All of the talk over the new Monolithsoft project has got me in the mood to talk Xenoblade.
I've put another 20 or so hours in from where I last was and have spent the last 2 hours or so wandering around
. I think what I'm most impressed with at this point is how Monolithsoft has managed to merge the linearity inherent in most JRPGs with such a great sense of exploration. The areas are small enough to keep you focused(relatively), but large enough that exploring every nook of an area still seems rewarding, especially when you stumble on upon an area that has been sitting unnoticed for like 15 hours. :lol
The sense of progression in this game is also fantastic and horrible at the same time. On one hand, since you have a sense of what the world looks like(you pretty much know you're on a giant from the moment you start), progression in the game really feels like an adventure. You get a great sense of how far you've traveled from point A(despite the fact that you can warp back to anywhere you've been at a moment's notice), and every major new area seems to awe in it's own way, seeming more spectacular and foreign than the last.
.
On the other hand, there are too many damn quests. I probably put around 15 hours into the third area just killing 5 of random monster x, collecting 3 of material y, or retrieving someone's stolen clothes. Yet the game system seems tied into doing a majority of these quests if you want to get the most out of the game. For one thing, if you weren't fighting monsters while taking the time to complete quests, you would almost certainly be doing it a great deal to level up, as the levels of later enemies tend to spike quite a bit. Essentially, not doing the quests is even more monotonous than doing them. Also, doing the quests is the best way to get money, xp, and improve your characters' "bonding" level, of which the higher levels between characters lead to both improved stats in battle, and give you the ability to activate scenes between characters that are scattered throughout the game(imagine if every skit in a Tales game were condition based). It's not horrible or game breaking by any means, and some quests can be cool, but I wish it was balanced better. When I have to pause my main quest, because some guy needs ingredients for a cake, and threatens me with a timer, it gets a little irritating.
The story is interesting enough, although I think I've figured out a significant plot twist already. I'm interested to see how things progress, anyway. It's really the characters, however, which are fascinating. They really seem to break away from the stereotypes which are so common in JRPG characters. I won't touch anymore on this, as I think it's already been mentioned a million times.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for me, however, is the music. It's by no means bad, and some tracks are very good, but it hasn't reached the level of Monolithsoft's previous works. Maybe I'll change my mind latter on.
Anyway, just my two cents. I'll check in again once I beat the game.
:lol
Here's hoping Nintendo announces something soon, as this really is a spectacular game. I'm starting to get the feeling that maybe they don't want anything to show up Skyward Sword.
I've put another 20 or so hours in from where I last was and have spent the last 2 hours or so wandering around
Makna Forest
The sense of progression in this game is also fantastic and horrible at the same time. On one hand, since you have a sense of what the world looks like(you pretty much know you're on a giant from the moment you start), progression in the game really feels like an adventure. You get a great sense of how far you've traveled from point A(despite the fact that you can warp back to anywhere you've been at a moment's notice), and every major new area seems to awe in it's own way, seeming more spectacular and foreign than the last.
My jaw dropped when Zatoll went from bland, grayish swamp to twilight dreamland in an instant
On the other hand, there are too many damn quests. I probably put around 15 hours into the third area just killing 5 of random monster x, collecting 3 of material y, or retrieving someone's stolen clothes. Yet the game system seems tied into doing a majority of these quests if you want to get the most out of the game. For one thing, if you weren't fighting monsters while taking the time to complete quests, you would almost certainly be doing it a great deal to level up, as the levels of later enemies tend to spike quite a bit. Essentially, not doing the quests is even more monotonous than doing them. Also, doing the quests is the best way to get money, xp, and improve your characters' "bonding" level, of which the higher levels between characters lead to both improved stats in battle, and give you the ability to activate scenes between characters that are scattered throughout the game(imagine if every skit in a Tales game were condition based). It's not horrible or game breaking by any means, and some quests can be cool, but I wish it was balanced better. When I have to pause my main quest, because some guy needs ingredients for a cake, and threatens me with a timer, it gets a little irritating.
The story is interesting enough, although I think I've figured out a significant plot twist already. I'm interested to see how things progress, anyway. It's really the characters, however, which are fascinating. They really seem to break away from the stereotypes which are so common in JRPG characters. I won't touch anymore on this, as I think it's already been mentioned a million times.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for me, however, is the music. It's by no means bad, and some tracks are very good, but it hasn't reached the level of Monolithsoft's previous works. Maybe I'll change my mind latter on.
Anyway, just my two cents. I'll check in again once I beat the game.
Am I even 50% done?
Here's hoping Nintendo announces something soon, as this really is a spectacular game. I'm starting to get the feeling that maybe they don't want anything to show up Skyward Sword.
