Usually a bit of release date news for a game already dated means that it's getting delayed. With the recently announced Xenoblade Chronicles 3 slated for a September 2022 launch today comes word that its release is being brought forward to July 29, 2022. Very cool.

And with that there's a new three-minute trailer that will no doubt excite fans of the series. It depicts all the Xenoblade and, err, Chronicle action you can expect. Plus, our first proper look at combat.

In this latest entry in the long-running role-playing series, players embark on an epic adventure that tells a grand tale with “life” as its central theme while connecting the futures of the two previous mainline Xenoblade Chronicles games.

Players will step into the roles of protagonists Noah and Mio amid turmoil between the nations of Keves and Agnus. Six characters hailing from those nations join forces to learn the truth behind their conflict, and set their sights for Swordsmarch, a land pierced by a giant sword.

Battle with up to seven characters: Like in previous Xenoblade Chronicles games, battles start by facing enemies directly in the field. Players can control Noah’s party of six as well as additional characters they’ll meet during the adventure. Each character has their own role in battle, which allows for diverse strategies.

Class change: Noah is a Swordfighter, specializing in close range attacks, while Mio is a Zephyr, drawing enemy attention while evading their strikes. Thus, each character has their own class with their own strengths. Progressing in the adventure, players can change characters’ classes, creating a customised party.

New Interlink system: Each of the tag-team pairs, Noah and Mio, Lanz and Sena, Eunie and Taion can make use of the Interlink system if certain conditions are met. They will then combine into a giant form called Ouroboros. Each Ouroboros has its own powerful move set, and deciding when to transform can be the key to winning a battle.

And with a new date we've also got confirmation that a Collector’s Edition will be made available via the My Nintendo Store that will include a 250-page hardcover art book and steel case for the game.