still really strong, i absolutely love the affinity system in particular which encourages you to explore and do sidequests. i think it would be really fitting for future xenoblade games on a bigger scale? but understandable if not since the growth is meant to be more vertical than horizontal like base 3. things like the enemypedia and the map trackers were all incredibly helpful.

i will say now that i've 100% the game: FUCK the superbosses and how it stresses how restrictive the gameplay can be in this game. when your party only has two healers and only they can heal, you spend most of your time praying your healers can revive fast enough because the moment your attackers get breathed on they die. terrible gimmicks that really stress test the combat system