[Karsticles]

gem crafting is something I better learn soon... I tried it once but fell lost need to read these things more lol how big is this leg damn walked for hours and I think I only opened 10% of this map I'm having more fun exploring in this game than I ever had with a Zelda world

IMO, just mess around with random combinations to get a feel for what happens. Then read the gem guide. Rinse and repeat, and it'll all click for you.

[Smiles and Cries]

got the gem thing down a little better now... went around C9 talking to people day and night taking quests... some of these people are hard to find this game does need a guide book

funny thing is as I meet people and learn about them the affirmity thing that links them I see a green square smily Icon with the words "intimate lovers" between two people then I looked at my team the same green smile without the words is between my male party members and Sharla

Question does the clock still run when the game is paused?
when the screen goes on screen saver dim or when you hit menu on the wiimote
I wonder if I am using game time doing this I've left it on for hours to read GAF or watch streaming videos then go back and play again.

I got 18 hours of game time, level 26

[Karsticles]

got the gem thing down a little better now... went around C9 talking to people day and night taking quests... some of these people are hard to find this game does need a guide book funny thing is as I meet people and learn about them the affirmity thing that links them I see a green square smily Icon with the words "intimate lovers" between two people then I looked at my team the same green smile without the words is between my male party members and Sharla Question does the clock still run when the game is paused? when the screen goes on screen saver dim or when you hit menu on the wiimote I wonder if I am using game time doing this I've left it on for hours to read GAF or watch streaming videos then go back and play again. I got 18 hours of game time, level 26

No clue about the clock.

Funny about the green smiley.

For finding NPCs, I recommend one of a few methods:
1) Learn where an NPC is at a particular time, and just learn to go there and set the time.
2) Keep a record.
3) Use this spreadsheet, which is relatively low on spoilers (i.e. nothing game ruining unless you leave the NPC page, I think):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...r=false&gid=11

[chaosblade]

What do you think about Reyn? I'm sure you can agree that there's no real benefit to pumping his Talent Art gauge constantly. Do you think the Plus/Stability option is superior for him?

Probably, just because the best thing to do with Reyn is to pump up his damage as much as possible then Berserk+Magnum Charge+Sword Drive :lol

Bleed Plus seems weak since bleed attacks only do 20% of normal damage as bleed damage, so you'd be doing 40% of normal damage, which is still less than a fire, ice, or poison attack.

Well, Dunban only deals Bleed, but getting that occasional 4000+ bleed was nice.

Is Abassy (sp?) the only boss you absolutely need Night Vision for? I'm already at level 89, so I'm not too worried about getting to a reasonable level to fight the higher level guys aside from him.

Depends on what party you fight with, you'd probably want them for Blizzard Belzagas too for physical characters. Ancient Daedala and Despotic Arsene are doable without them at level 99, even with physical parties (though night vision would make the latter much, MUCH easier).

Well, it depends on the enemy's agility. If the boss has 2000 agility, and I have 1000 agility, then a 25% drop on him is the same as a 50% bonus to me, assuming the accuracy scale is done linearly.

It's not, Agility is just one factor, I'd have to dig up that post where I messily translated the hit rate calculation. It's a big factor though, so you're probably not too far off in that thinking.

ahh I am tired of being just "On Par" with the bosses I fight I've reach Central Pit's lower level just reached level 24 had to grind up to 26. Boss and minions still killed me maybe I just suck Since I suck I have now made up my mind to go grind it out to also learn to the control timing better. Where is the best spot to grind at this level?

Unique monsters. Hopefully I'll drill this into everyone's head that comes into this thread. :lol

They're tough, tougher than bosses in a lot of cases, but they provide the best experience in the game, drop the best equipment available at whatever point in the game they're beatable at, and give you valuable affinity coins for skill links.

Not to mention since they're challenging, it really makes you wrap your head around the battle system to beat them. If you can kill the unique monsters you come across (excluding any that are significantly higher level than you, obviously) you should be fine against any boss.

gem crafting isn't that important until you find stage III materials. wouldn't waste my time on I and II

Agility might be useful, any amount of dodging attacks is better than none. But yeah, generally what you find during quests and get for filling the collectopedia is good enough early in the game.



Also, the NPC section of that spreadsheet doesn't have spoilers, but pretty much every other section does.

So now that I've finished my praising rant, I'd like to address something that has been bothering me: Why in god's name isn't there a published guide for this game? I know that the game got a limited release over here in the States, but nothing seems to have been produced over in England either. The fact that we have to rely on half-baked Wikis and FAQs for a game this massive is an absolute travesty.

I very, very briefly considered doing a full guide sort of thing when I started revamping my FAQ on GAF (which I planned to work on this weekend but I've been sick), but I didn't really think it was necessary since the game is pretty easy, and the IGN Wiki guide has progressed decently (even if it's only up to Makna Forest and lacks a lot of details that I'd add). I don't think it would be particularly difficult to make a dedicated and more "strategy guide"-like one, just really, really time consuming.

I dunno though. If there's interest in that sort of thing it could be done, but I mean, by the time it would be done you'd probably have long since finished the game.

Edit: That IGN guide actually has some incorrect info. Just browsed through some sections, and I'm pretty sure the same DoT debuff from different characters do not stack, but I'd have to recheck that. It also says Mad Taunt is AoE, and that's not true (unless Berserk is up, it's actually listed in the effect).

[Smiles and Cries]

THIS GAME!

It has become my favorite game of all time... I don't even need to continue to story I'm having too much fun.

but the more I like the game the more I like the animals... it feels bad to kill them now ;_;
the momies of the herd of Amu :( so sad to kill the babies too

my INSOMNIA now has a friend

[ScOULaris]

I very, very briefly considered doing a full guide sort of thing when I started revamping my FAQ on GAF (which I planned to work on this weekend but I've been sick), but I didn't really think it was necessary since the game is pretty easy, and the IGN Wiki guide has progressed decently (even if it's only up to Makna Forest and lacks a lot of details that I'd add). I don't think it would be particularly difficult to make a dedicated and more "strategy guide"-like one, just really, really time consuming. I dunno though. If there's interest in that sort of thing it could be done, but I mean, by the time it would be done you'd probably have long since finished the game. Edit: That IGN guide actually has some incorrect info. Just browsed through some sections, and I'm pretty sure the same DoT debuff from different characters do not stack, but I'd have to recheck that. It also says Mad Taunt is AoE, and that's not true (unless Berserk is up, it's actually listed in the effect).

Well, it just seems like such a missed opportunity. A game this massive deserves an equally immense and beautifully designed official guide book. I'm talking something on the level of FFXII and DQ9's guides.

For that matter, Xenoblade has been one big missed opportunity in general, I believe. With its delayed, limited released in the States, I feel that Xenoblade was forever doomed to be one of the great under-marketed games of all time. It's possibly the best JRPG I've ever played, and the fact that it was released so late and on such a small scale is pretty disappointing.

[Smiles and Cries]

will we ever get grass like this game again on a Nintendo console? I hope so... so beautiful.

many this story moves along when you can beat a boss

too bad I've been reading spoilers when I got stuck... I wish I had a save file for NG+ already

will this game last me until Wii U launch?

[viciouskillersquirrel]

I just made it to Erith Sea. The scene with Riki's family was hilarious.

I'm at about level 37 now and I get the feeling that I'm either nearing the end of the game.... or the halfway point. I can't decide.

[Wichu]

I'm at about level 37 now and I get the feeling that I'm either nearing the end of the game.... or the halfway point. I can't decide.

You're at what is generally considered to be the slowest section story-wise. There's still a lot to look forward to.

[Smiles and Cries]

taking a snack break, going to be fat by the end of this

good music in this game... sheesh why did NOA do this?

[Leviathin25]

Just finished it. I loved this game probably RPG of the generation.

Is there any websites that have cool things and info I might have missed on my first play though? unfortunately I doubt I will get to replay this game because of time constraints.

[Smiles and Cries]

coming of age ceremony how hard is it? Is this something I need to leave for later?

I just saw a huge level 80+ dude blocking my path I could try and go around it but just want to know if Level 28 is where I should be right now?

Just finished it. I loved this game probably RPG of the generation. Is there any websites that have cool things and info I might have missed on my first play though? unfortunately I doubt I will get to replay this game because of time constraints.

there is a youtube channel of a guy who decided not to do a play though but shot video of how to get every secret location in the game some of them are tricks
I spoiled myself a lot but I do that with huge games to keep me motivated to play more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hQFsS1br5o

[Zornica]

where I should be right now?]

how about following that red arrow on top of the screen? :P
(if there is none, go to the menu and press Z)

No clue about the clock. Funny about the green smiley. For finding NPCs, I recommend one of a few methods: 1) Learn where an NPC is at a particular time, and just learn to go there and set the time. 2) Keep a record. 3) Use this spreadsheet, which is relatively low on spoilers (i.e. nothing game ruining unless you leave the NPC page, I think): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...r=false&gid=11

I always found it way easier to write down where npc spawn than where they are at a random time. if they spawn in front of you, you can't miss them. (spawnpoints are usually dark blue dots on the minimap, most of them are doors.

[Smiles and Cries]

there is no arrow for this thing just says QUEST heh with > !

may as well grind a bit

[chaosblade]

You shouldn't need to grind. Check the info for the quest and it will tell you what you need to do, and it should be marked on your map as well.

[Smiles and Cries]

finished that quest... that ceremony quest was my favorite so far... beautiful

[Samyy]

You shouldn't need to grind. Check the info for the quest and it will tell you what you need to do, and it should be marked on your map as well.

isnt fightng a bunch of unique monsters kinda grinding? Or looking for quest items for multiple hours?

[Karsticles]

I just made it to Erith Sea. The scene with Riki's family was hilarious. I'm at about level 37 now and I get the feeling that I'm either nearing the end of the game.... or the halfway point. I can't decide.

Roughly halfway. Your level toward the end will be at least 75 if you have been doing quests and exploring. I was much higher.

I just saw a huge level 80+ dude blocking my path I could try and go around it but just want to know if Level 28 is where I should be right now?

One of the beauties of this game is seeing stuff to do later right where you are right now.

isnt fightng a bunch of unique monsters kinda grinding? Or looking for quest items for multiple hours?

How is exploring a game grinding? You find the uniques by exploring your environment. 80% of quests, I would say, are completed just by exploring around the area and seeing what's up.

[Smiles and Cries]

30 hours in Level 30... hot mecha cut scene

I kinda knew they would make me climb that

can someone make me a Xenoblade Wii U avatar box? please... new favorite game of all time :3

every area is shockingly different and rich... how many years did this game take?

okay I want to jump off this rope bridge and swim to those huge falls can it or is that a fake background?

[chaosblade]

isnt fightng a bunch of unique monsters kinda grinding? Or looking for quest items for multiple hours?

You only need to fight them once, unless you kill them before a quest requires it (in which case you end up in the reload-cycle to get them to appear again).




And I messed around with Tempest Kick + Thunder. It works, but I only successfully pulled off a topple afterward once in numerous attempts at spamming Steel Strike after Thunder. And that one attempt was by lengthening the combo, adding Gale Slash -> Electric Gutbuster to the beginning to get break in before dazing (so that makes it a 6 art combo).

But even trying that multiple times I couldn't do it successfully. The animation for Thunder is so long daze ends before Steel Strike can even start. Shouldn't matter, the important part is daze, since that means Dunban can deal with visions. At least to an extent.

every area is shockingly different and rich... how many years did this game take?

I think they actually started doing something with the idea in early 2007, and the Japanese release was planned for late 2009. They ended up delaying the game internally until mid-2010 (which I believe is part of the reason NoA dropped the game). So basically 3 years, I think the Iwata Asks also said they did some concept stuff as early as 2006 but never really went any further until 2007.

[Seanspeed]

30 hours in Level 30... hot mecha cut scene I kinda knew they would make me climb that can someone make me a Xenoblade Wii U avatar box? please... new favorite game of all time :3 every area is shockingly different and rich... how many years did this game take? okay I want to jump off this rope bridge and swim to those huge falls can it or is that a fake background?

You can go there.

[Smiles and Cries]

You can go there.

I have a hardtime understanding how this game was even possible on Wii, I see the character model had to be low poly but the world damn... even if they cut most of it in segments they all are huge. I love the concept that the whole world you are walking on is one huge God thing

holy shit its 2PM I've been playing all of this time need sleep... (I'll go look for Riki's stuff when I wake up)

[SteeloDMZ]

Guys I just finished the boss fight that happens on that snowy mountain level. How long do I have to finish the game?

[chaosblade]

Guys I just finished the boss fight that happens on that snowy mountain level. How long do I have to finish the game?

You're roughly halfway. Maybe slightly over half.

[SaltyDoughnut]

IGN put Xenoblade as #11 in the top 25 Wii games

hooray?

no. they put The Last Story as #10.

what say you GAF?

EDIT: also no mention of Little King's Story, Zack & Wiki, or Epic Yarn

[Karsticles]

I also love the "if you see it, you can go there". It first really hits you when you're standing on top of Tephra Cave. Finding every lookout spot is such a pleasure. FFXIII was similarly impressive for making so many detailed backgrounds that had no point other than being a background, haha. What a waste of development time.

IGN put Xenoblade as #11 in the top 25 Wii games hooray? no. they put The Last Story as #10. what say you GAF? EDIT: also no mention of Little King's Story, Zack & Wiki, or Epic Yarn

It's a terrible list, IIRC. IMHO, the two best games on this system are Xenoblade and Monster Hunter Tri.

[Zornica]

IGN put Xenoblade as #11 in the top 25 Wii games hooray? no. they put The Last Story as #10. what say you GAF? EDIT: also no mention of Little King's Story, Zack & Wiki, or Epic Yarn

A top 25 list without lks isn't worth mentioning. and a list that puts tls over xb is just ridiculous.

[brandonh83]

I'm trying my best to like this game, but I think it's kind of a mess when it comes to explaining stuff. There have been so, so many tutorial windows that it eventually seriously turned me off and I stopped caring about learning about everything.

It's also doing that fucking annoying thing I hate about many RPG's, where you have a lot of items and collectibles and stuff and you have no idea what's okay to sell and you need a shitload of money.

Maybe I'll come back to it later, it just really feels like a chore. It started off okay but kept adding new elements that seem over-complicated that I just don't care about at all.

[Hiltz]

I guess this is what you get for trying to take a website's best game's list seriously!


Speaking of IGN, I was amused by today's review of The Last Story's graphics:

For the Wii, it’s super, but obviously it doesn’t compare that favorably to its peers on other platforms.

What the fuck is this ?

[KMD]

Progress update! On my way to Colony 6, currently looking for a little boy that had to abandon his sweet dune buggy.

I'm REALLY enjoying my time with this title. My passion for jRpgs has dwindled over the years, but this thing is lighting a fire in my loins. Just when I think I've got stuff down, the game piles on some more mechanics that really serve to enrich the experience, making it one of the deepest rpg's i've played. With 5 hours on the game clock, I can only say that this game is a fantastic work of art. I find myself just rotating the camera around in each new location just to take in the sights.

And I can also say that game amazes me with the stuff you can do. I'll be out exploring and think 'Hmm, would be sweet if you could actually swim in the water', then I decide to try to jump in and what do ya know?! You can swim! Come up to wall thats climbable I decide to jump at it just to see if I can latch on from above ground level, and yep, you can. It's the little things like that that make me smile and enjoy it that much more.

[Karsticles]

I'm trying my best to like this game, but I think it's kind of a mess when it comes to explaining stuff. There have been so, so many tutorial windows that it eventually seriously turned me off and I stopped caring about learning about everything. It's also doing that fucking annoying thing I hate about many RPG's, where you have a lot of items and collectibles and stuff and you have no idea what's okay to sell and you need a shitload of money. Maybe I'll come back to it later, it just really feels like a chore. It started off okay but kept adding new elements that seem over-complicated that I just don't care about at all.

I found everything in the game, aside from gem making, simple and intuitive.

No one should take a best game list seriously because it often won't be what you feel is worthwhile. It is unfortunate that a lot of Wii owners have not played Xenoblade Chronicles because they really are missing out on an impressive game.

Even though I may not like certain games, I'm able to admit that they're good and worth playing.

Progress update! On my way to Colony 6, currently looking for a little boy that had to abandon his sweet dune buggy. I'm REALLY enjoying my time with this title. My passion for jRpgs has dwindled over the years, but this thing is lighting a fire in my loins. Just when I think I've got stuff down, the game piles on some more mechanics that really serve to enrich the experience, making it one of the deepest rpg's i've played. With 5 hours on the game clock, I can only say that this game is a fantastic work of art. I find myself just rotating the camera around in each new location just to take in the sights. And I can also say that game amazes me with the stuff you can do. I'll be out exploring and think 'Hmm, would be sweet if you could actually swim in the water', then I decide to try to jump in and what do ya know?! You can swim! Come up to wall thats climbable I decide to jump at it just to see if I can latch on from above ground level, and yep, you can. It's the little things like that that make me smile and enjoy it that much more.

I get a strange pleasure in jumping half an inch off of the ground when I grip those vine ladders. Like "yeah, just a little bit less to climb!"

[cooljeanius]

pro tip: to uncover the whole map you only need to find all warp points. you can do it manually ofc, but there is one area in particular later on that will drive you crazy if you try it that way. That area alone is probably bigger than most game worlds.

Eryth Sea? That was actually the first area I realized you only had to find all the locations; up until then I had been trying to explore all the maps manually. I think a big part of that area seeming so big is because swimming is so slow and boring, though.

[Karsticles]

Eryth Sea? That was actually the first area I realized you only had to find all the locations; up until then I had been trying to explore all the maps manually. I think a big part of that area seeming so big is because swimming is so slow and boring, though.

There really should have been a Swim Speed +100% gem.

[Metroid Hunter]

Turns out this game is available at other stores too:

[Smiles and Cries]

Turns out this game is available at other stores too:

what does this mean? It sold bad and Nintendo.com / gamestop or well enough to print more

I am thinking about getting The Last Story this week but not sure if it will be as good as this game

[Karsticles]

My rule is: Unless it has competitive multiplayer to keep up with, or time-released content, any game can wait for a purchase until I'm done with what I'm playing right now. That said, TLS has online multiplayer.

[Smiles and Cries]

damn it again the boss is like 5 levels above me DOA

got take a trip this morning but I will be back to grind up

My rule is: Unless it has competitive multiplayer to keep up with, or time-released content, any game can wait for a purchase until I'm done with what I'm playing right now. That said, TLS has online multiplayer.

was there a limited release for TLS by Xseed? I forget... my Wii is not connect online these days. I might just pass on TLS but I wanted that game so bad.

I would have regretted Xenoblade so I better not miss this release I'll just shelve it for later just like I had my Xenoblade copy sit here for months until now

[Smiles and Cries]

I found this strange level up video, did they fix this (Melia trick? push them off the cliff trick) for the US?

I wanted to just try it once to see if I could do it but my party keeps fighting the monster before I can do my thing and we all get wasted

[Zornica]

why would you want to use such an exploit? If you keep playing normally, you should never be to low. just follow the path, and kill everything in your way. If you keep doing that, you'll end up at the right level.

[Karsticles]

was there a limited release for TLS by Xseed? I forget... my Wii is not connect online these days. I might just pass on TLS but I wanted that game so bad. I would have regretted Xenoblade so I better not miss this release I'll just shelve it for later just like I had my Xenoblade copy sit here for months until now

XSeeD said in an interview that it's a limited print run, and they don't plan on reprinting.

I found this strange level up video, did they fix this (Melia trick? push them off the cliff trick) for the US? I wanted to just try it once to see if I could do it but my party keeps fighting the monster before I can do my thing and we all get wasted

You can still do it, but it's pointless. It sucks to overlevel in this game. Beating the last boss just by autoattack because you want to be sure you get to see his moveset degrades your experience.

[Eggplant Wizard]

Lv. 39 and I've just reached the boss at the end of High Entia Tomb.

...I definitely need to do some quests or something since this boss is kicking my ass but quests are easily my least favorite part of the game. :/ Oh well, there should be some that don't take too long.

[Zornica]

Lv. 39 and I've just reached the boss at the end of High Entia Tomb. ...I definitely need to do some quests or something since this boss is kicking my ass but quests are easily my least favorite part of the game. :/ Oh well, there should be some that don't take too long.

I don't remember what lvl that boss was, but if he is just 1 or 2 levels above you, it shouldn't be a problem
but remember: one of those two is a human, so having shulk in the party is probably not a good idea. Because he is useless against humans, you'd be fighting with just 2 people.

[chaosblade]

Lv. 39 and I've just reached the boss at the end of High Entia Tomb. ...I definitely need to do some quests or something since this boss is kicking my ass but quests are easily my least favorite part of the game. :/ Oh well, there should be some that don't take too long.

Roam Eryth Sea and kill the unique monsters. You'll probably gain at least 2-3 levels and get some good equipment, way better than anything you could get from quests.

I'd link the picture that shows where they are but I'm on my phone.

[Eggplant Wizard]

I don't remember what lvl that boss was, but if he is just 1 or 2 levels above you, it shouldn't be a problem but remember: one of those two is a human, so having shulk in the party is probably not a good idea. Because he is useless against humans, you'd be fighting with just 2 people.

Roam Eryth Sea and kill the unique monsters. You'll probably gain at least 2-3 levels and get some good equipment, way better than anything you could get from quests. I'd link the picture that shows where they are but I'm on my phone.

Will keep these things in mind tomorrow, thanks!

[Smiles and Cries]

why would you want to use such an exploit? If you keep playing normally, you should never be to low. just follow the path, and kill everything in your way. If you keep doing that, you'll end up at the right level.

yeah I'll do it the hard way :)

[chaosblade]

Will keep these things in mind tomorrow, thanks!

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/994/erythsea.jpg

There's a map. Obviously you can ignore the level 80+ enemies, I'd recommend just starting from the weakest and working your way up to the strongest (Lightspeed Sonid at level 44, beware of spikes on that one too). That's 8 enemies, unless you've already killed some of them, so 8 gold chests with goodies and 8 affinity coins. And tons of EXP+AP+SP. You win all around.

There is also one in the tomb where you are that you should absolutely kill because it guards an advanced (not intermediate!) art book for Summon Bolt, which is extremely useful.

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9...hentiatomb.jpg

[Karsticles]

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/994/erythsea.jpg There's a map. Obviously you can ignore the level 80+ enemies, I'd recommend just starting from the weakest and working your way up to the strongest (Lightspeed Sonid at level 44, beware of spikes on that one too). That's 8 enemies, unless you've already killed some of them, so 8 gold chests with goodies and 8 affinity coins. And tons of EXP+AP+SP. You win all around. There is also one in the tomb where you are that you should absolutely kill because it guards an advanced (not intermediate!) art book for Summon Bolt, which is extremely useful. http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9...hentiatomb.jpg

What's the link for the full collection? I wouldn't mind double-checking so I have every affinity coin I can get.

Also, sometimes I kill a unique, and one character doesn't get the affinity coin. What gives?

[Smiles and Cries]

seems like there is no teleport for Yellow Flower at Makna Forest
Decayed Forest is where the Quest flag monster is but when I die it starts me over at Village Entrance

I get what you guys are saying about leveling up along the way the battles are fun but I am still 3 levels lower than the boss can't seem to beat him if I ever get to him that is... its a long walk with many monsters blocking the way. I am even dying at Yellow Flower with those caterpillars lol

Is it the quest that causes me not to warp to Yellow Flower and Decayed Forest?

[Karsticles]

seems like there is no teleport for Yellow Flower at Makna Forest Decayed Forest is where the Quest flag monster is but when I die it starts me over at Village Entrance I get what you guys are saying about leveling up along the way the battles are fun but I am still 3 levels lower than the boss can't seem to beat him if I ever get to him that is... its a long walk with many monsters blocking the way. I am even dying at Yellow Flower with those caterpillars lol Is it the quest that causes me not to warp to Yellow Flower and Decayed Forest?

Just save right before you engage the boss, and reload. Saves you a bit of time. One boss, which took me 20-30 tries, I saved a lot of time on by doing that!

[chaosblade]

Just save right before you engage the boss, and reload. Saves you a bit of time. One boss, which took me 20-30 tries, I saved a lot of time on by doing that!

I found them here. Looks like the project was never finished, a few areas aren't completed and that post hasn't been updated in almost a year.

I'm probably going to do my own set of them with cleaner images. And probably color code them by level so people can easily see which ones to go after during the course of the game and which ones to wait on. I also wouldn't include quest-specific enemies, unless they give affinity coins and have 100% gold chest drops. There are only 157 "true" UMs that do that of the (apparently) 218 total.