To date details around Xenoblade Chronicles X have arrived in snippets, mainly through tweets and interview quotes; up until today Nintendo and developer Monolith Soft have adopted a rather coy approach when releasing information about the game. The last couple of weeks have brought information on the cast, shown that Xenoblade Chronicles X will feature non-linear progression, that there'll be a Pokedex-like monster encyclopedia, and that the world will be five times the size of its spiritual predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles, but these tidbits of info haven't been enough to satisfy our curiosity with the Japanese release date fast approaching on 29th April.
Fortunately, today Nintendo showcased a 24 minute Japanese presentation which answered a lot of questions; as usual we were eagerly watching and translating to the best of our abilities. As the presentation was dedicated to the planet of Mira and how the player interacts with it, it gave us a better understanding of Xenoblade Chronicles X's scale, as well as more information on some of the eight 'unions' or job professions. Furthermore, we learned a bit more about Dolls — the mechanized suits in the game — unique creatures to hunt, and got to see some gorgeous environments, along with an introduction to some of the native life on the planet Mira.
Warning: Reading further may entice feelings of impatience with Nintendo for not announcing a Western release date yet.
First up was an information dump on the game's base of operations — the city of New Los Angeles (NLA). Apparently the city will feel truly alive with restaurants, shops, chapels and even holidays the citizens of NLA recognize and enjoy. Humans are trying to survive in NLA, and by the amount of pools, parks, and other luxuries shown it's apparent they're doing a good job of it. The city won't just be a place to live, however. It also features factories where the player can upgrade/fix Dolls, buy weapons, and all the standard JRPG fair that comes with massive hub-towns.
Next, the video detailed a couple of the 'unions' or jobs that the player can take part in during the game. One of them, the Pathfinder, was given a lot of detail. In this union, the game requires the player to search out and place probes which reveal information on Frontier NET, a navigation system located on the Wii U's GamePad. The GamePad then displays various icons on the map. One icon signifies that a formidable creature resides in that area, and another hints at treasure to be discovered. The second job went into detail about completing miscellaneous quests for the residents of NLA - kill monsters for this lady, search for a missing item for that man, and the like. This is a union rooted in standard RPG quest structures, and is also useful for information on the planet itself. While completing quests, a "social link" type system will strengthen ties between the citizens of NLA, but it remains to be seen how this will affect gameplay in the long term.
A creature called Tatsu took over the presentation to give us a better look at the planet Mira itself. The quirky critter stressed Mira is massive and made up of many different landmasses. The first landmass looked akin to Gaur Plains from Xenoblade Chronicles, bright, green, and full of abrupt cliffs. The second landmass shown was dubbed a night forest and featured dark skies and bright, luminescent plants. The third was more or less a desert with dusty monster bones littered about, the fourth a creepy island where all the scenery was some shade of white, and the fifth was a 'black metal island,' home to volcanoes and massive, metallic bridges. There appeared to be more locations than just these. Each area looked quite large and Tatsu stressed they had many different landmarks, caves, and secret areas to find; exploration and diversity seem to be a strong theme for Xenoblade Chronicles X.
Fortunately, with a world so large there are multiple ways to get around it. Players can run fast, jump high, and fast travel between landmarks. More importantly, Xenoblade Chronicles X introduces a ball of bright light called a Navigation Ball to help, well, navigate Mira. The ball fluidly flies ahead of the party and helps players find objectives without getting lost. The navigation ball also features a 'hover mode," where it will fly high in the sky and give players a bird's eye view of their surroundings.
Dolls are also used to move around the world and reach the aforementioned secrets and hidden areas too, and it's confirmed they can transform into different vehicles; we saw a car / bike hybrid and a brief glimpse of a boat. However, it was mentioned a license is needed before piloting a Doll, suggesting that the robot suits are off limits for a portion of the game.
Last, the showcase detailed the variety of life that inhabits Mira, from colossal monsters to tiny creatures that — if we translated correctly — really like pizza. As for creatures to hunt down, they come in small and big sizes, and vary greatly in appearance depending on which area of the game they live in. Some creatures of a certain type look like their kin, but in fact are dangerous, boss-like counterparts to be avoided. A variety of intelligent docile creatures inhabit the land as well, including Tatsu's potato-like Nopon race, a blue-haired humanoid that's also an art connoisseur, and the aforementioned floppy eared pizza lovers.
All told, the 24 minute reveal gave us enough to chew on for the moment. Xenoblade Chronicles X looks to be a massive game with a lot of care given to its environments. Maybe this wasn't enough to entirely satisfy our curiosity, but at the end of the broadcast the character Elma — a curt silver-haired woman — implied another showcase will be on the way, and that it will tackle Xenoblade Chronicles X's combat systems.
Let us know what you though of it, while you can watch the whole video again below.
A special thanks to Izumi for helping us translate the presentation!
Comments 96
Flight combat - the question on everyone's lips...
Oh my gosh, I just realized something...
Those giant spider bosses from that long sidequest chain in XBC used to scare the soul out of me. Remember the Cliffside Bayern in Guar Plains? I turned the game off out of pure shock and dismay the first time that thing popped up out of nowhere.
With this game, and the monsters being bigger, more detailed, and the potential to be even creepier, will there be even more large spiders as ambush predators? I have somewhat of a phobia of them, especially when I don't expect them, and I really don't want to be caught off guard like that.
I can't wait to watch this video when I get off work today. I'm so excited for this game!
This game is too good for me... I'm screwed.
This presentation increased my hype by approximately 30%.
@Ninty4thewin Hopefully Nintendo is hard at work localizing the game.
Is the black haired women wearing Monado hair clips?
I hope Nintendo will ship enough copies of this game. I can't find a single copy of Captain Toad - which is only one month old - here in Italy.
@Gerbwmu Yeah she is. Subtle throwback or something more?
This game is going to be seriously hype can't wait.
droooool. When am I going to find the time???
New Super Mario Bros.
New Nintendo 3DS.
New Los Angeles.
I think Nintendo and Barney Stinson have the same philosophy.
@lowellrabell - probably a subtle throwback but I cant help but feel this game is a weird pre pre prequel and eventually it will work it's way back to chronicles after another game or 2?
Yes, going to DAY 1 !
Day one too!
off the subject, after watching the video, I now wish I had the white gamepad instead of the black one. The black gamepad shows too many smudges.
I guess we will get a video like this done by the voice actors of those characters. I guess that is one reason this isn't just a normal direct, and kept to japanese only.
Game of the year!!!!!
I hope they polish a bit more some of the textures and animations on the characters. They can look better than this. Anyway, this game looks amazing!
@triforcepower73 Not sure if not hyped or beyond hyped...
@Jahir
I agree with the polishing bit. For example the hair of the characters look horrible, but that could be the best the console is capable of.
However everything else is shaping up well. Looking forward to playing this.
@triforcepower73
Every presentation that we see without a solid US release date (and news of a collector's edition THAT ANYONE CAN BUY EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN NEW YORK) is starting to lower my hype. It just reminds me that I've been waiting nearly three years for this game already.
That Tatsu creature seems out of place in this game. Can I kill it?
@gcunit
Pretty sure I saw combat with the dolls while in midair during one of the original videos released.
Iwata: Reggie, I need more hype....
Reggie: They can't take much more of this.... Anymore hype and they might explode.
@pyrotek85
I'd like a link. That's ropey intel, if you ask me. I went looking for it earlier and all I could find is pre-rendered cutscene stuff I think.
@Gerbwmu I actually think it is a sequel, if you finished the game you could see how it might connect.
This game looks more awesome every time I see it. I can't wait for it to come to America, hopefully without any of the hitches of Xenoblade Chronicles (limited release, months after Europe, which got it months after Japan).
@RadicalYoseph Actually, sequel is the wrong word, it just could be in the same universe after the events of XC.
@burninmylight Glad I'm not alone. I have pretty bad arachnophobia, I freaked out so bad with those giant spiders. I remember one point on some building that three of those things suddenly came up the sides... I panicked so bad I literally jumped off the building. DX
After playing Dragon Age Inquisition this game is going to have a lot to stand up to.
The NLA part seems like SIMS.
I skimmed the article above as I haven't watched the presentation yet for myself, but I will later today. I'm trying so hard to hype my friends around me... they simply do not understand WHY they need to be hyped, but I won't give up. I... just don't have the words to justify how BAD I'm ready for this game.
@RadicalYoseph - that's possible. I was thinking the end of this game maybe linked to the space station universe creation with a sequel following before it ties in to Xenoblade. It could just as easily be the world created in the ending as well.....or not related in any form. Guess we will find out.
@andreoni79 available on eShop...
@PvtOttobot Just look at my profile pic. I'm WAY OVERHYPED haha!
@Jahir Looks great for a Japanese game. Japanese studios have been left in the dust in a technical sense since 2005.
I'm now officially as hyped for this as I am for Zelda wii u
So much want. Some of those landscapes were immense!
@liveswired Oh yeah, that would be great for Nintendo. € 40 for a digital game. No way. Just print more copies. I really hope this is not their new policy.
@Quorthon This game was revealed in January 2013. It's only been 2 years. We will most likely see this game in North America in July or August of this year. Zelda will be here in November.
@liveswired Mario Kart 8, SM3DWorld and Captain Toad TT look gorgeous. TW101, Pikmin 3 and Smash don't look bad at all
@abbyhitter
Oh right.
Well, it feels way longer.
SWEET JESUS, MARY, & JOSEPH!!! This game has exceeded my expectations!! I knew this game was probably going to be good but it just became my most anticipated title this year!!
@gcunit Has been confirmed since the first trailer, when it rip of a part of some GIGANTIC creature.
Oh. My. Effin. God!!!!
Game of the century!!!
This game it totally ruining any hype I could/should have for ZeldaU
Japan is getting a Wii U bundle for this. I already have mine of course, but that could give it some serious exposure if they do that stateside.
Navigation improvements sound like a very good idea. Hopefully, the side quests are more interesting this time.
I'm glad there's no western release date yet. I already have a 20+ game backlog on Wii U
@Hotfusion Yep, minute 1:58 the hair looks not good. A bit more polishing would be nice, the game looks awesome anyway. One epic exclusive Wii U title, now give me Fatal Frame/Zero 5 and Zelda and I won't complain about Wii U any more.
This looks epic, but I don't think I'll have the time or patience for such a game.
EPIC - HYPE - MUST - HAVE
@burninmylight The creatures only want to help you level up. Plus you'll have a robot! How afraid can you be with those at your disposal? lol all jokes aside, pop ups are pretty lame, and I'm sure the creatures on this game will surpass the creepiness of chronicles, but I hope you can still enjoy it.
Thanks for the translation guys!
Honestly, it looks amazing. The wait has been, and still is, long, but it'll be worth it
DAYUM!!!!!!!!!! HYPE OVERLOAD, ENGAGE DISCHARGE IN PANTS ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
All this now needs is a catchy collectible cardgame, an entertainment area with a bunch of cool minigames, some monster hunting and arena and I am officially found replacement for my 16-year old self's gaming hysteria.
Looks seriously rad!
Strange how it says USA and La like it is the only country in the world like sod everyone else . I think they put usa la on the side as gta 5 is la and to sell to western gamers more.
As westen gamers play more games than japan nower days. So it might be a push as will sell more to western gamers.
I need this game like air, like water.......so help me..
I'm not convinced yet, knowing how publishers market games. I mean, the characters look generic, and I still have no idea what the game is all about. I like games where I can explore, but I'll doubt I finish a 300 hour game especially because it's so huge. I mean, I can't be the only one who thinks it looks really empty and wonders if playing the same game for 300 hours can still be fun. So I've got no problem with the lack of release date. Still hoping this turns out to be awesome, but right now, I'll just wait for how the game actually turns out to be.
That has to be the most boring outfit ever for a MC. I hope thats changeable.
@Arngrim It's just your starter outfit.
@Luna-Harmony
Well, if my memory serves me correctly, the trailer shows a few ships in the intro sequence, but they were all attacked, and it seems to imply this is the only one that survived.
If that's the case, it's probably safe to assume, there was also a ship carrying New Tokyo, New New York, New New Dehli, New London, New Paris, New Hong Kong, etc.
This game looks great everytime I see it.
@burninmylight lol...dude, calm down ☺ Take a breath 😉
The game looks great I just really dislike the main character. Coming from Fei Fong Wong, Shion Uzuki, or Shulk he looks very generic and is a bit of a let down. Hopefully he grows on you but as of now I really don't like him.
The first game barely registered, I vaguely recall reading the Edge review but just thought.... "hmmm yes.... Very nice" This however has been pre-ordered. Looks insanely good!
@burninmylight lol I remember that spider, it was so awesome!
Guess my personal life is ogre when this comes out!
@Dryden That's the same thing people said about Shulk and after they played more of the game they love the poor guy.So i guess it will happened with this guy!But Shulk talked this guy hasn't said a word since man i don't even know.
Honestly I didn't think the Wii U was capable of pulling off these visuals. I'm impressed!
@Luna-Harmony If there ever was to be a doomsday scenario on Earth where we needed to evacuate,it would be the US who would lead the way,with maybe Russia (not in their current mess) and China (if they keep advancing) and possibly Japan not far behind.Europe and the UK would still be debating over how to fund it with the Earth blowing up around us.So there is that,and also the fact that Nintendo has a small presence in Russia and a non existent one in China so it makes more sense for it to be the US.They could have went with say New Tokyo but as a JRPG they will be wanting it to have as much western appeal as possible.Saying that,I'm still hoping to come across a New Scotland on the adventure,even if its an old rusted,broken down 2 man vessel haha.
@Jahir Man, none of the games you mentioned come close to the size and scope of Xenoblade. Did you look at the draw distance and the hover ball thing, there is no way the Wii U could load and render all that in a resolution or quality as high as some of the games you mentioned.
@TheLilK98 Assumed as much, good to get it confirmed.
@ReBirFh Well, I'm not arguing that. Anyway, I'll sure enjoy this game
@Dryden - The main character is customizable, they just keep using that one for all the demo purposes.
I guess they chose a look that would go over well with Japanese gamers, but western audiences don't like that choice of attributes I guess.
@Action51 ah thats pretty cool if you can customize the character. Hope to see some good customizing options ^_^.
@Arngrim Yep, no problem.
@Dryden - That's just a default model. You create your own character in this game.
@TechJunkie69 I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen, they are hyping it to all get out after all. They would end up killing their own hype machine if they don't release a bundle in the west, seeing as the game is more anticipated in the US and Europe than it is in Japan.
My hype for this years games cannot be contained. Too much goodness.. I mean, you mean to tell me I'll have Persona 5, Etrian Mystery Dungeon, Persona Dancing All Night, Xenoblade on the 3DS AND a new one on Wii U, Final Fantasy Type 0 and 15, Bloodborne, possibly Kingdom Hearts 3, Monster Hunter 4, Disgaea 5, AND new entries in the Zelda/Star Fox series, all in one year?! Sign me up!!
THIS is the wii u's first real system seller.
Nintendo..... MARKET IT!!!!
"Game of the year". More like best game of all time.
This game is gonna be better than 3DS' System stability updates.
@burninmylight
Well, you can see 1 at 15:45 in the video...
Doesn't look as big, but without humans around is hard to tell.
Of course you can expect bigger ones (and probably an ambush or 2 since the first Xenoblade have several).
Gah. I needed less reasons to get hyped, not more!
We want more we want more we want more lol
@Gerbwmu Mark posts like that in the future with spoilers please.
Also SPOILERS- Yes, I think it is in the universe created at the end of Xenoblade, and in the games mythology, Shulk actually created our current universe with Earth and all of our planets.
Admittedly I haven't been following news about the game and I didn't care much about it but...this looks amazing. I think I've just been converted from not caring to full-on day one purchase!
@burninmylight http://1.media.dorkly.cvcdn.com/39/99/fddcf15163c86dc4c05764ac9457d314.gif
Guess I might give the first game a look at on the N3DS while waiting for this one. Seems interesting taking down giant monsters, kinda like in Monster Hunter. lol
SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!!
@RadicalYoseph: From my understanding, our universe is destroyed/rewritten and becomes the universe of Xenoblade, which is then changed an becomes a new world.
It's actually hard to determine, or even unlikely that Xenoblade and X are connected. There is an "Earth" in both games. In Xenoblade, I don't recall Earth being directly named, but the game heavily implies that the planet near the end is our Earth. The planet destroyed in X is also our Earth. The presence of the United States and Los Angeles is enough proof. How could the Earth have been destroyed twice?
The acronym BLADE: Beyond the Logos Artificial Destiny Emancipator does seem interesting me though. If only there was a way to know what that was meant to actually stand for...
@LUIGITORNADO
Uhhhh, if you say so. Monolith and Bethesda could wipe their hard-work sweat from their brows, put it in a bucket, and that bucket would be better than most Bioware (well, and SE) games nowadays because the bucket would have more soul
Looks totally amazing - the scope is beyond anything I have played before. Going to come down to marketing now (re: sales).
If Zelda has a scope anything close to this, I'll be amazed.
Bring it ON.
Leave luck to Takahashi and Kojima!
@SomeBitTripFan SPOILERS!!!!
I believe the planet from when Zanza/Meyneth were still scientists was not our current universe, and the one Shulk created is. Although I am still confused by the fact that on the way to the Zanza final boss fight, you could see planets from the real universe.
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