Reyn mid-game: What use am I if I can't protect Shulk? Reyn end-game: MAGNUM CHARGE, BERSERK, SWORD DRIVE!!!!! _deals 1 million damage_ Now THAT'S what I call a character arc!
My favorite part about Dunban is how he has to accept that he's no longer the mentor. Him nearly killing Mumkhar is the most obvious example, but him being reminded of his values by Riki of all people really made for a great reality check for him. He almost lost his way, but Shulk and Riki put him back on the right path. Yet another reason why Xenoblade is excellent for character study.
I really appreciate the focus of this video being solely on Xenoblade, Monado: Beginning of the World, and not on the entire Xenoblade series that's grown from that first game since. It has so much to offer on its own that I think a lot of people overlook nowadays in favor of focusing more on XB2's recontextualizing of the entire story.
Oh absolutely! Super glad to see someone think this way as well. I really agree especially in the context of Zanza where I see a lot of people think XC2 is what makes him good
I don't know that I have all that much to say. I felt the need to leave a comment, because it feels right to acknowledge and promote analysis work this high in quality. As I watched your essay, I've paused it to take notes and organise my thoughts a couple times. You've taught me a number of things, a number of perspectives about a fifteen year old work of art. In truth, you've taught me a number of things about myself. Thank you.
Really glad to see someone properly talk about 1’s characters, I feel like even though 2 & 3 have really strong casts 1 gets overlooked a little which is a shame since it’s my favourite of the three. Also I’m glad you talked about zanza since I’ve seen so many people say stuff like 1 was good until the zanza stuff which is so weird since the story doesn’t even work without him
This is a freaking excellent video. I never made the connection between Makna Forest's geographic location and the Nopons' easygoing nature. It makes their inclusion feel more meaningful than just the mascot characters that they are often derided as.
Incredible work! I hadn't even noticed or thought about most of the points you made... You're probably the only person I've heard actually validate Riki's role as the party's emotional rock and "guide," helping people chill out and enjoy living when they're all enraged and ready to move forward into violent chaos. I'm disappointed in myself for never drawing the parallel between Melia and Fiora's imperfections... Very well done!
This analysis helped a appreciate Zanza’s impact on the story and how he ties into its themes. It makes his sudden appearance at the end of the game work much better for me
I've been thinking about Xenoblade 3 pretty much nonstop since it came out, which has also meant thinking about this game again. I think I might've been too young to understand what this game was doing thematically when I played it the first time, and that's been really clouding my ability to fully understand 3 (the whole "1 is about the future, 2 is about the past, 3 is about the present" thing has really tripped me up). This is is a really incredible analysis, and it did a lot to help me understand what this game has to say, and how that message fits into the trilogy that was built around it. Really great stuff!!
as a person who has spent a lot of time thinking about xenoblade 1. i must say you've done an excellent job. i feel like i learned something about one of my favorite games
What a fantastic analysis! I'd always loved the cast of Xenoblade 1, and you put into clear, incredibly detailed words why they struck so well with me when I'd previously struggled to tie together what made the whole cast work so well. And the way you tied it into Zanza's own issues enriched my own view of him; I liked him as an antagonist, but he felt simple compared to richer, more human foes like Egil, Dickson, and Mumkhar, so this really helped change my thoughts on him. The explanation at the end of what divinity truly means really helped sell the ending section for me, where before it felt like it didn't fully connect with what we saw of him, now it meshes together more cleanly. This helped me slot in those missing pieces that hadn't clicked for me before, which makes one of my favorite games shine even brighter, so thanks a bunch for putting these thoughts out there!
it’s so cool seeing a game designer’s perspective. i rarely ever see analyses that go this far beyond just talking about cutscenes. seeing you cover music analysis, level design, and gameplay as a part of the story as opposed to as a separate section was so interesting and really made me think more!
Incredible video. As expected, there were probably 10 different moments that made me go: "Huh, I've literally never thought about that before." Never paid attention to "visions of the future" being used in the way it was, never thought about Fallen Arm and Colony 9 biologically sharing such similar structure, and never actively thought about how the Mechonis and Bionis both emphasize different issues stemming from dwelling on the past and being terrified of the future respectively. Super stoked to see what video(s) you make next. You know we'll be there for it!
This video made me realise just how little xenoblade 1 gets analyzed compared to the other two, I love this trilogy, and Xenoblade 1 is especially special to me. So its great to hear someone give it some analysis. Also Riki is Bestest Heropon.
I think it’s because the world building and overall character writing isn’t as compelling as the later games. There are serious flaws with the first 7 or so chapters that fans like to gloss over as well.
Great video! The whole Bionis and the future vs. Mechonis and the past perspective was really well thought out. It also ties into an earlier draft of the plot, where Reyn infamously would betray the party, after Sharla dies. He would then "use the power of the Mechonis to change the past". Shulk would then fight Reyn and "use the power of the Bionis to change the future"
Phenomenal work analysing xenoblade 1! The game is so much deeper and relatable than so many people give it credit for, specifically when it comes to the main party. Although it's also my favourite game, there are a lot of points you pointed out that felt like an eye-opening experience to parts of the game I never quite looked into (specifically on the whole subtly Zanza-driven plotline, and even Dunban and Shulk's mirrored development up to Sword Valley, which definitely shed new light on their final fight with Metal Face). Thank you for putting in so much time and effort to create this amazing video essay!
I feel like the game just completely falls on its face when trying to deliver emotion, because the characters and their relationships are not given the attention that they needed in order to be effective. 2 and especially 3 excel at this tremendously more.
@@jairekambui7738 that is true to an extent, but I think that’s mostly because of how limited the character’s interactions are in the game outside of story cutscenes, intended or not. The story makes it so you’re quickly whisked away to the next location after defeating the boss of the area, and there’s never really a moment for the main cast to take a break and interact with each other when the Monado’s taking you on it’s wild ride. Compared to 2 and 3 which focus more on exploring the world and it’s inhabitants than anything, they allow for longer quests with unique dialogue and interactions to fit their pace. While 1 certainly lags behind in the character writing department, it still brings something to the table, that being the heart-to-hearts and the skill tree unlock quests, alongside the story cutscenes which I think contribute at least a little to fleshing out each of the main cast’s strengths and internal conflicts. Regardless, it’s a game that leaves much food for thought, and I hope that’s something we can agree on at the end of the day.
@@ethanol929 Personally I feel like that’s not really a great excuse, there’s plenty of jrpgs that have a story with underlying urgency that still take the time to slow down and have meaningful character interactions. I don’t buy the excuse that the characters are too caught up in themselves to talk about things either. I just feel like there are a lot of kinks in Xenoblade 1 and rough elements to the whole thing that kinda bring down the experience that were majorly improved in the sequels, especially the world building, combat, questing and characters. I mean the final area of the game is just going back to prison island lol. Kinda weak compared to the World Tree/Orbital Station and Origin from 2 and 3. That’s certainly true, it’s a good jrpg and a good foundation for what comes after. I definitely prefer 2 and 3 over 1 in basically every way. I agreed with and understood basically everything in this video, and the game is still not in my favorites like 2 and 3 are. That being said, it’s still a game worth analyzing and discussing. Especially characters like Zanza who I especially enjoy considering the context of the character Klaus from 2. I just found many aspects disappointing to me personally after coming from Xenoblade 2 as my first game and hearing about how supposedly amazing this game was. I played it a second time and it was a mixed bag of me disliking it more but also appreciating it for what it is.
this is SUCH a good analysis, i want my therapist to watch this. I also love how every single theme explored here builds the foundation of understanding the conflict in XB3. such good work
“i want my therapist to watch this” might be my favorite response ive gotten LOL. thank you so much!! and i absolutely agree about how well xc1 builds the thematic framework of the series
Xenoblade chronicles is one of my favorite games i ever played in my life if it wasn't for smash i wouldn't have found out about this masterpiece of a game, i relayed the game like maybe 10 times including the 3ds and switch.i couldn't get enough of it.
I love this game to death and have played every single iteration of it. It was my favorite game for such a long time. With all that being said, you've brought some attention to certain details and expanded on them in ways I had never thought of. Especially the character of Riki. I had always known he was way more carefree than the rest, but when you expand on exactly *WHY*, it really hits home. This video is so wonderfully done. We are super lucky to have the chance to fall in love with this story all over again through your video and superb thematic analysis. Thank you!
This is maybe the best condensed work I've read related to the xenoseries I've ever seen and understood. This recontextualized and affirmed so many parts of the story I overlooked. Of course that makes sense, as you have played this game so many times over it would be difficult not to come to some of these conclusions. Thank you so much for making this video. This directly enhanced all of my love and appreciation for all of the xeno games that I have and haven't played. Like damn. Takahashi is an amazing writer to have done all of his work and inspired so many people. Just xenoblade 1 alone has so much depth to it, and I'm sure there's even more that can be read into each game. Thank you, again for making this 50 minute video dawg. I'm gonna watch the trinity vid after writing this.
Visions of the Future is this game's But Nobody Came! Such a brilliant interpretation! It would never have occurred to me. Makes me wonder about the connection between Chain Attacks and Origin in 3. Honestly there are a hundred big moments I could point out. I'll have to watch this more than a few times!
Wow, this was such an incredible breakdown! I'm happy to see people still talking about the original Xenoblade, and I was right to be excited when I saw this gem of a video in my recommended. I was not expecting to watch it all in one sitting, but you provided such a fresh and interesting perspective to the writing in this game, and even blew my mind a few times like with the parallels between the Fallen Arm and Colony 9. I've always focused on the narrative's cycles of hatred and revenge when I thought back on the game, but I never really saw how Zanza fit into the entire picture beyond being a catalyst for these cycles. The way that you tied everything up nicely with your thematic analysis of the story was amazing, especially how it allowed Zanza's character to fit in perfectly as the antithesis of what Shulk had become by the end of the story. I don't think I'll ever be tired of seeing people discuss this game. I'll always consider it a prime example of how video games can be a unique and deeply impactful artistic medium. Thank you for this wonderful analysis!
I'm only 7 minutes in, and I'm already sooooo impressed by this video. I never realized how much Zanza was pushing his narrative with the visions, and yet it makes so much sense. I thought I already loved this game enough, and I still have 43 more minutes of reasons to love it even more!
That scene between riki and dundun really changed my perspective of a fraud heropon to a true heir of heroponess. He was one my fav characters from the moment he appeared the first time, but that one scene solidified it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this lovely game series ❤
I was literally thinking about the final boss visions this past week! There's a lot I can say about them, but I'll leave it at: good eye! As for Zanza's motivations, it's worth noting that his traits are a composite of his Xenosaga forebears-Dmitri Yuriev and Grimoire Verum. Details aside, all three did essentially the same experiment. Verum, like Klaus, was subliminated into another dimension with his ego intact [albeit, for different reasons]. Both unintentionally draw a female significant other into their schemes, though Verum knowingly experimented on his daughter, Nephilim, while Galea was in proximity with Klaus. Notably, Nephilim is a Biblical type of giant, and Galea transforms into the Mechonis. Yuriev, like Klaus, is defined by a primordial fear of disintigrating into the collective unconscious after the experiment, and so try to perpetuate their existence by using others as avatars. More than that, the Alvis parallel, U-DO, is heavily implied to be motivated by loneliness in extra material. The latter basically infects Yuriev with that emotion, motivating him to try to destroy it, which would in turn destroy the universe.
So I watched the video and I thought it was amazing. There are a lot of stories and messages about “the future is what you make it” and to demonstrate many of the bad things that often leads to. It really connects this story well to its sequel in a way I haven’t really thought about before and overall yeah this was great.
This video really helped me appreciate the characters of XC1! To me, the cast was always a favorite don't get me wrong, but it didn't have as much meat on the bones as XC2 or XC3. The interpretations gave me a far better grasp on what the writers were going for.
This was one of the best thematic analyses for xenoblade 1 I've seen in a long while. I really enjoyed how you viewed the conflict of the story through the lens of each character and their arcs. Especially as of late where I feel a lot of people have been downplaying the xc1 party, it feels nice to see someone else recognize the subtleties of the cast. I especially enjoyed your lens on Sharla, as I haven't considered that perspective on her character before, and it made me appreciate her all the more for it.
The characters just aren’t as strong or leave as much of an impact as the ones from 2 and 3. The story was clearly written with a plot first characters second framework, which works for some people but not everyone. It’s that simple.
@@jairekambui7738 I actually disagree on the front of the characters not being as strong as other games. Maybe it's my personal attachment to them, but I love xc1's cast wholeheartedly, more than 2's and just as much as 3's, in fact.
@@emilybeckstrand5413 I think I only like a couple characters in the cast, and I really struggle with Shulk because I think the intro of the game is really poorly done. Not a big fan of Reyn, Sharla, Riki or Fiora. Then again, 1 is my least favorite and my first game was 2, so that has something to do with it. 3’s cast is so much better in my opinion it’s not even close, but 2 is my favorite for sure. 1 just feels like a lot is missing.
I've been following for ages, so I knew a solid amount of your reasoning behind enjoying Zanza so much from that one giant doc you posted. But for some reason, hearing it again in this video really helped me understand that mindset a lot better. Also, it's just so impressive how well the game communicates all of this character progression with very little direct dialogue. Probably one of the best examples I've ever seen of "show, don't tell." The dialogue, especially the H2H's, does an incredible job of implying the issues the characters feel by repeatedly showing the impact of those character flaws. Great job on the video!
Thank you!! That doc has definitely gotten pretty outdated at this point so it’s super nice to hear that this one was better communicated :) I 100% agree with you about the use of ‘show, don’t tell’ as well, it’s a huge part of why I like the writing so much
hey hi hello this is a fantastic analysis, you have caused this game to take up even more of my mind than it did before. VISIONS OF THE FUTURE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RECONTEXTULIZED TO ME AMD NOW im completely in love with it ugh. fantastic video. My next time through ng+ is gonna be a real trip with all this running through my head thank you thabk you
Great video and all, I love how you broke down all the characters and their arcs, and helped to give context to that Sword Valley scene. HOWEVER, I very much disagree with you about Visions of the Future, as I have NEVER found it to be "Anxiety Inducing" or whatever. To me, it's always been a hype song, telling me "YOU CAN DO IT!", the "I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with ME!" song, the "end of the struggle" if you will. Maybe that's just part of my personality talking, but that's how I've always heard it. Been that way ever since the ori-Wii-ginal version too. Also, when you mentioned the characters learning to accept the worst parts of themselves, or whatever, I was reminded of the 4th Skill Tree Branch quests for each character as that's what the quests, and the name of each respective 4th skill tree branch intale (
That’s completely valid!! Given how intense the song is, I definitely see how some people would view it as hype as well. I do think the part around 30 seconds in especially has a pretty frantic/alarming/negative tone, but music is subjective And yeah I agree that the skill trees do a great job of that! I’m definitely interested in doing full individual character analyses in the future since these were mainly focused on how they tie into the themes, so we will see!
Fantastic video! I love all the points you brought up. My favorite part has to be where you talk about Shulk’s inside voices. The one telling him to get revenge is definitely Zanza inside him telling him. That cutscene is pure foreshadowing. 🤩 Once Shulk defeats Egil at the Mechonis Core and is about to behead him, that voice, Zanza, tells him to do it but then Shulk snaps out of it. It’s so wild how it all came together!
It was a great video and analysis I've been thinking about this game forever since I finished it There's so much things to say about it Anyway thank you for your hard work
Thank you so much for this beautifully deep analisys, there's so much i have felt about about xenoblades writing and game design aproach that i have felt but wasnt ever able to put into words
i genuinely hope to make a video essay as good as this one. Made me think of xenoblade 1 a lot after watching and you explained your points super well and in depth! I'd love more content like this!
Firstly, loved the vid. I've been getting back into xenoblade theories/essays recently and its been super interesting. Your last video on the trinity processor was super helpful bc that's the part of the lore I was least familiar with. In the last essay, you mentioned Zanza and Meyneth being stand-ins for Logos and Pneuma and it got me thinking about who is who (if there needs to be a connection). From what I'm hearing it seems like Meyneth is more like Pneuma (Fiora, Matthew, Noah, Pyra/Mythra) while Zanza is more like Logos (Egil, Malos, N/Moebius). I'm still not super sure on the personality of Pneuma outside of trusting/looking toward the future but I feel like the people who most closely associate with Logos have that endless now/fear due to past or present possession of something. N wanted Mio, Moebius/the world wanted security, Malos uhh idk what he wanted bc its all Amalthus (thus why I'm wondering if there is a throughline for Logos and Pneuma personalities or if it's strictly based on who they bonded with), Egil I guess might be more Pneuma but got it twisted as it were. I figured you might have some more cohesive thoughts regarding this, because the Trinity Processor stuff was the part of XB2 that stuck with me least.
Fantastic video. Xenoblade 1 is my favorite game too and you got me too see new things about the characters development even after my many playthroughs. it feels like everything in this game ties into eachother no matter how miniscule. would love to see more videos like this!
This was a wonderful video. Fantastic insight into the story, characters, and music that had me tearing up a bit at the beauty of the game :,) It was already my favorite game, and you've only made me see even more reasons why it's so special. The music queues and background clips were obviously carefully chosen and timed as well. I've been following you on Twitter, but I'm definitely going to be checking out your other videos here too. Looking forward to them!
Subscribed! Xenoblade Chronicles is my favorite game thematically but I couldn't fully understand why the story made such a subconscious impact on me. Watching your video helped flesh out those points (without me having to play through the game multiple times). Can't wait for your next deep dive video (maybe XC2/3). Also, I think it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts on Nier Automata, which sometimes feels like a foil to XC's themes.
I’m actually in the middle of a Nier Replicant playthrough right now, and am absolutely adoring the game! Will be moving to Automata after so we’ll see how I feel about it
Fantastic work, you've earned a sub in me! Everything you said is why I still hold Xenoblade 1 in high regard to this day even if you can critique some things about it. Your points about the gameplay and the world design working to get you to empathize with the characters is spot on. As much as people despise Visions of the Future, that just means it serves its purpose of cutting through whatever is happening and creating that feeling of anxiety Shulk experiences by seeing a possible future. Can't wait to hear more insights from this channel, Xenoblade or not.
What a wonderful, wonderful video! Think this will be one I'll be rewatching from time to time :) I love this game and your way of talking about it is great ^^
YEAHH!! please do more games! i loved this video essay and a lot of this stuff went over my head during my playthrough. I'd love to see a xc3 analysis if you end up doing one some day
This video is so good. Xenoblade Chronicles is one of my favorite vidoe games of all time. I hated Xenoblade 2 and am now scared to play Xenoblade 3. But Xenoblade 1 is such a masterpiece of a game and this video is amazing ive ever seen anything like this on this game and im glad it exitests. Great video and amazing game that is super duper underratted
If it makes you feel better, 3 takes a lot from 1 and avoids a lot of the things to dislike about 2, so you shouldn't be so scared to try it out! You could say it's a good mix of both games in a lot of ways.
I’m very excited to watch this video! Tbh while I love it a lot, i think Xenoblade 1 is my least favorite of the trilogy (it’s only my 4th favorite game ever, how terrible) so i am very excited to see a bigger fan of it really show why it’s such a great game thematically.
Zing blaze is on par with the legend of Zelda, Kingdom hearts, and I guess every final fantasy series! Shulk Is such an incredible character we may have characters like Link(Legend of Zelda),Pit(Kid icarus Uprising)Sora(Kingdom Hearts),Cloud,Rex(Xenoblade) and MegaMan, But Shulk It’s such an interesting character!
Thank you for making this video, I've played this game so many times since it's released and I'm always happy seeing other people interpretations of the themes of this game. I've not finished the video yet but I have some thoughts I wanted to share before i continue: -Zanza's plan didn't require Egil, Egil was merely a problem that had to be dealt with. Even if Egil decided not to fight Lorithea and Dickson would still be doing what they can to resurrect Zanza, without the pressure of having to deal with an enemy that knows what Zanza is and how to weaken him. And the idea that people wouldn't have any reason to use the Monado is naive, if a war was needed the trinity would spark one, and the Monado would still be very effective against man made machines like the mobile artillery. -I really like your Reyn interpretation and I will add the fact that Reyn feels out of place around the other characters. The sole reason he departed the adventure was to avenge his city and protect Shulk, but what he was expecting was a great adventure with his best friend (Reyn is also very emotional intelligent), but over the course of the journey the party got bigger, he has trouble dealing with Riki, and the other characters are often mad at him. Shulk also becomes more distant simply because he's involved in bigger deals. -One line about Sharla: I think she projects her relationship on Melia too -Dunban is one of the more nuanced characters in the xeno series, but I believe his most important character trait is that he masks his true feelings for pragmatism. When he talks to Shulk after Fiora's death it's pretty clear he's lying, he wants revenge, he wants to fight the mechon, but he acts stoic because he feels the need to act as a role model for Shulk, the same applies to his relationships with other characters, the HtH between him and Shulk at Bionis leg really shows how his behaviour is mostly an act to guide the group. And it's prefectly in theme that during the last battle with Mumkhar Dunban's real feelings emerge, the ones he talks with Reyn in Alcamoth after Prison island. I don't think he regresses, I think that Dunban at heart is closer to Zanza's influenced Shulk than the stoic demeaner he acts.
5:04 Zanza created the Monado? Was that mentioned somewhere in Monado Archives? Because that doesn't sound right considering Alvis said "I am Monado" and was around since before this universe of XB1 even came into existence. He wielded the monado to initiate the war, but from what I remember he didn't create it.
Zanza states that he forged the Monado during the first Prison Island sequence. This is specifically referring to the original Monado that eventually fully transforms into Zanza’s Monado at Mechonis Core. Meanwhile, Alvis is tied to the true Monado (Monado III) which is separate
@@PhantomHeit ahh right! Been a bit iffy on my XB lore knowledge lately, focusing way more on XG lore in recent years, so I'm always happy to get corrections. Thanks!
Hey PhantomHeit. Great video. When you have the time, I hope you watch my 'The Psychology of N and Noah' analysis on XC3, chapter 5. I think it might be of interest to you. Would love to hear your thoughts on it Much love,
I've been meaning to play all Xenoblade games again someday. Maybe I will find new things on them just like you. Btw, are you gonna do something like this for the other games?
I just think that the themes and concepts of this game are betrayed by the failures of the writing staff when it comes to building a world, developing characters and establishing relationships to care about. I’ve played Xenoblade 1 twice and I can’t be bothered to care about half the cast, and the other half I feel was mishandled to varying degrees. One of my least favorite parts of the game is the very beginning, where the game has a very classic rpg beginning complete with the hero’s hometown getting attacked and the main love interest getting “killed” queue emotions! I guess? Or the scene with Sorean as he dies. Why do I care about these characters? The game has done nothing to endear me to them or make me care about them. They’re little more than plot devices for character motivation and it all just feels so shallow. I like Zanza and the concepts he’s associated with and he’s probably my favorite character in the game, but the cast is just so incredibly impotent compared to 2 and 3 that I can’t bring myself to care. I always wondered why this game was so praised, and after playing it twice, I still have to say I prefer the sequels by a mile in every way. I need something more than just interesting themes and concepts, (for example, the concept of Zanza becoming angry that his “creations” forgot him while Mayneths remembered her and worshipped her, and the thought of how would a god feel to have been forgotten by his own creations while viewing the opposite happen to another god) I need meaningful execution and emotional weight and I think this game was unable to deliver that. Coming from Xenoblade 2, I was very disappointed in this game’s narrative approach and while I appreciate the in depth analysis, it doesn’t really sway my opinion of this being the worst in the trilogy. Also, no matter the justification, there’s no excuse for how railroaded and devoid of good character moments XC1 is. It taking until you get to the mechonis for the characters to start talking to each other about something other than where they need to go, and what they have to do when they get there, doesn’t leave a lot of room for meaningful character interaction. It’s my least favorite part of the entire game, and the heart to hearts don’t help much either. I appreciate you tried to justify this but it’s just a clear failing on the original team’s part that they rectified greatly in the sequels.
In conclusion: Once We Part Ways is peak
you see the vision!! top 3 songs in the game for sure
Reyn mid-game: What use am I if I can't protect Shulk?
Reyn end-game: MAGNUM CHARGE, BERSERK, SWORD DRIVE!!!!! _deals 1 million damage_
Now THAT'S what I call a character arc!
so this video just redefined my entire definition of media literacy
My favorite part about Dunban is how he has to accept that he's no longer the mentor. Him nearly killing Mumkhar is the most obvious example, but him being reminded of his values by Riki of all people really made for a great reality check for him. He almost lost his way, but Shulk and Riki put him back on the right path. Yet another reason why Xenoblade is excellent for character study.
I really appreciate the focus of this video being solely on Xenoblade, Monado: Beginning of the World, and not on the entire Xenoblade series that's grown from that first game since. It has so much to offer on its own that I think a lot of people overlook nowadays in favor of focusing more on XB2's recontextualizing of the entire story.
Oh absolutely! Super glad to see someone think this way as well. I really agree especially in the context of Zanza where I see a lot of people think XC2 is what makes him good
@PhantomHeit I hate when people say that. It ignores all the character building done in this game.
I don't know that I have all that much to say. I felt the need to leave a comment, because it feels right to acknowledge and promote analysis work this high in quality.
As I watched your essay, I've paused it to take notes and organise my thoughts a couple times. You've taught me a number of things, a number of perspectives about a fifteen year old work of art. In truth, you've taught me a number of things about myself. Thank you.
It means so much to me to hear something like this! I’m really glad it was able to make an impact :)
Really glad to see someone properly talk about 1’s characters, I feel like even though 2 & 3 have really strong casts 1 gets overlooked a little which is a shame since it’s my favourite of the three. Also I’m glad you talked about zanza since I’ve seen so many people say stuff like 1 was good until the zanza stuff which is so weird since the story doesn’t even work without him
Also love your content so far, I love hearing other people’s thoughts on the xeno games :)))
My reaction to this video:
"YES! YES! YES! YES!"
This is a freaking excellent video. I never made the connection between Makna Forest's geographic location and the Nopons' easygoing nature. It makes their inclusion feel more meaningful than just the mascot characters that they are often derided as.
Criminally underrated
Incredible work! I hadn't even noticed or thought about most of the points you made... You're probably the only person I've heard actually validate Riki's role as the party's emotional rock and "guide," helping people chill out and enjoy living when they're all enraged and ready to move forward into violent chaos. I'm disappointed in myself for never drawing the parallel between Melia and Fiora's imperfections... Very well done!
ZANZA MY BELOVED 🙏🙏🙏🙏
YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I'm@@PhantomHeit
This analysis helped a appreciate Zanza’s impact on the story and how he ties into its themes. It makes his sudden appearance at the end of the game work much better for me
I've been thinking about Xenoblade 3 pretty much nonstop since it came out, which has also meant thinking about this game again. I think I might've been too young to understand what this game was doing thematically when I played it the first time, and that's been really clouding my ability to fully understand 3 (the whole "1 is about the future, 2 is about the past, 3 is about the present" thing has really tripped me up). This is is a really incredible analysis, and it did a lot to help me understand what this game has to say, and how that message fits into the trilogy that was built around it. Really great stuff!!
as a person who has spent a lot of time thinking about xenoblade 1. i must say you've done an excellent job. i feel like i learned something about one of my favorite games
What a fantastic analysis! I'd always loved the cast of Xenoblade 1, and you put into clear, incredibly detailed words why they struck so well with me when I'd previously struggled to tie together what made the whole cast work so well. And the way you tied it into Zanza's own issues enriched my own view of him; I liked him as an antagonist, but he felt simple compared to richer, more human foes like Egil, Dickson, and Mumkhar, so this really helped change my thoughts on him. The explanation at the end of what divinity truly means really helped sell the ending section for me, where before it felt like it didn't fully connect with what we saw of him, now it meshes together more cleanly. This helped me slot in those missing pieces that hadn't clicked for me before, which makes one of my favorite games shine even brighter, so thanks a bunch for putting these thoughts out there!
it’s so cool seeing a game designer’s perspective. i rarely ever see analyses that go this far beyond just talking about cutscenes. seeing you cover music analysis, level design, and gameplay as a part of the story as opposed to as a separate section was so interesting and really made me think more!
I am obsessed with Xenoblade and I love seeing quality content about it like this.
Incredible video. As expected, there were probably 10 different moments that made me go: "Huh, I've literally never thought about that before." Never paid attention to "visions of the future" being used in the way it was, never thought about Fallen Arm and Colony 9 biologically sharing such similar structure, and never actively thought about how the Mechonis and Bionis both emphasize different issues stemming from dwelling on the past and being terrified of the future respectively. Super stoked to see what video(s) you make next. You know we'll be there for it!
As always I appreciate it so much!! Tysm for being so supportive 🫶
This video made me realise just how little xenoblade 1 gets analyzed compared to the other two, I love this trilogy, and Xenoblade 1 is especially special to me. So its great to hear someone give it some analysis. Also Riki is Bestest Heropon.
I think it’s because the world building and overall character writing isn’t as compelling as the later games. There are serious flaws with the first 7 or so chapters that fans like to gloss over as well.
Great video! The whole Bionis and the future vs. Mechonis and the past perspective was really well thought out.
It also ties into an earlier draft of the plot, where Reyn infamously would betray the party, after Sharla dies. He would then "use the power of the Mechonis to change the past". Shulk would then fight Reyn and "use the power of the Bionis to change the future"
Well im replaying this game again. This is a really well thought out video essay!
Phenomenal work analysing xenoblade 1! The game is so much deeper and relatable than so many people give it credit for, specifically when it comes to the main party. Although it's also my favourite game, there are a lot of points you pointed out that felt like an eye-opening experience to parts of the game I never quite looked into (specifically on the whole subtly Zanza-driven plotline, and even Dunban and Shulk's mirrored development up to Sword Valley, which definitely shed new light on their final fight with Metal Face). Thank you for putting in so much time and effort to create this amazing video essay!
I feel like the game just completely falls on its face when trying to deliver emotion, because the characters and their relationships are not given the attention that they needed in order to be effective. 2 and especially 3 excel at this tremendously more.
@@jairekambui7738 that is true to an extent, but I think that’s mostly because of how limited the character’s interactions are in the game outside of story cutscenes, intended or not. The story makes it so you’re quickly whisked away to the next location after defeating the boss of the area, and there’s never really a moment for the main cast to take a break and interact with each other when the Monado’s taking you on it’s wild ride. Compared to 2 and 3 which focus more on exploring the world and it’s inhabitants than anything, they allow for longer quests with unique dialogue and interactions to fit their pace. While 1 certainly lags behind in the character writing department, it still brings something to the table, that being the heart-to-hearts and the skill tree unlock quests, alongside the story cutscenes which I think contribute at least a little to fleshing out each of the main cast’s strengths and internal conflicts.
Regardless, it’s a game that leaves much food for thought, and I hope that’s something we can agree on at the end of the day.
@@ethanol929 Personally I feel like that’s not really a great excuse, there’s plenty of jrpgs that have a story with underlying urgency that still take the time to slow down and have meaningful character interactions. I don’t buy the excuse that the characters are too caught up in themselves to talk about things either. I just feel like there are a lot of kinks in Xenoblade 1 and rough elements to the whole thing that kinda bring down the experience that were majorly improved in the sequels, especially the world building, combat, questing and characters. I mean the final area of the game is just going back to prison island lol. Kinda weak compared to the World Tree/Orbital Station and Origin from 2 and 3.
That’s certainly true, it’s a good jrpg and a good foundation for what comes after. I definitely prefer 2 and 3 over 1 in basically every way. I agreed with and understood basically everything in this video, and the game is still not in my favorites like 2 and 3 are. That being said, it’s still a game worth analyzing and discussing. Especially characters like Zanza who I especially enjoy considering the context of the character Klaus from 2. I just found many aspects disappointing to me personally after coming from Xenoblade 2 as my first game and hearing about how supposedly amazing this game was. I played it a second time and it was a mixed bag of me disliking it more but also appreciating it for what it is.
this is SUCH a good analysis, i want my therapist to watch this. I also love how every single theme explored here builds the foundation of understanding the conflict in XB3. such good work
“i want my therapist to watch this” might be my favorite response ive gotten LOL. thank you so much!! and i absolutely agree about how well xc1 builds the thematic framework of the series
Xenoblade chronicles is one of my favorite games i ever played in my life if it wasn't for smash i wouldn't have found out about this masterpiece of a game, i relayed the game like maybe 10 times including the 3ds and switch.i couldn't get enough of it.
I love this game to death and have played every single iteration of it. It was my favorite game for such a long time. With all that being said, you've brought some attention to certain details and expanded on them in ways I had never thought of. Especially the character of Riki. I had always known he was way more carefree than the rest, but when you expand on exactly *WHY*, it really hits home.
This video is so wonderfully done. We are super lucky to have the chance to fall in love with this story all over again through your video and superb thematic analysis. Thank you!
This is maybe the best condensed work I've read related to the xenoseries I've ever seen and understood. This recontextualized and affirmed so many parts of the story I overlooked. Of course that makes sense, as you have played this game so many times over it would be difficult not to come to some of these conclusions. Thank you so much for making this video. This directly enhanced all of my love and appreciation for all of the xeno games that I have and haven't played. Like damn. Takahashi is an amazing writer to have done all of his work and inspired so many people. Just xenoblade 1 alone has so much depth to it, and I'm sure there's even more that can be read into each game. Thank you, again for making this 50 minute video dawg. I'm gonna watch the trinity vid after writing this.
Visions of the Future is this game's But Nobody Came! Such a brilliant interpretation! It would never have occurred to me. Makes me wonder about the connection between Chain Attacks and Origin in 3. Honestly there are a hundred big moments I could point out. I'll have to watch this more than a few times!
I wish you made more videos like this. Would definitely love to see more
Wow, this was such an incredible breakdown! I'm happy to see people still talking about the original Xenoblade, and I was right to be excited when I saw this gem of a video in my recommended. I was not expecting to watch it all in one sitting, but you provided such a fresh and interesting perspective to the writing in this game, and even blew my mind a few times like with the parallels between the Fallen Arm and Colony 9.
I've always focused on the narrative's cycles of hatred and revenge when I thought back on the game, but I never really saw how Zanza fit into the entire picture beyond being a catalyst for these cycles. The way that you tied everything up nicely with your thematic analysis of the story was amazing, especially how it allowed Zanza's character to fit in perfectly as the antithesis of what Shulk had become by the end of the story.
I don't think I'll ever be tired of seeing people discuss this game. I'll always consider it a prime example of how video games can be a unique and deeply impactful artistic medium. Thank you for this wonderful analysis!
I'm only 7 minutes in, and I'm already sooooo impressed by this video. I never realized how much Zanza was pushing his narrative with the visions, and yet it makes so much sense. I thought I already loved this game enough, and I still have 43 more minutes of reasons to love it even more!
That scene between riki and dundun really changed my perspective of a fraud heropon to a true heir of heroponess. He was one my fav characters from the moment he appeared the first time, but that one scene solidified it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this lovely game series ❤
Agniratha's theme is an absolute triumph of area music
A beautiful dissection of an amazing game
I was literally thinking about the final boss visions this past week! There's a lot I can say about them, but I'll leave it at: good eye!
As for Zanza's motivations, it's worth noting that his traits are a composite of his Xenosaga forebears-Dmitri Yuriev and Grimoire Verum. Details aside, all three did essentially the same experiment.
Verum, like Klaus, was subliminated into another dimension with his ego intact [albeit, for different reasons]. Both unintentionally draw a female significant other into their schemes, though Verum knowingly experimented on his daughter, Nephilim, while Galea was in proximity with Klaus. Notably, Nephilim is a Biblical type of giant, and Galea transforms into the Mechonis.
Yuriev, like Klaus, is defined by a primordial fear of disintigrating into the collective unconscious after the experiment, and so try to perpetuate their existence by using others as avatars. More than that, the Alvis parallel, U-DO, is heavily implied to be motivated by loneliness in extra material. The latter basically infects Yuriev with that emotion, motivating him to try to destroy it, which would in turn destroy the universe.
So I watched the video and I thought it was amazing. There are a lot of stories and messages about “the future is what you make it” and to demonstrate many of the bad things that often leads to. It really connects this story well to its sequel in a way I haven’t really thought about before and overall yeah this was great.
This video really helped me appreciate the characters of XC1! To me, the cast was always a favorite don't get me wrong, but it didn't have as much meat on the bones as XC2 or XC3. The interpretations gave me a far better grasp on what the writers were going for.
This was one of the best thematic analyses for xenoblade 1 I've seen in a long while. I really enjoyed how you viewed the conflict of the story through the lens of each character and their arcs. Especially as of late where I feel a lot of people have been downplaying the xc1 party, it feels nice to see someone else recognize the subtleties of the cast. I especially enjoyed your lens on Sharla, as I haven't considered that perspective on her character before, and it made me appreciate her all the more for it.
The characters just aren’t as strong or leave as much of an impact as the ones from 2 and 3. The story was clearly written with a plot first characters second framework, which works for some people but not everyone. It’s that simple.
@@jairekambui7738 I actually disagree on the front of the characters not being as strong as other games. Maybe it's my personal attachment to them, but I love xc1's cast wholeheartedly, more than 2's and just as much as 3's, in fact.
@@emilybeckstrand5413 I think I only like a couple characters in the cast, and I really struggle with Shulk because I think the intro of the game is really poorly done. Not a big fan of Reyn, Sharla, Riki or Fiora. Then again, 1 is my least favorite and my first game was 2, so that has something to do with it. 3’s cast is so much better in my opinion it’s not even close, but 2 is my favorite for sure. 1 just feels like a lot is missing.
I've been following for ages, so I knew a solid amount of your reasoning behind enjoying Zanza so much from that one giant doc you posted. But for some reason, hearing it again in this video really helped me understand that mindset a lot better.
Also, it's just so impressive how well the game communicates all of this character progression with very little direct dialogue. Probably one of the best examples I've ever seen of "show, don't tell." The dialogue, especially the H2H's, does an incredible job of implying the issues the characters feel by repeatedly showing the impact of those character flaws.
Great job on the video!
Thank you!! That doc has definitely gotten pretty outdated at this point so it’s super nice to hear that this one was better communicated :) I 100% agree with you about the use of ‘show, don’t tell’ as well, it’s a huge part of why I like the writing so much
As much as I love series such as Kingdom Hearts because I grew up with it, it's videos like these that remind me what my favorite series really is.
48:30 lol
Awesome video, I loved it! That gap between this video and the previous one was worth it
hey hi hello this is a fantastic analysis, you have caused this game to take up even more of my mind than it did before.
VISIONS OF THE FUTURE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RECONTEXTULIZED TO ME AMD NOW im completely in love with it ugh. fantastic video. My next time through ng+ is gonna be a real trip with all this running through my head thank you thabk you
Great video and all, I love how you broke down all the characters and their arcs, and helped to give context to that Sword Valley scene. HOWEVER, I very much disagree with you about Visions of the Future, as I have NEVER found it to be "Anxiety Inducing" or whatever. To me, it's always been a hype song, telling me "YOU CAN DO IT!", the "I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with ME!" song, the "end of the struggle" if you will. Maybe that's just part of my personality talking, but that's how I've always heard it. Been that way ever since the ori-Wii-ginal version too.
Also, when you mentioned the characters learning to accept the worst parts of themselves, or whatever, I was reminded of the 4th Skill Tree Branch quests for each character as that's what the quests, and the name of each respective 4th skill tree branch intale (
That’s completely valid!! Given how intense the song is, I definitely see how some people would view it as hype as well. I do think the part around 30 seconds in especially has a pretty frantic/alarming/negative tone, but music is subjective
And yeah I agree that the skill trees do a great job of that! I’m definitely interested in doing full individual character analyses in the future since these were mainly focused on how they tie into the themes, so we will see!
Xenoblade still getting attention.... SIGN ME TF UP
HOLY COW NEW PHANTOMHEIT ESSAY WOOOOOO
Fantastic video! I love all the points you brought up. My favorite part has to be where you talk about Shulk’s inside voices. The one telling him to get revenge is definitely Zanza inside him telling him. That cutscene is pure foreshadowing. 🤩 Once Shulk defeats Egil at the Mechonis Core and is about to behead him, that voice, Zanza, tells him to do it but then Shulk snaps out of it. It’s so wild how it all came together!
It was a great video and analysis
I've been thinking about this game forever since I finished it
There's so much things to say about it
Anyway thank you for your hard work
Great analysis video for Xenopeak Chronicles.
Thank you so much for this beautifully deep analisys, there's so much i have felt about about xenoblades writing and game design aproach that i have felt but wasnt ever able to put into words
i genuinely hope to make a video essay as good as this one. Made me think of xenoblade 1 a lot after watching and you explained your points super well and in depth! I'd love more content like this!
I love seeing as many perspectives on Xenoblade and even now this one felt completely new and unique and I loved it so much!
im hyperfixated on xenoblade . thank u valentines lyon for this really in depth psychological analysis of xenoblade chronicles 1 characters !!
Such a wonderful analysis. Thanks for the great video
This is a great video! I can see why you got to do that gdc presentation :)
I love this!! You recontextualized my favorite game for me and I really hope this gets seen by many people! So excited to check out more of your work.
I really hope you make a video like this on Xenoblade 2 and 3! This was really good!!!
this is the best video i've ever encountered.
pleased don't make a year past before the next one
That’s such a huge statement, I really really appreciate it!!
Firstly, loved the vid. I've been getting back into xenoblade theories/essays recently and its been super interesting. Your last video on the trinity processor was super helpful bc that's the part of the lore I was least familiar with.
In the last essay, you mentioned Zanza and Meyneth being stand-ins for Logos and Pneuma and it got me thinking about who is who (if there needs to be a connection). From what I'm hearing it seems like Meyneth is more like Pneuma (Fiora, Matthew, Noah, Pyra/Mythra) while Zanza is more like Logos (Egil, Malos, N/Moebius).
I'm still not super sure on the personality of Pneuma outside of trusting/looking toward the future but I feel like the people who most closely associate with Logos have that endless now/fear due to past or present possession of something. N wanted Mio, Moebius/the world wanted security, Malos uhh idk what he wanted bc its all Amalthus (thus why I'm wondering if there is a throughline for Logos and Pneuma personalities or if it's strictly based on who they bonded with), Egil I guess might be more Pneuma but got it twisted as it were.
I figured you might have some more cohesive thoughts regarding this, because the Trinity Processor stuff was the part of XB2 that stuck with me least.
Another banger as always
Fantastic video. Xenoblade 1 is my favorite game too and you got me too see new things about the characters development even after my many playthroughs. it feels like everything in this game ties into eachother no matter how miniscule. would love to see more videos like this!
Your analysis reignited my interest in this game and it’s characters. Maybe it’s time to finish it once and for all
YEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was a wonderful video. Fantastic insight into the story, characters, and music that had me tearing up a bit at the beauty of the game :,) It was already my favorite game, and you've only made me see even more reasons why it's so special.
The music queues and background clips were obviously carefully chosen and timed as well.
I've been following you on Twitter, but I'm definitely going to be checking out your other videos here too. Looking forward to them!
Subscribed! Xenoblade Chronicles is my favorite game thematically but I couldn't fully understand why the story made such a subconscious impact on me. Watching your video helped flesh out those points (without me having to play through the game multiple times). Can't wait for your next deep dive video (maybe XC2/3). Also, I think it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts on Nier Automata, which sometimes feels like a foil to XC's themes.
vouch!!
I’m actually in the middle of a Nier Replicant playthrough right now, and am absolutely adoring the game! Will be moving to Automata after so we’ll see how I feel about it
Fantastic work, you've earned a sub in me! Everything you said is why I still hold Xenoblade 1 in high regard to this day even if you can critique some things about it. Your points about the gameplay and the world design working to get you to empathize with the characters is spot on. As much as people despise Visions of the Future, that just means it serves its purpose of cutting through whatever is happening and creating that feeling of anxiety Shulk experiences by seeing a possible future. Can't wait to hear more insights from this channel, Xenoblade or not.
What a wonderful, wonderful video! Think this will be one I'll be rewatching from time to time :) I love this game and your way of talking about it is great ^^
I beat this game 4 years ago and I still think about it everyday
Ugh I love these games so much! They’re so good! Love your analysis over the characters
You always manage to give me a deeper appreciation for my favorite game. Super sick video!
Couldn't have said it better myself, love this francise
This was so enjoyable and rich. Any plans to do similar videos for 2 and 3 or a series overview type one? Would love that
Considering it! I think 2 would definitely come first if I did
I'm really curious to hear what you'd have to say 😊
A wonderful piece of work!
great video! very insightful.
Yay yay awesome.
Hope you do get to make more vids too
This was so well done and incredible to watch. Thank you so much for sharing!
YEAHH!! please do more games! i loved this video essay and a lot of this stuff went over my head during my playthrough. I'd love to see a xc3 analysis if you end up doing one some day
I wuld love a video like this on xenoblade 2+ Torna and xenoblade 3+ future redeemed
amazing video!
I realy like your videos. Keep it up!
i enjoyed it
This video is so good. Xenoblade Chronicles is one of my favorite vidoe games of all time. I hated Xenoblade 2 and am now scared to play Xenoblade 3. But Xenoblade 1 is such a masterpiece of a game and this video is amazing ive ever seen anything like this on this game and im glad it exitests. Great video and amazing game that is super duper underratted
If it makes you feel better, 3 takes a lot from 1 and avoids a lot of the things to dislike about 2, so you shouldn't be so scared to try it out!
You could say it's a good mix of both games in a lot of ways.
I’m very excited to watch this video! Tbh while I love it a lot, i think Xenoblade 1 is my least favorite of the trilogy (it’s only my 4th favorite game ever, how terrible) so i am very excited to see a bigger fan of it really show why it’s such a great game thematically.
Zing blaze is on par with the legend of Zelda, Kingdom hearts, and I guess every final fantasy series! Shulk Is such an incredible character we may have characters like Link(Legend of Zelda),Pit(Kid icarus Uprising)Sora(Kingdom Hearts),Cloud,Rex(Xenoblade) and MegaMan, But Shulk It’s such an interesting character!
Very cool video!
Always glad to listen to well made Xenoblade video essays! Sorry I pushed you past that 666 likes
Thank you for making this video, I've played this game so many times since it's released and I'm always happy seeing other people interpretations of the themes of this game. I've not finished the video yet but I have some thoughts I wanted to share before i continue:
-Zanza's plan didn't require Egil, Egil was merely a problem that had to be dealt with. Even if Egil decided not to fight Lorithea and Dickson would still be doing what they can to resurrect Zanza, without the pressure of having to deal with an enemy that knows what Zanza is and how to weaken him. And the idea that people wouldn't have any reason to use the Monado is naive, if a war was needed the trinity would spark one, and the Monado would still be very effective against man made machines like the mobile artillery.
-I really like your Reyn interpretation and I will add the fact that Reyn feels out of place around the other characters. The sole reason he departed the adventure was to avenge his city and protect Shulk, but what he was expecting was a great adventure with his best friend (Reyn is also very emotional intelligent), but over the course of the journey the party got bigger, he has trouble dealing with Riki, and the other characters are often mad at him. Shulk also becomes more distant simply because he's involved in bigger deals.
-One line about Sharla: I think she projects her relationship on Melia too
-Dunban is one of the more nuanced characters in the xeno series, but I believe his most important character trait is that he masks his true feelings for pragmatism. When he talks to Shulk after Fiora's death it's pretty clear he's lying, he wants revenge, he wants to fight the mechon, but he acts stoic because he feels the need to act as a role model for Shulk, the same applies to his relationships with other characters, the HtH between him and Shulk at Bionis leg really shows how his behaviour is mostly an act to guide the group. And it's prefectly in theme that during the last battle with Mumkhar Dunban's real feelings emerge, the ones he talks with Reyn in Alcamoth after Prison island. I don't think he regresses, I think that Dunban at heart is closer to Zanza's influenced Shulk than the stoic demeaner he acts.
5:04 Zanza created the Monado? Was that mentioned somewhere in Monado Archives? Because that doesn't sound right considering Alvis said "I am Monado" and was around since before this universe of XB1 even came into existence.
He wielded the monado to initiate the war, but from what I remember he didn't create it.
Zanza states that he forged the Monado during the first Prison Island sequence. This is specifically referring to the original Monado that eventually fully transforms into Zanza’s Monado at Mechonis Core. Meanwhile, Alvis is tied to the true Monado (Monado III) which is separate
@@PhantomHeit ahh right! Been a bit iffy on my XB lore knowledge lately, focusing way more on XG lore in recent years, so I'm always happy to get corrections. Thanks!
@@linnaealynYeah of course! No worries at all. I’ve also been playing gears for the first time and it’s been great
Hey PhantomHeit. Great video. When you have the time, I hope you watch my 'The Psychology of N and Noah' analysis on XC3, chapter 5.
I think it might be of interest to you. Would love to hear your thoughts on it
Much love,
I've been meaning to play all Xenoblade games again someday. Maybe I will find new things on them just like you.
Btw, are you gonna do something like this for the other games?
hi oomf
omg hi oomfie
you sound like Pyra
I just think that the themes and concepts of this game are betrayed by the failures of the writing staff when it comes to building a world, developing characters and establishing relationships to care about. I’ve played Xenoblade 1 twice and I can’t be bothered to care about half the cast, and the other half I feel was mishandled to varying degrees. One of my least favorite parts of the game is the very beginning, where the game has a very classic rpg beginning complete with the hero’s hometown getting attacked and the main love interest getting “killed” queue emotions! I guess? Or the scene with Sorean as he dies. Why do I care about these characters? The game has done nothing to endear me to them or make me care about them. They’re little more than plot devices for character motivation and it all just feels so shallow. I like Zanza and the concepts he’s associated with and he’s probably my favorite character in the game, but the cast is just so incredibly impotent compared to 2 and 3 that I can’t bring myself to care. I always wondered why this game was so praised, and after playing it twice, I still have to say I prefer the sequels by a mile in every way. I need something more than just interesting themes and concepts, (for example, the concept of Zanza becoming angry that his “creations” forgot him while Mayneths remembered her and worshipped her, and the thought of how would a god feel to have been forgotten by his own creations while viewing the opposite happen to another god) I need meaningful execution and emotional weight and I think this game was unable to deliver that. Coming from Xenoblade 2, I was very disappointed in this game’s narrative approach and while I appreciate the in depth analysis, it doesn’t really sway my opinion of this being the worst in the trilogy.
Also, no matter the justification, there’s no excuse for how railroaded and devoid of good character moments XC1 is. It taking until you get to the mechonis for the characters to start talking to each other about something other than where they need to go, and what they have to do when they get there, doesn’t leave a lot of room for meaningful character interaction. It’s my least favorite part of the entire game, and the heart to hearts don’t help much either. I appreciate you tried to justify this but it’s just a clear failing on the original team’s part that they rectified greatly in the sequels.
YEAHHHH I’ve been waiting for this video!! incredible stuff 🫡