5th Time Lucky

I started XC2 5 times, hence the title, before I finally understood peoples love for this game!

A few things put me off the game initially when I first tried to play:
1. The horrific voice overs each character had in the English version, especially Nia where a very thick Welsh accent just didn't fit the theme at all!

2. The sheer number of tutorials which I admit I skipped through and massively learnt my lesson not to do a few hours in when I had to restart to understand what I was doing.

3. The size of the world, the number of side quests, and the amount of monsters strolling around everywhere!! I love RPGs so I was surprised I didn't like this aspect but when I was one shotted by a Level 89 monster within the first hour of gameplay several times, it started to become frustrating!

4. The combat system just seemed confusing and slightly boring.

So 5th time game along and I was determined, I did a lot of research online of many people assuring me that after 8 hours of play I'll finally understand the beauty of this game, and sure enough 1 week later and 80 hours put into the game I completed it!

So what made me fall inlove with it?

1. Yes, the voice overs were still annoying as hell but I put that aside and just sat back and enjoyed the story and fell inlove with Tora, Poppy, Rex and especially Nia!!

2. I spent more time watching the tutorials and fully understanding all the complex mechanics involved in this game! The excitement of pulling a rare blade from a common core crystal because I understood how to use Luck and Boosters was extremely satisfying!! Spending hours searching for 5 specific beetle types to increase the skill tree of one of my characters! Forcing Pyra to try every new drink I bought to work out which was her favourite!

3. The size of the world, the number of side quests, and the amount of monsters strolling around everywhere!! This quickly turned to a positive once I just learned how to avoid catching the attention of the level 89 monsters!!

4. The combat system just keeps getting better and better!! Giving each of your drivers the perfect blades to be able to execute break, topple, launch and smash and the perfect chain attacks was so satisfying! Yes its complex and very tricky and confusing but once you master it, I don't think I've seen a better battle system (Unless I include turn based because Fire Emblem Three Houses can't be beat in my eyes).

My rating had to be lower than 7 overall however due to the difficulty and grind over the first few tries or hours of gameplay to fully get invested!

So I have completed the game now what?? Well I have downloaded XC definitive edition and have become addicted very quickly (making sure to actually take my time and understand every aspect of the game!!)

Originally published on 8 September 2020.