When the fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of dying Titans, there’s little hope left for Rex and his companions in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. But with a beautifully weaved storyline and a masterfully rich combat system, the open world action RPG rounds off the year as a strong contender in a line-up of superb first-party Switch titles.
It’s been more than five years since the first Xenoblade Chronicles arrived on the Wii from Monolith Soft. Since then, the Japanese studio has released a New Nintendo 3DS port of the original game and a spiritual successor named Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Wii U in 2015. Now, from the studio’s co-founder and executive director Tetsuya Takahashi, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for the Nintendo Switch treads the same, visually stunning, open world path. And though it’s touted as a direct sequel to the original critically-acclaimed game, the action RPG features a different cast of characters set in a new world, with a new anime character art style to boot.
The world of Alrest is bleak. The Titans – massive creatures that live in harmony with humans – are dying. And the provinces that make up Alrest are at war with one another, with refugees from smaller villages claiming sanctuary within the Praetorium at Indol. But not all hope for humanity is lost. The World Tree, which stands in the middle of Alrest, offers a safe haven for human life. Known as Elysium, the ultimate paradise, it’s forbidden to all but the chosen and will destroy any human, blade, nopon, animal or titan that comes within its border. Yet one salvager, Rex, believes there is a way to turn the cloud sea tides in their favour. Plunged into a war fuelled by years of bitterness between the Torna and Imperial Army, Rex wields the Aegis – a legendary blade named Pyra, which houses enough power to destroy the foundations of Alrest – and teams up with the sharp-tongued Nia, her blade Dromarch, and the peppy nopon Tora and his artificial blade Poppi to journey to Elysium.
After an intense opening sequence and dramatic prologue, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 unfolds into a gorgeous fantasy world above the sea clouds. Entire cities, towns and villages are built upon or within a Titan, while the game’s artistic design draws on inspiration from both the real and fantasy worlds, blending them together into a vibrant and colourful tapestry that breathes life into every pixel. It’s easy to sit back and watch in awe as the pastel pinks, purples and blues of Uraya form a miniature Coral Reef, while the spires of Indoline’s Praetorium glisten as the sunlight hits the courtyard, or as the Leftherin Archipelago fits together like a puzzle in the sea clouds.
Even the inhabitants of each province speak in native tongues, with Mor Ardain favouring Scottish while Gormott’s dialect is Welsh in the PAL version. This attention to detail when building such an adaptable, epic fantasy world is what sets Monolith Soft apart from others in the industry. Though a bold statement, it’s what makes them the world-building equivalent to today’s fantasy literary geniuses such as Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin and Terry Pratchett – all of whom build deeply rich worlds with political affairs, fantastical creatures and gruesome deaths.
Perhaps it’s why Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s main storyline is so engrossing. Between the sepia flashbacks and the current state of affairs, the cutscenes are intrinsically woven for both dramatic and emotional effect. At around 20 hours in, there’s a particularly heart-wrenching scene between Rex and his companions, while after 50 hours of playtime your stomach starts twisting in knots from the story’s revelations. What Xenoblade Chronicles X lacked in story development, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 makes up for in droves. With lengthy cutscenes before, after and sometimes during major boss fights, it may disturb the battle flow for some players. Yet, in most cases, it often adds fuel to the fire, particularly when the sinister and cunning Malos and Akhos are in play with their blood-thirsty facial expressions taking centre stage. Take it from a Nopon, it’s less blushy-crushy and more smashy-bashy with pure, intense action. And should you need some heart-to-hearts with your characters, you’ll find mini story nuggets scattered across Alrest too.
With the storyline and world building set aside, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 satiates players with a deep combat system that’s unlike the style of previous games. Each playable character such as Rex, Nia or Tora are known as Drivers that wield either human, animal or humanoid Blades to battle foes. Each Blade is tethered by an energy (ether) thread to its Driver and can channel their power to initiate Arts, which are tied to their elemental typing and the weapon they wield. When the ether thread breaks between Driver and Blade, their auto attacks become weaker and are more likely to miss, but should they position themselves together their auto attacks are stronger, dealing greater damage.
As Drivers can attach up to three different blades at any one time, the possibilities of unleashing combo attacks among a three-strong party are huge. By toppling, breaking and launching enemies, combined with a perfect three-pronged Blade attack, players can deal a great amount of damage. But be wary, should you consistently use the same combo attack on the same foe, it will adapt. What once worked to great effect will then barely even make a mark on their HP gauge.
Should your party land enough hits on a foe, players will be able to activate the team’s special attack to deal critical damage. However, such a large attack will need to be used strategically by players, as it causes the party to lose the power to resurrect a fallen member. In an ever-changing environment coupled with enemy weaknesses, battles can be strategically won with the right skill set and equipped Blades, making for an intensely fun ride. Yet there are a few drawbacks during battles, with nails-on-a-chalkboard character voice narration from the Imperial Army guards and hack-and-slash style battle combat that can be difficult to gauge where your character is standing. If I ever have to hear the three simple words, “Don’t forget me” in a Scottish accent again, I think I may walk myself to Hell. Like an arrow to the knee, let’s not make this an internet meme.
As we touched upon in our preview, Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s RPG elements provide a meaty core for series’ fans. Between equipping Chips and Aux Cores to your Blade weapons, purchasing accessories for character statistic buffs and raising your Blades trust to build affinity and unlock field and battle skills, there’s plenty to get to grips with. After you’ve played through the first couple of chapters, you’ll be able to bond new blades to any human driver in your party. By collecting core crystals, players can bond a new blade and attach boosters to buff their Blades statistics. And while it acts as a loot box system, that – thankfully – you won’t have to pay for with real money, there’s a good chance of unlocking rare human blades along the way.
Of course, all those unused Blades have to occupy their time with something – and that’s where Mercenary Missions will come into play. Choose to develop Alrest’s provinces by sending your Blades on fetch quest missions to help the Titan’s inhabitants and, after the allotted mission time has passed, they will return with gold and bonus experience for your characters, all whilst levelling up their abilities and building their trust with the Driver. Since Merc Missions are carried out automatically and don’t disturb your own gameplay experience, it’s a neat additional way to gain extra experience for your characters.
With such a rich gameplay experience on offer, it’s rather unfortunate that most of Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s flaws are strictly technical. While taking on side quests or the main story missions, players will have the ability to fast travel to any previous landmark visited. Although it’s a great way to zip from location to location, the Switch often loads in greyscale flat environments before bringing through the visuals immediately after you’ve initiated a fast travel sequence. Within those first few minutes, players will also experience slight framerate drops too, due to the time it takes the Switch to catch up to game. As we’re playing the digital version, it could be due to the limitations of the SD card’s speed limit, so we can’t quite judge this accordingly.
Other issues appear with the game’s quest marker tracking system. Even with my in-built though hugely out-of-date Sat Nav (let’s be honest, I was never good at Geography), discovering the location of a main story mission and side quests can test any player’s limit. While the game does let you deactivate and activate missions at any time, it tends to congregate all quest markers together. So, should you take on a quest to slay three Spike Urchons you may have up to three or more quest markers indicated within the game’s top directional bar. As you get closer to the location, the numbers will decrease, as well as indicate how high or low the ground level should be. Unfortunately, due to the game’s paltry mini map and larger (optional) translucent map, inexperienced players will most likely spend hours wandering around the open world with frustratingly high-levelled enemies on their tail. A secondary map screen is sorely missed in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
While the visuals are simply gorgeous when the Switch is in docked mode, their crystal clear appearance diminishes in handheld mode. Backgrounds seem washed out, while the anime character design sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s unfair to cast the handheld mode completely aside though, as the gameplay experience remains intensely fun for series’ veterans and newcomers.
Even with a few technical niggles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 remains a strong contender to this year’s line up of Switch games. Its beautifully constructed storyline, artistic style and rich gameplay experience with nail-biting boss fights is sure to bring any series’ fan hours of enjoyment. After all, the Aegis’ life is at stake.
8.5/10
It sounds like really great game. Really liked Xenoblade X on Wii U… But never actually finished it. I don’t have the time. Maybe with the portability of the Switch i could finish this one. Great Review by the way.
Hi, I have been reading your site since I bought Switch. I’m curious, have you ever give a game score other than 8-8.5?
Yes, we recently awarded Super Mario Odyssey 9.5 https://mynintendonews.com/2017/10/26/super-mario-odyssey-review/
And that 9.5 on mario is a lower score considering the totall avarage on metacritic with 9.7 from 103 sites and that comes from a Nintendo site just in case if som1 could say Nintendo sites gives extra scores just because are nintendo games
Lol
I bought the original Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii. But I got bored to death of it in only a couple hours and stopped playing. Never returned to it. I was hating everything about it.
Wii? lol? only Emulator for me i cant stand the shit resolution even for one of my top 10 favorite games ever.
Out of curiosity, how far did you get? Not time-wise, as that varies from player to player, but how far in the game?
He manage to go till to the Start menu i bet !!!:PP
It’s been too long ago to remember. All I remember is running around the village/town, swimming in water, and having a few minor battles with enemies. I remember feeling like the game seemed outdated, even with the motion of the character as he was swimming and running. I also remember hating the look of the robotic enemies, and even the look of the main characters. I’m not a fan of JRPG’s. With the exception of Chrono Trigger. Which I also disliked at first.
Wow. The original Xenoblade Chronicles is one of my favorite games ever in the history of games. But to each their own I guess. :/
i recommend you give it a second chance i thought it was lame at the beggining but you need to get past the first area atleast cause the first area can be kinda boring. its my personal fav game i try to make all of my friends play its that good
I never use my Switch in portable mode lol 99% of the time it don’t leave the dock
Same here. Any chance I have to play games on my TV, I’m always going to choose my TV.
I’m actually half and half. At first I thought I’d never play in portable mode, but one night I was playing botw and it was getting late and I had to work the next morning. So I got ready for bed and thought I would try playing the portable mode while I lay in bed for a few minutes. I ended up playing for another two hours lol. Since then I absolutely love playing the Switch while laying in bed. I think 90% of my Xenoblade 2 gameplay has been in portable mode.
Hmm? Im the complete opposite. My SWITCH is always in portable mode. & from time to time I hook it up to the dock & play in TV mode.
I can see myself using portable for quests and docked for the main missions.
I’m the other way round 99% handheld. Remaining docked
But then my 2 1/2 yr old daughter dominates the tv with peppa pig.
I wish peppa pig would appper on screen when I’m playing doom, I would make serious bacon outta that b*#*ch!
I’ll be skipping this entry in the franchise. Maybe the next one will snag me more.
You’ll be sorry!
I’m good.
It’s the best in the series. It has the best story hand down and the best characters. It would be like a Zelda fan skipping Ocarina of Time… it’s that good.
I look forward to seeing how great the story is for myself. And unlike the original Xenoblade Chronicles, I won’t spoil any plot twists for myself. (Hopefully they are as awesome as they would have been in the original Xenoblade Chronicles if I hadn’t have spoiled them.)
Can’t wait to get my copy tomorrow and play exclusively with my Xenoblade special controller =)
I almost hadn’t time to read this, but I’m really glad I took my time to do it. Superb review as always, and as alway; framedrops are the worst!!
I was really feeling it when I was reading this. You did an excellent job as alway, C :)
Haha, ohh youuuu!
Commander i was thinking the same thing and i type like 3 different comments but i stop them because my troll self wont let me to bring this “he wants to mate with the female. ” without using dirty-bad manners so i stop cause it was going to be like insults in the end. while i was trying to point something like the video you bring. Just the funny part on the case
With different words..i couldn’t produce a joke;p
You manage to do that perfect.
Haha, people nowadays :P The “really feeling” it part was a Shulk reference if that’s what sounded so bad xP
You are exposed. You can’t save yourself now haha. But yes how we can produce jokes if we pretend we dont understand?:D
I.. I.. is Norwegian så I not unnderstænd what you am tålking abott!
I think that’s my TM. Frame rate drops. 😂 Thanks, K! :)
Great review Colette….wow the Switch has hands down the best 1st party titles among any system out there. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 looks like it’s gonna be an amazing thrill ride
||We always have the best primary weaponry, who told you otherwise?…||
https://youtu.be/SP0Z0Kl7Zzg?t=13s
Thank you! :)
I was hoping for a game to surpass the first one. This the last Xenoblade title for a long time as well.
Great review as always, Colette. You’re always 100% on point when it comes to reviewing video games like Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I’m 101% sure that Sickr is extremely proud of your review.
Thank you so much. :) I always try to make sure you get both a good read and a non-biased review!
As much as I’d love to read Colette’s review because she’s good at them, I’d rather most of my experience with the game be completely fresh & brand new. I think I’ll bookmark this page so I can come back later when I’ve played XC2 myself. Gonna have to be after I finish Final Fantasy XV, though. I don’t want to miss the current event for the game that ends in January. I want those freaking Assassin outfits for Noct, Iggy, Gladio, & Prompto. (I wish I could get the Master Assassin outfit, too, but I missed the Moogle Festival event that would have given me an egg that unlocks that outfit in the Assassin Festival event. *cries*)
Why do I want to be so in the dark with XC2? Because I ruined some plot twists in the original XC while trying to make sure I didn’t miss any of the in-game achievements so I looked them up & came across the plot twists by accident, not knowing that there was a New Game Plus mode that carried all of the achievements over. I made a mistake. Now it’s time to erase that mistake… By playing this game while being completely in the dark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mD5jhOD6qY&t=1m50s
(Movie references… Hahaha…)
Yea I didn’t read it either just the score she gave it. After about 40 hours I can say it’s the best game in the franchise. It’s exactly what I want from a jrpg. I know Odyssey got a higher score, but honestly I shouldn’t have. I’m playing Xenoblade immediately after Odyssey and I’m having way more fun with Xenoblade. Not to mention I’ve already put twice as many hours in half the time lol.
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