Xenoblade

[Ashtrot]

So apparently Xenoblade is being released on Good Friday.

When stores aren't open.

Well done, Nintendo!

Stores aren't open on Good Friday? Since when? Is this a Canada thing? Seems awfully odd to me. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to walk into Target and pick up the game that day if I wanted to.

No you can't. It's a GameStop exclusive. :P

[Dice]

Our mall is open... =(

[Kevadu]

I don't know anything that closes for Good Friday...

[Agent D.]

Christian holidays aren't generally a cause for retail closures. Jewish holidays....well sometimes but not frequently. Hell I doubt gamestop would be closed easter sunday, nevermind good friday.

[GrimReality]

So apparently Xenoblade is being released on Good Friday.

When stores aren't open.

Well done, Nintendo!

Stores aren't open on Good Friday? Since when? Is this a Canada thing? Seems awfully odd to me. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to walk into Target and pick up the game that day if I wanted to.

No you can't. It's a GameStop exclusive. :P

Damn,. Totally forgot about that. I NEVER buy games there. Guess I'll have to make an exception.

[Lard]

Maybe it's a Canada/U.S. thing. I dunno.

The guy specifically told me they'd be closed.

Hopefully I'll just get it on the Thursday.

[Eusis]

I'll have to call mine and find out, it's going to be REALLY annoying if they decide to be closed on Friday.

[Maxximum]

So, after months of searching, I finally managed to stumble upon a shop that actually had a copy of Xenoblade. I'm about 6 hours into the game and about 10 minutes into the story, but I doubt this will surprise anyone who played it. So far, I have to say that Im very happy with it. The only thing I'm not sure about is the battle system, it works fine with one party member, but I wonder exactly how much control Ill have over the others when I finally decide to push the story forward and start fighting as a group. Real time battles with AI controlled party members in jRPGs tend to get very hectic and messy, which is something I rather dislike.
Love the music, love the day night system, love the FFXII like openness and ability to explore from the moment you get control of your hero. Rare monster hunting is fun (already bagged three of them). Trading is a tad redundant but I'm OK with it. The voice acting is ace (for a jRPG at least), this is the second game that seems to have been done entirely by a British cast(?), and its also the second time I was very impressed by it (Dragon Quest VIII being the first game). The fast travel really IS fast (no loading) and an explorers best friend.
Overall it deserves a lot of the praise its been getting, but Ill have to play more to see weather it really is "THE jRPG" everyone's been raving about.

[Starmongoose]

You will be surprised how well your team works together actually, I was sceptical as well. The only one I ever found a bit iffy was the healer character, who often used her skills before it was really needed so it was on cooldown by the time it was actually needed. But that happened rarely.

[Aurian]

Agreed - and if you are depending on Shulk's Monado skills, that too. His AI tends to spam it and not keep it in reserve. Otherwise, all the other characters were great considering they were AI controlled.

[Maxximum]

Well, about 12 hours of playing behind me, just finished the

Mechon attack on Colonly 9

sequence.
I had my first "didn't see that one coming" moment, and for once, it wasn't sarcastic.

[GrimReality]

Hey guys. I am about to pre-order this and was wondering if it's worth getting the Classic Controller bundle:
http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=193208&storeId=10001

Is it really that hard/clumsy to play with the standard controller? Can I use a Gamecube controller instead?

????

[Maxximum]

I've heard it plays best on the classic pad. But, truth be told, I'm having absolutely no issues with the Wiimote and Nunchuk controls.

[Tomara]

I prefer the classic controller, but yeah, it's fully playable with the wiimote + nunchuck. It's always good to have a classic controller around though and this is a good opportunity to get one.

[GrimReality]

Has anyone tried to use the gamecube controller?
Wait...I have to buy a new Wii because ours has a loose a/v connection. The newer models got rid of GC compatibility didn't they? I should try and find a refurbished older one. I told Benjamin that he should play Symphonia.