An epic journey in the palm of your hand.
Monolith Software is without a doubt one of the most talented Japanese development studios right now. Last generation was a rough one for JRPG fans, as the genre has clearly lost its way over the past few years. Fortunately, however, there were still a few gems that graced the console market within the last decade, and Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii is one of the very best of the bunch.
What is tragic, though, is that this Nintendo-exclusive role-playing game saw such a limited release in the West that it has become incredibly difficult to find as a result. To amend this conundrum, Nintendo decided to enlist the help of developer Monster Games to take Monolith's expansive role-playing game and bring it to New 3DS, complete with 3D support and the same ambitious scope of the console-based original.
While those who already played Xenoblade Chronicles when it first launched back on Wii won't find a whole lot new in Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, the ability to take such a massive adventure on the go cannot be understated. This game is absolutely huge, boasting the same open world that pushed the Wii to its very limits. The fact that Monster Games was able to take the entire console experience and cram it onto Nintendo's handheld is nothing short of miraculous. It's important to note, however, that you'll need a New 3DS to run this game, as the standard model isn't supported.
When I fired up the game at Nintendo's booth at PAX East, the first thing that jumped out at me was how remarkably gorgeous the game looks, despite the limitations presented by the hardware. Thanks to the improved 3D of Nintendo's refined handheld, I found myself playing with the slider cranked all the way up for the maximum effect, and while there were some noticeable jagged edges populating the screen, it didn't take long for the vast scope of Xenoblade Chronicles 3D's world to completely overshadow the game's graphical imperfections.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention how handy the C-stick is in controlling the camera. Navigating the 3D world is elegant and well-managed, thanks to the inclusion of that plastic little nub just above the four face buttons. Likewise, I found controlling the game in general to be intuitive and enjoyable. I wasn't a huge fan of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote control scheme of the original, so the more traditional setup akin to the Classic Controller perfectly suited my needs. Believe me, you won't miss the console version once you've spent some quality time with this stellar port.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D launches exclusively for New Nintendo 3DS on April 10. If you're looking forward to Xenoblade Chronicles X on Wii U, this handheld port will serve as an excellent primer for Monolith Software's highly anticipated spiritual successor, especially if you missed out on the Wii release.
For more PAX East 2015 coverage…
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D PAX Preview
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PAX East 2015 Coverage
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Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Preview
Revealing the PAX East presentation to press earlier this week during GDC 2015, Square Enix will be improving almost every part of the base game of Final Fantasy XIV, extending Eorzea past the Coerthas Central Highlands.
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Final Fantasy XV Preview
The last time I sincerely played a Final Fantasy game was Final Fantasy XIII, which was the beginning of the end for many people. Although it featured what was my favorite battle system in all the series entries I’ve played (VII and up), it lacked much of what I considered the core tenets of the series. It’s unclear how Final Fantasy XV, the revived form of the once mythical Final Fantasy Versus XIII, will address these issues, but what I played so far was engaging and worth attention.
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Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Impressions
At this point, it's no secret 343 Industries is making some significant changes to the formula of Microsoft's prized sci-fi franchise with Halo 5: Guardians. A public multiplayer beta ran through January, and the studio has been quite forthcoming on what to expect from its competitive offerings. I'm ashamed to admit I was late to the party, as it wasn't until this morning at PAX East that I finally got some hands-on time with the game at Microsoft's booth.
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Blizzard Reveals New Overwatch Characters, Beta Details
Blizzard held a panel at PAX East this morning and revealed some exciting new details about Overwatch, including the introduction of two new characters and a beta which launches later this year.
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Splatoon Preview
Nintendo is often knocked for relying on the same stable of franchises year after year. We've seen far too many games starring its overall-clad plumber or iconic sword-wielding hero of Hyrule, and despite how awesome some of these games may be, the level of over-saturation is starting to get a little ridiculous. Nintendo fans have been asking for a new IP for years now, and now they're finally getting one in the form of a team-based third-person shooter called Splatoon.
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Xenoblade Chronicles 3D Preview
Nintendo decided to enlist the help of developer Monster Games to take Monolith Software's expansive role-playing game for Wii and bring it to New 3DS, complete with 3D support and the same ambitious scope of the original.
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Cosplay Gallery
GameRevolution went roaming the floor of PAX East 2015 snapping photos of all the amazing cosplayers in Boston this past weekend.
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Square Enix Unveils Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Release Date
Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, the upcoming expansion for the incredibly popular MMORPG, has finally received a release date. During a panel today at PAX East, Square Enix announced that players will be able to dive into Heavensward on June 23.
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Overwatch Preview
While I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore Blizzard fan, I have the utmost respect for the studio and the quality of content it produces on such a consistent basis. It's rare these days that you encounter a company with a track record as impressive and spotless as Blizzard's, so when the developer announced it was creating a brand-new IP for PC and Mac, I knew it was going to be something special.
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