[BlazingDarkness]

I assume I am nearing the end (right? Surely...) as well in Agniratha currently, while I don't find the areas exhausting it feels like they kinda phoned it in or something with the level design. Maybe that's a bit harsh but the areas are much smaller and just involve running around in circles hitting buttons and unlocking doors, it feels really different compared to the rest of the game. That said I've been having a blast with the last few areas because there are just unique mobs everywhere and even a lot of the normal enemies can be rough if you don't watch out, I have had a lot of fun with it.

The second half of the game focuses more on the plot and less so on explorative freedom, I think this is a good decision personally. And, of course, a plethora of endgame content opens for those wanting more variety near the end.

[ZenaxPure]

The second half of the game focuses more on the plot and less so on explorative freedom, I think this is a good decision personally. And, of course, a plethora of endgame content opens for those wanting more variety near the end.

Yeah, I don't really have a problem with it personally but it's vastly different from the first half of the game and feels a bit weird.

[burgerdog]

Woah, question about Dèsirèe's father:

She said her father Xord disappeared one year ago during a mechon battle. Is it the same Xord that dies in the Mine?

[SecretMoblin]

Woah, question about Dèsirèe's father: She said her father Xord disappeared one year ago during a mechon battle. Is it the same Xord that dies in the Mine?

No.

Xord is a common given name among the Homs of the Bionis.

OF COURSE IT'S THE SAME

[Ruas]

Woah, question about Dèsirèe's father: She said her father Xord disappeared one year ago during a mechon battle. Is it the same Xord that dies in the Mine?

secret

[Ruas]

Even during The night?

I dont remember, I'll check that next time.

[Bisnic]

Just got done with Prison Island. The twist was kinda expected, but still was nice to see.

I suppose im like at 60-65% of the game or something? Will i ever step on Mechonis or is that like just the last 5-10%?

Also, i feel like ignoring more and more of the sidequests unless they are on my way for the main story. There's just too many of them.

[burgerdog]

No. Xord is a common given name among the Homs of the Bionis. OF COURSE IT'S THE SAME

secret

Do you guys know what prompts this piece of dialogue? Story events or affinity?

[BlazingDarkness]

Just got done with Prison Island. The twist was kinda expected, but still was nice to see. I suppose im like at 60-65% of the game or something? Will i ever step on Mechonis or is that like just the last 5-10%?

I THINK you're more like 40% of the story. But 55-60% of the game. And yes, you will visit Mechonis ;)

[The Technomancer]

I assume I am nearing the end (right? Surely...) as well in Agniratha currently, while I don't find the areas exhausting it feels like they kinda phoned it in or something with the level design. Maybe that's a bit harsh but the areas are much smaller and just involve running around in circles hitting buttons and unlocking doors, it feels really different compared to the rest of the game. That said I've been having a blast with the last few areas because there are just unique mobs everywhere and even a lot of the normal enemies can be rough if you don't watch out, I have had a lot of fun with it.

Yeah, I want to say you're nearing the end. My gripes with the end-game really start with the area you're going to go to after that.

[Effect]

Looks like I"m going to be doing a lot of the side-quest. The way combat is setup I get the feeling I'm going to be more comfortable playing this game and enjoying the story if I don't have to worry about struggling during combat outside of boss fights.

[MetatronM]

Just got done with Prison Island. The twist was kinda expected, but still was nice to see. I suppose im like at 60-65% of the game or something? Will i ever step on Mechonis or is that like just the last 5-10%? Also, i feel like ignoring more and more of the sidequests unless they are on my way for the main story. There's just too many of them.

You're around 50%. Give or take. Maybe slightly less.

[Mikey Jr.]

My tips that you probably don't know (Newbie tips)

1. You can talk to everyone twice.
2. Putting things in your collectopedia consumes that item.
3. People that have unique names can be traded with by pressing 2 on the wiimote when near them.
4. You can lure enemies from their groups if you don't think you can take them all on at once.
5. When switching out gear, the gem stays with that piece of gear. Remove the gem before you swap out allies gear.
6. Using the monado powers uses up the chain gauge. (I was wondering why I never have enough chain lol)

Thats all I got so far. Mind you, I'm only like 25 hours in, haha.

[branny]

Read the FAQ in the OP. YOU CAN QUICK TRAVEL BETWEEN AREAS. Explore the menus, read the in-game tutorials (twice if you need to), change up your party leader every now and then to keep things fresh, don't worry about doing all the quests once you get them, don't sell collectibles, keep at least a few pieces of every bit of loot you come across.

Can someone explain this a bit? I've been selling pretty much any equipment I don't need anymore. =\

[Mikey Jr.]

Can someone explain this a bit? I've been selling pretty much any equipment I don't need anymore. =\

You know those blue orbs you get that turn out to be "Beetle legs" or "Yellow Gear". He means don't sell all of those to a merchant. You will get a quest 50 hours down the road that will want "5 Beetle legs".

[Zekes!]

I'm 50 hours in and just I entered galahad fortress. Sometimes it takes hours only to complete a couple quests by the time i find the right items,person,location ect. I love every area but the snow region is kinda bland and uninspired.

It's not so much bland as it is just ugly. The music at night more than makes up for it, though.

[branny]

Oh, gotcha. Since "don't sell collectibles" was right before it, I was worried it extended to equipment for some obscure endgame reason about needing multiple pieces to smelt into a super armor or set or something, lmao.

[Mikey Jr.]

Oh, gotcha. I was worried it extended to equipment for some obscure endgame reason about needing multiple pieces to smelt into a super armor or set or something, lmao.

Mind you, I'm only 25 hours in, but seems like equipment is fine to sell. No need for it if you're not using it. I like to outfit my other party members that I don't use with cool equipment though just to see them during cutscenes. For them, it is more about style than functionality.

[ErasureAcer]

Got housing completed at lvl 67. Fought bats, caterpillars and goloths or whatever they're called at 66. Yay for spike damage. =)

[SecretMoblin]

Mind you, I'm only 25 hours in, but seems like equipment is fine to sell. No need for it if you're not using it. I like to outfit my other party members that I don't use with cool equipment though just to see them during cutscenes. For them, it is more about style than functionality.

Yeah, you can sell pretty much all of your old equipment if you don't think you'll need it. You'll wind up with a lot of copies, so don't be afraid to clean out your gear inventory every now and then.

Sorry for not being more clear.

[schlew]

Yuck. Confusion has reared its ugly head again.
I was kind of lost during the explanation of changing the battle's future, and the explanation that opens up in your menu isn't the same.
My problem is how to react to the attacks the enemy does. If an enemy attacks, the colour of the attack's name changes my approach. But I'm not sure what I am to do. Say it's red, how do I counter it? Thanks.

[SecretMoblin]

Yuck. Confusion has reared its ugly head again. I was kind of lost during the explanation of changing the battle's future, and the explanation that opens up in your menu isn't the same. My problem is how to react to the attacks the enemy does. If an enemy attacks, the colour of the attack's name changes my approach. But I'm not sure what I am to do. Say it's red, how do I counter it? Thanks.

Red = Monado Speed.

[dragonlife]

I'm nearing 40 hours and barely reached Frontier Valley. I spent a damn long portion of my time doing sidequests. OMG, the sidequests. I have sooooo many completed. I did all the timed ones I could find. If you're someone who's compelled to do sidequests before moving on, you will not be very happy. Then again, you're probably a masochist like the rest of us, so, whatever.

Anyway, yeah. Game is addictive. I'm biased because it's Monolithsoft, but this is one of the best games I've played. It's still no Baten Kaitos, but it's damn close to them as being a favorite. Very close.

Anyway, I figured I'd show my recent L4D2 skin I made :P I just love that image (it's even my wallpaper)




My finale music's been the final/fuckawesome part of "Crisis" ever since I got the OST. I should go ahead and change my Tank music from The Last Remnant's "Out of Control" to Xenoblade's "One Who Gets in Our Way" soon.

[schlew]

Red = Monado Speed.

What about that attack makes it best to use against the enemy's? If it's an red fonted attack, do I attack back with a monado art?

And what about white fonted enemy attacks? Do I just cast the Shield attack?

[SecretMoblin]

What about that attack makes it best to use against the enemy's? If it's an red fonted attack, do I attack back with a monado art? And what about white fonted enemy attacks? Do I just cast the Shield attack?

A red fonted attack means use Monado Speed; the targeted character will dodge the attack.

If it's in a white font with a roman numeral after it, use Monado Shield—assuming its level is higher than the enemy's attack.

[schlew]

A red fonted attack means use Monado Speed; the targeted character will dodge the attack. If it's in a white font with a roman numeral after it, use Monado Shield—assuming its level is higher than the enemy's attack.

Awesome. Thanks a ton.

[milkyjay20]

I'm not sure what to think of this game.

It's the exploration that I'm having a problem with. There's too much land, too many blue dots, too many "unique" monsters, but none of the richness and depth that signifies proper world-building for games. Some bonehead a few pages back said that Bethesda has a thing to learn from XB, but it's actually the other way around. Take Fallout 3 for example. If you go off the beaten path, you'll either find an abandoned subway station populated by people who think they're vampires, a tiny village that you have to defend from mutants (much like Seven Samurai), and an empty school taken over by sadistic raiders--and that's all just near the beginning! Xenoblade on the other hand, what is there really to find? A pretty view and some hard monsters, with all the interesting bits saved for the main quest.

I think I'm going to play this like I do any other JRPG, just run straight through it for purposes of watching the story and seeing the new areas. I actually like the dialog, especially when you compare it to other RPG's. I even like the (literally) constant yammering during battles. The voice acting adds a lot of British flavor and character. I especially enjoy Reyn, especially when he tells Shulk to get stuck in.

[ZenaxPure]

I'm not sure what to think of this game. Take Fallout 3 for example. If you go off the beaten path, you'll either find an abandoned subway station populated by people who think they're vampires, a tiny village that you have to defend from mutants (much like Seven Samurai), and an empty school taken over by sadistic raiders--and that's all just near the beginning! Xenoblade on the other hand, what is there really to find? A pretty view and some hard monsters, with all the interesting bits saved for the main quest.

Thing is though, it depends on what you want from your open world game. I enjoy Bethesda games for the very things you mention but when it comes down to it the actual part where you play their games isn't very fun/engaging. As cool as it was to walk into that subway station and meet the "vampires" in Fallout 3 I personally find more enjoyment in going off the beaten path to find a unique monster who gives me a challenging fight.

But I enjoy video games for their mechanics/challenge far more than I do for any world or character building. For me that is always just a bonus, I want the fun more than the atmosphere.

[Junie12]

So apparently I'm stuck in a boss battle...

I can't hit Disciple Lorithia even with the Monado purge..

how do I beat her?

Oh and am I almost done with the game?

[Cloudy]

The music in this game is soooo good. Who did the OST?

Here's the most recent song I like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyyRFEoNlE

[ultron87]

Just killed the big Telethia in Makna. Dunban is such a baller. He does more with one arm than everyone else combined.

[BlazingDarkness]

The music in this game is soooo good. Who did the OST? Here's the most recent song I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyyRFEoNlE

If you liked that, you're in for some wonderful treats over the next several tens of hours :D

So apparently I'm stuck in a boss battle... I can't hit Disciple Lorithia even with the Monado purge.. how do I beat her? Oh and am I almost done with the game?

I found this to be the hardest story boss in the game, a lot of people struggled here. Keep trying!
And, I'd say you're definitely getting towards the end.

[MetatronM]

6. Using the monado powers uses up the chain gauge. (I was wondering why I never have enough chain lol)

No it doesn't. Using a Monado art only consumes Shulk's talent art gauge.

[Zornica]

So apparently I'm stuck in a boss battle... I can't hit Disciple Lorithia even with the Monado purge.. how do I beat her? Oh and am I almost done with the game?

are you using melia? if you don't, you should, because it makes this fight way easier. This particular enemy is weak to ether attacks, so a melia - riki - whoever team should be the best choice. Don't forgett to command your people to get out off the green stuff

The fight isn't all that hard.

[Jintor]

I'm not sure what to think of this game. It's the exploration that I'm having a problem with. There's too much land, too many blue dots, too many "unique" monsters, but none of the richness and depth that signifies proper world-building for games. Some bonehead a few pages back said that Bethesda has a thing to learn from XB, but it's actually the other way around. Take Fallout 3 for example. If you go off the beaten path, you'll either find an abandoned subway station populated by people who think they're vampires, a tiny village that you have to defend from mutants (much like Seven Samurai), and an empty school taken over by sadistic raiders--and that's all just near the beginning! Xenoblade on the other hand, what is there really to find? A pretty view and some hard monsters, with all the interesting bits saved for the main quest.

On paper that sounds like the tits. In-game? It's shit. All that richness and depth is ultimately reduced to 10 idiotic NPCs with terrible voice acting and writing who dole out quests or just try and kill you. I'll take Xenoblade's beautiful vistas and straight-up exploration XP any day.

[Junie12]

are you using melia? if you don't, you should, because it makes this fight way easier. This particular enemy is weak to ether attacks, so a melia - riki - whoever team should be the best choice. Don't forgett to command your people to get out off the green stuff The fight isn't all that hard.

Wait I have to use Melia? Aw man, I only used her once in the entire game :(

Oh well, I guess I have to tweak my party again <_<

[Zornica]

Wait I have to use Melia? Aw man, I only used her once in the entire game :( Oh well, I guess I have to tweak my party again <_<

you don't have to, but it would make that fight way easier.
Melia Tutorial her.

You can beat the boss with every party combination possible, but it will be harder, especially if you stuck to a shulk-reyn-sharla combo.
the boss has a "damage absorbing shield", to remove it, you need to kill the little nebulas, when playing melia, you can simply blast through it.

[MetatronM]

Wait I have to use Melia? Aw man, I only used her once in the entire game :( Oh well, I guess I have to tweak my party again <_<

HAVE to? No. I beat that battle without her. With difficulty and with Riki only barely saving my ass at one point, but I did do it.

[EvilMario]

I love how everyone is always stumped by the fight. I beat the boss using Riki as the controlled character, as he does have some okay Ether attacks, and lovely status attacks like Poison.

[Junie12]

Well, I did it. I managed to beat the boss with the Melia, Riki, and Sharla team. Man I wished I payed attention to these characters ether attacks. Then this boss wouldn't be so damned hard <_<

God I hope there is no other boss that have to use ether to beat them, I hate using ether >_<

Oh and fuck that boss for having so much HP!

[Mikey Jr.]

No it doesn't. Using a Monado art only consumes Shulk's talent art gauge.

Really? I could have sworn something brought it down during battle. I thought it was my monado when I used speed or something like that. I stopped using monado powers and I have been able to get chains much more frequently.

[Jintor]

Warnings, encouragements, revives and stun/condition revives are the only things that eat the party gauge, pretty sure.

[Mikey Jr.]

Warnings, encouragements, revives and stun/condition revives are the only things that eat the party gauge, pretty sure.

Hmm, that could have definitely been it. Damn, I have been ignoring my monado powers all this time, lol. Dammit.

[Junie12]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

The power went out in my house and I forgot to save!

Now I have to face the boss all over again ;_;

And I have to watch the Melia and Fiora scene again, and I see Shulk is not in my party either, which means I have to go through the Bionis interior again!

Oh why does this have to happen to me why!!!!!!

Yeah I'm gonna take a break from the game for a while. And I was so sure I was gonna pass it tonight too! ;_;

This Sucks!!!!

[Papercuts]

Hmm, that could have definitely been it. Damn, I have been ignoring my monado powers all this time, lol. Dammit.

The chain gauge also slowly depletes out of battle.

[Gvaz]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! The power went out in my house and I forgot to save! Now I have to face the boss all over again ;_; And I have to watch the Melia and Fiora scene again, and I see Shulk is not in my party either, which means I have to go through the Bionis interior again! Oh why does this have to happen to me why!!!!!! Yeah I'm gonna take a break from the game for a while. And I was so sure I was gonna pass it tonight too! ;_; This Sucks!!!!

You should really get in the habit of saving every 30 minutes. Set an alarm when you play games if you must.

[Junie12]

You should really get in the habit of saving every 30 minutes. Set an alarm when you play games if you must.

Yeah I really should <_<

But I was so into the game that saving didn't even cross my mind! There was just so many things going on in this game!

Sigh, lesson learned.

SAVE ALL THE TIME!!!

[Jintor]

lol. You learn that pretty quickly when ultra-optimised stable dolphin turns out not to be. Buh-bye three hours of playtime

[Jswanko]

The music in this game is soooo good. Who did the OST? Here's the most recent song I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyyRFEoNlE

I kept going back to this place just to hear the song.

[Jintor]

The music in this game is soooo good. Who did the OST? Here's the most recent song I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyyRFEoNlE

Mainly ACE+ and MonolithSoft inhouse.

Iwata: Takahashi-san, could you tell us about your original concept of how the soundtrack should be for Xenoblade Chronicles? Takahashi: I didn't want to restrict it to any particular genre or instrument. There are of course various potential routes you can take: limiting it to only acoustic instruments, for instance. But I think this makes a certain monotonous feel unavoidable. That's why I wanted to use a wide range of instruments for this title, thinking that mixing classical stringed instruments with more electric sounds would be all right, too. Tomori-san is originally a guitarist, after all. Tomori: That's right! (laughs) Takahashi: As it's an RPG, there are always going to be typical RPG-style battle scenes. But I actually wanted to use music and instruments in a way that worked against that type of atmosphere to some extent. Iwata: So you wanted to use instruments that each had their own individual flavor, thereby creating a more varied soundtrack? Takahashi: That's right.