Well, there you have it. With this latest Japanese Xenoblade Chronicles X presentation, Nintendo and developer Monolith Soft have spilled all the beans they're willing to spill before the game releases in Japan on 29th April. In the past we've seen the planet of Mira detailed, how to explore Mira, and how the combat works. With the final presentation, we learned both how Dolls (mechanized suits) work in the game, along with some nifty online features that were revealed as somewhat of a surprise at the end of the presentation.
The first details uncovered were about different types of Dolls. There are three types: Light, Middle, and Heavy - you can see where this is going. Light types move fast but take more damage, Middle types are easy to control, and Heavy types are slow but come with more protection. Each class of Doll comes paired with different models; Light type, for example, features models called Formula, Wels, and Urban. If there were any significant differences other than appearance between these subtypes, we didn't catch it.
Up next we were treated to a Doll montage which showed off the different transformations between the types. For ground vehicles, Light types transform into a speedy bike. Middle type transforms into a car with four tires, and Heavy type transforms into a pseudo-tank complete with treads. The second transformation requires a Flight pack, but Flight mode appears virtually identical between the three types. However, Dolls have fuel requirements, so flying around forever isn't possible. You can also own every type of Doll, but collecting them all is a monumental, expensive task.
How Dolls fight - the really good stuff - was showcased next; Dolls have a ton of different weapon slots. Let's see: Hand weapons, arm weapons, spare weapons, back weapons, shoulder weapons and super weapons were revealed. Hand weapons are mainly for melee attacks or light guns. Beam shields and arm cannons can be equipped in the arm weapon slot. Spare weapons are not very powerful but function as utility weapons. Back weapons look like strong, slow weapons. At least hand weapons, arm weapons, and shoulder weapons allow you to equip one each on the left side and right side. The left and right weapons - at least for shoulder weapons - can combine to make another weapon as well. Fortunately - in the interest of balancing - super weapons, such as the giant, bendy hammer shown in the video or the massive beam cannon, use fuel as well, so you can't fire them repeatedly or risk dropping out of the sky and having to wait for your fuel to recharge. Still, if our math is correct it appears Dolls can be outfitted with approximately nine different weapons, so they're no slouches despite fuel restrictions.
Dolls aren't invincible, either. Since they're so costly, players can purchase Doll Insurance, which makes sure every time a Doll is destroyed the player's bank isn't broken. However, Doll Insurance can only be used three times. If the Doll is destroyed for a fourth time, players will have to purchase it anew. The presentation noted that getting out of the Doll before it explodes and fighting on foot is a rather good idea.
Last, but certainly not least, the presentation covered online functionality. Xenoblade Chronicles X comes with a bevvy of surprising online features that actually caught us a little off guard; they'd only been alluded to briefly in the past. First up is the ability to import your friends' characters into your game and use them in your party. Second, what looks like a type of guild system (Note: our translation suffered here due to a substantial amount of game jargon) is also present, made up of 32 people. In this group, you can share information on the planet Mira, such as what monster is weak to what type of weapon and where to find certain items. Furthermore, Treasure Deal is a new mechanic that allows you to send and receive gear with friends. Need a new gun? You can request it and have it sent to you when your friend finds one.
Furthermore, it looks like there's some leaderboard functionality between friends within Xenoblade Chronicle X's eight in-game Unions. Also, it seems players can invite each other into their games - in groups of four - and take on massive World bosses together. Again, we translated here to the best of our abilities - hopefully the developers reveal more clear information soon.
The presentation closed out with an attack on the city of New Los Angeles. Under siege by some unknown alien presence that won't cooperate or communicate with humans; a dozen Dolls took up position on the city wall, before firing off into the fray.
That was it for all the Xenoblade Chronicles X 'special' broadcast information we're likely to get before its release later this month in Japan. Once Japanese gamers get their hands on the game, the depth of these mechanics will likely be explained in great detail, and then the wait for the game to release in the West will become all the more painful.
Between the three presentations we've seen, what has you most excited about Xenoblade Chronicles X? Let us know in the comments.
Thank you once again Izumi for helping us translate another presentation!
Comments 56
As usual, I'm always happy with more information on this game, but all it does is make me annoyed that we still don't have a release date or any information on a potential special edition in the West. Looking forward to trekking around in the Dolls (just call 'em Mechs, geez) and finding a way I can use them in combat as often as possible. It's nice to see that there is a reason to get out and attack on foot--even if my goal will be to avoid doing that.
Because robots.
I'm curious if the online will have voice chat. Guess why I think it won't.
Dolls is another good reason to hope this game have a huge success: it may pave the way to an Armored Core or a Front Mission game for Wii U.
This game has the potential to be INCREDIBLE. Like, one of the best of all-time good. It seems to be absolutely massive, I can't wait to set a few days aside when it's released and really get into it. With each new set of details, the game appears to get better and better. Can't wait
... give it to me now! NOW!!!
Online multilayer? Yes please, the most annoying thing in the first Xenoblade was the computer controlling itself and doing dumb stuff that gets you killed.
@Quorthon Because there's text chat and this is Nintendo we're talking about?
It was the mechs that excited me most in the original trailer. Glad to see they're quite a big focus for the game. Reminds me so much of Xenosaga <3
@Quorthon I think the game is already confirmed to NOT have voice chat. But there will be an option for keyboard input. There is always Skype!
HHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
With ZELDA being delayed, I imagine that this will be pushed back untill November to fill the gap. With YOSHI and STAR FOX being their Thanksgiving or early December releases. I see DEVIL'S THIRD grabbing October. And of course MARIO MAKER in September. Hmmmm. I was really hoping to play this by August. My fingers are still crossed. Guess I'll just have to play ARKHAM KNIGHT this Summer ; )
Eager to get this but with HW now and Splatoon so close I don't have any real rush.
Suddenly even more stoked for this game.
@Griffion
Skype is a snarky and awful defense for Nintendo failing to understand modern gaming. I just won't play this online if Nintendo wants it to be a hassle. They might as well cut the feature entirely if they aren't going to bother to do it right. Anywhere else, all I have to do is plug headphones into my controller.
@Grumblevolcano
Because when I'm playing a game, I really want to tap out words one letter at a time on a single-touch screen to try talking to someone. They should just cut the online if they're going to do it half-hearted.
Day 1
This game just looks better and better every time I see it.
Of course, there's no way to tell how well it'll sell - but in terms of quality, Xenoblade Chronicles X looks like it will thump any other game on rival formats. Just amazing!
So... Now all we need is that release date several months later...
Can't wait for this game. Sure wish it would be a summer release.
@Griffion You don't meet strangers on Skype. I am always annoyed when people say that, but keyboard input is fine.
@DarthNocturnal
Are you talking about Car Insurance?
You forgot to mention creatures with their huge testicles hanging down their necks. That makes it a day 1.
@andreoni79
Front Mission has been under the radar WAY too long. I loved the first and second ones and the third installment on PS, but alas have not played later games. Still one of my favourite nostalgiaboomers.
Nintendo should buy all those magnificent nostalgiagame rights and just start producing Last Ninjas, Star Controls, Front Missions and others. Of course this was a jest... but it would be awesome to have Nintystudio completely dedicated to resurrecting ancient franchises.
At this point I have no doubt this will be my game of the year, especially with Zelda delayed. Unfortunately, I have a feeling we'll have to wait until November.
I feel like I won't even need another RPG this generation with everything this game's offering. Each stream has made me more and more excited, although I think that this is the one that's made me the most excited. The Doll combat and online features look amazing! Definitely a game I'll be picking up day one. I hope that the release date will be some time in summer, but November's definitely seeming more likely.
Do you get to fly mechs in Xeno 3D?
Looks great - especially the Dolls!
Too bad the human characters look mad hideous! ;p
I wonder if the 4 player boss arena battles will have voice chat. That would be awesome to have so that people can plan their attacks and work together.
It would work similarly to The Last Story's online boss battles.
I'm already planning what to paint my Doll.
I need this game.
No voice chat! No sale!
@Timppis
Pretty sure another Front Mission game was released in the last three years for the X360 and PS3.
@Quorthon
Pretty sure last one was 2010 which wasn't tactical game anymore but third person shooter.
The suits remind me of the suits in PN03, albeit much more complex and all. The balancing sounds about right.
@Quorthon
Might as well cut online just cause of no voice chat? NO! lol My point is, I use Skype ANYWAY and it is still an OPTION. Of course Nintendo needs to get with the times, but I still have other means that (at least) all my friends use as well.
@Hero-of-WiiU
Strangers? All my friends and I use Skype to chat while playing games. Why would I meet with strangers?!
I think hoping for a Nov NA release is pretty optimistic.
Did anyone else notice that those birds have testicles hanging from their mouths?
@Griffion
Quorthon is just a frustrated highschool/college student who has to be right about everything. TBH, I agree with you. Online with no voice chat is better than nothing, and sure, it'd be cool to have voice chat integrated in-game, but if I'm playing with friends it REALLY isn't difficult to use Skype. And sometimes even preferred.
This is unreal! This could totally be the Zelda U replacement, as long as it releases in time...
@Lord Solid reasoning.
Voice chat can suck it. I can't wait for this game.
Really excited for this hopefully nintendo give it a good advertising push.
19 more days until Japan gets it and we see just how big of a game it truly is!
Yeah! The online functions that I hoped for ever since I heard of this game has been given! I'll most likely have finished my game backlog by then, so I absolutely can't wait to set aside two days or so just to have fun with the game. Those guilds are going to be tons of fun to be in!
As far as I'm concerned, this game can't get here fast enough. Been really looking forward to it since, way back, when it was first announced.
August cannot come soon enough!
@PvtOttobot Apparently it's going to release in August in the states. Only thing holding it back from an April release is localization/translation.
Honestly, I probably won't use Dolls unless there's no other way around something. It sure looks fun, but I'm having more fun struggling with my character.
@Quorthon You can always just plug in an actual keyboard to type with. I did just that in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, though you obviously can't play the game with that.
Online co-op? Oh be still my beating heart...
This really looks incredible. I'm certainly not a fan of JRPG's but I'll get this day 1 simply because of its scope and detail.
@Captain_Gonru I'm not so sure. Notice that the characters are actually speaking the word 'doll' as well as being written in English amongst the kanji, it's not a Japanese word that we've translated to mean 'doll'. This was a deliberate choice on their part, they specifically chose an English term to use. They had to know what the word meant, and I don't find it wholly inappropriate myself given the word's actual definition.
Seems like Titanfall to me. I guess I will start Xenoblade Chronicles 3DS today. Need to see what the hype is about.
@Captain_Gonru Yeah doll does have some cultural connotations for many of us. It's not the term I would have chosen, but personally I don't think they're going to change it.
Calling it right now...this will be delayed in the US till 2016...
@R_Champ
Exactly. Screw voice chat. Online isn't even the game's focus! Good grief we all like voice chat but um, this game is for the 300 hour SINGLE PLAYER campaign, and with online co-op for good measure.
And sure, voice chat would have been nice (it always is) but who in their right mind can't have fun and enjoy killing boss enemies and exploring this ginormous open world together online just because they can't blabber back and forth? Seriously. Voice chat is a luxury tack on. Not the source of fun and enjoyment itself.
And whoever it was saying no purchase over voice chat- are they for real? Good grief it's like winning a million bucks in the lottery then complaining the payout is a buck short so you don't want it.
@Captain_Gonru Many reasons. First off, I like to play female characters, and a male voice accompanying a female hunter is kinda irritating. Second, I don't like talking to players I don't know. Third, more than halfvof those folks spoke either spanish or french, meaning they wouldn't understand me, anyway. Fourth, The quality was severely lacking, and voice transmission was delayed by several seconds. Fifth, I'm already using TeamSpeak on PC for voice chat.
Whew... of course that's not to say the option wasn't appreciated, but the voice delay made it useless for the most part.
@Captain_Gonru Well, it's not like I had nobody to talk with through thegame. I actually met a few people who were just great and a lot of fun to play with. But the delay still made it difficult to talk normally, and we never used voice chat for anything other than random talk, only using text chat for quest info and commands.
But yeah, such nice folks are kinda rare, especially in online games (sadly).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSE_l9baH2w
^English subbed video, though only the narration is subbed. Full translation is later this week afaik. If anyone was interested. Contains clarification on some things that were kinda vague in this article.
Like with the 32 people thing. This "squad" gets specific tasks that appear in the bottom-right corner (one of them being kill "x" amount of "y" monster here), when one of these is completed a squad quest becomes available. These are more difficult assignments that you can try. You can join someone elses group, or invite them to your own when you're attempting these. Or alternatively, you can do it with your normal companions (Elma, Lyn etc.). Things like squad quests increase "global Conquest Development". When this increases World Bosses can awaken.
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