Xenoblade Chronicles Review

By Simon Parkin Published 16 August, 2011

Standing on the shoulders of giants.

Version tested: Wii

It's not clear precisely when the Japanese role-playing game crumbled from one of gaming's core pillars to a battered monument to outmoded design. In the wake of Final Fantasy VII's global popularity, this weave of grandiose storytelling, menu-based battling and lavish production values seemed set to dominate the future of interactive entertainment. But as budgets strained ever harder to fill the widening technological boundaries of each new wave of console hardware, publishers took fewer and fewer risks with their money. Creative repetition led to stagnation led to decline.

Today, the release schedules are peppered with remakes and re-releases of seminal 'JRPGs' from the Super Nintendo's golden era and fans are routinely made to look backwards, rarely forwards. On the few occasions that we are treated to a strong fresh release, such as last year's outstanding Dragon Quest IX, that success leans more heavily on familiarity than novelty.

Xenoblade Chronicles is a rare exception. Here is an endlessly lavish, detailed production based in a newborn universe that is not only filled with unfamiliar faces but also brims with daring ideas and mechanics. Indisputably, this Wii game - released in the twilight months of its host console - is the strongest JRPG to emerge in years. Its vision is so bold and assured that it's difficult to imagine how such a creature could have risen from this brackish swamp of a genre.

It helps, of course, that its breeding is impeccable. Director Tetsuya Takahashi's past credits include formative classics such as Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. But Takahashi's work hasn't been without its problems. His most famous self-originated project was Xenogears, a game whose aspiration soundly outstripped its budget, while his similarly ambitious Xenosaga limped to a conclusion just three games into an intended series of six. Both alienated as many players as they made fans with their winding, indulgent cut-scenes and overreaching plots.

1

A strong translation from Nintendo is brought to life by a mostly British voice cast, with few missteps. The full Japanese dub is also included.

But with Xenoblade Chronicles, Takahashi demonstrates creative humility as he brings ambition in line with achievability and moves away from that reliance on cut-scene storytelling, which he recently described as a "creative dead-end". Make no mistake, Xenoblade Chronicles carries a grand narrative, played out by a cast of scores; but that plot is expressed as much in the game's mechanics and environment as it is cinematically.

Its world is shaped like a giant colossus. Imagine one of Team Ico's giants had been blown up to a hundred times its original size and frozen in time, before reeds, trees and lakes were allowed to settle on its features. The Bionis, as it is known, is the world upon which you adventure, its 10-mile limbs the walkways and bridges you clamber across. Exploration off the beaten track is encouraged with experience point rewards for every landmark charted - but this is a world that invites wide-eyed surveying. The joy of discovery is reward enough.

2

Shulk's sword, the Monado, is the point on which the story pivots, imparting future visions to its wielder.

You play as Shulk, an orphan boy with a weighty mystical sword, as per the great JRPG tradition, but mercifully without a chip on his shoulder, in contrast to it. Shulk lives in Colony 9, a tranquil town nestled in a valley on the Bionis' leg, with other members of his race, the Homs. His life consists of amateur archaeology, bug collecting and cowering from the irregular attacks made by the other race that live on the Bionis: steampunk robots known as the Mechon.

When the Colony is attacked by a swarm of Mechon at the start of the game - killing some of the friendly faces you have just become acquainted with and burning the shops whose shelves you've emptied - Shulk sets out with some of his friends to find a way to bring peace to the world.

The premise may be worn, but in the telling, this tale towers. More importantly, perhaps for the first time in Takahashi's oeuvre, it's a tale that plays second fiddle to the game systems. In this regard, the team at Monolith Soft carefully combine mechanics plucked from other titles.

The real-time battle system is closest to Final Fantasy XII's cog-like mechanisms, while the shower of delicious side quests is pure World of Warcraft, filling the world with chances to shine, great and small. Meanwhile, the expansive wardrobe and huge array of weapons (many of which can be customised with crafted gems to add buffs and debuffs) are reminiscent of the latest Dagon Quest.

These ideas are combined with a raft of its own, such as the pinpricks of light that litter every environment (collectibles that can fill a scrapbook for rewards, answer fetch quests or simply be sold) or the flash-forwards into the future that interrupt battles to show you a special move your opponent is due to make soon, allowing you to pre-empt it. The result is a game with a flavour quite unlike any other, and whose onion layers of strategy and motivation prove irresistible - and not only to the JRPG faithful.

In battle, you control just one character. As in Final Fantasy XII, they auto-attack the enemy with brutish sword swings so long as you position them close to the target. Your job then is to manage the long game of your characters' special moves. These 'Arts' can be triggered at any time, but each has a cool-down period before it can be reused. The strategy comes in knowing when to attack, when to defend and when to cast spells, especially as using Arts raises monsters' aggro toward your character.

3

While character detail is low polygon, the sprawling environments offer dizzying depth and draw distance.

As you fight, a party gauge fills. This is broken into three segments. If a comrade falls in battle, you can raise them as a cost of one segment of the gauge. When all three segments are filled you are free to issue a chain link attack, in which each of your characters can issue any attack in quick succession. Chain links can be key to taking down some of the larger enemies in the game, but as doing so empties your party gauge, you temporarily lose the chance to revive one another.

The Bionis has a pleasing sense of ecosystem. Creatures great and small roam its hills, valleys and fields. Some of these are of a friendly disposition and will leave you well alone unless you attack first. Others are aggressive and will hunt you down. Some respond to sound, others to sight and you'll regularly pass giant beasts 50 or 60 levels your senior. Hack away at one of these monsters and you'll be felled in a single hit.

Further responsibility for your own wellbeing comes because this is a world without borders. No invisible wall will protect you from a cliff edge, and while sheer drops are occasionally used to provide some Zelda-style secret areas, a tumble from the wrong ledge will prove fatal.

4

Characters form friendship links as they battle together, opening up link skills that can benefit the entire team.

Xenoblade Chronicles may lack the universal appeal of Miyamoto's adventure series; its tendency toward team management makes this a game for those who prize complexity and numbers over economy and colours. But it shares Hyrule's all-important sense of place and delivers that same heady shot of wonder to the spirit as you explore.

No Japanese RPG has more successfully married its various components this hardware generation. It's a game that invites us to reassess an entire genre, pointing to a bold future while nodding its respect towards the past. It's a towering triumph.

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Simon.

About Simon Parkin

Simon Parkin is an author and journalist on video games. A core contributor to Eurogamer since 2005, he is also a critic and columnist on games for The Guardian.

Read more articles from Simon by visiting the Simon Parkin archive page.

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Comments (100) Latest comment 8 months ago

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  • Zozzilla #1 9 months ago

    Something to turn my Wii on for while I'm not playing Twilight Princess - yay!

    And it's released on my birthday. ^-^
    Edited by Zozzilla at 16/08/11 @ 08:09

  • abelardie #2 9 months ago

    Sounds perfect, instant buy. If this plays as well as it reads, it could be one of my favourite games of this gen. Which I never thought I'd say of a Wii game!

  • DonnieDarko333 #3 9 months ago

    Finally! A Wii game to shout about..haven't had this for a while! :-)


    Ok, so Nintendo is making some weird choices lately and not everyone agrees with them..but lets make sure this game hits top 5 in the all-formats chart! If you have a Wii BUY IT!!!

  • menschenfracht #4 9 months ago

    why 16:9 screens?

  • kenichi-san #5 9 months ago

    Excellent review! Excelllent score! :D
    Just angry at myself for not finding/buying the Collector Edition. :@ , but the game "normal version" is pre-ordered.

    Hopefully many people will buy this (including those unfamiliar with Operation Rainfall) :)

  • Der_tolle_Emil #6 9 months ago

    @abelardie: You skipped Super Mario Galaxy (2) then.

    I didn't know that the game comes with Japanese voices as well - a big plus in my book, I did not expect Nintendo to keep it on the disc. The environments really look fantastic and I cannot wait to drown in them.

    Now all that needs to be done is for this game to sell well. Nintendo are so very reluctant to publish a game if they think it will just barely break even and just this once they decided to publish a game anyway.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #7 9 months ago

    Mine is shipping as I type and I am so looking forward to playing it.

  • hoster #8 9 months ago

    Damn, I was hoping this would be rubbish so that I wouldn't regret selling my Wii...

  • SBfistfun #9 9 months ago

    "with other members of his race, the Homs"

    snigger

  • Gearskin #10 9 months ago

    Don't know if I'll have the patience for this.

  • KDR_11k #11 9 months ago

    Hm, from what I read before there are two giants and only one of them is called Bionis.

  • 5h1nj1 #12 9 months ago

    I thought about why do the screens look so ugly and then I noticed the platform. Ugh. Wrong article. -_-

  • wizlon #13 9 months ago

    Hmm, wasn't really on my radar and I'm not sure if I have the time to play it but might buy it anyway. Plus, this is the sort of game I feel I should be buying to sent a message to Nintendo.

  • barat #14 9 months ago

    This is actually the 24th Wii game (excluding Virtual Console games) to receive 9/10 or 10/10 from Eurogamer. Wouldn't think that with all the Wii-bashing going on here...

    With Zelda: Skyward Sword before Christmas and hopefully The Last Story early next year the Wii looks to continue going out with a bang.

  • Scimarad #15 9 months ago

    Arghh!! Stop talking about this bloody game, I don't want to buy another Wii!

  • andywilkie35 #16 9 months ago

    Really can't wait for this, hope it gets posted today!

  • Whitster #17 9 months ago

    I'm glad I put in my pre-order a few weeks back.

  • richarddavies #18 9 months ago

    WTF? There wasn't one mention of the protaginist having amnesia and looking at them pictures his hair doesn't look spiky. Not very spikey at all. Im not buying this filth.

  • f00b_inc #19 9 months ago

    Ha! Homs =D

  • Nazo #20 9 months ago

    What's this unfamiliar feeling? I think it's excitement... about a Wii game!

    No mention of the vocals? Inclusion of the JP track makes it a definite purchase for me but I'm curious about the British voice-over too.

  • varsas #21 9 months ago

    I noted the reference to a British cast for the English; that's a change and hopefully for the better! Is the script British rather American too?

  • Aretak #22 9 months ago

    It's not being released in the US, varsas, so I would imagine everything's been done with a British audience in mind for the English translation.

  • Apaar #23 9 months ago

    Wow! This really came out of nowhere for me. A definite must buy - going to preorder it right now -, and the Japanese voice track absolutely sealed the deal. Some might say the VO is a superficial thing, but for me it is absolutely essential in JRPG's like this.

  • higgins78 #24 9 months ago

    The Wii (for me) has truly been a case of quality of quantity, this game another shining example of that. Super Mario Galaxies, Smash Brawl, Metroid Trilogy, Country Returns, Punch-Out, Zack & Wiki, Little Kings Story, Star Successor, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Paper Mario, Hunter Tri, No More Heroes (both), Smooth Moves, Kart Wii, Muramassa, etc etc etc. That NOT including the Wii Fit Plus/Balance Board AND the numerous AAA WiiWare and Virtual Console titles...Cave Story being a particular fave of mine.

    I owned a Dreamcast on initial release and picked up nearly every great game which released alongside it, the Wii (I believe) has had a very similar story...unappreciated in its time (numbers talk) but remembered oh so fondly by those who actually bothered supporting it.

  • glottis0 #25 9 months ago

    The last RPG I played was in 2560x1440... not sure I can go back to 480p :'(

    edit: Wow this is the most negged I've ever been. You guys have to admit that Wii is pretty ugly these days. Maybe I'm just shallow but graphics do go some way to immersing me in an RPG. I just wish this was out on PS3 or something, but I'll still end up buying it...
    Edited by glottis0 at 16/08/11 @ 16:24

  • apoc_reg #26 9 months ago

    My copy is in the post, may go into my Dolphin emulator before my Wii... 1080p drool!

  • varsas #27 9 months ago

    According to Keza on IGN:

    They talk constantly during battles, encouraging each other and yelling awesomely British battle calls ("Get stuck in!" "Nice one mate!" "Come off it!";).

    That's rather cool :)

  • HL706 #28 9 months ago

    I want this game but I no longer have a Wii :(

    Here's hoping for a budget XBLA/PSN release in 6-12 months ( highly doubt it though :( )

  • Stranded87 #29 9 months ago

    I had no interest in this but it actually sounds awesome. But there are too many games coming out and i've lent my Wii to someone so may have to wait.

  • TruSmiles #30 9 months ago

    Really can't wait to play this myself, but gonna have to wait an extra week until I get paid :)

  • electrolite #31 9 months ago

    24 games yeah, but not enough guns and shit man. Innit bruv.

  • joelstinton #32 9 months ago

    Gutted. My wii i brought for the family.. and i since left home. Seriously hope that Ninty grab that dolphin emulator and shove it in there WII U. i'm desperate to play a decent JRPG as well.

  • FanBoysSuck #33 9 months ago

    Bugger my Wii's at my folks place and the collectors edition is in the post. I'll have to get them to post a remote and give Dolphin a go. SD on a 1080p set gives me a headache anyway.

    Who's negging the guy hoping for a release on other consoles? Die in a fucking fire fanboy tossers.

    edit: wow epic negging for anyone who has the slightlest negative thing to say about the Wii. Fanboy tossers indeed.
    Edited by FanBoysSuck at 17/08/11 @ 12:02

  • nickthegun #34 9 months ago

    Shulk? She Hulk?

  • Der_tolle_Emil #35 9 months ago

    @joelstinton: Wasn't Wii backwards compatibility confirmed for the Wii-U? They are dropping gamecube support though.

  • GamesConnoisseur #36 9 months ago

    Like others... Finally something to shout about!

    Wii does have 10/10 and 9/10 games sure, but comes out not very often enough and on the averages (Metacritic top 100) ranks bottom of the current consoles platforms. Which is why get lot of sticks from the gamers.

    It's not all bad, as taking only the best games, Wii can hold it's head high but recently a few got ported across, mainly to PS3, but doubtful this one as published by Nintendo. An instabuy, no an insta-preorder kind of game!

  • smurphs #37 9 months ago

    I have only just rediscovered my wii thanks to Monster Hunter Tri (my first MH - where have I been??) so this comes at the perfect time.

    I was about to buy a bigger TV but the low resolution on the wii is perfect for my little'un, so I'm saving money to boot!

  • Centrifugal #38 9 months ago

    *retrieves Wii from coffin of dust*

  • geeza2020 #39 9 months ago

    Just a question for anyone here who might be in the know, (didnt see any mention in the article) how are the games controls? Does it use a lot of waggle? Or can i sit back and use the classic controller? Anyone know which is best for this game? I'm quite excited about this tbh, wasn't expecting anything else on the Wii until Zelda :D

  • Seoh #40 9 months ago

    Wooo, pre-ordered!

  • Osahi #41 9 months ago

    Okay, now I got to get this, while I'm lacking funds due to buying a 3DS and booking a trip to paris. Thank you EG, thank you for ruîning mt finances in these desperate economic times.

    O yeah, might get the vacuum cleaner out to. That Wii is dusty!

  • Peregrin #42 9 months ago

    Sounds great. The review could cover a few more details though... what are the graphics like, considering the limitations of the Wii? Does it feel dated because of this or is it worth powering down the XBox and dusting off the Wii? Does it have broad appeal or is it purely one for JRPG diehards? What use does it make of Wii motion control?

  • owl #43 9 months ago

    This game has come out of nowhere, for me. Been looking to play a fully open-world JRPG since DragonQuest VIII and I think this might be the one. Plus,Yasunori Mitsuda worked on the soundtrack. This is now a must-buy

  • owl #44 9 months ago

    Or can i sit back and use the classic controller?

    Just did an image search for the cover art and it looks like there is a bundle with a classic controller, so seems like it. Hope that means you can use a GameCube controller too...

  • FabricatedLunatic #45 9 months ago

    Massive kudos to Nintendo of Europe for taking it upon themselves to localise Xenoblade. It looks like a fabulous game that I hope Wii owners will buy to show NoE that they made the right decision.

    My copy's on the way. I haven't been this excited about a new release in ages.

  • super_monty #46 9 months ago

    I will finish dabbling with dc online, hot pursuit,da 2, gears 3, uncharted 3 , battle field 3, child of Eden then buy this

  • super_monty #47 9 months ago

    I will finish dabbling with dc online, hot pursuit,da 2, gears 3, uncharted 3 , battle field 3, child of Eden then buy this

  • sonicyoda #48 9 months ago

    Yay! More Wii love! God I love this console.

  • P1GEONPOO #49 9 months ago

    I hope my wii still works. Its been sitting around gathering dust for years. Still love anything like this though.

  • TonyHarrison #50 9 months ago

    "I want this game but I no longer have a Wii :(

    Here's hoping for a budget XBLA/PSN release in 6-12 months ( highly doubt it though :( )"

    You're right to highly doubt it. Nintendo own the IP, and the developer. It will never see the light of day on a non-Nintendo platform.

  • muttler #51 9 months ago

    Actually regret selling my wii now :(

  • Rack #52 9 months ago

    When to attack -> Whenever you aren't doing anything else
    When to defend -> Whenever the countdown to the bosses main attack hits 1
    When to cast spells -> All the time in boss fights.

    This is why I tend to steer clear of JRPGs in general, they're substantially more shallow than Tic-Tac-Toe. It would be great if this title bucks the trend but the review didn't seem to stop the gushing praise to answer this. I think this will have to be "try before you buy" for me. Fingers crossed though. Would be nice to see a WiiHD/360/PS3 port as well, Wii games don't look great on my TV and I'm a shallow shallow fool.

  • The_Bloody_Kettle #53 9 months ago

    Hmm.. It -has- been a while since I got intova turn based game (well about 5 years) but I might give it a whirl. I'm sure my mate will play this too- he'll give me tips!
    Thanks EG I would have looked over this if it weren't for this glowing review!

  • Nevflinn #54 9 months ago

    To hear that this game values storytelling through gameplay over cutscenes is excellent news to me. Too many games have failed to catch onto that.

    This whole game sounds like a genuinely grand journey. One which I may have been waiting for this whole time. This is a Day 1 for me.

  • Marijn #55 9 months ago

    One minor blemish on this review is the almost nonchalant dismissal it gives Xenogears, probably one of the best games of all time and certainly one of the greatest game narratives of all time (however indebted it is to Neon Genesis Evangelion, it improves upon its inspiration substantially). I sincerely hope for everyone who never imported the game that it'll get a European PSN release.

    Otherwise, great review mr. Parkin! I'm now even more giddy about the game's release. Major props to NoE for stepping up and localising the game!

  • Sid-Nice #56 9 months ago

    It’s a crying shame that this game will go mostly unnoticed by the ‘rank and file’ as they continue to buy Just Dance and Zumba Fitness. This Christmas will be a great time for late adopters to pick up a Wii; the console will retail for about £80.00. The back catalogue of good games should wet their appetite for the arrival of the Wii U.

  • Kikizosan #57 9 months ago

    Despite the lack of quantity in decent games for the Wii, it's still had some of THE best games of this generation. I don't regret buying my Wii for a second, even if I barely play on it.

    I'm especially chuffed this game has been localised specifically for the UK, unlike most games where we just lumbered with the US localisation, despite having to wait x months after the US release. More devs/publishers should do this (depending on what's appropriate for the game, of course).
    Edited by Kikizosan at 16/08/11 @ 13:45

  • darm #58 9 months ago

    Why would they want to release this as Wii exclusive is beyond me. Many people interested in this won't play it due to platform choice(really now, what JRPG fan would have chosen Wii?) and it would probably fail in sales.

  • FenderMaster #59 9 months ago

    I'd love to try this, but I thiink my Wiis DVD drive is dead... A PS3 port would be most welcome...

  • FenderMaster #60 9 months ago

    I'd love to try this, but I thiink my Wiis DVD drive is dead... A PS3 port would be most welcome...

  • mr_pink #61 9 months ago

    Japanese dub FTW!

  • Rens11 #62 9 months ago

    Woah sounds great shame I sold my wii :(

  • haoy #63 9 months ago

    Can't wait to play this. Been a fan since Xenogears all the way through to the Xenosaga series. Had to import all of them and mod my old systems to be able to play them, which was expensive back then but well worth it. I am actually glad that my sister has a Wii so I can play it, otherwise I would definately buy a Wii just to play this game.

    Pre-ordered the bundle with the red joypad so I am all set for the coming weeks ^^

    (ps. I don't endorse modding your game system, but if the publishers don't bring out games in all continents it seems like the only way to play some games. So no problems with doing it for the right reasons. Really glad Sony is doing it right this generation, just hoping following generation all game systems are region free or the games are published in all regions as it supposed to be!)

  • Irien #64 9 months ago

    I don't know why people are surprised this is on the Wii... I'm actually surprised there haven't been *more* JRPGs on this platform. With so many PS2 JRPGs produced, you'd think it would be any easy progression for JRPG devs to move to the Wii as a popular platform with minimal changes needed to the development process/tool chains.

    Instead, we get half-baked JRPGs for PS3/360, with the odd standout exception (Lost Odyssee, Tales of Vesperia, Blue Dragon, FF13 kinda). The 2D NIS games (cross edge, Neptunia, Trinity Universe, Ar Tonelico) would probably be a better fit on Wii too. It seems like the move to high-def, and increased dev costs have resulted in many devs just not bothering.

    Sad really, but *so* glad Xenoblade has made it, and looking forward to Last Story too!

  • StolenGlory #65 9 months ago

    "I will finish dabbling with dc online, hot pursuit,da 2, gears 3, uncharted 3 , battle field 3, child of Eden then buy this"

    I fear you have your priorities utterly backwards my confused friend.

  • mrlaurentisdead #66 9 months ago

    Good review for a good game, but there are numerous instances of the reviewer making claims about what has or hasn't been achieved in recent years in the JRPG genre which are simply not true when Resonance of Fate exists.

  • StriderRex #67 9 months ago

    I know it will never happen but how I wish there was even a chance this would come out on the 360, I love JRPG's and have a few for the 360 like Lost Odyssey (good), Enchanted Arms (amusing, was the only real rpg available when I bought it and it did the job) Eternal Sonata (beautiful game, very enjoyable and good characters) which I finished.

    However I also have FF XII and The Last Remnant but being honest its a slog to play through them and there has been no RPG that has blown me away like Skies of Arcadia, FFVII, Grandia II etc

    So now to see this review I can honestly say I'm jealous, would kill to play this game and in fact if I see a second hand Wii going cheap I will be sorely tempted.
    But for all the Wii fans, hope you enjoy it, hardcore game fans on the console have been treated shabbily to be honest so it's nice to see your loyalty rewarded, to think, you could end up playing the best JRPG of this generation, not a bad position to be in, enjoy!

  • MakeYourself #68 9 months ago

    Can anyone tell me whether or not it's better to play this with a remote or a classic controller? It's not usually the type of game I'd pick up but from everything I've read about it my interest has definitely been piqued. Add to the fact that NOA are not even releasing it despite the huge interest it has garnered and I feel like I owe it to myself to try this game out. But I don't have a classic controller for my Wii and I'd rather not buy one for this single game towards the end of the Wii's life.

    Any ideas?? Ta very kindly.

  • haoy #69 9 months ago

    @MakeYourself
    Presumably the game will be a better experience with a classic controller since they are releasing the game with a bundle which includes the classic controller in red. So if you can find the bundle, I'd recommend picking that option. It is about €15 more expensive here in the Netherlands so it's really an easy decision to be made. Also I think it is just easier to play rpgs with a classic controller period. Don't know if the bundle is available in the UK though.
    Edited by haoy at 16/08/11 @ 16:07

  • Der_tolle_Emil #70 9 months ago

    Pretty sure the bundle is available across Europe. I already have a classic controller pro so I am not buying the bundle but I can easily recommend the classic controller - it is A LOT more comfortable than the regular classic controller thanks to the handle. I still think the two sticks could be placed better but at least the controller doesn't constantly slip out of your hand.

    Even if you don't like the color red - go for it. It will be worth it.

  • MakeYourself #71 9 months ago

    Cheers haoy, I guess I'll have a look around for the bundle then and try to pick it up. Who knows, it may even inspire me to play a few more Wii titles with a classic controller.

  • MattEdWithCheese #72 9 months ago

    Parkin evidently enjoyed it so much he reviewed it twice! XD

  • NewbieZilla #73 9 months ago

    I still have no basis on which to say "Hm, I think the story on this will be good so I should get it."

  • Ror1984 #74 9 months ago

    This is the third review I've read for this so far (including GamesTM's and Keza's for *shudder* IGN). All three gave it 9/10. All three said it's the best jRPG this gen.

    And my Classic Controller bundle has been posted today :)

  • Cid #75 9 months ago

    To the people saying they'd like to see a PS3 port: this is a first-party Nintendo game. Ain't gonna happen.

  • cerebralbored #76 9 months ago

    @Astro-Creature and Cid

    Agreed. 360 has great exclusives, PS3 has great exclusives, so why are people refusing to accept that the Wii has great exclusives too? I remember seeing this comment once for the Monster Hunter Tri review (courtesy of forum poster FogHeart), that points out the sort of comments that might be made following the review of a Wii game.

    "Looks like the comments for Wii games often go like this:-

    1-5 : Wiilol etc
    6-7 : Third parties shouldn't bother with the Wii OR Nintendo have lost it haven't they
    8-10 : I wish this was on a 'proper' platform OR Nintendo only make cartoon games for children"

  • smelly #77 9 months ago

    Oh, thank god .. a decent 360 game which isnt a shooter.. time to blow some dust off it...



    (see what i did there fanboys?)

  • spookyzombie #78 9 months ago

    Anyone know if this is on a dual layered disc? My Wii can't seem to read them.

  • toa_boa #79 9 months ago

    "No Japanese RPG has more successfully married its various components this hardware generation. It's a game that invites us to reassess an entire genre, pointing to a bold future while nodding its respect towards the past. It's a towering triumph."

    Well written Mr. Parkin, well written indeed!

  • cheekyxboxgamer #80 9 months ago

    @SpookyZombie Hello mate i looked up on a fair few sites to check if its going to be a dual layer disc and so far all sites that ive checked are saying it is im afraid. And apperantly nintendo say they will fix the WII for free on the dual disc reading problem due to a fair few people also suffer from this problem. Hope this helps
    Edited by cheekyxboxgamer at 17/08/11 @ 09:17

  • ha4pbl #81 9 months ago

    Im confused
    The article is full of praise and has not a single bad word to say
    why then is this not a 10/10?
    Edited by ha4pbl at 17/08/11 @ 10:33

  • Seoh #82 9 months ago

    Just arrived at my work, damn its gonna be a long day.

  • SpaceMonkey77 #83 9 months ago

    Glad to know its a good game, as it could be the Wii's last hurrah. When I go hunting for a Wii to gather dust with my other consoles, I'll bag a copy of this game too.

  • Marijn #84 9 months ago

    @ha4pbl Scoring a 10 is not just a matter of a game being extremely accomplished in every facet - it should be no less than a landmark achievement, a game changer, a genre-defining, modern classic. While Xenoblade Chronicles (according to the review) is the best JRPG of this generation, it doesn't altogether reshape its genre, let alone the medium.

    At least, that's my assessment.

  • FanBoysSuck #85 9 months ago

    @Astro-Creature: Except us "kiddies" (like you magically know everyone's age) are saying we're getting around this by using the Wii emulator to play in HD, yet we're all getting negged to kingdom come for saying so.

    /rant on
    I really can't stand people who take any kind of slight against "their" platform of choice (because you know, they generally only own one for some reason) as if it was a personal insult.
    /rant off
    Edited by FanBoysSuck at 17/08/11 @ 14:28

  • gatotsu911 #86 9 months ago

    Dear Euro fans: please buy many, many copies of this game so that us filthy, uneducated Americans can have a chance to buy it. Many thanks!

  • spookyzombie #87 9 months ago

    @cheekyxboxgamer - cheers for your findings. I've upgraded to a black Wii just in case. Picked up Xenoblade today. Got the bundle deal with the classic controller from Gamestation, which RRP's at £49.99. I work there in case anyone's wondering why I got it early.

  • cheekyxboxgamer #88 9 months ago

    @spookyzombie No worries mate and congrats for gamestation i remeber how you wanted to work there over BB. Nice one :)

  • tnt_2008smum #89 9 months ago

    Oh, thank god .. a decent 360 game which isnt a shooter.. time to blow some dust off it...



    (see what i did there fanboys?)

    @smelly

    Sorry I don't get it!!!!!

  • apoc_reg #90 9 months ago

    Mine just arrived, cheers Zavvi!!

    Edit/: and its awesome!

    Jap voice ON
    Subtitles ON
    Manual text advance ON

    Only way to play!
    Edited by apoc_reg at 18/08/11 @ 12:09

  • Rimau #91 9 months ago

    Damn. This game wasn't on my radar at all. But after reading this and watching a couple of videos straight after it, I'm gonna pop out to the shops during lunch time to see if I can get a copy. Cheers Eurogamer!

  • Matthew_Hornet #92 9 months ago

    First game in a long time to make me regret I don't have a Wii.

  • Alestes #93 9 months ago

    Really want to play this game, been waiting for it since it was called Monando at E3 2009.

    Still don't have a Wii though, so now I'm trying to decide if I should buy a Wii now or continue to wait a while longer until the Wii U is released (which will be backwards compatible).

  • Kostas #94 9 months ago

    To all that sold their Wii console.

    WHOS THE SUCKER NOW??

    On topic i find it ironic that an RPG such as this has found its way on the Wii. It is even more ironic that in adition to Last Story and Labyrinth the Wii will be the console of choice for the J-RPG starved gamer. Now if only Namco could find her balls and release Tales of Graces in europe...

  • Pwnsweet #95 9 months ago

    I've been playing games for 21 years, JRPG's for about 13 of those years. These days, an RPG rarely comes out that holds my attention for longer than an hour...until now. Xenoblade is awesome. If you're an RPG fan, you owe it to yourself to play this game. Xenoblade is an amazing game that is only let down by the console it's on.

  • KDR_11k #96 9 months ago

    Honestly it's not that surprising that the Wii can handle JRPGs better than the HD systems simply because JRPGs require a crapton of content and content is exponentially more expensive to create on better systems. JRPGs don't get made on CoD-level budgets.

  • apoc_reg #97 9 months ago

    Once you get to the first large plane its AMAZING to see the monsters. Makes me scream for a HD version but even with the WIi's limits whats been achieved is brilliant!

  • BonzoBanana #98 9 months ago

    Maybe the wii is the right platform for this game. It is a dual layer game and maxes out its disc. If it was on the Xbox 360 it would probably be on 2 or 3 discs allowing for the extra data required for 32bit colour, high definition and a 5.1 soundtrack. The 360 actually has less storage on a dvd disc than the wii even allowing for the recent firmware update that clawed back more disc capacity for games. If it was on the ps3 it would probably be a real pain to make sure there are no bugs in the game. The complicated hardware of the ps3 isn't ideal for sandbox type games. These sort of projects cost a lot more to develop on ps3. I seem to remember a few big games were abandoned on the ps3 for this reason.

    Generally the wii has been disappointing I think and its nice to see a game that actually maxes out the hardware and shows the real power of the wii when pushed. Its a shame developers didn't do this earlier in the wii's life. The game seems a real labour of love for the developers and I hope they are rewarded for it.

    This seems to me to be an ideal game to make high definition for the wii u.



  • Devox #99 8 months ago

    Well, I'm 70 hours in with no sight of an endgame yet. Easily the best WII game i've played. But the one nagging problem i have is that i can't shake the feeling this is just on the wrong console. There is such grand ambition on show here and the console is REALLY struggling to convey Monoliths' vision. The big question is can Ninty get Monolith to have Xenoblade 2 available as a Launch Wii U title. It would be the killer app a new console needs and i for one would buy the WII U for it. Oh, and to the US WII owners who can buy carnival games but not XBC...... find the idiot suit that said no to this and punch them repeatedly in the face until they change their minds.

  • Devox #100 8 months ago

    Oh, and you HAVE to play it with a "proper" controller. The other reason i feel it should be on a different format. The Classic controller suits the game perfectly. (as would a Dual shock or 360 pad). As we seem to be in HD remake land this year how about nintendo doing a White Knight Chronicles and bundling a HD remaster of this with XBC2 on WII U?
    This Generation has been pretty poor for JRPGs in general. You need a 360 for Lost Odessey & Blue Dragon, a PS3 for Demons Souls & Disgaea and now a WII for XBC. Excdellent reviewalthough i feel this does deserve the 10/10 mark as it really is a genre defining title