Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch

This game is my first foray into Xenoblade. I’ve been a Switch owner since March of 2020 and while I got the usual games such as Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, and so on, I really wanted to try something different than the usual Nintendo standard fare. That game is Xenoblade Chronicles DE. After watching a little video review I decided to shoot my shot and give this game ago. I’m loving it. I’m not much of a JRPG person, but this game is just awesome and I can see why it’s considered one of the best made in its genre. The world is beautiful. The story has been great. The characters are cool. The gameplay, I really dig. It’s not turn based (which I’m not that into except for Pokémon), but I’d best compare it to Dragon Age. The main protagonist is Shulk, but the game has a party system where you can have a party of up to 3 character with ones in reserve to swap out and you don’t have to play as Shulk either. Very similar to Dragon Age and the combat itself is also similar. It’s like live action strategy, but you don’t have to spam your basic attack because it’s done automatically by who you are playing as. All you the player have to do is issue commands and use your special abilities. I really like this setup. The only thing I wish this game had though was the ability to switch between characters in your party. You can only do this outside of combat. Aside from that, it’s a very good combat system, but definitely not for everyone. In regards to the game itself and what there is to do, you got a main story and plenty of side content. The side content involves side quests that center around monster hunts, material gathering, and some with their own little story. I know compared to the original version of this game, they greatly improved on these. The game from my understanding is much more user friendly and convenient now, I for one really like that. Plus looking at comparisons of how the game used to look in combat scenarios, the game looks much more cleaned up. So as definitive editions go, this game is more than just a prettied up port (although in handheld mode the game is not the best looking, so I definitely recommend playing on the big screen if playing on a standard Switch). The devs made some nice quality of life changes as well plus I think there is even new additional story content. All in all, this is simply a great game and while I haven’t beaten it yet, it’s shaping up to be one of the best games I’ve played and would recommend it to anyone who has play XC1 previously and people into JRPGs. If you’re someone more on the fence, definitely watch some gameplay and check out reviews to see if it might be for you. I will add, I do find this game very accessible. Happy hunting!

I've been a fan of Tetsuya Takahashi's work since Xenogears. While this game doesn't fit into the same mold as Xenogears/Xenosaga, it is still an excellent JRPG with a fantastical tale to tell. This is the story of Shulk, who comes into possession of a weapon known as the Monado; a mysterious sword that can let Homs (humans) do battle with the Mechon. His quest begins as a journey of revenge against the Mechon as he travels across the massive Bionis. I'll leave it at, but Takahashi doesn't disapoint here. Gameplay is similar in some ways to a MMORPG, but without the MMO part. Battles are in real time, you only control one character out of three. You use a variety of auto-attacks and arts(special skills) to do battle. I've never big fan of real time RPG combat but Xenoblade Chronicles does perhaps do it best. I got used to it and found it quite satisfying. Sidequests are simple and usually amount to collecting X number of items or going here to defeat X monster and most can be completing easily just by fulfilling the objective on the spot. Like any RPG, you can equip characters with their own gear, but they also utlize gems to add additonal effects. You also get costemic slots to thankfully keep your characters consistent looking if you dislike the appearance of equipped gear. Graphics are pretty good overall considering this on the Nintendo Switch. While it may not par up with performance on a PC/XBOX One/PS4 is does what it needs to. The Definitive edition is a upgrade of the visuals from the original Wii game, bringing more in line witht he visual style of XC 2. Performance in docked mode is quite good but it is only in handheld mode where I notice some downscaling of visuals and fps, so docked mode is preferable. Enviroments are rather huge (that is seriously not an understatement) for a console game. Some enviroments feel too big even with unecessary empty areas. Yet, the variety here is well done and if you're into exploring vast areas this game has want you want. It's fascinating how they converted the humanoid forms of the Bionis and Mechonis into massive playable areas, and as unrealistic as it sounds, they found a way to make it work and keep it varied. Music is excellent throughout. While it's not the Mitsuda style I'm used to in Xeno games, the composer did a good job with the tracks for the game overall. There's only a couple or so standout tracks with the rest being forgettable, but nothing jarring or cring worthy in the soundtrack. Overall, this is an enjoyable experience to play and certainly one of the best JRPG options for the Switch. If you have even a passing interest in this game, I very much reccomend it.

One of the best games ever

When I was first introduced to the world of Xenoblade Chronicles, it was on the wii as a gift from my dad. Unfortunately, I never got into it. The gameplay was too confusing, the graphics were meh, and the story just didn't compel me. It was a neat concept at the time, but it was missing something. Despite my original disappointment of the Xenoblade world, I did give it another shot when Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was announced. And I fell in love. So, when this game was announced, I figured it was time to give the game another try. So far, I am not disappointed. The graphics have significantly improved. The characters show far more emotion now than what they did in the original. Because of this, their pain and anguish is relatable and allows you to form a bond with the characters. The story, while the same, feels so much better and enjoyable to me. You can really feel how the characters feel in certain situations, which was lacking in the previous game for me. The combat is far more polished than in the original. It is no longer as confusing as it was. The game offers you tutorials and tips to help make everything seem less intimidating. I love the idea of being able to strategically position yourself while fighting the enemy. The commands and menu also feel easier and not so cluttered. Things are simpler to find. If you played Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and never the first one, the combat style is pretty much the same. If you've played the original and loved it, you should definitely buy this remake. If you've skipped this game and bought Xenoblade Chronicles 2, you should buy this game. They compliment each other wonderfully. The game fixed everything that was wrong with it and more. It's definitely worth the $60, especially if you're into good JRPGS!

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is the visually upgraded version of the Wii classic that many missed out on, including myself. Having played Xenoblade Chronicles X and 2, I was looking forward to playing the first installment in the chronicles series. So first of all, this game is the exact same as the original in terms of story and combat, but the menu's and quest tracking have been revamped. They also added a whole new DLC story that you can play right off the bat, but shouldn't unless you've beat the main game first. So you play as Shulk, a smart kid who learns to wield the Monado, a mysterious sword that can help civilization defeat the mechanical creatures that consume humans. Be prepared to hear the words monado, bionis, and mechonis 100000 times because they say one of the words every opportunity they can to the point you are stuck saying them in your head over and over. You are accompanied by some good side cast who all have their own little stories and hatred for the same enemy. Roaming on the backs of dead titans, you explore a huge and beautiful world filled with all manners of creatures. Its really a beautiful sight to see. Combat is fun, but slow. Your character auto attacks while you toggle between arts in an attempt to stagger and topple enemies to deal increased damage. Like the other chronicles games, you need to set up your characters to have a tank, DPS, and healer. The Tank will pull the agro while the other two wail on the enemy to take them down quickly, or as quick as they can. You can set up and upgrade your characters arts however you see fit. Visually, the game is a huge step up from the Wii and 3DS versions, but there are still blurry textures and frame drops when in combat or in areas with a lot of moving parts. I do not suggest playing in handheld mode at all unless you have to as the resolution is pretty bad. The remastered tracks are beautiful and I can sit and listen to them for hours. Overall the game is excellent and I definitely suggest you pick this up if you are a fan of JRPGs.

Worthy JRPG. Buy it, keep it. Easily 100hr of fun.

Xenoblade DE is the best version to experience Shulk's story to date. It has all of the original game on there in the visual graphic style of the 2nd game in the series, and all of the epilogue content that the developers couldn't get into the original final build of the game for when it originally launched on the Wii. It is the game that almost didnt get released in North America. But thanks to Operation Rainfall, it did with the other titles not related to Xenoblade that almost didn't. Of all the versions of Xenoblade, the DE version for the Switch is the most accessible amongst them so far. The original was a late system release for the Wii with distribution handled by least savory people. While the other version was released on the New 3DS for which the player had to have that midlife upgrade in order to play it. For the DE version being on the Switch has allowed latecomers access to one of the best RPG games on a Nintendo System, while having the same access to everything related to 2 and 3 on the same system. The only minor gripe about it is that there is no Amiibo support for the DE version. The New 3DS version had minor Amiibo support that allowed players to unlock and view the game's in-game default models and tracks from the game. This version doesn't. So give or take. Still if ya got a Switch system, a must have for your library over the sea of other Nintendo titles on it.

It is hard to not mention the many improvements done to this game and the vast and subtle improvements to visuals, but by far this is the Definitive Experience. The first standout is the resolution bump from 480p to 720p, but the overhaul to the environmental graphics and character models is greatly improved. Inclusions of Screen Space Reflections and Ambient Occlusion really bring this titles to life and the User Interface looks as incredible as it is easy to navigate this time. The new soundtrack sounds grand, but we also have the option of the original music we all know well. I encourage newcomers to give Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition a chance because this is easily one of the best stories ever created. Enjoy the game and seize your destiny! ・Epic arrangements of the original soundtrack ・The performance is exceptional and runs smooth ・One of the greatest stories and journeys in gaming ・Incredible English and Japanese voice acting options ・Beautifully remastered, colorful, and vibrant graphics

Apesar de ser o primeiro jogo na cronologia, ele foi lançado depois do segundo jogo no switch e possui muitas melhorias em relação ao segundo (facilidade pra rastrear quests, tutoriais que c pode revisitar a qualquer momento). Um jogo excelente, com muito conteúdo, além do epílogo exclusivo dessa versão. Definitivamente um jogo necessário pros amantes de RPG.

parfait

One of the Best JRPG for Switch.

Un juego que me han recomendado hasta el cansancio, y hoy me he animado a jugarlo. He estado en la segunda entrega, y debo decir que son juegos de una calidad impecable. Duración extensa, gráficos bonitos, mundos imaginativos y vivos, personajes entrañables y una actuación de voz y banda sonora de 10. Además me ha llegado cuatro días antes de lo estipulado en un perfecto estado, estoy muy feliz con mi compra.

ゲーム内容は日本語版をクリアしているのでとても面白かったです。英語学習も兼ねた縛りプレイとして購入してまだ途中です笑