User:ClevelandSteamdeck

About Me
I'm a guy who plays video games, and has too much free time on his hands. That's all you need to know.

You can have my opinions on the games, at least. Not about every character though, not even I want to write that much.

Xeno Series Catalog
You're liable to hear a lot more nitpicking here than genuine complaining, but picking nits is just too much fun.

Xenogears- I have the means to play it, but I've only just fooled around in Lahan Village and spoken to various NPCs. Something to play eventually.

Xenosaga- Not played it any, but I have read up on various parts of the lore and narrative. A cursory understanding of some characters and plot beats. Will play at some point.

Xenoblade Chronicles- Played the Wii version, then Definitive back to back. My introduction to the series, and oh man. While the combat hasn't aged the best looking back, I absolutely love it. Wonderful story, characters, environments, music, and so on. No real complaints here.

Future Connected- A decent extra chapter to Xenoblade 1. I liked seeing Melia catch a break, because 1 was almost comical with its punishment of her. I only wish we could've gotten a Dunban or Fiora clone, because you would always be playing with one handicap. (No, Tyrea should not have been a Fiora clone, even though she should have been playable). I would have happily paid for a more substantial rendition of it, but I am satisfied with what we got.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2- Another wonderful title, however slightly flawed. Higher emotional highs than 1, but flaws in the presentation keep it from surpassing its predecessor for me. And no, I didn't dislike the final scene. Cry about it. A lot of it's "flaws" are also a subjective matter; if you genuinely cannot tear your eyes from Mythra's bust to actually get invested, you should be playing something else. Otherwise, quit complaining.

XC2: TTGC- One of the best expansions I've ever played. Only further cemented my love for the series, and lacked any of the complaints I had, or would commonly hear regarding 2. Community was fine. Further contextualized some events in 2, and twisted a few knives. The final boss battle (Malos, not Gort. Gort sucks.) still gives me chills.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3- Absolute masterpiece, and my favorite game of all time. Everything that worked about 1 and 2 were brought to new heights in 3, while bringing the themes full circle. On top of that, I thoroughly enjoyed side quests in 3, where with 1 and 2 I'd be more relieved "oh thank God, I finally finished it".

Future Redeemed- The absolute cherry on top of the grand Xeno sundae. The culmination of the entire trilogy beforehand, representing the best ideas both of a prequel and epilogue to 3. Evolving the themes and message of 3 while further connecting it to 1 and 2, giving Shulk and Rex meaningful and consistent continuations as characters.