If you've played Xenoblade Chronicles then you’ll be glad to know that the follow-up is just as fantastic.
The RPG set in a massive world where man and animal live in a sea of clouds and the world of Alrest, simultaneously earthly and alien with a mysterious history that even its major players fail to truly understand, is a magical place to inhabit.
The game appropriately sets the stage for an epic adventure that gets more interesting as it develops, but this greatness comes after dozens of hours filled with eye rolls and bewilderment.
For all the good things Xenoblade 2 eventually introduces, the 80-plus hours it takes to complete the story won’t feel like time wasted, but the bad taste of its lesser qualities is never completely washed away.
Anyone familiar with Xenoblade Chronicles will recognise the way Xenoblade 2 sets you up to be surprised in the end, as characters gradually reveal secret thoughts, unveil unexpected back stories, and make moves that catch you off guard.
Thankfully Xenoblade 2 feels balanced to account for its learning curve. It’s not until later in the game that mastery becomes important.