Monolith Soft surprised Nintendo fans everywhere with its announcement of a lavish, open up-globe RPG calledXenoblade Chronicles for the Wii in 2010. Although the classic title remained region-locked for quondam, devoted fans helped to finally go a global release. The title would after be ported to the New Nintendo 3DS and, in 2020, the Switch.

The game's enthralling tale full of twists and turns, the memorable characters, and unique combat system captivated fans, making for 1 of the standout JRPGs of the decade.

Fast forward several years later, and the studio was back in full force; this time with a full-blown Switch sequel, released at the end of 2017. While many traits of the original were retained, various aspects were tweaked, refined, and added to make this experience stand up out from its predecessor.

Just which of these bang-up games is improve, and where does each excel? We'll seek to hash this out below, as nosotros cover 5 strengths for each iteration of the mainlineXenobladegames.

Updated February 9th, 2021 past Tanner Kinney: Despite how few Xenoblade titles there are currently released, each inspires fans in different ways. Each is a radically different experience despite being cut from the same textile. Even Xenoblade Chronicles X has its fair share of fans, although it isn't considered a true sequel. The only real downside came in the visuals for XC1 being somewhat outdated for the longest time. With the release of the Switch remaster in 2020, both titles are on the aforementioned panel and available for direct competition. When deciding betwixt which championship is superior, the margin has go fifty-fifty more razor thin.

14 Xenoblade Chronicles: Extensive Equipment Customization

Xenoblade Chronicles Gem Crafting and Equipment Screen

Although information technology might exist more of a burden than a boon for some players, Xenoblade Chronicles stands out from other titles with equipment system. While XC2 simplifies the procedure of equipping external pieces of gear, XC1 gives the player a ton of flexibility in how they build their political party members. Since each political party fellow member can fulfill multiple different roles in battle, the equipment system needs to fit their different roles too.

While gear pieces are numerous (oftentimes overloading the inventory in unwieldy numbers), the expression comes in crafting and applying gems onto pieces of gear. Gem crafting is a bit of a hassle, merely the rewards are some really unique stat and passive buffs that play a major part in battle strategy. For example, a build might focus Reyn more on dealing incredible damage as opposed to just tanking hits. Riki, with his numerous talents as the Heropon, has many different builds to use in battle. It's a bit needlessly complicated, but it'southward something that makes the game special.

13 Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Take a chance-Free Gacha Thrills

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Blade Summoning Dahila

Gacha games are incredibly popular in the mobile game market place. Despite the ethical issues that come with the translation of gambling into game format, it is absolutely thrilling to try and get rare drops and flex on other players. The system used for summoning new Blades in XC2 is a shameless gacha, complete with free designs for the rarest characters, and works surprisingly well.

The number of rare Blades in XC2 is quite high, despite their overall rarity in beingness summoned from crystals. When replaying the game, it's likely that a player won't become the same blades in the verbal aforementioned social club. This helps differentiate playthroughs as information technology will set players on different paths through completing side quests and other objectives. And at its core, it really just feels good to get that rare pull and meet the unique summoning cutscene. It's a bit of actress season that XC1 doesn't have.

12 Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Continued is Refreshing

Xenoblade Chronicles Future Connected Key Artwork Shulk Melia

1 of the additions made in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition was a new epilogue story, titled Future Continued. The story follows the events of XC1, focusing on Shulk, Melia, and two new Nopon characters to help round out the party. Much like XC2'south DLC campaign, the gainsay retains much of its base elements with some new additions added to brand things fresh.

While the brusk and sweet story doesn't compete with the sweeping opera contained in the base game, it's still refreshing. Fans will enjoy the opportunity to spend more time with Shulk and Melia, along with expanding on the world. It isn't world-shattering, but it is a nice modify of stride after completing the main game's story.

eleven Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Land is Incredible

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Torna the Golden Country Key Artwork

Although non included as a free improver to the game, Torna - The Golden Country is basically an entirely new game built within XC2'south gameplay engine. The story follows the mysterious Jin and his Commuter, Lora, equally they assist the legendary Addam in defending the world. The story requires the context of the base game's narrative, only helps to expand on some of the more confusing or unexplored aspects of the narrative.

While many players felt the narrative in XC2 to exist somewhat weak, Torna tells a curtailed story that's equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. With a more limited cast of characters, it allows them to flourish and develop in means that the main cast of XC2 was defective. Plus, the music is fifty-fifty better and the gainsay is just as good as information technology is in the base game. It's a worthy addition to the game, and fans of the series might savour it even if they didn't enjoy XC2.

10 Xenoblade Chronicles: The Music

Like many other JRPGs, both games indeed incorporate terrific music. Still, the original iteration ofXenobladetakes the crown when information technology comes to the royal, distinct melodies. In a game like this, the atmosphere is crucial, and Monolith Soft delivers with a gorgeous, dynamic soundtrack that immerses y'all into the colorful realms of Bionis and Mechonis.

You have an impressive range of themes, melodies, and emotions conveyed in each runway - from the exciting, epic combat music to the gorgeous, serenading melodies of the Satorl Marsh at night. The remastered versions of the soundtrack are striking-and-miss, but the songs that did improve really smoothen. Xenoblade iiis similarly great, though it'due south a fleck more straightforward and a fleck less diverse in style.

9 Xenoblade Chronicles 2: The Visuals

Given the context ofXenoblade Chroniclesbeing on more express hardware, it was a nice-looking game visually. And it certainly shines in some ways, peculiarly in terms of its thick sense of temper. In the remake, information technology shores up a lot of weaknesses of the dated hardware while retaining a lot of the charm. Withal, when it comes to the overall sleekness and vibrant visuals, at that place's simply no contest.

Xenoblade iidazzles with some gorgeous visuals, which are consistently well-baked, vibrant, and colorful. The environments are chock full of depth, and the describe distances are truly impressive for Switch software. Moreso than the beginning game, the many Titans of Alrest experience similar living, breathing worlds.

While the over-the-top "waifu" design of some of the Blades and the cartoony anime-fashion of the models may not be for everyone, overall it'southward merely a beautiful game.

8 Xenoblade Chronicles: The Narrative

Xenoblade Chronicles Heart-to-Heart Reyn and Shulk

We won't risk spoiling the epic, shocking ending that comprises the originalXenoblade, suffice information technology to say that it goes beyond the typical tropes yous'd look of an RPG. Aside from simply the unique concept of the ambivalent Titans, in that location'south tons of depth and emotional impact in the plot, with enough of introspection and growth for Shulk and company. Things start humbly, before escalating to a crescendo of ballsy plot-points rife with twists and turns.

WhileXenoblade Chronicles 2has its gripping moments with its unique Blades and likable characters, it tends to succumb more than to the typical "hero saving the world" cliché.

7 Xenoblade Chronicles 2: More Attainable

With the originalXenoblade, there'due south an ambiguous and convoluted feel to much of the gameplay. The way the menus and overall interface is laid out can exist somewhat confusing at times. Tutorials are frequent, but don't do a whole lot in explaining the intricacies of annihilation exterior of combat. The Definitive Editionshares the same problem, with maybe a nuance of extra visual clarity. Revisiting this game after many months of non playing can have you frantically flipping through menus and wandering around lost, looking for the adjacent thing to do.

With the sequel, the gameplay feels more streamlined and clear for near of the experience. Waypoints are more abundant and apparent, and you lot're given clearer instructions (without crossing the line into "mitt-holding" territory). Certain, tutorials are interrupting gameplay well past the opening hours, but that's preferred to a lack of direction.

six Xenoblade Chronicles: The Characters

Xenoblade Chronicles Shulk Melia Sharla Dunban Heropon Riki

The slew of unique characters that make upXenoblade twoare likable plenty, with perhaps the exception of the annoying Tora, who repeats "meh" like an annoying tick. But much like the narrative, the original rendition presents a cast that just comes across as more than rich, interesting, and deep.

Non only practise the characters pop with some outstanding phonation acting, only the motivations and disharmonize of characters like Shulk and Dunban smooth through and enhance the narrative, vs the more two-dimensional King and visitor. It'south probably not a great sign when many ofXenoblade 2's villains and Blades are more interesting than our large cast of heroes.

five Xenoblade Chronicles 2: More Interesting, Diverse Settings

Sure, the concept of having 2 major gods or "Titans" every bit settings with opposing styles is cool. Still,Xenoblade Chronicles iiwins out when it comes to its array of environments. They're not but big in mass and quantity, but they also tend to be more diverse in their traits. While Bionis and Mechonis did have a range of areas within them, ultimately virtually adhered to the unifying concept of either an "organic" or "industrial" vibe.

In Xenoblade 2, flight to unique floating continents guaranteed that you were in for a rich and distinct feel for merely almost every major quest. 1 minute you'll find yourself traversing winding roads in King'south majestic homeland; the adjacent you lot'll be trekking through the huge industrial Mor Ardain or gazing at the gorgeous leaf of Uraya.

iv Xenoblade Chronicles: More Focused Combat

Xenoblade Chronicles Battle Against Giant Mechon

AlthoughXC1 doesn't always do the all-time job of spelling things out for you, information technology at to the lowest degree tends to have a more focused, unified approach to its combat and overall goals. The centralized use of the Monado and simpler organization of quests and progression keeps things more manageable as a whole. Plus, each graphic symbol has multiple defined roles they can fill up in gainsay, assuasive for varied compositions.

Xenoblade 2seems to throw a hundred different things at you at in one case, making for an overwhelming experience at times. You've got an ever-irresolute organisation of Blades, various skill trees, Elemental Arts, Aux Cores, and diverse other elements to tinker with and swap out. At times, you'll fifty-fifty have to seek out items for your Blades to use just to pass obstructions. These things can feel like a chore and take you out of the otherwise crawly experience.

iii Xenoblade Chronicles ii: More Depth And Content

1 of the draws to RPGs is how large they are in scale, as well as how dense they are in terms of content. While both games are pretty massive, the Switch sequel wins out, even when discounting theTornaDLC which adds a couple dozen morehours to the experience.

Given the myriad of continents/Titans, monsters, collectibles, and obtainable Blades, it's perhaps not a surprise thatXenoblade 2volition take longer to get through. But what's truly impressive is how long information technology'll take to complete everything - a whopping 253 hours vs 161 for the original. The main story in the original game is slightlylonger, just overall the sequel is brimming with things to practice compared to the first Xeno.

2 Xenoblade Chronicles: The Iconic Monado

BothXenobladeandSmash Bros. Ultimateplayers are aware of the badassery of the Monado; a mythical sword that ties into both the combat andthe story. Much likeStar Wars' lightsaber, the weapon that Sulk wields for the duration of the game is iconic for the franchise. The ability and versatility of this thing make for some satisfying combat, and its unique glowing pattern allows both the game and the weapon itself to stand out.

ThoughXenoblade ii's Blade mechanic is cool in its ain right, it doesn't agree the same amount of weight - both on a literal and metaphoric level, as you'll be swapping these out - bated from Pyra/Mythra.

1 Xenoblade Chronicles 2: More Thrilling, Inventive Combat

Xenoblade Chronicles 2's combat

Ultimately, the trait that keeps gamers coming back inXenoblade 2; the area which holds the crux of the fun, is its vivid battle organisation. The Switch sequel recycles some of the cardinal attributes that made the original stand up out while streamlining and expanding upon several areas.

The strategy and mechanics of the gainsay are just and so in-depth on so many levels. You've got a vast assortment of Blades to play around with, exciting timed attacks, combos to chain together, location-based hits, and elemental advantages. And fifty-fifty thisjust scratches the surface. Couple this with the fast-paced, free-flowing activeness of it all, and you lot've got one of the best boxing systems in RPGs that just doesn't become old, fifty-fifty later on dozens of hours grinding abroad.

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