Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition marks another great Wii U game release on the Nintendo Switch. There’s no doubt that with only a few million Wii U consoles ever sold back in the day, a lot of people missed out on this RPG. So this Definitive Edition aims to draw players into the series by welcoming them to a futuristic world.
It is important to note that Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition doesn’t tie into the other Xenoblade games. Back in the day, this was seen as a spiritual successor to the first game, even though Nintendo ended up making Xeno 2 and Xeno 3. So as it stands, all four Xenoblade games are now available on Nintendo Switch. Fun times!
Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition isn’t a new game by any means. In fact, this is seen as a remaster of the original Wii U title. However, Nintendo has done a great job polishing up the game’s visuals while at the same time using this release as an opportunity to fix a lot of problems and technical issues on the Wii U port.
The visuals have seen some drastic changes with overhauled technical changes, new textures, sharper assets, and a generally improved visual quality. These changes are much-needed given that the Wii U version was rather bogged down by some technical limitations. You know when you’re playing a game that is really good but visually, it isn’t up to standard, and you kind of have to just render everything you see with rose-coloured glasses; that is how I played the Wii U port.
So moving the Switch version was exciting. It has also been ten years, so I kind of forgot what the original was like in the first place. Similar to other entries in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles X throws players into a large open-world with two major pillars driving the experience: exploration and real-time combat.
Following an attack on Earth, humanity escapes to find life on a new planet. They leave Earth on a massive vessel called The White Whale. But the alien forces that attacked Earth track them down, and after an intergalactic war, the vessel crash-lands onto a planet called Mira. Players take on the role of one of the survivors who just so happens to join a newly established task force called BLADE, which is made up of other survivors of the wreckage.
The nice thing about how Xenoblade Chronicles X starts out is that everyone around the player is kind of on the same playing field when it comes to discovering this strange new planet and all the secrets it has to offer. So the story plays out like an educational piece for the entire group of survivors. It further adds to the sense of discovery and is elevated by various cutscenes.
Like other Xenoblade games, the world is yours to explore as you see fit. It is a living and breathing location with monsters big and small scattered around the land. If you want to go get trampled by an oversized giraffe/elephant thing, you can. The series is known for its freedom, and Xenoblade Chronicles X is no different.
Combat happens in real-time too. This means the creature you see on your screen can be attacked, and it will initiate combat, which triggers a fight. There are no loading screens or anything of the like. Fights happen there and then on the spot.
Xenoblade Chronicles X takes a while to get going. After about 10 hours, the game opens up and stops playing out like a tutorial. I was also introduced to Skells, which are controllable mechs and an exclusive feature in this specific game. Not only do these mechs offer new combat systems, but they also act as amazing ways to get around the planet. Think of them like a cool mech vehicle which is yours to control and pilot.
The combat in Xenoblade Chronicles X is very similar to other entries. It is a mix of turn-based and real-time. Your party stands around the enemy and initiates attacks automatically until a Battle Art is used. Battle Arts then have special impact depending on your position on the enemy. If you’re standing behind them, for example, certain of these Arts deal more damage and have certain perks to being used.
Combat gets deeper with a combination of Battle Arts, standard attacks, different positions, and AI-controlled party members all combining them together as you progress further in the game.
I have expressed in past Xenoblade Chronicle reviews that I am not the biggest fan of the combat system used in the series. The “stand around and attack over and over again” style just isn’t my thing. I find the system just brain-dead to a certain degree, and it disconnects me from the gameplay. But I do respect how layered it can get later down the line when you have builds going for you, and I make an effort to try and get as deep into the system as possible. However, I would take a combo system or turn-based combat system over this any day.
Generally speaking, Xenoblade Chronicles X plays out identically to the Wii U version. There are some added story portions in the game now which are accessed much later down the line. It expands the already ridiculously long story even more.
The game’s visuals are quite superb now with improvements across every aspect. The HUD has especially seen a lot of love. The general clarity of the HUD while in combat looks cleaner, and the text is now readable. It is still as cluttered as ever, though. Another irk I have with the game: The world is so beautiful yet the UI is crammed to every inch of the screen. More so for combat encounters. It is a lot of UI for a game where you just stand around waiting for moves to execute automatically. But you’ll get used to it.
Generally speaking, Xenoblade Chronicles X feels more modern and relevant than ever on the Switch. The port looks the best and sounds better than ever too. It feels like a game made for the Switch with a world that is delivered in the quality it deserves. The series is known for its remarkable scale, and Mira is brought to life thanks to the extra power on the console.
I would love to see where the Xenoblade Chronicles series goes on the Switch 2, but for now, we have this remaster, and it is well worth your money and time. It is an adventure that will fill the void until the inevitable sequel arrives.
Xenoblade Chronicles
Summary
Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition gives Switch owners the opportunity to play one of the greatest RPGs from the Wii U with revamped visuals and changes. Most of which, are great while some changes could have used a bit more love.
