Why Xenoblade Chronicles X is So Special

[@keeysOST]

For new players, trust me, you'll want to do side quests. Xenoblade X might not have the story telling level of 1, 2, and 3, but it has lore that's just as huge as the main series.

[@-lord1754]

The game makes you do a lot anyways. Major side quests are requirements for main story chapters

[@lozm4835]

To expand the above: The setting is the main character of X. That includes all the side-characters and side stories. Most of the really fascinating and enjoyable world-building shows up exclusively in the side missions.

[@Subremedy]

Side quests literally expand the game. Helping the different races on the planet grows the city

[@heretykalsciences2655]

The main story is important, yes, but the sidequests are basically a second main story.

[@unskilledgamer3642]

But do they need a bigger gun?

[@randomplayer211]

Something I liked about X is that when you choose the voice for your character, it credits the VA that voicing them.

[@fishman689]

That's actually a pretty common thing in the Monster Hunter games, not sure if other games have this

[@SmellsMonochrome]

Would be really nice if we got some new additional voice actors... Just saying (I would gladly pay for a Noah and Mio, or Nia voicepack dlc)

[@randomplayer211]

@@fishman689 No I mean it shows the name of the VA right next to the voice option when you create your character. a majority of games have them credited in the game's credits and not in the character creation

[@Levyanimeman]

@@randomplayer211 Crediting VAs like that is pretty common in Japanese games due to voice actors being a starring point in media. You don’t see that happen all that much in English localizations mainly due to most games being non-union. So the fact that XCX’s dub was non-union and they still managed to directly credit the actors for the Create-a-Character voices was quite the surprise for me and definitely didn’t influence my decision on which voice to pick whatsoever, lol. XD

[@ErgoProxy12345]

Its sad the protagonist is silent outside fighting grunts

[@MagnyusG]

XCX is effectively a single player MMO in the most endearing sense. Unlike a lot of MMOs that feel like single player games despite having everything in place to play with other people. XCX on the other hand is designed entirely as a single player experience, but the multiplayer elements make you feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself. This feeling was even more prevalent back when the game was new and the Xenoblade subreddit was 99% dedicated to this game only. The community back then was so dedicated and thriving. Hopefully newcomers will get to experience that.

[@organicsatanic]

"single player" is accurate for most of the gameplay experience, but it's worth mentioning that XCX did have proper online mulitplayer raid bosses for endgame players that reached full build. I was playing XCX during the original Wii U heyday and this feature was incredibly popular. Even though I never personally took part in one in my original playthrough (one of my biggest regrets before the definitive edition came along to give me a second chance), it was still super cool to walk into the lobby/hub area and see everyone else's custom player characters standing around. it really added to that feeling of being just another person contributing to the common cause of humanity.

[@ErgoProxy12345]

Its as much a multiplayer as Death Stranding was.

[@rinnnnnnnnnnrinRinOnishi]

​@@ErgoProxy12345...did you play x?

[@ErgoProxy12345]

@@rinnnnnnnnnnrinRinOnishi yes. Did you play Death Stranding? its almost all single player but other players contribute to stuff like builsdinng roads. Here, they contribute to squad missions and you can recruit NPC of them.

[@TheFrostedfirefly]

@@ErgoProxy12345 I think the reason you're being doubted is because X quite LITERALLY has a multiplayer mode in which you can play with friends to take down raid bosses.

[@Anonymous121212]

Spent literally more than 1000 hours on this game in the Wii U. Ready to do it again!

[@ScorbunGame]

I’m wondering how they’re going to translate the game pad map to a single screem

[@Kirbechu99]

Me too! Clocked in around 1100. So keen to do that a second time, likely with a much more active online multiplayer base this time.

[@galeden5700]

At minimum, 50 of those hours will be spent looking for plush lobsters in NLA

[@nickbritto1511]

@@ScorbunGameSome gamepad options might be removed entirely while the more important ones will remain, like the top view map that can be done on one screen. I played a lot of Xenoblade X on the Wii U's pad because the TV I had at the time was acting funky, and so I can imagine easily how it'd be on the Switch.

[@derrickhaggard]

Spent 100+ hours on this game in the WIIU. And I'm ready to do it all over again.

[@ph8808]

The community for this game at its peak was one of the best ever

[@pogoacct8611]

Soon it'll.havea peak that's bugger than even back then

[@BestgirlJordanfish]

Real. Even today real delightful passion folks online compared to the weirder sometimes gross levels of XC2 fanbase

[@DragonDreamVNY]

Wasn't there a xenobladenchronicles x Reddit or twitter where someone is posting a picture of Murderess and rotating by 5 degrees each week until Nintendo decides to do a proper sequel 😂

[@BSKDAEMON]

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild would not have turned out great without Xenoblade X.

[@Cleverconveyence]

I don't understand this but I'm open to understanding

[@nicklovett]

Monolithsoft helped with the development of BotW. So they took their experience and understanding of the open world from XCX and brought that to help with BotW.

[@Burgessette1]

@@Cleverconveyence The team that made Xenoblade X did most of the legwork on the open-world areas in Breath of the Wild.

[@magius9866]

@@Burgessette1 No, that is half-false. The team that was responsible for Xenoblade X helped with the topography in Breath of the Wild. They knew how big of a map the WiiU can handle, so they created the layout of the world and its scale as well as the top-down view map. As for the design itself of these open-world areas, that was Nintendo.

[@lululumpia]

let's get you to bed old man...

[@pockystyx4087]

X was the first open world game I legitimately enjoyed just traveling around in. Before then; I was mostly just playing more linear games, and the occasional open world title, but I always found those worlds to be a slog to traverse and be in. Between the speed, the jumping, the driving, the flying. . . its all just so damn exhilarating to go from point A to B in X. Hell; some of my most standout moments were finding ways to skip tough areas by taking advantage of the jumps and terrain. So much freedom.

[@SethAbercromby]

Abusing the brief moments the skell clips against a wall to jump again was my favorite way to access areas of the map the game doesn't want me to be in yet (usually rewarded with enemies like twice or thrice my level), but being able to sneak a node where I'm not supposed to to continue boosting my economy or just seeing what the game still has in store for me was so much fun. Really looking forward to doing it all again.

[@ShadowSkyX]

Casting myself off cliffs is going to happen a lot "by accident," in this game. There better be an achievement for falling 1 million meters in total or some shit 😂

[@thenonexistinghero]

Best open world games to me are XCX, Zelda BotW and Just Cause 2 & 3. Not Zelda TotK because... I feel like it takes too long to really accomplish anything in the game. For BotW I could have shorter sessions and feel like I actually achieved something. For TotK I can play for 3 hours and feel like I accomplished nothing. I suppose maybe also Dark Souls 1 if it counts. It's on a smaller scale, but it's definitely very open in where you can go... but there's also some set-path things. Elden Ring I didn't enjoy quite as much. They traded intricate level design for open world with tons of copypasta-like areas. Boss battles also weren't very fun in it in most of the last half. It's a good game, but by the time I stopped playing I also had no interest in ever playing it again.

[@PAINt0theMAX]

Hear! Xenoblade Chronicles X and BoTW are the inferior Nintendo copies of the great Xbox 360 game, Just Cause 2. Link is a copy of Rico Rodriguez. As well as this, Nintendo also perfidiously paid websites such as Metacritic to write disparaging remarks towards the developers of Just Cause, which culminated in the trainwreck that was Just Cause 4 and an effective series hiatus.

[@SethAbercromby]

@@PAINt0theMAX Just Cause 4 did that to itself more than well enough. I think JC2 is a very fun game, but the series wore itself thin by 4, which wasn't helped by the myriad of terrible gameplay decisions and spotty performance.

[@fstim82]

For the unfamiliar: Picture Breath of the Wild with more verticality, then swap in sci-fi, guns, light swords. Swap in the combat of Xenoblade 1 (MMO-ish combat). Now imagine the starting plateau is actually a busy city which you'll return to as you complete missions like "go here and set up a mapping device to help us figure this world out" and "go kill these enemies". After 30 hours, you'll become the pilot of a transformer robot/car that makes the HUGE world much easier to traverse (not that it was annoying to be on foot, mind you. It really makes you appreciate the robots that much more tho). Then after that you'll get a flying transformer. All the while, you'll get updated on the story of survival, the enemies, the world (which is just as interesting as the numbered games, just structured differently given the game's openess). You'll be annoyed by a Jar-Jar Binks like character. By the end it will be something incredibly memorable and you'll be begging for a sequel (and it IS coming...)

[@Volvagia1927]

Also: When I saw Aonuma say he wants to do something Sci-Fi flavoured with Zelda and I just think "So you want to make Star Fox Adventures 2?"

[@Trehek]

Ah, yes! The return of the Nopon emergency food supply is imminent! Shall he be boiled? Roasted? Deep fried? Sautéed? Can't wait to find out!

[@geminijinxies7258]

I can't tell from the video, so are the battles real time, turn based or a mix of the two?

[@Trehek]

@@geminijinxies7258 The battles are real time. Characters have an auto-attack and activate skills, or Arts, from their action bar, with cooldowns. Arts are gained per class, which can be changed at any time, and unlocked advanced classes add more skills to the base classes. When a class is mastered, its skills become permanent and can be used and mixed with any unlocked class.

[@FirlowXD]

​@geminijinxies7258 Real time but you aren't pressing buttons to do light attack or heavy attack, your characters auto attack and have to move around the enemy, position, and choose when to use your skills in time with your other party members calls, doing combos and stuff. It's very fun to do but I always think Xeno combat is boring to watch lol

[@Lexaegis]

I got into Xenoblade 1 just a month before Shulk was announced for Smash 4 and I loved it so much that when X was announced it became my entire personality. Unlike most that loved the first game though, I ended up loving X more than any game I’ve ever played even to this day, it’s truly something special if you give it the chance to lose yourself in its world

[@pedrobeckup456]

Haha that's a nice history! I never played Xenoblade X but I can feel the same about Xenoblade 1 and 2 (haven't played 3, I hope I will enjoy as much as these other). There is something with this franchise...

[@LeDerpChris]

Newcomers, Xeno X makes up for its plot with its gameplay, exploration, lore, and SOUNDTRACK. Please give this game a shot

[@Alextheskater91]

Dude… don’t get me started on the soundtrack. I would just leave my skell on the tallest cliff in the game I could find and look out into the world and just bask in its glory and turn the camera REAL slow

[@KwehShiro]

i loved the story personally. its the only xenoblade game i could get into

[@jeremythang4845]

I ADORE Xenoblade X. I really do. But i have to STRONGLY disagree on the soundtrack. The new LA theme started grating on my nerves by the 50th hour lol. It was like nails on a chalkboard due to so much repetition. The game couldve been so much better if they had multiple tracks for the city.

[@Alextheskater91]

@@jeremythang4845 oh yeah NLA had its own music lol. But it was always upbeat which I liked! The whole games music was upbeat and kinda sci-fi sounding. Made you feel like you were on another world other than earth 🌍

[@JaseAmoxin]

​@@jeremythang4845 True but don't worry, the Stockholm syndrome kicks in at about the 100th hour so the NLA theme won't bother you at that point

[@zammich3649]

I don't remember for certain, but I feel like it was Derrick's voice who I heard doing a deep dive of the XCX gameplay footage way back after the original Direct. It feels right to hear him talking about it again. update: i checked, and yeah it was Derrick in a bunch of the XCX videos as well as the review. very full circle

[@Mozilla345]

I remember those videos! So cool

[@ryanmeneo6301]

They better fix the audio mixing during cutscenes

[@Cleverconveyence]

Oh my god seriously. Love Sawano's OST but the load vocals really fucked stuff up. Also like..."Don't Worry" ruined the flying experience.

[@Doppelgamer211]

The main problem was that the original game was missing audio sliders....for some bizarre reason

[@ShadowSkyX]

​​@@Doppelgamer211 you can thank the online stuff getting shoved in to be the reason that didn't happen. You can also thank the online for removing a bunch of story and development time he could've used toward main story instead. Sounded like it wasn't takahashi's choice for the online.

[@Mimi.1001]

​@@ShadowSkyXDefinitive Edition does have additional content apparently, so maybe Takahashi took the opportunity and refined the story a bit.

[@VentusBrawler]

FLY AWAYYYYY BY MY SIDEEE OH YEAHHH

[@ezg8448]

This game got that cool sci-fi look, very reminiscent of early phantasy star games. Not enough games do this style, so when it comes, it is very welcome.

[@navi8801]

Honestly, I can't remember the last purely sci-fi jrpg after xenoblade X. I keep coming back to it just for the mechs lol, it's still the only reason I have my wiiU. Star ocean has been kinda...in an awkward position since 3-4? And PSO NGS was a bit of a letdown, but I heard the story got pretty good.

[@ezg8448]

@navi8801 - Basically there hasn't been another with a similar sci-fi style. And I agree the new PSO games are a letdown. The newer Star ocean games... got it on sale but just never had the will to actually play the blasted things, they just lack the charm of the old 2D games IMO.

[@fattiger6957]

I really enjoyed the more straight sci-fi setting. Surprisingly, there aren't too many sci-fi jrpgs. Way, way, way more fantasy jrpgs or sci-fantasy jrpgs (which I would categorize the other Xenoblade games under) The mecha implementation in X is fantastic. This game should be what Bandai looks to when making Gundam games.

[@supersega7sv]

I am still playing it on the Wii U after 200+. The game has so much to offer, so many playable characters. I still don't know all of them. I've read that people think the story is a weak point but the main story just sets up the world. The best narrative upbeats happen in the side quests and in meeting the entire cast (not just the 3 characters of the main story). It is a story about what it means to be human, survival, and connectedness just as much as any other Xenoblade. Most of the delivery is subtle and made in the side-quest by showing how different people react to the strange situation humanity finds itself in. This is by design; life is not always about this main grand heroic adventure but about the day to day stuff as well. Add the great setting and the day to day becomes very interesting and telling of what humanity can be.

[@ToastyTastyPancakes]

The side quests carry, I think I completed just about everything when I played the game.

[@lordrikudouzero9119]

I’m glad you figured this out and I didn’t have to write it up LOL! It’s all in the details you just have to live in their world. I loved helping my colony survive and test new technology for companies. I think people with more patience and great observation skills play games much differently than those who don’t.

[@bkbreyme]

As for the story being weak - not to spoil the ending too much, but it is obvious that this was intended to be an opener for another planned series. As such, it is more of an introduction to the concepts and main characters and factions than a self-contained story itself. Fingers crossed that we can see the rest if the story in a later game.

[@stonerhino83]

Keeping track of that many characters sounds exhausting.

[@erkantiryaki5542]

Cool explanation but that doesn't give them the right to make all villains expect one total garbage, and left the entire thing in a stupid cliffhanger. Not to mention how barren the story is in terms of great character moments until the last few hours. I love X but man I just don't think that it has a good story at all.

[@danielebagnasco1123]

Xenoblade Chronicles X is majestic and unique but also haunting because the "correct" approach is just what you've explain Derrick, you've to be committed to see the true light of this game. The fact is, i know people that have played 300-350+ hours and they think that going deeply with all the quests and systems, the game truly shines in a very different way alongside the "original trilogy" but i think it's a game that deserves months and months of dedication. In this particular period in which attention and "focus" in a single game becomes further and further a rarity, i think it will remain a rough diamond also in this new version, but very precious to the ones that will go very deep, "eviscerating" the game in its complexity. I will try thanks to portability to do everything this time, on wii U my playtrough was estimated in about 120-130 hours, and i know for sure that had only cracked the surface. Rushing the game will not be contemplated, also if there are extra contents (that i hope i wouldn't be spoiled during launch weeks)

[@chipi4179]

yes I did everything put 600 hours on the game, and is so beautiful how deep the world building goes

[@StarShade0]

This. X is a sleeper hit. The things that make it shine like the rest of the series is backloaded into the quests and rich end-game combat.

[@PyroBeubar]

Yeah, el famoso "You need to play XXh so the game really start to kick ..." I work the first time you play it, but the second time ....

[@adrianleonce455]

Honestly, I'm kinda glad that Xenoblade X seems to be self-contained and less story driven. I played through all 3 games it was a fantastic experience. But hearing all of this about X makes it seem like a nice "vacation" from the rollercoaster that is the trilogy. Though, I am expecting Monolith to connect it to trilogy at least a little bit with the DE version.

[@fesgamer34]

I hope there will be a Xenoblade Chronicles x 2 on switch 2

[@sollato0293]

Not sure about that one given how Xenoblade 4 is a certainty by this point and will likely comes first. At least X will get its own Future Connected.

[@kaizer8297]

@@sollato0293 not really, xenoblade series director already said he wanted to make xeno 3 and xeno x2. Xeno 3 already launched, meaning xeno x2 is next that´s why they even had the trouble of porting xeno x from wii u

[@mattgezockt2596]

​@@kaizer8297i could see them adding the plans for x2 in x itself (we have a level cap at 60, unfinished story)

[@sollato0293]

@@kaizer8297 even so, that’s not something I expect Monolith’s A team to work on, they’ve stated that the ending of 3 will hint at what will come next and it’s clear that’s what they’re working on. I can however see Monolith’s B team working on a follow up of X but not the A team who’s certainly working on 4.

[@Mfire33]

@@kaizer8297 Also I didn't played it yet but isn't future redeemed a conclusion to the 1-2-3 story ? I'm not sure X2 will be next since even if it was on wiiu it really didn't do well (hopefully this DE will sells enough to make it a possibility) but I would be even more surprised if Xeno 4 is their next game

[@machodgdon]

We gonna have a whole new generation of players complaining about how long it takes to get a Skell 🙏🏻

[@stonerhino83]

Skell Issue.

[@AxelTheDorkLion]

What's a Skell?

[@MrWanton16]

@@AxelTheDorkLion The giant mech/robot you see characters flying around in. The player can get one but its not until fairly lategame

[@Alextheskater91]

@@MrWanton16about 30-50 hours in to be exact depending on if you side quest or not. I think I acquired mine around the 45 hour mark 😅

[@davidaitken8503]

Sadly, casuals today don't want to actually earn anything cool. They just want to have everything handed to them immediately and then complain a game has no surprises to change up the gameplay. Xenoblade Chronicles X was very refreshing in that regard. It respected the intelligence of the player. Some just failed the test.😂

[@ryandodrill6904]

This game is by far my favorite Xenoblade game. I could have an hour long conversation just gushing over the game. Getting lost in Mira is definitely the way to play the game, not trying to advance the story as fast as possible. One of the things that really makes the game so enjoyable for me is how immersive combat is. While you do hear the same phrases a lot the way the team calls out things directly related to what's going on in combat makes it feel so organic. The phrases aren't the names of any attacks being used they're things like "It's off balance, knock it down." "Stunned it, go all out." "I need healing." "This one's tough be careful." It just feels so much like a team working together. This is easily going to be my most played switch game. We desperately need X2. This game is amazing.

[@lowtech42]

And I would be having that hour-long conversation with you!!! this game truly feels like something magic 🤩 I'm so happy!

[@NamelessGamer29]

This was my first open world game and still has my favorite map out of any I’ve played since.

[@josevazval]

I was at the orthodontist when they announced this. Let me tell you, I was violently shaking because of how excited I was, as with you, I’m emotionally attached to this game. As it opened my eyes to so many things that I now love in life, and it means the world to me. Imagine, just an announcement trailer, making me shake, literally. I’m so happy this is a thing now. And I can’t wait until March.

[@smedlings]

I 99%’d it on Wii U after playing for 220 hours (curse you, Telethia in Noctilum)…this game has the most engrossing world of any video game I’ve ever played, I just hope they do something to make it more clear where certain items drop…farming for parts for the Ares 90 was such a grind

[@Draco-qt2om]

This game holds such a special place in my heart, so much so I actually took the time out to defeat the various Superbosses on-foot, with no allied party members. By far my proudest gaming achievement even 7+ years later.

[@thierrys85]

The very best Xenoblade. My most-played Wii U game, by far. Hundreds of hours. Enormous, completely open-world, made by the people who helped create Breath of the Wild's open world after making this game. Music is godlike. Skells are an absolute joy to pilot. Don't sleep on this one, people! 💙

[@lordrikudouzero9119]

Great article from obviously someone who really enjoyed the original. I still have my collectors edition despite selling the actual game (dumb idea). Personally I saw the video at work and thought it was fake. After realizing it was in fact real, I began to have emotions bubble up of joy and finality (I can actually play this again). I’m a grown man but weirdly my eyes watered a bit. You see my daughter was born the year after and I had just moved far away from home with my wife to start my first career. I would let the intro play as a sort of screen saver on our big screen tv in the apt. When I went back home to visit, my brother was far ahead of me in regions that I hadn’t seen (didn’t have a job) and had a sweet squad of Dolls. Anyways it’s very nostalgic and takes me back. We got BotW after this but X set the stage for endlessly exploring and surviving a beautiful and dangerous world. It’s one of my fav all time games.

[@joewho_forgot_his_hat7884]

I 100%-ed this massive game, did a ton of the online stuff, and replayed it 2 more times. I started playing Octopath 2 when it came out, but trying to play that JRPG was just constantly reminding me how much I missed XBCX. So, I went back to it for the 4th time, and while replaying it yet again realized the Wii U online functionality was shutting down, meaning those few weeks were my last chance to fight the Global Nemeses, play the online missions, and interact with the other amazing XBCX players. I took full advantage of those weeks, and even 100%-ed it again. I not only collected/built every mech in the game, but even customized and named some after Pneuma Logos and Ontos. I have played this masterpiece for over 3 or 4 hundred hours, and can't wait to replay it even more when March comes!

[@AlphaoftheDeluge]

I still go relisten to Sylvalum Night's music every now and then. That zone, more than any, left a huge impact on me, and I adore it to this day. All that to say, excellent choice of BGM for this vid, derrick :D

[@Mety333]

I had 1000 hours in this amazing adventure 100% the game. There is no other game like this that make you feel so tiny compared to the vast world which is very vertical and unique. This is peak exploration, moving soundtrack and unique elements.

[@yunfi.630]

This game got me into Xenoblade back in 2015. I have bought and played every single Xenoblade game + expansion to the end and enjoyed every single one. I am really happy that I and many others will be able to experience this amazing game, as well as people who were never able to experience it before. Let's just pray we'll get an X-2 with Sawano behind the OST again.

[@GSS1Sirius]

I had around 5k hours on Wii U. Can't wait to play it again.

[@bewater7465]

Can you explain how ?

[@shatteredsentient5321]

​@@bewater7465game is poggerz off the wazoo

[@linkenski]

Derrick from GameXplain hard-selling Nintendo fans on Xenoblade Chronicles X like it's still 2015 xD

[@faceurhell]

Only way to make Xenoblade Chronicles X-2 significantly bigger is to have it take place on multiple planets with space travel and combat.

[@Lightspeeds]

I"d like that.

[@Subremedy]

I could see that. Even if it's between several planets with space stations it would work. The love is in the scenery and that comes with biomes, so space travel in general without it having dog fighting sounds lackluster, but maybe if there was a 'biome' that was a space station itself it would work

[@NontpNonjo]

Or just more of the planet

[@Chronoflation]

They did originally want it to be a multi-planetary epic. Crazy when you play and realize we basically only got maybe 1/3rd of the game the developers want to build into

[@Sleiyphnus]

Its too big ... Just make planet mira more explore able,more stories,

[@sow_scout4989]

X is also very special to me. Although I've played other open world games, the world of X was the one I was the most immersed in. Initially, I thought I'd be biased, and that this game will speak to me more because I am into anime and mechs. I also mention anime because the pacing of each chapter felt like an anime episode. But after playing X, I realized, that was just the icing on top. You do not get the mechs (skelz) until later in the game, so you actually have to do a lot of the ground exploration. I thought this might get tedious and boring because of how huge the world in, but I was completely wrong. Despite this world probably being the biggest I've experienced, it's also the most engaging, immersive and beautiful. Not a single moment of exploration felt dull. And once you finally get your Skel, it's a similar feeling to the depths from Tears of the Kingdom, but what's amazing here is that, you're still flying around the same world. It's a really hard feeling to explain, but if you can stick with it, you'll probably understand what I mean. As for the story, it's not to the same level as 1, 2 and 3. But it's good enough to get into it, and only adds to the whole experience. Your exploration IS your story, and the narrative is just there to add a bit of depth. But because of that, this story felt like MY story as if I was part of this world. And that's what makes it very special. Except for that one chapter that I'm sure all X players know about, but if that's ironed out for the Definitive Edition, then even better!

[@mattgezockt2596]

I think the thing about "my story" is very true. In many side quests, even if we dont talk ourselves, we have impact on others. There are multiple questchains that we are talked about. Like one where they heared about this new bigshot in elmas team (us) and want to find out what thats all about. Or our decisions in many quests matter (not always but sometimes characters die if you choose one thing and live if you choose the other option)).

[@StarShade0]

I’ve always described X as a playable mech anime on the surface. A lot of its charm is backloaded though with the quests and end-game loop.

[@Cooldude112233445570]

@@mattgezockt2596 The water purification plant still haunts me when I think about it...😟

[@sow_scout4989]

@@mattgezockt2596 Exactly this. Through the years after X, many would praise games that have an effect on your decision. But I feel like X does it in a way that really mattered and affected the world.

[@turtersvongenbu]

@@Cooldude112233445570 That quest has dialogue choice that let's Cross say something really horrible to someone, 'Are you happy that BLANK is suffering?' I really appreciate that this game lets you be a genuinely bad person if you want, since it makes it feel more significant when you choose to be considerate. If were talking haunting quests though, there is a blade group dispatched to a certain spore filled continent that comes to mind. I always feel bad when I skim by that Ice cream cake in my Important Items section.

[@OmegaShanic]

While I did play this game, I got busy with other games around the same time and so dropped out early. As such, my primary memory is very simple: JUMPING OVER TENNIS COURTS! Seriously, the jump in Xenoblade X is ridiculous.

[@citrusblast4372]

i had so many intense moments in this game, this game is amazing. I remember one time i was fighting a really tough boss for a long ass time, and it got to the point where the boss had little hp left but everyone died except elma and i was sitting there all tense and then she says "this will finish it" or something, and killed the boss, it blew my mind.

[@GuilhemAlibert]

One of the most engaging combat system in the whole series (and probably the hardest and most technical one in my opinion), some of the best side quests the series has to offer and places like noctilum's entrance that will just put you in literal aw. In my opinion, this game is the BOTW of the xeno series and, to be honest, if you liked BOTW, I don t see how you could not like this game if you are willing to give it time (because sadly this game can be a bit of a grind sometimes) Edit: you better add actual tutorials instead of asking me to look at the wii u manual of the game this time

[@turtersvongenbu]

The Wii U manual doesn't even explain some things. Overdrive is such an amazing system once you know how to exploit color combos. So many debuffs go underutilized because they aren't properly explained either (Virus shutting down some enemy types completely is a godsend).

[@GuilhemAlibert]

@turtersvongenbu yeap, like how the hell am i supposed to know that barrier is one of the greatest buffs/heals in the game if i can t see at all what it does and no one explains this to me. Same with stats like potential or the most basic ones: defense and resistance. There s so many things like that are never explained to you and its dumb because the depth is there and is even really well thought and incredible but the game does nothing to show it to you.

[@Sabuuchi]

While the story of X is nowhere near as good as the numbered entries, people saying it's "bad" tell on themselves. Most of the characters are fleshed out in side content. And doing it in between each chapter really makes those moments hit harder than just going from A to B. I'm glad Derrick understood this.

[@HardTimesFamilyPride]

My fav Xenoblade game! I loved the battle mechanic where you could set up individual party members to yell to each other and clearly set up staggers/breaks/downs/etc. This game has a TON of menus and taking the time to look through them and see what all you can do will help any newcomers out exponentially.

[@JacobNintendoNerd99]

Monolith acrually said they want to make X2 but said theyd need to port and heavily update the story of X first. Well... Here we are. So... X2 is likely coming.

[@brandonleemoss]

I hope so I need this story to finish😅

[@JacobNintendoNerd99]

@brandonleemoss the trailer ending also heavily implies a Future Connected style epilogue is being added to X DE

[@PyroBeubar]

So i will need to pay the game a second time so i can understand the sequel ? Great ... A 10 min YT of the additions will probably do the trick

[@BryGuyJohn]

Still the greatest open world I've ever played through. Can't wait to experience it again.

[@KarimJovian]

So happy for yo dude! I really wanted it too and I am so glad it's finally happening. I just posted my Limited Collector's Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X. I really wanted this to happen and I hated having to emulate it. This is so cool and looking forward to replaying it and actually finishing it. Also for newcomers....I know y'all might be hyped about the Mech's like I was when I first saw this. It is going to take you 30 hours to get your first Mech lol and it is worth it! It's basically like an MMO

[@flashtheshapeshafter]

Xenoblade is so much bigger than when this game first came out , x coming back jow is perfect. I'm finally going to be able to beat this game😭

[@P1PWR]

Ikr, I was 14 then and now my brain is developed- I’m ready

[@heroic_teddy]

Derrick please...You already convinced me nearly a decade ago to get it on the Wii U! *-Gray hairs intensify-* That said, I'm so stoked about the port. I didn't get too far in Xenoblade Chronicles X due to my Wii U breaking, but from what I played I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm so happy to get another chance at it!

[@BestgirlJordanfish]

Without Xenoblade X we would not have BotW, which opened the door for Pokemon Legends Arceus, Sonic Frontiers, Genshin Impact, Horizon, the best parts of XC2 and XC3, and maybe even some parts of Elden Ring and Assassin's Creed. Might be the most important JRPG of the modern era with influences the level of Chrono Trigger and Mother/Earthbound

[@CarbonMalite]

I appreciate this decision to release it on the Switch. For all we know, the next Nintendo console may flop, so putting this kind of unknown masterpiece on something that already has players makes it as accessible as it can be.

[@TheAceReviews]

Thanks for helping me better understand XCX before I jump into it for the first time this coming March!

[@chrismiller8622]

My FAVORITE Xenoblade!! The exploration, getting to know the residents of New LA , and the involved side quests.

[@seanlowrey6371]

Of all the Xenoblade games, X has by far the best world, music, and one of the best battle systems. Sure, some of the quests were tedious, but I can’t say I was ever bored because they got me back out and exploring. The story was lacking, though not because it was bad, but because it wasn’t finished. I wanted to know more about Mira, the alien races, especially the Ganglion, why earth was attacked, and so much more.

[@BlaizeTheDragon]

*spoilers in the reply* The story is a bit messy but considering they're adding more story content means they can flesh it out more. Especially since they were clever enough to keep Lao alive even in the original (so no need to retcon the story) and he knows A LOT about the Ganglion but only shared a little of it. Follow that up with trying to work out what Mira actually is thanks to them all being "alive" despite the lifehold being completely knackered would make it more interesting. Depending on how big they make the new story content will really decide X's place among the other games.

[@seanlowrey6371]

@ I just hope they add more than a couple of scenes. I’d love a full story DLC expansion like the other games got.

[@cassiodvieira]

It's my favorite game of all time.

[@Axecon1]

I’m just so excited to explore this beautiful world!

[@NeonZ353]

Pure Pathfinder here the thing I loved about the game the most is the interaction and activity with the community because we made money by making posts on the miiverse I had about 986 followers who read my Pathfinder logs each day we need to have a way to post our pics and logs again just like that because I had so much fun doing it but yeah Xenoblade x is so special to me too it’s the one that I got to play first and I love the music! The characters! The side stories! The Skells! Everything being a pathfinder was so much fun and I hope I can share all my exploits as Miku the pathfinder and my pathfinder logs again!

[@jcbanner5754]

This was the first Xenoblade game that I played, but I didn't finish it all the way through. I think I got through to the snow area, but a story battle there made me lose and got me frustrated that I stopped. Then Xenoblade 2 came out, and that was the first Xenoblade game that I finished. I tried going back to X but it had been long enough that I forgot the battle system, but I was also too deep in the game to want to restart it. Now after Finishing all of 1, 2 and 3, I am excited to go back into it with a somewhat fresh look since I kinda forgot almost everything about this game.

[@manuelalbertoromero9528]

As someone who has played the original, I can't wait to replay this game again on the go! This was the game that introduced me to the franchise and it was probably the first open world game that I can think of where I genuinely felt like I could go wherever I want, and the skells where the stuff of beauty. The few things I would want are tutorials (Overdrive was fun but didn’t quite understood how to master it), and smoothing out the fetch quests so they aren't as annoying to pull off.

[@manuelalbertoromero9528]

The extra story is also a nice bonus.

[@solususful]

One of my favorite memories of all time in gaming was losing my way in Noctilium once. It was late at night and I wanted to stop but could because I just lost myself in the world and wandered around for about 2 hours straight dodging enemies way above my level. Ever since then this game had a very special place in my heart

[@PelvicGaming]

Ngl, I forgot a lot about this game - and yes I've played it. Gotta say though, it isn't for me, I need a story to keep me going. I just don't have time for a bajillion hours of exploring. I need characters to love, a big baddie to knock up. Not that this is void of that but it's not center stage. In short, great coverage, I personally won't be going back, but I'll still buy it - support monolith AND I want to be able to say I have all the Xenogames in one spot. B)

[@Trehek]

One of the things I originally really liked in Xenoblade X was the feeling of momentum you could get in battle. In Xenoblade 1 party members kept shouting out the attacks they did, but this didn't carry an inherent effect in itself other than alerting the player of what the party is doing, which arts are going on cooldown and what combo options are available, mainly for the break, topple, launch, smash effect chain. Xenoblade X expanded on party shoutouts by giving party members conditions which when triggered make the ally shout a request for a specific type of art activation (melee, ranged, control, support). If the player responds within the time window, the party gains a small heal as well as a buff that depends on the specific shout. This in turn can trigger the player's own shouts which the party members can react to. When the fight goes well, this can create a beautiful flow of attacks, buffs and sustainability. But if things go wrong, shouts fail and momentum is lost, the tide of battle can change quickly!

[@ghostdragonow6997]

same as you said, this is the most excited i can remember myself being for a game in a long time. despite it's flaws i loved my wii u and this is the game that i really remember it by. X is what got me into the series and while i love the numbered entries, this one still has a special place for me. can't wait to return.

[@Prometheus208]

X is one of my all-time favorites. The world and sidequests are just so immersive and the feel of the game was something i really missed when 2 came out. It really is a different beast from the others in the series, but it's my favorite and I'd highly recommend. Plus you can never go wrong with a Sawano soundtrack.

[@samdavie286]

I love this game, I still go back to it every now and then on my Wii U. Over 200 hours on my main save (not counting the restarts I've done when I was learning and thought I had fucked it up), and there are still things for me to do and learn. Will definitely be getting this when it comes out to restart the journey all over again!

[@KazefuYousomo]

Despite only playing a few hours and never finding the time to come back to it, Xenoblade X is special because the Japanese trailer came out while I was studying translation at uni, and I got to translate that trailer as my main assessment. I was excited when it came out in English so I could see how closely I got the translation to the official one. Definitely keen to actually play through it this time!

[@Izzak_Beck]

I'm right there with you man. Xenoblade X is so freaking special and I still remember all those videos you made back at GameXplain.

[@itsnotnicko3498]

Honest to God this video perfectly encapsulate the feelings I have for Xenoblade Chronicles X. I started the series with this game and Im so happy seeing more and more people showing love for this game. I always will cherish the memorable moments from taking the skies with my 1st Skell to toppling formidable super bosses. I didnt get to do the raids as much but with a bigger community I can't wait to enjoy everything this game has to offer!

[@DillianCriker]

Man, I only recently got into Xenoblade Chronicles DE and I'm really excited to see how the series develops with every new entry.

[@grantsvoiceongames1992]

I think for me, the number 1 thing I want from this game is the Level 60 cap removed. I despised the cap at that level, because I felt cripplingly weak compared to everything above that level, and that there was no point in fighting anything of a higher level since I wasn’t going to gain any more exp. Of course there are builds that allow you to annihilate enemies, (Ghostwalker), and yes, the enemies may drop loot that allows you to gain OP equipment for your party & Skells, but I really just want a Level 99 party like the other Xenoblade games. Black sheep though this game may be, the people that genuinely enjoy this one are right to call it their goat.

[@duro123]

We need a xenogears! We need a xenonlade chronicles x2 with more mechs!

[@Paoabarai]

Currently playing XCX on steam deck about 60% progress, on hearing the announcement XCX will come to Switch next year I had to stop playing it in anticipation for the XCX:DE. This will be fun with online support and extra story. On the side note that feeling when you fly your skells the first time is magical.

[@plsjustnathan1]

I’m so excited to play this game again, I was a kid when I got it and I didn’t really know how to play out well. I’m also super excited to see how they improve tutorials the 1 DE and 3 did a really good job on tutorials so hopefully this game improves them

[@smavey]

Derek, I still remember your original Xenoblade X review back in the day that made me buy it. Best call ever. Thank you!!

[@ScorbunGame]

For anyone coming in on this remaster think of XCX in a similar vein as Majoras Mask. The side quests are the main focus here, not the main story. Just blitzing through all the main story quests will cause you to miss a lot of context of why you should care and most of the character development. Take the role the game gives you of explorer seriously and actually EXPLORE.

[@natural8677]

That was an amazingly concise yet informative overview. I have been waiting to play since the Wii U days. I'm so excited

[@seedofwonder]

I bought a Wii U just to play this game. It was totally worth it. I spent over 500 hours exploring Mira, and it's been so long that I am so ready to get lost in this world again. I think you are 100% correct that you really do write your own story. You connect to a bigger narrative, of which you get significant glimpses, but this game really is about the journey, taking every step of a character you create. The important thing is that the world is so populated and feels so real that exploration is thoroughly rewarding. Some things I hope they address: 1. Some features are very much locked behind community progression. I would love it if certain "world events" were _both_ unlocked if the community is very active or on a weekly timer when the game eventually decreases in popularity or the servers get taken down. 2. I know there were no "profiles" on Wii U, but you were only allowed one save file per console before. I really think I can get my son to play this one. He is only 9, but he played through 2/3 of XC3. He's at an age where long cutscenes are not fun for him; he just wants to play. I think this game could completely initiate him into the series, despite the deep customization and menuing. But if there is only one save file allowed, I might have to be selfish. I mean, I need to experience the new story content. 3. I would love to have some new superbosses and a higher level cap. 4. Monolithsoft worked on Zelda, and they let you place multiple pins on the map. That desperately needs to get added to XCX. 5. I agree with your commentary yesterday about the physics and the music. Despite some of my criticisms, I really could not be more hyped for this. Thank you so much, Nintendo and Monolithsoft! This will absolutely carry me through to the next console launch.

[@kuroshiro3267]

I hope they change the UI and font size, how are you supposed to read that in portable mode?

[@joebilly3719]

"disconnected from the other games" careful there, let´s not jump the guns, specially regarding the definitive edition, hehe

[@KruizCo]

Even then it's actually very much so connected to the games, but in an unexpected way. It's more closely related to the events we learn about in Xenogears/Xenosaga. The events of Xenogears happen because long ago the earth was lost long ago in a great war that people escaped on colony ships which is exactly what X is showing. And XBC1-3 are related because of other events too, it's wild how connected all of the xeno games are

[@kaspermagnusson2581]

I remember playing xenoblade Chronicles X back in the day listening to your old video. It was my first in the franchise and did never finished but now It's finally time

[@falcowar7890]

I'm so hyped for returning to this gem, WE ARE SO BACK!!!!

[@patrickshaw411]

With the exception of probably BotW, this is easily the best open world exploration on the Wii U and one of the best in the past decade.

[@beauvogames]

For years I've hoped we would get Xenoblade Chronicles Y and Z, as X had a cliffhanger ending and so many unanswered questions. The thing I'm most curious about with this definitive edition is with the extra story content whether it'll answer all those answered questions and wrap it all up OR still leave some mysteries for potential sequels? 😊

[@Halberder84]

I love this game. I can't wait to revisit it. I can tell there is lots of excitement for it. Ever since the announcement, my let's play videos from over 8 years ago have had plenty of interest. Great video, your excitement is as palpable as mine.

[@bevlflisa1301]

I missed this game so much, I'm glad it's coming back

[@KyrisKenshin]

This is actually my favourite Xeno game. This includes Xenogears, Saga, and Blade. It may not be for everyone, but I was immersed and had such a blast with this game. I actually started a new playthrough last week, but I'm gonna stop and wait to play it when Definitive Edition comes out.

[@teafordaniel809]

I have played XCX before, it was actually my first Xeno-game. And it is my favorite - not just Xeno, but favorite video game of all time. I am beyond hyped, and so happy my patience for a definitive edition is finally paying off!

[@JulioSillet]

I played this game several years after the release and I enjoyed so much, but also remember reaching the end and be like "...what?! That is not the end, tell me that's not the end!". This was bad considering that the probability of the game having a sequel was very low thanks to the Wii U commercial performance. I think It's kind of difficult for the definitive edition to "fix" that, It always felt that the game story got to the end of the second act and then gave up, at least for me. But still love the game. I'm happy that we are getting a more complete version on the switch, and hopefully a sequel... maybe.

[@pedrobeckup456]

Haven't played but I already want X2 to fix the end of X1

[@Hiruma_]

Seeing Monolith Soft's peak environment design again and again really makes me wanna play an open world Pokemon game made by them.

[@guguig9746]

X is my first Xenoblade I played. It'll always be special to me, and I'm so ready to dive in again

[@By-the_Way]

I absolutely loved X on WiiU, so I can't wait to play it again. Like Derrick said, it is very different from 1-3 but it has a whole different fun to it. This is basically like a Grand Hotel-type of game. The story doesn't unfold in the eyes of your main character, you are a part of a bigger story and you are one of the many people who move that story along by doing the main story as well as the countless side quests. It's a bit like reading a compilation of short stories to realize they are all connected in one way or other and you gradually get to see the big picture. If you like mechs, sci-fi and exploration, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this! I really do wish the Definitive Edition does well. I'd love to see a X-2. I'd love to see New Tokyo (Wasn't there a rumor that they crash-landed on Mira too?)

[@prodnxbu]

I was introduced to the XC series through 2, I have since beaten 1,2,3 + all the DLCs since then, I am super excited to play Xenoblade X

[@Konpaku_Hungary]

The fun fact is, that Xenoblade X was the first Xenoblade I ever played. I chosed to be explorer or what. Those who has to instal towers to discover new parts on the map. I got completely stuck on a forest where in the way the monsters were way too strong and I couldn't get arround, I started to play other games and never finished it. BUT when Switch came out that same year came out Xenoblade 2. I actually liked Xenoblade X, and that's why I buyed Xenoblade 2. I started the game and played about 5 hours, then stopped and continued more than half year latter and finished it, and became my favorite game for Switch. Then Xenoblade 1 came out, that was a master piece also, and now I'm playing Xenoblade 3 and I really love it. I think I will buy the X for Switch and finish it. Xenoblades are masterpieces.

[@nugsboodlepoo]

This sounds awesome. You've succeeded at getting me hyped! 1 and 3 are two of my favorite games and I was always bummed I missed out on X. So excited to finally get to play it.

[@TakisEnjoyer]

Xenoblade Chronicles X is so special they used spacebar twice in the title...

[@cenanuffz]

One of the few great examples of open world exploration that feels rewarding and fun.

[@Queenofthesevenseas]

Xenoblade chronicles X is such a gem of a game ❤ it was the main reason I bought a Wii U to be honest. And interestingly enough X was my introduction to what became the Xenoblade series, I was not a fan of the original Xenoblade game at all as I preferred X hands down. Now X is my second favorite in the series Xenoblade chronicles 2 being my favorite 🔥💕 I’m currently in the middle of my 6th play through of X on the Wii U, however I’m still looking forward to being able to play it on the switch ❤ Thanks for the video and sharing your views thoughts opinions on X…… i could not have expressed things as clearly and with such passion as you have done. Subscribed

[@SunburstSenshi]

I am SO happy to finally see XCX on Switch! I’ve been asking for it for years and had fully accepted that it just wouldn’t happen. How many other games can you fly a mech suit through the sky and then transform to drive your mech car across the land? It was such a cool vibe!

[@jaednorberg]

This is my favorite game of the Xenoblade series. There's just something about the grandiosity of the world and story that you're thrown into that completely captivated me from start to finish. I'm not even a huge sci-fi fan and yet I still found myself enjoying every aspect of the characters, setting, and equipment. The combat system was also one of the most complicated in the series, if not THE most complicated, to the point where when you finally get it figured out, you feel like a god. The game was unfortunately so crippled by its exclusive launch on the Wii U that it simply didn't get out there to people who would have enjoyed it. I'm so happy they (finally) decided to bring it to the Switch. One of my favorite things about the game that I've missed in every other Xenoblade game though was the character customization, down to crediting the many voice actors in the character creator itself, which is something I've never seen done before or since. Oh and also, the music in this game definitely had the Persona 3 effect for me, where at first I was just like "lol what is this style" only to be jamming out to it nonstop and starting unnecessary battles just to listen to the track again.

[@islandofmelanat]

X had such a high concentration of what I call "quit moments" on Wii U, but man if you stuck with it you almost certainly came away raving about it. Truly a special game and I'm glad a lot more people are going to get the chance to experience it. And hopefully with a satisfying ending this time!

[@Some_Random_Guy]

I'm so glad Nintendo has (for the most part) shortened the time between announcement and release of their games. I still remember being absolutely psyched for this after the initial reveal on Wii U, but then having the excruciating wait that followed

[@chrismiller8622]

XCX is all about exploration and getting involved with the residents of New LA. And the music is phenomenal !

[@khfreak5531]

This story really is one of the more serious ones. There’s some real existential dread going on in this one.

[@JohnSmith-fe3di]

Beat this game twice. About 250 hours. Got my Ares90. Did most of the quests. I’m so happy it’s coming to switch, going to do it all over again.

[@KrispyKrabby]

XCX is pretty special to me too, as it was the first Xenoblade game I ever played as well. I really hope more people give it a chance this time, because it's SO freaking good and it holds such a special place in my heart. ❤ It's also funny I'd run into this video, cuz it was Derrick's coverage of the game on GameXplain that actually got me hyped to play the game in the first place. So thank you for that! 😅 Edit: ALSO, one change I HOPE they make for this version is that they let you ACTUALLY let you have reserve members this time so that you can change team members on the fly. In the OG game, there was a "reserve members" section of your party screen, but that was just used to outright DISMISS them. Meaning you had to go back to the spot they usually stand in and add them back in your party. Super annoying, and I hope they change that. 🤞

[@manuboy214]

I'm so excited! I can't wait until it comes out! I hope they add a good amount of content!