I never said there wasn't fanservice in the game. If you're going to argue that having fanservice in a game automatically makes it misogynistic, though, then there's not much further we can go with the argument since our standpoints are completely different. I can't say anything for sure yet since I haven't finished the game and thus don't know how the characters end up, but at least so far I can't really say that the females in this game are overly objectified.
In response to Kurausukun:
Fanservice is by its very nature misogynistic, because it comes out of a misogynistic culture. And, it's not harmless. Here's what fanservice is:
1. Distorting female bodies to meet exaggerate male sexual desires (xenoblade VERY much has this)
2. Positioning of the female character's body and camera to be sexually inviting
*cough*
3. Robbing the female character of agency. That way, they cannot refuse male advances, or will "fake" refuse but are still available for exploitation (tsundere, et). In no cases does no mean no, and the character is robbed the ability to genuinely say no.
The whole point of fanservice is to turn women into objects for male consumption. That's it. They want to turn us into moving sex dolls, not living breathing people with minds of our own! Robbing women of humanity is the fundamental aspect of misogyny, and fan service is
exactly that. Not only is it a reflection of misogyny in our culture, but it perpetuates misogyny in new generations, and helps maintains the misogynic view that women are not human and are thus not worthing of being treated as humans. This is not harmless.
Xenoblade 2 has done the first and second of these, and has done them A LOT already. So far it hasn't done the third. And I'm certainly hoping they don't cross that line.
Well then, as I said, we are at an impasse. I don't think that designing attractive characters or showing off their bodies dehumanizes them or lessens their value. I don't see why I can't appreciate their body at the same time I appreciate their character or personality; these things do not have to be mutually exclusive. But it is clear that is not the way you think, so I think this argument should end here because I don't think either of us will convince the other that their standpoint is wrong. I'm going to stick to gameplay-related topics on here for now, just so as not to stir anything up.
As my last comment on the subject of character design in this game: Finch is best blade. That is all.
On that note, a question: can someone explain Blade Combos to me? I feel like there's something I'm not getting, mainly how to charge them. All I can tell is that it builds up over time, but unlike the other arts, it doesn't seem to charge when doing auto attacks, so what charges the special meter?
The special meter charges when you use one of the 3 arts assigned to b/y/x. That charges the special for that Blade.
When you or your companions start a combo, the Blade Combo progression tree shows up in the top right corner. Any level special attack (1-4) will work to start the combo. Then for level 2 you have two choices on how to branch the Combo tree, and any special level 2-4 will activate it, but you have to use the proper element. Then when you get to level 3, any level 3 or 4 special move of the proper type will activate the Seal condition, do a lot of damage, and give them a resistance to that last element used.
You're move is on the bottom of the screen, tied to the A button. Your two companions are on the left and right of the screen, and tied to the ZL and ZR buttons. The number of glowing orbs around your companions face icons shows what level their special is at (1-4)
For example, start with your character and use you level 2 special to activate the first stage
Then, if your allies have a Blade with the right element equipped, they'll show up on the left and right of the screen. Once they hit at least special level 2 (or 3 or 4), they can pull off the next level of the Blade Combo.
Then, if somebody has the 3rd or 4th level with a compatible element for that combo sequence, they can execute the Seal.
Wow, this goes way too deep here.
I did play the first and second Xenoblade games and the first one was amazing (yet another reason for the glorious Dolphin PC master race!). I have read the critics for the Switch game and... those aren't as positive as the first game so to say. It seems I am not missing out on much? Well... There are a lot of other great JRPGs anyway.
Ooookay, that makes a lot of sense. Now I see the strategy. Before I generally used them as soon as they showed up on the screen, but I guess it's a better idea to wait a while first. Thanks for setting that straight for me.
I'm really liking the battle system as a whole this time around. I'm not quite sure it measures up to the original Xenoblade's mechanics, but it's a huge improvement from what Xenoblade X gave us. I won't lie, I could never get the hang of that battle system at all, and it didn't feel satisfying to use the Overclock Gear. At the moment I still think the Chain Attack is my favorite of the three. It was deceptively deep despite how simple it was on the surface, and if you really knew what you were doing, you could pull off absolutely insane combos.
I don't know what to think about fan service...
I mean, I see why it's a problem if people are taking it seriously because it's a unrealistic representation of humans, over sexualized females and over muscular males. Even if we made progress, that way of thinking is still affecting our society (the worst type people are those who denies that because we "made enough progress") and is indeed a big treat for women and also men like me who want to be different (hello, I'm a cute femboy). The fact that they are blades, so basically, objects, makes it even more disturbing. :/
But does that mean we have to stop creating unrealistic characters like this ? I feel like playing with proportions like this can be interesting and creative in a fictional situation.
Do we need to stop developing unbelievable behaviors ? Well I don't know, It can be fun sometimes to depict situation that can't happen in reality... What I'm sure is what's fictional needs to stay fictional.
IMO one of the best uses of fan service is Bayonetta. Over sexualized as fuck but yet a strong woman who relies only on herself and kick your ass if you're on her way.
(12-04-2017, 06:13 PM)Admentus Wrote: [ -> ]Wow, this goes way too deep here.
I did play the first and second Xenoblade games and the first was is amazing (yet another reason for the glorious Dolphin PC master race!). I have read the critics for the Switch game and... those aren't as positive as the first game so to say. It seems I am not missing out on much? Well... There are a lot of other great JRPGs anyway.
Judging by Metacritic, ~8.5/10, so it's pretty good, but not the same acclaim as the first. I keep telling people that XBC1 is probably going to be remembered as the "Chrono Trigger" or "FF7" of that era of gaming, with respect to JRPGs. It really showed that JRPGs could still captivate an audience (yes, critics in the game industry/game journalism spheres had serious doubts around 2010). Personally, I'll play anything that strikes my fancy. Ugh, I even suffered through Sands of Destruction recently.
As a side note, anyone else having issues with Wi-Fi on their Switch when docked? Mine dies as soon as it's docked, even though everything from my phone to my PS3 is just fine in the same area of my house. I thought upgrading the system software would help, but on 4.0.1 it's still dying. I have to undock it just to download Super Mario Odyssey from the eShop.
@DrHouse64 - For one or two characters out of a large cast, I'll put up with fan service grudgingly. But if it's boobs everywhere... Come on now. I played Tales of Berseria ealier this year, and the first thing I did was put some clothes on Velvet (real clothes, not her main outfit on the cover art).
(12-05-2017, 01:15 AM)Shonumi Wrote: [ -> ]As a side note, anyone else having issues with Wi-Fi on their Switch when docked? Mine dies as soon as it's docked, even though everything from my phone to my PS3 is just fine in the same area of my house. I thought upgrading the system software would help, but on 4.0.1 it's still dying. I have to undock it just to download Super Mario Odyssey from the eShop.
I've never had any Wi-Fi problems, and I have it docked maybe 80% of the time.
(12-05-2017, 01:18 AM)JosJuice Wrote: [ -> ]I've never had any Wi-Fi problems, and I have it docked maybe 80% of the time.
I'll just blame Comcast and the crap router they gave us years ago :/