Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition – Everything You Need to Know

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Xenoblade Chronicles X was released all the way back in 2015 on the Wii U, however, it’s now coming to the Nintendo Switch on March 20th. X Definitive Edition is a thorough remaster with enhanced graphics and a bunch of convenience features. Here are 13 things you need to know before you buy Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition.

Upgraded Character Models

Like its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive completely overhauls the character models of all the major cast members. Graphics comparisons between the Wii U and Switch versions of the game reveal brand new clothing for characters, such as Elma’s new crimson leg plates replacing the low resolution metal ones from the original. Faces also look less plasticy here, with Definitive sharpening the eyes while adding dimensionality to the skin through lighting and contour. As expected, the Definitive edition enhances visuals for HD, improving general textures and lighting across the board.

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Doesn’t Include Japan-only Content

In case there was any doubt, yes, the definitive edition includes all of the DLC that the original Japanese version added to international markets. However, it has been confirmed that the Japanese-only outfits as well as the  customization features for Cross are omitted from Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive.

New Story Elements

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Eagle-eyed fans of the game may have noticed some never-before-seen cinematics from the trailers. It has been confirmed that, indeed, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition features new story content seamlessly woven through the game. It’s likely these new bits of story tie up loose ends of Lau’s story following the events of Chapter 12. As a delightful bonus for audiophiles, additional music has been composed to accompany the new story elements.

Party Swap Feature

It was truly a pain to recruit squad members to your party in the original. You had to travel all the way over to NLS and individually search them out to add these characters to your party. This was a colossal pain considering the dozen and a half recruitable characters in the game. Definitive thankfully eliminates all that busywork with an Active Party menu which can swap party members in and out wherever you are in Mira. The remaster even lets non-active party members in reserve gain XP, which is something else the original didn’t have.

2 New Characters and 2 Additional Skells

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What makes the party swap feature even better are the two new recruitable party members. The only thing we know about the new NeilNail character is they’re a Qluarian who may have built or owned the two Neilnail Skells (the controllable mechs) from the original game. Leisel is the other squadmate, a test pilot in charge of the “Hraesvelg” Skell. Speaking of, this Hraesvelg Skell will be included in Definitive as well as a new Ares-type Skell.

New Floating Continent Zone

BLADE Level and Field Skill Levels Are Gone

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive trims some of the ‘fat’ that tended to bloat out the original experience. Some of the bloat in question was BLADE level, a tiered rank that unlocked certain Missions as well as improving Field Skills. This additional leveling system has been axed to let players access basic Missions based on story progress and obtain field treasures immediately upon discovery.

New Quick Cooldown Meter

Waiting to use abilities is a core part of Xenoblade Chronicles X’s gameplay identity, and X Definitive smooths this process with a backup ‘Quick’ Cooldown meter. Arts still have specific cooldown times, but the Quick Cooldown meter allows players to bypass Art cooldowns as long as the meter is not depleted. No doubt this reserve cooldown bank will make aspects of fights easier, but if it makes for a smoother and more engaging combat experience, it may be worth it.

Mission Item Location Markers

Definitive Edition goes further with its convenience features with new dedicated item location markers. The ‘Follow Ball’ item performs this helpful deed by clearly marking mission-specific items right on the map for you to locate.  I have to say, the more I learn about the quality of life additions, the more I want to dig into the intimidating mammoth of an RPG that I missed with Xenoblade Chronicles X.

Massive Open World Featuring 5 Explorable Continents

And mammoth it truly is with its five gigantic open-world continents and the large multi-district city of New Los Angeles. Size doesn’t necessarily promise a better game, quite the opposite in some cases, but Xenoblade Chronicles X boasts a whopping 154 square miles (Breath of the Wild has 140); a vast area made even more exhilarating through the seamless Skell traversal. There are a multitude of different Skell units for sale around Mira, all with upgradable components and, get this, insurance, which is used for repairs. And the five continents are varied in their biomes and wildlife too, which is appropriate given the hunting and gathering aspect of the game.

Character Creator

Aiding in the game’s vast sense of scale and immersion is the ability to craft your own unique character. The Definitive edition doesn’t add any additional customization elements in this regard, so you’re stuck choosing between some predefined faces and hair templates without the ability to shape a face from scratch. Still, the various accessories, outfits, and general improvement of faces help spruce up the character customization.

Battle System

For the uninitiated, combat within the Xenoblade Chronicles X  typically revolves around actions (Arts) set to a cooldown timer. You attack enemies in real-time, but must manage Arts cooldowns and buffing/healing the party through the QTE Soul Voice system. It’s an interesting blend of MMO design and active-time battles, and with the convenience features that Definitive adds, it’s more accessible than ever.

Story

The plot in the game goes in some wild directions, but the basics are pretty simple. You escape a destroyed earth aboard a space vessel and wind up an amnesiac on the mysterious planet of Mira. Joining the human defense force, BLADE, while exploring the untapped mysteries of Mira becomes a big part of the game’s initial plot.

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2025-03-17 15:45