Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Shares Plot Details

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Unveils New Story Details in Latest Trailer

A fresh trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition offers deeper insight into the game's narrative and characters. The original game concluded on a cliffhanger, but this upcoming release promises expanded story content, potentially resolving the lingering questions from the original ending. Originally launched in 2015 for the Wii U, the Definitive Edition brings the expansive JRPG to the Nintendo Switch.

The new trailer, titled "The Year is 2054," features Elma, a key protagonist, recounting the events leading to humanity's arrival on the planet Mira. Gameplay footage showcases the updated experience, adapted for the Switch following the removal of Wii U GamePad functionality.

Created by Monolith Soft's Tetsuya Takahashi, the Xenoblade Chronicles series is a staple of Nintendo consoles. The first title, initially a Japan-only release, gained a global audience thanks to the Operation Rainfall fan campaign. The series' success spawned two further mainline entries (Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3) and the spin-off, Xenoblade Chronicles X. The Definitive Edition's release ensures the entire series is now accessible on the Nintendo Switch.

The trailer highlights the 2054 intergalactic war between alien factions that forced humanity's escape aboard the White Whale ark. After a perilous journey, the ark crash-landed on Mira, losing the crucial Lifehold technology—a stasis chamber for most passengers. The player's mission is to locate the Lifehold before its power depletes.

Expanded Narrative and Streamlined Gameplay

The Definitive Edition will introduce additional story elements to build upon the original cliffhanger ending. Known for its scale and depth, Xenoblade Chronicles X tasks players with more than just the main BLADE mission of finding the Lifehold. Exploration of Mira, deployment of probes, and combat against native and alien creatures are all vital to securing humanity's new home.

The Wii U version heavily utilized the GamePad, serving as a dynamic map and interaction tool for both solo and online play. The trailer demonstrates how this functionality has been smoothly integrated into the Switch version. The GamePad interface is now accessed via a dedicated menu, a mini-map resides in the upper-right corner (consistent with other Xenoblade games), and other UI elements have been seamlessly relocated to the main screen. While the UI appears uncluttered, this adaptation may subtly alter the gameplay experience compared to the original.