Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Review

A review code was provided, and many thanks to Nintendo Europe.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – A Grand Sci-Fi Adventure

Xenoblade Chronicles X is an awe-inspiring open-world RPG that invites players into a vast, mysterious alien world teeming with adventure and danger. Acting as a spiritual successor to the beloved Xenoblade Chronicles, this entry leans heavily into exploration, survival, and player freedom more than ever before. Now released on the Nintendo Switch in its long-awaited definitive edition, fans are finally getting the version they dreamed of, with enhanced visuals, extra story content, new characters, and, best of all, portable play. Whether you’re soaring through the skies in a hulking Skell (a giant mech suit) or simply wandering the glowing landscapes of Mira, there’s a true sense of wonder around every corner.

A New Beginning on a Distant Planet

Things start off with humanity on the ropes. Earth is caught in the crossfire of an interstellar war, and the few survivors flee aboard a ship known as the White Whale. That ship crash-lands on the planet Mira, leaving the survivors stranded in a totally alien world. You play as a fully customizable character and join BLADE, a military research group responsible for exploring the planet and protecting humanity’s last hope. What follows is a slow-burn narrative filled with mystery, diplomacy, and discovery. Expect long cutscenes and a lot of lore dumps, but also compelling interactions with new alien species and factions.

I appreciated the story more than I expected. There’s a layered mystery behind Mira that unfolds gradually, and while it’s not always emotionally gripping, it’s consistently intriguing. Also, as someone not super deep into the Xenoblade universe, I felt no pressure to have played previous entries.

Xenoblade Chronicles X the open world — Just taking in the view

Exploration Like Never Before

The real main character of the game is the world of Mira itself. This planet is absolutely massive, featuring several completely different biomes, each packed with native wildlife, towering enemies, and jaw-dropping scenery. Whether you’re trudging across deserts or poking around glowing alien ruins, Xenoblade X nails that sense of discovery. And with no loading screens between regions, it’s as seamless as it is immersive.

At first, you explore on foot, sprinting and jumping across the terrain, but once you unlock Skells, the game transforms. Suddenly, you’re travelling faster, taking on much larger threats, and eventually flying through the skies. That first flight moment? Magic.

Combat That Scales With You

The combat system builds on the real-time MMO-lite style from Xenoblade Chronicles. You can switch between melee and ranged weapons mid-fight and use a selection of Arts and special abilities that you need to time and combo effectively. There’s a solid learning curve, but the game does a good job walking you through it. I actually found it easier to adjust to than Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and I appreciated how each fight, no matter how small, required just a little bit of strategy.

One of my favourite things was stumbling into a fight I couldn’t win, huge enemies miles above my level. But the thrill came from gearing up and coming back later to take them down. Super satisfying. Also, yes, I did laugh early on when I emptied several full clips into a level one bug, only to later casually crush it in seconds.

Xenoblade Chronicles Xboss fight — The bigger they are…

Customisation and Party Dynamics

This game has layers of customization. You can change your class, swap out your Arts, adjust your appearance, and tailor your entire build to your preferred playstyle. Want to be a long-range gunner? Go for it. Prefer to tank up close? You can do that too. The systems are deep but rewarding once you invest the time.

You also recruit a colourful mix of allies along the way, each with their own personality, background, and combat specialities. They don’t just fill out your party; they bring charm, humour, and worldbuilding into the mix. It really felt good getting the band together before heading out into the wild unknown.

A World Full of Stories

Side content in Xenoblade Chronicles X is no afterthought. There are tons of side quests, which are all helpfully marked on the massive hexagonal map. Completing these further deepens the game’s lore as well as your relationship with NPCs. It makes New Los Angeles, the main human settlement, feel like a living, breathing place worth protecting, and it adds meaningful content that doesn’t feel like filler.

Musically, the game is captivating. Composer Hiroyuki Sawano brings a dramatic, vocal-heavy soundtrack that might not be for everyone. But personally? I dug it. It gave the game a distinct identity, especially during battles.

Xenoblade Chronicles X skell mech — Suit up

Conclusion: An Unforgettable Space Odyssey

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is bold, ambitious, and one of the most immersive open-world RPGs on the Switch. It’s not perfect; the story takes a while to get going, and some systems can feel overwhelming at first, but the sheer freedom and scale more than makeup for it. If you love exploring alien worlds, building up a squad of oddballs, and fighting massive creatures with mechs, you’re going to have a blast here. And if you missed it on Wii U, this Switch version is, without question, the best way to play.

Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up