Inflated add-on

Gameplay technically has not changed compared to the first part of a lot. This is to be expected and that is a good thing. There was here and there a few small changes in the combat system, which is all round play, but overall you can without problems of Xillia 1 in Xillia 2 aboard.

Unlike its predecessor, there is only one main hero Ludger. It is designed as a "silent hero", ie communicating mainly through singler and grunts. At his side is the small Elle, who assumes the speeches for him. The problem is that Ludger remains completely pale as a character and you develop any attachment to him. In particular game decisions one must choose an answer - this changes partly the further development of the gameplay. On the one hand well, helps the other hand, but not to shape Ludger than character. While it has reasons why Ludger must not sounded his voice, but in a dialogue joyful game with an appropriate number of characters quasselnder Ludger is simply misplaced.

It has also made no effort to somehow introduce him to the world: Relatively quickly encounter the ancient heroes of Xillia 1 are added and these will be presented neither great nor Ludger is privy to the events of the first part. The old heroes throw churning terms and names around, where Ludger can shrug basically only with the shoulder. Yes, the game is aimed at players of the first part and you will therefore have no understanding problems - but it demonstrates just how little interest had been to establish as Ludger own character. Fortunately, the hero squad not only limited to the Xillia 1-hero, but you get also added that the former villains. This loosens the group on something and you get at least * some * new to see.

But the main negative point of the game is to recycle: Man goes through exactly the same areas as in the predecessor, which were not exactly thrilling even then. Boring hose Level who distributed throughout treasure heap, as if the level designers eventually overturned and the temp had to bring everything in ten minutes to the end.

Real "highlight", in a negative sense, is the story, or the flow of the game: Splitter worlds have emerged and Ludger can close this as the only. For this, he must tear in the Splitterwelten, mostly cut down a boss and then he returns to his world. Unfortunately, he has made story reasons, there are a lot of debt on the neck, which must repay the player. For this Ludger is regularly annoyed by the Bank as soon as he has amassed a certain amount. Through this debt Ludger but also limited in its movement: you have debt to repay to new areas of the world map can unlock. New areas have to be enabled in order to travel to the places for the next Story step can. A vicious circle: Main Story, Money grind, main story, etc ...
The Splitterwelten are designed the way original: Again the exact same card as Xillia 1 - but with a sepia filter. Great.

This money does not grind is too boring, you have mercifully increased the range of side quests: Each group member has ne own storyline that you can promote. Usually you have to travel in ne Splitter world and clean up then with this user. The history of these worlds form the characters - but Ludger remains nachwievor pale. In addition, there's also the usual KILL and gathering quests on local bulletin board: For collection quests but you do not mercifully break even, instead there's the cat courier. In each area at least one cat is hidden. Once you have a cat found this area is unlocked for the courier: One can henceforth send his cats in this area and can search for objects (and other cats). Not if not, then - if you're lucky, they will return the desired items. Ie while keeping it active level and money grindet, "grind" in the background the cat for objects.

Conclusion:
Who Xillia 1 liked and like to know more about it, but do not want to have a new, will be satisfied. The characters are fleshed in Xillia 2 continues and the story of Splitterwelten is not so bad. Unfortunately, the main character is totally pale and there are only a handful of new areas. Everything else, the territories, the objects, the gameplay, the music etc are almost 1: 1, without any improvement of Xillia 1 recycles what, for continuing with a 2 in the name is extremely weak. The three assigned stars are aimed at all, which made 1 Xillia fun. Those who could not do anything, should omit the fingers in this valley portion.