LogFAQs > #962545292

Xenoblade 2's art style is better than Xenoblade 1's and its not even remotely close. Also nearly every major character in Xenoblade 2 is better than most of the characters in 1 (Shulk, Dunban, and Melia are the only characters I'd actually say 'are good', Reyn is a fun meme comic relief character though).

Rex is not well designed or generally a good character though, whereas Shulk is both of those. Even at Rex's best I'd call him 'inoffensive' and he definitely is not at his best most of the game.

Nia is the best character in either game by a complete long shot. Like you could probably put at least two football fields between Nia and the next best character.

Xenoblade 1's overall plot is better than 2's, though.

Also upgrading Blades in 2 isn't that big of a deal because you aren't going to use that many. It is technically less optional than Xenoblade 1's side quests are but its like... so inconsequential its not even worth considering imo.