LogFAQs > #984014678

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

The explanation over what Z was was a little confusing (kinda thought he was gonna be Zanza in a way/another aspect of Klaus, but just Origin's AI?), but I think I got it sorted.

FR helps make a little bit more sense of it by revealing how Origin was structured in the first place, but it's still pretty vague. I kinda like the vagueness, though. It's led to a lot of really interesting speculation about how everything fits together that I've enjoyed wading through, which wouldn't have been possible if it were more explicit. The fact that Z's more of an idea than an actual character has definitely rubbed some people the wrong way, but I also kind of liked that, especially because it means all the sidequesting ties back into the main story (the collective unconsciousness' fear of an uncertain future is what gave Z control of Origin, most of the sidequests you do serve to help everyone in Aionios come to terms with the uncertain future that awaits them post-flame clock and therefore assuaged that fear and eroded that control).

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

And yes, I know that's despite the worlds moving apart now, lol (won't they just try and come back together anyways?).

While not explicitly stated, my impression is that when they're recreated by Origin, they're stabilized in a way that resolves the whole implied matter/antimatter problem, giving everyone time to work out how to merge them more safely. It's kind of deliberately left open, though, to align with the core message of being hopeful about an uncertain future.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Also, any clue what the Mysterious Keycard you find mid0game ish goes to?

I don't remember that off-hand. Maybe one of those big Agnian bases in Erythia? You can break into them a couple of different ways, one of which involves stealth and finding keys and such and the other of which involves not stealth and just hitting anyone in your way.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Also, really wish they would release a big book tying X1-3 together

There was an art book released for 3 a little while back that includes some interviews with Takahashi that clarify some of the more ambiguous (or outright missing) plot points, including some significant ties between the games. Definitely hold off on looking for that stuff until you've finished FR, though, because it spoils a ton of stuff.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

(and X? I kinda need to re-read about X, since it doesn't seem quite related?).

As it stands right now, X is not apparently related to 1-3. There are a couple of throwaway lines in FR that some people think might be allusions to X, and the parallels between Origin and the Lifehold are hard to miss, but otherwise there's nothing outside of Lin's Monado barrettes, Tatsu referencing a legendary heropon, and Adam Howden and Carina Reeves being options for the MC's voice, which are more easter eggs than real story connections.

However, there's a very strong chance the upcoming Definitive Edition will be doing more to tie them together, much like 1's DE retconned Alvis' key pendant into a core crystal that matched Pneuma's and Logos'. In addition to the fact that they're adding new story content (maybe even an actual ending!) which is expected to solidify where X stands, people have noticed some considerable aesthetic similarities to 3 in the updated visuals, including what look like Annihilation Effects and Ouroboros/Moebius symbolism. 3 already reused a few aesthetics from X, but they were vague enough that they could be written off as just reusing ideas and not any sort of deliberate nods (especially where, when X came out, they hadn't really committed to making an overarching Xenoblade story), but when X is being specifically updated to bear resemblance to the numbered games and we now 100% have an overarching story being told, it probably means something this time.

I joked back when X came out (and again when 2 was announced) that it was secretly titled with a Roman numeral and it was actually Xenoblade 10, but at this point I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that's genuinely the case and Takahasi's telling some kind of ludicrous uber-narrative from both ends.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Also, some of the islands in the sea are Titans from X2?

Yep, Erythia is a mix of Eryth Sea and Leftheria. All of the zones mix up bits and pieces of old zones; that one's just one of the more obvious examples.