Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition Review - X Gives It To Ya
Xenoblade Chronicles X was one of my absolute favourite titles of the Wii U, a console that wasn’t known for having many games, but those that it did have were generally excellent. As Nintendo continues to ship those titles off the Wii U and onto the vastly superior Switch, more than a hundred million gamers are getting the opportunity to discover gems that maybe only a hundred thousand got to experience before. Switch’s Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition gives those millions of gamers, an opportunity to experience one of the best JRPGs they’re likely to play, a bunch of awesome extra content, and a peak behind the curtain at the wizardry of developer Monolithsoft. Simply put, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition is not to be missed.
Somehow, ten years have now passed since the game’s original Wii U release, and I’m equal parts shocked and impressed by the initial release. Xenoblade Chronicles X was an incredibly ambitious title, a game that did things that to this day are hardly rivalled. The size of its world was jaw-dropping and the fact that it was all instantly accessible upon jumping into your very first Skell was even more impressive. For those in the know will see many connections between what Monolithsoft achieved with this title and then The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, a game that the studio also assisted development on. Despite many phenomenal achievements, it was also hard not to look at the game and wonder, “what if?” – with the relative horsepower of the PS4 and Xbox One sitting alongside the Wii U fans longed for a version of the game that had the horsepower to help the game to shine in every other facet of its experience as well, and the Switch finally gives players just that.
On a technical level, there are several improvements that fans have long been clambouring for, from 1920×1080 resolution, to improvements to lighting, character models, and even the UI. The overly small text of the Wii U version has been increased and is much sharper than before, and many introductory screens, such as when you’re entering a new area have been altered to align stylistically with recent Xenoblade games, including the remastered original title. In the combat arena, a place that players will spend a great deal of the 70+ hours that they’re likely to spend with Xenoblade Chronicles X, there have been a range of helpful quality of life improvements introduced to make the game feel a little less cumbersome than it could sometimes feel on Wii U. The level cap has been thankfully removed, on-screen guides are available for the various Overdrive combos, and a small but significant addition is the ability to ‘Quick Recast’ which makes the juggling act of navigating combat a bit easier.
The first blush impressions I had with Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition were incredibly positive, but what I didn’t realise is just how deep this new experience goes, and while you’ll need to see out the main-game first, some hefty, and mighty impressive post-game content on the newly introduced Floating Continent is bound to excite the masses who have been longing for some closure for a decade. With many more hours added to the experience, there is much to like about what this new region introduces. But you don’t just have to wait until you’ve completed that 70+ hour campaign before you can get to the juicy new content, with some new faces, and a selection of new Skell available to check out as well.
Of course the improvements are plentiful and high quality, but they’re the delicious cherry on on an already wonderful tasting cake. Xenoblade Chronicles X is a masterful experience, and while it is directly disconnected from the tales of Xenoblade Chronicles 1-3, there are threads that do link the stories, themes that transcend universes, and the same engaging storytelling approach from Monolithsoft that is bound to ensnare the player. The combat is as riveting as ever, and while the wait to get into your first Skell will feel never-ending, the wait is immediately worth it.
Now looking every part the game that Monolithsoft had always envisioned the game to be, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition is destined for the levels of greatness that the 2015 release strived for, and was within reach of, but couldn’t quite touch due to some small technical and design deficiencies. Find your Skell, buckle up, and savour every moment. For many of you this will be the first time you’ve played Xenoblade Chronicles X, and you’ll be devastated that you’ve missed the game for so long.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition was reviewed on Nintendo Switch with a code kindly provided by Nintendo Australia.
