Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Reviews
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 doesn't captivate like its predecessor namely due to a messy learning curve and a story that doesn't quite draw you in as well. But from a JRPG standpoint, it's still a win for series fans and Nintendo Switch owners.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is overall mostly a quality RPG that has charm and character, while making up for some of the lacking aspects of Xenoblade Chronicles X, but small issues stop it from hitting the heights of Xenoblade Chronicles, sitting in between the two games in this trio series.
In my last few words of this perhaps suitably long-winded review for such a long-winded game, I want to make something clear. All of my descriptions of these seemingly convoluted mechanics and length might lead some to think that this is a game for ‘experts,” people who have been playing JRPGs for years and thus know what to do. Not necessarily. If you have never played a JRPG, but you have a willingness to experience all that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has to offer with an open mind, you might just fall in love with a whole new genre. After all, that’s what happened when I played my first non-Pokémon JRPG, Xenoblade Chronicles X. I haven’t looked back since.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a game that takes time to grow. People who are patient and invest in the characters, their growth, and the world will be rewarded with a story that eventually goes to some interesting places, people who will be ready to handle any challenge, and a place with lots of areas to uncover. It can take some time to adjust to the speed of the battle system, but even its pace offers opportunities to develop tactics that take advantage of multiple Blades and various character builds. It is a good starting place for the Switch's RPG library, one which will please existing Xenoblade Chronicles fans and give those new to the series a substantial game to enjoy.
A wide-sweeping game with an ambitious story, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 offers up an intriguing world to explore. Unfortunately, confusing map markers and a padded-out combat system make actually exploring more of a chore than is necessary.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the third and final gem on the Nintendo Switch crown for this 2017, after Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey: it tells a moving story with easy to love characters and, most of all, mixes a great combat system with an amazing sense of discovery.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is easily one of the best RPGs released this year, it sometimes suffers from an embarrassing level of fanservice.
Any fan of the original Xenoblade will find very little to turn them off from this sequel, and to be honest, most JRPG fans in general will walk away with at least a few good memories by the time the credits roll.
XC2 puts forward a strong message of what the Switch is capable of. Providing a full JRPG experience, in tandem with lush visual and audio design both on the go and at home, it sets the bar for future games to grace the system; and it sets it high.
Even with a few technical niggles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 remains a strong contender to this year’s line up of Switch games. Its beautifully constructed storyline, artistic style and rich gameplay experience with nail-biting boss fights is sure to bring any series’ fan hours of enjoyment. After all, the Aegis’ life is at stake.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a wholesome RPG, but it has horrendous flaws in its menu and leveling systems which hindered the fun and wasted many hours I could've spent exploring its gorgeous world.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
With more than 60 hours of game time and a ton to do, anyone looking for an entertaining timesink over any long break should pick this game up.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sets a tremendously high bar for the genre.
You could theoretically play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for months and not only find more things to do, but likely still enjoy doing them. It's a robust, well-crafted, and enjoyably addictive ride that JRPG fans, and even some WRPG diehards, should enjoy.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a step back for Xenoblade series. Sequel can't match almost perfect Xenoblade Chronicles in every aspect. From story and characters to the world itself, Xenoblade 2 feels more like a generic jRPG than a Monolith Soft game. And this is truly disappointing.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Though it is not without its faults, I enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles 2 quite a bit. Unfortunately, there is a ton of frustration attached to that enjoyment. If you are a JRPG or Xenoblade fan, then you should be able to overlook its flaws. If not, you may want to check out some videos or borrow it first.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an unforgettable delight for the JRPG lover, but only once you master its demanding and deep combat system. With huge maps to explore, exceptional soundtrack and a rich story, Monolith Soft latest production its an unforgettable journey, worth it every hour you spend in this epic new world.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Taken on its own merits, Xenoblade 2 is a fun JRPG with a ton of content, customization and gameplay that any genre fan will enjoy.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 tries its hardest to match the grandest of grand RPGs out there on the market, attempting to become Nintendo's own Final Fantasy. In doing so, though, whilst still wonderfully vast in its scale, and gripping in how things play out for the most part, it has lost its way slightly, becoming bogged down by an overly complex pre-battle system, marred by fights that mostly feel too hands-off/automated, and some terrible character visuals and voice work. There is indeed a lot to love about this, yet so much that makes you yearn for something more.
I enjoyed my time with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 a great deal, but it saddens me that I only enjoyed it a great deal. I honestly can't believe that a studio of Monolith's size and prestige would somehow miss that its narrative is rife with tonal inconsistencies, and leave me wondering whether I was playing something serious.