Xenoblade and The Last Story in the US?

[quote name='io']FWIW (not much), IGN revised their "Top 25 Wii Games" for 2012 and put Last Story at 10 and Xenoblade Chronicles at 11. I know there's some severe Last Story hate on here (ahem-DoK-ahem) but it must be a really polarizing game for some to hate it so much and for others to consider it top 10 (over not only Xenoblade but Super Paper Mario, Mario Kart Wii, Fire Emblem, and many others).

Personally I'd put Xenoblade not only at the top of the Wii list, but at the top of all games this generation (yes, including PS3 and 360 games). Though it would be a tough choice between Demon/Dark Souls and Xenoblade. Note that I have yet to play IGN's #1 Wii game (Skyward Sword). And I also really can't argue with SMG 2 at #2.

It is good regardless of the exact position that these games are on there though - more recognition for RPGs is always a good thing IMO.

Oh yeah: http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/14/the-top-25-wii-games-2[/QUOTE]

The summary they provide sounds wrong in so many ways. I mean, outside of the battle system, the game is anything but "wonderfully fresh". Considering the amount of slowdown, I would find it difficult to say the game had "polish" and if anything, highlighted the system's hardware limitations. And the game is only 20-25 hours long and in a very limited world, how can they consider that large? Then again, the only game I agree with on their 25 is Skyward Sword at #1.

I'd put Xenoblade in my top 5 for Wii games (and probably in my top 20 overall this generation- it's not a very original game). I would put TLS near the bottom of my top 25 Wii games.
 
[quote name='Vinny']The summary they provide sounds wrong in so many ways. I mean, outside of the battle system, the game is anything but "wonderfully fresh". Considering the amount of slowdown, I would find it difficult to say the game had "polish" and if anything, highlighted the system's hardware limitations. And the game is only 20-25 hours long and in a very limited world, how can they consider that large? Then again, the only game I agree with on their 25 is Skyward Sword at #1.

I'd put Xenoblade in my top 5 for Wii games (and probably in my top 20 overall this generation- it's not a very original game). I would put TLS near the bottom of my top 25 Wii games.[/QUOTE]

Personally, my top 10 wii games in order:

1. Super Smash Bros Brawl
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Skyward Sword
4. No More Heroes
5. Xenoblade
6. Mario Kart Wii
7. Super Mario Galaxy 2
8. Twilight Princess
9. Zack and Wiki
10. Fire Emblem
 
One of the buttons centers your camera. I got used to it fast. The slow-downs are mostly due to the DVD drive. The battles do get more fun as you get skills that act on the circles.
 
I am seeing a lot of discussions pertaining to xenoblade. Is last story part of that series or is it its own story? Be nice as I haven't played the xenoblade series. :(
 
[quote name='kobra90']I am seeing a lot of discussions pertaining to xenoblade. Is last story part of that series or is it its own story? Be nice as I haven't played the xenoblade series. :([/QUOTE]

They're separate, linked only through operation rainfall.
 
I almost bit on this yesterday just due to the fact that the game will probably be hard to find 5+ years from now. I hear the game isn't very good though... so that scared me away.
 
[quote name='FaintDeftone']I almost bit on this yesterday just due to the fact that the game will probably be hard to find 5+ years from now. I hear the game isn't very good though... so that scared me away.[/QUOTE]

It seems like some people really enjoy it and some just hate it. Maybe a rental would help you decide.
 
[quote name='blueweltall']It seems like some people really enjoy it and some just hate it. Maybe a rental would help you decide.[/QUOTE]

It has some technical problems and cliche plots, but it's nowhere near as bad as DoK makes it out to be. It's good, but it's not going to go down as the best RPG this generation. Maybe the top 3 Wii RPGs... which isn't exactly saying anything.
 
[quote name='elessar123']One of the buttons centers your camera. I got used to it fast. The slow-downs are mostly due to the DVD drive. The battles do get more fun as you get skills that act on the circles.[/QUOTE]

I played it off the HD but tried playing it off the disc (as some people suggested that that may have been the reason for the slowdown) and there was no different between the two. The only different was that I didn't have to hear the disc spinning and loading times were slightly faster when playing off of the HD vs the disc. This game is simply too taxing on the Wii.

It's sad really because some of the scenes would have been incredible if it weren't for the slowdown. And if the game was in HD.
 
The Last Story packaging is very pretty. Got mine today from amazon, with the CD and thankfully undamaged.

I'll admit I haven't been big into JRPG's since the middle of the PS2 era, but I am happy to have bought both TLS and Xenoblade - just to support the very idea of video game publishers actually giving fans what they want. That said I will definitely play and try to enjoy them both. Can't wait to try them in Dolphin.
 
Is there a way I can play this off the HD, or do you guys mod? The slowdown is pretty bad, but I don't think the game would be much better running smoothly anyways. Just a little annoying.
 
[quote name='Vinny']The summary they provide sounds wrong in so many ways. I mean, outside of the battle system, the game is anything but "wonderfully fresh". Considering the amount of slowdown, I would find it difficult to say the game had "polish" and if anything, highlighted the system's hardware limitations.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, from what I've read about TLS I think they mixed up this part, which they have for Xenoblade:
The result was a fully unique and truly exceptional adventure, one that perhaps pushed the Wii hardware too far past its limitations, but in doing so offered one of the grandest adventures in its library.
Click to expand...

Uh, I think Xenoblade pushes the hardware just perfectly. It is a great looking game and barely has any slowdown at all even in frenzied battle with multiple enemies and different Arts effects going off at the same time. I only notice some slight slowdown when the "B" timed button press things show up during intense fights - and I like it then because it makes it easier to hit the button ;).

Yet for TLS, they have:
The game also makes incredible use of the Wii hardware, offering a large and sweeping adventure that never felt lacking for its hardware limitations.
Click to expand...

So, yeah, I think they mixed those two quotes up. The second one really should go with Xenoblade, and (from what I've read and heard from you guys) the first one belongs with TLS. And for that reason alone, those two should be swapped in place on the list. And I think the "large and sweeping adventure" definitely applies to Xenoblade as well (I'm going on 125 hours now) vs the much shorter and limited TLS as you said.

To be honest, playing Xenoblade, I don't often even think I'm playing a Wii game - it looks good enough to me. Sure, there are jaggies from the 480p resolution and the textures could be a little more detailed, but it still has great visuals and I enjoy finding sweeping vistas and just rotating the camera checking everything out (even the sky which is always changing).
 
Honestly the only big complaint I have about Last Story so far is that there is no quest log of any sort, which is pretty ridiculous, you simply have to remember or write it down.
 
I managed to get the limited edition (cd/artbook) from gamestop. One thing though...wtf is with the (half) slip cover? I feel like .5% of those will still be in semi-decent shape in 5 months.
 
[quote name='Drclaw411']I managed to get the limited edition (cd/artbook) from gamestop. One thing though...wtf is with the (half) slip cover? I feel like .5% of those will still be in semi-decent shape in 5 months.[/QUOTE]

I wished their was a way I could've kept this on once I opened it. I really like the way they put the wii logo on the front, but either way I've really enjoyed the packing for this game, can't comment on actually playing it yet lol :booty:
 
[quote name='Drclaw411']I managed to get the limited edition (cd/artbook) from gamestop. One thing though...wtf is with the (half) slip cover? I feel like .5% of those will still be in semi-decent shape in 5 months.[/QUOTE]

How did you get the cd? Did someone neglect to pick up their pre-order, or did your GS get extra cds?
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']Is there a way I can play this off the HD, or do you guys mod? The slowdown is pretty bad, but I don't think the game would be much better running smoothly anyways. Just a little annoying.[/QUOTE]

You have to softmod your Wii. I did it back when Xenoblade was a PAL only game. But as I said, you won't see any benefit with regards to the slowdown.
 
I see, thanks for the info.

This game is becoming very enjoyable as a sort of parody of JRPGs, I think. Duke Jillard is like your primary rival, wanting to behead you the entire game for catching you chatting with Calista. And then the Count wants to rule the world, as he proclaimed loudly in a cutscene after I shut the door behind him. Then there's all these dialogue options that amount to "you picked the wrong option."

I will not miss you, Sakaguchi-san.
 
[quote name='Vinny']You have to softmod your Wii. I did it back when Xenoblade was a PAL only game. But as I said, you won't see any benefit with regards to the slowdown.[/QUOTE]

I ran it off a HD and don't seem to have as much of a problem with slowdown as most, unless everybody is over exaggerating or I'm under exaggerating.
 
[quote name='Indignate']I ran it off a HD and don't seem to have as much of a problem with slowdown as most, unless everybody is over exaggerating or I'm under exaggerating.[/QUOTE]

Same. Mine was in the single digits frame rate during those tutorial videos. It was acceptable after installing to a USB flash drive. There were still slowdowns, but no "close your eyes and pray you aren't dead when it unlagged" moments.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Same. Mine was in the single digits frame rate during those tutorial videos. It was acceptable after installing to a USB flash drive. There were still slowdowns, but no "close your eyes and pray you aren't dead when it unlagged" moments.[/QUOTE]

I didn't have that problem during the tutorial. I did lose track of where I was (or sometimes who I was), but I haven't seen much slowdown in the first hour.
 
This game loves huge monsters in small hallways. Only times I've died is when one of those things rams me into the corner and the camera flips shit and the game almost stops running
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']I see, thanks for the info.

This game is becoming very enjoyable as a sort of parody of JRPGs, I think. Duke Jillard is like your primary rival, wanting to behead you the entire game for catching you chatting with Calista. And then the Count wants to rule the world, as he proclaimed loudly in a cutscene after I shut the door behind him. Then there's all these dialogue options that amount to "you picked the wrong option."

I will not miss you, Sakaguchi-san.[/QUOTE]

You're taking the right approach here. I should have stepped into the game expecting a troll. But I ended up taking the game seriously because it was supposed to be good, and ended up having a bad time.
 
[quote name='Indignate']I ran it off a HD and don't seem to have as much of a problem with slowdown as most, unless everybody is over exaggerating or I'm under exaggerating.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='elessar123']Same. Mine was in the single digits frame rate during those tutorial videos. It was acceptable after installing to a USB flash drive. There were still slowdowns, but no "close your eyes and pray you aren't dead when it unlagged" moments.[/QUOTE]

You could argue how much slowdown acceptable, based on your own preferences. But the fact that there's constant slowdown throughout the game is unacceptable to me. No, it was never to the point of unplayable (like Muramasa or Odin Sphere) but it was still pretty annoying.
 
Aye, I thought Muramasa was very bearable compared to Odin Sphere's framerate.

TLS's is just consistently slow and it's annoying, though again, there's not much a smooth framerate could do to help out this mess of a battle system. So I don't hold that against it. If anyone is somehow struggling, just max out the latest weapons and whack shit. You have 5 lives, go nuts. Step in the colorful circles.
 
Up over two hours now. While I do think it is a bit twee in spots, there is a certain amount of charm so far. We'll see if it keeps up.

No, it isn't Xenoblade, but it is looking solid enough.
 
I want to say WTF you two are talking about because Muramasa was full of slowdown but then I just remembered that I played it on Dolphin Emulator. I'm pretty sure my computer almost exploded.:lol:
 
I don't remember Muramasa's slowdown, so it couldn't have been that bad... But maybe my mind was just comparing it to Odin Sphere's unacceptable slowdown. :lol:

The other major problem with TLS's framerate is that that there are problems in the CUTSCENES too. It's ridiculous.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']Christ, Sakaguchi has done it again. Lord Jirall is the Kefka of this generation.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't go that far. But TLS did remind me of a lot of Final Fantasy games. I kept thinking of Squall and Rinoa myself.
 
Well, I know I'm the only CAG still playing Xenoblade but I'm going to talk about it anyway. I think I reached what must be the final battle (at least Dunban was warning Shulk that they woudln't be able to return after I take this teleporter in
Prison Island (second visit)
) so I backed off and went "unique" monster hunting. I finally got to take down some of those terrifying monsters you run into early on that insta-killed you 100 hours back ;). Like Immovable Gonzalez... I still have some I can't quite tackle (and I found out there is a level 124 monster lurking out there somewhere - highest I've seen is 105 so far). My characters are around 90 now - so I'll probably max them out, get the rest of the skill trees, then finish as many of the uber-bosses as I can before completing the game. This "endgame" stuff has kept it fresh and even at 125 hours, I'm still loving this game. It is basically all I've played all summer.
 
Yes io, you are at the end of the game. However, I would go back and fight the final boss NOW- as it is, level 90 won't give you much of a challenge. Raising your level even more would make it even more of a joke fight. Around 82 is the optimal level for the final boss in terms of challenge- not too hard, but not easy either. There isn't even a save after that teleporter so you don't need to worry about losing progress. I'm glad you enjoyed the game so much.

[quote name='panzerfaust']Oh, totally. The love story is top notch, more than anything else.[/QUOTE]

Is this trolling

[quote name='panzerfaust']Christ, Sakaguchi has done it again. Lord Jirall is the Kefka of this generation.

What a genius.[/QUOTE]

This has to be trolling too.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Yes io, you are at the end of the game. However, I would go back and fight the final boss NOW- as it is, level 90 won't give you much of a challenge. Raising your level even more would make it even more of a joke fight.[/QUOTE]

So does it just end after that boss and then you just go back to the last save to play the other stuff? There's no "time travel" back to before the fight or anything like in some other games?

I guess I could do that but I fear that once I "complete" the game I'll be less interested in chasing around the unique monsters and finishing quests. While the ending is still hanging out there I feel more motivated to get stuff done. Even if the end boss isn't challenging I'll have plenty of other challenges with the level 100+ monsters.

But yeah, even before I went off the last few nights and fought tougher enemies, the whole end area was a breeze - even when I was level 80 and even a little below that.
 
[quote name='io']Well, I know I'm the only CAG still playing Xenoblade but I'm going to talk about it anyway. I think I reached what must be the final battle (at least Dunban was warning Shulk that they woudln't be able to return after I take this teleporter in
Prison Island (second visit)
) so I backed off and went "unique" monster hunting. I finally got to take down some of those terrifying monsters you run into early on that insta-killed you 100 hours back ;). Like Immovable Gonzalez... I still have some I can't quite tackle (and I found out there is a level 124 monster lurking out there somewhere - highest I've seen is 105 so far). My characters are around 90 now - so I'll probably max them out, get the rest of the skill trees, then finish as many of the uber-bosses as I can before completing the game. This "endgame" stuff has kept it fresh and even at 125 hours, I'm still loving this game. It is basically all I've played all summer.[/QUOTE]

It's good to see another "CAG Dad" finish this game. For me it was a task in itself to even play this. I wont spoil it so go on and beat this amazing game.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']It's good to see another "CAG Dad" finish this game. For me it was a task in itself to even play this. I wont spoil it so go on and beat this amazing game.[/QUOTE]

Heh - yeah, it has taken me all summer. Some of that is playing the game with my son (he was helping me find unique monsters last night by looking them up on my iPhone) - but mostly it is late at night when everyone is asleep. Meanwhile other games keep piling up on the backlog ;). What is really going to suffer the consequences are the other big RPGs on my backlog. I'm not sure I'll feel like tackling something like Skyrim any time soon. I need to play a few nice short 4-5 hour games after this!
 
[quote name='io']So does it just end after that boss and then you just go back to the last save to play the other stuff? There's no "time travel" back to before the fight or anything like in some other games?

I guess I could do that but I fear that once I "complete" the game I'll be less interested in chasing around the unique monsters and finishing quests. While the ending is still hanging out there I feel more motivated to get stuff done. Even if the end boss isn't challenging I'll have plenty of other challenges with the level 100+ monsters.

But yeah, even before I went off the last few nights and fought tougher enemies, the whole end area was a breeze - even when I was level 80 and even a little below that.[/QUOTE]

IIRC there's no time travel. IIRC there is a new game plus feature that you should save to a different slot.

I ended up finishing the game when I got there, then came back some weeks later to do more with the game.
 
[quote name='io']Heh - yeah, it has taken me all summer. Some of that is playing the game with my son (he was helping me find unique monsters last night by looking them up on my iPhone) - but mostly it is late at night when everyone is asleep. Meanwhile other games keep piling up on the backlog ;). What is really going to suffer the consequences are the other big RPGs on my backlog. I'm not sure I'll feel like tackling something like Skyrim any time soon. I need to play a few nice short 4-5 hour games after this![/QUOTE]

I was the same after completing Xenoblade. I didn't have the drive to tackle another long RPG, I still don't. I started up a Tales of Graces and still have little intrest to keep playing. Instead I went on to play a few short games (some crappy ones too).
 
As much as I adored Xenoblade, I ended up falling out of it after finishing the main story. I still plan to go back for the UMs and additional skill trees, but I'm cool with listening to the soundtrack at work until the itch needs scratched again. Congrats on closing in on the finish line, Io.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']I was the same after completing Xenoblade. I didn't have the drive to tackle another long RPG, I still don't. I started up a Tales of Graces and still have little intrest to keep playing. Instead I went on to play a few short games (some crappy ones too).[/QUOTE]

I actually went right into TOG after Xenoblade Chronicles, finished the epilogue arc just days before TLS came out, it was a good way to kill the time in-between.
 
I had started Graces before playing Xenoblade but when I get back into it I'll have to start over - I don't remember a thing from it ;).

But I think I'll go tackle something completely different like Uncharted 3 or one of the Batman games before going back to an RPG. Or maybe I'll play LOTR War In The North coop with my son for a while. I dunno for sure. It will feel pretty strange not playing Xenoblade every other night or so.
 
Hey io I'm still playing xenoblade, just not talking about it! I'm 60 hours in but I just watched a guide video because I was last and the guy who was at my spot was at 90 hours so I think I'm pretty close to the end.
 
[quote name='KtMack23']Hey io I'm still playing xenoblade, just not talking about it! I'm 60 hours in but I just watched a guide video because I was last and the guy who was at my spot was at 90 hours so I think I'm pretty close to the end.[/QUOTE]

Where are you? I'd find it pretty hard to believe anyone could beat this game in 60 hours unless they completely ignored every sidequest and didn't do any exploring whatsoever (and those are some of the most appealing parts of the game - especially the exploring).

I just opened the final Giant's treasure door last night and then got pounded by a Level 99 unique. But I hung with him for a while so I think I can take him if I set myself up right. I might try to do that tonight. I did beat one of the regular level 98/99 Slobols outside the tomb so I'm not too far off. (My highest char is at 92 right now). Outside the tomb there is a level 100 unique called "Final Marcus". You gotta love the names the localization team came up with (I assume tbey are very different than the Japanese version anyway).
 
[quote name='io']Where are you? I'd find it pretty hard to believe anyone could beat this game in 60 hours unless they completely ignored every sidequest and didn't do any exploring whatsoever (and those are some of the most appealing parts of the game - especially the exploring).

I just opened the final Giant's treasure door last night and then got pounded by a Level 99 unique. But I hung with him for a while so I think I can take him if I set myself up right. I might try to do that tonight. I did beat one of the regular level 98/99 Slobols outside the tomb so I'm not too far off. (My highest char is at 92 right now). Outside the tomb there is a level 100 unique called "Final Marcus". You gotta love the names the localization team came up with (I assume tbey are very different than the Japanese version anyway).[/QUOTE]

I just opened up a portal and I'm fighting the level 68 boss. My entire party is level 67. and, to be honest, I've skipped side quests almost entirely because Imo the quest managment system is terrible and the rewards aren't usually worth it.
 
[quote name='IanKazimer']As much as I adored Xenoblade, I ended up falling out of it after finishing the main story. I still plan to go back for the UMs and additional skill trees, but I'm cool with listening to the soundtrack at work until the itch needs scratched again. Congrats on closing in on the finish line, Io.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, me too. I'm amazed at how much time some of you put into the game. I did about 10% of the missions during the main quest, but the further I got into the game... the less interest I had in doing the quests since most quests involved finding some item(s) or killing some monster and added nothing to the story.
 
[quote name='KtMack23']I just opened up a portal and I'm fighting the level 68 boss. My entire party is level 67. and, to be honest, I've skipped side quests almost entirely because Imo the quest managment system is terrible and the rewards aren't usually worth it.[/QUOTE]

Are you where I said I was in my spoiler post earlier? it would seen odd for the final boss to be 68 when the mini-bosses before it were in the high 70's. You may be in
Agniratha/Mechonis Core
which isn't quite the end.

[quote name='Vinny']Yeah, me too. I'm amazed at how much time some of you put into the game. I did about 10% of the missions during the main quest, but the further I got into the game... the less interest I had in doing the quests since most quests involved finding some item(s) or killing some monster and added nothing to the story.[/QUOTE]

I dunno - a lot of them required you to go to new locations that you wouldn't otherwise explore and that's the part of the game I like. Some of the quests are tedious, though not nearly as many as in most RPGs. I enjoyed a lot of them. And since many do lead to good rewards (like additional skill trees) they are worth doing.

There has been only 1 single quest that I think is a pain in the ass. And that is getting the last level in Colony 6. Nature Level 5 requires 2 "Black Liver Beans" that which can only be found in one specific part of Bionis Interior and are rare. This particular location (lung #2) only has like 4 glowing blue treasures and according to the Google doc there is only an 8% chance of one being the thing you need. I've gotten one of the two but after quitting to the menu and reloading I just haven't been able to get the second - and it is tedious to do so. I've been through there at least 10 times so far (which either means I am very unlucky or the 8% isn't quite right). But since I've come so far with Colony 6 I just have to get it done ;). You can't fast travel to this location either - if you could do that it wouldn't be nealry as bad. But you have to trek in from pretty far away. And, of course, you can't trade for or find this particular item in the Colony 6 "special" item generators.

A side effect of doing all the quests is that you get a lot of experience. Like I said I'm around level 92 and very little of that was from grinding. Carrying out the quests (fighting things along the way) and the actual quest reward itself has helped pump me up to that level. It is actually very well designed with respect to the unique monsters and the level cap - I'm approaching the cap and the ability to defeat the toughest monsters just as I'm running out of quests to do (though I still have many more - for sure I will not do them all). All that questing has paid off in the ability to go out and whip some of those toughies I had to run away from earlier in the game. Like I said before, my son and had a great time the other day hunting them down and taking them out one-by-one.
 
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