With the imminent release of Nintendo’s next hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch is still set to receive one of the Wii U’s best games, with Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition coming later this March. I’m happy to report that for those eagerly awaiting its return, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition seems to be living up to its new subtitle upon its arrival on the Switch.
For a game originally released all the way back in 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles X still is one impressive-looking title and looks even more stunning on the Nintendo Switch. Released during a time before Monolith transitioned Xenoblade to its now iconic anime-inspired cel-shaded aesthetic, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition brings with it a more grounded approach to its sci-fi fantasy setting.
“Xenoblade Chronicles X still is one impressive-looking title and looks even more stunning on the Nintendo Switch.”
One of the most significant changes in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, outside of a completely overhauled UI that better suits a single-screen console, is a subtle but noticeably improved upgrade to many of the character meshes. Standouts include the character Elma, who now has less of a doll-like appearance and is more in line with the newer numbered entries in the series. This treatment is also applied to other characters in the game, including the player’s avatar.
Outside of the faces, hair meshes also appear to have been retouched, now exhibiting less shimmer and fewer aliasing artifacts, along with better-defined strands that make characters really pop on screen. Overall texture quality also seems to be improved, which is even more impressive when playing Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch.
Frankly, I was worried about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition’s performance in handheld mode, particularly with an early, pre-release version of the retail game. Yet, somehow, Monolith has done it again, delivering a mostly solid 30FPS experience in both handheld and TV mode that not only looks sharp but plays consistently enough that most people won’t notice any major hitches or slowdowns. Still, it will be interesting to see how the game compares once it releases to the masses, and perhaps into the distant future if Nintendo decides to offer up patches targeting legacy Nintendo Switch games running on Switch 2 hardware.
“Monolith has done it again, delivering a mostly solid 30FPS experience in both handheld and TV.”
Outside improved meshes and texture work, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition offers Switch players a reworked UI and HUD, which now feature larger and more legible text, including a revamped map system that makes it easier to see the often overwhelming amount of data displayed on screen. In other words, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition feels like a native Nintendo Switch experience, made ground up for the hardware and not a port of a decade-old Wii U game.
If you’re new to the series or have only played the mainline numbered entries, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a great place to start, but it can be a departure from what you might expect from the series. Unlike the numbered entries, Chronicles X is designed more for those who want to get lost in the expansive worlds Monolith is known for, rather than relying on a gripping, razor-sharp story with a strong cast of characters.
If you enjoy the gameplay loop in Xenoblade titles or even popular MMORPGs, then you will absolutely appreciate the wealth of content Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition has to offer. That’s not to say Chronicles X, or its forthcoming definitive edition, is lacking in story content, particularly with the re-release, which now includes all the base DLC from the Wii U game, along with new story elements that I have yet to discover but will hopefully appease longtime fans of the series.
With a treasure trove of content and the length JRPG fans expect, it is far too early to give you my definitive thoughts on this definitive release of Xenoblade Chronicles X — however, what I can leave you with is this: Nintendo and Monolith are not messing around and instead are on track to deliver another massive game to get lost in or rediscover all over again.
