Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country Reviews
Though pacing problems make the journey far from riveting, the gameplay tweaks and overall story are worth experiencing if you're already a fan of Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Nintendo Switch is no stranger to DLC and add-on content, but few expansions are as vast in their size and content as Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country. Whether you're a season pass holder looking to revisit a series you love from a new perspective, or you're fresh to the franchise and want a standalone adventure, this hefty slice of JRPG action will grab you right from the moment you start switching between Blade and Driver. With some welcome adjustments to combat and combos, this is a fine addition to an already brilliant game on Switch.
A fantastic standalone prequel to the excellent Xenoblade Chronicles 2 that is held back by one really annoying design decision.
Amongst the most generous expansions of all time, Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country is one of the year's best RPGs. Returning players will love diving further into the history of Alrest and discovering more about the events that shaped the world, while newcomers can rest assured that they're starting out with the most refined and welcoming introduction to Xenoblade yet.
In case you're curious Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country does mostly work as a standalone RPG, like a sort of pointed gateway for the daunting series. You might not pick up on some of the relationship-centric nuances or worldbuilding cues, but as long as you're paying attention you'll be able to piece that together.
Torna ~ The Golden Country marks a wonderful send off to the world of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with its cast of likeable characters, compelling narrative and a revamped combat engine that feels even better than the original. Having spent more than 150~ hours in the world of Alrest combined through the two titles, I can't help but feeling that I still want more- a desire that serves as undeniable proof to the excellence of this series.
Torna - The Golden Country definitely deserves the attention of all Xenoblade Chronicles 2 fans and JRPG fans who have the Nintendo Switch. Despite some flaws, this is a great opportunity to spend time with pleasure in the company of interesting characters, a beautiful world, fascinating music, addictive gameplay and a story with a touching ending. We look forward to the new game from Monolith Soft.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Torna: The Golden Country makes for a fantastic place to start in the series and an essential play for anyone that enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles 2. It's been shortened, streamlined, and depending on your preferences, you might find that this DLC expansion handles a few mechanics better than the main game ever did. Essential for Xenoblade fans, and a good place to begin for those uninitiated.
Torna starts from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and achieves the enviable feat of improving on the original game's experiences, namely on the level of the combat system, allowing for more alternatives, as well as on the game's plot and opening more elements that will grab the players' attention. A very recommended additional experience, especially for those who are already versed in the original game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country is a great companion piece for veteran players and a perfect entry point for series newcomers. A revamped combat system and refined narrative are just icing on the cake.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country is an exceptional expansion, justifying itself as a major enhancement of the original game with improvements to level design, combat and the majority of side content.
Good addon to one of the most intriguing RPGs of recent times, where imposed side quests stand in the way of emotional storytelling.
Review in German | Read full review
Despite not having played Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in nearly a year, almost immediately I found myself completely absorbed by Torna, exploring every nook and cranny, and once again growing to love its characters. The odd style of pacing and sidequest focus can be off-putting for some, but taken as a whole Torna is a fantastic piece of additional content for a massive JRPG. It's a fitting way to cap off the wave of post-release content Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has received, and a must-play for any fan of Monolith Soft.
Through a less intimidating world, a cosier, jazzy atmosphere and an even more dynamic combat system, Torna : The Golden Country reveals not only an archaic chapter from Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but also a fundamental pillar of the series as a whole. While the adventure never quite reaches the density of a full installment, the focus on human relations drives the narrative across uncharted emotional territories, making this standalone expansion a fantastic introduction to this universe, and an unmissable opportunity to explore Alrest deeper.
Review in French | Read full review
Despite being available to buy as a separate stand-alone experience and packing content that could easily fill an entirely new RPG, Xenoblade’s idiosyncrasies make The Golden Country an experience you’re only going get the most out of if you’ve already played the base game.
Torna: The Golden Country is an ambitious addition to an already enormous game, but by stripping away many of the features on the sides of the experience, you're left with a game that never quite finds the highs present in the original game. The story was fun, if hammy at times, but worth seeing. I only wish they had taken better advantage of the excellent changes to combat here to deliver more on the faster-paced combat rather than the dull and laborious side quests.
Torna is that rare piece of DLC that has the potential to surpass the original.
This return to the world of Alrest is an excellent supplement to an already incredible game that shines a light on the remaining mysteries in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.