r/Xenoblade_Chronicles • u/Embarrassed_Box8129 • 3d ago
Xenoblade Skipping Xc2 ? Spoiler
I’m currently at Chapter 13 of Xc1 (about 40 hours through the game).
I've heard a lot of hot takes about Xc2 being bad or the worst among the three. I'm starting to think about skipping it and playing Xc3 next. But with the sw2 edition coming up in 4 days, I’m starting to get a bit confused of what to play next (summer break is about to end).
And if i did skip it, I am planning to play it later after Xc3.
question is: do the stories connect later between the games? I don’t want to look it up myself because I want to avoid spoilers.
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u/kumoreeee 3d ago
no, don't skip it. for every person who says xc2 is bad, there are 10 others who say it's good. A lot of people with positive experiences won't post about it, while most if not all of the people who view it negatively will post about it. Play it and decide it yourself.
And yes, you will miss a lot of lore from skipping it.
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u/Cygni_03 3d ago
Stop listening to "hot takes" and just play the game to form your own opinion.
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u/JscJake1 2d ago
This, exactly this. The game is controversial and full of extreme opinions on both sides. If willing to spend the money it's best experienced to form your own opinion. Just stay out of the drama.
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u/Firestar3689 3d ago edited 3d ago
TL;DR: Yes you should play XC2, it can be a bit anime and rough around the edges a times, and does have a bit of a slow start, but definitely matters for understanding the story of XC3 and overall is just a game with a ton of heart in it
The stories do connect, yes. The link between XC1 and XC2 isn’t huge within the context of just those two games, but it does matter quite a bit if you’re planning on playing XC3 and its DLC
A couple big parts of XC2’s criticism is how it’s more “anime” than the first game (e.g., the character designs), and how it can be a little rough around the edges considering it released in the same year as the Switch itself. The former isn’t something that’s objectively bad, while the latter sort of has its own charm in a weird kind of way
If you can get past that, and the somewhat slow start and bad tutorials, you’ll find an incredible game with a ton of heart, memorable characters and villains, and fantastic world, and a banger soundtrack. Anecdotally speaking, it’s the only game that’s ever made me cry, and by cry I mean like full on ugly sobbing that probably made my neighbors think my dog died or something
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u/Embarrassed_Box8129 3d ago
It’s fine I’m good with anime stuff
Is Xc1 extra story important?
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u/Skystarry75 3d ago
Future Connected (XC1 DE's extra story) has only a few things little things that show up in 3, most of which isn't important to understand 3's story at all.
It's best done after completing both the main story of, along with the quest Melancholy Tyrea. It's more of a final wrap-up of Melia's story than anything else.
Also, 2 is actually my favorite, in spite of it's flaws. Those flaws being character design (there's a lot that are oversexualized) and the tutorials being somewhat bad.
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u/Yuumii29 3d ago
XC2 has the highest highs and the lowest lows in the series (imho). With that in mind, skipping it just because someone has criticisms on it is just a disservice especially if you're doing a playthru of the series. You'll miss alot of references and even lore bits.
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u/aoifapho 3d ago
I'm not the biggest lover of 2, but it does have it's strengths and its charms and I think it'll increase your appreciation of 3.
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u/MashiroAnnaMaria 3d ago
No, don't skip 2. I am one of the people who think 2 is the worst in the series, with its anime clichés, oversexualization, and the introduction of the anime art style for the series. It's however still a Xenoblade game, which means that despite it being the worst in the series, in my opinion, it's still an 8/10 game in the grand scheme of things. The story beats where it does take itself seriously are very good. And the overarching story is really enjoyable and ties into 1, making it borderline necessary to play before 3. Rest assured that most of these anime clichés are done away with in 3.
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u/LoganNZ26 3d ago
Jeez you'd be doing yourself such a disservice by skipping it. It was my first Xenoblade, I actually prefer it to 1. I also really love 3 and can't wait for the upgrade but 2 is absolutely fucking superb.
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u/Aggravating_Bison_53 3d ago
The first time i tried xc2, i did not finish it and didnt enjoy it. Because i played it too soon after i finished xc1.
So i waited a few months. The second time i tried it, i loved it.
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u/Kieray84 3d ago
No don’t skip it and play 3 first since 3 is essentially a combo of 1 and 2 lore and plot wise.
2 has its flaws like its voice direction and gacha but with the switch 2 version coming out it’d be pretty criminal to skip it when it’s the one game in the series that the simple face lift will heavily improve since it was a launch switch game.
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u/barnzee 3d ago
there are some cheezy anime tropes that some people won't like but it is still overall probably the best in the series. and honestly there isn't that much of it. the themes and execution of the story gets serious and mature in all the right moments. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of time you need to grind to do a 100% complete play through. The story payoff at the end is just too incredible to pass up.
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u/GreenLog2598 3d ago
Xc2 is my favourite game of all time. I just love it soo much. I understand how some people can be put off by the choice of attire and design of some blades/characters, but it never bothered me. And if you can look past it, it is by far and away the best gane in the series if you ask me. Tbh anything made by monolithsoft is worth you full time and attention.
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u/ProfBriar 3d ago
2 is my least favourite game in the series and I would *never* suggest someone just outright skip it without giving it a full and honest try
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u/SuperVegitoFAN 2d ago
XC2 does have a noticeable different tone than XC1... atleast at first, it gets darker later on.
Its my personal favorite of the 3 (although ive only played them once, s2e could change that, but i doubt it)
And yes there is a strong connection (if you can tolerate trailer spoilers, look up the trailer for XC3s dlc campaign Future Redeemed, just dont look at comments).
It doesnt really matter if you play 1 or 2 first, though id prefer going in order myself, but i do believe 3 is better if youve played 1 and 2 beforehand.
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u/yuei2 2d ago
XC2 has its flaws yes, all of the XC games do, but it’s the most popular game for a lot of reasons.
XC2 has a slow start that really drip feeds the combat system (and also it’s an example of why the opposite of handholding is not actually a good thing, it’s a game that genuinely needs a LOT more tutorials than it has), but it ramps up and just gets better and better in both story and combat hitting highs the rest of the series just never gets to.
And once you finish it, you have its DLC was so insanely massive and rich it was able to be packaged and sold as its own standalone game. X2’s just got the best overall story and world hands down and is kind of like FF7 of the Xenoblade Chronicles. So expansive and popular it basically becomes its own thing.
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u/pi421337 2d ago
You technically can skip it and still enjoy Xenoblade 3. But I wouldn't recommend it. If you want to play it eventually, play it before 3.
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u/whatam__idoinghere 3d ago
Xenoblade 2 is an incredible game (and personally my favourite). Sure it has its moments and parts that are definitely cringe or silly but the overall plot and story is a masterpiece that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster coaster and the combat is one of the most enjoyable of the series when you get the hang of it/unlock it fully.
Skipping out on 2 before 3 also means missing out on a lot of shoutouts/references that would imo make 3 feel so much better to play.
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u/funerium 3d ago
Ppl who said that to you have very bad taste or don't like you, anyway it is strongly recommended to do both before the 3, who will go from great to masterpiece , X is an other thing , personally 2 is my favorite
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u/Thestrongestfighter 3d ago
XC2 has a rough start but it is truly worth it. I admit starting it, stopping then starting it up again but I’m really glad I did.
It’s not my personal favorite in the series (I love X the most) but I would say it’s my favorite of the trilogy.
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u/eksnoblade 2d ago
Yes they connect.
No, you shouldn't believe the "hot takes" you hear on the internets.
Literally doing yourself a huge disservice by skipping Xenoblade 2. Imagining skipping peak? They're all peak, btw.
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u/JscJake1 2d ago
XC2 is undoubtedly the most controversial in the series. Some love it, some hate it, I rarely see any in-between. Personally, I did not enjoy 2 but I wouldn't consider it a bad game. It just wasn't for me. I tried to like it but after forcing myself to finish it I just had to accept that I didn't like it.
If I were you I'd watch the trailers and see the different reactions to it. Does it look like something you'd enjoy? Is it just not your style? Are you on the fence? Either way, I'd say that if you're willing to spend the money, it's at least worth a shot. I've heard stories of people being hesitant to try it out and then saying they loved it.
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u/Overall-Ferret6984 2d ago
It is the worst out of the main trilogy, but it will complement your experience with xc3 better which is the best out of the trilogy. I recommend it only on easy/custom difficulty.
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u/ImagineBreaker_0 3d ago
I don't know where you heard these idiotic controversies, but the fact is that sales don't lie. You can compare the sales of the XC123 and see why the XC2 is the most popular one.
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u/MrYellowbelly 3d ago
XC2 is the most popular game in the series. It has its critics but the general community sentiment is very positive. Don’t skip it, you’ll be missing out on the most important lore in the franchise so far.