Topic: Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

Looks as though the Japanese CE is available to preorder, but it isn't as glorious as the European CE.

The product description mentions that this version supports English.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B086GRG5DD

Well this would count as a remaster by that definition. They're almost definitely reusing a lot of the code and assets. From what we've seen, everything like the battle mechanics, equipment, and physics are still the same. The dialogue, animations and voice acting are still the same.

Granted none of that is the sort of thing that really stands out in trailers. But in terms of the time it takes to do all that stuff, it's a pretty huge amount of the original game's workload that is still identical.

One of the biggest jobs with a game that renders huge 3D environments, is UV mapping all of the 3D models (that's the process where you turn a 3D object into a 2D unwrapped image so you can texture it). I 99% guarantee they haven't redone that. It's just not worth the time. It's so easy to reuse the originals and adapt it for better texturing and more polygons. The texturing side of it doesn't require any changes at all. You can use higher-res textures, as well as adding normal mapping and specular mapping, without changing anything about the UV mapping.

Ha, that's cos it forced you to do most of them!

@Dezzy Honestly, this game definitely straddles the line between remake and remaster. New UI, improved animations (facial expressions most notably, but other animations are tweaked as well), new models, new textures. The game looks like a Switch native release (honestly, it looks better than XC2), which isn't something you'd usually say about a remaster. But yeah, it's pretty much pushing the idea of a remaster as far as it goes.

@Dezzy Eh.

Those are still design choices. It doesn't mean the game wasn't rebuilt. Environmental geometry, character models, etc. are all brand new, so it's effectively a different game.

I'd say this is a remake that seeks to emulate the original release as closely as possible in most regards.

And, to be fair, we don't know that none of the dialogue was re-recorded, right? Or the extent to which the plot has changed, or the music has been "remastered."

EDIT: Can't speak to the "UV mapping" either way.

You'll have to point me to this. I looked closely but couldn't see any change in animations.

@Dezzy Ah, yeah, now that you mention it. LOL! Was some time ago that I played it now.

@Ralizah Didn't they say in the Direct that a lot of tracks has been re-recorded?

Edit: Just checked. "Some if the music has been re-recorded", they say.

For some reason, the standard game is £10 cheaper in Nintendos own site & comes with a keychain ..... Pre-ordered that now

I'll be honest, I really didn't care for Xenoblade 2's story or gameplay. But I only gave a limited amount of playtime to the first game on the 3DS and really want to give that game another go in HD.

@Dezzy Thanks for those comparison shots, the game looks really nice. Easily the best remaster Nintendo has handled yet, IMO. Albeit, they don't do it like this too often.

@Dezzy Certain events in XC2 chapter 10 and the XC2 DLC. The thing is though, I didn't get far in XC1 so it may have all been resolved in the base XC1 game (I got a few hours in when it came to Wii U VC but mostly got distracted by Xbox One at the time).

Clubhouse Games: 51 Classic Games is a sequel to a DS game, not a new IP.

@Seacliff

I think my favourite Nintendo remaster/remake will always be the Ocarina 3DS remaster. That was completely flawless because it had the complete visual overhall, but also the important gameplay improvements with the touch screen item menu, and the gyroscopic aiming.
This looks like it could be a close second though!

@Grumblevolcano

No idea which events you're referring to. You'll have to use spoiler tags and explain!

@Dezzy

I would've used bullet points in the spoiler text but bullet points at least used to remove spoiler tags on this site. I don't want XC1 spoilers, saying if answers are found in the base XC1 game is enough.

@Dezzy Well notably, the faces in the Wii version are just 2D textures, so all facial animations are thus new.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUI1nAfWkAAizxq?format=jpg&na...

There's also some things with Metal Face where his animations are changed as well. Clearly many, if not the vast majority are reused, but there's a not insignificant amount of tweaked and new ones.

@Anti-Matter In 1 you just take armor off or use a couple special armor types. In two it's DLC.

Thanks for no Xenoblade spoilers, guys. The only one I've played, beaten, and enjoyed so far is Xenoblade Chronicles X.

@Dezzy Thanks for the comparison image! Many of those are night and day. I'm insanely glad I held off on picking up the game on the Wii U eShop now.

@Grumblevolcano

It's definitely nothing to do with either Ontos or Klaus. Those are explained during the main story of XC1.

Dunno about the last one. I assumed all that DLC stuff was non-canon fan service really. I'm thinking this will be more story related.

@link3710

The faces are low quality in the original, but they're still animated. Look at the sheer range of expressions they have. You have to bear in mind that animation is done based on the relative rotation of bones, so you can share animations between 2 different 3D models that look completely different, as long as they have the same bones.
So in other words, as long as he's opening his mouth at the exact same time, it's probably the same animation, and it doesn't matter that his mouth looks a lot different (because most of those different are stored in the 3D model and the bone rigging, not in the animation itself)

I will say, and this is super nitpicky since it still looks good, I think I prefer Smash's take on "Shulk in HD" over this. That felt...closer to what I imagine this would be. This is more like Shulk with Xenoblade 2 visuals, which is fine, but is ultimately a different feel from the original's slightly darker style. And the characters (specifically in cutscenes) are the only thing that feel like a new style, like the rest of the game just looks like Xenoblade redone in HD.

Maybe that's just me though. It could be worse, they could've used Xenoblade X's lack of facial emotion. And I'm really only complaining because it's the only thing that feels even remotely off about this remake.

There are some more preview clips of this on youtube, that come from the japanese nintendo page for the game.

But beware, they contain a rather big spoiler (no idea why nintendo would upload a clip containing a spoiler).

So if you've already played the game (at least past the first 5 hours or so, it's an early spoiler), go ahead and search for them. Newcomers should stay away though.