Introduction / Story
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a spiritual successor to the JRPG epic of Xenoblade Chronicles. However, instead of going back to the Bionis and Mechonis, you're in the future of the year 2054, and Earth is about to be destroyed as a result of two unknown alien races going at war with each other. Against all odds, the human race barely manages to survive by escaping Earth on a U.S. ship called the White Whale. It's 2 years later, and the unidentified aliens catch up to the White Whale and begin to attack, forcing it to crash land on an unknown (but gorgeous!) planet of Mira. Now, as a member of B.L.A.D.E (Builders of the Legacy After the Destruction of Earth,) you are to explore the planet and destroy anything threatening humanity as well as gather information about the planet. You also try and find stasis pods, parts of the White Whale that broke off carrying passengers that were ejected during the crash.
Divisions
Divisions all specialize in different things, and they're all different from each other. You can, however, switch at any time!
Pathfinders: Pathfinders are pioneers and trailblazers in charge of establishing Data Probes to expand the FrontierNav. Their specialty is increased HP regeneration in battles.
Interceptors: Interceptors are in charge of creature subjugation. They also act as the bodyguards for New Los Angeles (the residential part of the White Whale that broke off.) They specialize in increased ranged weapon damage during battles.
Harriers: The goal of the Harriers is similar to that of the Interceptors. Their goal is to defeat the most powerful of monsters. During battle, they experience a boost in melee weapon damage.
Reclaimers: Reclaimers search for and recover the scattered parts of the White Whale across the planet of Mira. When enemies are defeated, they are more likely to receive items as drops.
Curators: Curators survey Mira's various locations and collect materials. During battle, they experience an increased critical hit rate.
Outfitters: Outfitters support the development of Arms Manufacturers (an association that provides weapons and armor) and also develop weapons for both Skells and infantry. They receive a boost in commercial points, which go toward weapons for teammates and Skells.
Mediators: Mediators aim to solve problems between citizens of New Los Angeles. During battle, they can raise their tension points by using arts as well as auto attacking.
Battles
At first glance, it's pretty baffling, isn't it? Battles in Xenoblade Chronicles X are quite complex. I'll try to make sense of the whole thing. First, there's auto attacks, which are pretty self-explanitory. Your main form of damage is through Arts, skills that can affect you, the enemy, or everybody in a radius. Arts can be found at the bottom of the screen, and there can be up to 8 at once. I'll explain the center icon in a while. There are a few type of arts:
- Melee Arts will deliver close ranged blows to your foe.
- Ranged Arts can be dealt from a distance, but won't do as much damage as melee arts.
- Debuff Arts will weaken enemies, but typically won't do a lot of damage, if any.
- Support Arts can enhance abilities and heal allies.
- Aura Arts can provide special abilities over time.
Be sure to take a look at the Art's description so you know exactly what it does and how to combine them with other arts. Once an art is cooled down, a green circle will start to go around it. This is called 'secondary cooldown,' and letting it complete will give you a special bonus. Again, these bonuses can be found in the art's description.
Next up, there's tension points. If you want to unleash the most devastating arts, you'll have to build up tension points. Tension points are found next to the blue HP bar. To obtain tension points, you must complete soul challenges, occasional quick-time events that require you to press B. There's an example at the center of the screen. You can also see which arts enemies will use and with what status enemies are inflicted by looking at them. There's a box that says 'Topple' in the screenshot. Topple is an effect where enemies are unable to attack for a limited amount of time. There are many other buffs and debuffs like these.
Enemies can be marked with an eye or ear next to their name. An eye indicates that they will attack when you're in their line of sight, and the ear signifies that if enemies hear you, they will attack. You can see their level without needing to target them, and usually it's not the brightest idea to challenge an enemy with a significantly higher level than you.
Overdrive is that symbol in the center that I mentioned earlier. You need maximum tension points (3000) to activate overdrive. Once you activate it, all of your arts will instantly be refreshed, removing all cooldowns. Overdrive significantly improves your combat abilities for a limited time. While overdrive is active, a counter will appear that alters based on the last art you used. Each successful hit from an art during an overdrive will advance the counter further, and the color of the overdrive counter alters depending on the last art you used. Different orders of colors grant different effects.
Skells
Skells are a major part of the game that can be unlocked at a point during gameplay. They are mechs that have three types: Light, Medium, and Heavy. They also have 3 forms:
Flying
Vehicle
Normal
A lot more is needed to be said about Skells, but I'll leave that for another time.
Online Multiplayer
This game does indeed have online compatibility, where you form a team of 3 (I believe?) people and fight tough-as-nails monsters called 'Nemesis.' When the game comes out, this is the area I'll put friend codes of people who play the game, as well as their class (if specified.)
Screenshots Click for full size!
If there's anything else I should add to this, let me know!
