A new home 

If you don't know anything about the franchise, here's some great news, because Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is the perfect entry point for the series. The game has a separate story that will not in any way hinder your experience if you haven't played the other titles.

The story begins in a very abrupt way, in which humanity has already lost, as we are caught in a crossfire between two alien races and the only solution to stay alive is to flee. For this, scientists designed gigantic spacecraft with the aim of crossing the space war before the planet is destroyed.

Unfortunately, few "arks" manage to escape unscathed (especially the White Whale), but the survivors are forced to land on the inhospitable planet Mira after being chased by the alien race Xenos, and establish a new colony, as well as explore the fauna and flora of the new dwelling, named New Los Angeles.

Our character will only be present in the adventure after Colonel Elma does a round in search of survivors and finds us in a capsule. As soon as we are rescued and introduced to the new reality, we join the Military Unit and the objective becomes to explore Mira, survive the imminent attacks of the Xenos and look for clues about a possible spaceship that houses a significant amount of survivors. Easy task?

The vastness of Mira 

Much more than a home and a planet, we can say without a doubt that Mira is the best part of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Exploring New Los Angeles is already amazing in itself, offering many side missions and new objectives at all times, but contemplating everything that Mira can offer greatly increases the desire to explore every corner.

In addition to all the beauty it has, the planet has a fauna that always seems to want to keep you constantly on alert. It doesn't matter if you don't have a high level yet or are doing reconnaissance missions. Suddenly you may come across a gigantic level 50 creature. The feeling is that the planet doesn't keep up with your evolution, but rather that it exists independently of the story being told.

What catches my attention a lot in Mira is that everything on the map is there for a reason. It's not as if it's there just to take up space, thrown. If something caught your attention, go explore, understand, because the probability of being rewarded is huge. It's no wonder that Monolith also contributed to the development of the living worlds of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Two battles for one game 

If the subtitle seemed a bit confusing to you, that's exactly what you just read. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a JRPG at its core, in which battles take place tactically, but because the game has moments of battle in which you will use your character's squad, and another, that the mechas known as Skells will be necessary, the mechanics change completely. And that's amazing!

On the one hand, with your humble human you must be very careful even with your positioning, Skells are true machines of destruction, which will not spare what is in front of them to be vaporized. It is literally a mecha battle game within Xenoblade Chronicles X.

In addition to each Skell having a unique ability, they all carry true mass destruction equipment, but despite all the heavy artillery at your disposal, energy is drained with each attack, making it highly necessary to dose and think carefully about each attack against the enemies.

Despite all the excitement that I imagine you are feeling reading my love letter to the Skells, it will be necessary to advance considerably in the story to reach the grand moment of meeting these true works of art.

All the depth of a JRPG 

If you have never played any title in the franchise, you can start here without any problem. Not only because the story is self-sufficient, but because all the mechanics will be introduced gradually and very well explained. Perhaps visually you may have some small spasms of despair, so much is happening at the same time. But as soon as you learn what the franchise offers, you will realize that it is not so difficult to understand everything that is happening around you.

Counting on a series of advantages that can be used against enemies, not all can be manipulated, depending on how you are positioned. Not only that, but the weapons and abilities (here called arts) take some time to be used again and all this must be clear when looking at the combat screen.

Another very interesting point of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is about its progression, which does not allow for possible "shortcuts". If you fail in a certain mission, improve your equipment, which you will certainly succeed. There are no miracles here.

As a good JRPG manual dictates, at certain moments of the game, you will be thinking about how to defeat a certain Xeno, but at another you may wonder how the government has been acting to improve the small community. Offering this kind of side mission is practically a relief after so much unrestrained shooting.

If there's a JRPG in the middle, we have relationships with other characters, right? Of course, it wouldn't be different here, offering recruitment possibilities for the squad, more dialogue options, as well as combat advantages, if the relationship reaches a certain type of value. Not only that, but by seeking more relationships, you feel even more part of Mira and its inhabitants.

Why Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition? 

If you have played the game's version for WiiU, you may be wondering: why play again? And the answer is very simple, because simply by finishing the game, a new and gigantic new area is presented, offering a series of activities and new story content. Have I mentioned new characters and Skells?

If I haven't mentioned the graphics yet, you will be impressed with how the Nintendo Switch version manages to bring such incredible graphics, making Mira an even greater splendor, with all its rich fauna and flora.

Not only Mira, but the characters have also received special treatment, detailing their aspects even more, in addition to uniforms and equipment. The same goes for Skells and all the creatures that are part of the game.

To finish the package, what about the soundtrack, which has received a greater refinement, in addition to new additions, making everything even richer and perfect in all moments of the game. Everything very fluid and dynamic.

We thank Nintendo for sending the Xenoblade Chronicles X key: Definitive Edition for this review.