What is it? Xenoblade is an open-world RPG created by Monolithsoft (Xenosaga, Baten Kaitos, Soma Bringer). Rather than go for cinematics, Xenoblade offers a huge open world with incredibly large environments and the ability to go nearly anywhere. If you see a rainbow in the distance, you can travel ten minutes out of your way to get there if you want. If you climb up a huge mountain, you can jump straight off of it. Xenoblade sacrifices graphical fidelity for huge areas and no load times. The immersion makes it seem worthwhile.
Despite this being a Xeno game, it's not anything like Xenosaga. This isn't a mega-linear game focused on telling a story. There's an engaging story there but it's not the only thing going for it. This is a gameplay-driven RPG.
Platform: Wii
Video:
Release Date: 19 August 2011 (Europe), Unannounced (NA). You can import it and unlock your Wii if you're an American.
Story/Gameplay/etc:
- Xenoblade takes place on the bodies of two dead gods. Yes, you read that right. As you progress, you move between these two giants, from their legs to their arms to their heads.
- Game is said to take about 60 hours to complete on the main quest; importers have said that doing everything can take 150 hours.
- Gameplay is kind of similar to FF12. You find enemies on the battlefield and battle them in a pseudo-real time system in much the same way.
- Towns are said to be massive. There are quests all over the place, including more than 80 optional bosses to fight.
- Music by Yasunori Mitsuda (Xeno/Chrono games), Yoko Shinomura (Kingdom Hearts/Parasite Eve) and ACE+.
Is it good?
According to others, it's very good. Consider:
- GameFAQs reader reviews are, thus far, perfect. Literally. http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/960564-xenoblade-chronicles/reviews
- According to Japanese review portal Mk2, it's the highest-rated RPG this gen. (For the record, here's their top 5: 1.) Xenoblade, 2.) Demon's Souls, 3.) Fallout 3, 4.) Devil Survivor, 5.) Valkyria Chronicles.)
- IGN UK - 9/10 - Xenoblade Chronicles is the best Japanese RPG of this generation. The fact that it looks like it's from the last generation is its only drawback, but its technical limitations are offset by imaginative artistic direction, innovative and compelling combat, and thoughtful design. It's a throwback to the glory days of the genre, proof that there are always new ways to tell a story. If you've ever felt neglected by the lack of in-depth gaming epics on the Wii, you owe it to yourself to buy this. - http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/118/1187845p1.html
- GamesTM - 9/10 - Beautiful, feature-packed and brimming with creative remedies for the ails of a stagnating genre, that NOA should overlook such a shining example of what a JRPG can be paints a very different company to the Nintendo that went out at E3 with a call to arms for the hardcore. Still, by the time you read this, it might finally have been announced for the US. Or, more likely, it won’t. Either way, consider this a universal recommendation of Xenoblade in all its forms. If nothing else, we’re just glad we’re not the ones doing the importing for once… - http://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/xenoblade-chronicles-review/
- GameReactor - 9/10 - Xenoblade Chronicles is one of those titles that requires time set aside to learn and enjoy and there's many, many hours of exploration. It's got a fascinating main story buffered by multiple side quests and if you're the sort that enjoys exploring massive worlds that you'll loose yourself in and squeeze until it's dry, make sure to schedule in at least 100 hours for one of the last gems you'll find on the Wii, and one of the most engaging J-RPGs of this generation. - http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/8334/Xenoblade+Chronicles/
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