Xenoblade Chronicles

[Veitch11]

And last of all, the most important tip in Xenoblade Chronicles: UPGRADE YOUR MONADO SHIELD. I went through 60 hours without upgrading that thing, and once I did, I was like "JESUS CHRIST THIS IS SO EASY NOW". Have fun!

Monado Shield? I've heard nothing of such a thing...

[Hamr]

Monado Shield? I've heard nothing of such a thing...

Monado shield is the Monado Art you unlock before the second major boss fight.

Spoiler:

Where you save Reyn from getting killed by the giant spider queen by summoning a shield around him

When you use it, it nullifies all damage from enemy Arts (attacks that they launch that have Roman Numerals after them, usually triggering a vision).

Personally, I found Monado Armor a lot more useful, since it greatly reduces the damage from *any* type of enemy attack. You have probably not unlocked that yet though

Spoiler:

because you have not done any sidequests

[Battlestriker123]

And last of all, the most important tip in Xenoblade Chronicles: UPGRADE YOUR MONADO SHIELD. I went through 60 hours without upgrading that thing, and once I did, I was like "JESUS CHRIST THIS IS SO EASY NOW". Have fun!

Monado Shield? I've heard nothing of such a thing...

In the menu when you upgrade your arts, click on the "activate monado" to upgrade your monado arts. The second one should be "monado shield", which helps protect you against enemy talent arts (enemy talent arts are the ones with a roman numeral at the end, like "Blast Cannon VI" or "Breaking Combo III"). So if you upgrade your monado shield to the level that is equal or higher than the enemy talent art level, than you can block against the enemy attacks.

Example: If you upgrade Monado Shield to level 3, and use it before the enemy uses "Breaking Combo III", instead of taking 2000 damage, you'll only take 2. Likewise, if you upgrade Monado Shield to level 6 and use it before the enemy uses "Blast Cannon VI", instead of taking 4000 damage you'll only take 1.

Hope that clears things up a little! ;D

Personally, I found Monado Armor a lot more useful, since it greatly reduces the damage from *any* type of enemy attack. You have probably not unlocked that yet though

Spoiler:

because you have not done any sidequests

I agree with this statement. Unfortunately, Hamr,

Spoiler:

I somehow missed that sidequest, and since I'm almost at the end, I'm not going to bother trying to get it...

[Hamr]

Speaking of Monado Shield, question involving a near end-game boss fight:

Spoiler:

During the final fight against Egil, halfway through the fight, there is the bit where you have to attack pylons and once a timer passes, his mech uses an Art to kill the Bionis. The attack is level X, though, so does that mean a fully-upgraded Monado Shield could in theory obviate the destruction of the pylons? Or would the Shield not work on the Bionis?

I would have tested this out myself, but I stopped upgrading Monado Shield in favor of Armor and the one that boosted Agility.

[Battlestriker123]

Speaking of Monado Shield, question involving a near end-game boss fight:

Spoiler:

During the final fight against Egil, halfway through the fight, there is the bit where you have to attack pylons and once a timer passes, his mech uses an Art to kill the Bionis. The attack is level X, though, so does that mean a fully-upgraded Monado Shield could in theory obviate the destruction of the pylons? Or would the Shield not work on the Bionis?

I would have tested this out myself, but I stopped upgrading Monado Shield in favor of Armor and the one that boosted Agility.

That's actually a really good question. Unfortunately, I'm already well past that point, so I can't try it out However, quick research indicates that...

Spoiler:

... it shouldn't work. Since Egil is NOT directly attacking the character, monado shield would be useless against it. Combine that with the fact that the attack actually does infinity damage, it doesn't seem like you can avoid it. According to IGN's Xenoblade Wiki, "this attack cannot be blocked, even by a level X Shield", so I guess that means, no, you cannot block the attack on Bionis.

[Veitch11]

Thanks for all the responses everyone!! I guess I've been upgrading Monado Shield this whole time without realizing what it is...I'll probably start putting more time into sidequests as well now to try and unlock the other talent arts and what not! You've all been a huge help!!

[FadedAreWii]

The game does have a pretty long beginning, before you learn everything and start getting into the meat.

I think it's a perfect mix of new JRPG and old-school JRPG. They hit the mix pretty perfectly, and I'm pretty sure that's the majority opinion on the game. I honestly can't see how any fan of the JRPG doesn't see this as a Godsend in a genre that's been overly weak this gen.

I hate JRPGs... Especially some Tales and Persona 1, 2, and 3, and Final Fantasy 1-10 and 13... Is it gonna make me a happy person later on?

I wouldn't say that it would if you hate JRPGs. It's a JRPG. It does a few things differently, but nothing is going to change your mind if you just aren't into the genre. I mean, it very well could, you never know, but if it bothers you that much, I can't say your effort would be worth it to play through the whole game. I'm just saying that it does have a fairly long beginning, before it really gets going, but I don't think it's anything that's going to bring a gamer into the genre that isn't fond of the game type. Maybe you should try Final Fantasy Crystal Bearers.

Edit: Speed lets you avoid attacks that aren't special arts, but you can only target one person with it, so you have to be sure, after you have a vision, that you don't let the aggro collect on someone else, 'cause the attack will switch to that person and you'll have wasted your power.


Oh, and, the Monado shield is definitely important to upgrade, but I think the speed might be just as important. At least, it was for me to get passed that damn Lizard sitting on that throne. Got to him and had neither upgraded at all. Safe to say I got my arse handed to me and had to grind to upgrade the skills.

[TheLastBlade]

I wouldn't say that it would if you hate JRPGs. It's a JRPG. It does a few things differently, but nothing is going to change your mind if you just aren't into the genre. I mean, it very well could, you never know, but if it bothers you that much, I can't say your effort would be worth it to play through the whole game. I'm just saying that it does have a fairly long beginning, before it really gets going, but I don't think it's anything that's going to bring a gamer into the genre that isn't fond of the game type. Maybe you should try Final Fantasy Crystal .

I wouldn't say that I despise JRPGs. There's actually a few exceptions that doesn't piss me off. I only actually played the DS ones. Fun with friends... OK by itself.

On the subject of Xenoblade, I still don't really have the time. And there's like kingdom hearts 3ds and last story coming.

[FadedAreWii]

I still doubt it would change your mind. Crystal Bearers on Wii is nothing like the DS games. It's more like a single-player-Zelda-like Final Fantasy.

[Veitch11]

Back with another question...I'm now 41 hours in, and still haven't been able to craft gems myself. I've been relying on those from the collectopedia so far. Did I miss something or does that get unlocked later? I can't imagine that it does...

[KingBroly]

You have to do something with

Spoiler:

Colony 6

in order to get it.

[Veitch11]

You have to do something with

Spoiler:

Colony 6

in order to get it.

Thanks KingBroly! I haven't touched any of that stuff yet, but was just considering going back! Much appreciated

[StarStabbedMoon]

Oh, and, the Monado shield is definitely important to upgrade, but I think the speed might be just as important.

I don't know, I noticed quite a lack of visions that involved physical arts when compared to ether arts or talent arts. Plus, Dunban was my tank, and he usually could dodge all that stuff on his own. Don't get me wrong, I upgraded all the Monado arts about evenly, but personally I'd say I valued speed a bit less than everything else. Monado cyclone is actually an underrated art, I think, because of its ether properties, which can come in handy for a tough late-game boss if you've become dependent on controlling Shulk for most of the game.

[Battlestriker123]

Back with another question...I'm now 41 hours in, and still haven't been able to craft gems myself. I've been relying on those from the collectopedia so far. Did I miss something or does that get unlocked later? I can't imagine that it does...

There's a gem crafter in Colony 9, but

Spoiler:

he'll eventually give you a mission that would provide for you your own portable gem crafter.

[komicturtle92]

I have to get back into this fantastic game. Now that I got some things out of the way, I should take this weekend to progress through it.

[CrispyGoomba]

Okay, I give in. If this game is what everyone has been claiming it all is, I'm going to snag me a bite of it. I've been wanting to play a good RPG game for a while now, so I guess now is the time. I do have a question though...I heard this game was only for sell at GameStop, is that true? Because I don't want to go to a place like Best Buy or Wal-Mart and look dumb.

And while I'm at it, should I consider picking up The Last Story?

[komicturtle92]

Okay, I give in. If this game is what everyone has been claiming it all is, I'm going to snag me a bite of it. I've been wanting to play a good RPG game for a while now, so I guess now is the time. I do have a question though...I heard this game was only for sell at GameStop, is that true? Because I don't want to go to a place like Best Buy or Wal-Mart and look dumb.

And while I'm at it, should I consider picking up The Last Story?

Yes, Gamestop only or order it online through Nintendo (their official online store).

As for Last Story, I suggest you get that first since Xenoblade is a LONG LONG game. Diving into The Last Story first is something I would recommend.

[MoldyClay]

Man, I feel like a terrible person. I need to pick this back up. Stopped at Prison Island. Been playing too many games simultaneously. NEED SOME XENOBLADE.

Okay, I give in. If this game is what everyone has been claiming it all is, I'm going to snag me a bite of it. I've been wanting to play a good RPG game for a while now, so I guess now is the time. I do have a question though...I heard this game was only for sell at GameStop, is that true? Because I don't want to go to a place like Best Buy or Wal-Mart and look dumb.

And while I'm at it, should I consider picking up The Last Story?

You should only find it at Gamestop. You could potentially find a copy at another store, used (if they accept trades or something), but odds are unlikely. You could also find it online through Nintendo's site.

The Last Story is a very different kind of game, it seems, and is significantly shorter than Xenoblade, from what I hear. I'm pumped for it though.

Just sucks about Pandora's Tower, since that wad originally the only one of the 3 that I wanted (until actually seeing the other two in action).

[Veitch11]

Hey there all! I'm back with another question. So I'm now at the part where

Spoiler:

you enter the Bionis to go after Zanza

and I'm ready to be done with this game. I loved the story until just recently with a turn of events that, to me, just didn't seem like it fit...Just wondering if anyone had an estimate amount of time left. I know that's kind of hard to do, so perhaps if it's easier just tell me the number of bosses left or big events. Without spoilers though please!

Thanks to those who respond! You've all been a big help throughout my Xenoblade adventure!

[someone17]

Hey there all! I'm back with another question. So I'm now at the part where

Spoiler:

you enter the Bionis to go after Zanza

and I'm ready to be done with this game. I loved the story until just recently with a turn of events that, to me, just didn't seem like it fit...Just wondering if anyone had an estimate amount of time left. I know that's kind of hard to do, so perhaps if it's easier just tell me the number of bosses left or big events. Without spoilers though please!

Thanks to those who respond! You've all been a big help throughout my Xenoblade adventure!

Spoiler:

I'd say another 5 hours (guessing)? there are a couple of areas to explore and a good number of bosses left, also if there are some story elements that confuse you, they are likely going to be answered by the end

[Battlestriker123]

Hey there all! I'm back with another question. So I'm now at the part where

Spoiler:

you enter the Bionis to go after Zanza

and I'm ready to be done with this game. I loved the story until just recently with a turn of events that, to me, just didn't seem like it fit...Just wondering if anyone had an estimate amount of time left. I know that's kind of hard to do, so perhaps if it's easier just tell me the number of bosses left or big events. Without spoilers though please!

Thanks to those who respond! You've all been a big help throughout my Xenoblade adventure!

Spoiler:

It really depends on what level you are right now. I'd say it took me a good 7-8 more hours to complete the game, but that's because I was very underleveled at that point. The final few bosses are a pain though, so, again, depending on what level you are, I'd say anywhere between 5-10 hours.

[TheLastBlade]

Whelp, I finally got back to playing.... It's pretty cool.

Things that irk me:

-QTE: Not necessarily QTE in a sense, but I keep forgetting what the hell it does most of the time. If its something useless, I'm gonna be PISSED...
-Lots of walking most of the time: Sometimes, I fall asleep when I have to deal with walking to gain exp and to travel to a particular place... Not really that bad since it does have fast travel.
-Sidequests I don't give a **** about: Ok, seriously? Can they be more hollow than it is right now? Its sad because the only way to get money (at least where i'm) is to sell junk and/or finish quests. It's a good thing I don't have to walk back to the person.
-Seeing the future when an enemy attacks: I'm REALLY annoyed at this feature... It's cool that you get to "change" your situation in battle, but whoever hits hard enough, gets Effed instead.... Or the shield thing. Doesn't help that it comes out of nowhere and annoys me!
-Stuff I already figured out later in the game: This game has some weird tutorials that should've been explained earlier.

So far, I'd give it a 8-8.5; it'll probably change for me, but it's pretty fun.

[YoshiRider123]

-QTE: Not necessarily QTE in a sense, but I keep forgetting what the hell it does most of the time. If its something useless, I'm gonna be PISSED...

That's called a Burst Affinity in the game, I think. When you pull it off successfully when initiating a battle, your party members' morale is boosted and I believe some skills activate depending on what you have set on your skill trees.

During battle, they could show up when one member is about to get hit by an attack and you're near them, allowing that character to dodge the attack. These also show up during Chain Attacks, and a successful Burst Affinity will prolong them. A similar thing shows up when you're trying to reboost a party member's morale if they're under effects like Topple or Daze, or if their morale is just really low. In these cases, character affinity will typically be boosted.

Also, Dunban's Talent Art, Blossom Dance, is a multiple hit attack that depends on your ability to manage the timed button presses for the full attack.

[Eternal Rain]

I finally beat the game at long last (got a little extra motivation to finish now, basically wanted to beat the game before The Last Story comes out in NA, so I'm not switching between two RPGs on the same system at the same time).

The final boss was pretty intense, don't think I've fought a final boss in an RPG that intense since Kefka and Sephiroth. I will say though, the hardest boss was actually the boss you fight within the Bionis (trying to stay at least somewhat spoiler-free). That boss was rather annoying, and sadly this was a fight where the AI partners decided to act stupid (they kept falling in the damn ether pools which hurts them, and they don't get the hell out unless I use the "retreat" command... thankfully spamming ether attacks seemed to really help finishing this one off).

Anyway, I loved this game. If I had to give it a score of some kind, I'll actually break things down a bit first:

-Graphics: The only area that really suffers is the character models, which look like they could have easily been in an early gen PS2 game like Final Fantasy X. The environments are fantastic though, some of the best I've seen on the Wii, and combined with the spectacular draw distance this is a Wii game I feel actually puts certain HD games to shame (seriously I don't think I even saw a draw distance this great in games like Skyrim or Fallout 3/New Vegas). The effects are great too, with some good lighting and particle effects. In all, aside from the character models, this game is a good example of showing that the Wii is 2 or 3 times as powerful as the Gamecube.

-Sound: First I'll start by saying that the British VA is pretty well cast, everyone's voices fit them pretty well, and the use of British voice actors for all the characters do give this JRPG something usually only unique to Western RPGs (usually I'd expect voice actors like Quinton Flynn or Christopher Sabot in there somewhere, but for this game you instead have people who did voices for games like Dragon Age and Fable). Now the soundtrack is fantastic. Yoko Shimomura (composer of other well known RPGs like Kingdom Hearts, Super Mario RPG, and the Mario and Luigi series) has just about outdone herself here, and the contributions from the other people like ACE+ are also superb. I wish the soundtrack could have been a pre-order bonus, because I would have loved to listen to this in my car.

-Controls: I played the game with the Classic Control Pro, and the controls work pretty well. Nothing too complicated, it's hard to forget what each button does.

-Combat system: From what I have heard, the combat system is apparently similar to MMORPG games like World of Warcraft, but since I've never played an MMORPG I can't really compare for myself. To me, though, I'd say the combat system is like a better version of the one in Final Fantasy XII. Normal attacks are done automatically and you select special moves via an easy to use menu, and battles take place on the field instead of in battle screens (essentially it's more of an action-RPG and not really a turn based one). Battles can be pretty heated, and usually require a good bit of strategy in order to finish them without getting incapacitated. One great this to mention is that incapacitation does NOT lead to a game over, instead you are returned to the last major landmark you discovered and keep all EXP and whatnot that you have found, and the game allows you to save just about anywhere. This is a great thing for those of you who don't like RPGs where you can lose too much progress if you forget to save or are stuck somewhere where saving is not possible for a while.


If I had to give it a score, I'd say 9.5 out of 10.

[jasonmaivia]

"Summon Bolt!"
"Summon Copy!"
"Manifest yourself!"
"Summon Flare!"
"Manifest yourself!"
"Manifest yourself!"
"Summon Bolt"
...repeat.
Win.