Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Monolith Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
Introduction
Nearly a decade after its Wii U debut, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition finally brings Monolith Soft’s ambitious open-world RPG to the Nintendo Switch. This long-anticipated remaster doesn’t just dust off a cult favorite — it reintroduces a sprawling sci-fi epic with modern enhancements that make it more accessible, beautiful, and thrilling than ever before.
Whether you’re a veteran of the original or a newcomer to the world of Mira, this Definitive Edition lives up to its name in almost every way that counts.
A Vast World Reborn
At its core, Xenoblade Chronicles X is about exploration. Mira is an alien planet teeming with bizarre wildlife, ancient ruins, and jaw-dropping landscapes — and now, thanks to the Switch’s improved hardware, these vistas look better than ever. The visual upgrade includes enhanced textures, smoother performance, and improved lighting effects. While it still can’t quite shake all of the Wii U-era jank, this is the best the game has ever looked or run.
The true star here is scale. Mira is massive, and you feel it — especially once you unlock the game’s iconic Skells (mechs that let you fly, fight, and traverse terrain in new ways). The sensation of flying through floating islands and discovering secrets tucked into every corner of the map is unmatched.
Gameplay & Combat
The combat system remains largely intact from the original, and that’s a good thing. X’s MMO-inspired real-time battles mix cooldown-based arts, positioning, and team synergy into a complex but rewarding system. There’s been a bit of streamlining to tutorials and UI, which makes the learning curve less punishing for new players.
The addition of quality-of-life improvements like better fast travel, clearer navigation, and customizable HUD options makes progression smoother without dulling the challenge.
That said, the game’s systems — from affinity charts to party customization to Skell management — still feel overwhelming at times. This is a game that demands patience and rewards investment.
Story & Characters
Here’s where Xenoblade Chronicles X still sparks the most debate.
Unlike the more character-driven narratives of its series siblings, X focuses more on worldbuilding and player agency. You create your own silent protagonist and slowly uncover the mystery of Mira and humanity’s role on it. While the story is ambitious, it often takes a backseat to exploration and mission grinding. Some may find the plot a bit too thin, and the cast, while quirky, doesn’t always hit the emotional highs of other Xenoblade titles.
Still, there’s a refreshing sense of freedom to how the narrative unfolds — and the worldbuilding is so rich, it makes up for the lack of deep personal storytelling.
New Features in the Definitive Edition
- Visual and performance enhancements
- Updated UI and quality-of-life tweaks
- Rebalanced combat and enemy scaling
- Skell flight unlocks earlier
- Improved tutorials and help systems
- Optional remastered soundtrack toggle
The remastered soundtrack deserves special mention. While the original score was divisive, this edition lets you switch between the original and a newly reorchestrated version that better matches the game’s tone.
Final Thoughts
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is both a love letter to the fans and a bold reintroduction of one of the most unique JRPGs of the last decade. It’s not a perfect game — its story structure and systems are still dense — but its sense of scale, discovery, and ambition remain unmatched.
If you missed it the first time or bounced off due to its complexity, this remaster gives you every reason to try again. For Xenoblade fans, it’s a must-play. For newcomers, it’s an invitation to lose yourself on Mira.
Score: 8.5/10
Big, bold, and brimming with wonder — Xenoblade Chronicles X finally gets the edition it deserves.
Leave a Reply