PixlBit

I think this was more to the point of what the writer was complaining about. But some people like grind and some do not? Endless debate.

No. I suppose not. I think in terms of Destiny, it's catching up to get to new content updates when it's considered a grind. I haven't played the game so I can't say but I have heard it referred to in this way, possibly because of my references being professionals with podcasts or journalists who really can't afford to take time to play an MMO or RPG, so they refer to it as a chore that gets in the way of their work/life. In the case of Dark Souls, I see xp farming as a cheat to get through tough areas, but I've also been able to get through tough areas with low XP, which is why I enjoy those games. 

You're right. She doesn't really differentiate between different RPG types. It's weird because she mentiones that to her, gaining experience is the most exciting part of an RPG, and I don't even really know what that means?  I think she means RPGs get good when you have unlocked stronger skills and mastered combat to add depth to your gameplay. There is a companion article she wrote before this one where she mentions 'Social Features' , the term she uses to describe perks and XP gained from interacting with characters in your party and she generally wanted to see other forms of xp growth apart from combat. 

I would have liked better combat maybe. As it is, it's more linear minecraft than DQ. Not bad, but I'd like to see a proper DQ on current consoles.

I can really only play classic NES games thru emulators because of the wonderful save states. You haven't played any of the GBA or DS Castlevania games? Oh dear! They are very Soulslike and wonderful, especially Order of Ecclessia. The GBA and DS games are also more accessible than the classic games. I also have Dracula X Japan on Wii, and I plugged it all in again just to replay that one game. 

I feel like you have to work at having fun in DR, if that makes any sense. You have to find recipes in the mall before you can craft things which allows you to level up faster if you use certain crafted weapons-- hence the working to have fun part. Although, you can pick up many objects in the mall to use as weapons, quite surprising amount actually. The whole thing is preposterous!!

Elliot reminds me of alot of protagonists from every anime ever. Thats part of the appeal for me, a main character isnt pefectly happy. Part of why I liked Outcasts Kyle Barnes, although he has a reputation for being a wife abuser so the town hates him and he hates himself.  Lets make him the main character...very miserable guy to watch. Why am I entertained by depressing things? 

You shouldnt let this comment go to waste. I hope you copy and post as a blog about open worlds because it's an interesting subject to reiterate on. I would also add Dead Rising as a new fav sandbox of mine. I never played until now, but once again the environment, story, and horror genre is enough to keep me interested for the mundane backtracking and janky melee combat. I don't normally enjoy comical/funny games, but its equally survival horror and fun at the same time, kind of like Sean of the Dead, which seem contradictory, but it pulls these things off well, for me anyway. I'm an apologist for bad things if I like some aspect of it at least.

Yep. I actually get now why people like fucking around in open worlds just because they like surveying the map. It depends on the world I guess, but I've always felt like open world games weren't that interesting. I think after a while DA:I is more fun when you unlock more of the combat abilities and experiment with party setup, the world is very pretty as well. Side-quests in Xeno arent very good either. They do a good job of fleshing out the world a bit, but not as well as DA, but no game really does it that well anyway. Creatures are fantastic though!

I felt the same about xeno chron wiiu at first, when the game decided to drop me into the open world right away, rather than directing me through a more linear RPG story experience like the first one. Also, the new game has a silent protagonist where the original game didnt, also there was a good relationship with party in first game and you had that sweet Monado laser sword. 
They are different games, but I enjoy the new game in a different way. Its like Dragon Age 2= xenoblade wii and DA:I = xenoblade chron.  I guess if you prefer linear RPG story vs sandbox open world exploration. The combat is the same, and I find the visuals of the first game to be a little ugly now, although it is very stylish but not as pretty as Chron. 

When I played Xeno Chron on WiiU, it was so fucking beautiful I wanted to cry and live in that game world, just like when people wanted to actually live in the world of James Camerons film 'Avatar'.