New Xenoblade Chronicles Leaks Make Me Worried About The Series’ Future

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I absolutely love the Xenoblade Chronicles series and always jump at the chance to recommend it. The second game is my all-time favorite – its grand, exciting cutscenes and emotionally powerful moments have stayed with me and probably always will. I’m really excited about anything the developers, Monolith Soft, create next, and I’m hoping it will showcase the true potential of the Switch 2, going far beyond the technical limitations of games like Tomodachi Life and Pokémon Pokopia.

I need to explain why I’m feeling disappointed about the next Xenoblade Chronicles game. The recent leak has everyone excited and speculating, but honestly, it’s made me worried. I should be happy to get any news about the series, but this leak suggests the new game might stray from what made Xenoblade Chronicles 3 so special. It feels like it could undo everything the last game worked so hard to achieve, and that’s even more upsetting to me than a specific sad moment from Xenoblade Chronicles 2!

The Next Xenoblade Chronicles Game May Feature KOS-MOS

Voice actor Caitlin Thorburn’s online profile was recently updated to show she’s returning as the character KOS-MOS in a Xenoblade Chronicles project planned for 2026. This has led fans to believe KOS-MOS, a popular character from the difficult-to-find game Xenosaga, might appear in the next Xenoblade Chronicles game, even if just briefly. Many fans are excited about this possibility, as there’s still a lot of potential to explore the links between the Xenosaga and Chronicles series.

I do have some reservations, though. Reviving a character so iconic feels like a step backward instead of a fresh idea. While franchises often bring back familiar faces – like in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, which featured many popular characters from the previous games – XBC3 was specifically designed to conclude that chapter of the story and allow the creators to explore new directions.

Takahashi explained in a letter accompanying the soundtrack release that he believes in evolving rather than staying the same. He said that any future Xenoblade game would probably be very different from previous ones. However, bringing back KOS-MOS wouldn’t feel like a significant change. It would mainly be a nostalgic nod to fans of Xenosaga and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, even if her inclusion made sense within the story. It would likely seem like an attempt to recapture past success rather than forging a new path.

The Next Xenoblade Chronicles Game Shouldn’t Rely On The Past

Monolith Soft has the potential to create something amazing for the new Nintendo Switch, especially with the console’s improved capabilities. However, to truly succeed and attract new players, they need to break away from familiar formulas and characters. Relying on the same old ideas will hold them back from real innovation and won’t appeal to those unfamiliar with their previous work.

Although Xenosaga is highly regarded as a classic JRPG, its limited availability outside of North America and Japan means many fans of Monolith Soft’s current work haven’t had the chance to play it. Building on a 22-year-old game that wasn’t very successful and had a restricted release feels like a misstep. Not only has Monolith Soft expressed a desire to create new experiences, but relying on older references will likely diminish enjoyment for players unfamiliar with characters like KOS-MOS and their origins.

As a long-time fan of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, I loved Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and its additional content. However, I worry that someone new to the series might not have the same experience, as the game relies heavily on references to past characters and events. While nods to series history can be great, game development is taking longer now, and games are spread across many platforms. Developers need to remember that not everyone will have played every previous installment. Of course, if the rumored new Xenoblade Chronicles game isn’t as strong, this concern might not matter.

I Hope 2026’s Xenoblade Chronicles Is A Remaster Of XBC2

I’m really excited for Monolith Soft’s next game, but if we only get one Xenoblade Chronicles title in 2026 and it needs to include the character KOS-MOS, I hope it’s a remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. KOS-MOS was a small part of that game, so it would be easy for the voice actor to come back and record a little more dialogue or add a new side quest – that’s typical for how Monolith Soft does remasters. Plus, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the oldest game and doesn’t run as well as the others, making it a great candidate for a remaster on the Switch 2.

Many fans of the Xenoblade Chronicles series think the recent leak points to a Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Definitive Edition – a version that includes all the downloadable content, fixes technical issues, and maybe removes some of the annoying tutorials. While I don’t think this version will actually happen, it’s a reasonable possibility and could keep fans happy until Monolith Soft releases their next big game.

I absolutely adore the Xenoblade Chronicles games, and I’m ridiculously excited about whatever Monolith Soft comes up with next. Because I feel so connected to those worlds and characters, I can also understand why others might not get as invested – it is a pretty complex series! That’s probably why I jump to conclusions and worry about things like cameos and constant references to past games. It feels like everything these days is just fanservice, and I really hope the next Xeno game avoids that trap. As much as I love KOS-MOS – and I know the fandom does too – I’d much rather see Monolith Soft take the series in a new direction, like Takahashi suggested, instead of just relying on what’s come before.

Do you believe the next installments in the Xeno series will rely heavily on cameos and Easter eggs? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-16 02:42