Xenoblade Chronicles X review round-up

Zelda Wii U may be absent from Nintendo’s Christmas line-up, but worry not – Xenoblade Chronicles X is more than a sufficient substitute.

Reviews went live this afternoon and have so far been a mixture of 9s, 8s and 7s. Those dishing out scores on higher end of the spectrum admit that it has more than its fair share of faults, yet most can be easily looked past given the size and scope of the game world. Or in other words: it’s a little too ambitious for its own good, but it’s unfair to criticize solely because of that. A few critics felt otherwise, but literally just a few.

The Metro called it JRPG of the year, and also claimed that it’s pretty much on par with The Witcher III and Fallout 4. Metacritic would suggest there’s truth in this – currently both Xenoblade Chronicles X and Fallout 4 have a metacritic of 84%.

Here’s our review round-up:

EssentialEurogamer: “For every cliché – the helium-voiced furry mascot who totters along behind your group, the incongruous, schizophrenic rock-cum-rap soundtrack – there’s an invention that hauls the open-world JRPG into the present, and then another that shunts it breezily into the future”

96% – COG Connected: “If you own a Wii U and are a fan of sandbox games, epic storytelling, and getting a lot of gameplay for your dollar, this game is highly recommended”

9.5 – Nintendo Enthusiast: “There are many complaints to be made with Xenoblade Chronicles X. The game is certainly not lacking for issues, both small and large. And yet when I look back at my experience as a whole, I find myself just not caring about those problems”

9.5 – Nintendo World Report: “The fact that I plowed that time into the game and want to go back with more information to replay it should say a lot, though; Xenoblade Chronicles X is required playing for anyone with the slightest inclination toward RPGs, and if you need to buy the system then do it. It’s an essential part of the Wii U library”

4.5/5 – The Escapist: “A must-play for RPG fans with a Wii U. Xenoblade is also surprisingly accessible despite its complexities, so the curious should definitely give it a try. Mecha genre fans should not miss it under any circumstances”

4.5/5 – Attack of the Fanboy: “Xenoblade Chronicles X embraces the gigantic world found within it and provides gamers with not only beautiful environments, but uniquely designed creatures that inhabit them. The combat feels familiar in some ways, while also providing many nuances that set it part from its spiritual predecessors. The Wii U may be nearing its life cycle, but it certainly still has a little gas in it with yet another gem in Xenoblade Chronicles X”

9/10 – Nintendo Life: “Occasional bottlenecks are infrequent and easily overcome in the broader experience, and overall Xenoblade Chronicles X delivers a hugely impressive RPG adventure. It’s an enormous accomplishment for Monolith Soft and an irresistible part of the Wii U library”

9/10 – The Jimqusition: “There are moments that make me scratch my head, infuriate me, and even make me cringe, but when I consider the layered mass that is Xenoblade Chronicles X, all I can think of how damn arresting it is. How much of it is there. How much of it is thoroughly enchanting”

9/10 – The Sixth Axis: “Xenoblade Chronicles X is a genuinely enthralling game. It doesn’t take it easy on you though, and the perseverance and attention required may override the spectacle and beauty found here. Fans of the last game may also struggle with the tonal and technical shift, but if you want to experience one of the most involving, creative and expansive open worlds ever created, Xenoblade Chronicles X is essential”

9/10 – Destructoid: “This is one of the more interesting reviews I’ve done as of late because I know Xenoblade Chronicles X will be divisive. But it truly feels like an MMO world I’ve been living in for several weeks now. The more grimdark theme isn’t quite as charming as the original Xenoblade, but everything else makes up for it”

9/10 – God is a Geek: “I have enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles X so much that I am planning to start it all over again from the beginning, so I can really take my time with this absolutely gargantuan adventure, and I rarely feel that way about any game, let alone one I’ve been playing almost non-stop for a month. This is an essential purchase for all Wii U owners who love the JRPG genre”

8/10 – The Metro: “The best Japanese role-player of the generation and arguably the best open world environment of the year, despite a disappointing story and some arcane systems”

8/10 – GameSpot: “X is a grand adventure that satiates your appetite for exploration and combat in ways that few games ever do, but because getting started is half the battle, it’s an experience reserved for dedicated players who have the patience and energy to unearth its greatest treasures”

7.5 – Post Arcade: “Xenoblade Chronicles X is probably the best RPG on the system, but your mileage, much like your Skell’s, will vary”

7.25 – GameInformer: “Players with great patience for grinding are rewarded with intriguing places to discover and creatures to fight, but for me, only a handful of the 100 hours I spent wandering Mira felt like a true adventure”

7.0 – Polygon: “Monolith Soft has once more created something special under the Xenoblade name; it just happens to have buried that something special under a mountain of annoyances”

3.5/5 – GamesRadar: “Xenoblade Chronicles X offers a resplendent world, fantastic combat, and transforming mechs, but figuring out how everything fits together isn’t always easy”

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