Xenoblade Chronicles (universe): Difference between revisions
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As a series of science-fiction fantasy action RPGs, the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' games introduce a combat system reminiscent of those in modern MMOs, with party members automatically attacking enemies when in range with weak strikes. The bulk of combat is handled with character techniques called Arts, which are governed by a cooldown system that does away with the traditional magic points. Battles are not turn-based and instead take place in real-time, with enemies roaming about the overworld, able to be engaged at the player's discretion. Enemies can direct their attention, or "aggro", to certain party members, and it is actively encouraged for particular techniques. Certain creatures are also "uniquely named" and act as overworld mini-bosses; it is not uncommon to find a unique monster roaming about in an otherwise tame landscape. The series actively encourages exploration of these sprawling landscapes as the party earns experience points for discovering new locations and Landmarks, and the player can freely fast-travel to and from these Landmarks upon discovery. The time of day can also be changed at any point from the start of the game to the player's convenience, adding to the quality-of-life improvements the series brings to the genre. In terms of character progression, there are usually hundreds of side quests that can be engaged at the same time and rewards come in the form of experience, equipment, and currency. And finally, bonds can be forged in towns and between party members to boost their affinity and effectiveness in battle in the latter's case, typically in the form of personalized conversations called Heart-to-Hearts which require certain prerequisites for the necessary characters. The following synopses lay out the premises for each installment of the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' series: | As a series of science-fiction fantasy action RPGs, the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' games introduce a combat system reminiscent of those in modern MMOs, with party members automatically attacking enemies when in range with weak strikes. The bulk of combat is handled with character techniques called Arts, which are governed by a cooldown system that does away with the traditional magic points. Battles are not turn-based and instead take place in real-time, with enemies roaming about the overworld, able to be engaged at the player's discretion. Enemies can direct their attention, or "aggro", to certain party members, and it is actively encouraged for particular techniques. Certain creatures are also "uniquely named" and act as overworld mini-bosses; it is not uncommon to find a unique monster roaming about in an otherwise tame landscape. The series actively encourages exploration of these sprawling landscapes as the party earns experience points for discovering new locations and Landmarks, and the player can freely fast-travel to and from these Landmarks upon discovery. The time of day can also be changed at any point from the start of the game to the player's convenience, adding to the quality-of-life improvements the series brings to the genre. In terms of character progression, there are usually hundreds of side quests that can be engaged at the same time and rewards come in the form of experience, equipment, and currency. And finally, bonds can be forged in towns and between party members to boost their affinity and effectiveness in battle in the latter's case, typically in the form of personalized conversations called Heart-to-Hearts which require certain prerequisites for the necessary characters. The following synopses lay out the premises for each installment of the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' series: | ||
*'''Xenoblade Chronicles''': The first game is set on a world of endless ocean, with the world's terra firma being the standing towering corpses of Bionis and Mechonis, two colossal gods who dueled long ago and have remained locked in their positions from the battle. Eons later, new life arose out of their bodies and formed civilizations and societies, such as the humanoid Homs and other organic lifeforms on the Bionis, and mechanical beings like the predatory Mechon on the Mechonis. When a Homs colony on Bionis is attacked by the Mechon, a young Homs named [[Shulk]] obtains a mystical sword called the Monado, which is capable of damaging the Mechon and gives its chosen wielder the gift of foresight. Shulk and his friends initially set out for a Mechon stronghold to exact revenge, but over the course of a journey filled with twists and turns, they are provided a deeper examination of the conflict between the two sides, and eventually, of the true workings of the world itself. ''Xenoblade Chronicles 3D'', a port of the original Wii title, was developed by Monster Games and released for the [[Nintendo 3DS|New Nintendo 3DS]] on April 2, 2015 in Japan, Europe, and Australia, and on April 10, 2015 in the Americas. The handheld port was lauded for preserving the scale and frame rate of the original game while also including additional side content such as a jukebox and character model viewer, but skepticism was cited for the port's considerably downgraded visuals. The original Wii version was made available for digital download much later on the Wii U eShop in Europe on August 5, 2015 and in the Americas on April 28, 2016. A full high-definition remake of the game, titled ''Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition'', will release on the Nintendo Switch in 2020. | *'''Xenoblade Chronicles''': The first game is set on a world of endless ocean, with the world's terra firma being the standing towering corpses of Bionis and Mechonis, two colossal gods who dueled long ago and have remained locked in their positions from the battle. Eons later, new life arose out of their bodies and formed civilizations and societies, such as the humanoid Homs and other organic lifeforms on the Bionis, and mechanical beings like the predatory Mechon on the Mechonis. When a Homs colony on Bionis is attacked by the Mechon, a young Homs named [[Shulk]] obtains a mystical sword called the Monado, which is capable of damaging the Mechon and gives its chosen wielder the gift of foresight. Shulk and his friends initially set out for a Mechon stronghold to exact revenge, but over the course of a journey filled with twists and turns, they are provided a deeper examination of the conflict between the two sides, and eventually, of the true workings of the world itself. ''Xenoblade Chronicles 3D'', a port of the original Wii title, was developed by Monster Games and released for the [[Nintendo 3DS|New Nintendo 3DS]] on April 2, 2015 in Japan, Europe, and Australia, and on April 10, 2015 in the Americas. The handheld port was lauded for preserving the scale and frame rate of the original game while also including additional side content such as a jukebox and character model viewer, but skepticism was cited for the port's considerably downgraded visuals. The original Wii version was made available for digital download much later on the Wii U eShop in Europe on August 5, 2015 and in the Americas on April 28, 2016. A full high-definition remake of the game with added story content, titled ''Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition'', will release on the Nintendo Switch in May 2020. | ||
*'''Xenoblade Chronicles X''': A spiritual successor to the original game was initially teased as "X" by Monolith Soft as their next project in early 2013. The successor's title was finalized during E3 2014 and released for [[Wii U]] in Japan on April 29, 2015 and on December 4, 2015 overseas. ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' is set on the planet Mira, an alien-populated world where humans have established their home after the Earth was undesirably destroyed in a war between two opposing alien factions. Players can customize their main character's appearance and voice with a wide array of options. The game features battle mechanics similar to the original ''Xenoblade Chronicles'', with emphasis on its Arts system and interactions with party members. Characters can use both melee and ranged weapons and can pilot humanoid mechs called Skells to fight and traverse the game's enormous world, complete with smaller supplementary tools to aid in exploration and discovery. ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' is the largest first-party game on the Wii U, weighing in at over 23 gigabytes digitally and at one point almost needing a second disc to fit in all of its content. The game was generally well-received by critics for its freedom and wider tools for exploration, but fans were more divided at the drastic shift from a focus on story as well as its soundtrack and user interface. | *'''Xenoblade Chronicles X''': A spiritual successor to the original game was initially teased as "X" by Monolith Soft as their next project in early 2013. The successor's title was finalized during E3 2014 and released for [[Wii U]] in Japan on April 29, 2015 and on December 4, 2015 overseas. ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' is set on the planet Mira, an alien-populated world where humans have established their home after the Earth was undesirably destroyed in a war between two opposing alien factions. Players can customize their main character's appearance and voice with a wide array of options. The game features battle mechanics similar to the original ''Xenoblade Chronicles'', with emphasis on its Arts system and interactions with party members. Characters can use both melee and ranged weapons and can pilot humanoid mechs called Skells to fight and traverse the game's enormous world, complete with smaller supplementary tools to aid in exploration and discovery. ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' is the largest first-party game on the Wii U, weighing in at over 23 gigabytes digitally and at one point almost needing a second disc to fit in all of its content. The game was generally well-received by critics for its freedom and wider tools for exploration, but fans were more divided at the drastic shift from a focus on story as well as its soundtrack and user interface. | ||