The sidequest stories didn't really do it for me cos I just couldn't summon the will to care about someone's missing cat or their awkward anime-esque relationship problems, I wanted to know more about the other race that fought at Earth, the Tainted, the Telethia, the mystery of Mira, etc.

But the conflict between alien races, a dangerous cult, the conflict between a xenophobic militia and a civil rights activist group.  The interactions with the Orphe I found very interesting.  I also enjoyed seeing glimpses into the personalities of various party members either in the affinity missions or story missions.  Don't get me wrong, I did want to know more about Mira and not every quest is a winner.  But I enjoyed the narrative on the whole.  And I guess I'm less miffed about the cliffhanger since 1) I watch a ton of shows with overarching plots that almost always conclude seasons exactly like this, 2) chapters 11 and 12 were just really, really excellent, and 3) this is Tetsuya freaking Takahashi.  I kinda saw the sequel hook coming almost as soon as we hit Mira and because this is the guy who once tried to do a six part saga.  Not saying he's that crazy every time, but I'm not shocked to see a hook at the end here.

But give how this thread currently is, I'd rather not try to argue here.  I honestly probably shouldn't have even posted :P.

The cat quest is rather infamous but I honestly didn't mind cause it was honestly ridiculously easy :P.

But the conflict between alien races, a dangerous cult, the conflict between a xenophobic militia and a civil rights activist group.  The interactions with the Orphe I found very interesting.  I also enjoyed seeing glimpses into the personalities of various party members either in the affinity missions or story missions.  Don't get me wrong, I did want to know more about Mira and not every quest is a winner.  But I enjoyed the narrative on the whole.  And I guess I'm less miffed about the cliffhanger since 1) I watch a ton of shows with overarching plots that almost always conclude seasons exactly like this, 2) chapters 11 and 12 were just really, really excellent, and 3) this is Tetsuya freaking Takahashi.  I kinda saw the sequel hook coming almost as soon as we hit Mira and because this is the guy who once tried to do a six part saga.  Not saying he's that crazy every time, but I'm not shocked to see a hook at the end here.

But give how this thread currently is, I'd rather not try to argue here.  I honestly probably shouldn't have even posted :P.

Examples?

The cat quest is rather infamous but I honestly didn't mind cause it was honestly ridiculously easy :P.

But the conflict between alien races, a dangerous cult, the conflict between a xenophobic militia and a civil rights activist group.  The interactions with the Orphe I found very interesting.  I also enjoyed seeing glimpses into the personalities of various party members either in the affinity missions or story missions.  Don't get me wrong, I did want to know more about Mira and not every quest is a winner.  But I enjoyed the narrative on the whole.  And I guess I'm less miffed about the cliffhanger since 1) I watch a ton of shows with overarching plots that almost always conclude seasons exactly like this, 2) chapters 11 and 12 were just really, really excellent, and 3) this is Tetsuya freaking Takahashi.  I kinda saw the sequel hook coming almost as soon as we hit Mira and because this is the guy who once tried to do a six part saga.  Not saying he's that crazy every time, but I'm not shocked to see a hook at the end here.

But give how this thread currently is, I'd rather not try to argue here.  I honestly probably shouldn't have even posted :P.

There are 3 more HUGE questions not mentioned in OP

1: Who is Cross? We got backgrounds on literally everyone else, for the other main 2 (Elma and Lin), we got some pretty extensive backgrounds at that. At some point they are going to have to shed the avatar and give the character some back story. 

2: Who is the guy at the end that took Lao? He looked like Dunban (to an extent as far as we could see, which is not very well), so is he a Hom? Tatsu mentioned homs in the game, so it's not even a leap at all to think there could be some somewhere.

3: What's behind the blinding white light before they landed on planet Mira? Is it time travel? Is it dimensional? 

I'm not going to read this thread because I haven't beat the game yet and don't want any spoilers, but I've been thinking about this.  Would I rather have a direct sequel to XCX set in the same world, but graphically improved for the NX with a much needed stronger story and get it out in a couple years or would I rather have a completely redone world like XC->XCX.  Tbh I'd rather have a direct sequel and then after that make a completely redone world. 

1. Most likely J-body without implanted memories.

2. This guy:

It honestly seems most of these are personal gripes instead of actual problems with the game. UI (to a degree, I personally don't see the issue) and sound control are the two exceptions. 

And some contradict themselves (you want less filler, but also the ability to help build and grow NLA which you do through leveling researchers, and befriending alien life).