Xenoblade Chronicles X is now out all around the world and it's been met with generally positive reception all across the board. The open world RPG presents a staggeringly massive world for players to explore, packed out with dozens, if not hours, of gameplay potential. Fans of both traditional JRPGs and open world action games can find plenty to love within this game, and it'll no doubt be a wonderful title to experience over the winter.
Tatsuya Takahashi – the game's Senior Director and chief creative office – recently talked with Gamesreactor about the recent release and the series as a whole. Naturally, many questions were asked and you can find the full interview here, if you want all of the details.
One of the topics covered was how Xenoblade has become a major Nintendo franchise in recent years, and Takahashi was asked what might come next for the series if another game is produced. In so many words, Takahashi mentioned how Xenoblade X is more gameplay focused as opposed to its more story driven predecessor. If another Xenoblade happens, it'll supposedly be more like the first one:
While Xenoblade Chronicles was a true story-driven JRPG, we took a rather different approach with Xenoblade Chronicles X. You could say it doesn't really feel like a typical JRPG: what really sets it apart from other JRPGs is that the game world - the planet Mira - is really vast. I've heard that some Japanese users who played Xenoblade Chronicles X said they enjoyed a more story-driven type of game. So if we have the opportunity to make another game in the series, I'd like to made another typical JRPG-style game like Xenoblade Chronicles again.
Another subject covered was why the two Xenoblade games have been so popular on a more global scale. Takahashi believes that this is due both to how Xenoblade is the first open world JRPG and to how the series is anthological in nature, changing genres with each entry. If the series continues, he hopes they can switch up the setting once more.
I imagine a large part of the appeal is in this being the first open-world RPG from Japan. I also think it's really meaningful that this is a middle tier title, rather than a AAA title. The Xenoblade series has always had a different genre for each game, with the previous game being fantasy, and now turning to science fiction. I hope we will be able to continue the series like this, exploring lots of different settings, rather than being confined to a specific genre.
What do you think? What could the setting of a third game be? How are you liking Xenoblade X so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source gamereactor.eu]
Comments 49
I wouldn't mind another Xenoblade game, but I'd like them to do something different for their next project. Let's get another Monolith turn-based RPG instead. (Or, hell, let them make the next Golden Sun game in collaboration with Camelot...)
I'd LOVE a turn based RPG! @JaidynReiman
Please no. I'd much rather not have a turn-based RPG. I really like Xenoblade's combat
You know what would be awesome? A Metroid game developed by these guys
I'd love to see an RPG with cavemen and dinosaurs.There's not enough dinosaurs in gaming and even less cavemen.They might not have lived at the same time but who cares,it'd make for a great game.
My copy hasn't even shipped yet, but I'm in no hurry, since I'm in the middle of Eternal Sonata from tri-Crescendo--which co-developed the Baten Kaitos series with Monolith Soft--and I travel during the holidays, so I'll probably wait until January to start. And now that I'm thinking about it, as much as I love the Xenoblade series (assuming XCX isn't crap), I'd love a Baten Kaitos HD. Possibly my favorite battle system of all time.
Update: Just got an email from Amazon saying my order has shipped. Since it's Friday at midnight that doesn't mean much.
@Freeon-Leon I don't think that would work. Besides, these guys are experienced in RPG so there's really no point in putting those elements in Metroid.
@Freeon-Leon I don't think they're suitably accomplished in the genre to create the next Metroid.
I want a new Baten Kaitos.
@Freeon-Leon I think you might be on to something there. They would definitely need some help from nintendo on it but I could really see them creating an interesting alien world for Samus to explore.
Xenoblade is easily one of my favorite games ever. The little I been playing of Xenoblade X I love it but it does not have that magical feeling the original had though it has its unique charm.
Hoping the next one is something story oriented while vast at the same time.
I honestly preferred the fantasy theme than the scifi one.
Though, the setting of XCX looks amazing,
@C-Olimar Nintendo could help them as @FlashmanHarry said. Also, they've already made 2 action oriented RPG games.
@JaidynReiman I don't understand why that hasn't happened yet. We need a new Golden Sun and those are the names to do it.
@Zorox88 One problem is that the story is unfinished, and the last game wasn't taken very well, so Camelot probably wants to finish that before anything else. That may also be what would keep other devs from working on the franchise, because although Nintendo owns the IP, it is Camelot's franchise, and the story is unfinished on top of that.
That's why anything new needs to at least be in collaboration with Camelot. (And considering how barebones Ultra Smash is, I think Camelot was rushed to get that came out and likely started it THIS year. I even heard a rumor that it was stated the game only started development two months before E3, which means Camelot was doing something else between Mario Golf: World Tour and Ultra Smash...)
This isn't AAA?
I rather like the combat system of the two games so I'd like to see an evolution of that for the next game. And yeah, I prefer the story based elements of the Wii game but all good. I'll take it. These games are super awesome.
I loved the original to death but they fixed every issue I had the Chronicles in X. I am having more with X than I did with Chronicles.
@C-Olimar - First Person, Massive world, explore-sive locations, aliens, and make up lore.
Doesn't seem hard when you see something like XenoCX.
@OorWullie
Check out the old-school NES game:
Caveman Games!
It is hilarious! Addictive! and most importantly, fun!
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@OorWullie
Check out the old-school NES game:
Caveman Games!
It is hilarious! Addictive! and most importantly, fun!
Xenoblade Chronicles was fantasy themed? Seemed a bit more scifi to me. shrugs
I've said it before and I will say it again; get Monolith to fill the Hyrule in the new Zelda. If they've got a huge open world, it has to be filled and the Zelda team haven't made a really densely populated world with lots to do since Majora's Mask so they probably need help.
I just finished XC and got Xcx in the mail yesterday and I can't even think about what the next game should be. I wouldn't mind a direct sequel to XC though.
@Nintenjoe64 I wouldn't be surprised if that was happening right now, they helped with Skyward Sword though I'm not sure what their part was in it. Being in-between projects and being pretty good at videogame world design, Nintendo's Zelda team would be pretty silly not to get them involved in some way.
I want a proper follow-up to Xenogears. Mechs available throughout the whole adventure. Turn-based battles. Controversial religious and political themes. The works.
Have to get a new portable hdd for my Wii U anyway. I only have 9 gbs left on it and those packs take up quite a bit. If I don't get it now, definitely Christmas.
I have just cancelled my order after reading this is not a AAA title. Words cannot express how deeply gutting this is and I plan on selling my Wii U... OMG JOKING! But seriously, this is a middle tier game???
I would LOVE to see these guys somehow create a sequel to Shulk and co.'s story. I mean, surely some kind of villain could pop up in the new world they created. I would love for Monolithsoft to collaborate with Retro to make a Metroid Prime game on NX, with multiple planets. 😉 That's just my wish list, what would you all like to see?
Xenoblade does seem set to become a major global franchise for Nintendo. Ninty have really got behind this game and have marketed it quite a lot and it looks like that investment is paying off. I imagine Monolith would be up there with Retro Studios as one of Nintendo's most expensive studios to run and maintain but as long as they put out amazing games that sell well enough then they'll have earned their keep.
I still find it incredible that the reason why this game is only on wii U is because a group of square soft employees many of whom worked on xenogears were unhappy with how Square was so FF focused that the games that they were passionate about were put on the back burner. And lets not forget that because Nintendo under Iwata-san's leadership were able to reconnect with Bandai Namco and re-establish positive relations, which led to them offering Monolith to Nintendo when they needed to divest themselves of that studio. It's as if Nintendo has a little piece of squaresoft for themselves.
@GrailUK It wasn't created with a big budget. Worry not, Nintendo is extremely efficient with cost.
@KO-Cub They could make a good world for the game. Great.
It's not easy to go from making RPGs to FPS. Plus, Monolith are better doing their own, original thing than just making another sequel to a pre-established Nintendo franchise.
"The open world RPG presents a staggeringly massive world for players to explore, packed out with dozens, if not hours, of gameplay potential."
@JaidynReiman Holy #### another baten kaitos would be amazing!!!!!
I'm never pre-ordering a game again after this. Taking a wonderful game like Xenoblade Chronicles and turning it into this is so sad.
Really hope they can get it right with a third game where there is actually a story thats worth playing through and not some sort of sci-fi social adventure.
And why is there no japanese audio. Thought the trailers we have been seeing for two years had japanese voices in them with english subtitles.
Im getting X as a present tommorow.
I wouldn't mind seeing an updated version of baten kaitos' battle system in their next. Whatever they decide to make i'm sure i'll buy it unconditionally anyway.
@Aerona YES! This person knows what he's talking about. Another baten kaitos please
Maybe I'm the next one they'll include an option to turn the music off. Very distracting. 20 minutes into it, I went scouring the options to shut off the bgm, just so I could hear the ambient sfx - nope. An odd omission. This game truly does amaze but the music gets in the way of the immersion.
I'd love a return to the story driven form of the first game.
Though they should take the XCX style and turn into a separate PSO/questing style RPG franchise.
I would to have both.
Next should be a more direct sequel to Chronicles. I REALLY want X but, I've heard the story isn't as good.
@TheJmaster
The story is fine.
The gameplay and battle system are really good though.
I just got X. I am still playing through Chronicles. I am at that Jabba looking guy. The father of the villain. I still haven't opened X yet and I don't normally get the physical copy, but that gb is quite a bite. The story in chronicles is awesome. I know I won't be disappointed with X.
XC is on my top5 games ever
XCX is slowly becoming a magical experience (15h in)
@GrailUK
"But seriously this is a middle tier game?"
Of course. AAA nowadays rivals the budgets of Hollywood. Big name voice actors, photo-realism, etc. This is clearly a more niche, Japanese RPG that would fall into "mid-tier". It's big as h*** and absolutely amazing, but it's evident through the pop-in, the cut scene character animations, and some textures that this game was made under the confines of a budget.
Don't get me wrong, mid tier games nowadays are the AAA of yesteryear. But nowadays AAA means 50-100 million dollars. It's pretty amazing though- this game certainly is at the top of its class, and the fact so many are shocked it's not AAA speaks volumes for its quality.
I've read complaints about pop-in graphics in Xenoblade Chronicles X!! Do I have a better Wii U console? I don't see any!!
Middle tier? Damn, how big would it be on a AAA budget.
Quite like the idea of 'Chronicles of the Blade' for a sequal.
Years later the planet has been saved and a new planet has been inhabited by humans and the like. Thinking along the lines of religion as a form of control. Who would govern it? What races or classes would claim that they saved the people? Was it the pathfinders? - Mapping their next move, or perhaps it was those that stood and fought the battles?
Think huge cities to explore with country sized borders ala fallout style wastelands and no go zones. The populous of each of these believing that they were the ones to save humanity and want others to join their fight. Sectors can work together or 'gang up' in massive on-line teams. What happens if you wanted a Skell - yet you can only get one by helping a rival sect? and potentially one that you do not agree with! - The possibilities are endless.
The story could also encompass flashbacks from the previous 2 games to really get the point across and to introduce newcomers to the world.
NLA - NYK - NLDN - NMEX - NAUS - NCHINA - NCANADA - NAFRICA are all going to have defend themselves against each-other!
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