Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Easy Allies Review

I'm loving it! But imo the game should have spent another 3 or 6 months in the oven. Technically could be better.

Rui Fidalgo

Awesome review.

Mugen Himura

I respect the game, but this review helped me understand that I should wait on it---maybe for a deep sale. This'll require a big investment, and I might want a big quality-of-life patch before playing. Thanks, Ben!

Cloisterance

Nice review Ben!

Cody Spence

The game definitely has some flaws, but overall it is a highly enjoyable experience for me. The hate this game gets from the vocal minority is just absurd.

As of time of writing this, I just finished Chapter 3. Didn't watch the full review yet, because wanna make sure I don't spoil anything for myself, but peeked at the score at the end, and so far that seems about right. I can see how people get easily hung up on the game's flaws, but boy have I been having fun exploring all these huge open areas, bonding with new Blades, supporting town economies, uncovering secrets, and meeting all the charming characters you run into in the process. Plus thankfully the game doesn't seem to have lost that Xenoblade charm of being able to revisit an old area after gaining some levels and overcoming that one huge enemy from it that was harassing you before. Just wish the map was better, especially since the team helped make the BotW map, which was amazing. Also, this game's idea of a tutorial is maybe the worst way I've ever seen a game try to implement one, because you shouldn't be still learning basic combat stuff after a dozen hours or more and the Informant system is so not helpful it might as well not exist. Didn't notice the field D-Pad instructions either, so had to ask a friend how to sheath my Blade when I would accidentally take it out. Spent the first fifteen or so hours of the game resolved to kill something to make it go away anytime I accidentally took it out when I was trying to gather or whatever.

MBUN

I have to agree with Damiani on this one, Super disappointed they went with the shonen anime route, dialogue and cutscenes are straight up garbage, visually its a mess and the blades gacha system isn't fun at all, the rare blades are completely irrelevant to the story and world in general, nevermind the visual disconnect. That final Heart to Heart with Poppi and Pyra is what made me give up, alongside the cutscene right before and after that part in the story made me realize it wasn't gonna get any better Such a shame to see the series go from Xeno 1 to this, X had some big issues but at least i got through that game.

Embarrassed to say that this is my first Xenoblade game. That being said, I am having a profound experience with this game. It is rough around the edges (especially graphics handheld mode), but so rewarding. Can't remember the last time I was so invested in an rpg.

Minh Nguyen

Thank you Ben, I'm 25 hours in myself and I love it just as much as I did XC1. I have some criticisms though, the map isn't very good and the side quests are still glorified fetch quests and run arounds but I think the positives far out weigh the negatives. It seems both you and this game are getting an unfair amount of flack for petty reasons. There is a lot of negativity but hopefully this can turn into some sort of strength for you later in a weird way. I have always found that staying true to yourself is always more rewarding than falling victim to unfounded criticisms. I also wanted to add that I am very happy to see that you found a love for Xenoblade the way a lot of us did when we first played XC1 and now we can share a new adventure again with a great game to boot.

I'm enjoying it so far too. I really want an HD version of the original Xenoblade chronicles now.

David Kenyon

I'm about 10 hours in and I'm really enjoying it so far, but as you said it IS rough around the edges. Despite that though, I'm thoroughly engrossed in the world. I might have to take advantage of the separate audio to tune down the in combat voices as well as the music during cut scenes; it can get old after a while. Watching your review it seems like the English voices aren't so bad, but Tora's tics would get on my nerves I think. He doesn't seem so bad with the Japanese VO, which is how I'm playing. I wish you could mix and match though, as Rex, Pyra, and Nia's voices seems pretty endearing!

Steven Perry

5 Hours in myself. I can see the start of both the good and critical points so far. Either way, being on the Switch makes it possible for me as I would never beat it without the handheld mode. Looks much better on docked mode though as it seems the resolution takes a pretty big hit. I'm really feeling it!

Zugdar

Great review I’m playing it right now and agree wholeheartedly. Also funny that the exact area as in 9:40 (ish) was when I turned down the volume because of the repeating combat dialogue. Good thing it got separate audio sliders.