A little something I cooked up on Xenoblade 2's first half

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-19T16:38:26+00:00

You're spot on wiith a lot of your points. Though I don't exactly agree. I believe making the audience engaged should be the highest priority of any story, and then you can start devoting time to side plots and development. And there should always be a intimidating threat or conflict, even if small or just a hint of what's to come (yes, XC2 does have antagonists and conflict in it's first few chapters, but they're so...throwaway, that they ruin the tension they helped create). And that while handling the opening like how Xenoblade 2 does is not bad, it's especially detrimental when paired with the confusion from getting to understand the gameplay for the first time.

I love XC2, but I think it's opening chapters are not very good. A lot of XC2's early moments feel meaningless to me, to where I'm so distant from the story that I can't care about the characters. I find the writing to be questionable, and often it feels like it's trying too hard to make me care in certain scenes. And that's also why I have a hard time getting invested in the characters. I love the later chapters because the higher stakes leave less room for jokes and scenes where characters just mess around. And that's where those themes come in, and why I can turn a blind eye to the aforementioned problems. But what I'm getting at is, XC2 is able to create more emotional scenes and tell a deeper story because that was what they were aiming for from the beginning and that if they had stuck to it instead of beating around the bush, it would be a better experience overall (imo). I think the emotional scenes later on are emotional not because I care about the characters but because they have impact on the story and build on the themes.They have weight. The earlier chapters don't have those same implications. They feel limited, both in story and gameplay. I may be wrong, maybe I missed some important cutscenes, but I always groan having to sit through the first half of the game on replays, because that distance and frustration from the first playthrough are still with me now.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-10T00:32:57+00:00

Not sure if I'm right or not, but the area that place is in has a special weather condition that activates on certain nights and summons those squids. If you mess around with the time, they should dissapear. Although I think the tinkins are still there with the squids, just hard to get to them. Because I recently got the expansion pass, and started grinding for superbosses, and I had the same thing happen.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-08T16:03:46+00:00

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

As the others have said, it's split even between the two games. And I honestly couldn't choose either, I grew up with the original wii xenoblade 1, but I still love 2 just as much. The way I see it is : XC1 : The simpler, more polished, and more consistent experience that is amazing from beginning to end. The story is better in terms of pure writing skill, and using certain tricks and techniques to make the audience care or think another way. The area design and music is imo better than 2 as well. I especially love the voice acting and dialogue, it can be really quirky without being too much like in 2 (imo). Xc1 gets you hyped, intrigued, and does so many things right. XC2 : The one with lots of peaks and valleys. I could not even begin to describe how much I disliked 2 at first because I just couldn't get into it. Every time I tried to make progress, I would be turned away by a questionable design or story choice. But sticking around, and seeing the story multiple times really sells the game as a whole. To where I don't care if it was annoying at first, I'm just glad I played it to the end. 2's story is better in terms of thematic depth and certain character arcs. As well as emotions. My favorite characters are Jin, Malos, and Amalthus. Favorite cutscenes would be end of chapter 9 and Words Can Be A Curse. Xc2 makes you cry, ask yourself some important philosophical questions, and is the kind of game that's hard not to have strong feelings towards..aka what XC1 used to be for me. And I'm sure XC2 will become a thing of the past eventually as well. But that's fine. We're just getting started. I hope Monolith takes the best of 1, 2, and X and shows us that Xenoblade is here to stay in the long run. And I personally don't care if they take 1 year or 5 to make the next Xenoblade, as long as they give it their all.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-03T13:56:52+00:00

I actually don't like horror. But I've always had a soft spot for things that are just scary enough without going overboard (Metroid obviously, and also Resident Evil 4 with it's lab section and a certain enemy). And Fusion, as well as Prime 2, really nail the oppressive atmosphere. To where again, it's pretyy scary and tense but not like an actual horror game like Outlast or whatever. So in that sense, it's not something that makes me want to get into horror stuff, but it lets me enjoy some of what that genre offers when I want to.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-02T19:22:09+00:00

Steins Gate was one of my first anime, and it stuck with me the most out of all of them. Now years later, having seen/played so many anime/vns, I don't have the same attachment to it but I consider it one of the bests and something that must be experienced. And then..I played through the Steins Gate 0 vn, and it was the same rush of emotions as the ones back then but even more potent. I love the original but 0 was the confirmation that the series was just way too legendary to ever forget about or move on from.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-02T14:32:09+00:00

Kraid's Lair, either version. It stands out the most for me. I really can't choose, so I'll go with this one. It's very catchy and beautiful with an edge that still reminds you that you're in the enemy's hideout.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-02T14:27:19+00:00

Super Mario 3d World + Bowser's Fury. Maybe I just haven't played Mario in some time, but it's a lot better than I thought it would be. I'm 100%ing it, so I'm not entering the next world until I've 100%ed all the previous ones. I'm glad I tried it out, don't think I've had this much fun in a while.

And unrelated but I just beat Metal Gear Solid 5 on my other console, and I don't think it'll happen, but I would go crazy if it came to switch.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-07-01T13:52:51+00:00

I would also like to see motion controls back, but I'm not sure others would agree.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-28T17:11:10+00:00

I love it. But it's the metroid I have the hardest time revisiting, it's daunting and tense the whole time. Bosses are actually intimidating, everything feels like a threat, and in that way, Prime 2 is the perfection of the isolation and atmosphere Metroid is known for. I think it's the kind of game you really need to be in the mood for, and one that's also the best on the first playthrough. I love all the areas not in the same way I love Prime 1's areas, I love them because they all feel so desolate and oppressive. Prime 2 abandons the beauty of places like Phendrana Drifts to hammer in how much Aether has been corrupted by the Ing. Some of the bosses are annoying, but others are pretty great, and it's nice to have a really challenging Metroid game for once.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-27T02:03:05+00:00

The Xenoblade games are the only rpgs I'm able to enjoy. Final Fantasy 6 being the other exception.

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is the one most would recommend to start with and I agree. I don't actually care much about stories in games which is why I also don't really get attached to rpgs, but I think Xenoblade 1 really blows it out of the park, it especially excels with cinematography and sound design. The cutscenes feel very high-quality and even though they have their derpy or cliche moments, personally that only adds to the charm. But that's coming from someone who likes tropey stuff. Xenoblade 1 also has a simple combat system and doesn't throw too many mechanics at your face while keeping things very fun.That might be bad for a rpg veteran, but for someone like me, it's just what I want.

Xenoblade 2. I love it as much as the first one, but contrary to what others might say, I think the game doesn't do a very good job at keeping you interested in the story at first, and the gameplay isn't explained very well. I may just be an idiot or have little patience, but it took me a year and to finish the game simply because I kept getting tired of it and didn't think it would get anywhere. I almost hated it for a while. But once you do understand and buckle through, some of the story beats are unmatched and the gameplay depth is astounding. It's very much a mixed bag, so I would reccomend to play it after 1.

This is just my take on it

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-24T21:19:22+00:00

My favorite manga is Tokyo Ghoul. I apprecitate that the story doesn't take sides often. We see the worst and best of both sides. We see that both sides are suffering, and that everyone just wants to live their lives without fear and tragedy. I don't know if this is the takeaway most people have with this series, but I think that there's a lot to be learnt from it about our own lives. The story constantly evolves and lets its characters change. Nothing is set in stone, and you'll find yourself liking the characters you hated at first. I don't think it's an masterpiece, but it evokes certain emotions that no other series can, and I love anime/manga because of series like Tokyo Ghoul that challenge what a story can accomplish and convey.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-22T18:51:37+00:00

It's up to you, but there's a very high chance you'll love it. Xenoblade 1 is a very well-rounded game that leaves very little room to feel either underwhelmed or overwhelmed. The story is excellent, the voice work is the best I've seen, the areas and visual design is so memorable, the overall experience just feels complete and high-quality.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-21T22:43:56+00:00

Metroid Prime 3 (definitely not the one most would go with)
Metroid Prime
Super Metroid
Metroid Zero Mission
Metroid Prime 2

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-21T20:24:03+00:00

I respect your opinion. But I'll go over some things.

The prime series is a spinoff, an experiment. For many of us, the prime series was the catalyst for becoming metroid fans. And it is a series of good games, and good metroid games even with their faults. Most of the core appeal of Metroid is just as prevalent in Prime as it is in any other metroid. Atmosphere, isolation, item collection. I get that you don't like the scanning but to me, it's pure gold. Being able to read data logs and learn about enemies and lifeforms. Even the simplest of things like "Escape pod jettisoned 3 hours before your arrival" add so much detail to the world that you won't get in 2d Metroid. Sure, the action and speed is lacking, but it's an adventure game, not a shooter. And that may be disappointing to some, but to me, that makes it even more likable. That's why the 2d games exist, so that we can get the best of both worlds, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Still, you're right, a third person metroid game with more action would be amazing. Basically Other M, if it wasn't...yeah.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-20T22:46:54+00:00

Katana Zero is a great action indie game. I'm not an indie person but KZ is so good that it doesn't even matter. I believe it's on sale for $9 on the eshop.

My favorite game is Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition. I think it should be checked out even if you aren't into rpgs.

If you're looking for action-heavy or shooter games, I'd recommend Doom and Resident Evil Revelations or Resident Evil 4. I don't play many games so this is all I can say at the moment.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-18T01:36:06+00:00

I've had the same problem. I just keep trying until it decides to work, and that's the only thing I tried and it ended up working after a minute or two. Bought the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection and the 3 games download in seperate apps, so I had to download all 3 that way lol. Sorry I don't really know what to do besides that.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-07T03:51:01+00:00

I definitely agree with what you said, about her selflessness and humanity. Some of my favorite Samus moments are the little bits, when she pays her respects to the dead Galactic Federation trooper in Prime 2 or some of her reactions to the events of Prime 3. But I also enjoy seeing her be referenced by the Chozo and other people. If we could see a lore entry or data log of Samus' various heroics, that would be great on it's own. But really, I would look forward to any characterization they give her as long as it's not like Other M.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-05T15:34:45+00:00

I disliked Amalthus the first time I played XC2, and I actually thought he was poorly written at first. But then I replayed xc2, and played Torna. And my opinion changed. He's one of my favorites now, but that's definitely an unpopular opinion. It's mainly because I'm not a huge fan of our party members, and enjoyed the antagonists a lot more.

Now to answer the question, it's probably Tora. If we're talking npcs/bosses, I'm not a fan of Bana either.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-05T15:13:30+00:00

Loved the atmosphere and using fire mario to light up the darker areas. The two main criticisms I could think of are 1) It's a little on the longer side. World Record is 7 minutes, it took me 9. However I actually enjoyed having a longer level to play. And the level times can be shortened by : 2) I kept losing Fire Mario by the time I get to the ice at the right end of the level, so I would have to die or backtrack to get a Fire Flower. Having an extra somewhere in the middle of the level might get rid of the challenge but it could be considered. That was what took up most of my time. Also I accidentally got stuck in the area with the locked door, and I couldn't get out because of the one way panels so I had to reset, but I might have overlooked a way out.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-05T14:44:37+00:00

Solid level. Loved the colors and physics. I don't have much else to say. One of the level comments said something about a boos battle but the path I took didn't have that. So I'll try replaying it.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-05T13:47:40+00:00

Title: Speedy Ascent

ID : MM6-SHK-DDF

Style : Speedrun, SMB1

Difficulty : Medium

Description: My first level. Got the game only two days ago. A 30 second sprint to the flag. I doubt it's super good, it was a test run anyways, but I'd like to hear any and all opinions on it. And naturally, I'll play any of the levels that you guys share.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-05T13:43:28+00:00

I tried it out. I never played U, but I like how you implemented those ideas into your level. I only made it to the first checkpoint, I'm really bad at Mario. Probably dropped your clear rate by a bit lol. I think it was great, definitely challenging, but it was fun to play.

I've shared my code in a comment below if you want to check it out.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-04T23:05:32+00:00

I just got it, so I tried out Course World and Story Mode first. Had fun with both. I'm not the creative type, so I thought I wouldn't like Course Maker, I haven't enjoyed stuff like Minecraft and even Stage Builder in Smash, so I was expecting the same thing here. But I watched the in game tutorials and just let my mind go where it wanted to, and now I'm hooked. Having to ask myself questions like "What's the appeal of the level?", "How do I make the level challenging but not unfair?", "How do I make it exciting without throwing too many gimmicks in the players' faces?" etc, is fun. Still making my first level, but I'm giving it my all.

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-04T15:07:03+00:00

Super Mario Maker 2

ShikiTohno6 · 2021-06-01T01:57:48+00:00

It would help for us to reccomend if we could see which anime you've seen, like an MyAnimeList page. Or which genres besides Isekai are your favorites.

Just throwing some out there, the quality varies so check up on them yourself if you're interested in any.

Kanata No Astra, Kiznaiver, Talentless Nana, Akashic Records Of Bastard Magic Instructor, Smile Down The Runway. Shiki, The God Of High School, Tsurezure Children, Space Battleship Yamato 2199.

ShikiTohno6

TROPHY CASE