Video: Xenoblade Chronicles 2's Combat is More Straightforward Than You Might Think

That's actually very helpful, thanks for the heads up.

I would make a Shulk-ish remark, but I'm really understanding it.

That is a very cluttered screen when in combat

Once you understand what's going on, yeah, it's easy more intuitive and streamlined than past games. Less focus on status and positioning, more of a focus on timing and flow, which makes combat a lot more thrilling.

It's just super clunky and cluttered. And a bit crazy i can beat the first big boss fight doing the same 3 stack I did for grinding mobs in the field.

No need for buff or debuffs - or care about anything they were doing or what I had equipped. Just rinse and repeat. It really not a great system at all in general.

I'm going to take a look, but so far I am actually a bit disappointed in the combat. I never feel like my actions really make that much of a difference. As long as Tora can tank what ever I'm dealing with, and as long as Nia can provide sufficient heal, it hardly seems to matter what I do with Rex. Yeah, being active certainly speeds the whole process up, but there is no real sense of shifting momentum in battle. It looks entertaining in a frenetic fashion, and there is gratification to pulling off combos and the likes, but outside of some extremely high level enemies, that one- or two-hitted me, I've yet to encounter a fight that really demanded use of all the systems in place - like sealing and such. In fact, I've never once wiped in any story fight in the ~25h I played so far. Sure once or twice, I had to revive someone, but that was about the most daunting thing that has happened so far.

15h in, worst combat of the Xeboblade games. Worst game also, might get better later

@Mr_Zurkon It seems cluttered but I find it's all pretty necessary. There's really no need to look at what's happening on the field anyway, all you really need to look at when fighting is the UI. Because of the auto attacks and range of attacks you hardly need to move around at all, mainly just look at when skills become active, what status the enemy is in (Break, Topple, Launch), and what element to use next in a Blade Combo.

@Ralek85 Have you been using the Inns to level up your characters? Personally I find it takes away some of the enjoyment in combat because it makes it too easy to overpower your characters.

Out of all three of the Nintendo Xenoblade games, the combat in this is very approachable.

I this a sarcastic video? Because that whole thing looks like a hassle.

I'm fan of Xeno series my copy still is shipping; I hope I end up liking this game.

@Xaldin Yeah, at first I did, but for the last dozen or so quests I've done, I haven't used the XP yet - for that reason. I have to say though, it doesn't feel like a well balanced game, if I basically have to intentionally gimp myself from 'reaping' the rewards (in terms of XP) of the quests I do, so as not to get immediately extremely OP.

Also, I wonder if there is really any point then in doing any of the quests, as mostly they are glorified fetch quests anyways, and besides the XP, I really don't need any of the other rewards either. I'm not reliant on fine tuning stuff like using core chips and the likes. Hence, I don't care that much about getting them or upgrading towns/shops to have access to even more OP equipment. It is kind of a vicious cycle then that sucks the purpose out of many other parts of the game.

I'm just glad that I enjoy the world, the music, the characters and the story - as well, at least to some degree, pwning weird monster and villains in combat. Still, some actual challenge or better paced progression + balancing/ scaling would have done the game a world of good.

In fact, some proper scaling alone would have probably elevated the whole game to a completely new level.

I will say I'm still waiting for them to bring back more character specific/unique combat styles. This one is a bit of a step-up from XCX, but I still miss having characters like Melia and Shulk who played completely differently from everyone else.

@Ralek85 I think the developers realized the game got too easy when getting all the XP from quests and discovering locations, so they added in the optional "claim your XP if you want" system to prevent people from getting more overpowered than they want to be.
The quests are basically like any RPG side quests, I usually just accept as many as possible and complete them if I happen to pick up all the materials. I'm hoping there's some more challenging post-game quests or DLC content. I do find the combat is much more fun when you actually try to do combos, even if you don't have to. Frantically switching between blades to perform Fusion Combos can be pretty entertaining.

The gameplay is the worst aspect for me, its what's keeping me from playing the series.

@Agramonte lol. Good luck doing that later. Lol. The combat is very fun and deep. It’s stupid to judge it so soon in the game. Later bosses will destroy you if you think you can do the same.

@JJ286 once you play it makes sense.

^"The gameplay is the worst aspect..."

Pretty damning, considering... it's a game.

Xenoblade combat is hands-down the most boring, off-putting combat I think I've ever experienced.

Alex love you and your videos. And was excited to see this. But, honestly, it's still too chaotic and confusing. You should do this slower, beat by beat, explaining everything to use in battle, the arts, the timing of hitting the arts button to get a blue ring upgrade (specifically WHEN to hit this), better understanding of specials, etc. Your video, well-intended, was too "stop and go" and choppy. You were onto a thought then that thought got bogged down by mistakes in your verbiage, distracted by dying, etc. I would say you should do a take 2 on this.

@Mr_Zurkon agree. His explanation too cluttered and chaotic too. Still seeking the best, slow, beat by beat battle video, how to play best. This is not that.

The combat definitely has its fair share of problems. Every battle starts with very few combat options until you really get going with the combo system and by then the enemy is dead. This is before unlocking those affinity abilities, afterwards it becomes more automatic.

@Ralek85 wait until you hit hour 50 then get back to us.

@JJ286 His explanation too cluttered and chaotic too. Still seeking the best, slow, beat by beat battle video, how to play best. This is not that.

@Kobeskillz this I agree with. The first 25 hours or so are one big tutorial for the main game that starts to kick in at hour 40

@gcunit Disagree. It's creative and requires great strategy. Though if you prefer Button mashing COD or Destiny, all good.

Loving the game but the combat is probably its biggest let down. I enjoyed the other Xenoblade games' combat where you'd move about juggling several skills and playsets decimating your enemies.

This one seems very simplified, and I don't know if I am just playing wrong but even the most simplest basic enemy takes way too long to kill. Really makes you feel very underpowered. Especially at certain key moments.

@pullmyfinger Agree with the long wait for the true experience to kick in. Though I did like all the story focus it does open up so much 20-30 hours in. So many cool features open up!

I don't think I've ever directed a complaint towards an article or author here, but I feel I'd be doing @Nintendolife a disservice if I don't say something. @AlexOlney I typically love your videos - just the right mix of humor and useful information. However, this video certainly did not convince me that the combat system was simple - it just made things more confusing. As someone that's never played a Xeno game yet, I came here looking for a bit of info on how the systems worked. Instead, I feel the video was a little too unprepared and scatterbrained to be useful - particularly the the combo system parts.

Regardless, thanks for the great content, and keep the videos coming. Hope I wasn't too harsh and you'll take the critique into consideration for future videos.

I don't see any problems with the combat. It's always been about positioning and roles, it's the best in Xenoblade 2. I especially love the combo's.

@pullmyfinger So in other words, there are some mean difficulty spikes ahead? Well, not gonna lie, in a way that sounds promising. Though I would have prefered a more gradual and steady curve over rough spikes, but yeah, nothing's perfect ^^

nice one. make a video with the guy who would get excited at a letter opening!

I'm already sold on the game (will probably pick it up around Christmas) but I have to agree with others here that this video didn't really convince me that combat was all that simple. It just seemed rather scatterbrained and unscripted. Perhaps writing a complete script and reading it over gameplay (rather than talking while playing the game) would have been the better option.

For those still curious about combat in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I'd recommend Gamexplain's combat guide. Very simple and clear.

Now, after all this criticism...I just want to say that Nintendolife is actually one of my absolute favorite Nintendo-focused YouTube channels, and I adore Alex's supreme Britishness. Don't take my critiques too seriously, I still love you @AlexOlney

@XenoShaun agree. Story and ESPECIALLY sexy Pyra is fantastic!

@roadrunner343 spot on. The Gamespot battle video for X2 so much more clearer. Though I was hoping for more from this site, as it taught me how to do great jumps in Mario Odyssey.

This video is simply a mess, where Alex assumes we know certain things. Do it again. Be slow, concise. Explain an art. Explain the timing of art in very specific detail in order to power up. Explain choosing character to battle. Explain focusing on a certain character using d-pad. So many things left out. It's chaotic, choppy, not very well planned out. But never stop saying "Helllllooo lovely people!"

I’m more interested in story and atmospher. Are these two aspects worse than the first Xenoblade or not?

The combat is the most amazing combat of any RPG I've played in 30 years... You just have to know what you're doing.

COMBAT
1 Auto attack (done automatically) which builds your...
2 Arts (X, Y, B) which as you use them builds your...
3 Specials, (A), which can be strung together to form...
4 Blade Combos, which are formed by combining different element special attacks in succession which the screen prompts you for when you can use

It's that simple.

One other thing to note is you don't just want to use your arts willy-nilly. You want to time them so that when you use an art you're using it precisely when an auto attack lands a hit, preferably on the third hit (auto attacks are cycles of 3, building up to the strongest attack at the end). The same thing applies for specials if you can. The same thing also applies if you want to swap a blade out in the middle of combat. Everything you do should be timed as an auto attack hits, preferably the third hit.

Aside from that, just make sure that you position yourself correctly for the attack you're using. So an attack that does 150% damage from the side (and it tells you right on the screen where your arts are) should be done from the side. Likewise for an attack that does extra damage from the back. There is also a combo of arts you can do by using arts with these effects in this order... BREAK > TOPPLE > LAUNCH > SMASH

Now obviously you're not going to use all of these aspects in every single fight. The lower level common enemies, you probably won't even pull off a special. When you start dealing with higher level enemies and special bosses you're going to want to use as many of these tactics as possible.

STORY
Absolutely incredible. I don't know what else to say. I don't know if it's the best story ever told or if it's simply told in the best way or in the most gripping manner, but I am more entranced and gripped by the story than any other story of any other game I've ever played. It blows Xenoblade X story out of the water, and even XCX had a better story than 95% of JRPG's I've played.

WORLD
This is the best world of any game I've ever played aside from one... Xenoblade Chronicles X. That game still has the best world. Even so, that makes this the second best and not by much. Its just so amazing. Running around these beautiful landscapes on the backs of titans in a cloud sea... you look up and you'll see a freaking Tyrannosaurus rex roaming around the grass next to a 25 foot tall gorilla, giant birds, crazy animals I've never even seen before, walking 2 foot tall birds with 2 foot beaks that beat you with bamboo sticks, you'll see giant 1,000 foot long whales the size of a small countryside emerging from the cloud sea, you'll see the heads of the giant titans you're running around on move in real time as you play. Ginormous titan heads shifting and turning because they are alive. It's just so weird, and foreign and strange... and incredible.

AS FOR THE REST
Absolutely adore the art style and the emotions they elicit in the cut scenes with the animations... I already like it far more than XCX, which had a more realistic approach but absolutely no emotion from the character animations. Overall this is one of the best games I've ever played, and most certainly the best game on the Switch. Zelda and Mario need to move over.

GameXplain COMBAT EXPLAINED

GameXplain REVIEW

@roadrunner343 The complexity of the combat is way overrated. It is focused on strategy but the game eases you in. It may look daunting, but at least for me it became intuitive with time... Autoattack gives you a chance to check your gauges.

@JaxonH Well said. Wish this video above was as clear. GameExplain better. GameSpot had the best video to explain combat so far.

Agree with the rest of the game. Amazing. Wonderful. Love it. Though that map/navigation. Oy.

Also, can you detail this a little more? I have problem grasping this:

:There is also a combo of arts you can do by using arts with these effects in this order... BREAK > TOPPLE > LAUNCH > SMASH:

What is BREAK? TOPPLE? Please explain like Im a toddler

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenoblade-chronicles-2-guide-combat-beginners-tips/1100-6455339/

@JaxonH Also, with timing to using you arts. Is there a way to know when that THIRD hit is happen? A grunt or noise or visual q? Sometimes it gets so chaotic it's hard to track if I am on hit number one or 3.

Love this game! Will be playing on a bus to Vegas! TAKE THAT PS4!!

@pullmyfinger
You'll know by what kind of attack is being done. Overhead or a thrust, etc. Just watch next time you battle and take note of the animations for the first second and third attacks. The thrust is Rex's third attack.

But I wouldn't worry about it too much even if you do it on the second attack is not that big of a deal just make sure your timing it when there's an auto attack that's hitting.

Break and Topple and all that are simply effects of some arts. Some arts have effects like blow back or break or topple or launch or smash or whatever.

If you can eventually form a party where, between your three members you have at least one attack for each, you can start utilizing them in that order. you break through their defenses and then topple them over then launch them and smash them down.

But even just a break is a good thing. Break AND a topple is really good. Anything beyond that and you're going to be doing absolutely amazing

@Kobeskillz lol! That is at mid point of the game. This thing is super clunky.

@Agramonte

Wait until chapter 4 boss and have fun getting hit with 'strategy'

The Xenoblade games could be really terrific if they gave the player a choice for a simplified combat system more akin to an action game, say a choice between Pro/Classic style or Action/Arcade style the player can choose at the beginning or in a menu screen.I say this because I couldn't get into the combat in the Wii U title, it felt boring and convoluted.

The world always looks so interesting and cool in these games and i'd love to explore it like in a Zelda game but without the boring combat. Sometimes i wonder why they don't make JRPG's a little more open ended in terms of gameplay style, it would really help niche titles like this sell while still appeasing the hardcore fans. If you could play this like an action game it would be an easy million seller.

I found the first game to have a very easy combat system. Aside from Topple, and Break you pretty much just use a skill whenever it is ready. The skill tree however, was a bit confusing, I don't think I realized it really existed until halfway through the game. Also XCX is very confusing. But I think not being able to sort your augments, or really sort your weapons makes it more convoluted than it needed to be.

@Kevlar44 Aside from XCX, these combat styles are very simple. XCX doesn't explain it well in game, but I love how that game lets you pick many ways to attack an enemy and keep you alive. Hate a certain attack? It might be attached to the enemy's body part, so break it off and stop it entirely.

Wanna one-shot everything? Get the materials you need and then go to town. Wanna debuff an enemy to death, go ahead. And if you want more action...why don't you use a Skell? Combat in the Skell is less varied than ground combat, but a lot quicker. So you could easily use a Phoenix ranged area attack in order to kill a lot of small enemies, or use a super-weapon like a laser to insta-kill the enemy.

So really, I don't know why you are saying XCX is not open-ended in combat.... Heck, if you can't be bothered to find a good play-style, level up Elma until she gets ghost-factory, then enjoy your invincibility frames.

You control how difficult the game is, and I find there is an appeal in getting to difficult areas while avoiding one-shot high level enemies.

@Cheez

This is by far the most simple Xenoblade game to date.

Some people just expect "press A to swing a sword" and that's it. This combat system is so much more entertaining than something like Zelda, but it requires making the investment to learn it. Even XCX, which I agree was very complicated (and unapologetically so), had one of the most absolute thrilling combat systems if you took the time to learn it. It's why a lot of the best core games are the games that have more depth and complexity to them. Games like Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, Xenoblade, etc.

But if people can't grasp this game here than they might as well not even try to play RPG's. It's far easier than either of the previous two games, and can pretty much be learned in a matter of minutes reading a well explained paragraph. Obviously it'll take a few tries to get the hang of it but, that's any game.

@Kevlar44 I personally have 3 big problems with your idea:

1. Playing an rpg in this style with an pure action combat system would just be wrong, as the whole game is build around the current system, you definitly wouldn't be able to make it as fun as the tactical aproach, even if you prefer the other. It would always feel like it doesn't fit. I think the only Xenoblade game where this might somewhat work is X, mainly because the combat is so fast, that it almost feels like an action combat system anyways.

2. You talk about the "Xenoblade games" combat, yet have only played one of them? They are, while similar at first, not the same. Personally I liked the combat of the first game a lot, later in XCX I never quite got into the combat, it was fine, but I never felt like I fully knew what I was doing. At least it is definitly the most confusing system of the three (to me). Xenoblade 2 now is even a bit more different at very basic points, but I love it so far! Might become one of my all time favorites.

3. 2 whole combat Systems? That would require two times the amount of polishing and balancing work... Please no, they should just make one great system instead of two bad ones.

Also, in my book, the Xenoblade combat system almost count as action based combat systems anyway. A few hours in the game you usually have so many options that you are always doing something and have to plan your next move at the same time. I can't even find any time to be bored, too much to do! But that's just my view on the matter.

@JaxonH I think the main problem here is, that the combat seems way more complicated at first than it actually is.
There is a lot of stuff on the screen and there seems to be a lot of stuff to remember, but if you get down to it there is nothing to it that is actually complicated.
If something seems confusing, that can easily be enough to become confused already.

@XenoShaun then you must be ignoring blade combos. Keeping proper accessories and aux cores equipped on the proper characters helps. Something tells me you aren't maintaining character roles very well if combat is taking that long

@Agramonte the first big boss is just a tutorial lol

@pullmyfinger since weapons have the ability to Break, then Topple, then Launch, and finally Smash the enemy.
The attacks must be done in that order. So youve got to have access to all these buffs in your team, level the attacks up and execute in order

@Kevlar44 meh. I like the X2 is different. You saying what you said is equal to saying CALL OF DUTY would be so much better with a JRPG battle system.

2 different games. 2 different strategies. If you want your battle scheme, play Breath of the Wild.

@FlameRunnerFast I agree. I paid big money for a protein sort of shake (forget the name). 1 hour 20 minutes of POTENT kickass fun! I was clearing many battle with that! Need to go back and refill!

@JaxonH I giggle at the word "core" as though those games are harder than others. Many people who are great at say DARK SOULS, SUCKS at Mario Odyssey. So, the word "core" is relative. Can't wait for that stupid use of the word to go away

@cfgk24 read this. Still don't get it. Please, assume I am 5 years old and explain with more clarity.

Maybe they should go back to more classic turn-based and build upon Xenogears/Saga's combat next time.

@JaxonH Awesome post and thanks for the resources.

To everyone that replied to my critique of this video, first, thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I do need to clarify, that based on what I saw, I'm not actually all that confused by combat. In fact, I hadn't even heard that it was all that daunting until this video. I've played enough video games over the past 30 years or so, including some extremely difficult, deep, and complex games, that I have no real worries over learning this game's systems. So while I don't personally have concerns, this video still didn't too much to simplify things for me either.

However, if a more casual player, or someone simply new to the genre, came to this video specifically because they needed help, I think this video would likely do more harm than good. The majority of the video was spent telling us why what he was showing was a bad example - when really, that could have all been edited out, saved everyone 5 minutes, and made the original point much more clear.

@Jayvir Could be the roles I've not got handled right. Been on top of accsssories and aux cores, weapon chips etc. I'm not receiving much damage in return either, just has been a slog still. (For reference I am dealing with early 30s levels). To add the blade combos especially if you get them to break or topple too looks awesome.

Don't get me wrong though I am still enjoying it. Just seems to be more of two parties chipping away at each other rather than devestating destruction.

@roadrunner343 yes, so, I say, we lovely people need a 2nd take!

@pullmyfinger I'll try explaining the whole Break->Topple->... thing again.

You know how in many other games a skill can, for example, poison an enemy? You use a skill that can "poison" an enemy.
=> The targets status becomes "poisened"

Just the same way in Xenoblade you have skills that "break" your target.
=> The targets status becomes "broken".

There are also skills that "topple" your target. There is one condition to that though: The target must already have the status "broken", otherwise you can not inflict "topple".
=> The targets status changes from "broken" to "toppled"

There are also skills that "launch" your target, for that, the target must already be "toppled" though.
=> the targets status changes from "toppled" to "launched".

There are also skills that can "smash" your targets, for that, the target must already be "launched" though...

The current status of your target is displayed above his health bar on the left site.

All that being said, it takes a while into the game until you get your first skill that can "topple" the game then gives you a tutorial about it as well, so depending on how far you are, you might only be able to inflict "break" yet.

I hope that helps. If you still have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks for the video....now I know I definetly wont pick up the game. Not only does the interface looks clunky...it also looks really boring. Like...really, really boring.

@XenoShaun The largest amount of damage during a fight comes from accumulating elemental orbs around an enemy from Seal Combos (each one at my level does around 7,000 - 20,000 dmg depending). Once your affinity gauge is full you can then start a Chain Attack and break the orbs and for each orb you break you get an Elemental Burst, which causes more damage and a team attack rotation extension. My team is around lvl 30 atm, but when I have enough orbs around an enemy (notorious monsters in my instances) my chain has done 100k+ dmg. The entire process deals damage very fast.

Driver Combos (at least as early in the game as I am, which is chapter 4) seem to only be good for farming (if you finish the combo it greatly increases the drop rate for items, provides bigger health potions, and temporarily stuns enemies). They do decent damage (especially if you have a lvl 2 Special Combo active, which extends the effect of each and does more damage), but it's outweighed by the fact that you can't do the entire combo with one character, that you have to wait for the AI to initiate at least 1 move in the combo, and that you have to wait for Blades to become available again after switching Blades.

Considering that Driver Combos require you to use certain Blades, you're better off choosing the blades you want for their Class/Arts/Elements and aiming for Seal Combos -> Elemental Bursts (especially while taking on groups of higher level enemies).

Also I'll add (if you're unaware) that you can flick the left control stick after your first attack on slower weapons to build up Art gauges much faster (as well as after weapon combos in general to eliminate delay after the last hit).

@Urameshi Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated. Not gotten use to the elemental orb business yet but that looks to be what I need to get up to speed with most.

Am also on chapter 4 but have mainly been handling side quests thus far.

@pullmyfinger
There's nothing wrong with the word core. It's a perfectly fine word that adequately describes what I'm referring to. It has nothing to do with difficulty, it has to do with complexity and depth, although in some cases it does also mean more difficult too.

Combat System is great. Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade X were great.
Bought XC2 yesterday, didn't stop playing, just completed 93 hours of game, without doing sidequests, just trying to raise my level. Cool man what a game.

@jancotianno "Bought XC2 yesterday, didn't stop playing, just completed 93 hours of game"

How is it possible to have played for 93 hours when you just bought it yesterday?

@HalloHerrNoob lame. far from boring!

@Raylax Beautifully said! This should come packed in with every game!

@cfgk24 that is not the first big fight... Lol!

@JaxonH meh. The word core. It's pretentious. As though assuming some games are harder than others. I laugh in the face of those who think certain games are core and others aren't.

@AlphaElite traveled to different time zones!

@pullmyfinger
You laugh because you feel offended and made lesser than, which stems from projecting your own definition of the word regardless of context.

Language is meant to convey ideas, so rather than get huffy puffy about a word that makes you feel inferior, perhaps try applying a different understanding based on the context of conversation.

For example, clearly I'm talking about games with more depth and complexity, and for lack of a better word, use "core" to describe them. You can call it whatever you want, but some games are more complex, do have more depth, definitely require more skill and understanding. Blasting an adjective to describe such games doesn't change the fact, it just makes you come across as insecure.

I thought this video was helpful, though my use case is perhaps different.

I'm about 5 hours into the game, just got a 2nd blade. I'm reasonably effective, but I also don't know what I'm doing. Watching this video helped clear up some of what I'd seen but hadn't connected the dots yet.

My biggest problems with the combat are two-fold. First, the terminology doesn't resonate with me. "Driver arts" "Cancelling" "Blade combos" don't mean anything to me. For example, Combo normally means stringing together button presses, like an XXY attack in a fighting game or Bayonetta. (Thanks to the above poster for the terminology, that's super helpful). I understand "normal move" "special move" and "team move".

My second problem is I keep assuming there's some type of dodge mechanic that simply doesn't seem to be present. I can't figure out how to avoid enemy attacks. There are many different ways to do 3rd person melee & magic combat (Diablo, Dynasty Warriors, Zelda, Bayonetta/DMC all come to mind), and I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around such a passive system. // I would've preferred either going fully turn-based (or ATB with cooldowns) or having a more robust combat system that allowed direct control over button presses & enemy dodges.

@Arminillo that fight has more to do with what happened in the story. You can do that in any jRPG and will put the player off balance. And if you land a Nuclear Strike and not take the switch bait in the other half - you can beat it with the exact same set up as you had in the factory.

I had more problems getting jumped by what seemed like the entire field in the archipelago.

@Kobeskillz hope so because looks really intimidating right now.

@JaxonH thanks! This is way better than Alex's video.

@JJ286
No problem.

I want to see as many people enjoy this gem for the masterpiece it is. Just takes some proper explaining is all.

There are also some great guides online, such as this one from US Gamer

Xenoblade 2 Guides

It looks so much boring. I would prefer just Octopath classic battle system (that's nice).

@Tetsuro looks can be deceiving. I am not the biggest fan of (j)rpg, and, this game has sucked me in with it's great story-telling and creative game play.

@pullmyfinger Nintendo won't pull out a demo, I will not risk my money with something that doesn't look at least fun.
I'm somewhat a fan of JRPG (a big fan in SNES/PSX/PS2 periods), Octopath has conviced me before tryng the demo and delivered after playing it. I want that.

@Tetsuro meh. Your loss. No demos needed as close to 90 metascores for all X games is all the demos I need.

@pullmyfinger I played Octopath demo. Bored to tears.

@pullmyfinger I don't buy by metascore but by my interest.
I found Octopath excellent, the perfect continuation of what made 80's-90's great. Something many sorely missed.

P.S.: It's their loss (money), it isn't my loss (money). I can do without a game easily.

@Tetsuro cool! Xenoblade 2, perhaps the greatest RPG game of all time, doesn't need u! Good bye!

@pullmyfinger Haha, you are completely out of touch. lol

@Tetsuro said the person with the inept ability to engage in an intelligent conversation.

Trump much?
#lmfao

@pullmyfinger Wrong person I suppose, it's not me who have said 'perhaps the greatest RPG of all time' and 'developers don't need your money'. lol

@Tetsuro No it's you. Claiming to be someone who loves RPG though does not have the mental ability to play a game as highly rated and complex as Xenoblade. Have fun with your toddler rpg game tho bruh!

@pullmyfinger 83% so highly rated? Best of all time? With so many reviews giving it a 7? It's just a decent/good game, that's it. Luckily there are many sites that need to get cited by Nintendo's accolade and marketing machine, otherwise...
Nintendolife and NintendoWorldReport milk it so gently.
And yes, I will have fun with a proper 'great game'.

@pullmyfinger Saying it's possibly the greatest RPG ever is hilarious! HILARIOUS!

@Tetsuro oh please stop being so ignorant. I said Xenoblade. Which is all encompassing for the great series, the first with a metascore of 92, the others scoring many top 10's and a high average.

I challenge you to find 5 rpgs (and we are talking pure RPG, not action based game you would like to imagine is an RPG) that scored in the 90's. Bet you can't do it!

80's score is considering GREAT by many many publications. But not in the ignorant mind of Tetsuro. smh.
http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/xenoblade-chronicles

@pullmyfinger What are you talking about? We were talking about THIS game, Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Who cares about the first game in the serie?
THIS game took 83%: http://www.gamerankings.com/switch/204208-xenoblade-chronicles-2/index.html
THIS game has been rated as a good game, nothing extraordinary that no one must not miss.
Even Final Fantasy XV has been reviewed as an 80+ game. Meh...

Does anyone know how a surprise attack works? Is it just hitting an enemy with an art before he notices you or is there more to it?

I didnt feel like I had any problem with the combat in XCX, but in XC2 I feel like Im just not getting it. I mean I can attack and kill stuff, so long as its under my current level, I can usually handle it. But the combos and specials or whatever, I'm totally lost. Ive been playing the game for a while, and maybe that just hasnt been explained yet (I just got to Uraya), but if it was and it just didnt sink in, well then crap, Im kinda screwed..

Still, it IS a fun and pretty game, I might even be able to scrape by anyway. But I dont want to end up like the original PS1 xenogears game where I ignored all the wacky mech combo stuff cause it didnt make sense and I couldnt pull it off, but when I got to the final boss, I suddenly needed that and I was screwed and it was far too late to level those moves up and make them useful.

@vincentgoodwin Yea, the video helped a little bit but I'm still confused and have NO idea what cancelling is either. Its maybe supposed to be... you start a blade attack but then do a regular art before it launches? (the press the b button part). Still, I have no idea what benefit this has. I cant figure out how to do the combos, but I didnt even know that your blade icon can go above a I to a II, III, IV, etc. So maybe I just have to let it charge up?