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[Raitaro]

Man, after seeing these (surprising, after the initial Japanese impressions?) positive reviews I wish I still could get more excited for this game!

Watching the Giant Bomb Quick Look however instantly reminded me why I burned out so hard on the original Xenoblade Chronicles despite playing it for quite a few hours and really loving some of its elements (like the music and world): the complicated combat (in terms of the systems in play) that is somehow still shallow and boring due to a lack of an actual physical interaction between characters and enemies, the overbearing UI, and the endless item collecting and people finding meta game. It's just so grindy and MMO-ish, and not at all like something like Secret of Mana in terms of direct combat etc.

I might still try it at some point, but it's not high on my priority list right now unfortunately. I am glad that this game is reviewing well for all of you who have been looking forward to it though.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

Incidentally, does this game use the Shulk amiibo in any way?

Too big, Too long, Too Hardcore.... 7.0 Incoming

He's one of the hosts of their Nintendo podcast. He might 8.3 it, but he's not gonna throw the game under the bus.

 

[wrowa]

Yay.

 

[marmoka]

Yay.

Lucky you. Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow, according to Amazon.

 

[TheMoon]

For anyone who knows, is there no way to change the music volume in the game? It gets too loud for my liking, especially during cutscenes and battles. I've looked everywhere in the settings and can't seem to find a way.

There are no audio volume options.

Here's hoping one of the nearby shops breaks the embargo...

Friday is just too far away!

"Embargo" is for press. You're talking about the "street date."

 

[Ulysses 31]

Poor Otero!

https://twitter.com/jose_otero/status/671930444124844034

^_^

An ambiguous message.

One can read it that he's tired of the game but he has to conintue playing to finsh the story because of his profession...

Or that the game is so big and there's so much stuff he still wants to do but he has to focus on completing the story and skip a bunch of stuff.


I fear it's the first one. >.>

 

[rager]

I want this game but I am afraid it is going to get much play from me with my busy schedule. Ugh.

 

[Teletraan1]

What time does this unlock in NA on the eShop for preloads? I have never preloaded anything else on Wii U. (Has there been any other games eligible for preloads on Wii U?)

 

[TDLink]

Poor Otero!

https://twitter.com/jose_otero/status/671930444124844034

^_^

This kind of stuff is why I hate the current review system for these types of games. Now don't get me wrong, most of the reviews are really good. And some reviewers do just "get" it. But reviewers at the established media sites are under too much pressure to "Beat" the game for a specific deadline. And he already missed the deadline really since the embargo was lifted. I assume the secondary deadline is Friday when the game actually launches. The problem here is now he's forced to play the game a certain way in a specific amount of time, which really limits what he can do and will no doubt colour his final opinion. He may even grow to resent the game or exaggerate flaws. I've seen this stuff happen before.

This may sound weird to say, but 40 hour+ JRPG stories just aren't something we can reasonably expect reviewers to do. And based on the reviews, good or bad, I don't think all of them did. Many talk about continuing to play it or not finishing it. But I guess IGN has some sort of policy? I'm not really sure. I think Otero (and any reviewer) should play a game with the amount of time they have in whatever way they think is right. Whether that means they "beat" the main story or not.

This game is huge and according to pretty much everyone, there's so much to do that it can be played in many different ways and give completely different experiences person to person (unless someone sets off to do literally everything). I think demanding a reviewer finish a story in a long RPG like this in 2-4 weeks is unrealistic given their situation, not in line with what most people who actually get the game will do with it, and ultimately usually leads to a lower opinion of the title.

 

[SuperCambot]

I think I screwed up by canceling my order for the strategy guide and reordering with the coupon code to get the discount. Now there has been no shipment update.

 

[TheMoon]

What purpose does the gamepad serve for this? like can you put some of the mess that is the UI on to the touchscreen? I still need to get a pro controller so I can comfortably play Bayonetta 2 and was wondering if there was any bonus to not using the pro for XCX.

You can't put the HUD on the gamepad. Watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GMD_-y6Iw

What is the combat like in this game? Similar in style to PSO, or more like a FF type turn based jobby?

And you watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix87NDXnM_w
and this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxO6qaXUcGc

Incidentally, does this game use the Shulk amiibo in any way?

No.

What time does this unlock in NA on the eShop for preloads? I have never preloaded anything else on Wii U. (Has there been any other games eligible for preloads on Wii U?)

Midnight, like all other first party games.

Also, yes. Plenty games offered preload in NA.

 

[Vincent Grayson]

This kind of stuff is why I hate the current review system for these types of games. Now don't get me wrong, most of the reviews are really good. And some reviewers do just "get" it. But reviewers at the established media sites are under too much pressure to "Beat" the game for a specific deadline. And he already missed the deadline really since the embargo was lifted. I assume the secondary deadline is Friday when the game actually launches. The problem here is now he's forced to play the game a certain way in a specific amount of time, which really limits what he can do and will no doubt colour his final opinion. He may even grow to resent the game or exaggerate flaws. I've seen this stuff happen before.

This may sound weird to say, but 40 hour+ JRPGs just aren't something we can reasonably expect reviewers to do. And based on the reviews, good or bad, I don't think all of them did. Many talk about continuing to play it or not finishing it. But I guess IGN has some sort of policy? I'm not really sure. I think Otero (and any reviewer) should play a game with the amount of time they have in whatever way they think is right. Whether that means they "beat" the main story or not.

This game is huge and according to pretty much everyone, there's so much to do that it can be played in many different ways and give completely different experiences person to person (unless someone sets off to do literally everything). I think demanding a reviewer finish a story in a long RPG like this in 2-4 weeks is unrealistic given their situation, not in line with what most people who actually get the game will do with it, and ultimately usually leads to a lower opinion of the title.

I'm pretty sure even the GameExplain 27-minute video references a playtime in the 80 hour range, while also mentioning not having actually *finished* the game.

I wish, though it's not likely to ever happen, that game reviews could bank on the quality and depth of their writing to draw in viewers, and as such, didn't have to fight for "First!" on embargo-lifting day.

 

[aravuus]

This kind of stuff is why I hate the current review system for these types of games. Now don't get me wrong, most of the reviews are really good. And some reviewers do just "get" it. But reviewers at the established media sites are under too much pressure to "Beat" the game for a specific deadline. And he already missed the deadline really since the embargo was lifted. I assume the secondary deadline is Friday when the game actually launches. The problem here is now he's forced to play the game a certain way in a specific amount of time, which really limits what he can do and will no doubt colour his final opinion. He may even grow to resent the game or exaggerate flaws. I've seen this stuff happen before.

This may sound weird to say, but 40 hour+ JRPG stories just aren't something we can reasonably expect reviewers to do. And based on the reviews, good or bad, I don't think all of them did. Many talk about continuing to play it or not finishing it. But I guess IGN has some sort of policy? I'm not really sure. I think Otero (and any reviewer) should play a game with the amount of time they have in whatever way they think is right. Whether that means they "beat" the main story or not.

This game is huge and according to pretty much everyone, there's so much to do that it can be played in many different ways and give completely different experiences person to person (unless someone sets off to do literally everything). I think demanding a reviewer finish a story in a long RPG like this in 2-4 weeks is unrealistic given their situation, not in line with what most people who actually get the game will do with it, and ultimately usually leads to a lower opinion of the title.

Yeah, which is why I think reviews - positive and negative both - of long RPGs should be taken with even bigger amount of salt than other reviews

 

[Hagi]

You can't put the HUD on the gamepad. Watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GMD_-y6Iw

Damn this game seems to dense.

 

[Qurupeke]

Should I play this on the gamepad only? Or is this a big mistake?

 

[Chaos17]

Yay.

Looks like the embargo is broken in the Netherlands! Just got my copy :-D!!!

 

[Snkfanatic]

Kinda regret not getting the LE now lol...had a few chances to but just passed on it.

 

[TDLink]

I'm pretty sure even the GameExplain 27-minute video references a playtime in the 80 hour range, while also mentioning not having actually *finished* the game.

I wish, though it's not likely to ever happen, that game reviews could bank on the quality and depth of their writing to draw in viewers, and as such, didn't have to fight for "First!" on embargo-lifting day.

Yeah it did. And it's important to note that the GameExplain reviewer likely had a lot more time to dedicate than most of the big media site reviewers and he still didn't finish the game. GameExplain is a fan site. The line starts to blur since Nintendo treats them the same and they get review copies, but they aren't some corporation. The impression I get is they are just a few guys who dedicate their lives to these games. The guy who reviewed Xenoblade X was likely just playing the game the last few weeks, maybe even in his free time. Otero probably only plays the game when he's "clocked in".

 

[aravuus]

Should I play this on the gamepad only? Or is this a big mistake?

Sounds like it. If possible, you should really play it on a TV.

 

[RPGCrazied]

One more day for the OT to go up! Can't wait to see it.

 

[MechaX]

Yeah, which is why I think reviews - positive and negative both - of long RPGs should be taken with even bigger amount of salt than other reviews

There are two genres of game reviews that I often take a bigger grain of salt for; fighting games and RPGs.

 

[TriBlade]

Anyone got thier best buy order shipped? I ordered the special edition and its still in progress.

My orders is still in progress as well.

 

[hank_tree]

Has a subtitle been chosen for the |OT| yet? May I suggest "Sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles IX"?

 

[Impulsor]

I'm about to click "buy" in the Xenoblade Chronicles X Wii U + Game pack.

Help.

 

[aravuus]

I watched the survival videos, and are the money/tourism probes ones that passively gain you money or something? I was just wondering if I could get some extra money by idling whenever I'm eating, doing homework etc.

There are two genres of game reviews that I often take a bigger grain of salt for; fighting games and RPGs.

Definitely

Has a subtitle been chosen for the |OT| yet? May I suggest "Sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles IX"?

X gon' give it to ya obviously

 

[FeD.nL]

I'm about to click "buy" in the Xenoblade Chronicles X Wii U + Game pack.

Help.

 

[thestopsign]

Has a subtitle been chosen for the |OT| yet? May I suggest "Sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles IX"?

Pretty unanimously chosen as "X Gonna Give It To Ya" I think.

 

[Firemind]

i got an email saying i can already pick up my preordered copy

what

 

[Impulsor]

Hahahahaha. Shit.

Done.

 

[Snkfanatic]

i got an email saying i can already pick up my preordered copy

what

What store?

 

[Orakio Rob]

Hahahahaha. Shit.

Done.

Good! We're so proud of you! ^_^

 

[Firemind]

Kinda regret not getting the LE now lol...had a few chances to but just passed on it.

Why? I thought the general consensus was the LE sucked.

What store?

Nedgame

 

[VendettaRed07]

This kind of stuff is why I hate the current review system for these types of games. Now don't get me wrong, most of the reviews are really good. And some reviewers do just "get" it. But reviewers at the established media sites are under too much pressure to "Beat" the game for a specific deadline. And he already missed the deadline really since the embargo was lifted. I assume the secondary deadline is Friday when the game actually launches. The problem here is now he's forced to play the game a certain way in a specific amount of time, which really limits what he can do and will no doubt colour his final opinion. He may even grow to resent the game or exaggerate flaws. I've seen this stuff happen before.

This may sound weird to say, but 40 hour+ JRPG stories just aren't something we can reasonably expect reviewers to do. And based on the reviews, good or bad, I don't think all of them did. Many talk about continuing to play it or not finishing it. But I guess IGN has some sort of policy? I'm not really sure. I think Otero (and any reviewer) should play a game with the amount of time they have in whatever way they think is right. Whether that means they "beat" the main story or not.

This game is huge and according to pretty much everyone, there's so much to do that it can be played in many different ways and give completely different experiences person to person (unless someone sets off to do literally everything). I think demanding a reviewer finish a story in a long RPG like this in 2-4 weeks is unrealistic given their situation, not in line with what most people who actually get the game will do with it, and ultimately usually leads to a lower opinion of the title.

Im not sure which podcast it was, and I think it was quite a while ago, but I remember IGN employees talking about the review process and if they needed to 'beat' a game in order to review it, and the implication or what I drew from it was, while I don't think it is written in stone, you are expected to complete a story line, campaign or "main quest" of a game if you're going to review it. Its only games that have non linear progression, like idk Animal Crossing where you can't really "beat" it where reviewers have more room to decide how much they've played is enough

I guess I get it but I agree it doesn't seem fair, especially in a case like this. One reason why I don't really read or follow the reviews of establishment sites nearly as much anymore.

 

[Diablos54]

Both my Simply Games and The Game Collection copies have been shipped, now just to play the waiting game! Might listen to the OST at work to help myself through the evening!

 

[Impulsor]

Good! We're so proud of you! ^_^

I can assure you the last thing I expected to do this month is buy the wii u again with this game...

But wahtever, I have the money, so why the fuck not.

Just took a couple of videos and reading through this thread to hype me up and go for it.

 

[VulpX]

I picked up somewhere (can't remember where, sorry) that it's not possible to have the game's audio come through the gamepad. As in, plug my headset into the gamepad and have all the game's audio come throught there (it's possible in all other games). Is this true?

 

[Jarmel]

I picked up somewhere (can't remember where, sorry) that it's not possible to have the game's audio come through the gamepad. As in, plug my headset into the gamepad and have all the game's audio come throught there (it's possible in all other games). Is this true?

Ugh are you serious?

 

[Snkfanatic]

Why? I thought the general consensus was the LE sucked.


Nedgame

The one for the US looks nice, artbook and OST on a neat little USB stick

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

Nedgame

Yeah they sent me an email about my order as well, but since I get it delivered I'll get it tomorrow.

 

[Firemind]

I still need to download the data packs D:

 

[Arkain]

Pretty unanimously chosen as "X Gonna Give It To Ya" I think.

I don't know who suggested it, but "Lin City: A Dame To Censor For" is so much better imo.

 

[wild wild rice]

Curious if any reviewers who weren't fans of the first one ended up enjoying this more for whatever reason.

 

[Sadist]

Looks like the embargo is broken in the Netherlands! Just got my copy :-D!!!

Yay Nederland!

*looks at order history*

Nope. Which store btw?

 

[gamergirly]

I don't know who suggested it, but "Lin City: A Dame To Censor For" is so much better imo.

Or Lin City: A Dame To Skell For

Or even X Gon Skell It To Ya


Skell should be in the OT

 

[VulpX]

Yay Nederland!

*looks at order history*

Nope. Which store btw?

Just got an e-mail from Nedgame that I could come pick up my preorder for the SE.

 

[TheGreatMightyPoo]

An ambiguous message.

One can read it that he's tired of the game but he has to conintue playing to finsh the story because of his profession...

Or that the game is so big and there's so much stuff he still wants to do but he has to focus on completing the story and skip a bunch of stuff.


I fear it's the first one. >.>

Does anyone care what Otero's review is???

We have tons of other ones.

Maybe big IGN fans.

 

[Sadist]

Thanks. Guess I'll have to wait till friday with Gamemania

 

[Gaiaknight]

I don't know who suggested it, but "Lin City: A Dame To Censor For" is so much better imo.

nah no need to bring the censorship crap back up again, last thing we need is the OT flooded with that crap.

 

[wild wild rice]

Honestly I don't think the OT title should really have anything to do with the censorship nonsense. Time to focus on the game itself.

 

[Birathen]

Dude, it Could be worse.. I got a mail yesterday telling me the store shipped my copy. So I was excited the whole day. This morning I opened the mail again to pay the bill attached to the mail and in red text it says

"Lol FU, even thou we wrote it has shipped it is in reality only packaged and we will sit on it for a while longer. You'll have it on launch day at the earliest Lol. PS. Lol FU and your hype"

So instead of spending this day playing
X I am checking to see if there has been any updates to my orderpage.