Spieler Eins
Member
People that like good RPGs are a niche now? Haha... Oh wait, looking at sales charts nowadays, seems like they really are.
No wonder gaming journalism is shitty, the whole videogame mainstream is becoming worthless.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
GAF, is Xenoblade getting snubbed?
- Thread starter Malvingt2
- Start date
People that like good RPGs are a niche now? Haha... Oh wait, looking at sales charts nowadays, seems like they really are.
No wonder gaming journalism is shitty, the whole videogame mainstream is becoming worthless.Yes, the Operation Rainfall crowd was extremely annoying, but I think he's letting that drag down his evaluation of the game, or at the very least he confused optional stuff and his own actions as the game dragging in areas like Makna Forest (or maybe he hates Melia and Riki so he thought that section was unimportant?). The story definitely doesn't drag until
Mechonis
He is right that the sidequest system was pretty meh, though. It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't very fun, either. Though some quests did drive me to conquer some of the more difficult challenges of the game, like fighting some special monsters way underleveled, which taught me the benefits of using Melia and Riki (ether-based attacks don't miss based on level difference).
Kinda funny coming from someone who praises Obsidian every chance he gets to complain about fanboys of niche games... (no offense to Obsidian, as I don't know much or really care about their games, but their mixed reviews and extremely devoted fanbase is very similar to all those "niche Japanese games")
Saying its not getting snubbed and then saying a reason why it is getting snubbed.
See, this is exactly what I'm talking about. If anyone has anything negative to say about the game, they MUST be attacked and blame must be found to counter anything which can be remotely seen as a negaitve point! THE GAME MUST BE PERFECT! Face it, it isn't. People have issues with the game, and we can learn to agree to disagree. Or we can discuss it. We don't need to make up reasons why someone else is "wrong" about their opinion.
AuthenticM
Member
Because I would bet that most of the people working at those sites did not play the game as well.
No, because snubbing requires intention. If you say "Marc is snubbing Xenoblade Chronicles", Marc has to deliberately avoid including the game in the nominees, out of some sort of bias. And I don't believe anybody is doing that.
I'm only referring to what you said about that one section of the game, which was objectively wrong. I agree with you that the other section was boring. The game definitely isn't perfect, or I wouldn't have agreed with you on the other section of the game you mentioned and the sidequest stuff. I only postulated reasons you might have been mistaken about that section. Do you want to have that discussion or are you just going to claim that I'm a zealous fanboy who thinks the game is perfect and blame must be found to counter anything that can be remotely seen as a negative point?
Bionis' Arm and
Mechonis
Mechonis was almost devoid of plot between entering it and the end and it didn't have the feeling that this was supposed to be the epic showdown
I don't see how an opinion can be objectively wrong. I found portions of the game slow paced and filled with shit which I didn't care for. I was asked which sections and I mentioned them. They don't make the game bad, but they were the two points which I felt were low points in terms of the game being about what I was interested in. Maybe the fact that I call them furballs should clue you in on what I thought about the entire village. Lol.
So let me get this straight. There's a part of the game that you think drags despite other people loving it, and you think that's okay. But there's a part duckroll thinks drags that you love and he's "objectively wrong" and clearly mistaken?
I don't see how an opinion can be objectively wrong. I found portions of the game slow paced and filled with shit which I didn't care for. I was asked which sections and I mentioned them. They don't make the game bad, but they were the two points which I felt were low points in terms of the game being about what I was interested in. Maybe the fact that I call them furballs should clue you in on what I thought about the entire village. Lol.
Because you said the section takes 10 hours, has several dungeons, and unimportant bosses. The section throws some important plot developments at you, involving several new characters and the telethia, which are the two bosses you face in that section. It introduces
Alvis
Your furball comment was why I postulated that you didn't like Riki
.No, I don't think his opinion that that section dragged is objectively wrong. Things he listed as reasons why he thinks that are objectively wrong, like the amount of dungeons, bosses, the importance of bosses to the plot, and the time required to get through that section. He didn't like that area, that's fine.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Of course it's getting snubbed. It was a late generation game on a Nintendo system in a genre on the decline. Maybe a few tens of thousands of people even played it.
But why should I care? I haven't cared for any of the past GoTY picks since it became a thing.
When I look back on this generation, Xenoblade will be one of the games that immediately comes to my mind. As soon as I think of it, Bionis' Leg music will start to play in my head and I shall smile.
Should that not be enough?
But why should I care? I haven't cared for any of the past GoTY picks since it became a thing.
When I look back on this generation, Xenoblade will be one of the games that immediately comes to my mind. As soon as I think of it, Bionis' Leg music will start to play in my head and I shall smile.
Should that not be enough?
Uncle0wnage
Member
People that like good RPGs are a niche now? Haha... Oh wait, looking at sales charts nowadays, seems like they really are.
I have nothing against jrpgs or the people who enjoy them. Xenoblade just didn't have a large market base to target.
Black Republican
Member
well done
Because you said the section takes 10 hours, has several dungeons, and unimportant bosses. The section throws some important plot developments at you, involving several new characters and the telethia, which are the two bosses you face in that section. It introducesand begins the mystery surrounding him. Melia and Riki are also where the gameplay starts getting really interesting because they break out of the break topple gameplay.Alvis
Your furball comment was why I postulated that you didn't like Riki
No, I don't think his opinion that that section dragged is objectively wrong. Things he listed as reasons why he thinks that are objectively wrong, like the amount of dungeons, bosses, the importance of bosses to the plot, and the time required to get through that section. He didn't like that area, that's fine.
I played the game over a year ago, and I definitely spent about 10 hours around there. I don't think the specifics of how many dungeons and bosses there are is really that important when I was replying to someone who clearly knows what I was talking about anyway. It's not a review, it's just my feeling on the pacing based on my experience playing the game.
SillyEskimo
Member
It still looks great despite the under powered Wii. I think I'm getting a WiiU for xmas and I hope the HDMI makes it look even better.
Oh, you can definitely spend 10 hours there, but you don't have to. We were discussing pacing, and there's nothing required in that area of the game where you can't move briskly between plot points, and they're pretty important plot points that introduce new concepts and characters and set up future plot developments. It's where the plot starts to expand beyond just the simple mechon revenge story. Makna Forest isn't as interesting in terms of level design as previous areas, though, imo, and I can see why people wouldn't like it or Frontier Village.
The other area you mentioned, feels like one long dungeon and there is lot of busywork you have to do to get through it without very much plot.
I think the capital itself is also another area that was disappointing. Not really a pacing issue, more a level design issue. The capital was extremely sparse and blandly designed, and that dungeon they make you go through when you get there is pretty boringly designed and has some slow climbing sections, though thankfully it's not very long.
I can still remember the capital to this day. Clearing all the quests sometimes felt like a virtual exercise routine. Going from one NPC to another at the other end of the walkways took sooooooooooo long. I loaded up on gems which made me move faster just to make it less painful lol.
The worst part was how a TON of quests had this "WILL EXPIRE" marker on them, so I felt compelled to do them as soon as possible. Aaaaaaaaah.
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
I can still remember the capital to this day. Clearing all the quests sometimes felt like a virtual exercise routine. Going from one NPC to another at the other end of the walkways took sooooooooooo long. I loaded up on gems which made me move faster just to make it less painful lol.
The worst part was how a TON of quests had this "WILL EXPIRE" marker on them, so I felt compelled to do them as soon as possible. Aaaaaaaaah.
You are already failed =p
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
The soundtrack... My gods O_O
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
Well, there's a reason for it, but that doesn't really change the fact it's so big and empty.
Agniratha was better in this regard despite having enemies but no citizens, but still not great. Alcamoth would have been better with a similar design at least.
And of course part of it is the lack of landmarks, they should have added at least a few more, especially on the upper level.
I can still remember the capital to this day. Clearing all the quests sometimes felt like a virtual exercise routine. Going from one NPC to another at the other end of the walkways took sooooooooooo long. I loaded up on gems which made me move faster just to make it less painful lol.
The worst part was how a TON of quests had this "WILL EXPIRE" marker on them, so I felt compelled to do them as soon as possible. Aaaaaaaaah.
I know. I really wish they had made that area smaller so you didn't have to go hunting for quests that were invisible until you got close enough, or at the very least put them on a full map so you could just go straight to them. Even worse was that NPCs move around throughout the day and would be gone for half a day. I started using FAQs for the sidequests just so I would know when and where NPCs would be available. Very bad design.
Those quests don't expire for a long while after that, but damnit I have to do them! I had to force myself to just move on.
Alex
Member
I honestly don't think I would have played the game if I had to do it off of a Wii. It was just a soupy sea of jagged edges and blur on my display. Sort of wish I had a CRT still but ... well, not really because I don't want one in my house just for the Wii.
At least it cleaned up very reasonably and very easily in Dolphin though.
At least it cleaned up very reasonably and very easily in Dolphin though.
I never get tired of the innernet Nintendo persecution complex.
Hot Coldman
Banned
you are history's greatest monster
How dare you, sir? HOW. DARE. YOU?
1st Course
Member
I agree with this post and I haven't even played the game.
Honey Bunny
Member
It still looks great despite the under powered Wii. I think I'm getting a WiiU for xmas and I hope the HDMI makes it look even better.
Daamn son, are those Playmobil pirate ships? Hot.
joeygreco1985
Member
I always feel weird seeing Mass Effect 3 groupedi n with RPGs. I mean sure it has RPG elements but I always played it as a shooter.
However I do tire of people always pointing this out when a Nintendo fan points something out.
Yet when the small yet vocal group of Sony dolts go "why does everyone hates Sony so much?!?!
" it gets taken as fact.Somehow Xbox fans seem to be the most level headed ones these past few years, even though they get shit on just as badly.
I wasn't serious, sorry if my sarcasm didn't come through clearly. =p
charlequin
Banned
I can still remember the capital to this day. Clearing all the quests sometimes felt like a virtual exercise routine. Going from one NPC to another at the other end of the walkways took sooooooooooo long. I loaded up on gems which made me move faster just to make it less painful lol.
The worst part was how a TON of quests had this "WILL EXPIRE" marker on them, so I felt compelled to do them as soon as possible. Aaaaaaaaah.
This is easily the worst part of the game. Alcamoth is a garbage-tier city and I was actually pretty happy when
everyone there died horribly
In 2012? I would say Hotline Miami is a better topline choice for this year and I haven't even played the game yet.
Xenoblade actually does very well at one of the key purposes of a game soundtrack -- to accentuate and pair with the events and locations in the game, subtly improving the player's experience (and more importantly, to not get totally fucking annoying after hours of hearing the same tracks repeated.) But it's still one of these late-period JRPG scores with like twelve different composers that falls short of any truly memorable compositions for the ages or much listenability outside the game itself.
(Also, Persona 4 Golden came out this year!)
Most people who love Xenoblade that I've talked to know the game isn't perfect and are perfectly willing to admit it. Not everybody will agree on what those drawbacks are specifically, but most will agree in the end that the things it does well overwhelmingly make up for whatever flaws they feel it has.
I hated Riki, too, by the way.
In 2012? I would say Hotline Miami is a better topline choice for this year and I haven't even played the game yet.
Xenoblade actually does very well at one of the key purposes of a game soundtrack -- to accentuate and pair with the events and locations in the game, subtly improving the player's experience (and more importantly, to not get totally fucking annoying after hours of hearing the same tracks repeated.) But it's still one of these late-period JRPG scores with like twelve different composers that falls short of any truly memorable compositions for the ages or much listenability outside the game itself.
(Also, Persona 4 Golden came out this year!)
I dunno, I really really love Engage the Enemy; it's a great track. And of course You Will Know Our Names, Guar Plains (day), and Satorl Marsh (night) are awesome as well. Very memorable and listenable. I definitely agree that Xenoblade does a great job of pairing music with what's happening, but that's partly due to how great the music itself is.
Uncle Rupee
Banned
Not exactly a mainstream gaming site, but Xenoblade appeared in Gizmag's round up
The problem with a lot (or maybe a very loud minority) of Xenoblade fans is that they just don't get why others won't like this game. You can see it in this thread with "anti Japanese bias" "AAA bias" "anti Nintendo bias" "doritos mountain dew Bioware bribery loljournalism" etc.
It's a great JRPG, but it's still a product that appeals to a niche audience. And it has its fair share of quirks/problems. It shouldn't be surprising if it doesn't win many RPG of the year awards.
I'm guessing it'd be easier for people to swallow if it weren't going up against ME3 or something. Even a solid chunk of those who liked the game (like me) don't really consider it their RPG of the year, nevermind game of the year.
Then there's Xcom, that's probably great enough to be harder to argue against yet it's not quite an RPG, seems to me to be a victim at least partially of grid based strategy games largely vanishing up until that came out.
People not understanding why others dont like something they do is a pretty universal concept thats hardly specific to Xenoblade fans.
"I didn't like Bioshock's art style."
"WHAT? How could you not like that? I thought it was great"
That sort of thing happens all the time. Just so happens that a game that is very popularly liked is going to have more people that reply with the "What? How could you not like that" sort of comments. I dont think the problem lies with Xenoblade fans, its just that this sort of thing is inevitable when you dont like something that a lot of other people do.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
I actually played them back to back over last summer. FF12 is definitely the better game.
One of the problems with the gaming medium is that games require a substantial time investment to consume. As gamers and game press begin to pay more attention to small indie titles, critics are being pushed to look at more games and different games and I think titles that previously would have been given attention are being dropped off.
There's a relationship between the investment in marketing, online chatter from gamers and critical evaluation. Critics are going to ignore titles that are not getting that online chatter. The gaming press has a limited amount of time and the result of Nintendo putting zero effort into the publishing of the title was that few people played it. The title may have been given a review, but I think the chances that additional critics would have had a look at the title out of their own interest would be much lower than a heavily hyped title that received a great deal of gamer attention. As a result of this, when it comes time for game of the year awards discussion, the only likely champion for the under marketed game will be the one person assigned to review it.
There's a relationship between the investment in marketing, online chatter from gamers and critical evaluation. Critics are going to ignore titles that are not getting that online chatter. The gaming press has a limited amount of time and the result of Nintendo putting zero effort into the publishing of the title was that few people played it. The title may have been given a review, but I think the chances that additional critics would have had a look at the title out of their own interest would be much lower than a heavily hyped title that received a great deal of gamer attention. As a result of this, when it comes time for game of the year awards discussion, the only likely champion for the under marketed game will be the one person assigned to review it.
It's a 2010 game, though.
And going with that logic, we shouldn't count any game that came out in Japan a year+ prior to its English release.
Plenty of people didn't import from Europe, just as plenty didn't import from Japan. The game came out in 2012 in North America, and it was a first time play for those people.
I really want to be able to play this game, but it's just so hard to go back to the Wii and its visuals this late in the generation. I still have a bunch of Wii games I never got around to playing because it was so hard to come back from sharp, HD graphics after I got my PS3.
I don't mind fewer polygons, ugly textures and older graphics; I just hate the fuzziness and jagged edges. I just can't bring myself to play it. It's too bad there's no chance of it getting ported to HD consoles. So I guess I'm a graphics whore and a snubber. Sorry.
I don't mind fewer polygons, ugly textures and older graphics; I just hate the fuzziness and jagged edges. I just can't bring myself to play it. It's too bad there's no chance of it getting ported to HD consoles. So I guess I'm a graphics whore and a snubber. Sorry.
Well, if you're a graphics whore, then you probably have a pretty powerful PC. In that case, Xenoblade runs perfectly in Dolphin.
Isn't that emulation, and isn't emulation theft, and isn't theft bad?
MegaKungFuRadio
Member
Yeah, the bias of personal taste and what they choose to play on their own, how dare those hacks.