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I would have to think really hard about what would be my top twenty RPG list. I've been playing for as long as I can remember (so virtually my entire life I guess). So I can't say for sure this isn't in my top twenty, but just thinking about all the experiences in the genre I've had in my life, there are a bunch of others that are more memorable to me.

There's also the question of what I felt at the time and the lasting impression it made VS. what I would feel if I played those classic RPGs today.

Maybe in thirty years, Xenoblade will have taken a bigger hold in my mind, but right now it's a great game and one of the better RPGs this generation. But it kind of stops at that.
And, as others have mentioned, RPGs aren't that strong this generation.

But anyway... I don't think anyone is discounting the game and saying it's not good. So no defense required.

 

[Firemind]

And, as others have mentioned, RPGs aren't that strong this generation.

That's presumably why people hail it as one of the best RPGs. There aren't a whole ton of modern Japanese RPGs that are as ambitious in scale as Xenoblade. It's in a different category than older RPGs in this regard.

 

[mr stroke]

I really want to play this game, but I am such a graphics whore I don't know if I can take the out dated graphics. Really wish there was an HD version coming out

 

[Pyrrhus]

I really want to play this game, but I am such a graphics whore I don't know if I can take the out dated graphics. Really wish there was an HD version coming out

Do what I did and look at it from the perspective of limitations of the system. In that respect, it's a lot more impressive. Huge draw distances, streaming data constantly, more or less unnoticeable LOD changes on distant objects as they draw nearer, impressive particle effects, high frame rate.

 

[Dark Schala]

Yeah, I think it's worthwhile to take a step back and put the hype in perspective. There are plenty of nitpicks here and there with the game; it's hardly "perfect", whatever that means. If folks go into this expecting some sort of mindblowing revelation and/or the saving grace for Japanese role-playing games, they're not going to be happy after 30 hours with the game.

The best advice I can give is for folks to accept the game's (and the system's) limitations, play it at their own pace, and try to get out of it whatever they can. It's a great game and it deserves a lot of love, but it's not above criticism.

Absolutely. I hope people keep their hype in check and don't go in looking for the second coming or something. It's a great game, one of my favourite games of 2011, but there are a few issues and nitpickts that end up bringing the game down a little. But rest assured, the presentation of this game is top notch: the music and the visuals (oh god the visuals are so effing good) are wonderful.

And play it at your own pace, most certainly. Again, don't do all the sidequests in one go otherwise you might get burned out.

I would have to think really hard about what would be my top twenty RPG list. I've been playing for as long as I can remember (so virtually my entire life I guess). So I can't say for sure this isn't in my top twenty, but just thinking about all the experiences in the genre I've had in my life, there are a bunch of others that are more memorable to me.

Maybe in thirty years, Xenoblade will have taken a bigger hold in my mind, but right now it's a great game and one of the better RPGs this generation. But it kind of stops at that.
And, as others have mentioned, RPGs aren't that strong this generation.

And that's precisely partially why it's one of the best console RPGs of the generation. It has a lot of what seems like is missing from other console RPGs so that's why it feels more ambitious and has bigger scale than other games in the same genre for consoles. It also looks and sounds great, which is a plus (remember the grass comparisons between Xenoblade and other RPGs this gen? lol).

As for top whatever lists, mine isn't static but I said this last year for the essential RPGs thread. I know what I wouldn't put on that list, but deciding what I would put on that list is the hardest part.

 

[Tess3ract]

The only places that really NEED texture packs are those few places around the top of cliffs and "natural formation" bridges (especially in Makna Forest) where the texture is clearly stretched. Otherwise I thought the game looked pretty good for a Wii game, and great in Dolphin.

Nah armor needs an upgrade, definately

 

[Skel1ingt0n]

More because I want to talk about the game more than anything, and I like to hear people's feelings on the games compared to my taste. So, to kill some time:

If my favorite RPGs of all time are:

SW: Knights of the Old Republic
The Witcher 2

Final Fantasy IX (9)

Pokemon Red/Blue

How much am I going to like this game? I'm drawn to the first two mostly for the story - they feel entirely epic and have sweeping narratives. I like FFIX for the characters and ridiculously detailed worlds. I like Pokemon because it's entirely light-hearted but has a surprising amount of depth... also, nostalgia goggles.



Also, second question. I saw someone earlier was saying a Sandy Bridge is a requirement for Dolphin. How true/accurate is this? I'm rocking a i7 930 @ 3.6Ghz, 12GB RAM, and an OC'd GTX570. I could run Skyword Sword at ~2x internal res at 98% speed, and it felt entirely playable. I'm hoping I can expect similar performance with Xeno.
While obviously completely different, how do you think I'll enjoy Xenoblade?

 

[Mattakuevan]

More because I want to talk about the game more than anything, and I like to hear people's feelings on the games compared to my taste. So, to kill some time:

If my favorite RPGs of all time are:

SW: Knights of the Old Republic
The Witcher 2

Final Fantasy IX (9)

Pokemon Red/Blue

How much am I going to like this game? I'm drawn to the first two mostly for the story - they feel entirely epic and have sweeping narratives. I like FFIX for the characters and ridiculously detailed worlds. I like Pokemon because it's entirely light-hearted but has a surprising amount of depth... also, nostalgia goggles.



Also, second question. I saw someone earlier was saying a Sandy Bridge is a requirement for Dolphin. How true/accurate is this? I'm rocking a i7 930 @ 3.6Ghz, 12GB RAM, and an OC'd GTX570. I could run Skyword Sword at ~2x internal res at 98% speed, and it felt entirely playable. I'm hoping I can expect similar performance with Xeno.
While obviously completely different, how do you think I'll enjoy Xenoblade?

If those are your favorite games (especially considering your reasons for liking them) I'm sure you'll love Xenoblade.

Epic - Check
Sweeping narratives - Check
Characters - Major Check
Ridiculously detailed worlds - Major Check
Light-hearted - Sorta Check
Surprising amount of depth - Check

 

[Tess3ract]

More because I want to talk about the game more than anything, and I like to hear people's feelings on the games compared to my taste. So, to kill some time:

If my favorite RPGs of all time are:

SW: Knights of the Old Republic
The Witcher 2

Final Fantasy IX (9)

Pokemon Red/Blue

How much am I going to like this game? I'm drawn to the first two mostly for the story - they feel entirely epic and have sweeping narratives. I like FFIX for the characters and ridiculously detailed worlds. I like Pokemon because it's entirely light-hearted but has a surprising amount of depth... also, nostalgia goggles.



Also, second question. I saw someone earlier was saying a Sandy Bridge is a requirement for Dolphin. How true/accurate is this? I'm rocking a i7 930 @ 3.6Ghz, 12GB RAM, and an OC'd GTX570. I could run Skyword Sword at ~2x internal res at 98% speed, and it felt entirely playable. I'm hoping I can expect similar performance with Xeno.
While obviously completely different, how do you think I'll enjoy Xenoblade?

You should be fine.

 

[Az987]

This might be a dumb question but I only have $5 put down at Game Stop, does that guarantee me a copy?

Well I guess guarantee isn't the right word but what I mean is if my Game Stop only gets 20 copies and there are 25 pre-orders will the people who paid in full get priority over me?

Or is it basically first come first serve?

Oh and does the Gametrailers video review have spoilers in it?

 

[cametall]

Well damn ... I was hoping to get this from Toys R Us or Amazon.

I guess I'll have to swallow my pride (and drive to a non-local GameStop where I haven't reported the employees to "Corporate" for being sleazy) and buy from LameStop.

Is Wii Remote Plus required for this game (I assume not)?

 

[Rahxephon91]

I would like to see the people not including this in their top 20 RPGs to post a list. It doesn't even have to be numbered.

You know, for judging purposes.

Oh my god. Shut up. The game is good, it's not perfect and to not like it is no sin.

In the end this overhyping of the game is going to make me just dislike it.

 

[Mattakuevan]

This might be a dumb question but I only have $5 put down at Game Stop, does that guarantee me a copy?

Well I guess guarantee isn't the right word but what I mean is if my Game Stop only gets 20 copies and there are 25 pre-orders will the people who paid in full get priority over me?

Or is it basically first come first serve?

Oh and does the Gametrailers video review have spoilers in it?

It holds a copy for you for 2-3 days I think.

 

[TDLink]

This might be a dumb question but I only have $5 put down at Game Stop, does that guarantee me a copy?

Well I guess guarantee isn't the right word but what I mean is if my Game Stop only gets 20 copies and there are 25 pre-orders will the people who paid in full get priority over me?

Or is it basically first come first serve?

Oh and does the Gametrailers video review have spoilers in it?

There is barely anything in the GT review past the first like 2 hours of the game, which is surprising since they usually spoil shit in their reviews. The couple scenes that -are- in there from later on still aren't from that far in the game and don't really spoil anything. So yeah, you should be safe to watch it.

 

[Gianni Merryman]

Is Wii Remote Plus required for this game (I assume not)?

Actually not even plain Wii remote is required, I am playing it with the CCPro and it works just fine for me.

 

[ASTROID2]

This game is gonna be so AWESOME.

 

[Tess3ract]

If you don't like this game, I don't like you.

 

[PixyJunket]

After all of the rallying and annoying I've done through Operation Rainfall, I think I might have to put off playing the game for a couple of weeks. Oh, I'm still picking up two copies on launch day, but I'm hot in the middle of Tales of Graces still and the weekends are the only time I have to dedicate real time to lengthy RPGs. I might be able to beat the "main arc" of the game this weekend and try to pick up the "future arc" and finish off trophies later. Maybe.

I knew this would happen and yet I started Graces anyway. Gragh.

 

[XPE]

Lucky yanks getting to play this game for the 1st time, so jealous of you =)

 

[chaosblade]

If you don't like this game, I don't like you.

Poor B.K.

I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head who actually dislikes the game. There was someone in the PAL OT that was complaining about all kinds of stuff, but most of it made it sound like he hadn't played the game for more than 20 minutes. I'm sure there are others, but none come to mind.

 

[Rahxephon91]

If you don't like this game, I don't like you.

Well seeing as you have a moe avatar, I guess thats not a big loss.

 

[Zekes!]

we should have a hype makeout session the day before it comes out

anybody

 

[Firemind]

Oh my god. Shut up. The game is good, it's not perfect and to not like it is no sin.

In the end this overhyping of the game is going to make me just dislike it.

I'm genuinely curious what RPG veterans think are the cream of the crop. What people think of Xenoblade is irrelevant, because I already know it's not part of the equation.

 

[IAmtheFMan]

I'm like 55 hours into this and I still think that I'm only little more than halfway through. For reference, I never take that long with JRPG's... most clock in around 30-35 hours for me with a few exceptions maybe being DQ8, XG and Persona 4 at close to 45-50 hours.

But even still, I'm not fatigued by it and want to keep going... a real testament to how well crafted the game is.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

I have the EU version and have been playing now for about 11 hours. I've been taking my time, though, and doing a lot of the sidequests and exploring

Spoiler

I'm still on Bionis' Leg and my party is about at level 21

. The music is amazing, by the way and the voices are really growing on me.

I finally get the Reyn Time and "Man, what a bunch of Jokers" references.

 

[Rahxephon91]

I'm genuinely curious what RPG veterans think are the cream of the crop. What people think of Xenoblade is irrelevant, because I already know it's not part of the equation.

On a re-read I see that. I saw the "for judging purposes" and I just assumed you meant "to judge those who don't like it. It didn't cross my mine that you meant something else. My mistake.

 

[Bel Marduk]

fuuuuuuuuuuck

no more art book

should have pre-ordered

nice ot, moblin!

 

[DownWithTheShip]

This might be a dumb question but I only have $5 put down at Game Stop, does that guarantee me a copy?

Well I guess guarantee isn't the right word but what I mean is if my Game Stop only gets 20 copies and there are 25 pre-orders will the people who paid in full get priority over me?

Or is it basically first come first serve?

Oh and does the Gametrailers video review have spoilers in it?

I've never heard of them not being able to fullfill preorders. Usually they get at least a few extras over the preorder amount.

If you put $5 down that pretty much guarantees you a copy, assuming you pay for the rest of it when you pick it up.

 

[Mattakuevan]

I'm genuinely curious what RPG veterans think are the cream of the crop. What people think of Xenoblade is irrelevant, because I already know it's not part of the equation.

I've played most RPGs over the last 20 years. I'd put it in my top...10? I guess.

In no particular order:

FF6
FF9
Chrono Trigger
Baldur's Gate 2
Diablo 2
Xenoblade
Demon's Souls
Deus Ex
SMT Nocturne
Morrowind

But then again, I can totally see why some people wouldn't like Xenoblade. It was just top-quality for exactly what "I" wanted. However certain things (quests...) weren't that great.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

does anyone know what gamestop's policy is on pre-orders and how much time you have to pick them up? i ordered from the website for in-store pickup but i am going to be out of town when the game comes out and i won't be back until the following monday (april 9th). they aren't going to "sell" my pre-order are they?

 

[SecretMoblin]

I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head who actually dislikes the game. There was someone in the PAL OT that was complaining about all kinds of stuff, but most of it made it sound like he hadn't played the game for more than 20 minutes. I'm sure there are others, but none come to mind.

Confirmation bias obviously plays a role - the people who are likely to play the game are also likely to enjoy it - but yeah, it's pretty remarkable how few people are willing to say "it didn't live up to my expectations" after finishing it. The PAL/AUS OT is incredibly light on major, sustained criticism for the game from people who are playing it.

And even though I went in knowing what to expect (and having most of the game spoiled for me), it still surprised me right up to the end. It'll be great to play through it again and relive all the "WOW" moments. Thankfully, there are quite a few.

fuuuuuuuuuuck

no more art book

should have pre-ordered

nice ot, moblin!

Danke, Bel! Looks like they underestimated demand, at least for preorders.

 

[Tess3ract]

Well seeing as you have a moe avatar, I guess thats not a big loss.

I still don't know what the fuck moe is, and I frankly don't care. I just love Hanako.

I've played most RPGs over the last 20 years. I'd put it in my top...10? I guess.

In no particular order:

FF6
FF9
Chrono Trigger
Baldur's Gate 2
Diablo 2
Xenoblade
Demon's Souls
Deus Ex
SMT Nocturne
Morrowind

But then again, I can totally see why some people wouldn't like Xenoblade. It was just top-quality for exactly what "I" wanted. However certain things (quests...) weren't that great.

Dat list
Dat avatar

Good taste!

 

[Korigama]

does anyone know what gamestop's policy is on pre-orders and how much time you have to pick them up? i ordered from the website for in-store pickup but i am going to be out of town when the game comes out and i won't be back until the following monday (april 9th). they aren't going to "sell" my pre-order are they?

Gamestop hold pre-orders for 48 hours after release.

 

[Sadist]

I do wonder how US GAF will react on the ending of the game.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

Gamestop hold pre-orders for 48 hours after release.

motherfucker dude.... do you know if they would let someone else pick it up for me or do i have to show up?

 

[Rahxephon91]

motherfucker dude.... do you know if they would let someone else pick it up for me or do i have to show up?

Someone else can pick it up as long as they have the receipt and even they really dont have to.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

Someone else can pick it up as long as they have the receipt and even they really dont have to.

yesssssss thanks brah!

 

[Muffdraul]

I saw this thread and thought "Oh shit I still need to pre-order!" Searched my email just in case, found my pre-order confirmation from December. Life is good.

 

[Rebel Leader]

I saw this thread and thought "Oh shit I still need to pre-order!" Searched my email just in case, found my pre-order confirmation from December. Life is good.

*slaps*
How dare you forget your pre-order.

Hang your head up in shame.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

this is the wrong thread to ask but how hard is it to setup dolphin emulation on PC? i would prefer to play this game on PC but ill play it on my wii if i have to!

 

[RomanticHeroX]

motherfucker dude.... do you know if they would let someone else pick it up for me or do i have to show up?

They go by phone number, just have a friend pick it up using whatever number you gave them when you preordered it.

 

[MoogPaul]

Game really over powers you if you do quests. Like, in a makes it less fun kind of way. I'm going to try the NA version with some sort of EXP reducing gecko code (if I can find one) this time.

 

[chaosblade]

this is the wrong thread to ask but how hard is it to setup dolphin emulation on PC? i would prefer to play this game on PC but ill play it on my wii if i have to!

It requires a pretty powerful PC to play with minimal issues, LLE audio is required to prevent garbly sound, and you'll want an overclocked Sandy Bridge CPU for that.

As far as actually using Dolphin, it won't take long to set up. Someone could probably give you an idea on what settings to use. You'll also either want a PC controller of some sort of a BT adapter to use the Wii Remote/Classic Controller.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

It requires a pretty powerful PC to play with minimal issues, LLE audio is required to prevent garbly sound, and you'll want an overclocked Sandy Bridge CPU for that.

As far as actually using Dolphin, it won't take long to set up. Someone could probably give you an idea on what settings to use. You'll also either want a PC controller of some sort of a BT adapter to use the Wii Remote/Classic Controller.

hmmm, i just made my PC about 5 months ago and its pretty decent. sounds like kind of a hassle, maybe i should just deal with playing on regular Wii

 

[Dark Schala]

I'm genuinely curious what RPG veterans think are the cream of the crop. What people think of Xenoblade is irrelevant, because I already know it's not part of the equation.

You could always comb through GAF's Essential RPGs (2012) edition thread since this question is quite off-topic.

A lot of those whom you would think are RPG veterans have posted in that thread so you can easily find their lists. But also note that the lists are not static and are generally ever-changing.

 

[Firemind]

Thanks. I have difficulty naming twenty different RPG series, much less twenty up for contention for best RPGs of all time.

 

[vic2020]

I really don't want to buy a wii just for one game, but after reading this thread and loving the xenogears/saga games I'll just pick the game now up and pick up a wii later when I find it for ~$20 used.

 

[Anasui Kishibe]

I do wonder how US GAF will react on the ending of the game.

I can already taste the hate. It's gonna be Zelda level, I tell you

 

[Man God]

Pfft the ending is rad.

 

[Rebel Leader]

I can already taste the hate. It's gonna be Zelda level, I tell you

When have I ever completely hated an entire game? =3