When Xenoblade Chronicles X first came out on the Wii U, I was among those who jumped in right from day one. Back then, the game felt massive, ambitious, and overwhelming all at once. Despite loving it, I drifted away somewhere around the halfway point, probably distracted by newer games on other systems. So when I had to opportunity to play and review Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch, I couldn’t resist giving Mira another shot.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition isn’t just a simple upgrade of the Wii U original. Monolith Soft made careful tweaks that refresh the experience. Character models no longer stare blankly into space, textures pop more clearly, and menus are easier to manage. Systems like BLADE levels, which slowed exploration before, are gone, letting you roam Mira without needless barriers.
Returning to Mira reminded me why this RPG felt so different from others in the series. The planet is massive, packed with alien wildlife, and invites you to explore freely almost from the start. With humanity crash-landed and desperate on this unknown world, your mission is straightforward: find other survivors, uncover Mira’s secrets, and survive.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition makes it clear this game deserved better than the fate of the Wii U. But does this new release finally capture its full potential? After diving back into Mira, it certainly feels like it.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Developer(s): Monolith Soft
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Role-playing
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Humanity finds a new home on Mira
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition places humanity on Mira, an alien planet filled with mysteries and dangers. After Earth falls in the crossfire between two powerful alien forces, humanity escapes aboard giant ships seeking survival. Your journey begins after the colony ship White Whale crashes onto Mira. With humanity scattered and vulnerable, it’s up to you and fellow BLADE operatives to reunite survivors and find humanity’s lost Lifehold before it’s too late.
Compared to other Xenoblade games, Chronicles X tells a broader story focused more on the survival of humanity than individual character arcs. The main narrative sometimes feels distant, with emotional connections taking a backseat. However, Definitive Edition does introduce new story elements and characters that help make the plot feel less fragmented than before.
For me, the best storytelling came from side missions, especially the Affinity Quests. One quest that stuck with me had me helping a group of aliens settle into life inside New Los Angeles. Watching humans and aliens cautiously navigate friendships felt authentic and surprisingly emotional. It reminded me why Mira’s mysteries grabbed my attention in the first place. While the main story lacks emotional depth at times, the side content fills those gaps, delivering moments that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition may not offer the strongest story in the series, but it captures humanity’s struggle for survival exceptionally well. Its storytelling works best when exploring smaller, personal stories within Mira’s expansive universe. While the main questline feels distant, Monolith Soft’s writing shines brightest when focusing on the small-scale drama of human and alien coexistence.
Mira is yours to discover
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition builds on the original’s deep combat and exploration systems. Battles unfold in real-time, where positioning, teamwork, and strategic use of Arts determine your success. Each team member feels genuinely useful, often setting up combo opportunities that keep fights dynamic. But the biggest game-changer arrives once you unlock Skells, the powerful transforming mechs that dramatically reshape combat and exploration.
Unlocking my Skell after hours on foot completely transformed the game. Suddenly, exploring Mira felt exciting as I zoomed across the landscape or soared high above it. I still remember flying my Skell against a massive creature that destroyed my team when we fought it on foot. Managing fuel, cooldowns, and picking the right moments to attack made the victory feel satisfying. It felt like I’d finally earned my place on Mira’s hostile surface.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition also introduces a Quick Cooldown mechanic. This lets you rapidly reuse powerful abilities at critical moments by spending a special meter. It’s a simple change, but it speeds combat noticeably, removing some of the original’s tedious grind. Monolith Soft also streamlined progression, removing the cumbersome BLADE Level system. This change means fewer restrictions when exploring Mira, letting you freely roam the planet without arbitrary gates blocking your progress.
While exploring Mira, I found myself constantly pushing the limits. Climbing mountains that seemed unreachable or sneaking past dangerous monsters always led to something worth discovering. Monolith Soft created Mira to reward your curiosity rather than punish it.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition refines the original’s gameplay, making it more accessible without losing what made it rewarding. Its addictive exploration loop and improved combat deliver an RPG experience worth sinking countless hours into.
Mira looks better than ever
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition features noticeable visual upgrades, making Mira’s alien landscapes look better than ever. Textures have noticeably improved, character models feel more lifelike, and the environments showcase greater detail. These updates combine to give Mira a fresh, polished look that’s particularly impressive for a late-generation Switch release.
One thing that immediately caught my eye was how much sharper the game looks in handheld mode compared to the original Wii U version. Exploring Mira felt smoother, with fewer visual issues. At one point, while exploring the jungle region, I stopped on a mountain just to take in the view. Watching huge alien creatures roam freely beneath the sunset reminded me why I loved Mira’s world, even years later.
Performance-wise, the Definitive Edition runs solidly at 30 frames per second. I did encounter occasional frame rate dips in busier scenes, especially during Skell combat sequences or densely populated areas like New Los Angeles. However, these moments were brief and never disrupted gameplay significantly. The audio hasn’t changed much from the original, and the soundtrack is still a bit divisive. But this time, I found myself liking it more. The music didn’t feel as repetitive, probably because exploration moved faster. Dialogue was also easier to hear, unlike in the original game where music sometimes drowned it out.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition makes Mira’s environments look even better, improving on what was already great about the original. Despite minor technical hiccups, it’s easily the best way to experience this ambitious RPG.
Xenoblade Chronicles X finds new life on the Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition takes an already ambitious RPG and makes it better. It refines the original’s weaker points, streamlining gameplay systems to give you more freedom on Mira. With improved visuals and meaningful quality-of-life adjustments, this feels like the version we should have had all along.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exploring Mira is rewarding and full of surprises. | Main story lacks emotional depth compared to other Xenoblade titles. |
| Quick Cooldown mechanic makes combat feel smoother. | Occasional frame rate drops during busy scenes. |
| Skells dramatically change exploration and combat. | |
| Side quests provide meaningful, memorable storytelling. |
While its main story doesn’t pack the emotional punch of other Xenoblade games, the smaller, character-focused moments more than make up for it. Exploring Mira, especially with Skells, remains one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had with an RPG. The thrill of discovering hidden corners and facing off against gigantic creatures hasn’t faded, even years later.
Overall assessment of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 3.5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.3/5 (86%)
If you’ve never played Xenoblade Chronicles X, this Definitive Edition is the perfect place to jump in. And if you, like me, once wandered Mira on the Wii U, this version offers plenty of reasons to return. It’s not perfect, but it’s easily the best way to experience this unique chapter in the Xenoblade series.
Purchase Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
