With the release in just a few weeks, Nintendo gave Switch owners a little look into the upcoming release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in a special Nintendo Direct on Tuesday. The game will be released on December 1st.
Nintendo presented a deep dive into elements of the massive game, including the vast environments, battle system and characters. This presentation also revealed upcoming paid DLC, a cross-promotion with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as well as free DLC available to download on launch day that will allow players to also play the game with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
“With Xenoblade Chronicles 2, we are giving fans yet another engaging adventure that can only be found on Nintendo Switch,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This sequel is perfect for playing at home or while traveling during the busy holiday season.”
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is next in the series following the original RPG that launched for Wii in 2012. This sequel features new characters and worlds, with an expanded battle system that will still feel familiar to fans of the first game.
In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Blades are artificial lifeforms that bond with Drivers to lend them their weapons and powers in battle. Main character Rex is a Driver and Pyra is a Blade. To help familiarize fans with main character Rex before the game launches, a new Side Quest will be available via a free update in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U systems, in which players will be able to obtain a Rex costume starting on November 9th.
There was a ton of information in the Nintendo Direct presentation. Check out the latest details below.
In and out of battle, Blades have a wide array of support abilities. While adventuring, these abilities might increase the number of items that can be collected, open up new paths to explore or initiate other special effects. When players fight alongside their chosen Blade, they might trigger effects that protect the Driver, strengthen attacks and so forth. Abilities differ from Blade to Blade, so selecting different Blades adds to the strategy of battle.
Blades are just one form of life that players will encounter while journeying on the backs of the mighty Titans. In the vast world of Alrest, players will discover both peaceful and aggressive wildlife of all shapes and sizes wandering among giant plains, winding caverns, frozen kingdoms, scorched earth and sandy beaches. If players manage to defeat certain Unique Beasts, a tombstone will be left behind to commemorate the creature and allow players to relive those battles for additional rewards.
While traveling the massive world of Alrest, players will run into shining spots called Collection Points – which give players the opportunity to pick up valuable items or dive under the clouds to salvage hard-to-find treasures – or special landmarks that players can transport to at any time. Alrest is also teeming with bustling cities. From shopping districts to residential quarters, each Titan has its own unique layout and atmosphere.
An Expansion Pass for the game is also now available for pre-order in Nintendo eShop or from select retailers shortly at a suggested retail price of $29.99 USD. With this pass, players can enjoy DLC as it releases between the launch of the game and fall 2018, starting with quests and support items, and eventually including a challenge Battle Mode where they can face powerful enemies. This DLC will also include an additional adventure with a new side story set in the world of Elysium.
Details about individual elements of the Expansion Pass will be released in the future.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on December 1st for $59.99 USD. A Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Edition Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will also be released for of $74.99 the same day as well as a Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Special Edition. This special edition includes the game, a hardbound art book filled with 220 pages of concept designs and artwork, a sound-selection CD of many of the game’s music tracks, and a special metal case containing the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 game card at a suggested retail price of $99.99 USD.