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[Golnei]

Genre-typical JRPG clothing designs were a given - it's Xenoblade, and as pointed out earlier in the thread, the first game wasn't exactly the model of taste and restraint. My main issue is still the general art direction - X's faces were rightfully criticised, but the main cast here is worse, Elma is infinitely more appealing even with doll-like jankiness to Pyra's generic moe. There's a handful of side characters with more palatable designs, which makes the decision to centre on someone who makes Lin look human more grating. Hopefully, a full face helmet will be available for Rex early on...

Xenoblade's faces should not have been so much less offensive than two sequels on much more powerful hardware.

 

[ZeoVGM]

I actually overall like her character design. I'm not going to complain about the general idea of showing skin or breast size or whatever.

But that "skirt' is such an over-the-top design choice, clearly made with the intent of, "We want people to stare at this teenage girl's ass," it crosses over into embarrassing territory to me.

 

[chrono01]

I don't know about that. Considering the trailer we saw was in English, if anything was to be censored they would have done so already in the trailer.

While this is true, there's a lot of time between now and release. Personally, I'd be surprised it gets released as it is, since Nintendo of America seems to be super-paranoid over anything that might cause a controversy. Look at how they butchered #FE.

So yeah, I'm guessing it'll be altered for us, while Japan gets the un-edited one. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[DJIzana]

Genre-typical JRPG clothing designs were a given - it's Xenoblade, and as pointed out earlier in the thread, the first game wasn't exactly the model of taste and restraint. My main issue is still the general art direction - X's faces were rightfully criticised, but the main cast here is worse, Elma is infinitely more appealing even with doll-like jankiness to Pyra's generic moe. There's a handful of side characters with more palatable designs, which makes the decision to centre on someone who makes Lin look human more grating. Hopefully, a full face helmet will be available for Rex early on...

Xenoblade's faces should not have been so much less offensive than two sequels on much more powerful hardware.

Sounds like you to to find another series lol.

Honestly, I don't expect them to change their design much. Xenoblade X will likely get a sequel after Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and likely expand on Mira so... you won't see much change there, I think.

 

[Korigama]

While this is true, there's a lot of time between now and release. Personally, I'd be surprised it gets released as it is, since Nintendo of America seems to be super-paranoid over anything that might cause a controversy. Look at how they butchered #FE.

So yeah, I'm guessing it'll be altered for us, while Japan gets the un-edited one. Time will tell, I guess.

About that...

For Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Nintendo is aiming for a simultaneous worldwide launch. Whereas Xenoblade Chronicles X launched in Japan eight months before it came to the west, the next game in the series is slated to release in all three regions (Japan, Europe, North America) in the fall of 2017. This allows the developers to talk about potential localization issues as they make the game rather than having to deal with them post-release. ”We're really building [the game] as we're in discussion," said Yokota. ”Whereas for the past title, the Japanese version had already been pretty much close to completion when this [localization] discussion started."

And NoE are leading the localization, not NoA.

http://kotaku.com/xenoblade-chronic...m_source=Kotaku_Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow

 

[Mister Wolf]

About that...

http://kotaku.com/xenoblade-chronic...m_source=Kotaku_Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow

I'm glad they're with the worldwide releases. Would have been annoying waiting for this to release in the West months after.

 

[sanstesy]

Genre-typical JRPG clothing designs were a given - it's Xenoblade, and as pointed out earlier in the thread, the first game wasn't exactly the model of taste and restraint. My main issue is still the general art direction - X's faces were rightfully criticised, but the main cast here is worse, Elma is infinitely more appealing even with doll-like jankiness to Pyra's generic moe. There's a handful of side characters with more palatable designs, which makes the decision to centre on someone who makes Lin look human more grating. Hopefully, a full face helmet will be available for Rex early on...

Xenoblade's faces should not have been so much less offensive than two sequels on much more powerful hardware.

Let's not get crazy now. Nothing in the trailer comes even close to the porceilan doll Lynn. In general the quality of facial animations seem to be upped tremendously from XCX which had awkwardness written over every cutscene that included regular looking humans. It's essential anyway because this game is more story-driven again and in cutscenes characters seem to look good and more importantly expressive.

I also don't see any characters in this I would need to put a helmet on. They are just generic anime designs for the better or worse.

 

[Golnei]

Sounds like you to to find another series lol.

Honestly, I don't expect them to change their design much. Xenoblade X will likely get a sequel after Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and likely expand on Mira so... you won't see much change there, I think.

A sequel to X would be great - my issue was more with execution than direction there, while it's the opposite here. I'd have few issues with a better translation of its concept art to ingame models, while Saito's artwork and designs are in themselves wholly unappealing to me.

 

[LizardKing]

Jesus christ. I will never understand the fuss people make over how a fictional character is dressed. She has perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. Get over it. Let the creator create his/her work in the vision he/she sees fit. Also try to be a little more open and accepting to other cultures and styles rather than just turn your nose up at something because it's 'anime.' You might find you would actually enjoy something if you weren't being so judgmental.

I'm speaking from experience, I used to be that way.

 

[ZeoVGM]

Jesus christ. I will never understand the fuss people make over how a fictional character is dressed. She has perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. Get over it. Let the creator create his/her work in the vision he/she sees fit.

If you're going to make the "get over it" argument, you need to at least be honest about it. You and I both know it is not about the creator's "artistic vision."

But if you don't understand the "fuss" some people make over it, I can explain it to you very quickly. There is a problem in the world with how females are looked at and treated. When female characters are designed with the lone idea of "I'm giving her an obscenely tiny skirt so that men can see her ass," that adds to the culture of objectifying women.

Now, maybe you don't care about that. But now you understand.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Jesus christ. I will never understand the fuss people make over how a fictional character is dressed. She has perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. Get over it. Let the creator create his/her work in the vision he/she sees fit. Also try to be a little more open and accepting to other cultures and styles rather than just turn your nose up at something because it's 'anime.' You might find you would actually enjoy something if you weren't being so judgmental.

I'm speaking from experience, I used to be that way.

They're hotpants LizardKing.

 

[DJIzana]

A sequel to X would be great - my issue was more with execution than direction there, while it's the opposite here. I'd have few issues with a better translation of its concept art to ingame models, while Saito's artwork and designs are in themselves wholly unappealing to me.

I absolutely loved the original Xenoblade Chronicles X. I'd probably change would be to make multiplayer better and instead of having 5 HUGE locations, break it down into like 20 different/varied looking zones. Maybe changes to quest design as well.That's probably it.

 

[chrono01]

About that...

And NoE are leading the localization, not NoA.

http://kotaku.com/xenoblade-chronic...m_source=Kotaku_Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow

News to me, missed the mention that NoE was localizing, not to mention the simultaneous release.

Thanks for the post!

 

[LizardKing]

If you're going to make the "get over it" argument, you need to at least be honest about it. You and I both know it is not about the creator's "artistic vision."

But if you don't understand the "fuss" some people make over it, I can explain it to you very quickly. There is a problem in the world with how females are looked at and treated. When female characters are designed with the lone idea of "I'm giving her an obscenely tiny skirt so that men can see her ass," that adds to the culture of objectifying women.

Now, maybe you don't care about that. But now you understand.

There is a place in the world for a female to have perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. There is nothing wrong with that or with a female to be created that way. It is about the desire of the content creator. I don't hear anyone complaining about Kratos' design in GoW. There is a difference between creating a woman with revealing clothes and objectifying women. I understand the sentiment but it's very misguided. And the truth is there are many games where the content creators have chosen to design half naked men. With rightly no backlash. I don't understand the goal here. Do we just need to cover up all flesh? I really hate that sentiment whether it's a loin cloth wearing muscle bulging Kratos or perky boob anime sword. Let the creators create and stop trying to censor.

 

[i-Jest]

I don't know how to feel about a story of a boy meets girl while killing monsters and wielding a well endowed blade. This game might not be for me despite liking 1 and X.

Lolol this comment is golden.

 

[Evilkazzzz]

One of my MAJOR gripes with XC2 right now is it's voice acting. They're doing the British European accents again but it doesn't seem to fit as well with this new artstyle. Sulk and Reyn sounded perfect for their models, I haven't been convinced these kids fit as of yet.

I guess I'm okay with it looking more like a Tales of game. I like the fanservice sword girl too since she reminds me of KOS MOS. I haven't seen the extended gameplay but I hope XC2 takes some lessons from X. X made the game much faster (you can sprint around in the middle of combat). 2 better have this.

 

[Dryk]

There is a place in the world for a female to have perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. There is nothing wrong with that or with a female to be created that way. It is about the desire of the content creator.

I mean if you want to argue under terms devoid of cultural context sure. But I find that disingenuous.

 

[ZeoVGM]

There is a place in the world for a female to have perky boobs and a skimpy skirt. There is nothing wrong with that or with a female to be created that way. It is about the desire of the content creator. I don't hear anyone complaining about Kratos' design in GoW. There is a difference between creating a woman with revealing clothes and objectifying women. I understand the sentiment but it's very misguided. And the truth is there are many games where the content creators have chosen to design half naked men. With rightly no backlash.

No, my sentiment is without question not "misguided."

There is a very clear difference between the problems men and women have to deal with in regards to this. You know this, I know this, everyone who is honest with themselves knows this. And I believe that the thought process that goes into wanting to create a character such as this adds to the culture of objectification that women have to deal with on a daily basis.

I don't understand the goal here. Do we just need to cover up all flesh? I really hate that sentiment whether it's a loin cloth wearing muscle bulging Kratos or perky boob anime sword.

Right, that's exactly what I said.

No, we don't need to "cover up all flesh." I didn't say that. I actually made sure to specifically say that wasn't the problem. But you're creating a straw man to help your argument.

Let the creators create and stop trying to censor.

Nope, that's not how it works. If he has the right to create characters where the entire point is to objectify them, which I believe adds to a problem in the real world, I also have the right to discuss that I dislike it and explain why I dislike it.

If you don't care, that's fine. But don't do this "get over it" nonsense. And if you're going to try and argue it, do it without putting words in the other person's mouth.

 

[Dmax3901]

Her design is so ridiculous, the only thing really dampening my hype for this game. That thong is worse than Cindy's.

 

[LProtag]

I'm kinda hoping that while he says these things about a simple shonen story... that he goes a little off the edge at some point and gets back into Xenogears territory.

I was really hoping X would do that, but it was way too story-lite to pull it off. I want tons of philosophical discourse in my Xeno games, dammit.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I'm kinda hoping that while he says these things about a simple shonen story... that he goes a little off the edge at some point and gets back into Xenogears territory.

I was really hoping X would do that, but it was way too story-lite to pull it off. I want tons of philosophical discourse in my Xeno games, dammit.

He might be scared of doing that after the Xenosaga series.

 

[Golnei]

I'm kinda hoping that while he says these things about a simple shonen story... that he goes a little off the edge at some point and gets back into Xenogears territory.

I was really hoping X would do that, but it was way too story-lite to pull it off. I want tons of philosophical discourse in my Xeno games, dammit.

I think setting your expectations in line with the original Xenoblade would be fair. A standard shonen template served them well there, and following up in that fashion for 2 would make sense.

 

[Neoleo2143]

He might be scared of doing that after the Xenosaga series.

I mean the man's been doing this stuff for nearly 20 years, I'm not surprised if he genuinely feels like he wants to try something different from his norm. And surely there's going to be something interesting to catch everyone off guard.

 

[Otakumegane]

Quite excessive at that as far as Vanea is concerned.

I think it won't be as bad in this game.

I'm not even sure if that is considered boob jiggle, seems more like unfinished animation jankery.

Pretty sure they are done in-engine so it may be something that is made to look more like a jiggle or fixed depending on what "artistic" direction they want to pursue there.

 

[TheGreatLugia]

I'm kinda hoping that while he says these things about a simple shonen story... that he goes a little off the edge at some point and gets back into Xenogears territory.

I was really hoping X would do that, but it was way too story-lite to pull it off. I want tons of philosophical discourse in my Xeno games, dammit.

If you want to get technical, you could probably call Xenogears a boy meets girl story.

That being said, everything said so far points to a story similar in tone to the first Xenoblade.

 

[Gravidee]

Her design is so ridiculous, the only thing really dampening my hype for this game. That thong is worse than Cindy's.

I'm starting to think that's not actually a thong, but simply a strap that connects to that gold clip.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I mean the man's been doing this stuff for nearly 20 years, I'm not surprised if he genuinely feels like he wants to try something different from his norm. And surely there's going to be something interesting to catch everyone off guard.

Oh yeah I'm sure when we finally make it to Elysium its gonna be enlightening.

 

[MegaManTrigger]

One of my MAJOR gripes with XC2 right now is it's voice acting. They're doing the British European accents again but it doesn't seem to fit as well with this new artstyle. Sulk and Reyn sounded perfect for their models, I haven't been convinced these kids fit as of yet.

I guess I'm okay with it looking more like a Tales of game. I like the fanservice sword girl too since she reminds me of KOS MOS. I haven't seen the extended gameplay but I hope XC2 takes some lessons from X. X made the game much faster (you can sprint around in the middle of combat). 2 better have this.

Ngl, when I played Xenoblade, I originally was put off by how the voice acting was British because it didn't seem to mesh well with the how the world was constructed. Afterwards, the VA was so good that I stopped caring about it. This could be a similar case with X2.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I'm starting to think that's not actually a thong, but simply a strap that connects to that gold clip.

You're correct. People are so titillated by the design their imagination runs wild. I guess it accomplished what they were looking for.

 

[Gravidee]

You're correct. People are so titillated by the design their imagination runs wild. I guess it accomplished what they were looking for.

Yeah,I just checked out some of the footage from Treehouse Live to confirm and it does not appear those straps have anything to do with her undergarments. Pretty deceiving at first glance though!

 

[Bringer Of Bacon]

So pumped for this game. Already preordered

 

[Otakumegane]

One of the weird thing with the trailer is that they have these Saito designs without noses and then a xenoblade face looking dude along with a nomura dedign dude with and even more different face.

Wonder if they are in ther own way trying to figure out which is easier to adapt into character models.

 

[LizardKing]

No, my sentiment is without question not "misguided."

There is a very clear difference between the problems men and women have to deal with in regards to this. You know this, I know this, everyone who is honest with themselves knows this. And I believe that the thought process that goes into wanting to create a character such as this adds to the culture of objectification that women have to deal with on a daily basis.



Right, that's exactly what I said.

No, we don't need to "cover up all flesh." I didn't say that. I actually made sure to specifically say that wasn't the problem. But you're creating a straw man to help your argument.



Nope, that's not how it works. If he has the right to create characters where the entire point is to objectify them, which I believe adds to a problem in the real world, I also have the right to discuss that I dislike it and explain why I dislike it.

If you don't care, that's fine. But don't do this "get over it" nonsense. And if you're going to try and argue it, do it without putting words in the other person's mouth.

How are you saying in one breath that the problem isn't exposed flesh when in the previous breath you said that was exactly it? I'm not putting words into your mouth. You said the problem is when a female character is created wearing skimpy clothes so people stare at her ass. Look we're not going to agree. We have a fundamental disagreement if it's considered ok to stare at half naked women or if it's ok for that to be created as entertainment. Whether you want to call it objectification or not. I don't think men or women have a problem with individual objectification for the most part as long as there are no victims and you have a healthier overall non objectifying view of a gender and are respectful of people within while viewing them as equals. It's why strip clubs exist. It's in our nature.

There's nothing wrong with creating a character that causes people to feel titillated by looking at short skirted female either. If you want equality and female empowerment stop trying to cover them up. Men aren't forced to be. It's not equality, it's not empowerment, it's oppression and subjection of women as second class or somehow different than men or that they must be ashamed of their bodies. Just like any culture that is too ashamed to have women show their skin in public (including part's of the west's no topless rule). Like I said it's misguided. Focus instead on championing strong female characters (I think games are getting better at this). You can have both you know and that diversity sets the example that it's ok to be titillated and look at an ass, but women are strong and intelligent too.

 

[Eusis]

I'm kinda hoping that while he says these things about a simple shonen story... that he goes a little off the edge at some point and gets back into Xenogears territory.

I was really hoping X would do that, but it was way too story-lite to pull it off. I want tons of philosophical discourse in my Xeno games, dammit.

I kind of expect it to get back to that gnostic territory again anyway, the premise already makes it real easy to do that. Maybe it'll be more FFX than Xenogears there or something.

 

[BBboy20]

Says a lot about the designer, as well, if you ask me.

Apparently Takahashi in a Gamespot interview admits to playing adult VR games, which explains everything.

in disservice of both the game and character's context. .

?
I don't think there's a rule that establishes what a fantasy world and humanoid weapons are suppose to look like.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I just noticed in the trailer that there's a quick instance of Pyra wielding her own blade attacking with fire. Right at the 2:00 mark.

 

[Akai]

I just noticed in the trailer that there's a quick instance of Pyra wielding her own blade attacking with fire. Right at the 2:00 mark.

That's the animation for her special, and she can be seen holding it in the story trailer as well.

 

[What The Forest Taught Me]

Seriously.....what in the world is going on with that pole dancer outfit, and that generic face that could be swapped with a different hairdo and immediately be dozens of other 12 to 13 year old anime characters?? Atrocious and offensive.

 

[foxuzamaki]

While this is true, there's a lot of time between now and release. Personally, I'd be surprised it gets released as it is, since Nintendo of America seems to be super-paranoid over anything that might cause a controversy. Look at how they butchered #FE.

So yeah, I'm guessing it'll be altered for us, while Japan gets the un-edited one. Time will tell, I guess.

The thing about all that censorship stuff back then is I feel wiiU late life Nintendo kinda had to target the kid audience since they probAbly took over at the end there. Especially since in the beginning they pushed the U as this system for "core" gamers and was headlining bayonetta 2. They probably won't do much here and even then it actually depends on if the characters are underage, prya besides possibly not even being human looks like a grown woman honestly

 

[Ryoku]

I don't mind criticism of design choice, but people are so judgemental. It seems many of you here take issue with how women are portrayed in Japanese culture--not just in video games.

Shocking, I know. Different culture has different values. I don't agree with it, of course. Like many here, I was raised in western society with western values, and I know how our views of women have been changing recently when compared with Japanese culture. But I'm not going to fault the character designers or call them names for portraying them as such. Why should I force my cultural values onto another? It's not my place, even though I may disagree with them.

This is why companies put in efforts to localize. Yet then there's another can of worms called censorship.

 

[javadoze]

A sequel to X would be great - my issue was more with execution than direction there, while it's the opposite here. I'd have few issues with a better translation of its concept art to ingame models, while Saito's artwork and designs are in themselves wholly unappealing to me.

I would love this.

XC2 is odd in the sense that it has my least favorite character design of the three, yet it has the best-realized character models. Another crack at the XCX artstyle and gameplay would be best after XC2. (Though I wouldn't be opposed to a new style of RPG altogether.)

Spoiler

I do admit that I'd want a XCX2 just to see the reactions over Sawano's return.

 

[Kanann]

Seriously.....what in the world is going on with that pole dancer outfit, and that generic face that could be swapped with a different hairdo and immediately be dozens of other anime characters?? Atrocious and offensive.

Sometimes, I think you westerners are really really weird one, not us easterners.

 

[What The Forest Taught Me]

This guy looks badass though

Agreed. Make this guy the main character and get rid of all the female objectification, Takahashi, and then I might play your game.

I'll ask no one in particular once again:

How does Takahashi go from Xenogears to this? What a sad decline.

 

[Jencks]

Apparently Takahashi in a Gamespot interview admits to playing adult VR games, which explains everything.

I, uh...what. Do you have a link?

 

[What The Forest Taught Me]

Coming from someone who adored the first XC I cannot bring myself to be interested in this sequel. The main character looks dumb as shit, the leading chick is an excercise in embarrassing anime tropes to the nth degree (does it always have to be children saving the world and does the 15 year old chick have to look like a hyoersexualized doll in impossible clothing?).

Creator says he doesn't want to make a game about "old men". That's fine. But the day they make a jrpg like this where you play as a band of 30-40 year old people where the protagonist is a full grown adult with facial hair they'll be subverting a trope which could be refreshing.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I don't mind criticism of design choice, but people are so judgemental. It seems many of you here take issue with how women are portrayed in Japanese culture--not just in video games.

Shocking, I know. Different culture has different values. I don't agree with it, of course. Like many here, I was raised in western society with western values, and I know how our views of women have been changing recently when compared with Japanese culture. But I'm not going to fault the character designers or call them names for portraying them as such.

This is why companies put in effort to localize. Yet then there's another can of worms called censorship.

Sexually pandering imagery targeting male or female audiences appear in most all cultures. Its prevalent in Japan on both sides of the coin. It doesn't bother me I guess. If someone is bothered by it that's cool. What I do take issue with is members on this board trying to hurl insults at people not bothered by it.

 

[What The Forest Taught Me]

Zelda is a bad example of good female character representations in video games. But at least Zelda isn't dressed like that. And she doesn't cease to exist if Link dies. She doesn't have over-dimensional breasts. She doesn't "love this world because Link's in it." Etc.

Boom.

 

[Kai Ozu]

I'm down for 2 copies, looks cool.

 

[Shahadan]

The sword itself looks horrid. Overdesigned, ugly spikes, ugly colors.
Also why is sword girlfriend still there when you're using the sword

I'm fine with Rex and even Pyra despite the bombshell shaped boobs that look stupid as fuck. The other blonde boob-sword girl though, ugh.
Everything looks so repulsive to me. Even the UI. I'll buy it anyway, but kicking and screaming. After all I thought I wouldn't like X either, who knows.

 

[What The Forest Taught Me]

He's a guest designer on this project!

Tetsuya Nomura is a guest designer on Xenoblade Chronicles 2

No joke. Saw it in the trailer and had to double-take.

And why, exactly, are we excited about Tetsuya Nomura designing a character or characters for this game? He went off the deep end a long time ago, and has never recovered. That's not to say he hasn't had some good designs here and there in recent times.