Ahead of its launch later this month we go hands-on with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and deliver some ‘new to the franchise’ impressions of the RPG favourite. Where it nails the soap-opera like elements of classic JRPG stories in addition to creating a world that is as awe-inspiring as it is mysterious and strange.

A snippet.

Xenoblade Chronicles began with a tale of heroes, fate, and fluffy little Nopon creatures back on the Wii in 2010 (it was recently remastered for the Switch). As depicted by the numerical value in the title, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the third game in the popular RPG series, and we’re weeks away from Monolith Soft and Nintendo delivering what fans are no doubt expecting to be an epic third instalment. This hands-on preview covers the first big chunk of the experience, specifically the first Chapter of its story, and it’s safe to say it’s going to live up to the hype.

And we say epic on the account of it not taking too long for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to deliver the goods and hook you in terms of story, spectacle, and mysterious mysteries involving the sort of threat where ‘once mortal enemies’ need to drop their oversized swords and band together. To take on a new threat clad in shiny, angular, and admittedly very cool looking armour; glowing eyes and increased physical stature included. Fight choreography and even the cinematography in the cinematics are all wonderful, well realised, and backed by a great soundtrack.

Our Full Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Preview