn't unlock anything you can't also get with Play Coins.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

I wouldn't stress the Shulk amiibo unless you just like the character. As far as I know, he doesn't unlock anything you can't also get with Play Coins.

Character liking. I also like the idea of making a Monado out of 'some kind of material'. I'll add that to the list of "projects I'll get around to one day"

Good to know play coins can be used. If I see it cheap enough, I may just jump on the 3DS version.

The coins, amiibos, etc are just used to unlock virtual character models and music tracks from the main menu (3 coins = 1 token to use for 'purchasing' items, and then it costs 1 token for a random roll of the dice or 3 tokens for a guaranteed new item), so they don't actually affect anything in-game as far as I can tell.

pyxistyx wrote:

The coins, amiibos, etc are just used to unlock virtual character models and music tracks from the main menu (3 coins = 1 token to use for 'purchasing' items, and then it costs 1 token for a random roll of the dice or 3 tokens for a guaranteed new item), so they don't actually affect anything in-game as far as I can tell.

I'm glad the 3DS remake is reviving discussion in this... never got around to playing my Wii version, and I'm trying to decide what's up next for me. (It was probably Tales Of Xillia 2, but now this is in the running!)

beeporama wrote:

I'm glad the 3DS remake is reviving discussion in this... never got around to playing my Wii version, and I'm trying to decide what's up next for me. (It was probably Tales Of Xillia 2, but now this is in the running!)

I'm hitting it on the WiiU, in Wii mode, and it has taken the place of Tales of Xillia 2, and South Park: Stick of Truth, as my next time sink. It's even bumped Monster Hunter 3 off the playlist, and I can play that across the WiiU and the 3DS, so there was no excuse there. It's striking that lovely sweet spot for me where old-world feudal practice is fused with hi-tech futurism.

Another 3 hours tonight, really enjoying the 'world' of Colony 9. So, after 6+ hours, I've only just taken Shulk his soup.

I couldn't take it anymore, I preordered this for my new 3DS. I just don't see myself taking the time at the TV to play this even though I'm already 20 hours or so in. If I'm ever going to finish it its going to be on a handheld. My wife doesn't enjoy watching this game.

PoderOmega wrote:

I couldn't take it anymore, I preordered this for my new 3DS. I just don't see myself taking the time at the TV to play this even though I'm already 20 hours or so in. If I'm ever going to finish it its going to be on a handheld. My wife doesn't enjoy watching this game.

I can play it through my TV and watch it through the WiiU pad, so technically, I have a hand held version too

Spoiler:

I am yet to try this, and I have no idea how workable this would be in relation to the TV sensor reading the Classic Pro controller, while I try and view the WiiU controller's screen.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

I am yet to try this, and I have no idea how workable this would be in relation to the TV sensor reading the Classic Pro controller, while I try and view the WiiU controller's screen.

You don't really use the TV sensor when using the gamepad as a screen. You can, but you don't need to. All you'll really need to worry about is the range of the Wiimote to the console, which is about the same as the range of the gamepad. You just end up using the gamepad as a tiny little TV in your lap while you use the controller.

I didn't find this to be a totally comfortable way to play games, but it's not abhorrent. But I wouldn't pick it over the 3DS, either.

Yeah I already tried it on my lap with the WiiU tablet. My 2 year old wants to grab it and it wasn't that comfortable anyway. We'll see how far I get it with it on the 3DS.

I did play The Last Story this way: WiiU in Wii mode, sometimes using the gamepad as a tiny screen. A little awkward sitting there with heaphones and controller and screen propped up, though.

But I do have a second television in my home office/mancave/spare room, one which I've outfitted with extra power supplies for my 360, PS3, and PS4, making it possible for me to move any console to there from the living room in seconds without fumbling. I already have a spare Wii sensor bar I could set up back there, so, it looks like I can do this for about $20 with the WiiU as well... I'm very spoiled, it's a setup I recommend to anyone with a little spare cash and a shared television.

The Verge review

It also has a structure that makes is a great fit for a handheld. You can save pretty much anywhere, for one thing, so it's easy to just pick up and do a bit of exploration or level grinding while taking the train to work. Unlike many RPGs, every play session doesn't have to last a few hours. Similarly, there's an incredibly useful fast-travel system that lets you jet back to any location you've visited before, and at any point you can hit a button to get a reminder of what exactly is happening in the story at that moment (perfect for when you get sidetracked taking on extra quests). Over the years I’ve found it increasingly challenging to play the kinds of JRPGs I grew up with, because they require such a massive time investment, but Xenoblade is a game I can play whether I have 10 minutes or a few hours to spare.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D isn't the most obvious showcase for Nintendo's handheld. For one thing, its chunky visuals actually look worse if you use the 3DS XL's 3D capability, turning the whole thing into an ugly, jagged mess. It's also a niche game in a niche genre, without the strong name recognition of something like The Legend of Zelda. It’s not entirely clear why it needed to be exclusive, unless the New 3DS’ processing bump was required to run the former console game.

But for RPG fans who missed the Wii version the first time around, this is a great chance to catch up — especially if you think you've outgrown the genre. Xenoblade gives you all of the great things about JRPGs and cuts out most of the fluff.

It’s not entirely clear why it needed to be exclusive, unless the New 3DS’ processing bump was required to run the former console game.

That is exactly why it needed to be exclusive to the New 3DS according to the developers.

That is what I understood from other previews etc.

The line that caught me was

For one thing, its chunky visuals actually look worse if you use the 3DS XL's 3D capability, turning the whole thing into an ugly, jagged mess.

I hope that is just the reviewers opinion and that I will like having it on.

farley3k wrote:

That is what I understood from other previews etc.

The line that caught me was

For one thing, its chunky visuals actually look worse if you use the 3DS XL's 3D capability, turning the whole thing into an ugly, jagged mess.

I hope that is just the reviewers opinion and that I will like having it on.

Nah I think they're probably right on that unfortunately. Not ALL the time, but certainly there are points where I've had to switch it off because it really muddies things up a bit. Mostly while exploring or in combat, cutscenes and stuff have all looked great in 3D.

On the other hand, I'm REALLY impressed by the load times on transitions between maps and while navigating menus. You can fast travel around within a map almost instantly and accessing menus and stuff feels significantly faster than on the Wii version from what I remember.

pyxistyx wrote:

On the other hand, I'm REALLY impressed by the load times on transitions between maps and while navigating menus. You can fast travel around within a map almost instantly and accessing menus and stuff feels significantly faster than on the Wii version from what I remember.

This really makes me happy.

pyxistyx wrote:

On the other hand, I'm REALLY impressed by the load times on transitions between maps and while navigating menus. You can fast travel around within a map almost instantly and accessing menus and stuff feels significantly faster than on the Wii version from what I remember.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was primarily due to the cartridge format vs. optical disc.

Got my sipping notification today. Should be here tomorrow! Yea!

Well, I'm eagerly awaiting my preorder. Granted this will mean delaying Bravely Default further but I loved the look of the Wii version, just never had the opportunity to dig in to it.

farley3k wrote:

Got my sipping notification today. Should be here tomorrow! Yea!

That so matches your avatar...

It's on handheld, and it's a thing of beauty.