A lot of people think that Mòrag has no real character development, but I argue that she goes a long way. Her development is just internal and only visible in the small changes and that she learns to think about herself sometimes. Just think about the Heart to Heart up the World Tree, before she had met Rex, she would have never done things like having fun with the rest of the party by trying to identify Titans (or by making things up).
This, for sure. People seem to forget that top tier fiction in any medium will use a healthy dose of subtlety more often than not. Xenoblade is no different, and if you read into that subtlety you’ll find some great as hell and human writing for each and every important character. It’s one of the reasons these games are so good
@@fieldkaiju if you don’t think the Xenoblade trilogy is top tier fiction, then you might want to learn to use a critical eye that looks further than a simple surface level scan lmao
Definitely an underrated discussion in the game. The only way Rex could have been the optimistic, naive protagonist he was is because he was from a peaceful, isolationist nation. A similar point can be made with Nia and her insecurities leading her to Torna so she could seek refuge from the Praetorium. Well done!
Great analyses and comparisons, but I strongly disagree about calling Zeke selfish. He’s definitely very individualistic, but that doesn’t make him inherently selfish. The most selfish thing I can think of about him is his self-indulgent ‘bringer of chaos’ persona. He wastes some time grand-standing because of it, but I can’t say that’s more than just a tiny bit selfish. He more than makes up for it; whenever he isn’t grand-standing, he’s either doing his best to help people, or positioning himself to help people in the future. I don’t think we ever really see him doing anything else. He didn’t leave Tantal because he didn’t care; he left because he saw no way to help as long as the country remained isolated, wasn’t stupid enough to try to usurp the throne from his father to change that, and couldn’t just watch from his figurative Ivory towers as his people suffered from the cold and starvation. He left Tantal too find a place where he could start to REALLY help people. That’s not selfish.
I’m honestly surprised how your essays haven’t been noticed by the general public yet. Good luck on your creative journey, can’t wait to see you going places!
A lesser game would have made Morag cartoonishly nationalistic and either be a big boss we’re supposed to feel no remorse for or have some kind of deep tragedy happen to her that made her realize, “Wait, empires are EVIL! We need to change ourselves!” But the writers obviously recognize the influences every individual goes through in their own world, even high-ranking ones who may need to do an empire’s dirty work. Yet another reason why Xenoblade 2 is my favorite RPG of all time. Even the side characters are as realistically complex as an actual military officer would be.
Zeke didn't leave because he was selfish, he left because he couldn't help anyone because of who was in charge and would rather try and help the most people outside of old doomed Tantal than just watch Tantal die without being able to do anything. If he had the power to help, he would have never rejected Tantal and never hidden the fact that he's the prince or his ties with the country. He wanted to be the same kind of hero Addam was, and he simply couldn't in Tantal. Zeke isn't selfish, he just hate his dad and his ways that much
Nial isn't her brother. It's her cousin. It's mentioned in a cutscene where they mention that she was raised by her uncle to ascend the throne. But then Nial was born - the true successor.
Great analysis! I love that Xenoblade 2 takes care of its characters, they remain true and believable even when pushed out of their comfort zone. Way WAY too many movies, comics, games etc. Have gotten this nasty habit of betraying their characters for a cheap laugh or act out of character to progress the story. The humor and/or drama are character based first and foremost and it is very refreshing.
A lot of people think that Mòrag has no real character development, but I argue that she goes a long way. Her development is just internal and only visible in the small changes and that she learns to think about herself sometimes. Just think about the Heart to Heart up the World Tree, before she had met Rex, she would have never done things like having fun with the rest of the party by trying to identify Titans (or by making things up).
This, for sure. People seem to forget that top tier fiction in any medium will use a healthy dose of subtlety more often than not. Xenoblade is no different, and if you read into that subtlety you’ll find some great as hell and human writing for each and every important character. It’s one of the reasons these games are so good
@@DavidHosey1 if you think xenoblade 2 is top tier fiction you might want to play anything else but this game
@@fieldkaiju if you don’t think the Xenoblade trilogy is top tier fiction, then you might want to learn to use a critical eye that looks further than a simple surface level scan lmao
Definitely an underrated discussion in the game. The only way Rex could have been the optimistic, naive protagonist he was is because he was from a peaceful, isolationist nation. A similar point can be made with Nia and her insecurities leading her to Torna so she could seek refuge from the Praetorium. Well done!
Great analyses and comparisons, but I strongly disagree about calling Zeke selfish. He’s definitely very individualistic, but that doesn’t make him inherently selfish.
The most selfish thing I can think of about him is his self-indulgent ‘bringer of chaos’ persona. He wastes some time grand-standing because of it, but I can’t say that’s more than just a tiny bit selfish. He more than makes up for it; whenever he isn’t grand-standing, he’s either doing his best to help people, or positioning himself to help people in the future. I don’t think we ever really see him doing anything else.
He didn’t leave Tantal because he didn’t care; he left because he saw no way to help as long as the country remained isolated, wasn’t stupid enough to try to usurp the throne from his father to change that, and couldn’t just watch from his figurative Ivory towers as his people suffered from the cold and starvation. He left Tantal too find a place where he could start to REALLY help people. That’s not selfish.
I’m honestly surprised how your essays haven’t been noticed by the general public yet. Good luck on your creative journey, can’t wait to see you going places!
That's the problem general public
A lesser game would have made Morag cartoonishly nationalistic and either be a big boss we’re supposed to feel no remorse for or have some kind of deep tragedy happen to her that made her realize, “Wait, empires are EVIL! We need to change ourselves!” But the writers obviously recognize the influences every individual goes through in their own world, even high-ranking ones who may need to do an empire’s dirty work. Yet another reason why Xenoblade 2 is my favorite RPG of all time. Even the side characters are as realistically complex as an actual military officer would be.
has been 5 years and still finding new stuff to love about the goat great video
Great video. So much to unpick in XC2, and these really are 2 amazing protagonists with so much going on behind the scenes
This is a REALLY interesting video and brings up a lot of excellent ideas I had never considered. Also made me chuckle quite a few time. Good stuff!
Absolutely agreed, they're a great foil together
Zeke didn't leave because he was selfish, he left because he couldn't help anyone because of who was in charge and would rather try and help the most people outside of old doomed Tantal than just watch Tantal die without being able to do anything.
If he had the power to help, he would have never rejected Tantal and never hidden the fact that he's the prince or his ties with the country. He wanted to be the same kind of hero Addam was, and he simply couldn't in Tantal.
Zeke isn't selfish, he just hate his dad and his ways that much
Another BANGER!! I LOVE your Xenoblade videos!!! 😁🥰
Nial isn't her brother. It's her cousin. It's mentioned in a cutscene where they mention that she was raised by her uncle to ascend the throne. But then Nial was born - the true successor.
1:50
I did not think that this amazing analysis would not only teach me something new, but actually make a positive effect in my life. Thank You!
Great analysis! I love that Xenoblade 2 takes care of its characters, they remain true and believable even when pushed out of their comfort zone.
Way WAY too many movies, comics, games etc. Have gotten this nasty habit of betraying their characters for a cheap laugh or act out of character to progress the story.
The humor and/or drama are character based first and foremost and it is very refreshing.
neat connections you made in this video. I never made them before but its adding up
Yeah it's something we see in the very nature of their Titan.
Mor ardain fire
Tantal ice
Very interesting video. Especially on the mindset of Morag, can't wait to eventually play XC3 and eventually replay 2 in NG+
Mythra technically has 2 other siblings, but she has either a bad relationship with or a no relationship with the other.
malos and alvis
I honestly never noticed this parallel before
Excellent video man