Xenoblade Chronicles 2

About Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 dropped on Nintendo Switch in late 2017 as a full-scale RPG from Monolith Soft and Nintendo. The game takes place on the backs of massive living Titans floating in an endless ocean of clouds. You play as Rex, a young scavenger who finds a mysterious woman named Pyra who is actually a weaponized life form called a Blade. Your goal is to travel across these giant creatures, uncover their hidden secrets, and find a legendary paradise. The world is huge, filled with distinct cultures, wildlife, and dangerous zones on every inch of the Titan skin. It is a single-player adventure that runs entirely on Switch hardware without needing extra peripherals.

Gameplay

You explore vast open zones on foot while switching between your character and up to five Blades for combat. Battles happen in real time with auto-attack cycles, but you control when special Arts unleash. You must manage link arts by hitting enemy weaknesses and coordinate party members to trigger powerful chain attacks. Between fights, you hunt specific creatures to index them or scavenge materials for crafting gear. The system lets you bond with new Blades to learn their skills or upgrade existing ones through fusion. Most sessions involve crossing long distances on the Titans while managing a roster of characters who each have unique personalities and combat styles. You rarely stop moving because the map stretches for miles across the living landscape.

What Players Think

Critics and players alike rated this title highly with an 83 on Metacritic and 87.6 from IGDB based on 200 ratings. The community vibe leans heavily toward appreciation for the story depth and music. Average playtime hovers around 95 hours for a standard run, while completionists spend over 140 hours chasing every achievement and side quest. Players frequently cite the emotional weight of character arcs as a highlight. Review snippets often mention the sheer scale of exploration compared to other Switch titles. Some users note that combat can feel repetitive after dozens of hours, yet the narrative payoff keeps them engaged. The game holds a 92% positive sentiment score among long-term players who finished the main story.

PlayPile's Take

This is a substantial RPG that demands time and patience rather than quick reflexes. At its price point, it offers over 100 hours of content for those willing to grind through side quests. The achievement list contains 40+ items, including some obscure tasks like collecting every Blade type. Monolith Soft built something massive here, but the controls can feel clunky during intense boss fights. You should buy this if you enjoy long narratives and don't mind slow pacing. It is not for people who want fast-paced action or short sessions. The world feels alive enough to keep you engaged until the credits roll.

Storyline

As the giant beasts march toward death, the last hope is a scavenger named Rex and Pyra, a living weapon known as a Blade. Can you find the fabled paradise she calls home? Command a group of Blades and lead them to countless strategic victories before the world ends. Each Titan hosts its own distinct cultures, wildlife, and diverse regions to explore. Search the vast open areas and labyrinthine corridors for treasure, secret paths, and creatures to battle and index. During these escapades you'll get to know a large cast of eclectic characters, including the weaponized life forms known as Blades. Gather these allies, bond with them to increase their power, and utilize their special Arts to devastate enemies. But to save the world of Alrest, you must first demystify its cloudy past.