Xenoblade Chronicles X - Wii U (2015)

[None]

Nintendo released a huge video showing off a number of elements from Monolith Soft's upcoming open-world JRPG. Xenoblade Chronicles X is a Wii U exclusive and serves as a spiritual sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles (a highly regard Wii RPG, which recently re-released on New Nintendo 3DS XL). The two games share a name sake, and from the video a similar combat system (this is a good thing because the combat system in Xenoblade Chronicles was fantastic. Simple to grasp, but offered a good amount of depth). Like its predecessor, the X is following in the tradition of JRPGs doing away with random encounters favoring a if you see, you can kill it approach.

Xenoblade Chronicles X has a harder Sci-Fi vibe with similarities to Monolith's previous work on Xenogears and the Xenosaga series (all of these games share a through line). Aliens have destroyed Earth, and you are part of the last survivors that escaped Earth before its destruction. During your escape, aliens shoot down your giant space carrier and you crash land on the alien planet, Mira. Here you live in a fortified space pod called New Los Angeles (yuck) modeled after L.A. You are part of B.L.A.D.E. a task force with the mission to explore Mira and rescue any survivors in pods around the planet.

The game features a huge world with 5 continents to explore. You can go anywhere in the game right from the beginning with the one caveat that you can survive exploring there. Giant beasts roam the planet Mira, and some will leave alone while others will attack you on sight. Not every battle can be won, if you're too low level it is better to escape. Mira is also home to a number of alien life forms both friendly and hostile. It is your job to rescue survivors and make strategic allies to help Earth make Mira home.

During your journey, you'll get access to precious fuel called Miranium, which can be used as currency and necessary to turn in for certain quests. It also acts as fuel for your Skells (giant mech). Skells can help you scale mountains or jet across Mira quickly. As long as you have fuel, you can explore much more of Mira in a Skell. The Wii U GamePad will be used to keep track of the game's huge map with a hexagonal grid to notify you of points of interest around Mira. There are also other tricks to keep track of what you're doing in Xenoblade Chronicles X's huge open-world like the Nav Ball (it can be used without limit to rush off and show you current objectives) and a Hopper Cam (a camera that launches into the air to give you a tactical view of your current area and pick a route).

The game looks incredible from the footage shown so far (one of the best on any console in 2015). A play test by Nintendo revealed the game to have over 300 hours of content. If you're looking for a JRPG to tide you over until Final Fantasy XV and Persona 5, this kawaii ass Grand Theft Auto 5 should do it. It is one huge reason to pick up a Wii U in 2015.

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Nintendo Treehouse also streamed an hour of the game after the short Nintendo Direct.

[ChaMerZ]

It is one huge reason to pick up a Wii U in 2015.

Not going to lie ... game looks like piff but anything else in the horizon that should motivate a purchase? The only other game I can think of is Deus Ex HR Wii-U edition.

[None]

It is one huge reason to pick up a Wii U in 2015.

Not going to lie ... game looks like piff but anything else in the horizon that should motivate a purchase? The only other game I can think of is Deus Ex HR Wii-U edition.

It's hard to say for you personally since you're not hot on Nintendo properties, which is the only reason to buy a Wii U. If you're into horror the new Fatal Frame is coming out for it and Splatoon was a lot of fun from the time I had with it. Much like every other system until E3, it is hard to say one way or another what'll be worth your time past May.

[360]

The fact that it's a wii u exclusive is heart breaking.

[ChaMerZ]

The fact that it's a wii u exclusive is heart breaking.

[EMCEE DARTH MALEK]

did a lol at the first scene where you see the characters running through the landscape. what happened to the motion capture budget?

[None]

12.4.2015 release date. I cannot wait.