Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is great on Switch 2 – but it should have been a free upgrade
Complaining about a $5 upgrade seems a little unjust, but then again, so does having to buy what is essentially an unlocked framerate. That’s what you’re getting if you choose to upgrade to the Switch 2 version of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. An enhanced resolution and performance up to 60 fps will set you back $4.99/£4.19 when many games will give you this via a free upgrade.
It’s a trend that doesn’t quite sit right with me, and while it’s mere pocket change, it’s the principle. There’s no new content in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch 2, nor will you find any additional settings in the game’s menu to tweak its graphics to suit. It’s entirely the same game, but it’ll run slightly better on your newer, more expensive Switch hardware. These are improvements that your hardware could offer by running the original Switch version of the game if Nintendo so wanted.
If you’ve already played Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, then, I’d wager it’s not worth the upgrade. Not unless you are desperate to play this epic RPG once more and really want that extra framerate and resolution. Because, to be fair to Nintendo, it is silky smooth, and it looks great on the Switch 2’s larger, glossy screen. There’s no denying this is the best way to play the game.
If you’ve never played it before, then, and you’re keen to jump in for the first time, the Switch 2 edition is a no-brainer if you own Nintendo’s latest hardware. It’s, unsurprisingly, a fiver more – so you’re basically buying the upgrade pack either way. But a physical Switch 2 version is available, which, for my money, feels like the best option here.
Xenoblade Chronicles X takes place in the year 2054. Not even 30 years into the future, and Earth has been destroyed as the result of an intergalactic war. The few humans that remain have set up a base – New Los Angeles – on the planet of Mira. It’s green, it’s pretty, it resembles Earth… but it’s also swarming with untamed beasts.
You’ll take control of a member of private military organisation BLADE, with your ultimate goal being to help humanity thrive and bring them back from the brink of extinction. Easy… right?
Like any good RPG, expect plenty of exploration, story and combat. This is a sizeable game with a lot to stick your teeth into, and being able to enjoy running around the world with a silky-smooth frame rate does make things much more enjoyable, let’s face it. Cutscenes are sharp, voice acting is engaging, and the world itself looks, frankly, beautiful on the Switch 2’s screen. Exploring the planet of Mira is the real joy of Xenoblade Chronicles X, with so much to be uncovered.
With the original version of the game first releasing on Wii U way back in 2015, it’s likely a game that needs no introduction. But needless to say, if you’re a fan of epic RPGs, especially those with a bit of a sci-fi slant, you’re in for a treat. If you’ve already played, don’t bother jumping into the Switch 2 version, but if you’re keen to jump in, those unlocked framerates and higher resolution are – begrudgingly – worth that extra $5.
