re: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Switch JRPG Official Thread (84/100 Metacritic)

quote:

---

So what’s the verdict here? The game looks like what final fantasy used to and should be...is it good?

---

This was easily a day one for me and I sprung for the Collector's edition.

I haven't played this one, but see above. I think the first one is right up there with the JRPG greats. The combat system is somewhat complex, but it works, and this one apparently tweaks it for the best. The stories are usually good, and it is a continuation of the first, in some form. The exploration is top notch, and for me, probably the best of any JRPG. Sometimes the characters aren't necessarily as good as your Celes, Cyan, Rydia, Spoony Bards, etc., but still very good.

They are unique in the space as the combat is more MMORPG like, but it works really well. The three most important things in a JRPG for me are: Story/Characters, Exploration, and Combat/Customization. And they generally get high marks in all of those. This one in particular brings in a pseudo-Pokemon type search and collect thing. The weapons in the Game are called "Blades" and they are actually both a weapon that you wield and a character that follows you. (Blades are axes, swords, spears, etc. not just blades). These blades have to be found and can be heavily customized through a few different systems. In the picture above - the Large Cat, the girl in red, and the other girl are all blades following their Drivers. That's how it works in the game.

The combat is layered with Special Build Meter, Combos, Status Chaining (you knock someone down then another status attack will do more damage), elemental chaining and all kinds of stuff to build to really big attacks. It sounds complicated - and it can be - but like any really great game they build to let the user control the experience. If you want to get into the combat in depth and master it, the game has a lot of challenges to test you in the form of usually super big bosses and enemies/areas. If you don't, I'm guessing you won't have to master the combat to beat the game. Seemingly, they also have a new feature to control over and under leveling that looks simply ingenious for RPGs. It will allow you to move forward and complete whatever quests you want without overleveling, but allow you to tap into extra experience if you run into a fight or situation that you are underleveled for. I'm kind of exited to see that honestly, because I did overlevel myself in the first game because I was doing every sidequest imaginable.

I would highly recommend the game if you like RPGs at all and can either get interested in or past some of the anime tropes.

On anther note, the Soundtracks are always Fantastic, as in the Xenoblade Chronicles soundtrack is probably my favorite RPG soundtrack not named FFVI.