The Xenoblade thread (aka the Thread of the Monado)

One is amazing. The Definitive edition adds some QOL improvements over the Wii original. Having said that, the systems interlock so well in 3 that you may find sidequesting and other activities more frustrating. It's an amazing game though.

Is nobody else still playing XC3? After my giddy post not too far up this thread I'm still completely engrossed after 140 hours. I'm not usually into 100% completion and this is the longest I've played on non multiplayer game since BOTW. (much of the content in most games is simply not fun enough to warrant the investment) sure there's some side stuff here that isn't top tier but as I said before I just find the whole thing super compelling due to the fact that everything is rewarded in some way. Much of the side content genuinely adds to the story by fleshing out characters, providing history and showing glimpses into the world and the lives of it's inhabitants.

All hero's unlocked, all but two ascension quests complete over 100 unique monsters defeated, every gem level 7 or above most characters at level 10-20 on most classes. The only problem is I've yet to see the end as I'm.putting off the final dungeon in case I lose motivation after the credits role. I feel like seeing the ending after seeing all of the world building in the side quests will make it more worthwhile.

Did anyone else fall for this like I have? It's joined a small list of games in the last 5/6 years that I've genuinely loved (Hades, Stardew Valley, BOTW, Animal Crossing, Mario Odyssey and Rocket League) with the exception of Rocket League, I think I've just spotted the link between those games as I typed it. Apparently I love games where you check off big lists but only those where there's a compelling reason to do so (unlike an assassin's creed for example where it's fine but not great imo)

I'm just waiting for someone else to finish it so I can discuss one thing about the ending.

HURRY UP

Money well spent!

Finished it a while back, loved it

Got a second playthrough on the go, but it's been on reasonably indefinite hold since FF14 patch 6.2 and other bits and bobs (Stellaris, Monkey Island, Cyberpunk was on a half price sale, etc).

Taking a break is obviously recommended if you've hit a wall. Unfortunately you haven't hit the point where you can get the last few materials to unlock the Unique Monster everyone farms for Core Crystals so all I can offer at this point is some generic advice/things you might have missed:

• I'm guessing you've been using the "Bonus EXP" you get from exploration when resting at inns. If you haven't and it's been accumulating for a while it might be a nice level jump.

• Not sure how many Core Crystals you've picked up from random fights/Uniques (and how many you've used) but if you haven't, it's a good time to spam them and hope for some Rare Blades to open up your options. As you may remember from the story, Rex at this point

• This next one is unfortunately a bit of a grind, but your Blades' Affinity charts can give pretty big combat boosts as you complete them, and doing so will also give you levels and drops on the way since you'll likely have to fight and explore a lot. Your Blades will also power up as you build Trust in general, so it's definitely something to do if you haven't really bothered up until now (and if nothing else it gives a sense of progression to the typical "fight stuff for hours" grind ). In terms of building Trust quickly, it's a matter of figuring out what type of Pouch Item (temporary combat buff items) each Blade likes and using them on its bonded Driver while the Blade is in the Driver's active three (unfortunately figuring that out is either trial and error or guide time).

Obviously if you've done all or some of the above and are still hitting walls there's not much else I can offer besides classic grinding. Just thought I'd offer my two cents since it's a pity to leave it when you're this close to the end

All of the above for Vandelay

I'm still playing. I completed the main story at 150 hours as I'd been titting around exploring and doing side quests. I have all the current heroes, just have two of them left to unlock to level 20 and a couple of characters have yet to learn a couple of classes.

I'm quite content to keep playing as long as there's something do.

I’ve not played 1 or 2 yet so it went over my head tbh

Nah, the story doesn't really require you to have played the previous two. There's little easter eggs if you have (including the thing I want to discuss), but they're mostly incidental.

If we're doing "I was right"s, I was right, Junior. 😛

Touché!
But I did say the series has references to previous games, but aren't direct sequels. So when someone asked if they were fine just jumping into this one, I said they'd probably be fine. And it sounds like they are.

Feeling like a god this evening after beating 4 of the 5 super bosses with my party at level 94. Does anyone know the best places to farm materials for better gems? I feel like I'll need them for the last super boss.

I felt a bit bad killing the lvl 100 bird thing, I watched it fly around in the distance for about 20 hours or more while in that area lol

Probably not tbh, still a fair chunk of game left even if you skip a lot of side quests. I started to rush through from around that point and still took me about 80 hours. Or was it longer?