Xenoblade

[Tomara]

The only reason that graphics look dated is because there are no specular or normal maps, meaning there are flat polygons with no shiny faces. Its not a deal breaker considering it gives the game a certain artistic appeal similar to an anime.

Plus, it's hardly ever that noticable. Sure, you might look at a fruit stall and think 'my, that fruit sure looks flat', but why the hell are you looking at the fruit in a fruit stall when you could be looking at



Look at how far you can see! No nasty fog or anything!

Well, al right, the faces look kind of weird up close, but the camera doesn't zoom in that much anyway. Most cutscenes don't show talking heads, they show spectaculair sword fights with bullet-time tricks, lots of shiny mecha, explosions and/or other stuff that qualifies at as awesome.

[neogalahad]

The only reason that graphics look dated is because there are no specular or normal maps, meaning there are flat polygons with no shiny faces. Its not a deal breaker considering it gives the game a certain artistic appeal similar to an anime.

Plus, it's hardly ever that noticable. Sure, you might look at a fruit stall and think 'my, that fruit sure looks flat', but why the hell are you looking at the fruit in a fruit stall when you could be looking at



Look at how far you can see! No nasty fog or anything!

Well, al right, the faces look kind of weird up close, but the camera doesn't zoom in that much anyway. Most cutscenes don't show talking heads, they show spectaculair sword fights with bullet-time tricks, lots of shiny mecha, explosions and/or other stuff that qualifies at as awesome.

O I totally agree with you, I was saying that its whatever that the game doesnt have those special effects implemented in the game. I was complimenting the fact that they could make a wonderful looking game without those added visuals.

[Tomara]

And I was agreeing with you.

[Kevadu]

You guys need to stop agreeing all the time!

[Maxximum]

I'm trying to avoid reviews. I hear its good, but I don't want to get sucked into all this hype, because its bound to disappoint if I get my hopes up. I've already seen a few people mention that its being called the best jRPG this gen, but that bar is set quit low, so I'm not jumping for joy until I play it and decide its worth it. Needles to say, despite my scepticism, I am going to buy it fairly close to launch.

[Tomara]

Expect a great RPG and you'll be fine. It may not match your taste perfectly, but the quality is undeniable.

[Maxximum]

Expect a great RPG and you'll be fine. It may not match your taste perfectly, but the quality is undeniable.

I did that with FFXIII look how far it got me. I'm playing it safe with this one.

[Tomara]

Yeah, but... Final Fantasy XIII... I mean... Seriously, Final Fantasy XIII? Aside from whatever came out of Squeenix's hype machine, it wasn't all that big of a deal. The basic reaction was 'Oh, a new Final Fantasy. Looks nice and it's kind of fun, but why are we supposed to care?' With Xenoblade reviewers (including me) are all like 'This is awesome and way better than those silly Final Fantasy games that got the genre in this rut'.

[neogalahad]

And I was agreeing with you.

I AGREE!!! jk

[hell_snake]

You guys need to stop agreeing all the time!

Agreed.

[Lard]

I'm trying to avoid reviews. I hear its good, but I don't want to get sucked into all this hype, because its bound to disappoint if I get my hopes up. I've already seen a few people mention that its being called the best jRPG this gen, but that bar is set quit low, so I'm not jumping for joy until I play it and decide its worth it. Needles to say, despite my scepticism, I am going to buy it fairly close to launch.

Unless the reviews were on the level of Beyond the Beyond, I was going to buy it regardless of reviews. I'm not going to even bother reading them, because I made up my mind long ago.

[hell_snake]

I'm trying to avoid reviews. I hear its good, but I don't want to get sucked into all this hype, because its bound to disappoint if I get my hopes up. I've already seen a few people mention that its being called the best jRPG this gen, but that bar is set quit low, so I'm not jumping for joy until I play it and decide its worth it. Needles to say, despite my scepticism, I am going to buy it fairly close to launch.

Unless the reviews were on the level of Beyond the Beyond, I was going to buy it regardless of reviews. I'm not going to even bother reading them, because I made up my mind long ago.

Same here. But everywhere I ago I see people mentioning 10s and 9s...

I've gotta admit, it kinda makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Kevadu]

Joystiq posted a very detailed article on how to hack your Wii to disable region locking in order to play Xenoblade Chronicles.  I won't like to it (though it's pretty easy to find...) but I think it's quite interesting that a large, mainstream site like that would go that far.

Reviews are really positive, too.  91 on Metacritic.

[Lucca]

Joystiq posted a very detailed article on how to hack your Wii to disable region locking in order to play Xenoblade Chronicles.  I won't like to it (though it's pretty easy to find...) but I think it's quite interesting that a large, mainstream site like that would go that far.

Reviews are really positive, too.  91 on Metacritic.

Do you have the link to the Joystiq site? I'm seriously considering disabling my region lock.

EDIT: Nevermind. Found it. Worth looking into, as it tells where you can buy the game as well.

[Dade]

Well Gamespot's review today has made me violent.

Fuck you, Nintendo. Make this available to everyone. It's not like "Generic Crap Game A" that didn't get brought to EU. This game is apparently something VERY SPECIAL. I swear to god if this isn't released in the US I'm going to hunt down Reggie and stuff a Pikachu doll down his throat.