My brother Ben really enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles 2.  So much so that he asked to review it here.  Sounds like a good idea to me!  Click here to check it out!

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the third release this year that has really captured my attention on the Switch. As an avid RPG fan, I was interested in this game the minute it was announced. It was one of the highest anticipated games of the year. So the ultimate question is, was it worth the wait? In short, yes, very much so. But we’re not here for short answers.

The first thing about Xenoblade that is amazing is the setting. Instead of being set in a world like our own, where continents and oceans are what harbor life, neither of those things exist in Xenoblade Chronicles at least in their traditional forms. Instead of oceans, there is a sea of dense clouds, and instead of continents, there are titans.

Titans are enormous creatures that are the size of continents and are also the only place humans have to live. Whether it be on their backs or in their stomachs, the scenery these giant creatures provide is nothing short of jaw dropping.

The next great thing about this game is the characters. Each one has their own story, and their own unique perspective. They all have various backgrounds, from Rex’s salvaging expertise, to Zeke’s rejection of his isolationist homeland. Some of the characters are royalty, some of them have different lifespans, some of them come from simple backgrounds, some of the characters have strong ties to the villains in the game.

About half or more of the prominent characters are a different form of “being” known as blades. Blades look human and share all of the functions humans have… sometimes… they can also be talking animals or monsters as well… and sometimes they are somewhere in between depending on who they are. Blades are born from Core Crystals.

The music is awesome and addicting to listen to, and it’s one of the few games I actually own the soundtrack to because the tracks are just that good. To summarize the music in simple terms, it is orchestral rock.

While I’m talking about characters, I’d be remiss not to mention the variety of voice actors in the game. Many of the characters have European or Australian accents. Rex in particular has a Scottish accent. I, personally, love it, however, many other reviewers have complained about it. I think that only happens because of personal preference, and honestly if you find it that troubling, there is a Japanese voice track available for download right now, so if you can’t handle a Scottish accent, you do have options.

An expansion for the game is purchasable but nothing about the details has been announced yet. I would wait for an announcement of what is contained within the content before purchasing. Sometimes DLC is not worth the money.

This game is a great addition to the switch’s library and one you won’t want to miss.

Kid Factor:

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is rated T for Teen with ESRB descriptors of Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, and Violence.  This game has sexual content in it, especially the way some of the characters are dressed and even drawn. Some characters have exaggerated proportions that I would not recommend for someone under the age of 16 or 17. The themes of the story can be hard to understand or comprehend and can go to dark places without much of a warning. Grave situations pop up frequently and mortality itself is discussed at length. The game lends itself to a more mature audience, not only in themes, but also in gameplay. There is no blood or gore and fights are goofy in nature.  –Benjamin Woodham

Tags: Reader Reviews!