It’s official: Complaining-On-My-Blog-no-Jutsu is the most powerful blogging technique known to man. Shortly after I noted in my last post that I wanted to explore more in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the game let go of the hard-driving reins and let me go basically wherever I wanted. Within reason, of course, since many areas are naturally story-locked. And there are field abilities you won’t have until you meet and befriend certain characters. I’ll let you figure out which those are.
So! I’m free to explore! And I’ve been overdoing it to the point where I tried to continue the story just earlier and I was about 8 levels stronger than the average mobs. I should hold back a little bit… NOT. This is what I came for, not that awful story… It didn’t start out so bad, but it’s getting worse by the minute. Should I spoil? Hmm… No, too early to spoil. Anyway, we all knew the story would suck. They always suck when the writers try too hard to be “deep” and “meaningful.”
Just BTW, I know it isn’t really Complaining-On-My Blog-no-Jutsu that made the game world open up for exploration. It’s probably the result of game testing, and Monolithsoft knowing what people buy Xenoblade games for. You go to a steak restaurant, order your steak, compliment the decor, chat with your friends, nibble the breadsticks, all well and good. But after 15 minutes you get just a liiiittle bit antsy. When’s the steak coming out?
Well, I got my steak. However, much as I hate being “that gamer” that clamors for stuff and complains when she gets it… 13 hours is bit soon to go exploring in XC3. Not enough of the world has opened up, and what little is available is very samey. There are not one, not two but three huge green plains modelled after Gaur Plains in the original Xenoblade Chronicles. If it’s not plains, it’s caves. And one desert. It’s worth waiting a little longer for more stages, like maybe a nice jungle zone, a beach, a snow field, maybe some volcanic rock.
But that’s all advice for you the reader. Me, I’ve got some more explorin’ to do. The alternative is continuing the story, but… the story… it’s… and the voice-acting is even more awkward that usual with those odd pauses. Not in a hurry to get back to any of that, but I won’t have much choice soon because I’m running out of major sidequests to pursue. Eh, okay, one more sidequest and then I’m definitely continuing the story. See ya!
