Xenoblade coming to Europe, presumably US

[Bullwinkle]

So sweat. I was debating modding my Wii just for this game. Glad I held off.

Modding might have made you perspire.

Lol, SWEET! It took me a second to get the joke.

Those are the best ones!

[farley2k]

Since it is out soon I thought we should resurect the thread.

To start you can watch the www.gametrailers.com review.  They love it.

I can't wait until my copy arrives!  Of course finding 70+ hours to play a game is going to be a challenge.

[Chaz]

Tom Chick's over on QT3 raving about it, which is pretty shocking to me.  Amazon's spoiled me.  I hate the idea that I either have to pay for shipping, or go to an actual store to get this.

Then there's the knowledge that I definitely won't play this soon, but it's likely going to be in short supply, and so it's probably one of those "buy now, or you'll never get it" kinda things.  Boo.

[Autistic Angel]

Tom Chick says:

What I can tell you from experience is that Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the best RPGs I have ever played, right up there with games as diverse and superlative as Planescape: Torment, Lord of the Rings Online, The Witcher 2, and especially Dark Cloud 2. I am head-over-heels in love.

It isn't his final review yet, more of the first installment of a game diary as he crosses the 40-hour mark.  Sounds pretty promising so far, though!

-Autistic Angel

[farley2k]

IGN review.  From Britain if the accent of the reviewer is any indication.

[EddieA]

Siliconera has an article on "All The Little Things That Made Me Love Xenoblade Chronicles" here 

[Scraper]

Does this actually come out today, or on the 6th like Gamestop's website has it listed?

[Gratch]

I'm trying not to get my expectations way too high for Xenoblade, but all these stellar reviews are making it difficult.

[Bullwinkle]

Does this actually come out today, or on the 6th like Gamestop's website has it listed?

Friday.


That's what the girl said when I picked up my DMC HD Collection.

[Gratch]

I wonder how many JRPG fans are in the same boat as me, and will be buying a Wii this week just for Xenoblade.  Just checked all the local GS/EB stores, and all but one lists used Wii units as "low stock".  That struck me as rather odd, considering we're near the end of the Wii's lifecycle.

[CeeKay]

I wonder how many JRPG fans are in the same boat as me, and will be buying a Wii this week just for Xenoblade.  Just checked all the local GS/EB stores, and all but one lists used Wii units as "low stock".  That struck me as rather odd, considering we're near the end of the Wii's lifecycle.

maybe they're clearing the stock for the Wii U.

[Kevin Grey]

I'm trying not to get my expectations way too high for Xenoblade, but all these stellar reviews are making it difficult.

It's amazing but don't expect the story density of Xenogears or Xenosaga. It is much more straightforward than most of Takahashi's previous games. 

[Kagath]

Finally remembered to preorder this today. Said they had it in back now but couldn't sell it until Friday. Simultaneous release elsewhere or something else for the delay?

[Bullwinkle]

Finally remembered to preorder this today. Said they had it in back now but couldn't sell it until Friday. Simultaneous release elsewhere or something else for the delay?

It's not a delay.  That's the release date.

[Kagath]

Yeah, but why a Friday as opposed to most every other release day?

[The Grue]

Yeah, but why a Friday as opposed to most every other release day?

No competition?  Nintendo likes to do weird release dates like Fridays and Sundays.  Kid Icarus just recently came out on a Friday as well.

[Autistic Angel]

Tom Chick says:

There’s plenty of cheesecake in Xenoblade Chronicles. When you put a heavy chestplate on a male character, it looks like he’s wearing an iron lung. When you put the same heavy chestplate on a female character, it looks like a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. But one of the sexiest things I’ve seen so far was a naked man with the word “miss” appearing repeatedly over his head. I love it when a plan comes together.

I can't wait until Gratch plays this game!

-Autistic Angel

[Gratch]

Tom Chick says:

There’s plenty of cheesecake in Xenoblade Chronicles. When you put a heavy chestplate on a male character, it looks like he’s wearing an iron lung. When you put the same heavy chestplate on a female character, it looks like a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. But one of the sexiest things I’ve seen so far was a naked man with the word “miss” appearing repeatedly over his head. I love it when a plan comes together.

I can't wait until Gratch plays this game!

-Autistic Angel

Must contain excitement.  Must contain excitement.  Must contain excitement.

[Scraper]

Tom Chick says:

There’s plenty of cheesecake in Xenoblade Chronicles. When you put a heavy chestplate on a male character, it looks like he’s wearing an iron lung. When you put the same heavy chestplate on a female character, it looks like a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. But one of the sexiest things I’ve seen so far was a naked man with the word “miss” appearing repeatedly over his head. I love it when a plan comes together.

I can't wait until Gratch plays this game!

-Autistic Angel

Must contain excitement.  Must contain excitement.  Must contain excitement.

About the prospect of having naked guys in the game or the game itself? 

[Autistic Angel]

Tom Chick says:

2) You will need a classic controller. The Wiimote and nunchuk won’t cut it. This is not a game to play with only one analog stick. You’ll often need to simultaneously move your character and the camera, often in real time and often when timing is important.

Gratch hasn't mentioned getting a classic controller with his new Wii yet.  Let's try to convince him to pick one up with his copy tomorrow so he won't have a sour first impression.

-Autistic Angel

[The Grue]

Tom Chick says:

2) You will need a classic controller. The Wiimote and nunchuk won’t cut it. This is not a game to play with only one analog stick. You’ll often need to simultaneously move your character and the camera, often in real time and often when timing is important.

Gratch hasn't mentioned getting a classic controller with his new Wii yet.  Let's try to convince him to pick one up with his copy tomorrow so he won't have a sour first impression.

-Autistic Angel

I've heard, though, that the downside of going with classic controller is it is harder to switch artes on the fly due to the d-pad being right by the analog stick.  In other words, it makes it hard to move and change artes at the same time and the wiimote/nunchuck combo doesn't have this issue.

[Gratch]

Tom Chick says:

2) You will need a classic controller. The Wiimote and nunchuk won’t cut it. This is not a game to play with only one analog stick. You’ll often need to simultaneously move your character and the camera, often in real time and often when timing is important.

Gratch hasn't mentioned getting a classic controller with his new Wii yet.  Let's try to convince him to pick one up with his copy tomorrow so he won't have a sour first impression.

-Autistic Angel

Already got one.  If I was going to have a Wii, there's no way I was playing games with that stupid nunchuck thing.

Since I have to fly cross country on Sunday, I'm taking 1/2-day off to play this today.  Mrs. Gratch is already planning on taking Little B on her errands, so I'll have the house all to myself for a few hours so I can dig in.   Looking forward to it...will report back later. 

[Canuck]

Really love to give this game a try but I can't see myself buying a Wii now at this point in its life.  Maybe if it gets a significant price drop and then I can tell myself that I'm buying it for the wife.  Of course, by that time the game will probably no longer be around.  I think this game more than anything reveals just how crap things have been for RPGs this generation.  Hopefully there'll be a revival next generation.

[Autistic Angel]

Since I have to fly cross country on Sunday, I'm taking 1/2-day off to play this today.  Mrs. Gratch is already planning on taking Little B on her errands, so I'll have the house all to myself for a few hours so I can dig in.   Looking forward to it...will report back later. 

Man, today is going to be the longest day ever.  All we can do now is wait for Gratch's Report After The Chosen Hour, or as I like to call it, G.R.A.T.C.H.

-Autistic Angel

[Chaz]

Yeah, I'm planning on picking it up on the way home, unfortunately doing some additional shopping while I'm at that shopping center, making a quick salad, and then settling in with a beer.  Thank goodness I got a classic controller with Monster Hunter. 

[Scraper]

Anyone know if this game plays ok with the original classic controller instead of the classic controller pro? I don't have a pro, but I have the OG version.

[CeeKay]

hmmm... according to their website the local Gamestop has it in stock, and I have a 50 buck off coupon from their PowerUp Rewards program.....

[Chaz]

Anyone know if this game plays ok with the original classic controller instead of the classic controller pro? I don't have a pro, but I have the OG version.

Isn't the only difference between the two that the pro has handles and the shoulder buttons are laid out a bit differently? I'd assume it works fine with either.

[Gratch]

Since I have to fly cross country on Sunday, I'm taking 1/2-day off to play this today.  Mrs. Gratch is already planning on taking Little B on her errands, so I'll have the house all to myself for a few hours so I can dig in.   Looking forward to it...will report back later. 

Man, today is going to be the longest day ever.  All we can do now is wait for Gratch's Report After The Chosen Hour, or as I like to call it, G.R.A.T.C.H.

-Autistic Angel

 

Got a chance to play through the first couple hours.  Much more to come later, but I'll just say this for now (old-school JRPG fans might be able to relate).  Remember the sense of excitement, anticipation, and just plain fun we used to get when first starting up a Squaresoft RPG back in the PS1 days?  Xenoblade brings exactly that.  They've done so many of the little things right that it might be hard to go back to other RPG's after this one.

More impressions later tonight...

[USMC Kato]

My only complaint so far is that the music is a tad bit too loud. Wish there were some volume sliders.

[The Grue]

I have my copy!!!!  /end_impressions

[Gratch]

Tom Chick put together a very good "Things I wish I would have known about Xenoblade when I started" article here.  Some very good advice for those of us just starting out.

[CeeKay]

Tom Chick put together a very good "Things I wish I would have known about Xenoblade when I started" article here.  Some very good advice for those of us just starting out.

thanks, I was wondering about a couple of things addressed there. 

------------

random thoughts:

Shulk has the dumbest looking outfit.

I'm really liking the MMO feel the game has, plus the fact that dying doesn't mean a big GAME OVER screen (at least so far) but instead transports you back to the last landmark you visited. 

Jumping feels wonky, hopefully it won't be required for any serious platforming.

like the graphics better than I thought I would, but that may be due to me starting to play another classic series recently.

[USMC Kato]

The battle system reminds me of White Knight Chronicles, but so much better. 

[The Grue]

I only got to play a little over an hour, but liking it so far. Liking how position in combat really matters. Not liking how seeing shinies kicks in my OCD and then I am off chasing a trail of shinies and being generally distracted.

[CeeKay]

Not liking how seeing shinies kicks in my OCD and then I am off chasing a trail of shinies and being generally distracted.

plus they respawn, and I've had them suddenly pop up around me too when it changed from day to night.  they're frickin' everywhere!

[USMC Kato]

About 4-5 hours in, and the story just keeps on getting better (great music too)
Also the battle system is pretty deep and complex, but once everything starts to click its flows really well (like the Grandia series)

My main complaint is an unfair one, is that I keep on thinking about how more awesome this game would be on the xbox or ps3. But whatever, the gameplay transcends the dated graphics that the Wii puts out.

So far I give this a 8/10 

[Gratch]

About 4-5 hours in, and the story just keeps on getting better (great music too)
Also the battle system is pretty deep and complex, but once everything starts to click its flows really well (like the Grandia series)

My main complaint is an unfair one, is that I keep on thinking about how more awesome this game would be on the xbox or ps3. But whatever, the gameplay transcends the dated graphics that the Wii puts out.

I put in just over 7 hours yesterday, and fully agree on both counts.  The combat really is fantastic, and I keep picking up little nuances the more I play.  The closest comparison would be FF XII, but Xenoblade feels much more visceral and "hands on".  Haven't used anyone other than Shulk at this point, but I really like the way the characters actually feel like they're working together rather than doing random actions on a script.  The story is quite good, but I've spent most of my time simply running around exploring the world, collecting stuff, etc.  While the lo-res graphics are off-putting, the overall art direction is truly fantastic.  Very impressed with the music and VO work as well.  Mostly, I'm just so amazed at how player-friendly this game is.  Feel free to save anywhere.  Dying simply kicks you back to the last waypoint you visited, so you're free to explore and try new things.  Adjust time on the fly in order to go up against daytime or nighttime monsters.  Complete "collect X" or "kill X" quests immediately when they're done in the field instead of requiring a trek back to the quest-giver.  Use the "lure" command to kite 1-2 enemies, rather than playing the annoying "slowly creep up into aggro range" game.  Basically, this game does all the little things right which makes for a remarkably enjoyable experience.

My very minor gripes:

1.  It's really difficult to tell the difference between a quest exclamation point and a waypoint marker on the mini-map.
2.  Quest NPC's can be sometimes be very tough to track down, and the game is often vague about where they're located.
3.  There have been a number of times I have been incapacitated in battle (i.e. all my actions are X'ed out) but I have no idea why.  I assume it's some sort of status effect, but can't see any indicator of what it is.  I've also seen my character simply stand there during battle when he's supposed to be auto-attacking. 
4.  The camera can get really crazy in interior environments.  Had a couple deaths last night because I was getting swarmed by 5 enemies and the camera swung into a position that didn't let me see anything.

Having as much fun with this one so far than any other RPG this generation.  I was worried that I would be let down due to sky-high expectations, but it really does live up to all the hype.  Don't regret buying a Wii for this one game at all.

[USMC Kato]

About 4-5 hours in, and the story just keeps on getting better (great music too)
Also the battle system is pretty deep and complex, but once everything starts to click its flows really well (like the Grandia series)

My main complaint is an unfair one, is that I keep on thinking about how more awesome this game would be on the xbox or ps3. But whatever, the gameplay transcends the dated graphics that the Wii puts out.

I put in just over 7 hours yesterday, and fully agree on both counts.  The combat really is fantastic, and I keep picking up little nuances the more I play.  The closest comparison would be FF XII, but Xenoblade feels much more visceral and "hands on".  Haven't used anyone other than Shulk at this point, but I really like the way the characters actually feel like they're working together rather than doing random actions on a script.  The story is quite good, but I've spent most of my time simply running around exploring the world, collecting stuff, etc.  While the lo-res graphics are off-putting, the overall art direction is truly fantastic.  Very impressed with the music and VO work as well.  Mostly, I'm just so amazed at how player-friendly this game is.  Feel free to save anywhere.  Dying simply kicks you back to the last waypoint you visited, so you're free to explore and try new things.  Adjust time on the fly in order to go up against daytime or nighttime monsters.  Complete "collect X" or "kill X" quests immediately when they're done in the field instead of requiring a trek back to the quest-giver.  Use the "lure" command to kite 1-2 enemies, rather than playing the annoying "slowly creep up into aggro range" game.  Basically, this game does all the little things right which makes for a remarkably enjoyable experience.

My very minor gripes:

1.  It's really difficult to tell the difference between a quest exclamation point and a waypoint marker on the mini-map.
2.  Quest NPC's can be sometimes be very tough to track down, and the game is often vague about where they're located.
3.  There have been a number of times I have been incapacitated in battle (i.e. all my actions are X'ed out) but I have no idea why.  I assume it's some sort of status effect, but can't see any indicator of what it is.  I've also seen my character simply stand there during battle when he's supposed to be auto-attacking. 
4.  The camera can get really crazy in interior environments.  Had a couple deaths last night because I was getting swarmed by 5 enemies and the camera swung into a position that didn't let me see anything.

Having as much fun with this one so far than any other RPG this generation.  I was worried that I would be let down due to sky-high expectations, but it really does live up to all the hype.  Don't regret buying a Wii for this one game at all.

Good impressions Gratch. +1 to everything you said. Also in combat, position is key....there are attacks that you need to execute from the front, side, and rear.
The party character "Reys" or something is a tank and has all the moves skills of a high level MMO Tank archetype. If you can master how Reys plays, I guarantee you can play a tank in any MMO confidently.

[Turtle]

Looks like the Wii is going to go out with a bang.

I'll pick this up next week. I play a limited amount of JRPGs, but enjoy hanging out with my housemates that play them a lot. After burning out on the final fantasy shenanigans, they'll probably want to try this.