General Gaming I've come to terms with the fact that I don't like Xenoblade games.

[Fizzzzle]

I've given them all a hot crack except for Xenoblade Chronicles X. All of them for at leat 5-6 hours each. I just recently tried to get into the first one again after having not tried it since 2015 or so, and still, nothing.

 

It doesn't make sense. I SHOULD like them. Everything about them listed out on paper checks all the boxes of things I like, but when I actually play them, they are incredibly boring. I think my problem is the combat is entirely too slow to be as passive as it is, so it feels like the pace of the game is constantly grinding to a halt.

[Mr.Vic20]

I’m right there with you! I should like them, but I just don’t enjoy them.

[TheLeon]

I got maybe 30 hours into the first one back in the day, then I realized I still had dozens of hours to go and gave up.

[Biggie]

They are pretty cool. I liked 3 more than 2. But they are huge games and I never finish them. But the hours I do play I have fun. I’ll be getting Xenoblade Chronicles X in March for sure. 

[Bacon]

Same. Only barely beat XBC. Got XBCX and XBC2, made it about halfway thru both games, but never beat them. Until there is a massive combat overhaul I'm never touching the series again.

[crispy4000]

I’ve beaten every game in the series aside from the DLC to 1.

 

They’re not for everyone, but I will say the combat is slow going in the beginning for each.  When you have few abilities and some systems withheld until later, it can be hard to be engaged.  Plus battles can go way too long in 1 and 2 particularly, and mech combat in X sucks.

 

There’s things about each game that can be a bit of a slog in regard to the systems surrounding battle.  The DLC games have less of that and end up better for it, and have faster moving combat to begin with.  Though 3’s job system on steroids is a lot more engaging than the inventory management issues in 1, the base building elements of X, or the gatcha leveling crap 2 tried.

All said, I found every game but X worth seeing through to the end.  There’s some of the best plot twists, world building, and environmental design I’ve encountered in JRPGs.  Some real all time classic moments that deliver huge payoffs (in everything outside of X). You just have to get used to the pace, and forgive some anime cringe at times, especially in 2.

 

If you’re for some reason ever willing to give the franchise a go again, play Torna perhaps.  It’s self contained. Other than some gating near the end, it avoids most of the franchises pitfalls and gets you into good combat earlier.  (And might actually have the best combat in general)

[Brian]

I played 2 at launch and the performance was atrocious. I quit playing a few hours in. I recently bought Torna and 3 to complete the series. I plan on waiting for Switch 2 before trying again starting with one. 

[Best]

The only one I played was Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and I was having a great time with it. But then my Switch broke and I said goodbye to Nintendo all together. 

[crispy4000]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

I played 2 at launch and the performance was atrocious. I quit playing a few hours in. I recently bought Torna and 3 to complete the series. I plan on waiting for Switch 2 before trying again starting with one. 

Perotmance and IQ in 2 is the worst. Good idea.

 

Torna got a little better on Switch performance wise, and Xenoblade 3 is a step above that.  Very good IQ for a Switch game of its scope, way better than TotK’s ugly FSR1 filter.