NEWS: XENOBLADE CHRONICLES X NINTENDO DIRECT RECAP

Early this morning, Nintendo streamed a Direct exclusively in Japan that focused on the upcoming game by Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and detailed new features and modes.

First off, Xenoblade Chronicles X will be available for digital download one hour earlier than its street release in Japan, allowing for gamers to begin playing the game by midnight. Also, Nintendo is releasing a Xenoblade Chronicles X Wii U Bundle, which will run for 35,000 yen and include:

• A copy of Xenoblade Chronicles X
• Black 32GB Wii U Console + Gamepad
• Xenoblade Chronicles X Art Book
• Xenoblade Chronicles X Game World Map
• Nintendo Prepaid Card of 1,000 yen

The game’s online store page, where you can purchase Xenoblade Chronicles X for download, also lists the game as supporting online multiplayer for up to 4 players. This will allow for up to 4 players to participate in quests, and Monolith Soft has confirmed that up to 32 players will be able to interact and trade with one another online.

The quest system will have players working for the organization “BLADE,” which is dedicated to the safety of humans living on Mira and will assign players quests to search the planet for human survivors. During the crash landing of the ship from Earth, many pods holding cryogenically-frozen people were scattered across Mira, and it’s up to you to find these survivors and bring them safely back to the military base/cityscape of New Los Angeles.

BLADE will also hire you to explore the vast landscapes of Mira, and you’ll do so by using the “Frontier Net” exploration system, which allows you to pinpoint locations across the planet using the Gamepad and search those areas for data. After probing these sites, mission objectives will appear in the area which will allow for fighting monsters and collecting hidden treasure. The more locations you discover, the more objectives that will be available, and by using “Data Probes” to explore these locations you can customize the probes to either output more resources from the area or increase your power in battle.

Being a member of BLADE, it will also be your sworn duty to help the people of New Los Angeles. Therefore, by exploring the city and talking to citizens, you’ll pick up new quests and objectives to complete. By talking to people, you’ll also be able to strengthen your bonds with the citizens and increase your chances of creating new bonds with others through a “bonding system.” There is also a BLADE headquarters in NLA, where you can check out all the new quests available and receive rewards for quests you’ve completed.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is scheduled to release in Japan on April 29th, 2015, with a release for North America and Europe planned for later this year. Also, in some related news, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D for the Nintendo 3DS will be hitting stores in North America on April 10th. You can view the new release trailer here.

For more Xenoblade Chronicles X news, stay tuned.

-Andrew (Head of A7)

Pictures via Siliconera

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