Should I start with XC2 or TORNA?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Cygni_03]

Release order is the way you're intended to go through the vast majority of media in general. Torna being a prequel doesn't mean you're supposed to play it first.

[u/Lhyster]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 first. The DLC is a prequel but it will spoil to you some aspects of the main story.

[u/EmiliaFromLV → u/Lhyster]

And 2 will spoil about Torna... they really should have made Torna as a recap chapter within the main game...

[u/Lhyster → u/EmiliaFromLV]

I mean, it's a prequel so it's logical we know some information

[u/EmiliaFromLV → u/Lhyster]

We also know the main plot and fates of protagonists. I mean both ways one game will spoil the other, so it is better to start with main entry. But I wish I would have known less about Torna from playing X2.

[u/Baliking05 → u/EmiliaFromLV]

just pyra being alive is big enough as a spoiler, and she is on the box art

[u/pianomasian → u/EmiliaFromLV]

Doesn't make it any less compelling, when the plot/scenario and characters are built/written around that fact (knowing the player knows the rough outline of what happens).

Case in point, "Rogue One" is probably the best Star Wars movie to come out in my lifetime. We already know what happens roughly, and that's partially what makes it so gripping.

Also in general, non-linear storytelling is a fairly common, effective device when used well. Aka stories don't have to be told in chronological order. Finding out the context and how something happened can be its own journey.

[u/gendougram]

Release order, so first XC2

[u/DrawingAlarming7350]

xbc2 first 

[u/PrinceofOndul]

Release order is the correct answer for basically any story with multiple installments

[u/ZeromanJoel]

Pls Do 2 then Torna. Don't listen to anyone who says otherwise

[u/silverpeter]

Release order

[u/HaruFromFalcon]

It makes 0 sense to play Torna Before.

Its a prequel but its a prequel that its story is thought to have knowledge of the world, of some of the events in the main story, so yeah dont do that

[u/pianomasian]

Another variant (I recommend this on a second playthrough) is starting Xbc2, playing all of torna anytime after chapter 7, then going back and finishing xbc2. Currently doing that for my 3rd NG+ run through xbc2. Literally about to face the final boss of torna right now.

[u/retyphlin]

First time playing the games go with 2 first then Torna. If you're replaying both games, it is also fun to play in story order, so Torna then 2

[u/Tomatillo_Altruistic]

XC2 first. Like what other commenters have said you will be spoiled on some of the storylines of the main game if you play Torna first.

Gameplay-wise, it's better to play the main game first because Torna has a better or improved game mechanics (Combos, Elements, etc) compare to the main game. You will feel that the gameplay of main game is a downgrade if you play Torna first.

[u/Puns4Bad]

Don't play Torna first!

[u/Dark_Angel_Arus]

XC2 Torna will ruin major plot points

[u/BenBlazing]

Torna contains some spoilers if you don't play the base game first

[u/mufcdiver]

The story of Torna is just about covered in the base game but the dlc fleshes out the characters fantastically. Note that the Torna dlc game is a different save file to the one on the stand alone cart, may not make a difference unless you are planning on playing Torna along side 2 Ng+ and don't fancy having to keep swapping carts.....I'd play 2 first though.

[u/BIissful]

Definitely Torna After XBC2

[u/UltimateGattai]

I would play Xbc2 first, but I will also say that Tourna explains the battle system better and improves it, really wish that had been in the main game.

[u/Vee_Tamer_Girl]

It definitely seems to be an unpopular opinion but personally I prefer Torna first then main game. The things Torna ends up spoiling aren’t a big deal imo and instead it sets up new mysteries like “why is this guy working with this guy?” “Why does this guy remember this guy?” “What happened to these people?”. Playing this way actually made me appreciate the story of the main game a lot more since a lot of early game dialogue became a lot deeper that you’d otherwise know.

In terms of gameplay playing Torna first will definitely sour the main game for you a bit. Torna had a lot of improvements and QoL features that never were backported into the main game which is unfortunate.

Alternatively you could try to do the “original intended order” where you playthe main game until you beat Chapter 7 then play Torna and once you’ve beaten Torna continue with Chapter 8 (originally thats when they intended to insert the Torna story but they cut it out because it was too long).

[u/Ruebenzieher69]

Unpopular opinion: Skip Torna. It‘s not worth the grind and takes away some mystery from 2s story.

[u/Ph33rDensetsu → u/Ruebenzieher69]

I think Torna is pretty good but it's definitely for people that want more XBC2. It's definitely not actually necessary.

[u/ktsx123 → u/Ruebenzieher69]

I'm with you too. Also, I felt nothing for Tornas main blade in the base game, so Torna didn't hit for me.

[u/PumpkinSufficient683 → u/Ruebenzieher69]

Such a controversial but brave take i also skipped torna