Xenoblade Chronicles – Definitive Edition in the Test
Final Fantasy is like the most famous JRPG, but it is of course far from the Only one. Many Fans of the Genre would, for example, the Xeno-series – the first part of which was originally as a Story-an Alternative for Final Fantasy VII, pitched in the same weight class to classify. In the Western Broad remained in the series however, long an Underdog, even if the 2010 for the Wii released Xenoblade Chronicles is certainly one of the best role-playing games of its Generation. Those who have not yet had the opportunity, the not-so-secret secret is now in the Definitive Edition – a Remaster for the Nintendo Switch to irresponsible.
Battle of the titans
Since the beginning of time the two titans Bionis and Mechonis fought a seemingly endless battle. Long it seemed that none could gain the upper hand, but eventually a mutual goal in two – and suddenly both froze. Centuries passed and on the surfaces of the two titans, a new life was born. In a caricature of the age-old conflict of their ancestors, these new Nations began to fight each other, especially the humanoid Homs and the mechanical Mechon. The Homs were pushed further and further back, but in the end, the Mechon could be beat thanks to the mysterious sword, Monado in a decisive battle. A year has passed since that battle and all of a sudden return to the Mechon. A new Hero must lead the blade Monado, and with his companions, the peoples of Bionis‘ before the final destruction save.
What an epic Story is full of betrayal and loss, but also friendship and hope. The dead return, the heir to the throne can be found and a never-ending conflict to the beginnings of the creation is traced. Fallen and reborn gods will cross our path, cataclysms shake the world… and all this is still only a small demolition of between 70 and 100 hours of history. Without the clichés, the action does not come, but the story is full of Twists and turns can pack up at the end.
More than just a graphics Update
Anyone who makes almost ten years and two console generations later, to a Remaster, screwed, of course, first to the graphics. With the Wii you can connect a lot of Positives, but excessive graphics Power is not one of them for sure. Even if Xenoblade Chronicles some of the great scenery offered, were the textures but rather muddy and the models are a little boxy and pixelated from. In the Definitive Edition shines everything in a new splendor, razor-sharp, and the characters have an appealing Facelift get, without losing their identity losing. In the Handheld mode, the level of detail is screwed, however, noticeably back, what is striking, especially in panoramic scenes, and Screenshots clearly. In TV mode, everything is sharp, sometimes you’ll notice minor instabilities in frame rate. Overall, the graphical presentation remains even after the “Upgrade” a little old-fashioned, but fell still, and points with many truly beautiful Locations and views.
Besides, the Soundtrack was re-arranged and in many cases even re-recorded. Who may want to change in the settings, but also to the unchanged musical background. Most of the other Changes in the category “Quality of Life”Features can be assigned. Here, the AutoRun feature and a new Mini stand out Map. The latter not only know the optimal path to the current mission goal, but also marks objects / enemies, which are for our numerous sub-mission of relevance.
Speaking of side missions: of which there are many – really many. It is not rare to come into a new Region and at the same time, a good dozen side quests. There is, unfortunately, a bit of variety and it is usually followed by the classic scheme of “defeat / collect X of Y”. In addition to experience and balance this increase in addition to tasks, but also our Reputation in the relevant field. This is high enough, there are even more Quests, but also exclusive rewards like special items, and even new Skills for our talent trees.
Interesting, complex combat system
While more and more JRPGs in the meantime, of great-father of turn-based combat systems, both adopted, were the real-time battles of Xenoblade Chronicles , ten years ago, almost a small Revolution. All of the regular enemies are, in principle, be visible, and the most you can – if you want to Dodge. You can’t see is on – target, but also with the shoulder buttons and attract a mate and start the fight-but not necessarily, to impose himself too much, and some enemies attack on sight and/or react to noise. In combat, the AI controls our companion, while we control the selectable leader of the group. As long as we are in range to attack our three characters existing force automatically. Additional techniques to be triggered by a button press – if charged and the conditions, such as distance are met.
So-called Chance techniques also cause, under special conditions – for example, in the case of attacks from behind – major damage. Another comfort Feature of the Definitive Edition: A Symbol indicates if the corresponding condition is met. Most of the potential damage we cause but with the so-called attack chains. Once charged and triggered to be charged to the techniques of character and we can trigger them manually and combine them. We combine attacks of the same category (color), increases the damage, or there is the possibility of techniques is to arrange so that we miss our enemies with certain status effects. The harmony within the group – this is the same in the interface is high enough, there is also a Chance that the attack chain (also several times), repeat.
In the course of the history of Pool in the game to grow characters to Seven. Each character has their own motivations and abilities. Even if you may have certain favorites, we recommend the occasional change of pace. At least the so-called harmony talks should lead, whose locations and requirements are pre-defined pleasant way. They not only contribute to the Story, but improve, in addition to earned in combat harmony coins – the relationship of the characters to each other. In addition to the already mentioned renewable attack chains, it is mainly the unlocked talent links – characters can learn certain skills from each other, you should not miss.
The epilogue to the epilogue
Who after 17 chapters and the epilogue of the main game’s still not enough, it is allowed in the port or directly from the main menu – still in the specially for the Definitive edition has developed an extension to pounce. Xenoblade Chronicles: Future of Connected plays a year after the end of the main story and accompanied two known and two new companions on the shoulder of the Bionis – a territory, which, during the development of the original cut was. A slightly different combat system and a more compact character development to compress the Gameplay is minimal, nevertheless, you may, depending on the researchers urge expect – with a further 10 to 15 hours of additional play time. That our heroes need to fear, after all their adventures suddenly back to a regular Monster, is explained by the loss of certain skills. So the new enemies are a challenge and ensure – together with new characters for variety and a in the main game to be particularly hard-hit group of the population gets a much more rounded conclusion. For Fans of the game, the new epilogue is a Must, an absolute.
CONCLUSION
To speak, not even ten years of a “classic” might be overstating it a bit. Xenoblade Chronicles is, and was, in any case, an excellent role-playing game with a thrilling Story and interesting Gameplay. The additions and improvements, the Definitive edition fall exactly right: the graphics and Gameplay have been improved, without the charm of the game (zer)is disturbing. The new epilogue is longer than some full-fledged game rounds out the story and also provides connoisseurs of the original with new challenges and experiences.
What Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition? Remaster of a first-class JRPGs, the Final Fantasy & Co. is able to measure.Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Tested: Version 1.1.1 on Nintendo Switch
Developer / Publisher: Monolith soft/ Nintendo
Release: 29. May 2020
Link: Official Website
