Indeed. I want Xenoblade exploration. This is half the game for me (and the story is the other half, with the soundtrack being kind of a third half). This is what I want to see. I don't believe they will do Pokemon levels of bs to force me on a mech either.
You say this, but you yourself haven't finished reading my post before saying that...
Think you need to clarify more then. Obviously I'm not the only one who's having trouble trying to understand what you are trying to get at.