Xenoblade Chronicles was the third of the Nintendo Wii ‘Rainfall’ releases to have passed me by on its original release. The re-release on ‘New’ Nintendo 3DS didn’t appear on my J-RPG scouter either. The Xenoblade series has been held in high regard by many gamers but I was always distracted by something else. However, things are a bit different with the release of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.
Fast forward almost exactly ten years and the Xenoblade fandom is coursing through my veins, my body is ready. So much so that TechStomper‘s review coverage will be split into parts.
Partially because I’m having way too much fun, but mostly because Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is easily a 100-hour playthrough. I felt that this multi-part format would be the most appropriate approach to shining a light on one of Nintendo Switch‘s best J-RPGs.
Classic Structure
The structure of Xenoblade Chronicles is typical of most JRPGs with its sweeping main quest full of well-built characters.
One area of the game that has proven particularly rewarding is the various side-quests picked up from various NPCs. The majority of the first 15 hours of our review playthrough has been completing side-quests and so far it has been most satisfying.
For genre veterans, its common knowledge that grinding for levels, items, materials and other game-specific mechanics is a necessity. For the most part, Xenoblade Chronicles has provided a highly entertaining review playthrough. With in-depth tutorials spanning the first two chapters, various battle mechanics and thrilling plot points, Xenoblade sinks it’s teeth in early.
The first thing players will need to get to grips with is the battle system, a hybrid between turn-based and live fighting. Players can use the bumper buttons to select far away enemies and pick a strategy before engagement, which is great. From achieving Battle Start Affinity by hitting ‘B’ at the correct time to using certain (Arts) moves from a certain angle, Xenoblade Chronicles juggles challenging gameplay with rewarding good strategy perfectly.
“Buttons Maps Codify the Miracle of Our Control Schemes”
My one issue with the battle system is the button mapping, it’s all over the place. The D-Pad is used to select different Arts/Talent Arts, whilst executing them is assigned to ‘A’. This would make perfect sense if players weren’t positioning their players around the battlefield for optimal damage coverage whilst this process is being executed. It’s convoluted and poorly thought out.
Luckily, this issue can be resolved by going into the Nintendo Switch’s system settings and selecting ‘Controller Mapping’. Below is a controller configuration that felt more natural throughout the review playthrough so far, which does away with using face buttons during battle mode. move-sets can be cycled via the trigger buttons, with A and B being assigned to R3 and L3 respectively.
This and a few other adjustments make combat management in Xenoblade Chronicles a lot easier.
Knowing Thine Enemy…
Not all monsters encountered in-game immediately attack at the moment, with various icons showing above their heads which give players an indication of the monster’s nature. Their willingness to fight is named ‘Aggro’ and is represented by a red ring at a party members feet. This can be used to a players advantage by using the correct positioning for an effective Arts combo.
Gaining battle affinity at the start of a battle is achieved by pressing ‘B’ at the right time. This rallies a players party and raises its tension.
A Burst Affinity is triggered when a party member performs a critical hit. Successfully timing a burst affinity builds up the party affinity gauge. This comes in handy when reviving fallen party members and achieving chain attacks when the time comes.
Thinking about it, the ‘B’ button is quite important during battle, as this also serves as ‘Encourage’ or ‘Help’ commands. Encourage is used to help dispirited party members whilst Help aids party members suffering from Daze or Topple. Using these commands also help build affinity between the two-party members.
A character’s Arts can have various effects on enemies, using a Break Art will allow a character to them perform a Topple art which with stop enemies attacking for a short time.
Getting on board with these types of strategies early on is key to making life easier in XC:DE. The game’s tutorials do a brilliant job of easing you into its breadth of theories, mechanics and systems.
A Digital Heart
Character relationships are a primary focus in Xenoblade Chronicles, with an array of in-game mechanics to build on this. Certain locations serve up ‘Heart to Hearts’ which involve talking to a character’s party member. This interaction is unlocked after building up the required affinity. Players can then see if party members have the necessary affinity level by accessing the Heart to Heart list in the games menu.
There’s no pretentious or bloated storyline being shoved down people’s throats in Xenoblade, with the character progression feeling natural in relation to their individual circumstances. It takes courage to present the main protagonist as a multi-dimensional and ultimately flawed character. Everyone loves the ‘black and white’ good-vs.-evil of 90s action films but sometimes these 100+ hour experiences benefit from a player’s personal buy-in.
The Story Behind the Voice
Every voice acted character has a story to tell, an objective and motive, with other NPCs serving up some well-written and well-translated dialogue. However, the immersion that Monolith Soft worked so hard to build is immediately broken by the UK voice-over cast. Originally, Xenoblade Chronicles and the other Rainfall titles weren’t intended for North American audiences. This led Nintendo of Europe focusing in on its key audiences and tailoring the experience for them.
The result holds the authenticity and gravitas of Daddy Pig buying back his knackered armchair. Which is appropriate as the voice actor of Daddy Pig, Richard Ridings, is actually the voice of in-game character Miqol.
Looking at some of the actors credentials, it looks like the wooden/adolescent extremes of the voice-overs is a directorial problem. Another ‘Reggie Tip’: turn on the Japanese voice acting.
Technical Progress
The Definitive Edition treatment provides more detailed textured, resolutions and physics. The update pulled Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition a long way forward from the technical quality of the Nintendo Wii.
A maximum 720p resolution in docked mode isn’t anything to brag about in 2020 but Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition gets away with it. Its amazing gameplay and silky smooth frame rates wash away this minor sin.
Similarly, the soundtrack is beautiful. To such an extent that it’s currently serving as one’s muse as these very sentences are being written. Xenoblade possesses the powerful aural support necessary to harness every emotion that its story of love and war evokes.
Swallowing Me Whole
I have barely scratched its surface but Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is already an addictive experience. Its accessibility is inviting but Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition has an abyss of quality into which players will invariably sink. And while I am a fan of JRPGS, Xenoblade Chronicles provides something for almost anyone
Keep an eye out for part two where, hopefully, we will have something to blow you mind.
