Xenoblade Chronicles 3

[RevolverOcelScott]

Ordering from Nintendo is terrible. I'm glad I got the CE and all, but it still hasn't left WA yet. Guess I'm not playing til almost Friday.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Hit 25 hours as I'm starting Chapter 4. I played from 11 AM to 11 PM today because I was off from work. Planning on doing the same thing tomorrow.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Hit 25 hours as I'm starting Chapter 4. I played from 11 AM to 11 PM today because I was off from work. Planning on doing the same thing tomorrow.

Video gaming marathons like that wear me out lol

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Video gaming marathons like that wear me out lol

That happened with Pokemon Legends Arceus back in January and I haven't been able to play it ever since. I had Covid at the time so all I did was play that game for about a week straight. I was barely sleeping too, it was damn near non-stop playing.

It's the kind of thing where I'll play it for hours and hours and then put it down for a long time after. Especially with these long games.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Hit 25 hours as I'm starting Chapter 4. I played from 11 AM to 11 PM today because I was off from work. Planning on doing the same thing tomorrow.

I’ve done about the same except I just clicked over 40 hours and am almost finished Chapter 3 . I spent a ton of time just visiting every area of the map in the first two regions which are astonishingly large even compares to the prior games. I also went and did every side quest that was available this far. I think I’ve finally visited every corner of those areas that I can without additional field skills or much higher level to not be one shot. Getting back to the story tomorrow.

I’m highly enjoying the game so far. The combat took a little bit to click since the mechanics are unlocked in phases as typical for the series but I’m having a lot of fun with it now but it can definitely get a bit too chaotic sometimes with seven separate characters all fighting and shouting at the same time. I really wish the in fight dialog could be turned either off or pulled back significantly.

[PissedOffPeoN]

You can get locked in long cut scenes after a battle which makes time go by soo fast in this game.

[InuYashaCrusade]

50 hours in and recently started chapter 5. I went back and did some of the quests that I missed, 2 hero quests in particular. I wanted to advance the story a little bit so I finished off chapter 4 yesterday. I plan on going back and doing some of the other areas that I might've accidentally missed before I finish the game.

I'm not sure if I'd say I'd put 3 above the first game or not yet but I'm loving this game. Not once have I gotten bored or felt like I was pushing myself to continue playing. This will probably be my game of the year, beating out Pokemon Legends Arceus. As long as Crisis Core doesn't release before the year ends I can't see anything coming close to this experience.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

50 hours in and recently started chapter 5. I went back and did some of the quests that I missed, 2 hero quests in particular. I wanted to advance the story a little bit so I finished off chapter 4 yesterday. I plan on going back and doing some of the other areas that I might've accidentally missed before I finish the game.

I'm not sure if I'd say I'd put 3 above the first game or not yet but I'm loving this game. Not once have I gotten bored or felt like I was pushing myself to continue playing. This will probably be my game of the year, beating out Pokemon Legends Arceus. As long as Crisis Core doesn't release before the year ends I can't see anything coming close to this experience.

I was right at 100 hours last night when I quit, I hit it hard during vacation last week. I finished Chapter 5 and then have spent the last three days just doing side quests, including Hero Quests I’ve completed 128 total side quests going to finally move in to Chapter 6 tonight.

Pro tip: when you finish chapter 5’s final fight go make some popcorn and settle in for a LOT of cutscenes.

I’ll hold off on any ranking until I am done but I’m with you in that this is definitely my favorite game of the last year right now. It is without a doubt a big step up visually from 2, just a shame the Switch is too underpowered to hold the hectic fights (especially in fields of grass) to any kind of good resolution.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I was right at 100 hours last night when I quit, I hit it hard during vacation last week. I finished Chapter 5 and then have spent the last three days just doing side quests, including Hero Quests I’ve completed 128 total side quests going to finally move in to Chapter 6 tonight.

Pro tip: when you finish chapter 5’s final fight go make some popcorn and settle in for a LOT of cutscenes.

I’ll hold off on any ranking until I am done but I’m with you in that this is definitely my favorite game of the last year right now. It is without a doubt a big step up visually from 2, just a shame the Switch is too underpowered to hold the hectic fights (especially in fields of grass) to any kind of good resolution.

Aloy would be disappointed in you.

Friend Code... NOW!

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I was right at 100 hours last night when I quit, I hit it hard during vacation last week. I finished Chapter 5 and then have spent the last three days just doing side quests, including Hero Quests I’ve completed 128 total side quests going to finally move in to Chapter 6 tonight.

Pro tip: when you finish chapter 5’s final fight go make some popcorn and settle in for a LOT of cutscenes.

I’ll hold off on any ranking until I am done but I’m with you in that this is definitely my favorite game of the last year right now. It is without a doubt a big step up visually from 2, just a shame the Switch is too underpowered to hold the hectic fights (especially in fields of grass) to any kind of good resolution.

I don't know how I missed the hero quests and side quests that I'd missed up until now. The hero quests I especially don't get because I've not been rushing this playthrough at all. I've been taking my time exploring everything, collecting all the items I come across, talking to everyone with stars over their heads, etc.

I know there's gotta be a handful of quests that I need to get done because I've been neglecting returning to past colonies. Once I get a little further into chapter 5 I'll do that. The story is getting too good, it's hard to remain patient with finding out what happens next.

There's a lot of moments in the game where I think to myself how much better it could look if this were running on PS5 or anything other than the Switch. Nintendo seriously needs to get an upgraded system out asap.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Aloy would be disappointed in you.

Friend Code... NOW!

Switch doesn’t let you send messages for me not to reply to anyhow

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

I don't know how I missed the hero quests and side quests that I'd missed up until now. The hero quests I especially don't get because I've not been rushing this playthrough at all. I've been taking my time exploring everything, collecting all the items I come across, talking to everyone with stars over their heads, etc.

I know there's gotta be a handful of quests that I need to get done because I've been neglecting returning to past colonies. Once I get a little further into chapter 5 I'll do that. The story is getting too good, it's hard to remain patient with finding out what happens next.

There's a lot of moments in the game where I think to myself how much better it could look if this were running on PS5 or anything other than the Switch. Nintendo seriously needs to get an upgraded system out asap.

Oh there will be a ton waiting for you when you go back in that case I’ve got all colonies I’ve been to up to at least Lv 4 at least except one.

I’m fully invested in the story, especially after Chapter 4 and 5. Noah finally has some personality now to me but Mio much more interesting of a character to me.

The art direction is wonderful. Monolith Soft really are wizards for it to look and run as good as it does on the potato that the Switch is.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Switch doesn’t let you send messages for me not to reply to anyhow

True, which is a shame that you can't send messages to people, but I'd still like to add you anyways.

I still say Aloy would be disappointed in you that another game is beating her out for your GOTY.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

True, which is a shame that you can't send messages to people, but I'd still like to add you anyways.

I still say Aloy would be disappointed in you that another game is beating her out for your GOTY.

Wouldn’t be the first time for her; Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade 2 both dropped in 2017 as well. Unfortunate timing for Horizon always.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Oh there will be a ton waiting for you when you go back in that case I’ve got all colonies I’ve been to up to at least Lv 4 at least except one.

I’m fully invested in the story, especially after Chapter 4 and 5. Noah finally has some personality now to me but Mio much more interesting of a character to me.

The art direction is wonderful. Monolith Soft really are wizards for it to look and run as good as it does on the potato that the Switch is.

After I posted that earlier I went back and found a ton of areas on the map that I missed. Huge open areas that I skipped the first time around. Usually they were skipped because of a high level monster in the area. I've gotta do the same thing for the areas that I couldn't climb or slide (glide/ride?) across the first time.

Who would you say your favorite character is so far? Mine is Sena. I like her personality the most and her relationship with Mio is really cute. Taion would have to be my least favorite. Lanz could use some more development but he's a hell of a like more likeable than Taion as of now.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

After I posted that earlier I went back and found a ton of areas on the map that I missed. Huge open areas that I skipped the first time around. Usually they were skipped because of a high level monster in the area. I've gotta do the same thing for the areas that I couldn't climb or slide (glide/ride?) across the first time.

Who would you say your favorite character is so far? Mine is Sena. I like her personality the most and her relationship with Mio is really cute. Taion would have to be my least favorite. Lanz could use some more development but he's a hell of a like more likeable than Taion as of now.

That’s definitely a huge chunk of my time count, exploring every area on each map I can find and access with the field skills I had. I’m still missing one of the four, so no clue what it is. The areas are absolutely MASSIVE.

As of right now I’d go Mio, Eunie, Sena, Noah, Lanz, Taion. In the later parts of Chapter 5 Noah has started growing on me becoming less bland for lack of a better word. Lanz has definitely grown on me a lot since Chapter 3’s ending and other moments along the way; before that he wasn’t that interesting. Taion is really the only one I don’t care for. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I dislike him but he’s just not interesting and I’ve already completed his side story and it didn’t really improve my opinion of him so I doubt that will change. The three females on the other hand all have fully developed and distinct personalities and seem to have been given the better character development thus far.

But if we’re including non-playables then Riku is pure gold.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Wouldn’t be the first time for her; Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade 2 both dropped in 2017 as well. Unfortunate timing for Horizon always.

Yikes, yeah, bad luck. I think Aloy will survive though without your love.

This will be the last time I ask for your friend code. All kidding aside, I know you're knee deep in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but I asked you about it since almost 2 weeks ago. I usually just joke about this stuff, but there comes a point where it's just plain rude, especially when it's something as simple as that. Sorry, but I had to call you out on it for once.

[PissedOffPeoN]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I was right at 100 hours last night when I quit, I hit it hard during vacation last week. I finished Chapter 5 and then have spent the last three days just doing side quests, including Hero Quests I’ve completed 128 total side quests going to finally move in to Chapter 6 tonight.

Pro tip: when you finish chapter 5’s final fight go make some popcorn and settle in for a LOT of cutscenes.

I’ll hold off on any ranking until I am done but I’m with you in that this is definitely my favorite game of the last year right now. It is without a doubt a big step up visually from 2, just a shame the Switch is too underpowered to hold the hectic fights (especially in fields of grass) to any kind of good resolution.

I just got to chapter 5.. oh god more cut scenes O.O!

[Diesel]

Finished this today and completed the post game content as well, need a little time to sit and stew on the ending and developments of the late game. Always a lot to unpack with these.

Final time was 130 hours with all Colonies at max affinity, Lv 99 and around 190 or so quests complete.

[Diesel]

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the best game in the series.
Those are some big words coming from me who loves the original and counts Xenoblade 2 among his Top 10 games of all time. Xenoblade 3 takes everything great about the first two and builds on their weaknesses. Is it a perfect game? No, it's not. In fact, there are certain facets of the other two that are better but taken on the whole, Xenoblade 3 outshines its predecessors in my opinion and now occupies the 5th slot on my Top 10 games of all time.

This series is definitely not for everybody and that's perfectly fine, but for me from my first experience playing Xenoblade 2 the series sunk its claws in me and I have loved the ride through all three games + Torna over the last few years.

The combat in this game is ridiculously chaotic and SO much is going on on screen at any given time that its understandable that some would be turned off or even lose track of what is going on but when you are humming along and executing well timed and positioned arts, using fusion arts, jumping into Ouroboros form, chain canceling those arts into your finisher it is an absolute blast and incredibly satisfying when you take down that Superboss who is 20 levels higher than you. Even still, I do wish it was a tiny bit less chaotic, but I have no idea how you would achieve that without fundamentally changing the game, its mechanics and its stories so I can't really complain if I can't offer a solution myself.

Exploration of the world is also without doubt the best it has ever been and thankfully much more simplistic than the last game's field skill gates that can become quite frustrating when trying to see everything the world had to offer. Luckily this time around none of that exists as the only four field skills required are obtained in the course of the story and always active. And of course it goes without saying that it is the best looking of the series by far and held back only by the aging hardware it is on. I can't wait to see what Monolith Soft does with Switch 2...

The story is a wonderful, albeit typical on its surface for JRPGs, tale of love, loss and the meaning behind life and our actions. A few of the narrative threads stumble here and there and can be a bit clunky in their revelation but its very much supported by without a doubt the most well rounded cast in the entire series. By the end of the game I liked all six of the characters, even Taion, which is exceedingly rare for these big RPGs. Mio is the standout to me and Noah does become a much more interesting protagonist as the game goes on despite starting kind of bland. I expect the ending of the story to leave a lot of people unhappy as it definitely leaves the most up to interpretation in the series rather than outright explaining everything for you like the first two do late in the games, but I love it even though I was surprised by what we got initially. After taking some time to think on what is presented and remembering the central themes of the game and dialog throughout, it really does make perfect sense for the story that was being told the whole time. If you find yourself thinking that

[Show spoiler]they should have stayed together and that them being split up is not a good idea, congratulations, you feel exactly how the developers wanted you to feel, like N and understanding why he made the choices he did despite them being wrong and selfish. But then you are rewarded with the post credits scene implying that what Nia, Noah and Mio all said would happen is/has/will happen when he hears the Off Seer melody and walks off smiling towards it.

Just like with Xenoblade 2 I even got choked up a few times thanks to the wonderful voice cast and excellent music. If I have one complaint it is that after Chapter 5 the game does feel a bit truncated in its main story and I could have done with another chapter or so expanding on some elements like the primary villains faced near the end of the game. But in the end I absolutely love this story and its cast of main and supporting characters (Ethel being the definite standout and Ghondor being the exception). The world's lore is also quite deep, even if some things don't perfectly add up.

For those wondering if you really can play it on its own or have to play the others, you can play this game and its story definitely will stand on its own in my opinion as a strong experience but for returning players there are a ton of subtleties and call backs to both of the previous games (particularly late game) that will have you smiling ear to ear.

[Show spoiler]When they showed the Monado replica and Poppi/Xenoblade 2 group photo I lost it with excitement for these characters I thought I'd never see again.

10/10


I am incredibly excited for the DLC to see if it is a Prequel like Torna or an Epilogue for the game/trilogy. I'm personally leaning towards it being a prequel and covering

[Show spoiler]the battle against N and the founding of the second city by his children, Shulk and Rex's disciples and whoever the other two founders are meant to be. And revealing who the 7th mysterious found was, possibly Nia or Riku.

Anywho, if you made it this far, thanks for indulging the ravings of a mad man and enjoy the game

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the best game in the series.
Those are some big words coming from me who loves the original and counts Xenoblade 2 among his Top 10 games of all time. Xenoblade 3 takes everything great about the first two and builds on their weaknesses. Is it a perfect game? No, it's not. In fact, there are certain facets of the other two that are better but taken on the whole, Xenoblade 3 outshines its predecessors in my opinion and now occupies the 5th slot on my Top 10 games of all time.

This series is definitely not for everybody and that's perfectly fine, but for me from my first experience playing Xenoblade 2 the series sunk its claws in me and I have loved the ride through all three games + Torna over the last few years.

The combat in this game is ridiculously chaotic and SO much is going on on screen at any given time that its understandable that some would be turned off or even lose track of what is going on but when you are humming along and executing well timed and positioned arts, using fusion arts, jumping into Ouroboros form, chain canceling those arts into your finisher it is an absolute blast and incredibly satisfying when you take down that Superboss who is 20 levels higher than you. Even still, I do wish it was a tiny bit less chaotic, but I have no idea how you would achieve that without fundamentally changing the game, its mechanics and its stories so I can't really complain if I can't offer a solution myself.

Exploration of the world is also without doubt the best it has ever been and thankfully much more simplistic than the last game's field skill gates that can become quite frustrating when trying to see everything the world had to offer. Luckily this time around none of that exists as the only four field skills required are obtained in the course of the story and always active. And of course it goes without saying that it is the best looking of the series by far and held back only by the aging hardware it is on. I can't wait to see what Monolith Soft does with Switch 2...

The story is a wonderful, albeit typical on its surface for JRPGs, tale of love, loss and the meaning behind life and our actions. A few of the narrative threads stumble here and there and can be a bit clunky in their revelation but its very much supported by without a doubt the most well rounded cast in the entire series. By the end of the game I liked all six of the characters, even Taion, which is exceedingly rare for these big RPGs. Mio is the standout to me and Noah does become a much more interesting protagonist as the game goes on despite starting kind of bland. I expect the ending of the story to leave a lot of people unhappy as it definitely leaves the most up to interpretation in the series rather than outright explaining everything for you like the first two do late in the games, but I love it even though I was surprised by what we got initially. After taking some time to think on what is presented and remembering the central themes of the game and dialog throughout, it really does make perfect sense for the story that was being told the whole time. If you find yourself thinking that

[Show spoiler]they should have stayed together and that them being split up is not a good idea, congratulations, you feel exactly how the developers wanted you to feel, like N and understanding why he made the choices he did despite them being wrong and selfish. But then you are rewarded with the post credits scene implying that what Nia, Noah and Mio all said would happen is/has/will happen when he hears the Off Seer melody and walks off smiling towards it.

Just like with Xenoblade 2 I even got choked up a few times thanks to the wonderful voice cast and excellent music. If I have one complaint it is that after Chapter 5 the game does feel a bit truncated in its main story and I could have done with another chapter or so expanding on some elements like the primary villains faced near the end of the game. But in the end I absolutely love this story and its cast of main and supporting characters (Ethel being the definite standout and Ghondor being the exception). The world's lore is also quite deep, even if some things don't perfectly add up.

For those wondering if you really can play it on its own or have to play the others, you can play this game and its story definitely will stand on its own in my opinion as a strong experience but for returning players there are a ton of subtleties and call backs to both of the previous games (particularly late game) that will have you smiling ear to ear.

[Show spoiler]When they showed the Monado replica and Poppi/Xenoblade 2 group photo I lost it with excitement for these characters I thought I'd never see again.

10/10


I am incredibly excited for the DLC to see if it is a Prequel like Torna or an Epilogue for the game/trilogy. I'm personally leaning towards it being a prequel and covering

[Show spoiler]the battle against N and the founding of the second city by his children, Shulk and Rex's disciples and whoever the other two founders are meant to be. And revealing who the 7th mysterious found was, possibly Nia or Riku.

Anywho, if you made it this far, thanks for indulging the ravings of a mad man and enjoy the game

You've got me insanely excited to finish the game and see where the story goes but I'm still taking my sweet time over here. My hours are down this week and next week at work but I'm not complaining at all. I should be able to put a ton of time into the game and get closer to the end.