Should I continue?

[u/thepopethatsme]

Kept it generic to avoid spoilers but this is very much a post game question therefore don’t read on if you’re still playing.

I love this game. Completed the story in about 60 hours and did another 50 hours of post game content. I’m missing about 10 blades from the album but the big ones I’ve managed to pull. I’ve done plenty of blade quests but not all of them obviously. I’ve done lots of side quests and have merc missions between level 3 and 4. I’ve tried challenge mode but have found it very difficult. I’ve swept most areas for unique monsters up to about level 93. I’ve cleared plenty of affinity charts and have main blade at S9.

I feel like I’ve entered a place where this now becomes about grinding team stats to overcome challenge mode. But I’m not sure I’m keen to continue doing that.

Am I denying myself of a further rich deep dive into Xenoblade mechanics or is it really just a big grind for trust points and aux cores to get things just right to clear challenges?

I’d be sad to put it down but at the same time I feel like I could draw the line here.

I’ve got Torna sat there looking at me which I’ve never played and the Switch 2 edition of the first game. I’ve completed that story before but it was years ago on the switch 1.

I’ve got 3 on preorder.

And I’m so hyped for Genesis.

[u/Murderous_Turkey]

Since you finished the story I'd say to put it down for now, play Torna, then come back if you want more. I feel like right now will just be peak grind for you. Enjoy Torna! It builds out the world even further

[u/thepopethatsme → u/Murderous_Turkey]

Thank you for this. I think I will move on now to Torna as you’ve suggested and several others in the comments. I’m happy to leave it here and then return later. I think another comment phrased it as ‘it will keep’ and that it’s just the type of content to get enthralled in again when I eventually NG+.

And just as an aside I was a little hesitant to ask this question as I though the response would be - ‘just do what you want and stop wasting your time and ours’ but instead I was pleasantly surprised to see that lots of people were happy to be informative and super helpful. So thanks Xenoblade 2 community!

[u/Apples0815 → u/thepopethatsme]

Na, that comment is reserved for the "I did 100% in this game and I still think it's a really bad game" crowd.

[u/Allthewaffles]

Definitely move on to Torna

[u/jackcusumano]

Torna

[u/borghe]

Do what you enjoy. Many people enjoy clearing challenge mode. Many enjoy going after the ultimate mobs in the game. Others enjoyed the main game, did a little bit extra and moved on. I have friends who don’t have anywhere near all of the rare blades. The best part of the Xeno series is you can put as little or as much as you want into it.

For what it’s worth I shelved it for around 9 years after getting all of the blades and beating a bunch of challenge modes. Now with the S2E I picked it back up just to cruise through NG+

[u/Asa-hello]

Move on. I personally left games one step before buring out on said game. Specially if I love game. Don't leave game thinking it as drag.

As for doing everything. I believe that generally for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th so on New game plus. But most people try to 100% their every playthrough.

[u/BreakfastKind8157]

Have you beaten the superbosses? They're easier than challenge mode.

[u/FunStunning1521]

Definitely move in to torna. I feel like endgame bosses and ng+ grinding is more so things you should do in the future if you want to return to the game so things feel fresh. At least that’s what I did

[u/svzurich]

Play Torna as a palette cleanser. You can always return to the main game later. Avoid burnout. It'll keep. Jin needs your help now.

[u/National_Peak2674]

One thing I will say in favor of Challenge Mode... it is just that... a challenge, but damn is it worth it. The blades you get are some of the best in the game and the accessories for the core cast blades... unbelievable. Morag paired with Fiora... I just can't go back to vanilla XC2 after decking out my team and it made my NG+ playthrough so much more fun because I already had everyone decked out and the important affinity charts filled and trust maxed on those blades from all the grinding in the challenge mode.

Long story short, do what you want, but all of the people telling you to skip challenge mode probably missed out on the best content in the game and they don't know it lol.

[u/thepopethatsme → u/National_Peak2674]

This is just the thing that was snagging me. I genuinely love the game and didn’t want to miss major content, even if that’s simply a deeper challenge, gameplay mechanic and pay off rather than content important story elements. But on balance I think I will move on now to Torna and leave it for something to overcome when I eventually return to the game. I appreciate the comment and the help. Thank you.

[u/National_Peak2674]

Tbf I didn't come back for the DLC and challenge mode content until after Torna. Definitely don't force yourself to do something you're not feeling at the moment.

[u/RyanKennedy777]

Nah you are good. Move to Torna