What parents need to know
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the game originally released for Wii U in 2015. Developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo, it was released on March 20, 2025 on Nintendo Switch. This open-world role-playing game offers an enriched experience with graphical improvements, adjustments to game mechanics, and additional story content.
The plot is set in 2054, when Earth is destroyed during an intergalactic conflict between two alien races. The human survivors flee aboard spaceships, including the White Whale, which crashes on the unknown planet Mira. The survivors establish the city of New Los Angeles and explore Mira to find life pods scattered during the crash, while confronting local threats and seeking to ensure the survival of humanity. The player takes on the role of a member of the BLADEs, an organization responsible for protecting the colony, recovering the scattered life pods and exploring this world as beautiful as it is dangerous.
The game features a real-time combat system inspired by MMORPGs. Characters use auto-attacks and Arts, special skills with cooldowns. Character positions influence the effectiveness of attacks, and the Soul Voice system allows for voice interactions to strengthen team cohesion. Players can also pilot Skells, transforming mechs, to fight more powerful enemies and explore otherwise inaccessible areas.
One of the most impressive aspects of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is its massive open world, which is divided into five continents with diverse biomes: lush jungles, desert plains, frozen mountains, bioluminescent forests… Mira is full of breathtaking landscapes, populated by creatures of all sizes, sometimes peaceful, often hostile.
The game encourages free exploration, from the very first hours. Fast-travel, climbing, and improved jumping mechanics make navigation easier, but it’s mostly thanks to the Skells, transformable mechs available later in the adventure, that exploration takes on a new dimension, both on the ground and in the air. In typical role-playing game fashion, the player is given quests to advance the story, gain experience and discover the world.
From the start, the player creates their own avatar, choosing their appearance, voice, gender, and even a few personality traits, which manifest as the player makes choices during conversations with NPCs. The playstyle is also modular: each class can evolve into offensive, defensive, or support specializations, influencing the fighting style and the weapons equipped.
Skells, too, can be customized, whether in terms of weaponry, colors, or special modules, allowing players to design machines that are perfectly suited to their strategy.
Details
Level of experience required
| Age | 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners |  |
|
 |
|
|
| Intermediate | |
|
|
|
|
| Experienced | |
|
|
|
|
Evaluation
The game contains some elements of stylized violence (science fiction) but there is no blood.
There are a few mature themes, but they are treated in an accessible way. Some outfits are slightly suggestive, but it’s moderate and suitable for a young audience.
There is a lot of text and dialogue, and the cutscenes are long. The game is recommended from 12-13 years old, and even more appreciated by teenagers or young adults because of its narrative and strategic richness. The game requires thought and patience.
The game conveys messages of resilience and hope, values of cooperation and tolerance.
The game requires 3D camera control and requires a certain finesse, especially in the fights. Players who are not used to this kind of combat system may need time to master the controls.
The game does not offer microtransactions in the traditional sense. The game does not contain an in-app store that allows the purchase of items, virtual currency, or cosmetic content with real money.
However, some players have noticed that the game page on the eShop displays the mention in-app purchases. This indication is usually related to the ability to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership, which is required to access online multiplayer features.
Local game modes
In local mode, the player has access to the story-driven single-player mode, which features main story progression, side quests, companion-focused Affinity missions to develop relationships between characters, and field exploration.
Online Game Modes
Multiplayer in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a hybrid system that blends elements of asymmetrical online play, indirect co-op, and real-time missions that can be played in groups. Unlike a regular MMO, you won’t constantly see the other players in your world, but you will be part of a squad of players (Squad) that shares some overall objectives.
1. Squads
When you log in to the online mode, you will automatically join a squad of 32 random players. These players are present in their own worlds, but you share collective objectives (e.g., defeating 50 designated creatures on Mira), progression bonuses when objectives are completed, and a basic chat space to exchange predefined messages.
2. Squad Missions
At any time, you can participate in special instanced missions, called Squad Missions, in co-op with up to 4 players online. These missions usually involve taking on powerful bosses, often in several timed waves, with optional secondary objectives. These missions are usually rewarded with rare materials, money, and special weapons.
You can also participate in these missions solo with CPU-controlled teammates if you prefer, but the difficulty will be the same.
3. Mercenary Missions
These are asynchronous online missions. You can send your custom avatar to another player’s world to join their team as a temporary CPU-controlled character. You can also recruit other players’ avatars via a terminal in New Los Angeles. They keep their equipment, classes, and skills.
The online mode unlocks after a few hours of play, when you officially join the BLADEs. It can be accessed via terminals in the city of New LA (such as the Squad Terminal) and requires an active internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Communication is always limited to a system of pre-recorded phrases (e.g., I’m going to attack!, Need help!, etc.), in order to keep the experience secure. No voice chat or personalized messages.
Expansions/Add-ons (DLC)
To date, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch does not offer any additional downloadable add-ons (DLC). The only purchase that may be necessary is the Nintendo Switch Online membership in order to use the multiplayer mode.
Our opinion
The game is visually appealing and interesting. The game’s lifespan is one of its greatest strengths. It takes about 60 to 80 hours to complete the main story and more than 120 hours in total if you add the side quests. Challenge lovers who like to complete a game at 100% will easily reach around 200 hours of gameplay. On top of that, the Definitive Edition adds new missions and an exclusive narrative epilogue, further extending the life of the title compared to its previous version released in 2015.
The soundtrack of Xenoblade Chronicles X, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (known for his work on the soundtrack of Attack on Titan and many other Japanese anime), stands out for its epic tracks mixing rock, electronic, hip-hop and orchestral. Each area of Mira has its own soundscape, enhancing the immersion in this alien universe. While the soundtrack divided fans when it was initially released, it has gained recognition over time, and this Switch edition finally allows for the volume of the music, vocals, and sound effects to be readjusted.
This edition brings several notable improvements as well, including improved graphics, an improved user interface, new story content, and additional features.
The game has been praised for its vast and immersive open world, deep combat system, and improvements over the original version. However, some critics have noted that, despite the improvements, some aspects of the game still reflect its origin on Wii U.
Featured image @ Nintendo eShop
Screenshots @ Myriam Baulne (Steam ID: ComeToMomma)
*This game was given to us for free for review purposes, but that doesn’t influence our opinion.
