Xenoblade Chronicles 3

[Nester the Lark]

Here it is, Wave 4. Due out April 25.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed



This is a little sooner than I expected (especially dropping right before Tears of the Kingdom), but I guess it makes sense. Torna came out nine months after Xenoblade 2, and it's been nine months since Xenoblade 3.

Can't wait!

EDIT: OK, Nintendo and MonolithSoft are just dumping tons of info all at once for some reason.

Pyra and Mythra amiibo double pack coming on July 21. They unlock Aegis sword skins in-game. The skins are also unlockable without the amiibo.

Also...

[Nester the Lark]

So, I've finished Future Redeemed, and dare I say, I think I like it more than the main game. While it is a prequel, and thus doesn't address the issues I had with the main game's ending, it does improve in other ways.

I can't really say much about the story. A lot of it references not only the main game, but the entire trilogy, so it's basically filled with spoilers. But the way it ties everything together and pays tribute to the rest of the series really makes it feel like a culmination. In some ways, I almost wish *this* was the main game, but I can understand why it was more appropriate for it to be DLC, and let the main game stand on its own.

I love the casts of every Xenoblade game, but I have to say, I think Matthew is a much more interesting, colorful protagonist than Noah. Noah has his moments, but he can feel a little bland. Matthew, however, has a rather strong personality, and his banter with other characters is often quite funny.

If you've watched the trailer, then you know that Shulk and Rex appear in this game, though a good bit older than they were in their original games. They're extremely well handled in terms of making them seem familiar, yet older and more experienced. It was great to have them along for another adventure.

I am, however, a bit disappointed that Rex's original English voice actor wasn't brought back, but I guess they needed someone with a deeper voice. His Japanese voice actor did return, however.

Naturally, a lot of music is brought over from the main game, and even some from Xenoblade: Definitive Edition, but the new original music for Future Redeemed is incredible. It has that awe inspiring "Xenoblade feel" that I felt was missing from the main game's soundtrack, and it stuck with me even when I wasn't playing the game. Also of note is that the final vocal song is performed by Joanne Hogg, who was also the singer for the vocal songs from the original Xenogears and Xenosaga: Episode I.

Similar to Torna, the overall game is more focused and balanced than the main game, but I think that's just an inherent outcome from being a smaller, shorter experience.

Overall, the game is a fitting sendoff for the trilogy's story arc. Indeed, it feels like the end of an era for the entire "Xeno" series, as fans have noticed allusions to "gears" and "saga" as well. But just in terms of Xenoblade, it's definitely something you would want to save for last if you're playing through the whole series.

[Nester the Lark]

I was waiting for a Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Maximus Cup last year and it never happened. I gave up hope long ago.

It seems a little random at this point, but hey, better late than never!