Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive or Dragon Quest XI?

[distant]

I'm not really in love with JRPGs in general but I wouldn't mind chipping away at one portably (Switch) for when I have time to kill and don't have access to my computer. I don't have any experience with DQ but seems to be a big inspiration for the latest Yakuza which I'm having a lot of fun with so that perked my interest. Xenoblade seems to feature an interesting world and I really like mechs.

Which of these has the most interesting/addictive gameplay mechanics (that don't excessively deviate from combat, dungeons/exploration with side stuff)? Interesting writing is always a plus but I don't expect much from either.

 

[Falksi]

All the Dragon Quest games, including XI, are as bog standard as you can get. I'd say they're literally THE middle of the road JRPG formula.

So if you're after something different and interesting, that's not the way to go. It's safe, easy, and frankly IMO dull as fuck.

 

[Derringer]

Dragon Quest XI is more engaging but Xenoblade is like a more anime FFXII except with more involving mmo-tier cool-down combat with ability combos. Neither are bad games but XI has more polish. Xenoblade's better if you want more engaging combat. DQVIII has more developed environments than XI but that's what Level 5 was good at making compared to say designing their own games that don't eventually become samey timesinks.

 

[Carpincho Pampeano]

Both are really good, i personally enjoyed Dragon Quest XI more than Xenoblade DE but less than Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

On the other hand Dragon Quest is the ultimate litmus test to see if someone has a soul or is in fact an automata, so avoid all people who says things like "It's the most generic JRPG" or "Combat sucks".

 

[distant]

Nice. I picked up the demo for DQ11 and it really is very charming and a good way to spend an hour or two before bed/while traveling. Might as well pick that up and hope it lasts me till SMTV. I'll probably sit on Xenoblade for a while, haven't really been that enticed by anything I've seen of it other than the soundtrack (which is very good).

 

[Falksi]

Nice. I picked up the demo for DQ11 and it really is very charming and a good way to spend an hour or two before bed/while traveling.

That's how I played it, and yes it too sent me to sleep.

 

[IceyD]

Gotta go DQ XI. Xenoblade Chronicles is a very empty game IMO.