Sled_Deddson
In terms of themes, characters, and story, Xenoblade 3 is my absolute favorite of the trilogy. Everything is so seamlessly crafted together to make an incredibly enjoyable narrative which also features a character who ended up being one of my all time favorites in all of fiction (Consul N).
The game doesn't look the greatest at times aside from the character models but I think the combat is the weakest element. The 6 characters you control is somewhat overwhelming and a lot more to manage compared to the previous games, I do like the customization the game offers with the differing classes and skills and arts which can be transferred between them though.
The biggest negative I had with the game though came from being overleveled. In Xenoblade 1, I did most of the quests and the difficulty was relatively tame, nothing too hard but not mindlessly easy. In 2 I did a few quests and had a fine experience. In 3 I did every single quest possible and ended up incredibly overleveled by the end, if they just added in the choice to level down like what's available in New Game + I think it would've enjoyed the combat more. I do like Chain Attacks as well but it feels like the game forces you to rely on Chain Attacks to actually deal damage compared to normal moves.
The game doesn't look the greatest at times aside from the character models but I think the combat is the weakest element. The 6 characters you control is somewhat overwhelming and a lot more to manage compared to the previous games, I do like the customization the game offers with the differing classes and skills and arts which can be transferred between them though.
The biggest negative I had with the game though came from being overleveled. In Xenoblade 1, I did most of the quests and the difficulty was relatively tame, nothing too hard but not mindlessly easy. In 2 I did a few quests and had a fine experience. In 3 I did every single quest possible and ended up incredibly overleveled by the end, if they just added in the choice to level down like what's available in New Game + I think it would've enjoyed the combat more. I do like Chain Attacks as well but it feels like the game forces you to rely on Chain Attacks to actually deal damage compared to normal moves.
It's more Xenoblade 3, which is something I like so of course I'm going to like this. I do prefer the dlc's use of more specialized characters compared to the customizable cast of the main game and I love how much 100% completion is incentivized in the game but I wish there was more interactions between characters.
Of course Rex and Shulk already had games of their own so it makes sense why they're not the main focus, but a little more focus on everyone else besides Matthew would've been cool. It seems like they had an opportunity with this in the Quiet Moments where you marvel at the game world and hear some dialogue but for the most part they seem to just be ways of referencing previous games (I mean I love those games) instead of focusing on the new stuff.
Of course Rex and Shulk already had games of their own so it makes sense why they're not the main focus, but a little more focus on everyone else besides Matthew would've been cool. It seems like they had an opportunity with this in the Quiet Moments where you marvel at the game world and hear some dialogue but for the most part they seem to just be ways of referencing previous games (I mean I love those games) instead of focusing on the new stuff.
To me BOTW is split into two different pieces: the calming enjoyment of just wandering around the vast, vibrant, and downright beautiful open world of Hyrule, and then the thrill of solving puzzles which impress me greatly, not really in the actual challenge of the puzzle but more of how many puzzles there are in spite of how little tools you're given and how simple they are.
If I had to point out anything I dislike in the game it would be the combat, finding new weapons is annoying and really the main thing that decides if you win or not and the only enemies I found to be enjoyable to fight at all were Lynels.
If I had to point out anything I dislike in the game it would be the combat, finding new weapons is annoying and really the main thing that decides if you win or not and the only enemies I found to be enjoyable to fight at all were Lynels.
An amazing, thought-provoking, and somewhat crushing experience.
While the first playthrough is really good, the second really isn't considering the lack of new content, if you can push through to the final playthrough it really shines as a work of art.
A major part of this game's appeal is the gameplay, story integration such as the death and chip mechanics and once you get the combat down it becomes really exciting and fast-paced especially when you get together a good build and weapon you like. And to be honest, the credits are one of the absolute bests parts of this game and maybe of all the games I've played, also if you can make absolutely sure you play the game while online.
Besides the repetition of the 2nd playthrough, the biggest complaint I can think of is the side quests which require a lot of running around the contained game area which easily gets tiresome, and even the fast travel when you unlock it is incredibly slow.
While the first playthrough is really good, the second really isn't considering the lack of new content, if you can push through to the final playthrough it really shines as a work of art.
A major part of this game's appeal is the gameplay, story integration such as the death and chip mechanics and once you get the combat down it becomes really exciting and fast-paced especially when you get together a good build and weapon you like. And to be honest, the credits are one of the absolute bests parts of this game and maybe of all the games I've played, also if you can make absolutely sure you play the game while online.
Besides the repetition of the 2nd playthrough, the biggest complaint I can think of is the side quests which require a lot of running around the contained game area which easily gets tiresome, and even the fast travel when you unlock it is incredibly slow.
I'm somewhat conflicted regarding Wo Long, for one I really like the fast-paced combat which combines Bloodborne's hyper-aggression with the parries of Sekiro in a really fun way when it actually works, I really like the stats and how they link to traditional Chinese elements and how that further links with magic, and the spirit gauge management emphasized in combat is great. I also like the Divine Beasts and these sorts of comeback mechanics that give you a massive boost when you need it most work very well in a Souls game.
But I do have a few problems as well mainly in terms of how it lacks in its main focus, it's by far not as polished or as focused as Sekiro and a part of that is the stealth which is very clunky in this game considering you have to slowly walk behind an enemy to do a stealth kill; and it definitely tries to go for a Sekiro-type feel with this considering the number of tough enemies near the end with tough patterns and sheer number but while Sekiro emphasized the use of stealth to deal with these tricky and strong opponents Wo Long just kinda doesn't, it also repeats enemy types constantly like Sekiro which I'm guessing is supposed to get you to know enemy attack patterns but it quickly becomes repetitive considering. The random loot system is very annoying especially when you run out of room and have to continuously throw away or sell them. Finally and honestly the biggest is the companions, while they're fine during the normal exploration periods they become really annoying in boss fights, especially when there's more than one of them. Just the influx of two other attackers makes it so that either you just crush enemies by swarming them with continuous attacks, or the fight is harder to focus on because of the chaotic feel of the 3 v 1 which makes parry timings harder to grasp and successfully pull off.
While I had major technical issues on the PC, it seems to be fine on consoles aside from the loading screen which I've heard are even bad on the PS5. For one last thing I'll say this game has one of the best character creation screens I've ever seen.
Also minor note: why the hell would you make the 2nd phase of the first boss incredibly difficult and put an instant win button in a tiny, very easily missed tutorial to the side of the screen when your eyes are focused in the center?
But I do have a few problems as well mainly in terms of how it lacks in its main focus, it's by far not as polished or as focused as Sekiro and a part of that is the stealth which is very clunky in this game considering you have to slowly walk behind an enemy to do a stealth kill; and it definitely tries to go for a Sekiro-type feel with this considering the number of tough enemies near the end with tough patterns and sheer number but while Sekiro emphasized the use of stealth to deal with these tricky and strong opponents Wo Long just kinda doesn't, it also repeats enemy types constantly like Sekiro which I'm guessing is supposed to get you to know enemy attack patterns but it quickly becomes repetitive considering. The random loot system is very annoying especially when you run out of room and have to continuously throw away or sell them. Finally and honestly the biggest is the companions, while they're fine during the normal exploration periods they become really annoying in boss fights, especially when there's more than one of them. Just the influx of two other attackers makes it so that either you just crush enemies by swarming them with continuous attacks, or the fight is harder to focus on because of the chaotic feel of the 3 v 1 which makes parry timings harder to grasp and successfully pull off.
While I had major technical issues on the PC, it seems to be fine on consoles aside from the loading screen which I've heard are even bad on the PS5. For one last thing I'll say this game has one of the best character creation screens I've ever seen.
Also minor note: why the hell would you make the 2nd phase of the first boss incredibly difficult and put an instant win button in a tiny, very easily missed tutorial to the side of the screen when your eyes are focused in the center?
2023
Probably the most fun I've had playing a Fire Emblem game, while the story and characters take a massive backseat and are hilariously bland aside from a points near in the end (though not as bad as Fates' cast and story) though it's somewhat charming and puts more of a focus onto the real star: the gameplay.
The weapon triangle actually matters in this game making team balancing actually important, infantry units are no longer inferior to cavalry due to Chain Attacks, and the Emblems add such a cool element to the game, allowing you to bring your own bullshit in the same vein as the bosses furthering the strategy and difficulty.
To be hoenst, the only part of this game I didn't like was the Somneil, it's kinda funny how little there is to do with it to the point where it's questionable why it was even included. Not to say it's outright useless but it feels close to it.
The weapon triangle actually matters in this game making team balancing actually important, infantry units are no longer inferior to cavalry due to Chain Attacks, and the Emblems add such a cool element to the game, allowing you to bring your own bullshit in the same vein as the bosses furthering the strategy and difficulty.
To be hoenst, the only part of this game I didn't like was the Somneil, it's kinda funny how little there is to do with it to the point where it's questionable why it was even included. Not to say it's outright useless but it feels close to it.