I agree that the combat of Xenoblade is MMO like, but the main strengths of Xenoblade, the sense of scale to the world and the focus on exploration is far more reminiscient of an Elder Scrolls game. I preferred Skyrim's world.

I don't think Skyrim borrowed from MMOs at all. In fact, I think the game is quite stubborn in sticking to the Arena/ Daggerfall style gameplay, which predated modern MMOs by a considerable margn. Surprisingly retro, that Skyrim. I give Xenoblade full points for the combat system. That is way, way more interesting than Skyrim.

Got the game yesterday (and Bit trip complete, and Metal gear solid 3D. So, good times!). I got the email, so I guess I was in time for the coins? I hope so!

Anyway, played the first tower. Short, lineair, easy (but it's the first level of course). Can't fight with the chain yet. Though fun so far!
However, the reviewers are right: Graphically it's terribly weak! Xenoblade chronicles and The last story look a lot better. But I guess I can live with that!

you sir made good shopping ;D
let us know what you think when you go further into the game; if you havent got the chain you only played it for 10/15 minutes ;p
the graphics are really too grainny but you'll like some of the level designs. Be sure to play with the nunchuck, its much much better than with classic controller!
I'm 7 hours in and on the 5th tower, loving the game! The bosses are amazing on a Zelda-esque level. I'm pissed of because ive sold a iten i need to upgrade my new weapon, and gave another as a gift to the girl hahaha

I've got good impressions of the game so far (having beaten the first tower). The controls are a bit hard to get used to (like The Last Story, but less so), but I can get by with sword slashes and chain yanks at the moment.

During the first master, I was having trouble increasing the tension of the chain - are you supposed to just walk backwards away from the monster to raise the tension bar before whipping it away?

But going back to what I think of the game, it looks like a nice little game - linear, so you have a definite target to work towards, with RPG mechanics so you can grow as you play with a versatile combat system. I took to dodging quite easily - it looks like it's going to be a useful technique throughout the game.

The graphics struck me as being slightly rough as early as the title screen, and the voice acting is fairly low rate, but neither of those would really ruin the game for me. I'm glad to hear there are multiple endings and secrets too.

you can hold C as well to pull the chain. and yes, dodging is an essential move.

i really like the voice acting, and the graphics aren't bad, just the blurry textures.

damm! the games gets better and better ;ooo the bosses are amazing, and something very weird is happening to that girl

This game is on my shopping list for sure. Nice to hear what you guys think about it.

@vonseux,

I made it sound a bit silly, but what I meant was that I couldn't do much with the chain. So I assumed that things like swinging your foes around or throwing enemies came later. The thing is, nothing gets explained. The tutorials are all to be found in the menu. Now I know how to throw enemies and how to swing enemies around. Though I still have get to grips with the controls. Swinging would have been more fun with the wiimote though. I play with the wiimote and nunchuck by the way!

As for the voice-acting: While some people complain about it, I think it isn't that bad. Especially the voice of Mavda is good!

"During the first master, I was having trouble increasing the tension of the chain"

You mean shooting your chain once, and then drain the enemy? Like they show on youtube? I couldn't do it either. So I did shoot and tear, shoot and tear, etc untill the boss was defeated. I know, that's not the way it should be done!

I think what makes good gameplay is being able to do things different ways... Something that is lacking from almost everygame nowadays where all is scripted and has only one solution (even Super Mario Galaxy could use more freedom, every powerups has specific objectives on each level, something very different from Super Mario World, where power ups were... power ups!! you dont need them to go trough the level, now powerups are just keys needed to reach that plataform, door, etc)
I also HATE tutorials, so its nice to discover things on your own.
Later on Pandora's tower you need to destroy 3 chains per tower, but there's no specific route to do it... so I woudnt call this game exactly linear. You can use different strategies on Bosses too, Zelda should look at this on future games.
ps* have you mastered shooting with the chain? the 5x combos are pretty effetive!

"I think what makes good gameplay is being able to do things different ways"

I agree. Though the way I did beat the first boss was a little bit lame. Now I know how I have to do it: Shoot the chain, then press and hold c. That way you can damage the boss as long as the chain is connected to the target. And when the meter is full you can tear to inflict massive damage (I sound like the "enemy crab guy" now, If you know what I mean!).

"the 5x combos are pretty effetive!"

I haven't tried that out yet. By the way: The way Xenoblade chronicles and The last story handle tutorials (there they appear on screen automatically when there is something new to teach) isn't annoying at all.

So far I have finished the first 3 towers, and it's a pretty fun game! The third boss already was quite challenging to me!

As the reviewers said the game sometimes gives you very cumbersome views. And because of this I sometimes can't hit the target with my chain. This happened for example when I wanted to beat the lance-wielding enemy in the third tower. But a fun game nonetheless!!

I've just completed the eighth tower of the game,and actually it's really rather good.
A bit samey at times,but still good.
I'd give it a 8.5,so far.

18h30 into the game, 70% complete, just opened the 11th and 12th tower and its awesome! ;OO

Is the final tower any good?

it's simply awesome, one that give me real trouble to figure the pluzzes. Also very reminiscent to Metroid Prime 2

Has anyone else finished the game and tried to get different endings?

I haven't touched it since the eight Tower.
But I will play it in the holidays.

I just got the best ending and settled for that.
I was about to go for the locked rooms, but I've got a lot of other vidya to play.

Cause it's the Summer hols now,I'm going to finally complete this.
I just hope it doesn't get too hard,near the end.

Dont worry, it doesn't. Not even for casuals.

Look what i just found!