The newest issue of GameInformer did a review on it but it doesn't seem to be on their website yet. Anyways they gave it a 7.75 but that won't stop me from playing the game.
GameInformer
From the review: Tales of Xillia's 2's issues first appear in the pacing;
the plot starts slow, taking about 10 hours to get interesting. Part of this is due to a
debt-paying mechanic introduced early on so players can interact with the side-content and to better prepare for harder battles in the game. Later on,
it becomes an annoying roadblock because you can't proceed until you pay off a portion. the game's
side-quests are typical "fight this monster" or "get this item" the only interesting aspect is the side chapters that come with the returning characters.
More in-depth backstory given to characters like Leia where the reviewer remarks on her being dead-weight in the predecessor. They also remark on how the
battle system is improved from Xillia 1 and how it's "more fun than ever" and feels like a fighting game. You're
allowed to swap weapons around this time. dual blades, sledgehammer etc. Each weapon type works differently and better on differing monsters/opponents. The link system is back and there's a transformation skill. Affinity will increase the more Ludger is linked to someone else. Affinity will also increase with dialogue choices made in-game cutscenes.
Instead of the
sphere-like grid system of Xillia 1 you'll now equip elemental orbs that up your stats, skills and other attacks. If you set an orb that your team member already has it'll improve it.
"Tales of Xillia's 2's biggest crime is how it reuses content from Xillia 1" You visit new areas in Elympios but Reize Maxia stays very much the same. On top of that, you visit fields, dungeons and towns multiple times, and it's even worse if you factor in the side content. Fields still have collectibles to gather but dungeons are linear but the lack of new environments is dissapointing.
--- REVIEW END.
These are all the negatives and some minute positives that lead to the scoring for Xillia 2.
50
100
100
