XenoBlade Chronicles 3D
Honest Review
Developed By:
Monolith Soft
Published By:
Nintendo
So I have played over 12 hours of this game so far, and as someone who never got ahold of the original on the Nintendo Wii, I was excited to say the least about this release. I quickly went after it when it arrived, and I have to tell you I was glued to my New Nintendo 3DS console, with 3D on, and ready to get a headache! I promptly plugged in my charger just in case.
From the first moments of the game, I could see an obvious graphical downgrade, but I wonder if this was necessary for 3D to work. The New Nintendo 3DS is 5/6 of a Nintendo Wii, it should handle it pretty well, and it does. I have heard a lot of comparisons about the two versions, and graphics aren’t everything guys and gals. So to me, the idea of comparing or discussing it was an immediate write-off. Audio was amazing, very compelling for a game like this, and surprisingly, the new audio drivers keep the sound equal, clear, and crisp. The controls are the big difference aside from the graphics. As I said, I did not play the original in depth, so comparing the controls isn’t possible, but I could imagine how difficult it was to play without the Classic Controller.
That said, the battles are controlled through the use of a non-traditional menu series where your moves each have a space. Each ability has a cool-down, and you have to cycle between the moves to use them using the d-pad. However, this actually allows you to put out some amazing combos. It does however get crazy when you’re trying to remember what does what, but you get used to it. So during battle, you can free-roam, and adjust Aggro to avoid becoming the target. This is indicated by a red or blue ring around your character; red is danger, blue is safe. Using the combination of Aggro meters, free-roam moving, and the unique battle system makes for a very engaging battle which unlike other recent JRPG’s, seem stale and uninspired. You will be constantly moving and commanding characters to make moves. There is a meter in the upper left corner that provides a chance to use a series of attacks in unison from the characters. Referred to as chain attacks, they allow you to use a series of immediate attacks that can damage or disable a monster. Adding another layer of strategy to the system.
Aside from strategy in battles, what happens when you lose? Well in traditional JRPG’s you would end up having to load a saved game and restart everything you have already done. Here, you’re reloaded to the last checkpoint. So there is no massive long-legged repeats for people who forget to save. XenoBlade Chronicles 3D really is a forgiving game for the casual adventurer. I am unsure if that was available in the original, but either way, it is a fine feature.
The story itself sets a good premise. The worlds they are on are actually giant titan-like creatures frozen in time mid-battle. This situation has created a long-term war between worlds. All of that said, not to spoil too much for new players, but it comes up often in explanation early in the game. One side bears amazing mechanical armor and soldiers, while the other has a race of human people. These people lives in scattered colonies all over, and at one specific; Colony 9, there is a weapon of unknown power that is found to be able to fall these amazing enemies of mechanical origin. This weapon is the Monado. And as many know, our main character, Shulk is the bearer. Capable of unlocking its true power, Shulk decides to avenge his reasons, and move on in search of his enemies.
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When the Amiibo Craze got started last fall, people were clamoring for these little fun figures. But it wasn't until February 2015 that things got out of hand. Nintendo started releasing characters from outside companies but close to Nintendo. Fire Emblem, and XenoBlade to name a couple. And when Shulk released as a GameStop Exclusive, people assumed he would be plentiful. They were wrong. One of the rarest Amiibo yet, Shulk does have a purpose on Earth as well.
So when people started asking if Amiibo would have features in other games, XenoBlade Chronicles 3D was mentioned as being able to use Shulk to unlock exclusive soundtrack, and other extra bonus features in the game. The problem with that is, the Amiibo support was outlined by the fact that you could unlock ALL of these items using an in-game currency earned through gameplay. So was it worth it? I say not, to be honest, this one seemes shoe-horned into the picture as a way to quickly unlock said content for owners of the Exclusive and Rare Amiibo Figure. Leave yours in the box, it'll be worth more in the end. And you will have more rewards for completing gameplay in unlocking the features and bonuses yourselves. Sorry Nintendo and Monolith Soft, this one is a fail.
So as I said, I have advanced far enough in the game to have gotten everything established for me, and the game does a great job of providing information when it is necessary. Using an intuitive interface, you can access all of the menus without leaving the main screen or view of the player. I would have thought a more touch-based interface would be created for this game, but it really wasn’t necessary to accomplish the goals. It really is more of a port than people like to admit, myself included, but it does itch a trigger I haven’t had itched in a while. I like games that hook me into playing them. So many JRPG’s released in recent years by Nintendo and abroad have only been less-than stellar. This one on 3DS is enough to excite me, I wish I could’ve experienced it on the Wii as well. Guess I’ll have to determine if it is truly worth playing again.
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I do think it is worth picking up though, especially for the ability to experience it in 3D viewing unrestricted by glasses or headaches. I did play for hours straight the other day leaning back on my chair with 3D on, and didn’t have a problem. The old 3DS consoles gave me headaches after 4 minutes.
This game is worth pointing out, it is the first official release for the New3DS console from Nintendo.
All other games like, Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Reviews late, but on its way) are games that incorporate the built-in C-Stick on the New3DS, but do not necessarily require it. So for those of you who bought the console, if you want to experience the beginning of what it was intended for. This one will amaze you. Even if you were amazed before on the Nintendo Wii.
I heard too from my birdy Beat, that there is apparently a Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess remake coming for the console… Oh man GameCube games on portable… Finally!