"Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" Review: Exploring Planet Mira, Ushering in the Dawn of the Nintendo Switch 2 Era

Hey, Switch gamers! I'm your old friend, a Nintendo enthusiast with over ten years of experience. Today, we're diving into a classic JRPG that fans absolutely can't miss—"Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition." Originally released on the Wii U, its port to the Switch platform, and the anticipation for the future Nintendo Switch 2, undoubtedly breathes new life into this open-world RPG. Let me take you deep into the charm of this game and its possible connection to the future Nintendo Switch 2.

1. "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" Introduction: Return to Planet Mira

The story of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" is set in the future after Earth is destroyed by an alien race, forcing humanity to flee their home aboard the massive interstellar emigration ship "White Whale." Unfortunately, the "White Whale" is attacked before reaching its destination, crashing on the mysterious planet Mira. The player takes on the role of a soldier who awakens from a hibernation pod and joins the human colony "New Los Angeles" on Mira, embarking on an adventure to survive and find a new home.

The biggest feature of this game is its vast and boundless open world. Planet Mira has five distinct ecological zones: green primeval wilderness, vast deserts, dense jungles, snow-capped mountains, and huge aquatic environments. Each area is filled with unique creatures, resources, and hidden locations, waiting for players to explore and discover.

2. Gameplay Review: Free Exploration and Deep Customization

The core gameplay of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" revolves around exploration, combat, and character customization.

2.1 The Joy of Exploring Planet Mira

The game allows players to freely explore every corner of Planet Mira, either on foot or by piloting powerful mechs called "Dolls" to soar through the skies or traverse the ground at high speed. This highly free exploration experience is unmatched by many other JRPGs.

During your exploration, you'll discover various resource points, hidden locations, and missions. Collecting resources can be used to craft equipment and upgrade mechs, while completing missions earns you experience and rewards. In addition, Planet Mira is scattered with mysterious ruins and traces of ancient civilizations, waiting for players to uncover their secrets.

2.2 Combat System: Strategy and Exhilaration Coexist

The combat system in "Xenoblade Chronicles X" adopts a semi-real-time battle mode. The character you control automatically attacks enemies, while you can use various skills (Arts) to deal higher damage or provide support effects.

The key to combat lies in mastering the timing of skill usage and team cooperation. Each character has different skills, and you need to choose the appropriate skills based on the enemy's weaknesses and your own state. In addition, cooperation between team members is also important, and chain attacks can be used to deal massive damage.

The game's combat system is both strategic and exhilarating. You need to carefully consider every step of your actions, but at the same time, you can experience the thrill of a one-hit kill.

2.3 Character Customization: Create Unique Characters

"Xenoblade Chronicles X" provides very rich character customization options. You can freely choose the character's gender, appearance, class, and skills.

The job system in the game is very unique. You can choose to become an Assault, Medic, Mechanic, and so on. Each job has different skills and equipment. You can choose a job according to your preferences or change jobs at any time during the game.

In addition to jobs, you can also freely choose the character's skills. Each skill has different effects, and you can choose the appropriate skills based on your combat style. In addition, you can also improve the character's stats through equipment and create a unique character.

2.4 Mechs "Dolls": A Symbol of Power

"Dolls" are a very important element in "Xenoblade Chronicles X." Players can pilot powerful mechs in the game for combat and exploration.

Dolls not only have powerful attack power, but also can fly in the air, exploring every corner of Planet Mira. In addition, Dolls can also be customized and upgraded to improve performance and appearance.

After owning Dolls, your exploration range will be greatly increased. You can fly over mountains, cross rivers, and explore areas that were previously unreachable. At the same time, Dolls are also a powerful aid in combat, easily defeating powerful enemies.

3. Graphics and Sound: A Visual and Auditory Feast

The graphics of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" were already top-notch in the Wii U era. After being ported to the Switch platform, the graphics have been further optimized, becoming clearer and more detailed. The various areas of Planet Mira present different styles, and the scenery is very magnificent.

The sound effects of the game are also excellent. The soundtrack, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, is majestic and full of sci-fi, perfectly matching the game's world view. Whether it's the tension and excitement during battle or the melodious and soothing sounds during exploration, you can immerse yourself in it.

However, it should be pointed out that even after optimization, the Switch version of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" still experiences frame drops in some scenes. It is hoped that the future Nintendo Switch 2 can provide more powerful performance, allowing the game to run at a higher frame rate and provide a smoother experience. This may be a major improvement point for the game on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform. More news about nintendo switch2 first look is worth looking forward to.

4. Plot Analysis: Survival and Hope

The plot of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" revolves around the survival and hope of humans on Planet Mira. The game tells the story of how humans established colonies in a new environment, how to establish connections with different races, and how to face unknown threats.

The game's plot is full of suspense and twists. As the story progresses, you will gradually uncover the secrets of Planet Mira and the true purpose of humans coming here.

Although the plot is not perfect, it can still make players think. Survival, hope, and the future are all issues worth exploring in depth.

5. Handling: Smooth and Convenient

The handling of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" is very smooth and convenient. The Switch platform's Joy-Con controllers provide comfortable grip and precise control.

The game's interface design is also very friendly. You can easily access various menus and options for character customization, equipment upgrades, and task management.

However, it should be noted that some operations in the game may require a certain adaptation period. For example, the flight operation of the mech requires certain skills to master.

6. Pros and Cons Analysis: A Classic Worth Buying

6.1 Pros:

• Vast open world: The exploration experience of Planet Mira is excellent, full of surprises and discoveries.
• Deep customization: The customization options for characters and mechs are very rich, allowing you to create unique characters.
• Excellent graphics and sound: The graphics have been optimized, and the sound effects are majestic, perfectly matching the game's world view.
• Smooth handling: The Switch platform's Joy-Con controllers provide comfortable grip and precise control.

6.2 Cons:

• Frame drops in some scenes: Even after optimization, the Switch version of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" still experiences frame drops in some scenes.
• The plot is not perfect: Although the game's plot is full of suspense and twists, there are still some shortcomings.
• Some operations require adaptation: Some operations in the game may require a certain adaptation period.

Overall, "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" is a very excellent JRPG. It has a vast open world, deep customization, excellent graphics and sound, and smooth handling. If you are a JRPG enthusiast, then this game is definitely not to be missed.

7. Comparative Analysis with Similar Games

Compared with other works in the same series, "Xenoblade Chronicles X" is most characterized by its open-world design. It is not as linear as other works, but allows players to freely explore every corner of Planet Mira. This highly free exploration experience is the biggest advantage of "Xenoblade Chronicles X."

Compared with other open-world RPGs, the combat system of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" is more unique. The semi-real-time battle mode requires players to carefully consider every step of their actions, but at the same time, they can experience the thrill of a one-hit kill.

Overall, "Xenoblade Chronicles X" is a unique JRPG. It has both the freedom of an open world and a strategic combat system. It is a classic worth playing.

8. Game Score and Authoritative Evaluation

Considering all aspects of the game, I give "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" a score of 8.5/10.

This score reflects the game's advantages in open world, character customization, graphics and sound, etc., while also taking into account the game's shortcomings in frame drops and plot.

Here are some authoritative media scores for your reference:

• IGN: 8.0/10 (Authoritative Score Reference Link)
• Metacritic: 84/100 (Authoritative Score Reference Link)

9. Beginner's Guide

If you are a beginner to "Xenoblade Chronicles X," here are some beginner's guides:

• Choose the right job: There are many jobs to choose from in the game, and you can choose the right job according to your preferences.
• Collect resources: Planet Mira is scattered with various resource points, and collecting resources can be used to craft equipment and upgrade mechs.
• Complete tasks: Completing tasks can earn you experience and rewards, improving your character's abilities.
• Explore Planet Mira: Each area of Planet Mira is full of unique creatures, resources, and hidden locations, waiting for players to explore and discover.
• Familiarize yourself with the combat system: The key to combat is to master the timing of skill usage and team cooperation.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Prospects: A Better Trip to Planet Mira

Although "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" has performed well on the Switch, we have reason to expect it to perform even more amazingly on the future Nintendo Switch 2.

If the Nintendo Switch 2 can provide more powerful performance, then the graphics of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" will be clearer and more detailed, and the frame rate will be more stable and smooth. This will greatly enhance the game experience.

In addition, the Nintendo Switch 2 may adopt new technologies, such as ray tracing and DLSS, which will make the picture effect of "Xenoblade Chronicles X" more realistic and shocking.

Imagine, on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can explore every corner of Planet Mira at a higher resolution and smoother frame rate. You can admire the magnificent scenery of Planet Mira in more realistic pictures. This will be a more wonderful trip to Planet Mira.

In addition, if the Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible with old games, then "Xenoblade Chronicles X" players will be able to directly continue their adventure on the new console. nintendo switch2 compatibility will be the focus of players' attention. Of course, more people hope that nintendo switch2 price will be more affordable.

11. Summary: The Call of Planet Mira

"Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" is a classic work worth trying for all JRPG enthusiasts. It has a vast open world, deep customization, excellent graphics and sound, and smooth handling. Even if there are some shortcomings, it is still a rare masterpiece.

And with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, we have reason to believe that "Xenoblade Chronicles X" will reappear in front of us in a more perfect posture. Let us look forward to embarking on the adventure of Planet Mira again on the Nintendo Switch 2!

I hope my review can help you better understand "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition." If you have any questions, please leave a message in the comment area. I will try my best to answer your questions. See you next time!