I really enjoy the game. I am looking forward to working through the side quests - but I took a break to go back to Zelda for a bit (I get these strange Zelda cravings every 3-4 months).
Personally, I am more of a fan of XCX overall, but XC2 does some things I like better.
With XCX, I prefer the freedom, the variety, all the peoples congregating in New LA, and -of course- the big-ass world with A TON to explore, that very wild feeling of it all.
XC2, obviously I like the UI more. I like that there are is a variety of different large settlements - while XCX keeps non-New LA settlements fairly limited in scope, I also like the fact that the cast of characters feels like there’s always a lot of people around.
I really dig the Xenosaga style stuff toward the later chapters (I got some major Michtam vibes, maybe even a bit Zeboim at times for obvious reasons).
What I am still not a fan of in all XC games is the shying away from high story density. I almost wonder if someone was in Takahashi’s ear and said “Hey, don’t write such dense stuff, people are complaining that it’s hard to follow, and instead of Christian and Jewish allegories, make something up, people will find it offensive!” “But I am following Freud and, have you even read the end of my script?” “I admit I haven’t, I have only been listening to what people are saying.” “What people?” “You know, people, anyway, can you elevator pitch it to me? Because if you can’t elevator pitch it to me, it’s too complex Tak.” Anyway, I could go on and on with my speculation... but I want Mr. Ambition back, now that he has the experience, the authority, and, the fame, I think he can do his vision right with Square’s stupid “Two year dev time, newbie team, or GTFO” or Namco’s “Those are some great ideas Tak, now can we instead take over and make the game for you?”
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
