Monolith Soft's Xenoblade Chronicles is a massive game. Encompassing a sprawling land with countless quests and sub-quests to tackle, the game can last upwards of 100 hours or more for gamers who really want to take everything in and see all that Xenoblade Chronicles has to offer. The game is so big, and there's just so much content, that it can be a bit intimidating at first. If you're just getting started on your quest, heed these tips; they'll help make your journey much more enjoyable.
Don't start a play session if you don't have much time on your hands
First things first, people: If you're trying to get in a quick game session before bed or only have a few minutes to spare, don't bother playing Xenoblade Chronicles yet. Wait until you've got absolutely no other engagements and you know you're going to have a fair amount of free time. Xenoblade Chronicles features a huge world littered with hundreds of side quests, engrossing story quests, and lengthy boss battles. You're not going to want to only play this game in short bursts because doing so really takes away from the experience.
This is a straight port of the European version
Even though Xenoblade Chronicles has been localized for North America, don't expect this to be an "American" iteration. The game is full of British voice acting, and to be quite honest, it's all the better for it. Xenoblade Chronicles' story unfolds through a multitude of cutscenes, and the actors and actresses shine with a ton of personality. The game sounds really unique because of the British voice acting, and it even has a much grander feel to it. That said, you should know that the text is also carried over from the European version. Still, that doesn't take away from this rich and colourful localisation. See what I did there?
Don't expect a typical JRPG experience
Xenoblade Chronicles is a JRPG, and it certainly has a bit of that signature Japanese style to it, but not to the same degree as other titles. Not only does this game borrow heavily from the MMO genre by including gameplay elements such as automated attacks and recharge periods, but it also features Western RPG tropes. While I won't go as far as to say that Xenoblade Chronicles is a lot like Skyrim, I did notice that its open world nature and frequently compelling side quests reminded me of my first few hours with Bethesda's epic, where I was constantly looking forward to exploring more and seeking out hidden secrets.
Just let go
JRPGs are often straightforward affairs that follow a linear path without too much sidetracking. Xenoblade Chronicles is no such game. The game's vast world immediately fills you with the urge to explore, and the numerous NPCs you meet don't hesitate to ask for your help. Seriously, when you start playing Xenoblade Chronicles, just let go. There's so much to do, and a lot of it is so much fun that you really shouldn't be strict with yourself all the time. If you're on a main story quest but you want to help that one chick out because she needs an item, do it. Plus, you gain experience from most of these side quests, and it doesn't hurt to level up. And that brings me to my last tip.
If you don't want to do every side quest, don't
As enjoyable as some side quests in Xenoblade Chronicles may be, not everything you can do is entertaining. The game borrows heavily from the MMO genre, and that includes the abundance of repetitive side quests. You'll find yourself engaging in a bunch of fetch quests and monster hunts, and while the rewards may certainly be worth it, you may grow bored of doing the same things over and over again. Because of that, I would highly suggest that if you don't want to do certain side quests, you should skip them. You'll have plenty more down the road, and a lot of them are similar enough that you really won't miss out on anything if you don't do them all. So just let go, and do what you want. You'll enjoy the game much more that way.
Also make sure to check out our WALKTHROUGH for more in-game tips and guides for Xenoblade Chronicles.
