Well, I finally got back on this.

I'm agreeing with a lot of what Skyblade said above me. I like the exploration element. I like how the world feels like this really living thing with its own ecosystem. I hate how all that ties into the game mechanics. Like how I'm doing a Story mission where the required level was '1' (I'm about 15) but all the enemies are between 18 and 22. The power progression is just a mess. Oh and gear levels. Smurfing gear levels!!! I hate how pretty much every piece of gear I pick up in drops are either a) trout compared to current gear or b) good compared to current gear but I can't equip it for another 10 levels... at which point it'll be mediocre.

Oh and I just encountered a new alien species with the most horrendously annoying voice ever, because they gave them Chipmunk voices. I never thought anything could surpass the abomination that was Sarah in Star Ocean 4, but here we are. I'm helping these aliens with something and every time I talk to them I just want to set fire to their entire world.

I can't say I'm not enjoying it. I am still enjoying it. The Xenoblade heart underneath still beats strong and keeps me engaged.

But god damn it's fighting me every step of the way.