I think it’s more than fair to say I’m a bit of a Xenoblade Chronicles-head, as I love the whole series from top to bottom. I feel that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a rather special game, so I was more than happy to take a look at how the new Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game looked and felt – especially since it features some dandy new features. Given that it’s $15 CAD/$10 USD to upgrade from the original version, I was curious whether the price is justified, and thanks to a code from Nintendo, I was able to find out.
Probably the most predictable boon that comes as part of Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s Switch 2 upgrade is the performance and visual quality. The game now consistently runs at a silky smooth 60 fps, and I’ve yet to experience any dips whatsoever. Additionally, the game now features noticeably higher resolution, with 4K being doable in docked mode and full HD when playing portably. It’s a solid jump upwards in quality, and it certainly makes this the best the game has ever looked.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2‘s Switch 2 upgrade adds an all-new Blade, too.
An entirely new Blade named MOMO has been included in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in the Switch 2 upgrade, which is a fairly substantial addition. Admittedly, I’ve yet to play any Xenosaga titles, but my understanding is that MOMO is based on a character from said series. This likely makes it even more appealing for series fans, but even without that prior knowledge, her inclusion is worthwhile. She comes with a quest centered on her and her enjoyable skills and Blade Arts, cementing MOMO as a fully new character rather than some sort of tacked-on afterthought.
Then there’s Merc Assault mode – a submode that finally lets you play as the game’s many Blades themselves. Essentially, this is just a way to carry out Mercenary Missions as the Blades you’ve sent out without any Drivers, rather than just letting it go on in the background. This might be the weakest part of the bundle; while the idea is appealing, it doesn’t feel all that different from the usual gameplay. It’s cool to control your favorite Blades directly now, but I couldn’t see myself choosing to do that very much rather than just standard Mercenary Missions.
Finally, a smaller addition is the new Pyra/Mythra outfits. These aren’t anything crazy but offer a nice new look for the iconic duo, and can fittingly be unlocked right away by scanning a Pyra or Mythra amiibo through the game’s new amiibo support. You can also earn them by completing a Merc Assault mission, so anyone who’s gotten past Chapter 3 can easily unlock the costumes without having to own the amiibo. It’s a nifty bonus, if nothing else.
All this being said, I’d say that Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade is absolutely worth grabbing if you’ve yet to play the game, and likely worthwhile if you’ve played and enjoyed it already. The visual and performance upgrades, as well as MOMO’s presence and the neat extra costumes, all build upon an already exceptional game and simply add to its already substantial breadth. Sure, Merc Assault isn’t anything all that special, but it’s fine as a novelty and works well enough alongside these other features. I can’t wait for the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 upgrade in December, as this has been an exciting way to keep the series on people’s minds as we wait for Xenoblade Genesis.
You can take a look at the game in action on YouTube below:
