Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the best games of the past generation. An unsung hero that, despite its popularity, went unplayed by many. The fact that not many played this gem was because there weren’t many copies sent west when it initially launched for the Nintendo Wii. The shortage led to high prices for any copies of the game that made it west. The west finally got to experience this game when it came to 3DS and then Nintendo Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is the brand new version exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. While the 3DS version was a hit, it was only playable on New 3DS XL’s; this new version also has extra content. It’s great to play such a classic game at home or on the go. Xenoblade Chronicles is a game players will want to play anywhere, and I think it is worth picking up on the Switch even if the player has already played it before.
Xenoblade Chronicles tells the story of a young man named Shulk. He lives on a giant mechanoid named the Bionis. The Bionis is a husk of what it used to be when the world first came to be. Shulk and his friends Reynn and Fiora live here and have for years. They have become best friends, and there might even be a little love between Fiora and Shulk. The trio is living their best lives when tragedy strikes. Everything is fine and dandy until an evil force cuts down Fiora, sending Shulk and Reynn on a journey.
Shulk and Reynn head out into a wild world, one that they have never seen before. They’ve been living a peaceful life, Shulk working on the Monado and crafting, while Reynn has been getting stronger every day. This pair will have to use what they know to get through this, at least they both have weapon training too. Along the way, they will meet powerful friends and allies, working together to help save the world. They will meet a medic named Sharla, a mage named Melia, a warrior named Riki, and even have Fiora’s brother Dunban join their cause. These heroes are going to take on monstrous mechs known as Mechon, and through the power of friendship will change the world. Shulk wields the powerful Monado, a blade that can rend Mechon asunder. This blade has been under the watchful eye of Shulk for years, but soon becomes a target on his back. All of the Mechon want to kill him for it, and he will have to use it or lose it. Thankfully his sword skills are up to snuff because some of these Mechon are gigantic.
Players will fight in battles as they run through this vast world. They can take on enemies in fights where they have to dodge attacks and strike when they can. Players will auto-attack with a basic strike that does help. The only input the players have to give in battle is moving and selecting which arts to use. The Arts are special attacks that have a cool-down timer after each use. Players can upgrade their arts with the experience they build up in battle. Players will level up themselves too, but they can level up their Arts with another set of points. The Arts are worth leveling up because it strengthens them, making them more helpful in battle. The healing arts are especially useful as monsters will often attack in waves. Players can upgrade their characters any way they please and should have enough to max out each Art if they play a long time.
Xenoblade Chronicles is a game that players should be able to play for a while. The game does get harder as the player progresses through the story. Some RPG’s are known to be easier as the player levels up, but this game has enemies that are level eighty. That is pretty impressive and shows the player needs to be dedicated to win. Though maxing out the character’s does make the final boss a walk in the park. Players will take on loads of quests as they play the game. Some are initiated only by changing which character the player leads around the world. One quest, for example, I got early on, but it sent me to a place where there was a level ninety monster. I had to play the game long enough and grind to take it down, and that’s good questing. Quests can take on different forms. Some are short and to the point while others are long-form. Some quests even have a timer and will disappear if the player passes a certain point in the story. These quests are great for leveling up, and experience is harder to come by as the player levels up, so take advantage and clear as many quests as possible.
As players play the game, they will find a few secret areas. These areas give the player a vast amount of experience. It’s always good to seek out these areas, and players will know when they have found one. Sometimes they even often scenic vistas that are great for taking pictures. The world of Xenoblade Chronicles is gorgeous, so take pictures often. Xenoblade Chronicles has a lot of customization for the player to take in. They can customize what their characters wear, and even what weapon they wield. This version of the game allows players to pick and choose what their characters wear without degrading their stats. They can select the best gear for the stats and then select the best look. It’s just that easy, and more JRPG’s should follow suit.
Heart to Heart moments are tranquil moments where players interact. These moments are lovely bits of story-telling that highlight how characters feel at points in the story. Players can only view these moments if they play the story with different parties. As the characters fight together and interact, their friendship levels will rise and fall. Players can increase them more during these Heart to Hearts, by giving the right answers. The correct answers are usually obvious to the player, but players might want to save before initiating Heart to Hearts.
This version also has an Expert Mode that changes the game. Players can put aside the experience earned from quests and even from finding secret areas. Quests give a lot of experience and help the player level up quickly. Players can also delevel themselves or level themselves up if they have enough experience. It’s this kind of customization that should help keep this game fresh even on multiple playthroughs. Players can play through the game and then delevel themselves for New Game +.
The music in this game is great, always has been. The music for the game is brand new and built from the ground up. Players will hear different music depending on the weather and where they are. It’s fantastic to hear the music crystal clear. The battle themes are especially fantastic and help pump up the player. Honestly, I would listen to the soundtrack even if I wasn’t playing this game. The voice acting is also amazing. This game might not have come to the states years ago, so all of the characters have English accents. The characters might take some a bit to get used to, but they are all top-notch. By the end, I was saying Shulks, “I’m really feeling it”, line as often as he was. Trust me: the voice acting is some of the best out there.
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition also contains an epilogue. This epilogue might be playable right at the start, but it is worth playing after beating the main story. It follows Shulk, Melia, and two of Riki’s kids Nene and Kino. This side story is a fantastic one and adds about another twenty hours to this game. Players will travel through a new area of the Bionis, taking on monsters and quests. There is a full story and even a final boss that is pretty powerful too. Players start this extra content at level 60 and will have to level up again, but that shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who enjoyed the main game. This story also has heart to heart moments between the characters that players can view at points in the story or at certain times a day. While it might not be necessary to play, it does have a few new features that make it a new game. Players can help Nopon adventurers who then join the team. These Nopon team up and can attack enemies for a lot of damage or even heal Shulk and friends. Players only have three party members due to this, so players will have to be strategic about who they choose to bring along.
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is the definitive version of this game. It’s worth picking up for new and old fans alike. While none of the Xenoblade games connect, the same energy flows through them all. The epilogue might even hint about the future of the series. This classic game might be a decade old, but it deserves to be known as one of the best JRPG’s out there. Shulk and his friends have to save their world, will the player help them?