Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch Review
Summary: While Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is not a perfect remaster by any means. It has several notable and avoidable flaws. However, it is still one of the best remasters in modern years and the new content makes it an incredibly attractive remaster for fans.
3.7
Frustrating Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles X may not be as widely recognized as other entries in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, but it remains a beloved cult classic among fans. Now, nearly a decade after its original release, Nintendo and Monolith Soft have brought it back for modern audiences with Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. This enhanced version boasts improved visuals, technical upgrades, and various refinements, making it the best way to experience the game.
Set in the year 2054, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition follows the remnants of humanity after Earth is destroyed in the crossfire of an intergalactic war. The survivors escape aboard the White Whale, a massive ark-like ship, only to crash-land on the uncharted planet of Mira. Players step into the shoes of a customizable protagonist who joins BLADE, an organization dedicated to exploring this vast new world, defending the last vestiges of humanity, and locating life pods containing other survivors. Along the way, they encounter various alien species—including one with a singular goal: wiping out the human race.
Though the premise is captivating, Xenoblade Chronicles X prioritizes exploration and world-building over traditional storytelling. Unlike other titles in the series, the game features a silent protagonist, which somewhat diminishes its emotional impact and player engagement.
The story also takes a while to get going, as it takes several hours for players to come across the real threats and enemies of the game. And while the supporting cast, including the enigmatic Elma and the energetic Lin, provide some depth, the story doesn’t do a good job of making players care about them as much as other characters in the series.
Additionally, much of the lore and world-building is delivered through side missions and optional dialogue, making it easy to miss crucial plot elements if players focus solely on the main questline alone. What’s worse is that most of these side quests aren’t engaging, as most boil down to non voiced NPC characters sending you on insignificant quests. However, this isn’t the same for Affinity Quests, as, at least, they allow you to learn more about the main characters.
Where Xenoblade Chronicles X truly shines is in its gameplay. The game features the series’ signature gameplay formula that’s easy to pick up quickly, especially if you’ve previously played one of the games. Players fight enemies with auto-attacks and the use of Arts, abilities that recharge over time and have specific effects depending on positioning and timing. You can also switch between ranged and melee attacks on the fly, unlike other games, for more versatility. Success during combat is determined by using the right Skills, Arts, and attacks while executing the right positioning and learning how to organize party members. One of the best parts of combat is how players unlock skills and arts dynamically by just playing the game. However, being able to change classes to get more powerful skills adds even more depth to combat.
Players can choose from a variety of weapon types, from dual blades to heavy artillery, offering numerous playstyles. When not fighting on foot, players will fight enemies on their Skell, a powerful mecha machine. This introduces an entirely different dynamic as they all have their own set of abilities, making gameplay more engaging. Customization is another strong aspect of Xenoblade Chronicles X. The game allows players to customize almost everything, from skills to weapons and armor. Equipment customization is extensive, with different armor sets, weapon types, and upgrades. There is even a transmog system that allows players to wear their best-looking armor while applying the strongest stats, which is always great.
All these elements make Xenoblade Chronicles X one of the series’s most approachable and user-friendly entries. However, the Definitive Edition goes a step further by including a shocking amount of quality-of-life changes. These include being able to swap party members in the game’s menu no matter where the characters are. Additionally, all characters now share experience points even if they aren’t at the party, and Affinity points are easier to earn. Quests are easier to track through the menus, players can now respec battle points and change time wherever they are, and most importantly, the game finally gets an autosave, making exploration much more painless. The Definitive Edition also adds all-new Skells and characters. Lastly, without spoiling too much, it also adds a new amazing story content that expands the world and narrative.
Exploration is a key part of Xenoblade Chronicles X. Mira is a stunningly vast and diverse planet, divided into five massive regions, each boasting its own unique ecosystem, wildlife, and geography. From the lush forests of Noctilum to the barren wastelands of Oblivia, the sense of scale and discovery is awe-inspiring.
The world is completely open from the start, allowing players to traverse it freely on foot and Mechs, some areas being more easily accessible with the latter. The best part of exploration is just how freeing it is. Players can freely run without stamina, jump without taking fall damage, and explore all areas easily. However, while vast and open, most of the planet, even the game’s fictional city of New Los Angeles is quite empty. The majority of the planet is only filled with creatures, forests, and fauna. As such, there isn’t much to do aside from killing aliens and completing quests.
Another nitpick is that despite being a remaster you can’t reconfigure or remap buttons on the Nintendo Switch. This is unfortunate as several button prompts are in awkward positions like RT being the jump button, which is just strange. Additionally, you would think that a remaster would include better subtitles for the Japanese voices but unfortunately that is not the case. Several words and even sentences are inaccurate to the words being spoken and it’s very noticeable.
One of the most frustrating aspects of Xenoblade Chronicles X is its restrictive progression system. The game locks main story quests behind arbitrary requirements, forcing players to explore specific percentages of each region and complete side missions before advancing. Instead of enhancing the experience, this design choice artificially inflates playtime in the worst way, making players slog through some of the game’s most tedious content. As the story progresses, these requirements become increasingly demanding, turning what should be an exciting adventure into a grind-heavy chore filled with unlocking barren sections of the map just to move forward.
Perhaps the most grueling hurdle, however, is obtaining a Skell. Rather than a straightforward pilot test, players must complete a tedious string of fetch quests that only lead to more of the same. The process is already monotonous, but the real kicker is that the Skell doesn’t even grant flight from the start. Instead, players must reach level 30 and endure even more side quests to unlock the flight module. What should have been a thrilling moment of empowerment instead feels like yet another drawn-out grind, further testing the player’s patience.
That said, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition does shine in several areas, particularly in its visual overhaul. The game’s environments boast lush greenery, stunning art direction, and intricately designed creatures and characters. Character models have received a massive upgrade, making them nearly indistinguishable from those in recent titles, and the improved UI is significantly more user-friendly and readable.
Final Thoughts?
All in all, while Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is not a perfect remaster by any means. It has several notable and avoidable flaws. However, it is still one of the best remasters in modern years and the new content makes it an incredibly attractive remaster for fans.
About the Author
Abdul Saad A seasoned entertainment journalist and critic, and has been writing for five years on multiple gaming sites. When he isn't writing or playing the latest JRPG, he can be found coding games of his own or tinkering with something electrical.
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