Review: Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch)

A sprawling RPG classic is reborn in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch. In the aftermath of a devastating invasion, embark on a journey that will take you beyond the horizon. Can you change the future, or is your race doomed to extinction.

Pros:

• Beautiful graphics.
• 13.7gb download size.
• Own in-game achievements.
• Save when you want outside of battle.
• Rpg gameplay.
• Tutorial tips as you play with a central collection of tips and tutorials.
• Invert axis and sensitivity slider.
• 3 save slots and one autosave slot.
• Difficulties-casual and expert mode. Can freely swap between them at will.
• If you have a Xenoblade 2 save you can opt into getting 100,000 starting gold.
• Battle and field music can be original or arranged soundtracks.
• Notification and pop up settings.
• Open world.
• Play how you want.
• Combat-you have a bar full of attacks with cooldowns and can swap between them at will. Normal attacks are auto when in range.
• Damage numbers pop off in such a satisfying way.
• Recruit team members-you can swap between them, call out commands in battle.
• Big boss battles.
• Blue orbs on the ground are items you can pick up.
• Button prompts on-screen to help the game become very accessible.
• Find towns to buy and sell goods in.
• Can wear new equipment but have the appearance of any equipment you have had.
• The main mission and many many optional side quests.
• The world has a lot of verticalities.
• Side quests will complete and you don’t have to go and hand them in.
• Earn EXP, level up, and increase your abilities but also work towards skill points to put I  to a skill tree to unlock new abilities and buffs.
• Affinity-work with your team, find points on the map, and build your infinity for better combat options and the ability to chain attacks.
• Little to no loading once you are in the game.
• Cutscenes look gorgeous. (skippable)
• Combat takes place in a ringed off the arena and you are free to move around in it.
• Attacks can require precise actions like an attack from the side, behind, you can topple a monster to do more damage. Do chain attacks with your team.
• Lock-on system for targeting.
• Treasure chests with loot drops from all enemies.
• Discover new locations to have them appear on the map.
• Such amazing vistas and locations.
• Mine ore.
• Enemies/creatures will have icons over their heads to say if they are nonhostile, hostile, a side mission quest.
• Time attack mode-take part in them to earn items to then trade. There are two-time attack styles-free (pick your team) and restricted (fixed party). It’s all based on level and story progression.
• Time attack has its own set of local leaderboards and rank given on performance.
• Day/night cycle.
• Autorun button.
• Trading with characters is on a one by one item basis but your item has to be worth more than the item you want.
• Visions–at times you can see what’s about to happen and vision gives you a chance to change the outcome and warn others. Vision also kicks in when finding an item for future quests.
• Can revive and help team members in battle.
• Very moreish.
• Absolute time sink.

Cons:

• A lot to take in.
• Slow starter.
• Item management is a nightmare with a menu upon menu just to see if the gear is any good.
• No compare gear button in the shops.
• Grinding begins to show its ugly head and is needed to progress.