Xenoblade Chronicles

[Opa Opa]

It seems like a Japanese take on a WRPG

Isn't that what the entire JRPG sub-genre is all about?

[isiolia]

to add insult to injury, the game is a bit underwhelming so far. It seems like a Japanese take on a WRPG, and it isn't near as good (again, so far) as many WRPGs have been in recent years...

I wasn't impressed with ordering it directly from Nintendo. It arrived yesterday. Amazon Prime has spoiled me.

Sounds more like they were trying to adopt MMO style questing/etc, like FFXII or White Knight Chronicle.

[MrPopo]

It seems like a Japanese take on a WRPG

Isn't that what the entire JRPG sub-genre is all about?

That's how JRPGs got started, but at this point they've taken on a life of their own. So now a Japanese take on a WRPG is to take a game that is very clearly close to existing WRPGs (such as a modern Japanese Wizardry clone) and noting the things that seem to fit more with the general Japanese video game aesthetic (Class of Heroes' setting being high school).

[Hazerd]

Meh, ill hold onto my PAL version of Xenoblade Chronicles and play it on my modded Wii.

that's right! i modded my wii and bought a physical copy of the game!

[Xeogred]

I look at the game this way, it's pretty much a traditional JRPG all the way. A sense of linearity is definitely there. I'd argue the huge maps are just like you exploring a big overworld in past JRPG's, only this time the world map is pretty awesome and intricate, and I'd imagine there's not a whole lot of "dungeons" like the caves near the beginning which were also huge. So you spend a lot of time on the overworld and assuming it takes up most of the game. Other than that it's still kind of town to town, following a main story path with sidequests about, and yeah. It's not true open world. Totally a JRPG.

And totally everything FFXIII tried to be. You can actually go everywhere here...

[SpaceBooger]

I'm level 16 and just found my way out the cave (at the Knee) after beating a giant spider.
I have a ton of sidequests to finish, so should I move forward or go back and finish sidequests? I am always afraid of moving on in case I miss something important.

[Zing]

From what I understand, only quests from named NPCs should be of any concern. You can tell the difference in the quest list by the name of the quest. Quests titled with a number (collection 2, challenge 1, etc) are generic quests from unnamed NPCs and can be ignored. They will increase your regional affinity, but do not lead to advanced quests later.

[Xeogred]

Don't forget the game also supposedly tells you when you hit points of no return, from what others have said. So don't let the quests piling up bother you much if you think you'll miss out on finishing some. I feel like the game gives you quests you can't even really do until much later as well or something. I don't know. Not focusing "too" much on the quests myself to be honest right now.

How far are you Zing? You were getting along pretty quickly there. Just finished up the Ether Mine myself, in the marsh now and about level 29. Things are getting pretty crazy.

[Zing]

I haven't played much at all over the past week. I was hit hard with strep throat, and then I have been busy playing board games all weekend. I did play for about an hour a few nights ago.

[Xeogred]

Was hit with a sinus infection myself... so I hear ya. haha.

But yeah, ~15-20 hours in seems to mark another high point.