Xenoblade is one of those series that took me by surprise. It’s a great JRPG with a unique setting. I’m not the biggest fan of mechs (and adjacent things), but I don’t know. Is the Sci-Fi thematic in the Xenoblade series just different? Even one of my friends (who can’t stand most Japanese anime/weebish stuff) is addicted to the series (shoutout to him). So, what does this reworked remaster of a spiritual successor to the Xenoblade series bring to the mechanical table? Well, let’s dive in!
Xenoblade?
So what is Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, besides a very long title on a Nintendo Switch case? The original Xenoblade Chronicles X is a 2015 action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game is part of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, forming part of the wider Xeno metaseries. Carrying over several gameplay elements from the original game, players explore the open-world planet Mira, completing various quests and unlocking new regions to explore and gather resources across its five continents. The story follows a surviving human ship after escaping an alien battle that destroys Earth, with the player character joining the BLADE unit to defend the human survivors and uncover Mira’s secrets.
Story
In 2054, humanity attempts to escape impending destruction in the crossfire between two warring alien races, constructing interstellar arks to escape Earth. Only a few arks escape the destruction, including the White Whale. The White Whale is attacked and transported to Mira two years after launching. During the crash-landing, the Lifehold, a device containing most human colonists, is separated from the White Whale, with life pods containing colonists scattered across Mira. The avatar is awoken from a life pod by Elma and brought back to New Los Angeles. While suffering from amnesia, the avatar joins BLADE, working with Elma and Lin to recover more lifepods and search for the Lifehold. During their missions across Mira, BLADE encounters multiple alien races, learning that those attacking them are part of the Ganglion coalition, an alliance of races led by the Ganglion race, intent on destroying humanity. I won’t spoil anything about the rest of the plot, but it has some excellent plot twist moments after the first few chapters, so brace yourself for the impact.
Gameplay mechanics
Mira, the alien planet that serves as your playground, is still as breathtaking as ever. This world is one of the biggest on the platform and still manages to impress. Five distinct continents, each with unique biomes, creatures, and hidden secrets, make exploration a never-ending adventure. New Los Angeles (NLA) serves as your home base, where you’ll accept quests, manage your team, and interact with a colorful cast of NPCs. The game structure remains unchanged: you complete story quests to push the narrative forward, affinity quests to deepen bonds with your companions, and side missions ranging from simple fetch tasks to thrilling combat encounters. However, the Definitive Edition introduces improved quest guidance, making it far easier to track objectives without constantly feeling lost. I love the follow-ball mechanic, even though it sent me on a road towards death quite a few times too many.
The real-time battle system is as deep as ever. Every character wields melee and ranged weapons, seamlessly switching between them while executing influential Arts. Combat remains a calculated fight of positioning, cooldown management, and Soul Voice commands that keep fights engaging. The addition of streamlined inputs in the Definitive Edition ensures that battles flow more smoothly, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining tactical depth. And let’s not forget the Skells; gigantic mechs that you unlock midway through the game. These towering machines drastically change how you explore and fight, adding an extra layer of strategy. The fuel system returns, making Skell management crucial. Still, the Definitive Edition introduces better repair and customization options to keep your mechs in fighting shape; although it’s still as pricey as ever to outfit every party member.
The power of choice
Before you can start your new adventure, you’ll have to create your hero. From gender and facial features to voice and build, you customize your avatar from the ground up. So, I made a Yakuza-style Xenoblade Avatar Murder Machine. But the actual depth comes from the BLADE divisions. Choosing a division, whether it’s Pathfinders, Interceptors, or Harriers, shapes your playstyle and gives different in-game benefits. This system still feels fresh, offering multiple ways to approach progression. Oh, you want to know more about the divisions? I got you*!
- Curators: They pioneer and survey Mira’s various locations and collect materials. Their division support increases critical hit rate (Critical Master). Division Points are boosted by obtaining collectibles and defeating Tyrants.
- Harriers: Their goal is to defeat dangerous monsters. Their division support experiences a boost in damage dealt by melee arts (Melee Master), including melee arts used by ranged weapons, such as Assault Hammer. Division Points are boosted by defeating enemies, especially Tyrants.
- Interceptors: They are in charge of creature subjugation. They are also bodyguards for the survey teams and rescue New Los Angeles citizens. Unlike the Harriers, which make preemptive strikes, the Interceptors are described as “More of a defense”. Their division support experiences a boost in damage dealt by ranged arts (Ranged Master). Division Points are boosted by defeating enemies and completing missions.
- Mediators: aim to resolve problems between citizens of New Los Angeles. Their division support can restore Tension Points (TP Support). Division Points are boosted by completing missions and training scouted BLADEs.
- Outfitters: They support the development of the Arms Manufacturers, developers of weapons for both Skells and infantry. Their division support receives commercial points (R&D Support) boosts towards Skell and weapon development. Division Points are boosted through leveling up Arms Manufacturers and earning R&D points.
- Pathfinders: pioneers and trailblazers in establishing Data Probes to expand the FrontierNav. Their division supports HP recovery (HP Support). Planting Data Probes and discovering locations boosts division points.
- Prospectors: They aim to maintain people’s livelihoods by exploring Mira and securing resources. Their primary duty is collecting minerals. Their division support takes less damage from enemy attacks (Defense Support). Division Points are boosted through mining Miranium and discovering locations.
- Reclaimers: They search for and recover parts of the White Whale and Lifehold scattered about Mira and lost items from the battlefield. Their division support makes the party more likely to receive items from enemy drops (Drop Sensor). Division Points are boosted by retrieving White Whale wreckage and planting data probes.
*The choice of division affected the rate by which division points are earned, adding points to increase the BLADE Level. It was also possible to receive division support from scouted BLADEs in the same region as other division players or request support from a player NPC, which granted temporary bonuses in combat. In Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, however, divisions are purely cosmetic, as Division Points and Division Support have been removed. Division Rewards are available daily from the Online menu in the Rewards section. Division Rewards provide a few Consumable Items and Material Tickets. The Divisions of other players can be viewed in their status menu. I went with Pathfinders since it felt most logical with my preferred playing style, and I liked the classes I unlocked through their playstyle.
Multiplayer and added value
The online functionality returns, allowing players to loan their avatars to others, take on global missions, and even battle Global Nemeses—powerful foes that require teamwork to take down. While multiplayer isn’t a core focus, it adds a welcome layer of replayability and cooperative engagement. It is not something I will be using a lot (mainly since I don’t enjoy MP in this kind of game), but it’s there, and it works fine!
The 2025 update isn’t just a lazy port; it truly is the definitive edition. Along with the improved UI and quest tracking, Monolith Soft has raised the level cap, removed restrictions on changing party members, and ensured that even inactive characters gain experience. Wii U GamePad-specific functions have been smartly integrated into the main game, making navigation smoother.
To complete my review, I included a list of full changes released by Monolith Soft:
- The addition of a brand new story Chapter.
- Four new recruitable characters, including Neilnail and Liesel.
- New customization options for Cross, including some based on characters from other games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, have been added.
- Two new Skells, the Hraesvelg Skell and an Ares-type Skell wielding a halberd-like weapon.
- The maximum level for the party is now 99, like in other games in the series.
- BLADE Level and Division Points have been removed. Due to this, Field Skills can no longer be upgraded, with Field Skills not having levels.
- Reward Tickets are now called Material Tickets.
- The Follow Ball now indicates the location of items needed for Missions and leaves a trail toward the current destination.
- The addition of Quick Cooldown.
- Like Xenoblade Chronicles 3, there are now three save files and an auto-save file.
- Arts now have an “!” mark when the art’s conditional extra effect can be applied.
- The player can now change the Time from anywhere via the menu.
- The party can now be changed anytime via the “Reserve Members” section of the menu.
- Mechanics that previously used the Wii U GamePad are now accessed through the menu.
- Skells can now jump without activating the Flight Module after it is unlocked.
- As in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, pressing L & R together during gameplay will take screenshots without displaying the UI.
Conclusion
So, to conclude this long wall of review text! Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition takes an already outstanding RPG and makes it even better. I won’t lie, but I would have repurchased a Wii U to play this game on the day. Luckily, we don’t need to anymore because the sprawling world of Mira remains a marvel, combat is as engaging as ever, and the quality-of-life improvements help smooth out the original’s rough edges. While it still demands a hefty time investment, every hour spent in this sci-fi epic feels rewarding. Suppose you missed it on the Wii U; now’s the perfect time to jump in. And if you’re a returning player? Mira is calling once again. Time to hop off the White Whale!
