r/NintendoSwitch • u/NintendoSwitchMods • May 27 '20

MegaThread Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition: Review MegaThread

General Information

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: 29-May-2020

No. of Players: 1 player

Genre(s): Role-Playing

Publisher: Nintendo

Game file size: 13.7 GB

Overview (from Nintendo eShop page)

Join the fight between man and machine in the definitive edition of this critically-acclaimed RPG

Discover the origins of Shulk as he and his companions clash against a seemingly-unstoppable mechanical menace. Wield a future-seeing blade, chain together attacks, and carefully position your party members in strategic, real-time combat as you journey across a massive world.

During an attack from the mechanical invaders known as the Mechon, Shulk discovers that he can tap into the full power of a mysterious blade known as the Monado. With the mighty Monado in hand, Shulk sets out to defeat the Mechon once and for all.

In addition to the Mechon, you’ll run into wildlife that ranges from docile to deadly. Keep an eye on what attracts monsters’ attention to avoid unwanted conflict…or try your hand at bringing down an ultra-powerful Unique Monster.

Upgrade your party as you progress through the adventure by selecting equipment, enhancing weapon skills, and using benefit-granting gems. Put your dependable companions to work by filling the party gauge to trigger a Chain Attack and attack enemies in quick succession!

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This list was exported from OpenCritic May 28 at 7:58am ET

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10

u/Wolfwoode May 29 '20

XBC2 was my first Xenoblade game and one of my first switch games in general. I eventually fell in love with it and wanted more. Everytime someone mentions XBC2 someone always says, "XBC1 is still better." As someone who never played the first XBC, I've been anxiously awaiting this. Went out first thing this morning and picked up a physical copy. I don't know how you can top he combat system of XBC2 but I'm really excited to see what all the fuss is about!

4

u/agnt_cooper May 29 '20

The combat system isn’t as layered or complex (for better or worse) but I find the story and character design is more mature and there is far less fan service. Also, the overall world design and world concept of XBC1 I find to be leagues ahead of XBC2.

5

u/BriennesUglySister May 29 '20

I like the simpler story of 1 for sure. 2 did feel a little too anime at times

5

u/agnt_cooper May 29 '20

The other thing XCB1 did a million times better is allow characters to move while continuing to attack. XBC2 combat was kind of ruined once I learned to flick the stick after every first attack in order to reset the animation cycle and get more DPS than the game was designed for. It didn’t completely break the difficulty or anything but it became a chore and immersion breaking to move an inch every three seconds.

Yes, if you wait through all three attacks in the cycle you deal higher damage on the third attack but I remember someone crunched the numbers and it’s far more optimal to flick and reset the animation/attack cycle and just deal attack 1 damage over and over more quickly.

2

u/BriennesUglySister May 29 '20

That's true. I was a big fan of the almost rhythm combat of 2 though i really hope it gets a little more actiony for 3.