Definitive Edition Should Only Be the Beginning

Nintendo has announced that Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will arrive on the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2025. This reimagined edition promises enhanced visuals, possibly additional story content, and more unannounced features. Monolith Soft’s trailer for the upcoming release teases new story expansions with an alternate version of the original game’s post-credits scene, in which the character Lao Huang awakens on a beach and encounters a mysterious hooded figure. The original’s cryptic closing line, “This story truly never ends…,” suggests that the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition may fulfill this promise almost a decade later.

Released for the Wii U in 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles X stood out within the Xenoblade franchise for its sci-fi storyline, open-world design, and larger-than-life mechs called Skells. Players joined the ranks of BLADE, an organization responsible for exploring the alien planet Mira after Earth’s destruction and helping humanity’s last survivors adapt to their new world. However, Xenoblade Chronicles X received mixed reviews at the time, as many critics felt its story elements were overshadowed by exploration-focused gameplay. With the re-release, Nintendo and Monolith Soft have an opportunity not only to enhance the visuals but to refine and deepen the game’s narrative, potentially positioning Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition as part of the main series.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Story Overhaul and Expanded Lore

While other games in the Xenoblade Chronicles series received praise for their intricate storytelling and character development, Xenoblade Chronicles X initially took a different approach. The story was present but often buried within the game’s vast side quests and atmospheric storytelling. The Definitive Edition could address this by bringing key narrative elements to the forefront, weaving the exploration and story together in a way that was only hinted at in the original.

This narrative refinement could bring Xenoblade Chronicles X closer to the core Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy, possibly integrating it with the series’ larger lore. Lore enthusiasts are already speculating that Monolith Soft might adapt the game’s plot to align more closely with the existing trilogy, though some adjustments to the Earth-based storyline would be necessary to achieve consistency. By revisiting and expanding the game’s original themes, Xenoblade Chronicles X could serve as an essential part of the series’ canon story.

A Glimpse Into the Future: Possibility of a Xenoblade Chronicles X Sequel

The Definitive Edition’s enhanced story content raises questions about whether a sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles X could be on the horizon. Fans have long awaited the chance to explore more of Mira, uncovering additional mysteries of the planet and its diverse alien species. A potential Xenoblade Chronicles X 2 would allow the series to lean even further into its sci-fi themes, in contrast to the more organic fantasy aesthetics of other Xenoblade Chronicles titles.

If Xenoblade Chronicles X 2 materializes, it could solidify the divide between the X games’ sci-fi focus and the main series’ balance of fantasy and technology. This sequel could deliver a deeper exploration of futuristic themes, capitalizing on the spacefaring and colonization aspects introduced in the original game. Moreover, the series might benefit from a more balanced approach that integrates Xenoblade Chronicles X’s love of exploration with the engaging storytelling that fans expect, a combination recently seen with Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed.

Exploring Mira With Modern Nintendo Switch Gameplay Mechanics

Another potential advantage of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition lies in its capacity to modernize the game’s mechanics. One major critique of the original game was the delayed introduction of the Skell, the mech players use to explore Mira’s terrain and battle formidable enemies. Modernizing the Skell mechanics to give players faster access could enhance the pacing and make exploration feel more satisfying.

Additionally, the Definitive Edition could improve player movement and combat fluidity, making Mira’s vast landscapes more accessible from the beginning. By prioritizing a smoother gameplay experience, Monolith Soft could resolve pacing issues that frustrated players in the original version. This would set a strong foundation for Xenoblade Chronicles X as both a remastered classic and a starting point for future entries that further expand Mira’s world and mysteries.

Why Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Could Only Be the Beginning

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition holds great promise not just as a re-release but as a potential turning point for the series. By enhancing the storyline, adapting gameplay for modern audiences, and possibly setting the stage for future X installments, Monolith Soft has an opportunity to transform Xenoblade Chronicles X into a core component of the Xenoblade franchise.

With fans speculating about the possibility of Xenoblade Chronicles X 2, the Definitive Edition could mark the beginning of a new era for the franchise. Whether Xenoblade Chronicles X becomes a tightly woven part of the trilogy’s lore or remains its own storyline, this re-release is poised to be much more than a simple remaster. Xenoblade Chronicles X might just be the tip of the iceberg, leading to a new wave of storytelling, exploration, and sci-fi depth for the Xenoblade series.