Following the original Xenoblade is definitely a tough task, but for the most part Xenoblade 2 succeeds. Although the 2 games are very different, the core of the experience is kept, with a big focus on exploration. Many things are improved for this entry, with a deeper battle system that's more active thanks to Arts not having cooldown timers. Quest design is also, IMO, better, with less grinding and more focus on exploration instead.
It's no secret that Xenoblade 2 has been a controversial game, mostly thanks to its shift to a more "juvenile" style, both in character design and general tone (especially during the first few chapters). For the most part, I preferred the approach of the original game but I still enjoyed the story/characters of 2, even if it took a few chapters for things to truly get going.
Overall, Xenoblade 2 is an excellent game that builds upon the original's foundation. However, it suffers from a slow start and from being a little bloated in terms of content.
It's no secret that Xenoblade 2 has been a controversial game, mostly thanks to its shift to a more "juvenile" style, both in character design and general tone (especially during the first few chapters). For the most part, I preferred the approach of the original game but I still enjoyed the story/characters of 2, even if it took a few chapters for things to truly get going.
Overall, Xenoblade 2 is an excellent game that builds upon the original's foundation. However, it suffers from a slow start and from being a little bloated in terms of content.