Xenoblade Chronicles 3 [July 2022]

Grassey

Looking forward to this... at least I've 6 months to finish 1 & 2!!!!

2 was a huge time sink when it first came out.

https://youtu.be/t-iNpDKuYb8

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/xenoblade-chronicles-3-switch/

A vast world awaits in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the next game in the acclaimed RPG series from developer MONOLITHSOFT. Players will step into the roles of protagonists Noah and Mio amid turmoil between the hostile nations of Keves and Agnus. Six characters hailing from those nations will take part in a grand tale with “life” as its central theme. Explore a new world that will connect the futures of both Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, launching for Nintendo Switch in September 2022.

Following yesterday's announcement trailer, Monolith executive director Tetsuya Takahashi has shared a few additional words about Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Takahashi revealed that the trailer's closing scene showing a broken great sword of Mechonis and the body of the Urayan Titan with a gaping wound was conceived a long time ago. In fact, the seed for this image was initially planted between "the end of development of Xenoblade Chronicles and the beginning of development of Xenoblade Chronicles 2".

The director also acknowledged that this visual probably left views "quite surprised" and hints that more will be revealed about this mysterious image in the future. For now, though, its meaning must remain under wraps.

I know we are all more interested in the new incoming Smash characters 😉

Saw that it's on bestbuy for $59.99 pre-order already, so guessing going to be at least €60 here.

weent19

Some round! I was scrolling from the bottom up and was worried I didn't see Paddy. Great stuff.

CastorTroy

Release date moved up to 29th of July

https://youtu.be/Rt9pfN-2S0k

Grassey

https://mobile.twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1516402497082085380/

A nice looking SE with steel case and artbook too

Rosifly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118947541#Comment_118947541

How will we be able to order the SE? The UK and European MyNintendo sites don't accept Irish addresses, numbers or payment options :(

CiDeRmAn

My question is, do I have time then to more or less start again and finally finish Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (and DLC) before the new one hits?

And will someone show me how the bloody combat works???

CastorTroy

If playing the first one on Switch, don't forget its extra content as well. 😀

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950113#Comment_118950113

It's really just a case of using your abilities at the right time. The most important being - inflict stagger, which makes the enemy vulnerable to topple and once they are under topple status you get massive damage increases. The Monado abilities also can give you iframes later on so can be used to avoid enemy attacks.

A lot of people just try to critical path the game and get mauled by the area boss. There seems to be damage scaling in these games where the closer you are in level to the enemy the more damage you do. You need to be at least 5 levels below an enemy to do any significant damage and maybe 2 levels below to be able to take them on comfortably. If you critical path to the area boss you will be underlevelled and do no damage.

People then think you have to grind enemies to get anywhere in the game but the xp gains from enemies are terrible. You get the majority of your xp from sidequests and discovering landmarks so just take every sidequest you can and go exploring and you will complete side quests naturally as you explore. It's like BotW in a way, more about exploration.

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950516#Comment_118950516

Feck

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950560#Comment_118950560

I understood parts of that, mostly the likes of "just" and "the"...

I'll give them a go... eventually

CastorTroy

Don't have 2 and the dlc but still need to play the others. Even own the first on Wii and Switch. Some day.

2 definitely hasn't decreased in price. Might pick it up if it goes on sale again on the eshop.

Grassey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951506#Comment_118951506

Something something wander about for 200 hours playing with your sword....

Sure you'll have another completely new and bonkers combat system to learn for this too!

Battle with up to seven characters: Like in previous Xenoblade Chronicles games, battles start by facing enemies directly in the overworld. Players can control Noah’s party of six, as well as additional characters they’ll meet during the adventure. Each character has their own role in battle, which allows for diverse strategies.

- Class change: Noah is a Swordfighter, specializing in close-range attacks, while Mio is a Zephyr, drawing enemy attention while evading their strikes. Thus, each character has their own class with their own strengths. Progressing in the adventure, players can change characters’ classes, creating a customized party.

- New Interlink system: Each of the tag-team pairs – Noah and Mio, Lanz and Sena, Eunie and Taion – can make use of the Interlink system if certain conditions are met. They will then combine into a giant form called Ouroboros. Each Ouroboros has its own powerful move set, and deciding when to transform can be the key to winning a battle.

CiDeRmAn

Why can't they just slot in a dumb-ass mode for people like me, just AI control everyone else and let me fight like Link...

I'm not proud, I'm too old to learn esoteric combat systems!

Doodah7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118954797#Comment_118954797

This.

I played and sold XC2 as, even after 20 or so hours, I had no real clear idea how the combat system worked and I play JRPG's almost exclusively.

Bought XC1 not so long ago hoping that, it being the first in the series, I might find it easier but it's the same useless, button mashing, running around in circles, headless chicken type combat system.

XC3 will be a hard pass from me.

CiDeRmAn

But they look so damn amazing!

I really wish I could get my head around it all.

I mean, I don't think I'm as thick as pig sh1te, but the games beg to differ

Retr0gamer

Honestly I find the battle system in these games one of the best JRPG battle systems of all time. There's a bit of a learning curve but there's a tutorial in every game that explains to you that what status to inflict on enemies and which to follow up with. There's a lot of nuance to it and it only gets better as you play more. If you think you can just auto attack and win then you will get no where. It's all about spamming the special attacks and knowing the best time to use each one.

Grassey

Up for pre-order on Smyth's for 50

SuperBowserWorld

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950113#Comment_118950113

If you are 18 and have just won the lottery, then yes.

CiDeRmAn

Sadly I am 50 with a full time job...

I will just have to pass the task onto my son

Retr0gamer

You've not much time left. You really have to decide if you want to spend the majority of that playing Xenoblade.

CastorTroy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118958782#Comment_118958782

Die he win the lottery?

SuperBowserWorld

Maybe take chronic xenoblade chronicles deficit sick leave ?

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118959755#Comment_118959755

What now?

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118959741#Comment_118959741

This is true, but right now I'm wasting that valuable time playing Picross

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118960521#Comment_118960521

As a former attendance officer in the hospital I work in, I don't think that is available as a reason for protracted absence

CastorTroy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969183#Comment_118969183

Since SuperBowserWorld suggested you would have time if you wee 18 and won the lottery. But anyway...

Didn't they do a special Direct for Xenoblade 2? So may be one for this as well to really confuse people not familiar with the battle system of previous games

Grassey

This video showcases a new "quick move", which you can activate during combat to quickly holster your weapon and reposition yourself within the battlefield. This looks to greatly enhance your ability to set up position-based offensive attacks

https://youtu.be/MTK4II-hYRA

you can seamlessly switch between characters on the fly, even during battle sequences. This will allow players to dive deeper into the already feature-rich combat system, allowing you to experiment with different characters' abilities in quick succession

https://youtu.be/OaE7C7Is0nk

CiDeRmAn

Okay, so I will spend some time with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the Switch, see how I get on.

I also have the original on the 3DS, should I play that instead?

Either way, this is going to seriously eat into my Picross time... just to say that, there is always a cost to these things...

CastorTroy

Maybe Picross can be what you play to take a short break. The same way people were suggesting going between Elden Ring and Kirby.

SuperBowserWorld

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118992404#Comment_118992404

My understanding is Xenoblade Chronicles 1 on Switch first or maybe the 3DS or Wii version if you have it.

It's the much better game, more refined, and less chaotic and sprawling that 2 or X.

Just more approachable ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Xenoblade_Chronicles/comments/gj182d/xenoblade_chronicles_series_playorder/

CiDeRmAn

Cool, I'll dig out the 3DS copy I have.

I sold my Wii copy, with the controller, last week!

Eduard Khil

Argos have Xenoblade 1 for Switch in stock in a few stores currently closest one to me is omni €46.99 better than gamestop or Cex used prices.

Grassey

We should all have a XBC1 play together group bonding before 3 drops

SuperBowserWorld

Been watching a couple of videos. I still don't get these games and don't have the time. Will stick to Skyrim/BOTW/... for now.

I did get a couple of Mario and Luigi Superstar games on DS/3DS ... And nothing ... Even tried the Dragon Quest 11 demo ... no joy ...

Grassey

Soldiers of Keves and Agnus can materialise the weapons they use in battle, known as Blades, at will. Each soldier’s Blade is a reflection of them, so they might take different forms such as swords, guns, shields, or spears!

https://twitter.com/i/status/1517420495699914753

https://youtu.be/BQueWL9Q_0U

Speaking of classes, similarly to its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 brings back the roles of Attacker, Defender, and Healer.

the target line, which indicates who the enemy is targeting. If the line is red, that means it's targeting an Attacker or a Healer, but if it's focusing on a Defender, the line will be blue. This is what you want.

A few Healer skills only heal within a limited radius, one of these being Eunie's Healing Circle. If used, Eunie will place a circle on the floor which gradually heals the health of any allies who are standing within it. In Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Healers are also the only role who can revive fallen party members, so you might want to have two Healers in your party just in case one falls.

Grassey

https://mobile.twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1519745797792927749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1519745797792927749%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.siliconera.com%2F2-more-xenoblade-chronicles-3-characters-introduced%2F

https://mobile.twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1520031255311626240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520031255311626240%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.siliconera.com%2F2-more-xenoblade-chronicles-3-characters-introduced%2F

CiDeRmAn

I have to wonder where they get these names from, must be some sort of AI name generator at this stage?

Guernica Vandham... jaysus

SuperBowserWorld

They ran out of names.

Eduard Khil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000405#Comment_119000405

What's your pro wrestling name type situation used to love the random name generator sites years ago

Grassey

https://mobile.twitter.com/XenobladeJP/status/1522473767444021249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1522473767444021249%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nintendolife.com%2Fnews%2F2022%2F05%2Fvideo-nintendo-shares-new-xenoblade-chronicles-3-footage

"There's a bit of history between Noah's team and Ethel of #XenobladeChronicles3. When they were all much younger, Ethel saved them from an Agnian attack. Since then, Noah and his friends have looked up to her, so why does she now see them as enemies? "

Grassey

"Please note: if you reserve the Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Collector’s Edition, you will receive the packaged Xenoblade Chronicles 3 game software when it launches on July 29th. The additional contents of the Collector’s Edition (Nintendo Switch SteelBook® case, softcover concept art book and outer box packaging) will be delivered separately at a later date (expected delivery timing: autumn 2022). All items will be shipped with free delivery."

Appears the above has been updated on Nintendo UK, probably Europewide

Grassey

Working my way rapidly through XC1 at the minute to be ready for July.

Saw this earlier

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/xenoblade-chronicles-3-reveals-more-details-for-character-classes-and-arts

Attackers

Swordfighter - Noah's starting class, a balanced class that's effective against bosses and unique monsters.

Crusher - Sena's starting class, an extremely powerful but slow class that can crush the enemies' guard, but they do so much damage that they're often targeted by foes.

Defenders

Zephyr - Mio's starting class, a speed specialist who evades attacks and reacts with a strong counter. Zephyr classes can also protect nearby allies.

Heavy Guard - Lanz's starting class, carried a large shield-like weapon and can easily attract enemies' attention and provide huge defensive buffs for the party.

Healers

Medic Gunner - Eunie's starting class, they can put down healing circles on the floor for allies to run into, but too much healing can attract too much enemy aggro.

Tactician - Taion's starting class, a support class that can debuff enemies by putting them to sleep and also increase your party's evasion.

Not only that, depending on where the class originates, the Arts gauge fills up differently. For Swordfighter, Heavy Guard, Medic Gunner (all from Agnus), their gauge fills up over time. While for Zephyr, Crusher, Tactician (the Keves classes), their gauge fills up by auto-attacking.

Classes also get more powerful Arts called Talent Arts. The Talent Gauge from Xenoblade Chronicles makes a return, which you need to fill up in order to use your Talent Arts.

And now to make it even more complicated....

You'll be able to change classes throughout the game. But each character can also "master" a class, which will make certain skills available regardless of what class you're playing. You'll also be able to fuse these Arts together. Mastered Arts can be combined with the Arts of your current class to combine their two effects, creating Fusion Arts, which basically allows you to use two attacks at the same time.

sligeach

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Aionios (Nintendo Switch)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=G5w6ANGPFTw

Aionios, the rich world where you’ll begin your journey to end the cycle of violence between two opposing nations in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Explore vast landscapes, encounter new creatures in the wild, battle with distinct Arts & weapons, and more when the game launches on 29/07!

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118994780#Comment_118994780

You just reminded me of that loon I sold my sealed Wii special edition with controller to not to long ago on adverts.

I get this really irate message saying the game isn't sealed and how I'd ripped them off.

Me: 'Yes it is sealed, there's a seal on the box. It's a small plastic seal on the edge of the big cardboard outer box, you can't miss it'

Them: 'The little seal on the outer card board box? Yeah I opened that to check if the game inside was sealed, I opened it and the game was not sealed. You sold me an unsealed game, I want my money back'

Me: 'You opened the seal on the cardboard box? That WAS the seal, I am not giving you your money back'

Them: 'You sold me an unsealed game'

Me: 'YOU OPENED THE SEALED GAME AND NOW IT IS UNSEALED'

This went on for a long time.

A long time.

Grassey

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1538869963036971008?t=FNSVjEcUFV7x2uhdSMG2ZA&s=19

To spoil the game... Or not... That is the question 🤔

CiDeRmAn

I don't understand, why would watching the Direct spoil the game?

CastorTroy

I'll just not watch due to having not played the others and also just getting completely lost when they go into detail on the battle system.

sligeach

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Direct Teaser Trailer

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fG_hINfOz28

sligeach

DLC always rubs me the wrong way. The game isn't out for another month and yet already they've got a plan to ask people for another €30 on top. The really meaningful content won't be out until possibly 31st December, NEXT YEAR.

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Xenoblade-Chronicles-3-2168340.html#Expansion_Pass

They announced DLC for XC2 before release too and it ended up being a huge amount of content that also got a physical, and standalone, release.

I’d give Monolith Soft the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the quality and quantity of their DLC/Expansions.

Since it’s purchasable now, it’s unlikely to be added to the NSO Expansion subscription. Although they did add the Splatoon 2 expansion so they still might later down the road after it’s been out a while.

There’s that end-of-2023 date again. Only makes me more confident that their next system isn’t planned for release until 2024.

sligeach

Massive difference in content for an extra €30(more than double that for the physical copy). For half the price of the main game, I'd expect half of the content. But it never works out like that.