When Xenoblade Chronicles X first graced the Wii U almost a decade ago, it stirred a mix of excitement and controversy among gamers. Fast forward to today, and the landscape of both the gaming industry and the Xenoblade series has transformed significantly. The arrival of the Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch offers a fresh opportunity to explore this ambitious title, allowing both new players and veterans to dive into its expansive world anew.
From the moment you set foot on Mira, the game’s sprawling open world, it’s clear that this is a different beast compared to its predecessors. While it carries the Xenoblade title, it’s essential to approach this game with a mindset that embraces its unique identity. Unlike the linear storytelling of the main trilogy, Xenoblade X invites you to forge your own path, offering a rich playground filled with exploration, side missions, and a combat system that rewards creativity.
Setting the Stage: The Story of Xenoblade Chronicles X
The narrative begins with Earth’s destruction, thrusting humanity into an intergalactic war. A ship named the White Whale escapes, only to be shot down over Mira, a lush and dangerous planet. You awaken as an amnesiac character, guided by Elma, who introduces you to the remnants of humanity in New Los Angeles (NLA). Here, players will begin their journey, tasked with uncovering the fate of the Lifehold, a facility that preserves the majority of the surviving human population.
What makes the story engaging is its ability to stand alone. While there are connections to the broader Xenoblade universe, you don’t need an extensive background to appreciate the plot. It’s a tale of survival, exploration, and the moral complexities of cohabitating with alien species. The side missions, often brimming with rich storytelling and character development, provide depth and context that enhance the overall experience.
Exploration: The Heart of the Game
Mira is the true star of Xenoblade Chronicles X. This vast open world is divided into five key regions, each bursting with unique environments, creatures, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. The game encourages you to explore every inch of its map, with side quests designed to reward your curiosity. As you traverse the landscape, you’ll encounter Tyrants—powerful monsters that serve as both challenges and trophies to be claimed.
The FrontierNav system plays a pivotal role in your exploration. This in-game app allows you to manage your map, place probes, and monitor your progress in uncovering the mysteries of Mira. Each quadrant of the map presents specific activities, whether it’s battling fierce foes, completing quests, or discovering hidden treasures. This gamification of exploration creates an addictive loop, urging you to venture further into the unknown.
Combat: A Dynamic System
Xenoblade Chronicles X features a combat system that blends real-time action with strategic elements. Players can choose from three main class branches and a variety of weapon loadouts, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. The key to mastering combat lies in understanding the cooldown mechanics and effectively targeting enemy limbs, which can hinder their attacks.
The introduction of Skells—pilotable mechs—adds another layer of excitement to battles. Once you unlock these machines, you’ll find yourself preferring them over on-foot combat. Skells offer immense power, allowing you to take down larger enemies with ease. However, they come with their own risks; losing a Skell in battle can set you back significantly, creating a thrilling risk-reward dynamic.
One of the most notable improvements in the Definitive Edition is the Quick Art system. This feature allows you to negate cooldowns temporarily, making battles feel faster and more exhilarating, especially during the early stages of the game. However, it’s essential to balance this mechanic, as relying too heavily on it may leave players unprepared for the game’s later challenges.
Side Quests: The Soul of Mira
While the main story provides a solid framework, it’s the side quests that truly shine in Xenoblade Chronicles X. These missions often delve into the lives of NPCs, revealing their struggles and triumphs. The game excels in crafting morally complex narratives, allowing players to make choices that impact the outcomes of these quests.
Imagine helping an NPC resolve a long-standing grudge or aiding a time traveler in completing their mission. Each side quest feels meaningful, contributing to the world-building and enriching the overall experience. The writing here is particularly noteworthy, blending humor, drama, and moral dilemmas seamlessly.
As you engage with these quests, you’ll witness the transformation of New Los Angeles as new alien species arrive, cohabitating with humanity. This narrative progression creates a vibrant world that feels alive, where your actions genuinely influence the environment around you.
Visuals and Performance: A Technical Marvel
The transition to the Nintendo Switch has breathed new life into Xenoblade Chronicles X. The Definitive Edition boasts improved visuals, with enhanced character models and a higher resolution that showcases the beauty of Mira in stunning detail. The vastness of the world is impressive, especially considering the limitations of the original Wii U hardware.
While performance generally targets 30 FPS, players may experience occasional frame drops, particularly as the world expands and more NPCs populate New Los Angeles. However, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of the experience. The game remains playable and engaging throughout its lengthy 93-hour playthrough, with only a few hiccups along the way.
Changes and Improvements: A More Accessible Experience
The Definitive Edition also introduces several quality-of-life changes that streamline gameplay. For instance, the removal of BLADE levels and field skills simplifies progression, allowing players to focus on the core experience without unnecessary roadblocks. You can now change your party anywhere and level up characters regardless of their active status, making team management more intuitive.
These adjustments enhance accessibility, ensuring that newcomers won’t feel overwhelmed by complex mechanics. However, some long-time fans might wish for the option to toggle certain features to maintain the original experience.
Music: A Soundtrack to Remember
A standout element of Xenoblade Chronicles X is its music. Hiroyuki Sawano’s compositions perfectly complement the game’s tone, blending orchestral elements with electronic beats. The soundtrack enhances the emotional impact of key moments, elevating the overall experience. While there are fewer re-orchestrations in the Definitive Edition than some fans might have hoped for, the new tracks maintain the essence of what made the original score memorable.
Final Thoughts: A Timeless Classic Reimagined
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition captures the essence of what made the original title special while making it more accessible for a new generation of players. Its vast open world, compelling narrative, and innovative combat system create an experience that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
As you explore the breathtaking landscapes of Mira, engage in thought-provoking side quests, and immerse yourself in the intricate combat mechanics, you’ll discover why this game has earned its place in the hearts of many. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning fan, this Definitive Edition stands as a testament to Monolith Soft’s commitment to crafting immersive worlds and engaging narratives.
If you’re searching for a game that offers adventure, depth, and a chance to connect with a rich universe, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is an experience you won’t want to miss. Dive in, explore, and uncover the secrets of Mira—you won’t regret it.
