Been playing this game since Christmas and having so much fun. Seriously, this game is like a drug. Every time I put it down, I keep thinking about it again and want to play. Thank god I work from home otherwise I would be screwed. lol I am over 100 hours in and just now got my Skell. You guys wasn't kidding when you say it changes the game. I spent hours trying to get a built I like and died a lot trying out different combinations. Thankfully, I masted the perfect ejection and restart if I mess up. I also see why so many loved the G-Buster.
The story is interesting and do have a few nods to Xenogears, especially when the ship got destroyed, and surviving on a new planet. I honestly thought the twist was going to like Xenogears. The cast is nowhere near as strong as Xenoblade, but I didn't expect it to be. I enjoy the characters in the game for what they bring. And even though the story isn't as strong, the gameplay is ace. It took all the problems I had with Xenoblade and not only fixed them, but made them even better. The world feels more alive, the quests are better, and the battle system is tight.
Can't give my final impressions until the end, but I will say that this game is too different from Xenoblade, outside of the mechanics, to make a fair comparison. I liked the story, characters in Xenoblade, and vision mechanics, but the world of XBC feels much more alive and dangerous. I have never been so scared sneaking past mobs that can kill me. And I have a giant freaking robot.
So far, one of my favorite games this year.