Many new details about Xenoblade Chronicles 3 have been revealed as part of a special Nintendo Direct. From the main cast of six characters to their fighting abilities and the world they live in, that’s all we learned today.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Main characters
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 unfolds in a world ravaged by conflict between two nations; Agnus and Keves. The six protagonists are initially two sides in this conflict, but soon realize that they share a common destiny and must work together to defeat the real enemy.
The first group consists of: Noah, a bold prophet; the impudent and stupid June; and Lanz, a great brawler. Their initial opponents are the kind and compassionate Mio; the ingenious combat tactician, Tayon; and Senna, a small man of great strength.
Once reunited, the six fight together in their quest to reach Swordmarch, a land pierced by a huge stone sword.
Along with these main characters, there is a list of characters who act as the seventh member of your group. Although you can hire a large number of characters, only one can be in your party at any one time. Many have been featured on Direct, including Ashera, Valdi, Riku and Manana, Fiona, Alexandria and Gray. A few details have been offered about what they contribute, but Heroes have their own specialties. Valdi, for example, is a military medic, while Alexandria is an insider who can deal more critical blows.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Combat system and classes
All the characters in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 fit into the classic trio of RPG class: attackers, defenders and healers. But within these broad categories there are more specific classes. Examples offered by Direct include Swordfighter, which is a well-balanced striker who leads the battle; Marshmallow, a defense specialist who can avoid and counter enemy attacks; the medical artilleryman who can restore the allies and strengthen the capabilities at a distance; The tactician who confuses enemies and supports allies with paper talismans; the heavy guard, which uses massive weapons to protect allies and attract agro; and Ogre, which can crush enemy defenses.
Each character can switch between classes and it is recommended that each character in the group learn several classes to allow for a well-rounded team.
Classes allow characters to use the Arts; special capabilities that are matched to the front buttons of the Switch. Stringing Arts creates combinations and fits into a system where you smash and knock down enemies before firing them into the air and then smashing them back to the ground. Combining attacks together is a sure way to destroy enemies.
Fusion Arts takes this system to the next level, allowing you to combine two different arts into one attack.
The Xenoblade Chronicles 3 combat system is real-time and you are free to switch between group members at any time. For now, at least from the footage in Direct, it looks like a pretty smooth and fun system.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Ouroboros interconnected
Undoubtedly the coolest revelation of Direct is Interlinking; an ability that allows two members of the group to merge together into a gospel-like fur / creature / something called Ouroboros. Specific character pairs are able to do this, and depending on which character is chosen to be the dominant mind in the pair, Ouroboros’ abilities may change. As such, you will want to choose the right “pilot” for the task. Reconnection is only a temporary deal, so you will need to make the most of your Ouroboros before the timer expires, but they can join in with chain attacks to create extremely harmful combinations.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Extension and Collector’s Edition Pass
The Direct also announced an Expansion Pass, which will cost $ 29.99 / £ 26.99. A new storyline is included, which will be released by the end of 2023. At launch, the pass will add “useful elements” and color options to the equipment. By the end of 2022, a new challenging battle, a new hero and quests, as well as new teams will be added. And by the end of April 2023, another new battle with challenge, hero, quests and equipment is promised.
When Xenoblade Chronicles 3 launches on July 29, a collector’s edition will be available, which comes with an art book and a SteelBook case. It is exclusive to the My Nintendo Store, so follow the pre-order website.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was first announced earlier this year on Nintendo Direct in February 2022. It is a sequel to the beloved Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and although evolving into the future of the world depicted in previous games, has a new cast and history .
Matt Parslow is the British news and feature editor at IGN.
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