Xenoblade returns where it feels most comfortable: emotional stories, timeless legends, dreamy scenarios … This new installment is Monolith Soft’s attempt to return to a J-RPG past that should never have been forgotten, but that at the same time equips with new technologies. Here is the analysis of another of the greats of Nintendo Switch.
There was a time when the J-RPG was one of the strongest genres in the video game industry. It was hard to cough for the big productions that came from Japan. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 remembers that time, when embarking on one of these adventures guaranteed you a great story, characters to remember, avant-garde designs, a tremendous duration and – with a little luck – innovations that would leave you with your mouth open.
Very few trusted that the video game would end up coming out this year on Nintendo Switch , but looking at the title it is easy to see that Monolith Soft did not start from scratch. The development is an attempt to build on previous work in terms of technology, while maintaining the incredible scale of Xenoblade Chronicles X , as well as its high production values. Therefore, we have a game in which exploration is the undisputed key, but also the unique combats of this series, as well as its overwhelming inventory or complex progression options.
The novelty is a twist in the approach . We went from realistic tone designs to others with a marked anime style. The narrative acquires greater relevance, recovering the roots of the Xeno saga. But the key is that we have heard criticism of the previous title, a tremendous one, but lost in its greatness. Many efforts have been directed towards building a video game that is better understood and that does not make frustration a game mechanic. It has been achieved… in part. We are still facing a difficult, extensive, complicated J-RPG that continues to put barriers to experience. It is no longer so ruthless, but it suffers from major design flaws.
Video Analysis
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Video Analysis
A blockbuster J-RPGThere is data that helps to understand the type of production we are dealing with. It is not usual to see the CEO of a company in the development process, but it seems that Tetsuya Takahashi wanted to take a more active role, in this case with the script, and we have good news: thanks to this, the title passes narratively above its most immediate predecessor . You can see the experience of this author, who worked on great classics such as FFIV or Chrono Trigger. The plot has everything: drama, humor, friendship, courage, anger, violence… There are sequences that are meant to be framed, which contribute decisively to make Xenoblade Chronicles 2 enjoy great narrative interest, from beginning to end.
As we progress, we discover new mechanics, such as the ability to send blades patrols to complete specific missions, which give us money and experience in return.
The characters become endearing and you end up connecting with them. They are credible, because they add nuances only possible with the new applied art direction, one of the great successes of the production. Although it was criticized, the anime style allows a greater characterization and dramatization , giving wings to a deep argument and that knows how to give rudder skills with talent. What’s more, we are facing a brilliant example of how open world and narrative can go hand in hand, something that is not a trivial matter considering the number of titles that have tried without success.
And that the argument does not stop being stereotyped. Boy meets girl in a history of salvation of humanity where there is no lack of very bad baddies, nor allies with animal appearance. In between, the titans, giant ancestral creatures that make up -in fact- the different scenarios we visit. All in a system of linear progression between zones , but with subsequent freedom to go and retrace our steps, traveling the world at will (use of fast travel included). In the end, they are a minimum of 60 hours of journey , which in addition to exploration and combat, is nourished by a significant number of sequences and dialogues. All with decent -although not especially worked- subtitles in Spanish.
The characters become endearing and you end up connecting with themThe following may not surprise you, but it must be said: exploration is everything in the game . It follows an approach identical to that of Xenoblade Chronicles X, with a vast environment to discover, and that beauty-danger dichotomy that so shone in the past. If you amuse yourself looking at a landscape, you may not realize that there is a level 80 monster in front of you ready to strike you down. Taking a trip around the world is one of the most pleasant experiences we have had in recent years in a video game. The variety of landscapes adds to the architectural complexity of the cities we visit, in which a good part of the playable experience takes place, with all kinds of shops and numerous characters to chat with.
Cities are one of the most satisfying elements in terms of exploration. They are huge, and they are the ideal resting point to stock up and advance the characters.
The scale is simply epic: a parade of mountains, valleys and buildings at various heights that make exploration a real challenge. This is where one of the novelties comes in, a guide that indicates the direction and distance to our next mission (depending on the one we have as active). If you get new, you will be shocked to read this, but the previous game released you to your luck and told you: manage them as you can. Monolith Soft becomes merciful and ends with one of the most frequent frustrations: not knowing the next point to go. It is a crucial addition to a title of this complexity and dimensions.
There is a greater interest from the developers to explain the game mechanics . The first hours are loaded with tutorials, although we must warn you to pay close attention, because later they cannot be consulted. We have missed a manual within the pause menu, as well as a bestiary, inventory descriptions or documents on history and characters. The reason is that the player is orphaned when, in a main mission, he is not able to find a certain object or enemy. And then comes frustration, and then despair, and later the danger that we end up turning off the console and never getting to the credits screen.
For genre expertsXenoblade Chronicles X already had these worrying episodes, which although they end up making the game more difficult, it does so artificially, without responding to a correct gameplay design. The difficulty must come from a challenge that is part of the rules of the game, not from the lack of explanation of those rules. In any case, even if it is a serious error, we must be fair and say that it is not enough to throw away the work done. But yes … you must take it into account. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 improves accessibility, but continues to target the J-RPG veteran , that classic-loving player who doesn’t mind getting stuck in minutes, hours, days …
Each character and blade has its own tree of powers to unlock, something that allows us to slightly customize the experience based on our style of play.
It is important to consider that it is a game made to take it easy . Those who like to read endless conversations will enjoy it more and are not afraid to continually enter the pause menu to activate fast travel or improve their characters. It is aimed at those who do not mind reading each of the descriptions in the skill tree , and then trying to unlock them. It is intended for those who like to “farm” to level up, or send their blade patrols on automated missions where they may have to wait hours for them to return. Also those who simply like to accumulate money to buy weapons and thus go full of statistics. After all, it is the life of the classic J-RPG user.
It’s a game made to take it easyThe battles maintain the essence of the previous video game, although they become more physical, with a total focus on melee attacks. It is a combative system supported by automatic attack. Our only function – nothing simple – is to manage the use of skills and special attacks as they are recharged, very much in the style of the most popular MMORPGs. For these purposes, each character can carry up to three blades (assistants), each of which activates a specific group of techniques, more focused on offense, healing, etc. It takes several hours to understand everything, something that gives clues about the existing depth.
During the fights we can alternate between the use of blades (lower left corner), something that modifies the gear pattern on the right side of the screen.
The scheme works. It is not turn-based tactics, nor is it direct action … rather it is situated in an intermediate space. It influences your ability and speed when activating techniques, but if an opponent is level 60, and you go with a modest level 20 … prepare to die. Of course, if you ride it right, you can beat someone who is a few levels above it, especially if you know how to take advantage of “quick time” events.by undertaking certain skills. Although there is another option to be victorious: find yourself a good blade. This figure is essential to understand Xenoblade Chronicles 2. These are non-controllable wizards, but they have their own progression options and equipment. We are even allowed to create blades of various types – more or less powerful – from the crystals that we find.
Again, the game doesn’t offer too many explanations, so it all depends on the player’s experimentation. Fortunately, the missions can be understood with the description that they incorporate, both the main and the secondary ones. In addition, they are interesting and numerous. Even the most trivial have a common thread, a small narrative that can lead to other small missions, with tasks ranging from collecting materials to saving a group besieged by enemies in no man’s land. In this sense, the video game never seems to end. There is always some corner or undiscovered treasure.
Technical performanceAll this is made possible by the incredible technology that Xenoblade Chronicles X used in its day. The engine is great, and it allows the management of gigantic locations without loading times between zones , not even when entering cities or buildings. The great success of the video game lies in allowing this greatness and combining it with excellent artistic taste when creating dream scenarios. There are situations in which flower petals fly from one place to another, or in which the rain appears to generate precious visual moments, either at night, in a beautiful sunset, or in broad daylight (the time can be modified from the pause menu).
The fast travel option is perfectly implemented. Once we discover a new place, it will be registered so that we can return to it at any time and immediately.
Unfortunately, miracles don’t exist, and the Nintendo Switch suffers from high polygon and texture loading. When you change zones, it becomes clear how much it costs the console to finish loading everything. The “frame rate” is also fair (often below 30 images per second), and although the slowdowns are not problematic, it does show that the hardware suffers. That said, the TV mode stands as the best option to enjoy the game , by definition and quality. However, the portable mode is not a bad alternative, as long as the substantial decrease in the degree of detail is taken into account, with much less defined designs.
Of course, considering how ambitious it is visually, it’s all justified. Monolith Soft designs have always stood out for their epicity, and we think Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has gone one step further. Discovering a new city or environment fills you up as a player. It is a magnificent discovery, a true gift. So is listening to the melodies that accompany us during the trip, because – honoring other installments – we are faced with a simply spectacular soundtrack .
Its soundtrack is simply spectacularThere are four composers , with Yasunori Mitsuda (Xenogears) as coordinator. The interesting thing is that their styles are cohesive, ranging from slow and emotional piano rhythms, to crazy rockers ideal for moments of battle. The repertoire is varied enough not to fall into repetition, especially when the exploration melodies have two versions: one more lively for the day and another more calm for the night.
The music appears strongly in the intro sequences, matching situations and character voices (in English, but with Japanese included via free download). The resulting narrative is powerful, with a great capacity to move. And in the end that is what you are left with: with the fantastic moments lived, that there are a few … That’s why we are talking about a J-RPG of those that no longer remain. It is a blockbuster that tries to bring out the best in illustrators, scriptwriters, programmers … sticking out their chests, knowing that what they have done is something of biblical proportions.
Therefore, it is very sad that they have not been able to smooth out its rough edges. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was advised by its predecessor, but accessibility (not a challenge level) is still its most problematic point, which prevents us from talking about a fully recommended role-playing game … even if it is one of the best exponents of the genre during last years. It is annoying to say this, but Monolith Soft has been closer to glory than ever , since it had everything at its fingertips, both by scale and by narrative and design. In any case, it contributes to making the first year of Nintendo Switch even bigger… and what a year.
“Excellent”
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
9.4
Readers
(43)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a beast as a video game, with epic settings, a moving story, charismatic characters, audiovisual beauty, and tremendous J-RPG complexity. Like its most immediate predecessor, it turns frustration into a mechanic, but it doesn’t know how to handle it correctly, leaving important game dynamics unexplained. Therefore, it is not a role-playing title that can be blindly recommended, although it is one of the best we have received in recent times … and of course one of the great games of the year for Switch.
- Lots of progression and inventory options – it’s a complex game
- Epic scale, with a huge emphasis on exploring environments
- Interesting battle dynamics, especially with the use of blades
- Story you can look at the best J-RPGs head on
- The stage design is exemplary, a fantasy world on your console
- Successful anime style, which endows characters with charisma and feelings
- Great soundtrack, highlight of the title
- Frequent frustrations stemming from poor game design
- Technical performance is weak, especially in laptop mode
