Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Review

When Xenoblade Chronicles X first arrived on the Wii U in 2015, it instantly garnered praise for its sprawling open-world design, captivating combat mechanics, and a truly ambitious sci-fi narrative. Yet, like many Wii U gems, its limited hardware meant many players never fully appreciated this ambitious RPG masterpiece. Now, Nintendo and Monolith Soft have returned with the Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch, revitalizing the game with enhanced visuals, expanded content, and numerous quality-of-life improvements that elevate it to new heights.

Monolith Soft is no stranger to ambitious projects, having built a sterling reputation with the acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles series. While Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 enjoyed mainstream acclaim and commercial success, Xenoblade Chronicles X remained something of a hidden gem, largely due to the Wii U’s limited player base. Thankfully, this Definitive Edition is poised to bring one of Monolith Soft’s most daring creations into the spotlight it richly deserves.

The original game’s premise—a band of human survivors crash-landing on an alien planet—remains intriguing, blending traditional JRPG tropes with hard sci-fi storytelling reminiscent of classics like Star Ocean. However, it wasn’t without its hiccups; notably, the overwhelming systems and less intuitive mechanics could scare away newcomers. The Definitive Edition tackles these issues head-on, enhancing both accessibility and depth, ensuring that first-timers and veterans alike find something to love.

Released ten years after the original, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition arrives on the Switch with new characters, fresh story beats, improved graphical fidelity, and fine-tuned gameplay mechanics. It’s not merely a simple remaster—it’s a comprehensive reimagining that preserves the original’s ambition while smoothing out its rough edges, breathing new life into a title long-deserving of wider acclaim. But does it succeed in reviving this sci-fi epic, or has Mira finally lost its charm? Let’s dive deeper.

Setting and Story

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition plunges players headfirst into an engrossing story set in the aftermath of Earth’s destruction. Humanity’s remnants, aboard the colony ship White Whale, crash-land on Mira—an enigmatic alien world filled with colossal creatures, striking biomes, and a profound mystery at its core. Mira isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an enigma, filled with lore, history, and hidden depths that encourage exploration beyond the beaten path.

The narrative is ambitious and expansive, spanning conflicts with rival alien factions, intricate political drama within the human colony of New Los Angeles (NLA), and intriguing mysteries about humanity’s survival and purpose. Yet, while the original game stumbled slightly in narrative clarity and pacing, the Definitive Edition refines storytelling considerably. Monolith Soft cleverly sprinkles new story elements—such as additional quests and side narratives—that enrich the lore and enhance character development.

Characterization remains a highlight, with the core cast receiving additional depth through affinity quests and side content. Familiar faces like the charismatic Colonel Elma and lovable genius Lin Lee Koo return with new layers to their personalities, thanks to expanded dialogues and interactions. The four additional characters, including the intriguing Qlurian Neilnail and confident test pilot Liesel, seamlessly integrate into the main cast, broadening Mira’s diverse tapestry of personalities and cultures.

Perhaps most excitingly, the new narrative content offers an epilogue that directly addresses unresolved threads from the original. Players finally gain insights into mysteries like Lao’s fate, Elma’s true origins, and humanity’s ultimate purpose. This new content is thoughtfully crafted, respecting the original story while moving it forward in satisfying ways, thereby making the Definitive Edition’s narrative feel complete and cohesive, addressing criticisms fans had with the original release.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Monolith Soft’s reputation for excellent gameplay systems is solidified even further with this Definitive Edition. The core gameplay remains largely unchanged, preserving the strategic, real-time combat system built around customizable Arts and positioning. However, various tweaks and enhancements greatly streamline the player experience. Overdrive, for instance—previously vague and complicated—now features clear visual indicators, making it intuitive and fun to master, especially in high-stakes battles.

Exploration remains thrillingly open-ended. Mira’s five distinct continents—from lush, tropical Primordia to volcanic Cauldros—provide expansive, vertical playgrounds that reward curiosity. The late-game Skell mechs remain a highlight, transforming exploration and combat significantly once unlocked. New Skells such as the formidable Hraesvelg and the Ares-type with its distinctive halberd bring additional variety, freshening up late-game encounters and customizing options.

Quality-of-life upgrades significantly enhance accessibility. A notable improvement is the integration of previous Wii U GamePad functionalities directly into the main UI, eliminating the clunkiness that once plagued navigation and quest management. Features like improved quest tracking, fast-travel indicators, and a Quick Cooldown meter for Arts make gameplay smoother and less cumbersome, encouraging players to immerse themselves deeper into Mira’s rich offerings.

Most impressively, the new floating continent, Volitaris, introduces fresh exploration and story content. Here, new quests and environmental puzzles keep gameplay engaging and diversified. Meanwhile, returning mechanics like Mira’s ecosystem balance, resource gathering, and affinity quests receive refinements that make them more rewarding and less grind-heavy. Monolith Soft’s careful attention to detail ensures that Mira feels vibrant, immersive, and worth investing countless hours into once again.

Multiplayer and Replayability

Xenoblade Chronicles X originally featured a unique and ambitious multiplayer component that allowed players to join 32-player Squads, sharing avatars and participating in global missions against formidable foes. This system returns intact, benefiting from smoother server integration and faster matchmaking on the Switch. Squads still provide enjoyable cooperative elements, like resource hunts and formidable Global Nemesis battles, offering compelling reasons to stay engaged online long after the credits roll.

While the multiplayer isn’t a primary attraction for all, it does significantly boost replayability. Tackling Global Nemeses—gigantic creatures requiring coordinated teamwork—remains as thrilling as ever, fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants. The inclusion of new powerful foes, unique gear, and exclusive rewards makes cooperative play genuinely enticing, even for solo enthusiasts typically wary of online modes.

The extensive customization systems further enhance replayability. Crafting new loadouts, experimenting with Skell setups, or tackling new quests and objectives with different party combinations continually breathes fresh air into repeated playthroughs. Furthermore, the expanded level cap and new customization options—including outfits based on popular characters from other Xenoblade titles—add considerable depth to the game’s already impressive replay potential.

Though Xenoblade Chronicles X doesn’t rely exclusively on multiplayer to extend its lifespan, the Definitive Edition wisely preserves and enhances online components, ensuring players have plenty to engage with beyond the main story. The revamped multiplayer features, combined with the exhaustive customization, extensive quests, and vast open world, provide ample reasons to revisit Mira repeatedly.

Graphics and Sound

Monolith Soft has put considerable effort into enhancing the game’s visuals, and it shows. While the original was impressive for its time, the Definitive Edition brings Mira to life like never before. Improved textures, lighting effects, and refined character models add new vibrancy to Mira’s diverse landscapes. Whether gliding across lush forests of Noctilum or scaling the volcanic peaks of Cauldros, every environment feels visually stunning and more immersive.

Performance on the Switch remains consistently smooth, even in demanding scenes with multiple Skells battling colossal enemies. This improved graphical fidelity ensures Mira’s breathtaking vistas and dynamic weather systems are showcased at their absolute best, proving the Nintendo Switch more than capable of handling such a robust open-world RPG experience.

Audio design remains exemplary, highlighted by the return of Hiroyuki Sawano’s outstanding soundtrack. The original’s epic, energetic compositions return alongside newly added tracks crafted in collaboration with Misaki Umase, perfectly complementing intense combat encounters and serene exploration moments. Voice acting remains solid, benefiting from expanded dialogue and scenes. The addition of new characters has led to fresh performances that match the quality and consistency established by the original cast.

Overall, the Definitive Edition’s enhancements in both visual and audio departments substantially elevate the game’s presentation, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and sonically satisfying titles on the Switch. Whether you’re a returning fan or experiencing Mira for the first time, the audiovisual improvements alone make the Definitive Edition a worthwhile upgrade.

Final Thoughts

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is more than just a nostalgic return to a beloved, albeit overlooked RPG—it’s a comprehensive refinement that transforms an ambitious classic into an essential modern experience. Monolith Soft has expertly addressed nearly every criticism from the original release, from convoluted mechanics and vague quest directions to graphical limitations, while amplifying its many existing strengths. The result is a revitalized masterpiece that firmly places itself among the best titles available on the Nintendo Switch.

With a vast, visually stunning world to explore, enriched by compelling storytelling and strategic combat mechanics, this game represents a clear step forward in the Xenoblade Chronicles legacy. The additional content and reworked gameplay elements ensure that returning players will find plenty of fresh experiences, while newcomers benefit from a smoother, more intuitive introduction to the series’ expansive universe. Few games blend exploration, combat, and storytelling so harmoniously—and fewer still manage to enhance the original without losing its spirit.

Of course, no game is without flaws, and minor issues persist, such as occasional dips in pacing and some lingering complexity in combat systems, but these hardly detract from the overall excellence on display. The improved multiplayer, massive replayability, and meticulous attention to detail reinforce the value this Definitive Edition brings, effectively showcasing Monolith Soft’s commitment to quality and passion for their creations.

In short, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a triumphant return, and quite possibly one of the best RPG experiences you’ll have on any system this year. If you missed it the first time around—or even if you didn’t—it’s finally time to set your sights on Mira once again.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch version provided by Nintendo.