Verdict
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a enceinte activity RPG with an outstanding taradiddle . The part are likeable with engaging arcs , while the gelded scenes offer jaw - put down spectacle . Combat is enjoyable enough , although the intromission of large political party and swappable part class both have major drawbacks , which can make scrap enemies feel repetitive halfway through this lengthy adventure .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the most challenging games I ’ve ever played on theNintendo Switch .
Monolith Soft has upped the scurf of the natural action RPG combat , now with up to seven case in your company , while also make a gorgeous heroic man that I ’m shocked is able to flow on Nintendo ’s portable console table .
Even the history is challenging , with thrilling action go down pieces with enough spectacle to rival any anime series , and a compelling story premise that explores the horror of unremitting war . But it was the emotional personal stories of the six main characters that observe me invested throughout the 50 - hour adventure , ensuring both a relatable and grounded experience despite the mellow fantasy backcloth .
Those who have never played a Xenoblade game before pauperism n’t worry about jumping into this third entry either , with an all - new account and plaster cast . There are subtle links and character reference to the premature two installment , but they feel more like easter eggs than important story circumstance .
Nintendo provided me early memory access to Xenoblade Chronicles 3 , so I ’ve been able to represent through the intact game before release . Here are my thoughts .
Story
The story of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 revolves around two nations locked in a eternal war for no clear reason . Soldiers are force to fight non - stop during their artificially limited 10 - year lifespan , or risk their colony being wiped out .
We reckon this state of war - ravaged world through the eyes of Noah and his two friends , who are forced to become fugitives . In monastic order to last , they reluctantly team up up with a trio from a rival nation , who incur themselves in a like plight .
At first , the two chemical group show resentment for each other , fueled by the grief and turmoil that the opposing faction has inflicted . But throughout the dangerous undertaking , we see the six characters farm closer , agnize they ’re not so different after all , and have only been fighting due to the tribalism culture encouraged by those in power .
It was really heartwarming to see these attachment spring up unassailable , let in both the quiet moments camping in the wilderness and heroic - ordered series fight that drive the taradiddle forwards . This involves alotof cutscenes throughout the campaign , include flashback to flesh out the backstory .
The abundance of cutscenes can be jarring , sometimes hit it feel like I ’m see an anime rather than flirt a secret plan . But then again , I never found myself tempted to hit the skip clitoris , as I was always emotional to see how each character ’s account arc would develop , and whether there ’d be another jaw - drop game twist around the next corner .
However , I do feel the account loses its anchor centering on war in the latter one-half , rather opting for the stereotyped action JRPG tropes such as giant mecha automaton and God - like entity . I still very much enjoyed the story , but the journey will no doubt be more memorable than the conclusion .
Combat
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 uses a similar armed combat system of rules to its predecessors , with fibre automatically attacking foe when close enough . You then have the option to use a number of special attacks call Arts . These will multiply the wrong of your tone-beginning , and can also be boosted by other factors .
For example , Noah ’s Edge Thrust move will deal more harm if used behind an enemy , while the Air Slash skill will be strengthen when triggered , just as you land your previous attack . I enjoyed this look of fighting , since it encourages you to hone your timing and be aware of a character ’s position . Every artwork has its own charge - up time , too , preventing you from spamming the most sinewy attack repeatedly .
Each type in your roster has a primary role , too . Attackers deal the most price ; armoured combat vehicle pull in foe attention while blocking incoming attack ; and Healers can both regenerate health and practice raw sienna to the team . This kind of system ordinarily works well in MMO game , since it require coordination with other role player . But Xenoblade is a single - player experience , and the AI is so clever here that it takes off that challenge .
The biggest variety to the scrap compare to previous entries in the serial is the size of your party . you could have up to seven characters struggle simultaneously on your team , six of which you ’re able to swap between at any moment . While having so many hero on screen simultaneously can make battles look chaotically outstanding , it can often cause your donation to feel relatively minimum . As a result , vote down a ambitious opposition rarely felt rewarding .
But my heavy issue with the combat is the want of meaningful patterned advance , which makes it find distressingly insistent towards the end of the 50 - hour campaign . If stick to your favourite character year , you ca n’t unlock extra attacks which means you ’ll be spamming the same moves from beginning to end .
you may at least unlock additional character classes , pure with young attacks and ability , and portion them to anyone in your political party . But switching to a completely different social class mid - secret plan , rather than improve upon your go class , lacks the satisfying signified of progression that the very serious RPG game offer .
I may have been able-bodied to take care past the pitiful progression system if combat was tactically compelling enough to keep me engaged . However , I observe that I never needed to alter my program of attack , whether I was fight a wolf , human or even a giant golem . There are ostensibly no unique breaker point of weakness for each enemy type , and there ’s no pauperization to pay attention to snipe pattern since there ’s no dodge mechanic – just keep using the same jazz band attacks and you should be fine .
I still think combat has enough features to be gratifying for the most part of the campaign , with the likes of fusion arts , chain attacks and interliking keep it from ever becoming boring . But by the end , combat feel more like an obstruction to have the best so as to progress the history rather than the main motivator to play the game .
Exploration and Side Activities
It took me 50 hours to complete Xenoblade Chronicles 3 , but there is so much to do beyond the main story that I reckon completionists could easy surpass the 100 - time of day mark .
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 features capable - public geographic expedition , with various monster vagabond around the environs . Aggressive beasts will begin a fighting encounter as presently as they spot you , while more placid beast will leave you alone unless you expunge first .
Hunting specific monsters can also give you the required ingredients to craft stat - supercharge gems and fix repast that can temporarily increase the number of gold and experience points you earn after every battle .
However , since you ca n’t loot ( or equip ) young armour or weapon beyond alter your character class , I seldom felt a strong incentive to venture off the beat track and search my surround . late RPGs such as Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West do a far better job at rewarding exploration and oddity .
Instead , you ’re better off spending sentence completing side pursuit , particularly those that honour you with a new character family and hero to unite your roster . There are also a few side delegation that will focalize on the personal taradiddle of one of the main graphic symbol in your company . Not only will this give you a greater look at their backstory and character growth , but will also increase the level ceiling of their starting eccentric class to allow them to become more potent .
Graphics and Presentation
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a technological marvel on the Nintendo Switch . With such a tumid function and a tidy sum of disorderly action during combat , you ’d assume that Nintendo ’s portable would struggle to sustain tranquil performance . However , I only ever noticed small framerate free fall .
Of course , the graphics are nowhere near as elaborate as plot such Final Fantasy 7 Remake on more powerful console , but I ’m still impressed with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 . There ’s a great miscellanea in the designs of the monsters that inhabit the world , while the environments are wondrous detailed .
In peculiar , the cutscenes look striking . I ’ve seen mecha suits battle it out and substance - racing brand fight on immense battleground , ensuring Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has just as much spectacle as any Zanzibar copal . I ’m also impressed by the level of detail on part animation , conveying complex emotion despite the simplistic art .
And it ’s unsufferable not to bring up the medicine . An thrilling orchestra is constantly set the game ’s step , whether you ’re jump out into battle or a character is engaged in a heartfelt conversation . Nintendo is already renowned for its outstanding music , yet Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is still arguably a cut above the rest .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a fantastic story , with likeable characters with absorb personal stories and a grandiose premiss about war . The cutscenes are amazing too , offering anime - level spectacle . If you require a grandiose jRPG story , this is one of 2022 ’s finest .
The combat in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is gratifying , but its large 7 - character party can make fighting feel passive , and so is n’t especially challenging or rewarding . The weak progression system can also make fight feel repetitious .
Final Thoughts
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is an epic RPG escapade with an challenging story assumption and striking action - packed cutscenes . I was entrance from lead off to terminate , and was really place in the part arcs of the likeable main mold . The impressive visuals and euphony also help to ameliorate ducking in this wonderful 50 - hour escapade .
scrap is stylish and gratifying , although the step-up to a 7 - character party has its drawbacks , while the lack of a solid advancement system can make it experience repetitious in the 2d half of the 50 - minute adventure . And while the high phantasy mankind of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 sure looks impressive , there is n’t much incentive for exploration since you ca n’t loot Modern weapon or armour .
Overall , this is a great ingress in the main trilogy , but will be more enjoyable for those calculate for a JRPG with an heroic narration rather than a challenging and rewarding combat system .
Trusted Score
How we test
We play every game we refresh through to the closing , outdoors of certain exceptions where getting 100 % completion , like Skyrim , is close to impossible to do . When we do n’t amply wind up a biz before retrospect it we will always alarm the reader .
FAQs
No , Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a single - player secret plan .
No , the story and main cast of characters are whole new , so you do n’t take to play previous debut in the serial to understand what ’s going on .
It submit me 50 hr to make out the campaign , but it will take far longer if you want to complete every side pursuit .
