Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Critic Reviews

Taken by itself, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a spectacular example of an epic JRPG. Yes, the combat system is a little too overcooked for its own good, but the developer holds your hand nicely so that by the 40th hour the explosion of numbers, flashy attacks, and intertwined systems somehow makes sense. Aside from that, though, it’s a game that, for its size, is one of elegance and maturity. And that’s when you take it by itself. Philosophical, humorous, emotional, dramatic and always entertaining, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is going to be better remembered not for being its own entity, but rather like the third chapter in any great trilogy; as the perfect escalation to an enormously satisfying and appropriately epic conclusion.

At its core, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a story of the pursuit of freedom and the endless possibilities of the future - and as a game, it's the embodiment of that theme, with an unrestrictive world and a blueprint for how to build a masterpiece JRPG moving forward.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a genuine masterpiece and the highlight of Monolith Soft's superb series thus far. There's an emotionally-charged and surprisingly edgy epic to get stuck into here, a sprawling and hugely engaging narrative populated by a cast of unforgettable characters that's backed up by some of the very best combat we've had the pleasure of getting to grips with in this genre to date. Over 100 hours into this one, we're as captivated now as we were when we first booted it up and it has more than delivered every bit of the adventure, emotion, and action that its signature start screen promised it might. Aionios awaits, it's time to seize the future.

There’s no such thing as a perfect video game, but for me, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 comes as close to perfect as you can get. It’s a thoughtful, charming, sombre experience, punctuated by expertly-crafted moments of joy and wonder that come together to leave a lasting impression that sticks with you long after you put down the controller. I don’t know what the future holds for the Xenoblade series, but I do know that, with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it’s leaving a wonderful legacy in gaming.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 reflects all of the maturity accumulated throughout the last 12 years by a franchise that struggled to survive since its very first game, which was released by Nintendo in the West only after fan petitions. The game streamlines the action, gets rid of juvenile erotization and tells a story with heroes that talk like actual human beings, while simultaneously refining the exploration and world-building that already shone in its predecessors.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 delivers a massive world, and more than enough story and character to fill it, combined with the series’ most reactive combat system to date. While certainly a monster commitment, Aionios is an incredible place to live for a month or two.

Monolith Soft has crafted a JRPG that is so colossal yet also intricately focused. It delivers an experience that iterates upon everything its predecessors managed to achieve, resulting in a masterpiece that I am utterly enraptured by. Part of me feels like I’m still stewing in a cauldron of hyperbole, but in terms of characters, themes, and a world that I never want to leave behind - this is the series at its very best, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

What Monolith Soft has achieved with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 went far beyond my expectations. The developer’s masterful approach to character development and world-building results in an unforgettable adventure that is set in a world that is just as remarkable to explore. It is the emotional storytelling that makes it an unmissable journey that’s worth undertaking, elevating the experience to not only be considered as a Game of the Year contender but an all-time classic that will be remembered for decades to come.

We found Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to be a timeless gem that will go down in history as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. Its beautiful story, great gameplay and beautiful visuals make it a must-have for anyone. A flawless game for a legendary saga.

Though it borrows and evolves many of its foundations from other previous titles, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 finds numerous ways to distinguish itself from the rest. Its battle system has an ocean of depth, but it is genuinely fun to experiment with all the options it provides to players. I think the title is perfectly fine as a standalone experience to newcomers, but returning Xenoblade players will certainly be rewarded in several ways. For those that have stuck with Executive Director Tetsuya Takahashi’s grand Xeno project since Xenogears, there are numerous winks and nods in store for them too. I strongly believe that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a modern JRPG masterpiece.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is itself and loudly. It is what it is without a hint of doubt. It’s the perfect videogame, inasmuch as it takes everything that makes the series special and turns it up louder, down darker. It does what it wants.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 explores change and stasis, and what kind of impact you can have on the world in a short time span. As the most recent addition to a trilogy itself only just over a decade old, this game – and the franchise at large – seem set to leave a lasting legacy, well beyond the end credits.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the strongest JRPG in the modern Nintendo catalog, and is among the greatest games on the Nintendo Switch, and can potentially stand the test of time when considered among other platforms and generations as well. It's a complex, emotional journey, where you and the characters will confront challenging themes and philosophical ideas, and see them through to their respective cathartic conclusions.

JRPGs do not get better than this. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is Nintendo's finest to date and a must-play for fans of the genre. The moving story, delightful characters and deep, thrilling gameplay loop set this apart as a title that transcends the sum of its parts. There's so much to see and do and such a powerful story to be told, and it's all perfectly pieced together to result in a title that impresses on every level.

It’s, quite simply, one of the best titles on the Nintendo Switch, and one of the top role-playing games of 2022.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has its flaws like any other game. However, its qualities more than make up for them, bringing a beautiful JRPG experience like none other before seen in the series. The Class system is varied and fun to experiment with, the story is one of the best in the series history, and the aesthetic and production values are incredibly high. This game offers tons of content that will keep you glued to your Nintendo Switch and last a long time.

Already one of the prime RPG properties out there, Nintendo and Monolith Soft have somehow contrived to take Xenoblade Chronicles even higher. It’s clear that the studio has taken on board what has worked and what hasn’t from the previous titles, while still looking to inject fresh ideas. The great ambition of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is backed up with superb execution across the board as all of the elements work together to put players at the centre of another stunning experience.

It's big, bigger, biggest for Xenoblade chronicles 3. It's all the more galling that the game manages to captivate from start to finish. An unadulterated epic adventure.

Everything from characters, soundtrack, story and voice acting is absolutely stellar. If you can get past the outdated graphics, all I can promise you is that this game hits like a truck and charms like a beautiful sunset. There’s no doubt about it, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is truly a masterpiece, and I’m very curious where the folks at Monolith Soft will be going next with the series.

Immensely vast worlds, a set of complex but carefully managed gameplay mechanics, an amazing cast of characters, and a thrilling plot that will grab the player's attention from the first moment and coupled with a beautiful and exquisite audiovisual environment all contribute to make this one of the most magnificent games to come out on the Nintendo Switch.