Check out the sequel video I did, analysing the themes of Future Redeemed: th-cam.com/video/Zwj2uE7hHXc/w-d-xo.html The directors commentary is out! Find it over at www.patreon.com/posts/xenoblade-3-71648759?Link& Also, here's the video of me rambling incoherently on my second channel about Xenoblade 3 shortly after finishing it: th-cam.com/video/7JoAL8NYkwk/w-d-xo.html Also also, since a few people have asked, here's a link where you can buy the Ontos choker I'm wearing: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/801658243/xbde-alvis-ontos-core-acrylic-necklace
Z becomes way more interesting when you view him and Moebius purely metaphorically. The game itself presents him as a concept, it's very clearly allegorical and I think it's effective in that way. Especially with Z in an auditorium, watching the events unfold, wanting our characters to stay together but go through hardships to make them "compelling".. it's basically us as an audience. We subconsciously completely agree with Z, but the issue is when you realise the fiction he's making is reality for our main characters. That ideology then goes onto actual people like N who's an incredible villain.
The fact that the heroes themselves tried to be together again at the ending instead of looking towards the futue cements how correct Z was about humanity's wish for the endless now
Great analysis of the story. I feel many people aren’t a fan of this games story, mostly because of the villains, which I can understand, but personally I love it
Same here; they're different types of antagonists compared to Amalthus and Torna, which I understand people not preferring, but personally I think both Moebius and Torna fit the stories their games are trying to tell to a T.
The villain choice this time is actually interesting. In the first game we fought against the God of their world. In the second game we fought a revolutionary, world-ending weapon and the church. Now for the 3rd game, they fought against a concept. Zanza wanted to start over by destroying the world and creating a new Future for himself. Malos/Jin was motivated by their Past and hoped to find answers for their respective questions in the World Tree. Amalthus lost hope in all life in Alrest and wanted to end it all, influencing Malos when he awakened his Core Crystal, which led to Malos's journey. Zed/Moebius is afraid of the future due to the possible destruction of the two worlds intersecting (among other things) and stopped time to preserve the Neverending Present, never improving themselves for the better. Thematically, the villains work but because of their nature to be one note in personality (D who only loves to kill for pleasure for example), most players find them to be not compelling. Which is why Moebius N, M, J, and T stand out because they changed over the course of the story, much like how Jin and Malos did in theirs.
[SPOILERS] I loved the villains. I loved how the concept of Zed really is just a variant of the tried and tested "Deal With Satan" trope, how seeing all your failures in previous incarnations will drive you mad to a point of no return, to the point of joining Satan's army and turning against life itself. XB3 is ripe with religious references and themes, eternal damnation being one of them; I would urge anyone to read the tale of Theophilus of Adana; the way Theophilus dies of joy after his damnation contract is burned by a bishop really mirrors how characters in XB3 are freed from the cycle at their departure ceremony. There's so much going on in these games, it's awesome.
This is brilliant! This game's story is one best appreciated once you take some time to peel back the layers and study its themes. I admit to powering through the game in order to minimize the amount I got spoiled, but because of that, I missed a fair bit that I'm only understanding now.
The side content really helps pace the somewhat uneven story (it’s a common complaint of how short chapter 6 and 7 are but there’s so much side content you can do in those chapters that fleshes out the world and the protagonists, that it’d be a shame to skip them.
Incredible video, especially the last part about how young people will change the world. It reminded me of how wars are fought by young soldiers today oblivious to situations and commanded by old politicians and rulers.
Honestly the villains feel eh but after what They are being revealed and with your interpretation makes them a lot better like It recontesxtualizes almost everything of the conflict and elevates it in my opinion once you think back. Great video, it made me think more about the themes of the game
Great video analysis. Honestly, I keep forgetting how dark and twisted the tone of the game is because how great the humor is in the game. I beated the main story and been doing a lot of the side missions/hero quest/ascension, which are riot. The humor in this game balance well with heavy dark atmosphere of the Aionis
The game can be pretty grim ^^; I'm doing all the side content as well, and yeah, it's nice the game can still be funny when it needs to be. Glad you enjoyed the video!
I find the Moebius relatable in a sick way, because i just know that If i was in XC3 universe i would certainly become G(since my name starts with G), i'm constantly wishing that time could just stop and humanity just stagnated in the way they are now before things can get worse(Nuclear War for example or just WW3), i'm constantly afraid of what may happen tomorrow or if i fail at a certain thing, fear and anxiety of at any time all that is good in my life suddenly fall to pieces, and i would not be able to do nothing, this is the ultimate punishment for me and that's why i'm certain that i would accept the endless now in a heartbeat and i kind of hate it, but i'm willing to improve and this game gave me a lot to think(and like at first i hated the Moebius, now i find them genuinely great) Btw This game is a masterpiece and became my Second favorite game of all time beating Chrono Trigger but not Ocarina Of Time, everyone with a Nintendo Switch or even If you play it on a emulator,i certainly recommend to play it
I'm... not sure where in the division between Moebius and Ouroborus I'd be. I tend to take a defeatist attitude, not seeing how the world can get from how it is now to something better, but I also _want_ to see it get better. I can see how the world could be better, just not how to get there, especially not as just one small person in a single lifespan. Because I don't just want the world to get better, but I also want to experience that world myself, even though I can't see a way to reach it before I myself have died. Here I am, only 25 years old, worrying about not getting to experience something that feels centuries away. In a land where hopes and dreams could be made manifest, I'd likely chose to become an eternal watcher, separating myself from the world so as to not interfere, but merely observe without worrying about missing what comes next. (I wonder how similar this is to what M felt. She is my favourite character after all.)
I’m an extremely anxious and self-conscious person with a great desire to open up to people and trade thoughts and interests with them, but I’m afraid of being judged and get too caught up in not knowing where to even begin when it comes to starting new relationships. But I think that if I just got lucky, like Noah did, I could be able to change. I can’t just wait for that kind of luck, but taking initiative is overwhelming. If I became Moebius, it would be so I could isolate myself, feeding off of other people’s ideas in the shadows while giving nothing back to them.
I'm glad this discussion pulled in the real world to explore the themes of the game. All ideas you brought up were also things I saw in the game: Mobieus as a parallel to war profiteering, older people in power keepings things at a standstill while everyone else trying to move on suffer, the power that new generations really have if they don't get cynical before they act. Most story criticism I've seen have been way too critical of the lore on how things work in the world. I understand the want to make everything make tangible sense, but it then is at the sacrifice of a much more interesting conversation and ignores why this game's story is so relevant for today.
Thank you so much for a chance to embark on the same emotional journey that the game itself allowed me to experience. Xenoblade series has a special place in my heart because each title so far has managed to push me to explore more and more about myself and to help me change my views about a lot of things. You truly made my day and believe me, you are so much cleverer than what your sub count may suggest- and my tears were a proof. Have a great one mate and stay awesome!
@@KaiAfterKai I am currently working on a plot summary of the numbered xenoblade series. If you dont mind, ill take some inspiration in the way you use cutscenes in between, it works so well. Its just so hard to find cutscenes in xenoblade without the (amazing) music.
Yeah, I recorded the cutscenes myself in game with the music and sound effects turned down. Shame 2 doesn't let you record on the Switch like it does with DE and 3. Good luck with your video regardless!
You’re a composer too? Your music’s great, it sets the tone very well for what you’re talking about. Also love your writing and delivery. You also really capture the levity of the plot with your editing and music choice! I try that in editing too and it’s a really fine art. You have nailed it. I’m making my own XC3 video essays too so this also serves as great inspiration! Thanks for inspiring me!
Instant sub, very well made!! The game may have had it's issues but it ended up my favourite game in the series all things considered (even though I admire 1 & 2+Torna very much!) & I'm sure the DLC will only make it better.
There's actually an other part that come multiple times but primary during the last boss, what gives our characters the right to shape the futur ? There idea of how the world must be is not shared by everyone.
Excellent Vid, really nice to see someone get what the developers were going for with this entry in the series. I really liked your interpretation of Mobius as a representation of war profiteers or an upper class who exist through the suffering of those below them in a world they are just as trapped in as those they oppress, really great stuff! Really hope you get some attention from this video and you can definitely count me among your new subs.
Great video! Been obsessed with all things xeno since gears, but don't have a lot of friends into the series, so I really appreciate content creators with like-minded interests :)
Oh my god, that was easily the best analysis I’ve seen of the game. I recently made a video about moebius myself and I feel like my video pales in comparison to this lmao. But seriously I think a lot of people went into this game expecting it to be a direct sequel and in the end were disappointed by it having its own identity. I think this game is a sequel in the sense of where it continues its predecessor’s themes and brings it to a close. Xenoblade 1 the future, xenoblade 2 the past and xenoblade 3 the present. Moebius were excellent antagonists conceptually, they aren’t perfect but I feel like they are the only villains xenoblade 3 could of had.
This was a really phenomenal video, but there was one thing I've been thinking about a lot over these past few months that really highlights a lot of what you're talking about here - Crys. He's actually my favorite character, mostly because of just how much he highlights a lot of the gray areas of the themes. He starts off as Noah's mentor, and in that role he teaches Noah a huge amount of the truth of the world they live in. It seems like he's had an understanding of the world (or at least of the nature of homecoming) for a long time, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be alone in that understanding. It even drives him to suicide for the desperate chance to make his own choice for what might be the first time. What's really interesting though is the irony of the fact that he created homecomings in the first place. What really matters here is the details, as he created it in an attempt to give mercy to someone he knew, even risking being called a traitor and likely killed by V. Despite this, homecomings became pervasive, and he grew to hate them, because instead of being an individual act of kindness, they came to represent the same helpless lack of choice that he hated in the first place, simply with more layers of propaganda surrounding it. Crys is a great example of what Noah talks to N about, that sheer luck is also an aspect of being able to make your own choices. I could easily see Crys becoming ouroboros if he was ever given the chance, but the simple fact is that he *wasn't* ever given that chance. Instead, he became moebius, controlled by the fear that was taught to him by an endless procession of grief and helplessness though all his lives, knowing the truth of their world and being unable to act. This culminates in his fear of the future, that things will either not change, or they'll simply all die. What I really love though, is that instead of being treated like all the rest of moebius, because he became moebius simply to talk to Noah and discuss this fear, he's validated. Instead of being called C, he is always always called Crys, avoiding the casual dehumanization of the rest of the moebius. In the end, Noah says something that resonates with him, that they have to keep on going, to take this risk, because it's their choice. In the end, Crys is just sad to me. He had the understanding of the world, but simply no power to act upon it, and so because of this the world acted in the way it was meant to, breaking him down and driving him to despair by confining him, again and again. In the end, he acted in the only way he could, making one final, desperate cry for help to the one person he knew might be able to, and I find the utter forgiveness he's given... just so beautiful. Thank you for bearing with me through this long ass comment lol have a nice day.
The analysis, writing, and your voiceover for this video is so great. I too am around the same age as the characters when I played the game. When I beat the game, my first interpretation is this: to change the world we must muster up our courage and take risks to make our world a better place. I’ve come across parallels that I didn’t think of watching this video and it helped the message of this game sink in further.
Shania had it brutal. I wonder if there’s more Ghondor could’ve done to help her. Ghondor recognized her talent where few others did except her father, but she just couldn’t get Shania to see things the same way.
What a great look in the story of Xenoblade 3's story and concept of life. I've been working on my review of Xeno 3 and have been enjoying watching videos of how people describe this game's meaning. I love the serious tone of this game. You have a new subscriber here :)
I normally don't make comments on youtube, but this video put the thoughts I have about Xenoblade 3 perfectly into words. I really have to thank you for that, I definetly ended up shedding a few tears by the end of the video. I wanted to give my two cents too, since the game resonated a lot with me. Apologies for the big paragraph LOL I think the City was a really well written stand-in for developed countries and their responses to war. The world-building surrounding it stood out a lot to me while playing. That scene with the main party walking through the City and hearing people judge them...It felt like a reflection of what many immigrants and refugees experience upon moving to a developed country. This was supposed to be their safe place. They worked so hard and risked so much to make it here. Yet they're greeted with people questioning why they're here, or whether it'll be "worth it" to help them or not. The conservatives within the City, and developed countries alike, feel threatened when physically confronted with evidence that the world outside of their little peaceful bubble is filled with suffering. They feel threatened because they're suddenly forced to ask themselves why and how they get to live safe and luxurious lives, while others do not. They have to face the fact that their peaceful lives are built off the suffering of others. Some people are willing to continue to tear down that bubble, and actively work for a better world, while others will feel immense guilt and immediately deny or ignore it, in order to continue to live in their false bubble. I never expected a game to portray that much realism in a war-based story. Sometimes, the third party in stories like this will be a benevolent place that could do no harm and fixes every problem ever, or something. But that's just not the reality of the real world. And Xenoblade 3 is not afraid to portray reality. That just makes me love the game so much more. It's so real about the topics it chooses to portray.
This game and it’s themes are just amazingly told, you didn’t bring it up but there’s also themes of not blindly hating each other just because we were told to do so like with the example of Mio saying why she fights. She fights because they are the enemy and that’s all she needed that’s all anyone needed. You gotta put your differences aside and see people for who they really are and not what from what others tell you. If you out those differences aside you can see the similarities with each other and form bonds like how the main cast though with them it was forced on them. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the peak of the series and list with some of the best RPGs of all time for me. The way that the themes of the game also intertwine with the gameplay mechanics of fusion arts, the class system and Ouroboros with a great blend of XC1 and XC2 battle systems. To think I only got into this series because of a Chuggaconroy letsplay and because my sister got the 3DS verision of the game for me as a birthday present. The Xenoblade series is now one of my favorite RPG series along with SMT tho I have yet to finish XC2 because I’m not a fan of its battle system and gacha mechanics but am a fan of the story and characters so trying to push past my nitpicks.
Oh, hey, just going through your videos again (nice job) And just wanted to say (you probably know, but if not) They released a xenoblade 3 artbook with concept art and explaiantions of lore and story beats, and yes, Takahashi, the director, directly says what you say about moebius in that they represent real life establishments thay maintain a comfortable status quo Ĥe even goes that Z saying "because it amuses me" represents any selfish and petty motiavtion held by these people "I do it because i like five star resturants, i do it because it keeps me rich" You are quite insightful i must say
I highly recommend Xenogears if possible, and how Xenoblade 3's meaning becomes even stronger afterwards, not just for us, but for Tetsuya Takahashi as a creator.
I'm definitely looking forward to playing Xenogears in the near future! I was hoping to play it before 3 came out, but unfortunately couldn't find the time.
A fantastic analysis! I came upon a lot of the same feelings in my playthrough, it was really nice to see such elaboration. I think on the point of dreaming differently and better, it's worth pointing out how exactly the game wants you to change the world. The game is fairly pointed about demonstrating the different ways people are organized; Lambda's static bureaucracy, the City's essentially aristocratic attitude. There is even a lot of weight placed on the presence of commanders, singular people being in charge of entire populations. XB3, however, seems to reject these kinds of organization. These aren't sufficient ways to change the world. No change comes about by relying on a single person, nor can it come about when constantly leaping through legal hoops. Noah, in fact, says it pretty directly: If this is the state of the world, then we should tear it down. There is a hypocrisy in using violence to end violence which even the game itself addresses, and the game itself concludes simply that it is necessary. It's not enough for young people to just dream, young people need to FIGHT. Change does not happen peacefully, says Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Change happens because we fight for it.
I am new to ur channel but u should make a video explaining the meaning of the first Xenoblade game as well. I would watch that too. I’m gonna check out ur other Xenoblade videos too!
It would make sense to complete the trilogy! Unfortunately, Xenoblade 1 is probably the game I'm the least passionate about in the series; I'd have to replay it first ^^ thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video and well put out on what the game was trying to convery about Z and Moebius. I'l just leave my ramblings here if any one cares lol: It's still odd that the collective will would manifest of all feelings into Z. And he along with X and Y could usurp the entirety Origin. As if people weren't more diverse than that in the face of challenge or uncertainty. If they are just concepts, other beings representing any other forms of feelings would have fought against him. I guess you could say ouroboros but they are not self manifest rather purposely created by Nia. And even if Z is a concept he eventually is made into a character, like Mio and Noah, our main characters born out of M&N's hopes. Z is I feel a character that is so passive throughout the game and should have been developed more than what we were given in the last chapter. Did he always harbor those feelings of superiority and sadism? Or it was something that he found along the way of farming the lifeforce from humans to continue to exist? I would be more interested if it was the latter but I dont think he's more complex given anything the game had shown. Tldr; I dont like Z as a main villain. He feels too simple. Kind of a weak compared to Malos or Amalthus which I can more understand or to some extent sympathize with.
If you look at japanese pop culture in general, the theme of youth vs establishment is dominant in many stories, be it books, comics, animations, or games. Take the most popular animes: In Naruto, the new generation fights and ultimately ends a war that was started long before they were born. In One Piece, the young pirates stand against the corrupt World Government that stood for centuries. In Bleach, Ichigo upheaves the eternal Soul Society to save his friend and revolutionizes the stagnant mindset of its leaders. I guess Dragonball does not really have many underlying themes, but Goku constantly grows stronger and defeats many older fighters. I read somewhere that this theme comes from the many times when japan experienced cultural revolutions and the old establishment was replaced by a new one, such as the Meiji era, or the end of WW2.
@@KaiAfterKai no problem man like this game is so much goty. Because it talks about so many real world conflicts and bring them in a really good and harsh way way to the Play
Can we call this sci-fi term for the Endless Now a “perpendicular universe” or “perpendicular timeline”? Since it maintains 0 on the w-axis of time flow, but still operates fine overall.
My biggest dissapointment from the game was it's main villians, compared to Zanza, Amalthus and Malos, Z was more conceptual in essence and felt less threatening. Overall, I loved the game and like it's predecesors, it made me cry at the end. I can't wait for the DLC story to arrive. Btw, cool necklace man you have a great style and a voice suited for radio. Keep the good work.
YES SOMEONE BROUGHT IT UP Whenever I fought moebius I never felt challenged scared or hateful (apart from Crys and N) I just felt pity Like these people are pathetic and didn't know why till later in the game that these are stagnant stuck fearful people afraid of change and growth Even the immortal villains of 1 and 2 had goals to strive for whether destroying or remaking the world but with them its just momentary pleasure Never really felt that way about villains in fiction and so I liked it
This is so embarrassing. I feel like that meme of focusing on vague themes while the obvious theme flies over my head. I just took the war in Aionios as it is, just a part of the regime that was meant to sustain Moebius. I never even realized how real the parallels are to actual war. There is no nuance, subtext is for cowards. I already held XBC3 in such high regard that it was undoubtedly my favorite game. Now I found even more reasons to adore it!
you got yourself a sub! i love the style of this vid and the editing and your analysis. i love this game, there’s a lot of questions i still have about the game that were left unanswered so i’m really looking forward to the story expansion next year!
Tbh as much as I love xenoblade 3 I wish they did a few things differently mainly giving character's like N and Z more screen time and it being a little longer I still think xenoblade 2 is a worse and Torna is still my favorite in the serie but I still love the game to death
To play a slight devil's advocate... I would say it's somewhat unfair to attribute malice to time. Many of the older people (irl, obviously, not in the game) were changing the world for what they believed was right as they grew older. They weren't intentionally hurting the following generation. They were following their convictions just as much as we are following ours. And how are we going to feel when, one day, we are the ones being chastised for "ruining the world" when all we thought we were doing was changing it for what we thought was the better?
Oh I wouldn’t dare intrinsically attribute malice to the old, both irl and within the content of this game. You have middle-aged and even elderly protagonists in XC3 (Monica, Gray, Vandam, Triton, Rex, Shulk) who all do their part in trying to make the world better. I don't touch on that much in this video, since the main game is generally youth focused, so this video reflects that, but I do detail this in my video about Future Redeemed, which really adds nuance to the latter's themes. Thank you for your comment.
Consider the state that Japanese youths are in as well. The Xenoblade themes are especially relevant to them, even if they can be applied to all of humanity.
I wrote a response to your analysis, but it's a bit too long and TH-cam seems to be blocking my responses as spam in the comment. You can find a 4500ish word response to your video here: pastebin.com/zBwXBU71
Thanks very much for taking the time to write this out, it is appreciated! One of your points, that Moebius actually don't age, was actually one that I caught as I was exiting; I forgot the line that implies that K was originally one of the Lost Numbers, which is why he looks so old. I do wish I had realised sooner, definitely could have gone to some additional places with that in mind ^^
@@KaiAfterKai Y'know, I keep coming back to your video. Your analysis of Moebius and the comparison to the corrupt politicians and corporations. Your passion to make things better. Remember how the various Consuls were manipulating their different Colonies? Y's statement about giving the people their goals, their meaning? Isn't that being done right now, for us, too? I'll phrase it a little dramatically here, but, would you like to meet the real-world Moebius? The same manipulation that Y was talking about - except it's genuine counterpart? I'll link you a video. It's rather in depth and long - but I think you might want to know. You might think it's too out there - but it also might make your hair stand on end. th-cam.com/video/0s6n_liERf8/w-d-xo.html
Check out the sequel video I did, analysing the themes of Future Redeemed: th-cam.com/video/Zwj2uE7hHXc/w-d-xo.html
The directors commentary is out! Find it over at www.patreon.com/posts/xenoblade-3-71648759?Link&
Also, here's the video of me rambling incoherently on my second channel about Xenoblade 3 shortly after finishing it: th-cam.com/video/7JoAL8NYkwk/w-d-xo.html
Also also, since a few people have asked, here's a link where you can buy the Ontos choker I'm wearing: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/801658243/xbde-alvis-ontos-core-acrylic-necklace
Z becomes way more interesting when you view him and Moebius purely metaphorically. The game itself presents him as a concept, it's very clearly allegorical and I think it's effective in that way. Especially with Z in an auditorium, watching the events unfold, wanting our characters to stay together but go through hardships to make them "compelling".. it's basically us as an audience. We subconsciously completely agree with Z, but the issue is when you realise the fiction he's making is reality for our main characters.
That ideology then goes onto actual people like N who's an incredible villain.
The fact that the heroes themselves tried to be together again at the ending instead of looking towards the futue cements how correct Z was about humanity's wish for the endless now
You’re like Taion if he didn’t have to constantly fight for his life.
Oh come on now.
My glasses are far cooler.
@@KaiAfterKai you don't have a scarf tho!
@@TheExFatal got me there
Great analysis of the story. I feel many people aren’t a fan of this games story, mostly because of the villains, which I can understand, but personally I love it
Same here; they're different types of antagonists compared to Amalthus and Torna, which I understand people not preferring, but personally I think both Moebius and Torna fit the stories their games are trying to tell to a T.
The story was great in my opinion. They did something different and I loved it.
I didn't love the villains but the main characters, heroes, and themes made up for that.
The villain choice this time is actually interesting. In the first game we fought against the God of their world. In the second game we fought a revolutionary, world-ending weapon and the church. Now for the 3rd game, they fought against a concept.
Zanza wanted to start over by destroying the world and creating a new Future for himself.
Malos/Jin was motivated by their Past and hoped to find answers for their respective questions in the World Tree. Amalthus lost hope in all life in Alrest and wanted to end it all, influencing Malos when he awakened his Core Crystal, which led to Malos's journey.
Zed/Moebius is afraid of the future due to the possible destruction of the two worlds intersecting (among other things) and stopped time to preserve the Neverending Present, never improving themselves for the better.
Thematically, the villains work but because of their nature to be one note in personality (D who only loves to kill for pleasure for example), most players find them to be not compelling. Which is why Moebius N, M, J, and T stand out because they changed over the course of the story, much like how Jin and Malos did in theirs.
[SPOILERS]
I loved the villains. I loved how the concept of Zed really is just a variant of the tried and tested "Deal With Satan" trope, how seeing all your failures in previous incarnations will drive you mad to a point of no return, to the point of joining Satan's army and turning against life itself.
XB3 is ripe with religious references and themes, eternal damnation being one of them; I would urge anyone to read the tale of Theophilus of Adana; the way Theophilus dies of joy after his damnation contract is burned by a bishop really mirrors how characters in XB3 are freed from the cycle at their departure ceremony.
There's so much going on in these games, it's awesome.
Wow. Well done I think you hit the true meaning of the story right on the mark. Also, love the enthusiasm and temperance you brought in this video.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you thought so!
This is brilliant! This game's story is one best appreciated once you take some time to peel back the layers and study its themes. I admit to powering through the game in order to minimize the amount I got spoiled, but because of that, I missed a fair bit that I'm only understanding now.
There's a ton of great side content, the best in the trilogy if you ask me. I'd definitely recommend going back and doing it all ^^
The side content really helps pace the somewhat uneven story (it’s a common complaint of how short chapter 6 and 7 are but there’s so much side content you can do in those chapters that fleshes out the world and the protagonists, that it’d be a shame to skip them.
Incredible video, especially the last part about how young people will change the world. It reminded me of how wars are fought by young soldiers today oblivious to situations and commanded by old politicians and rulers.
Glad you enjoyed the video! And yes, the game is unfortunately relevant to our times.
Honestly the villains feel eh but after what They are being revealed and with your interpretation makes them a lot better like It recontesxtualizes almost everything of the conflict and elevates it in my opinion once you think back.
Great video, it made me think more about the themes of the game
Glad I was able to make you see things in a different light! ^^
Great video analysis. Honestly, I keep forgetting how dark and twisted the tone of the game is because how great the humor is in the game. I beated the main story and been doing a lot of the side missions/hero quest/ascension, which are riot. The humor in this game balance well with heavy dark atmosphere of the Aionis
The game can be pretty grim ^^; I'm doing all the side content as well, and yeah, it's nice the game can still be funny when it needs to be. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video. This jaded middle aged person will be cheering the younger people on. Just finished the game and adored it. Gave me hope too.
Glad to hear it ^^
We need to listen to Kai, he's an Aegis
😌
Best video I’ve seen breaking down this game on TH-cam. Well done 👏
Thanks a lot!
I find the Moebius relatable in a sick way, because i just know that If i was in XC3 universe i would certainly become G(since my name starts with G), i'm constantly wishing that time could just stop and humanity just stagnated in the way they are now before things can get worse(Nuclear War for example or just WW3), i'm constantly afraid of what may happen tomorrow or if i fail at a certain thing, fear and anxiety of at any time all that is good in my life suddenly fall to pieces, and i would not be able to do nothing, this is the ultimate punishment for me and that's why i'm certain that i would accept the endless now in a heartbeat and i kind of hate it, but i'm willing to improve and this game gave me a lot to think(and like at first i hated the Moebius, now i find them genuinely great)
Btw This game is a masterpiece and became my Second favorite game of all time beating Chrono Trigger but not Ocarina Of Time, everyone with a Nintendo Switch or even If you play it on a emulator,i certainly recommend to play it
I'm... not sure where in the division between Moebius and Ouroborus I'd be. I tend to take a defeatist attitude, not seeing how the world can get from how it is now to something better, but I also _want_ to see it get better. I can see how the world could be better, just not how to get there, especially not as just one small person in a single lifespan. Because I don't just want the world to get better, but I also want to experience that world myself, even though I can't see a way to reach it before I myself have died.
Here I am, only 25 years old, worrying about not getting to experience something that feels centuries away. In a land where hopes and dreams could be made manifest, I'd likely chose to become an eternal watcher, separating myself from the world so as to not interfere, but merely observe without worrying about missing what comes next. (I wonder how similar this is to what M felt. She is my favourite character after all.)
I’m an extremely anxious and self-conscious person with a great desire to open up to people and trade thoughts and interests with them, but I’m afraid of being judged and get too caught up in not knowing where to even begin when it comes to starting new relationships.
But I think that if I just got lucky, like Noah did, I could be able to change. I can’t just wait for that kind of luck, but taking initiative is overwhelming.
If I became Moebius, it would be so I could isolate myself, feeding off of other people’s ideas in the shadows while giving nothing back to them.
This video was recommended to me, I have to say, I really like your narration, really chill and straight to the point, all in all, great video
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Best analysis of the story by so far. I feel the same about it, you're perfectly expressed my thoughts on this masterpiece. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
I'm glad this discussion pulled in the real world to explore the themes of the game. All ideas you brought up were also things I saw in the game: Mobieus as a parallel to war profiteering, older people in power keepings things at a standstill while everyone else trying to move on suffer, the power that new generations really have if they don't get cynical before they act. Most story criticism I've seen have been way too critical of the lore on how things work in the world. I understand the want to make everything make tangible sense, but it then is at the sacrifice of a much more interesting conversation and ignores why this game's story is so relevant for today.
Thank you so much for a chance to embark on the same emotional journey that the game itself allowed me to experience. Xenoblade series has a special place in my heart because each title so far has managed to push me to explore more and more about myself and to help me change my views about a lot of things. You truly made my day and believe me, you are so much cleverer than what your sub count may suggest- and my tears were a proof. Have a great one mate and stay awesome!
Trust me - this series means just as much to me as it does to you ^^ Thanks for the support, it really is appreciated
really good video. really deepened my understanding of the themes this game deals with.
Watching this at 4AM to pass the time, very good video :D
Happy to provide entertainment even in the wee hours.
In the wise words of a vampire: it's Mobin Time
(excellent vid)
So happy that this was the first game to sell a Moebillion copies!
(❤️)
This video is SO well made, i wish i would create videos with this quality. instantly subbed
Only way to see if you can is to try! Thanks very much for subscribing ^^
@@KaiAfterKai I am currently working on a plot summary of the numbered xenoblade series. If you dont mind, ill take some inspiration in the way you use cutscenes in between, it works so well. Its just so hard to find cutscenes in xenoblade without the (amazing) music.
Yeah, I recorded the cutscenes myself in game with the music and sound effects turned down. Shame 2 doesn't let you record on the Switch like it does with DE and 3. Good luck with your video regardless!
@@KaiAfterKai Thank you! Good luck with whatever youre planning to do next, im looking forward to it!
You’re a composer too? Your music’s great, it sets the tone very well for what you’re talking about. Also love your writing and delivery. You also really capture the levity of the plot with your editing and music choice! I try that in editing too and it’s a really fine art. You have nailed it.
I’m making my own XC3 video essays too so this also serves as great inspiration! Thanks for inspiring me!
Glad you think so ^^ Good luck with your own video!
Instant sub, very well made!! The game may have had it's issues but it ended up my favourite game in the series all things considered (even though I admire 1 & 2+Torna very much!) & I'm sure the DLC will only make it better.
Thank you very much! I'll have to replay 2+Torna, but 3 could very be my new favourite in the series as well.
A great video about a great game! Pumped to see people realize how good Xenoblade 3 is. Will look forward to more videos on the series
There's actually an other part that come multiple times but primary during the last boss, what gives our characters the right to shape the futur ?
There idea of how the world must be is not shared by everyone.
Love that necklace
Love it too ^^
I want that necklace. Great video by the way, it sums up why Xenoblade rules
Thanks a lot! BTW I've added a link in the pinned comment to where I bought the Ontos choker.
@@KaiAfterKai Did you unpinned? Because it does not show to me
By the way, great video, specialy the voice and narration
Whoops, must have been unpinned when I edited it! It's there now! And glad you enjoyed the video ^^
@@KaiAfterKai Thank you
Your voice is awesome and your analysis is fantastic!!! Nice necklace btw ;)
Thanks a lot mate ^^
Excellent Vid, really nice to see someone get what the developers were going for with this entry in the series.
I really liked your interpretation of Mobius as a representation of war profiteers or an upper class who exist through the suffering of those below them in a world they are just as trapped in as those they oppress, really great stuff!
Really hope you get some attention from this video and you can definitely count me among your new subs.
Thanks alot, I'm glad you liked it! The videos already gotten me more attention than I dared hoped, thank you for being a part of that ^^
Haven’t watched the video yet but that thumbnail is immaculate bro. Also nice ontos necklace
Thanks a lot, hope you enjoy the vid!
Great video! Been obsessed with all things xeno since gears, but don't have a lot of friends into the series, so I really appreciate content creators with like-minded interests :)
Same, I'm the only person in my friend group that'd into it. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Oh my god, that was easily the best analysis I’ve seen of the game. I recently made a video about moebius myself and I feel like my video pales in comparison to this lmao. But seriously I think a lot of people went into this game expecting it to be a direct sequel and in the end were disappointed by it having its own identity. I think this game is a sequel in the sense of where it continues its predecessor’s themes and brings it to a close. Xenoblade 1 the future, xenoblade 2 the past and xenoblade 3 the present. Moebius were excellent antagonists conceptually, they aren’t perfect but I feel like they are the only villains xenoblade 3 could of had.
This was a really phenomenal video, but there was one thing I've been thinking about a lot over these past few months that really highlights a lot of what you're talking about here - Crys. He's actually my favorite character, mostly because of just how much he highlights a lot of the gray areas of the themes. He starts off as Noah's mentor, and in that role he teaches Noah a huge amount of the truth of the world they live in. It seems like he's had an understanding of the world (or at least of the nature of homecoming) for a long time, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be alone in that understanding. It even drives him to suicide for the desperate chance to make his own choice for what might be the first time. What's really interesting though is the irony of the fact that he created homecomings in the first place. What really matters here is the details, as he created it in an attempt to give mercy to someone he knew, even risking being called a traitor and likely killed by V. Despite this, homecomings became pervasive, and he grew to hate them, because instead of being an individual act of kindness, they came to represent the same helpless lack of choice that he hated in the first place, simply with more layers of propaganda surrounding it. Crys is a great example of what Noah talks to N about, that sheer luck is also an aspect of being able to make your own choices. I could easily see Crys becoming ouroboros if he was ever given the chance, but the simple fact is that he *wasn't* ever given that chance. Instead, he became moebius, controlled by the fear that was taught to him by an endless procession of grief and helplessness though all his lives, knowing the truth of their world and being unable to act. This culminates in his fear of the future, that things will either not change, or they'll simply all die. What I really love though, is that instead of being treated like all the rest of moebius, because he became moebius simply to talk to Noah and discuss this fear, he's validated. Instead of being called C, he is always always called Crys, avoiding the casual dehumanization of the rest of the moebius. In the end, Noah says something that resonates with him, that they have to keep on going, to take this risk, because it's their choice. In the end, Crys is just sad to me. He had the understanding of the world, but simply no power to act upon it, and so because of this the world acted in the way it was meant to, breaking him down and driving him to despair by confining him, again and again. In the end, he acted in the only way he could, making one final, desperate cry for help to the one person he knew might be able to, and I find the utter forgiveness he's given... just so beautiful. Thank you for bearing with me through this long ass comment lol have a nice day.
Wonderful video. Said it perfectly.
Thank you ^^
X, Y and Z are like the twisted opposites of Pneuma, Logos and Othos.
But everything with Z exclusively, i look at him as the Ghost of Zanza.
loving the Alvis ( Ontos) choker
Loving it myself ^^
Awesome video on the themes of the game.
Thank you ^^
Love your necklace, sick asf man
Cheers, thought it would be appropriate ^^
The analysis, writing, and your voiceover for this video is so great. I too am around the same age as the characters when I played the game. When I beat the game, my first interpretation is this: to change the world we must muster up our courage and take risks to make our world a better place.
I’ve come across parallels that I didn’t think of watching this video and it helped the message of this game sink in further.
Thanks so much, I'm glad you feel it helped!
As a pessimist I would probably end up like Shania ...
I think more of us would be like her than we'd care to admit
Shania had it brutal. I wonder if there’s more Ghondor could’ve done to help her. Ghondor recognized her talent where few others did except her father, but she just couldn’t get Shania to see things the same way.
What a great look in the story of Xenoblade 3's story and concept of life. I've been working on my review of Xeno 3 and have been enjoying watching videos of how people describe this game's meaning. I love the serious tone of this game. You have a new subscriber here :)
Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you!
I normally don't make comments on youtube, but this video put the thoughts I have about Xenoblade 3 perfectly into words. I really have to thank you for that, I definetly ended up shedding a few tears by the end of the video.
I wanted to give my two cents too, since the game resonated a lot with me. Apologies for the big paragraph LOL
I think the City was a really well written stand-in for developed countries and their responses to war. The world-building surrounding it stood out a lot to me while playing.
That scene with the main party walking through the City and hearing people judge them...It felt like a reflection of what many immigrants and refugees experience upon moving to a developed country. This was supposed to be their safe place. They worked so hard and risked so much to make it here. Yet they're greeted with people questioning why they're here, or whether it'll be "worth it" to help them or not.
The conservatives within the City, and developed countries alike, feel threatened when physically confronted with evidence that the world outside of their little peaceful bubble is filled with suffering. They feel threatened because they're suddenly forced to ask themselves why and how they get to live safe and luxurious lives, while others do not. They have to face the fact that their peaceful lives are built off the suffering of others. Some people are willing to continue to tear down that bubble, and actively work for a better world, while others will feel immense guilt and immediately deny or ignore it, in order to continue to live in their false bubble.
I never expected a game to portray that much realism in a war-based story. Sometimes, the third party in stories like this will be a benevolent place that could do no harm and fixes every problem ever, or something. But that's just not the reality of the real world. And Xenoblade 3 is not afraid to portray reality. That just makes me love the game so much more. It's so real about the topics it chooses to portray.
This game and it’s themes are just amazingly told, you didn’t bring it up but there’s also themes of not blindly hating each other just because we were told to do so like with the example of Mio saying why she fights. She fights because they are the enemy and that’s all she needed that’s all anyone needed. You gotta put your differences aside and see people for who they really are and not what from what others tell you. If you out those differences aside you can see the similarities with each other and form bonds like how the main cast though with them it was forced on them.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the peak of the series and list with some of the best RPGs of all time for me. The way that the themes of the game also intertwine with the gameplay mechanics of fusion arts, the class system and Ouroboros with a great blend of XC1 and XC2 battle systems. To think I only got into this series because of a Chuggaconroy letsplay and because my sister got the 3DS verision of the game for me as a birthday present. The Xenoblade series is now one of my favorite RPG series along with SMT tho I have yet to finish XC2 because I’m not a fan of its battle system and gacha mechanics but am a fan of the story and characters so trying to push past my nitpicks.
Oh, hey, just going through your videos again (nice job)
And just wanted to say (you probably know, but if not)
They released a xenoblade 3 artbook with concept art and explaiantions of lore and story beats, and yes, Takahashi, the director, directly says what you say about moebius in that they represent real life establishments thay maintain a comfortable status quo
Ĥe even goes that Z saying "because it amuses me" represents any selfish and petty motiavtion held by these people
"I do it because i like five star resturants, i do it because it keeps me rich"
You are quite insightful i must say
I do in fact have the art book! And yeah, it's nice to see Takahashi explain his intentions with Mobius, glad I was close to the mark.
Wonderful video.
Much appreciated, thank you
I highly recommend Xenogears if possible, and how Xenoblade 3's meaning becomes even stronger afterwards, not just for us, but for Tetsuya Takahashi as a creator.
I'm definitely looking forward to playing Xenogears in the near future! I was hoping to play it before 3 came out, but unfortunately couldn't find the time.
A fantastic analysis! I came upon a lot of the same feelings in my playthrough, it was really nice to see such elaboration.
I think on the point of dreaming differently and better, it's worth pointing out how exactly the game wants you to change the world. The game is fairly pointed about demonstrating the different ways people are organized; Lambda's static bureaucracy, the City's essentially aristocratic attitude. There is even a lot of weight placed on the presence of commanders, singular people being in charge of entire populations.
XB3, however, seems to reject these kinds of organization. These aren't sufficient ways to change the world. No change comes about by relying on a single person, nor can it come about when constantly leaping through legal hoops. Noah, in fact, says it pretty directly: If this is the state of the world, then we should tear it down.
There is a hypocrisy in using violence to end violence which even the game itself addresses, and the game itself concludes simply that it is necessary. It's not enough for young people to just dream, young people need to FIGHT. Change does not happen peacefully, says Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Change happens because we fight for it.
Hey, great video, but where'd you get that necklace? It's super cool
Great video too!
🙏🏽❤️
I am new to ur channel but u should make a video explaining the meaning of the first Xenoblade game as well. I would watch that too. I’m gonna check out ur other Xenoblade videos too!
It would make sense to complete the trilogy! Unfortunately, Xenoblade 1 is probably the game I'm the least passionate about in the series; I'd have to replay it first ^^ thanks for watching!
Beautiful well done
Much appreciated 🙏🏽
Where did you get that necklace? I...want one.
Linked in the pinned comment ^^
Its beautiful work
Bit busy now but will have to double back and finish this vid 👍🏾👍🏾
Hope you enjoy the rest of it ^^
@@KaiAfterKai Good video, question, do you believe the inhabitants of the City survived the ending.
Thanks for this video and well put out on what the game was trying to convery about Z and Moebius.
I'l just leave my ramblings here if any one cares lol:
It's still odd that the collective will would manifest of all feelings into Z. And he along with X and Y could usurp the entirety Origin. As if people weren't more diverse than that in the face of challenge or uncertainty. If they are just concepts, other beings representing any other forms of feelings would have fought against him. I guess you could say ouroboros but they are not self manifest rather purposely created by Nia.
And even if Z is a concept he eventually is made into a character, like Mio and Noah, our main characters born out of M&N's hopes. Z is I feel a character that is so passive throughout the game and should have been developed more than what we were given in the last chapter. Did he always harbor those feelings of superiority and sadism? Or it was something that he found along the way of farming the lifeforce from humans to continue to exist? I would be more interested if it was the latter but I dont think he's more complex given anything the game had shown.
Tldr; I dont like Z as a main villain. He feels too simple. Kind of a weak compared to Malos or Amalthus which I can more understand or to some extent sympathize with.
If you look at japanese pop culture in general, the theme of youth vs establishment is dominant in many stories, be it books, comics, animations, or games. Take the most popular animes: In Naruto, the new generation fights and ultimately ends a war that was started long before they were born. In One Piece, the young pirates stand against the corrupt World Government that stood for centuries. In Bleach, Ichigo upheaves the eternal Soul Society to save his friend and revolutionizes the stagnant mindset of its leaders. I guess Dragonball does not really have many underlying themes, but Goku constantly grows stronger and defeats many older fighters.
I read somewhere that this theme comes from the many times when japan experienced cultural revolutions and the old establishment was replaced by a new one, such as the Meiji era, or the end of WW2.
Deep and true
Much appreciated 🙏🏽
@@KaiAfterKai no problem man like this game is so much goty. Because it talks about so many real world conflicts and bring them in a really good and harsh way way to the Play
bruh rocking the alvis/ontos core crystal
Cheers mate ^^ added a link in the pinned comment to where you can get it
Can we call this sci-fi term for the Endless Now a “perpendicular universe” or “perpendicular timeline”? Since it maintains 0 on the w-axis of time flow, but still operates fine overall.
Did Taion just school me?....
I'll gladly take more
My biggest dissapointment from the game was it's main villians, compared to Zanza, Amalthus and Malos, Z was more conceptual in essence and felt less threatening.
Overall, I loved the game and like it's predecesors, it made me cry at the end.
I can't wait for the DLC story to arrive. Btw, cool necklace man you have a great style and a voice suited for radio. Keep the good work.
YES SOMEONE BROUGHT IT UP
Whenever I fought moebius I never felt challenged scared or hateful (apart from Crys and N) I just felt pity
Like these people are pathetic and didn't know why till later in the game that these are stagnant stuck fearful people afraid of change and growth
Even the immortal villains of 1 and 2 had goals to strive for whether destroying or remaking the world but with them its just momentary pleasure
Never really felt that way about villains in fiction and so I liked it
Zed is basically the Future Devil.
Huh. I can see that.
What you mean like Chainsaw Man?
Excellent analysis
Thank you!
This is so embarrassing. I feel like that meme of focusing on vague themes while the obvious theme flies over my head. I just took the war in Aionios as it is, just a part of the regime that was meant to sustain Moebius. I never even realized how real the parallels are to actual war. There is no nuance, subtext is for cowards. I already held XBC3 in such high regard that it was undoubtedly my favorite game. Now I found even more reasons to adore it!
No need to beat yourself up about it! I'm just glad I helped you appreciate the game in a new way ^^
you got yourself a sub! i love the style of this vid and the editing and your analysis. i love this game, there’s a lot of questions i still have about the game that were left unanswered so i’m really looking forward to the story expansion next year!
Thanks for the sub, and yeah, I'm also really looking forward to the expansion!
As Manana said: The World is supervillianpon
Aionios is the real Consul A.
Imagine if Mio didn’t exist, Consul M could’ve been Mwamba
That Ontos choker tho...
Clean innit?
Tbh as much as I love xenoblade 3 I wish they did a few things differently mainly giving character's like N and Z more screen time and it being a little longer I still think xenoblade 2 is a worse and Torna is still my favorite in the serie but I still love the game to death
There are certainly things it could have done better - nothing is perfect after all ^^
AYO WHERE YOU GET THAT ONTOS CORE??? THAT SHIT DRIPPY AS FUUUUUUUUUUCK
IKR! Got it off Etsy from "Clinkorz". Here's the link to her shop: clinkorz.shop/
@@KaiAfterKai thanks i just got one.
Happy to help
To play a slight devil's advocate... I would say it's somewhat unfair to attribute malice to time. Many of the older people (irl, obviously, not in the game) were changing the world for what they believed was right as they grew older. They weren't intentionally hurting the following generation. They were following their convictions just as much as we are following ours. And how are we going to feel when, one day, we are the ones being chastised for "ruining the world" when all we thought we were doing was changing it for what we thought was the better?
Oh I wouldn’t dare intrinsically attribute malice to the old, both irl and within the content of this game. You have middle-aged and even elderly protagonists in XC3 (Monica, Gray, Vandam, Triton, Rex, Shulk) who all do their part in trying to make the world better. I don't touch on that much in this video, since the main game is generally youth focused, so this video reflects that, but I do detail this in my video about Future Redeemed, which really adds nuance to the latter's themes. Thank you for your comment.
Gosh I wish western RPGs blatantly hated capitalism as much as JRPGs do. lol
Consider the state that Japanese youths are in as well. The Xenoblade themes are especially relevant to them, even if they can be applied to all of humanity.
Is it just me, or can Xenoblade 3 be used as a metaphor for the United States political system?
I wrote a response to your analysis, but it's a bit too long and TH-cam seems to be blocking my responses as spam in the comment.
You can find a 4500ish word response to your video here: pastebin.com/zBwXBU71
Thanks very much for taking the time to write this out, it is appreciated! One of your points, that Moebius actually don't age, was actually one that I caught as I was exiting; I forgot the line that implies that K was originally one of the Lost Numbers, which is why he looks so old. I do wish I had realised sooner, definitely could have gone to some additional places with that in mind ^^
@@KaiAfterKai thanks for the response, I hope it offered some insight.
REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD analysis definitely makes me appreciate moebius more
@@xviinaichi3793 Thanks :) There's so much more to it, I could write 20,000 words on it easily lol.
@@KaiAfterKai Y'know, I keep coming back to your video. Your analysis of Moebius and the comparison to the corrupt politicians and corporations. Your passion to make things better. Remember how the various Consuls were manipulating their different Colonies? Y's statement about giving the people their goals, their meaning? Isn't that being done right now, for us, too?
I'll phrase it a little dramatically here, but, would you like to meet the real-world Moebius? The same manipulation that Y was talking about - except it's genuine counterpart? I'll link you a video. It's rather in depth and long - but I think you might want to know. You might think it's too out there - but it also might make your hair stand on end.
th-cam.com/video/0s6n_liERf8/w-d-xo.html