Hey all, I recorded this video one day (!) before Nintendo's announcement of closing down online services for 'legacy' platforms 3DS and Wii U. This makes a discussion about XCX's future even more important (since this game incorporates various online features). I REQUEST that you please bear in mind these COMMUNITY GUIDELINES when using the comments: 1. Please watch/listen to my video *before* commenting (it helps!) 2. Please read the provided info in the video Description - most likely a question or query of yours is covered there. I couldn't fit everything into the video after all ... 3. The question of hacking/modding your Wii U is not within the scope of my video and not part of this particular discussion. No doubt I will cover that in the future. I would *really appreciate* it if you curb any urge to fire off a 'rant' on this topic. I like to keep the signal-to-noise ratio positive on my channel - we all benefit from that. Thank you for all your support especially for my XCX coverage! Britta - F4D
Thanks, ma'am, for always providing insightful comments on these videos, and creating a comfortable place to communicate. You're a real legend. Take care! 💚
and ture xenoblade x was a great technical game in the wii u, i played around 200 hours in that game and i was amazed how that world was created, it was so much fun to explore.
@@jameswatts2338 Hey, this is a *Xenoblade* video and topic. Obviously (duh!) 🤦🏻♂I haven't covered D7 yet. I received my copy 2 days ago: x.com/Food4Dogs/status/1711139713162330166?s=20 I don't rush off undercooked reviews or impressions.
i do think it'd be really cool if, they made an XCX 2, that had XCX in the mix as well - sort of a two for one, if they're largely going to reuse the landscape and whatnot, makes a lot of sense, potentially.
I will never forget the first moment you get the ability to fly in your Skell and suddenly it feels like the chains fall off and it the whole world has opened up for you. Incredible game.
same. still bitter that they cut the GORGEOUS region music for that one song that plays whenever you start flying and ALWAYS PLAYS FROM THE BEGINNING. It was heartbreaking tbh
@@Cleverconveyence I hope if this ever gets ported we are given the option to turn it off. I feel like it has a great impact the first time, but after that I want to just listen to the region's music instead.
Just started and on Chapter 7. Everything everyone says of the Skell reception is true: it changes the entire game and made everything worth it. I haven’t even got the flight module yet!
All 2D Metroids (sans Samus Returns), all DKCs, all Xenoblades. Switch being the definitive platform for at least three first party series makes me so happy.
I think XCX suffers from "Dreamcast syndrome" in that the Dreamcast had poor sales, so no one played most Dreamcast titles, and they got ported to PS2/GC. The Wii U had the same problem, and I feel like if XCX had a Switch sized install base looking at it, we'd see XC2 or XC3 sales. Great video F4D!
@@Food4Dogs WWHD and TPHD will show up at some point. My guess is cause Nintendo is holding them and will use them as filler titles on Switch 2 to help with the wait for the next game. Just like they did on Wii U with BOTW. Also we don't need WWHD and TPHD on Switch. If that happened that would mean we had WW on 3 out of the past 4 systems, and TP on 4 systems in a row....and that is absurd to release the same game 4 consoles in a row. So give them a break with the Switch. Switch is a massive success, it doesn't require WWHD or TPHD.
Can't wait to see you talk about the Definitive Edition coming next year. I'm more excited about the possibility of that video than the game itself lol
😁 I think that's a bit of too much hype LOL. There will be stuff to talk about, for sure - but in the end, it'll be the same XCX game we know and love. 🤗
Holy crap. Respectfully, Gradma, you kick as*!!! This game was my dream to become what xenogears/xenosaga could potentially be in terms of genre. Unfortunately it was clearly rushed and gated by technology back then. Now with the Xenoblade success, i would love to see it or a spirit successor come to shine with all the potential that Mr. Takahashi and his team has!
28:54 thank you for saying this. this is rarely brought up when discussing games or any creative medium for that matter. entitlement can be so strong within a community and can often create a toxic space for creativity and innovation. ultimately i think it can be detrimental to new ideas and progress. great video and discussion!
This is why Square Enix didn't bother to make a straightforward remake of FF7, why spend half a decade on remaking the same game, creative people will never stop innovating.
@@rifway22 I remember when DE was coming out they mentioned that they wouldn't have remade the game if they weren't going to add anything new to it. Which is what Future Connected was for.
I played most of my time in XCX in handheld mode and never had issues with the screen swapping. It was just as you said, one button press to switch between the two. This was a terrific (and heartbreaking) look at why this game hasn't been ported
It's really just an experimental console MOBA developed with the Xenoblade IP, I don't think here's much internal passion for it. aNd EVERYTHING monolith did for it is excellently preserved and updated upon, they for example assisted with the BotW/TotK. That geography IS the Xenoblade mapping, with much more finalized physics to be a fully realized, roamable world, rather than just a setting to drop an JRPG in and do some turn-based events and fetch quests for grinding. The story is pretty fractured and cookie-cutter, honestly something I expect from much MORE ignored mass-produced series like Trails, or something I would apprecaite on a conceptional level in shallowly produced little packets, like Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault. The transhumanist angle really is, in general not in this series as such, a really surface-level exploration through this SINGLE trapping of "what is humanity". It's not really different form something like Full Metal Alchemist, dealing with same topics much better with science/magic. It's not really very heartening to always come across this infinite search for Woodstock, the idea that EVERY product has to be immaculately preserved and yammered on about and passed on to future generations, because you might have PERSONAL memories about it. That you can't move on from, and build ON TOP OF by familarizing yourself with other IP.
To potentially quell some fears, Monosoft was primarily hiring network and data engineers back in 2020+21 so I could honestly see them and Nintendo making XCX a top priority to tie into the NSO service for next gen. Something to try and rope in the FF14 players.
Speaking of BotW on Wii U - I was disappointed in the lack of gamepad function, seemingly removed so as to not make the Switch version look inferior - since the Sheikah Slate appeared to emulate a Wii U gamepad, it likely featured at least the same map functions as the earlier HD ports. I imagine that's why we've not seen a Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD port to the Switch - they're going to feel like a step backwards, even if they run better.
Good point! In fact another member here said the same thing about the deliberate non-use of gamepad function. I'm really unhappy about that. Bad attitude from Nintendo.
@@Food4Dogs I'm more mixed about their deliberate non-use of the gamepad function. If the Switch version of BotW was considered the lesser one at launch, it could have negatively impacted the momentum the Nintendo Switch gained having BotW as a launch title. Admittedly, it is just speculation. I still believe Nintendo wanted to ensure the Switch's success, and cool useful features like using the gamepad as the Sheikah slate got caught in the crossfire.
I work in the game industry and wanted to lay out some thoughts on this situation. First of all, I want to say that all ports are possible. But, like everything in business, it's a cost vs. benefits scenario. Let's look at the cost. Making a port is much less costly than making a new game. But where does that cost come from? Well, two big factors. Firstly, the code. A lot of code directly transfers. Code that makes up core gameplay features is largely independent of the platform it is developed for. But code that deals with IO is. Some things are simple, like controllers (assuming a game does not depend on motion controls or anything else unique). But some IO is tricky, the biggest being graphics. Graphics are incredibly complicated in modern games. It is the primary reason why some ports run terribly on modern systems, even if the hardware is more powerful. Yes, it's more powerful, but the base game was optimized for the original system, and even if the numbers are better, the newer system just isn't designed to run the code that the base game has. A rather archaic example is the N64 vs. the PS1. The N64 had a Z-buffer, which meant that it calculated the depth of every pixel it rendered, but the PS1 had better texture resolution. Therefore, you got crisper textures on PS1, but dealt with polygons jumping back and forth in front of each other often (I recognize that this is an incredible simplification and there is much more nuance). This begs the question, how would you port between the two systems? Well, with a lot of effort, and results likely won't be equivalent. Modern ports, however, are expected to be at least as equivalent as possible. Modern systems are converging not just in specs but also in their interface. You see this in XBox where modern XBox games almost always come out for XBox and PC at the same time because it is easy to develop for both. But the WiiU is from a period where this was not the case. Monolith Soft is known for pushing the limits of the hardware, so their games in particular are going to be hard to port. Nevermind the fact that going from WiiU to Switch means you're losing the gamepad screen, the hardware is certainly optimized in a radically different fashion. It probably isn't hard to get XBX working on the switch. But working well? Different story. The second big cost is opportunity cost. Any developer working on a XBX port isn't working on their next big game. So why would they work on a port? A primary reason would be building the brand. Either the Xenoblade X brand, or Monolith Soft brand itself. Another reason could be pride, which for creatives in the gaming industry is actually a driving factor. But in interviews the directors have said that they have no reason to port it at this moment, which leads me to believe that the only reason would be a XBX2 announcement. They ported XBC, which followed into XBC3 a few years latter. A Switch XBX isn't impossible, because, avoiding specifics, the ending of XBX leaves room for sequels, but unless XBX2 is soon I don't have hopes for a port. The cost of a port likely outweighs the business benefit. Once last thing I'd like to do is compare ports to translations. There is a debate in translations about whether you should do a direct translation or do a localization, or something in between. And a port is no different. Should you make things as close as possible, or implement some modernizations? Some things necessitate a redesign, like the gamepad functionality in XBX. Other things could be... do you improve graphics? Like shaders? Or models? Or implement raytracing? Do you implement QoL features that are obvious now that the game has been out for years? Do you let the director implement a few more tweaks? Rewrite a couple lines to be more sensible/less problematic for the current era? A 1-1 port sounds good on the surface, but like a literal translation, it actually doesn't make a lot of sense, so now the question is, how much should you change? And it all has a cost. (I understand that a lot of my commentary is brief, but I also wanted to keep this message brief as possible. Ports are a much more involved discussion than I think people realize.)
I’ve seen your videos recommended a few times but only managed to get to one now. I really like the way you analysed Xenoblade X and covered the technical aspects involved in its development or a port. It’s rare to get analysis that goes to the depth of noting the differences in system architecture and hardware components, and I love how you referenced various articles, interviews and analysis such as those by Digital Foundry. I do hope we see a Xenoblade X port eventually but I think if we do it’ll be reserved for the “switch successor” (which I’d prefer), and for after whatever the next major Xenoblade/Xeno entry is due to my take on the ending of Future Redeemed.
Thank you. Yes, a lot of people have referred to the Future Redeemed ending (I haven't had time yet to play that). As I say in my video, there is no doubt in my mind that any possible XCX resurrection has to happen on the Switch successor console.
Interesting topic for me as it is the only Xenoblade i haven't played. Although, I think Nintendo will someday release a port to complete the saga. Other thing is the preservation of games, a topic that would take hours of discussion. Greetings from Madrid!
I have to hope the next game Monolithsoft is working on is a sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles X. It is a massive game, and a sequel could easily take 5 years, as the original did. I would be surprised, unless it's outsourced, if we got a port within the next few years. I have to hope though. If a studio like the one that did XC3D, ported Xenoblade X to the next Nintendo console, that would be very exciting.
They would need to rerelease the original game to be able to sell a sequel. A remake of the original game would give Monolith new assets to more easily make the sequel.
@@delireent.3960 That is different because Xenoblade 2 is a stand alone game in a completely different world. X2 would be a direct sequel to X’s cliffhanger ending.
Loved watching this video, especially since I am now replaying X on my computer given I want to keep my Wii U and original disk safe from both flash issues, drive issues and disc rot. I think your third option is likely, but I'm torn at 50/50 between a simple remaster (let's call it "Definitive Edition") just like XC1, where graphics, gameplay, and even small details are changed for canon purposes (think Alvis's necklace changing to the red Conduit-shaped core crystal). This will likely have an added DLC but I think in X this may actually be very difficult. Why, you may ask? Because X was a game that by itself already had a lot of attempts to "fit in with the canon" of XC1, 2, and even Xenosaga. Telethia (who we see drifting into black holes in Future Connected...), the Ovah missions come to mind (they reference the "great sea" either from 1 or 2), and then there's the obvious Elma similarity to a certain Xenosaga character who was drifting in space towards old Earth (aka Lost Jerusalem), a character that also got particular attention in the very last scene of Future Redeemed... And of course we cannot forget the Future Redeemed "canon-maker" radio. I think Monolith and Takahashi-san have a lot to work with and for, but them releasing Future Redeemed early clearly hints they needed to hasten the pace for what's in store. And I myself am very confident X has an important part to play.
@@Food4Dogs if you already played 1, 2 and 3, Future Redeemed is probably the only DLC that I would consider essential - it ties up the 3 games, even though all of those games were finished gracefully on their own. Future Redeemed seals the Klaus saga in great fashion and is just a stupidly good source of fan service, while being a fun game on its own. Unlike Future Connected or even Torna, which had great battle systems but had to screw it with either a lacking story, gatekeeping story progression with mandatory quests (dozens of hours of quests to be precise!), or both. Future redeemed can be finished in 10 or 20h depending on what the player decides to do, is fun, has great story and characters, a world as charming as any of the games (which complements Aionios to boot...), and the most satisfying ending one could ask. Especially after the bitter taste of XC3's great, yet sad ending.
Hi, very nice video! I'm a game modder that's familiar with the "modern" Monolith Soft engine. I personally have not played X, but it was the first game to use the engine that all the Xenoblade Switch games are based on. Each game iterated on the previous and matured the engine with each entry. A friend of mine (Jordan, who wrote “Did You Know Gaming Xenoblade”) wanted me to give my thoughts on porting, as someone decently familiar with the engine. Quick aside before I dive into technical stuff, I do want to comment on your notes about gamepad functionality. Ultimately it may be able to be relegated to a menu, but then doesn’t that break the convenience of just being able to look down to use FrontierNav? Anyway, at a very high technical level - yeah, a port could absolutely be made! Simply update the code, make sure it runs on the Switch, and bam, there's your X Definitive Edition. However, as with any grand idea, the actual technical and organizational details do not make this an easy process by any means. Even though they are technically on the same engine, the deep-seated internal changes are numerous. Even when comparing 2 and 3 to one another, a large amount of internal engine code has been reorganized, swapped out, or is entirely missing with newer code in its place. (To sell this point, every single game has had a different particle library, and X, 2, and DE+3 all use different UI libraries!) A simplified analogy would be that it’s like using a Windows XP program on Windows 11 - sure, it'll still largely work once you get it running, but there will be very unfamiliar behaviors and bugs that would have been avoided by rewriting it entirely. Another point to raise is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the engine still has support for loading from disc. But, the linear nature of reading from a disc lends itself to creative thinking when it comes to asset management. The console needs to read data to load, but when you have to wait for a spinning piece of plastic to get to a certain spot to do so, then it becomes very important to use your time efficiently. The advantage of cartridge-based systems (and any flash storage, for that matter) is the random access. This is why some games nowadays recommend, if not downright require SSDs, even on consoles. Because of these conditions, engines for disc systems tend to have different philosophies for how they load data and keep that data in memory. I know firsthand how touchy the loading system can be, and while the Switch's doubled RAM helps, it's not the cure-all for this problem. Entire formats have to be designed around these limitations. The engine's map system (internally known as “Seamless”) still technically has support for streaming map files, but maps in 2 and DE are largely single areas, so this kind of seamless streaming capability isn't exercised. In 3, this is largely used for the other regions + infinite sea of Aionios. Personally, I have no issue with the graphical fidelity of any of the games, so I do not have much to say on the topic of graphics. But, in their process, assets are designed and tested in-game on the PC, and then modified to work on the game console if necessary. Because of this, the engine technically supports any resolution (even if the UI is specifically designed for a 720p screen.) However, with the new particle library introduced in 3, each particle effect would likely have to be recreated from scratch. The porting work of that, on top of whichever other graphical changes they wish to make (better textures, rendering techniques, etc.) might ultimately make this unviable all on its own. I imagine they'll also want to redesign the UI, like they did with Xenoblade 1 with DE, which would require yet more work. I can only hope they're happy with the UI library now! Ultimately, I do not think a port is happening at this time - justifying the business cost alone is difficult, let alone the discussions on "do we all-hands-on-deck this, or let a B team do it?" or "if we do make this port, will new players try it, or will it just be the hardcore X fans?" DE had the unique position of proving new tech for the upcoming Xenoblade 3 (a number of core engine changes, and the new UI framework were introduced here) but also served as a way of letting players experience a 10 year old game in the best way possible. The idea of an X2 is likely far more tempting to Monolith, especially after the lackluster sales and reputation of X compared to the mainline games. Hopefully we get a solid yes or no at some point, but until then it's fun to speculate.
Hi, Jordan here! I just wanted to say that I asked Block to write about this because I knew she is knowledgeable about Xenoblade datamining, but even I didn't know to the extent she'd explain all this stuff in-depth! She is incredible, and thank you so much for this awesome video, Food4Dogs!
Making a sequel to a game that was on a console that failed without rereleasing the original game is dooming the sequel. The ideal for Monolith is remaking Xenoblade X with a new engine and then using that engine for the sequel.
@@westonmeyer3110 Okay. I just don't understand why they would do that. What benefit would there be to pour tons of money into starting from scratch? They have an incredible, portable custom engine already.
I've always been wanting a sequel for the X series over a Switch port of the first game and I stood with that opinion when they shut down the eShop. Now that Nintendo has announced that online functionality for Wii U and 3DS will be mostly shut down, It's now very important to me that this title gets off the Wii U and on a new platform for newer Xenoblade fans to experience even if it means we wait longer for a sequel that I've been waiting so long for. Preferably I would want a straight port/remaster, but if they have to remake the entire game just to make things easier to move to a different platform then that would be fine for me.
This game was the game and still's the game that make me want a WII U, i haven't seen a second hand one in a good price. I think this new Xenoblade games uses a new compression and a new asset storage system in the engine, still i don't know if this could help to put the game on a cartdrige but still the Switch has some bad GPU bandwith problem which with the fliying parts of the game it would be a the biggest problem, loading of the asset's/map, the pop-in or level of detail changes, finger crossed to see a port to the next Nintendo platform because i really want to play it. The shared tech from Monolith to the Zelda team it's the big example, i think they pushed their tech to the Switch limits and we can see those limits with the ultrahand in Tears of The Kingdom and it's fps down moments, the end scenes of this game gave me hope because of what they made but still is a big task and more knowing that WII U and Switch doen'st share CPU architecture it would be a BIG task, let's hope we can see the game in a new platform to give it a new opportunity with the people and let's hope the programmers doesn't get the pains of a big work and have a nice work environment. Sorry for the big comment and sorry if i used some "techy" words, 28:54 absolutely agree with this, if we don't see XCX in a future it's completely ok, ❤.
Good morning ma'am. Your video crossed my feed this morning. I hope you're well and celebrating the recent announcement of the definitive addition. Have a great day!
I would love to be able to do a happy sequel to this video! 😀 We will know more once Nintendo unveil their plans and projects for the new Switch console. Not giving up hope!
It is worth noting that this game is very well playable on PC via CEMU emulator. I am about 50 hours in in my current playthrough as I can't justify taking out my Wii U from the loft just to play one game. There are also some definite advantages such as being able to play in native 1080p, increase range for collecting items and other small adjustments you can make to the game. The tablet functionality works well and you can just switch to the tablet view with TAB key and do what you need to do with map/frontier nav management and then switch back to the game. For myself, playing on the PC is the superior way of experiencing XCX, so in theory, they could port it to another system in the future, but as you say in your video, the original Switch would likely not have the power to manage it without any significant changes/re-writes of the original code which they would likely not be willing to invest into. It would be great to see some sort of continuation of the story though or at least (as you say in your video) something done with this wonderful world.
Britta, your videos will never fail to brighten up my days. Right now in the world it's pretty scary but your videos and your contagious enthusiasm for games are just a joy to watch. I can't wait to see more!
I Finally completed a playthrough of this game after 9 years. I uploaded the final part on my RUclips channel. I always thought that the story of this game was not it's strong point but that ending blew me away, I was genuinely touched. The world,the exploration, the sci fi design, The feeling when you first get your skell, the feeling when you first get your skell to fly, the feeling when you finally understand how the hell overdrive even work ! What a fantastic game.
@@Food4Dogs Oh please mam don't go through the trouble, I wanted to get it done I usually played it in session of 45 minutes to an 2 hours but the last bit is a 5 hours+ marathon I can't put you through this ^^. I appreciate a lot though
@valygomu no worries - I actually sometimes need a complete break from everything and so I watch a video, in smaller chunks, every day. It's kinda my "treat" for a gruelling session of video editing. 😄
WOW that is amazing timing valygomu! You just finished this magnificent game a few days before they finally announced the Switch Remaster! How do you feel? And Mrs. Britta, how do YOU feel?? I'm feeling pretty good myself this is fantastic. I think I'll check out some of your videos valygomu.
Great video!! I really love X and couldn’t get enough of it. I actually had to sell my copy of it, I was starting to affect the rest of my life negatively… 😅 (I have a copy now, but I’ve moved on to other things) I stupidly went into it expecting a life-altering story experience like the original XC was, or some connection between the universes. Kept waiting for a zoom-out like moment where I could learn more about Klaus. It took me a while to appreciate the story as a stand-alone experience.
I'd be very interested in seeing how a "remixed" version of XCX would do. While I have attachment to certain characters, what truly drew me to the game was character customization/cosmetics, and the dramatic evolution of gameplay via acquisition of Skells. There have been many gameplay improvements in this series since XC1 and XCX, as well as a story and lore set that has seemingly moved on without being shackled by the original game's setting. If they took the world, gameplay concepts, beloved characters that may or may not have made cameo appearances in XC2 DLC, and completely retooled them to fit this new wider narrative that they seem to be crafting, I'd be positively giddy to see the end result.
Yep. A bit of a head scratcher .. but probably to do with Nintendo's end-of-year accounts March 2025. They need a big game to send off the old Switch in style, and for those players who can't upgrade to a Switch 2 straightaway.
it fills my heart with such joy the love and passion the XBX community sees still all these years later. thank you for such a well researched and in depth look at why we haven't seen a port to the switch and your ideas for what's to come are very intriguing as well. i would also like to see a sequel with new ideas or even perhaps a spin off type game if they can't fit a full X2 into the budget.
Lovely video! I miss Xenoblade X dearly and I hope everyone will get to (re)experience it in the near future. It is true that the cost and size of the game were stated to be the main hurdles (though I doubt this argument is still relevant considering it was mentioned in 2018 back when they were about to release Torna). I think another reason why X wasn’t ported on the Switch was because it offers a different experience from the main Xenoblade trilogy. After the backlash of X’s narrative, Monolith Soft wanted to return to the story-driven style of games. At the time of X’s release, the Xenoblade series was still in its infancy stage. Between Xenoblade 1 and X, it did not have a consistent identity. With that in mind, it is likely they set X aside so they could focus on maintaining a consistent identity and theme as well as growing the Xenoblade brand. If they had reintroduced X after 2, it would’ve disrupted the brand’s image, which ultimately would’ve done more harm than good for the series’ longevity. Now that the main games have been concluded, we can finally look forward to the future. Hopefully that future includes the return of X in some form.
Indeed, thank you, a very valid point and well put. Enough to talk about there for another video. 😀 I focused on the technical/financial issues because unfortunately I still see and hear an awful lot of "why isn't it on the Switch" and my focus was on directing people's thinking towards "What could be done with an XCX-based game on a new console?"
it still blows me away there is not a switch port of the game but I do hope we get a port of it on the next system and hopefully with reverts to the original censorship done to original release as Nintendo was on a censor spree at the time.
Thank you, Jianfeng Guo (not sure which one is first name!) - but I really just do what anyone with a bit of time and patience can research and compile!😀
As you said, X was very Wii U-centric. It even had Miiverse posts popping up. Something to consider is that some recent stuff gave some attention to every Xeno game, not just the main Blade trilogy. That includes X, which might indicate a return to Mira.
I agree, if Xenoblade X port will happen it will be on the next switch, which would be great. Monoliftsoft with better hardware is going to be awesome.
OMG - it's 7am here, I'm just gearing up for the day and happen to see this comment first up! 😲 So I'm galloping off now to catch up with the news... Unbelievable! Thank you 👍
First, I'd like to say I absolutely LOVE your work and find your story very inspiring. On the subject of XCX, I've come late to the party with my first venture into the world being the XC2 on Switch and now currently working on XC1 Definitive. I spent about 250+ hrs in XC2 and enjoyed every minute of it. It was during my time on it that I started hearing about XCX...started looking at gameplay clips of it on RUclips, and wishing they would do a port to the Switch. You make a lot of great points about the architecture and roadblocks Monolith would face should they decide to undertake the task of remastering/remaking the game and if they could expect the sales to make it worth the effort. To that, I hope they are considering that I'm sure there are many more gamers out there like myself that didn't even get exposed to the XC series until the Switch came along. I think it would be interesting to compare the sales of the original XC and XCX with the sales of XC2 and XC3 (which I have already bought by the way but I wanna finish XC Definitive first...). I'd also be totally fine if they decided to do a sequel to XCX. The whole concept of XCX just really takes me back to one of my all time favorite RPGs Xenogears. If I remember correctly, it was a branch of Square back then that broke away and became Monolith, maybe having something to do with the fact that Square didn't allow them to make the other parts to the Xenogears story. They seemed to want to recapture the intrigue of Xenogears with the Xenosaga series before moving on to the Xenoblade series. I still hold out hope that they'll expand on the XCX world. Time will tell.
Thank you for your comment, great points there. The question of sales of XC2 and XC3 is easily answered, as the numbers are readily available just googling. Both games did very well sales-wise, which encourages us to believe there is a solid future for Xenoblade games. Xenogears: indeed, those mechs! Takahashi himself talked about his love of mechs and how he wanted that "piece" of Xenogears in XCX in several interviews. Here is one comment: "Takahashi: Yes, there is a little bit of a reference there. Although I want to point out that in Xenogears, we had to separate dungeons that were meant to be cleared by characters on foot from the dungeons that were meant to be cleared by the characters inside their Gears. We had to do that because of tech and cost limitations. But now we’re able to do those together, where you can have the ability to choose whether you want to fight in the Skell or fight on foot." venturebeat.com/games/xenoblade-chronicles-xs-director-on-building-an-rpg-for-multiple-audiences/2/
Came to see your video and now you have a new sus. Very nice perspective about one of my fav games of all times. I have a looooooot of hours in my Wii U and I will have a bunch more in Switch. ^^ Salutes from Canary Island!
Yes - I'm so intrigued how they're gonna handle the Switch 2 for back compatibility in general, and ofc for XCX in particular. There obviously will have to be a way that people who buy the game in March can then also play it in April/May/June (whenever the Switch 2 comes out) on the new console!
The switch was my first nintendo console since the ds, therefore i’ve missed on a lot of titles. I’d love to experience this masterpiece along with a lot of other titles that’s haven’t been ported yet… let’s hope 🤞
... if you have X-ray vision! 😄 Seriously, I'm not sure about that at all. So many people over the years have pointed to the small UI text size. I would love it ofc IF this could work on some form of handheld; but the screen size would have to be such that it might not qualify any more as a true portable or handheld. I know a few people who *have* played it handheld on the Wii U gamepad (obviously 20/20 eyesight!), but even they said that it caused eye strain. To me, it's a game best enjoyed on a large screen.
When they released the Definitive Edition of the original Xenoblade Chronicles in 2020, 10 years after the initial version on Wii, I started assuming they would do the same for X in 2025. The HD versions of the Zelda games have been about 10 years after the originals. Hoping my suspicions aren't proven wrong within the next 24 months.
I have never in my life seen such a video as this. I love this, seriously with all that I am. I love the explanation and the overall outlook you have on the game and the space it is relevant in. The fact that you take the time to discuss things like relevance of the game in todays landscape is astounding and a really fresh way to look into this. Usually people just ask for something without understanding why some things have not been re-released. Fantastic video! Amazing work.
thanks for the video and explanation Britta. yeah that's my take on this whole thing too. Aside from all the problems they would face on the technical side of things, at the end of the day gaming is not just a hobby it's a business, and if sales numbers don't do well then there is no incentive to give us the game. honestly they are also probably afraid that we're gonna keep begging and begging for a switch port , and then when we finally get it we won't play it because that's just the way gamers are😂😂
This was a great video! X is my favorite game ever, so i hope it gets some love eventually somehow, but one point i wanted to mention is that xeno is a LOT bigger now, as of august this year, 2 has sold 2.7m, DE is at 1.8M and so is 3. With the series being as popular as it is now, i would really be surprised if they never gave X another shot.
Indeed, Xenoblade has moved from "niche" into pretty much mainstream, or at least "very successful" territory. I'm sure Monolith and Nintendo are looking very closely at all possible angles to continue that trend.
Well Sometimes Remakes are done by Different Studio's. Like they did with Zelda TP and SS.. So Monolith can still focus on a new Project. While another Studio can remake Xenoblade X.
It would certainly take less time than making a completely new game in a new sub series. Xenoblade X would also be great for the new system because it would show off how much more powerful it is than the Wii U and Switch by easily playing the game.
So many people think the X would be a straight port or DE instead of the massively different game it was intended to be, I've seen at 4 users max who do appriciate it to that extent. I still agree with most of what was said in this video, lots of good insight.
X came out shortly after my oldest son was born. Lots of great memories attached to it. If this does not get an upgraded port to Switch, I will probably just emulate on Steam Deck when I want to play again. I have done Wind Waker HD on Deck and bringing up the Gamepad screen is as simple as holding one of the back buttons. Not as seamless as having two screens, but barely less so.
Yes, that's exactly how I envisioned they might do the gamepad integration if they ported it to whatever the new Switch console (coming this year!) will be called.
To be honest, when I played Xenoblade Chronicles X I mostly played it "off screen" on my Wii U tablet. So I don't believe the Gamepad functionality prevented a port from happening. As for the technical divide, I agree that the slow media streaming on the Switch wouldn't have helped -- but look at what Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has achieved... I think instead, it's that the developers had enough success with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 that they not only developed the remaster of the original, but also saw an opportunity to close out a planned trilogy with 3. Without getting into spoilers, MonolithSoft seems primed to remaster Xenoblade Chronicles X on the next Nintendo platform and -- fingers crossed, at least -- follow it with a sequel.
Rejoice! Can't wait to reunite with fellow B.L.A.D.E.S and explore Mira all over again. This was my favourite Wii U game, and came out during one of the best times of my life. It'll be a shame to lose out on the QOA features of the Gamepad, but hopefully the Frontiernav can be reworked, and new content may make up for it. The fact that they're already going to continue the story past its original ending is exciting enough.
Fantastic video. I see your pinned comment about the online services, but I think there is an additional concern with XCX. Even if the servers were online indefinitely, so many features are connected to community stats and usage. Without getting into spoilers, all I will say is that some content is not available to the individual user in a way that is properly accessible. Some cyclical things unlock based on community usage stats, which in theory an individual could achieve. But it would take absurdly long to do so. So whereas the game was marketed as both on- and offline, in practice you need an active community to get full enjoyment from the game. I would hope, in the event of a port, this would get resolved. It really is a shame they did not create a patch to make some content accessible even if one wished to play solo/offline. You may address this in your other videos, but I have not had a chance to view them yet.
Hi, many thanks for pointing this out - no, I had not addressed this issue in any other video (yet). I actually hadn't realised that the community usage features were so deeply embedded into the online provision. I had (foolishly) assumed that they would also work when offline! So I'm making a note of your info and no doubt we will all be talking about online/offline issues in Q1 of 2024, with server cut-off looming. Please note that for any more in-depth discussion I also tend to use the Community section.
Only getting around to watching this now. Fantastic upload. So detailed and your enthusiasm and passion comes through so well. I am very hopeful we will get Xenoblade X enhanced port at some stage on the switch 2 :) Makes so much more sense than current switch.
Now that online play is going away, I messaged a buddy to see if we could do some of the co-op missions together. Xenoblade X won't be the same without any online features! A Xenoblade X port for the new Nintendo console would be lovely.
If we see Xenoblade X again it won't be the WiiU game. For better or worse. Xenoblade X was a monolithic (pun intended) endeavour. To get this game shipped they had to cut vast amounts of content as well as try and sell the features of the WiiU (pad and miiverse) while taking advantage of every bit of power they could squeeze out of the hardware. I believe that should we see X again, it will be remade from the ground up to avoid architecture and feature issues on a new platform, as well as go back to content that was cut just so new and old fans would have a reason to purchase it again. That said its a game i have sunk a thousand hours into so i would love to see it come back on Switch 2.
For real. I bought a Wii U just for Xenoblade X (and Monster Hunter 3U), but the Xenoblade text is so small in handheld mode, I never started the game. Hope there'll be a port for Swidge or its successor
xenoblade x is still my favorite game to this day because i have yet to play another game that nails open world exploration as well as it does, its cool to see you talk about it like this i hope we do get a port
I'm so glad I still have a working Wii U and the collector's edition for this game. I would like to see a future Xenoblade title that revisits and builds on X's battle system, character designs, incredible open world, flight and ground-exploration, maybe some underwater exploration and space exploration too. The obvious answers in my view why there hasn't been a port: 1. Those who didn't buy it but wanted to play it anyway, took every effort they could to play a scuffed version of it through less than legal means, and likely won't buy it if it does become available to buy now. 2. Those who DID buy it don't want to buy it again. Without spoiling anything, the game leaves us wanting more, but not more of the same. 3. It's built for a two-screen touch-screen system, and the Switch is just 1-screen. Compounded with it being a massive game, and Monolith Soft having other games they want to make, I couldn't see them porting the game themselves, nor trusting an outside team to do a port that'd match or surpass the original. 4. Monolith Soft has gotten better at designing open world games since then. Newer Xenoblade games have better quest-tracking mechanics, Xenoblade 3 has less of a chance that you'll start a quest at level 5 that you can only finish at level 80. Xenoblade X has aged badly in this aspect, and Monolith Soft would probably want to rebuild those aspects if they were to try and make Xenoblade X again (and if they aren't making a part 2)
Hi QM, thanks for your feedback and I agree that a future Xenoblade that builds on and uses the successful elements from XCX would be fantastic. Your points: 1. Oh boy oh boy ... piracy. I am known as being opposed to piracy (not hacking as such) and have had my fair share of abuse and death threats over this. It is a pernicious problem and I hear what you're saying. My one point would be that almost any game with some profile is a target of pirating. 2. OK, yea I can see that. This really advocates for a not-identikit remaster, but rather a 'new' Xenoblade building on the foundations of XCX. 3. Totally agree. Monolith have said it's too massive for them to undertake, and I assume they wouldn't want anyone else to tinker with it. 4. Yes, that's the progress in game design we've seen happen with most studios. I still think these issues are fixable .. but that doesn't mean ofc that the huge amount of time & resources needed for such a task would be spent in the best interests of Xenoblade as a franchise. Moving forward is likely the more fruitful option. Finally, on a general note: I don't believe answers to a highly complex question such as "XCX port?" are ever "obvious". In the end, we are not privy to the deliberations of developers and publishers. My aim was to talk about the issue and focus in particular on the technical aspects of a possible port.
It's been 7 years since the Switch came out and Xenoblade blew the hell up, so money definitely isn't a problem anymore. I'm half confident they're working on Xenoblade X right now, and we'll either get a surprise announcement for Switch with a release not far after or it'll get launched on the Switch 2 not long after launch. Could even be cross gen. There's no way this isn't happening. For now, I'm happy enough emulating my copy on my Steam Deck. The Steam Deck is an absolutely _amazing_ platform for RPGs.
Love the t-shirt! The only thing we have heard is that the game would be too expensive to bring to Switch. ""Personally speaking, I'd love to play the game on the Switch, but it would be really difficult to make it," Takahashi told USGamer. When asked why it would be such a problem, he simply laughed and replied "Money. It's a massive game. Re-creating it would be really difficult." That was from Takahashi. What I don't understand is they wouldn't have to "Re-create" It. They didn't have to recreate Xenoblade for Definitive. It just needs some polishing up to port it. My hope is if we get a Switch 2? That it is backwards compatible so we don't lose ease of access to Xenoblade 1, 2, and 3 on Switch.
I explain in my video why XCX would need to be recreated from scratch. Takahashi explains it in other interviews. I don't have any reliable information on the porting process of XC Def Edition, so can't comment. But just looking at the game, it's obvious that this older Wii game presented a much lower technical bar for a successful port.
23:10 As a programmer i can say, yeah its obviously possible, it would be ridiculous to say its not, most programming today happens in a modular, reusable and object oriented way. So you should be able to keep most of it as is, even the touch functionality can stay the same as is for the switch in handheld mode, the only real thing you would need to do is gamepad navigation and a key trigger or menu option to open the menu. Obviously the gamepad navigation would require a bit of work but its not a huge dea if you have programmers who know what they are doing. The real concern, as you've allready stated out, is would the switch even be able to acceptably run this upscaled to 1080p, without the skells probbably yes, but with them, well probbably not if you dont want to touch how the world is loaded and rendered(basicly rewriting how the engine works as a whole). Its understandable they did decide not to do it, it would probbably eaten up all their recources, which as we know now they've put into the remaster of XC1, the development of XC3 and helping out on Zelda as well.
I write this hours before the 18/06/2024 Nintendo Direct, there are some rumors about a Switch port, i really want it to be true, let's think that the game is near 10 years since it's announcement, maybe a 10 anniversary switch port can be an interesting way to celebrate, for its X anniversary... And it could help to not just push sales on Switch but if the next console is retro compat it may help to push that too. Knowing that they made interesting developments on the engine with Chronicles 3 and Tears of the Kingdom, the FSR tech could help to get better performance for those vistas X provided, the loading changes for Tears of the kingdom (the mini CPU overclock that it has while charging and the changes on the texture compression), but they released 3 in 2022 and they finished the dlc recently, so... I just can dream, lets see what happen :).
I understand your hopes, Francisco, but mine are pretty small, considering the age and architecture of the Switch. I'm sure there are all sorts of rumours swirling around at the moment! We'll know more tomorrow (I won't see the Direct until my morning time) and if there's anything interesting to discuss, I'll post on the Community.
![Twenty One Pilots - “The Line” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2Rj2gQAyPA/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey all,
I recorded this video one day (!) before Nintendo's announcement of closing down online services for 'legacy' platforms 3DS and Wii U.
This makes a discussion about XCX's future even more important (since this game incorporates various online features).
I REQUEST that you please bear in mind these COMMUNITY GUIDELINES when using the comments:
1. Please watch/listen to my video *before* commenting (it helps!)
2. Please read the provided info in the video Description - most likely a question or query of yours is covered there. I couldn't fit everything into the video after all ...
3. The question of hacking/modding your Wii U is not within the scope of my video and not part of this particular discussion. No doubt I will cover that in the future. I would *really appreciate* it if you curb any urge to fire off a 'rant' on this topic. I like to keep the signal-to-noise ratio positive on my channel - we all benefit from that.
Thank you for all your support especially for my XCX coverage!
Britta - F4D
Thanks, ma'am, for always providing insightful comments on these videos, and creating a comfortable place to communicate. You're a real legend. Take care! 💚
and ture xenoblade x was a great technical game in the wii u, i played around 200 hours in that game and i was amazed how that world was created, it was so much fun to explore.
Have you done a video on Disgaea 7 yet
@@jameswatts2338 Hey, this is a *Xenoblade* video and topic.
Obviously (duh!) 🤦🏻♂I haven't covered D7 yet.
I received my copy 2 days ago: x.com/Food4Dogs/status/1711139713162330166?s=20
I don't rush off undercooked reviews or impressions.
i do think it'd be really cool if, they made an XCX 2, that had XCX in the mix as well - sort of a two for one, if they're largely going to reuse the landscape and whatnot, makes a lot of sense, potentially.
WE ARE SO BACK!!!
Yes, ITS HAPPENING
Came here to say this 😅
Finally ❤
I hadn't seen this video before but, fortunately the algorythm recommended it to me because of all of the XCX uproar, I'm glad.
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
I will never forget the first moment you get the ability to fly in your Skell and suddenly it feels like the chains fall off and it the whole world has opened up for you. Incredible game.
same. still bitter that they cut the GORGEOUS region music for that one song that plays whenever you start flying and ALWAYS PLAYS FROM THE BEGINNING. It was heartbreaking tbh
Can't wait to unlock Skell ! Chapter 6 now, want to fly !
@@Cleverconveyence I hope if this ever gets ported we are given the option to turn it off. I feel like it has a great impact the first time, but after that I want to just listen to the region's music instead.
Just started and on Chapter 7. Everything everyone says of the Skell reception is true: it changes the entire game and made everything worth it. I haven’t even got the flight module yet!
@@nddugaswell, here's to hoping
This woman is a better reviewer / technical analyst than 90% of the "content creators" out there, hats off!
I certainly wouldn't claim such expertise - but it's a very kind compliment, thank you. 🙂
@@Food4Dogsyour reviews are truly exceptional and appreciated
@@eternalgracenote thank you.
Its back
Just catching up with news!!!
Every. Single. Xenoblade Chronicles. The Switch has an incredible library near 8 years in. This is truly the best system line up ever.
All 2D Metroids (sans Samus Returns), all DKCs, all Xenoblades. Switch being the definitive platform for at least three first party series makes me so happy.
I think XCX suffers from "Dreamcast syndrome" in that the Dreamcast had poor sales, so no one played most Dreamcast titles, and they got ported to PS2/GC. The Wii U had the same problem, and I feel like if XCX had a Switch sized install base looking at it, we'd see XC2 or XC3 sales. Great video F4D!
Thank you!
Most of the Wii U games were ported over to Switch and the Switch relied heavily on them for it's own success. So leaving XCX behind makes no sense.
There were a few important WiiU games left behind .. for instance, not doing a straight port to Switch of Windwaker HD always puzzled me.
@@Food4Dogs WWHD and TPHD will show up at some point. My guess is cause Nintendo is holding them and will use them as filler titles on Switch 2 to help with the wait for the next game. Just like they did on Wii U with BOTW. Also we don't need WWHD and TPHD on Switch. If that happened that would mean we had WW on 3 out of the past 4 systems, and TP on 4 systems in a row....and that is absurd to release the same game 4 consoles in a row. So give them a break with the Switch. Switch is a massive success, it doesn't require WWHD or TPHD.
Can't wait to see you talk about the Definitive Edition coming next year. I'm more excited about the possibility of that video than the game itself lol
😁 I think that's a bit of too much hype LOL.
There will be stuff to talk about, for sure - but in the end, it'll be the same XCX game we know and love. 🤗
@@Food4Dogs Yay to that!! Looking forward to more people getting to play and enjoy XCX
Nintendo deciding to announce the port on a random tuesday like 5 years after everybody was asking for it is hilarious, but welcome.
It seems they're finally releasing it on the Switch and I can't contain my excitement!
Greatest news ever!
Holy crap. Respectfully, Gradma, you kick as*!!! This game was my dream to become what xenogears/xenosaga could potentially be in terms of genre. Unfortunately it was clearly rushed and gated by technology back then. Now with the Xenoblade success, i would love to see it or a spirit successor come to shine with all the potential that Mr. Takahashi and his team has!
28:54 thank you for saying this. this is rarely brought up when discussing games or any creative medium for that matter. entitlement can be so strong within a community and can often create a toxic space for creativity and innovation. ultimately i think it can be detrimental to new ideas and progress. great video and discussion!
This is why Square Enix didn't bother to make a straightforward remake of FF7, why spend half a decade on remaking the same game, creative people will never stop innovating.
@@rifway22 I remember when DE was coming out they mentioned that they wouldn't have remade the game if they weren't going to add anything new to it. Which is what Future Connected was for.
I played most of my time in XCX in handheld mode and never had issues with the screen swapping. It was just as you said, one button press to switch between the two.
This was a terrific (and heartbreaking) look at why this game hasn't been ported
Thank you.
I haven't given up hope yet!
I remember playing like this when I was obsessed with the game enough to hook my Wii U next to my bed just so I could play it longer.
😀 love it - true dedication.
It's really just an experimental console MOBA developed with the Xenoblade IP, I don't think here's much internal passion for it. aNd EVERYTHING monolith did for it is excellently preserved and updated upon, they for example assisted with the BotW/TotK. That geography IS the Xenoblade mapping, with much more finalized physics to be a fully realized, roamable world, rather than just a setting to drop an JRPG in and do some turn-based events and fetch quests for grinding.
The story is pretty fractured and cookie-cutter, honestly something I expect from much MORE ignored mass-produced series like Trails, or something I would apprecaite on a conceptional level in shallowly produced little packets, like Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault. The transhumanist angle really is, in general not in this series as such, a really surface-level exploration through this SINGLE trapping of "what is humanity". It's not really different form something like Full Metal Alchemist, dealing with same topics much better with science/magic.
It's not really very heartening to always come across this infinite search for Woodstock, the idea that EVERY product has to be immaculately preserved and yammered on about and passed on to future generations, because you might have PERSONAL memories about it. That you can't move on from, and build ON TOP OF by familarizing yourself with other IP.
Not surprisingly, this popped up on my timeline today. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on today’s announcement! I’m very excited about it!
I just got up (7am here) and am about to read up on news!
Can't believe it! 🤗🥳
To potentially quell some fears, Monosoft was primarily hiring network and data engineers back in 2020+21 so I could honestly see them and Nintendo making XCX a top priority to tie into the NSO service for next gen. Something to try and rope in the FF14 players.
Speaking of BotW on Wii U - I was disappointed in the lack of gamepad function, seemingly removed so as to not make the Switch version look inferior - since the Sheikah Slate appeared to emulate a Wii U gamepad, it likely featured at least the same map functions as the earlier HD ports. I imagine that's why we've not seen a Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD port to the Switch - they're going to feel like a step backwards, even if they run better.
Good point!
In fact another member here said the same thing about the deliberate non-use of gamepad function. I'm really unhappy about that. Bad attitude from Nintendo.
@@Food4Dogs I'm more mixed about their deliberate non-use of the gamepad function. If the Switch version of BotW was considered the lesser one at launch, it could have negatively impacted the momentum the Nintendo Switch gained having BotW as a launch title. Admittedly, it is just speculation. I still believe Nintendo wanted to ensure the Switch's success, and cool useful features like using the gamepad as the Sheikah slate got caught in the crossfire.
I got recommended the Xenoblade X launch trailer yesterday, and all of the sudden they announce a port. I guess that was a good omen, can't wait!
There has been a port just announced for switch.😊😊😊 I can’t wait for your video. It’s coming out in march 2025 ❤
Wish Granted. What a surprise.
I’ve played all the games and DLC on Switch. I got ready for work and was blindsided by the announcement this morning. We’re eating good everybody!
I work in the game industry and wanted to lay out some thoughts on this situation.
First of all, I want to say that all ports are possible. But, like everything in business, it's a cost vs. benefits scenario.
Let's look at the cost.
Making a port is much less costly than making a new game. But where does that cost come from? Well, two big factors. Firstly, the code. A lot of code directly transfers. Code that makes up core gameplay features is largely independent of the platform it is developed for. But code that deals with IO is. Some things are simple, like controllers (assuming a game does not depend on motion controls or anything else unique). But some IO is tricky, the biggest being graphics. Graphics are incredibly complicated in modern games. It is the primary reason why some ports run terribly on modern systems, even if the hardware is more powerful. Yes, it's more powerful, but the base game was optimized for the original system, and even if the numbers are better, the newer system just isn't designed to run the code that the base game has.
A rather archaic example is the N64 vs. the PS1. The N64 had a Z-buffer, which meant that it calculated the depth of every pixel it rendered, but the PS1 had better texture resolution. Therefore, you got crisper textures on PS1, but dealt with polygons jumping back and forth in front of each other often (I recognize that this is an incredible simplification and there is much more nuance). This begs the question, how would you port between the two systems? Well, with a lot of effort, and results likely won't be equivalent. Modern ports, however, are expected to be at least as equivalent as possible.
Modern systems are converging not just in specs but also in their interface. You see this in XBox where modern XBox games almost always come out for XBox and PC at the same time because it is easy to develop for both. But the WiiU is from a period where this was not the case. Monolith Soft is known for pushing the limits of the hardware, so their games in particular are going to be hard to port. Nevermind the fact that going from WiiU to Switch means you're losing the gamepad screen, the hardware is certainly optimized in a radically different fashion. It probably isn't hard to get XBX working on the switch. But working well? Different story.
The second big cost is opportunity cost. Any developer working on a XBX port isn't working on their next big game. So why would they work on a port? A primary reason would be building the brand. Either the Xenoblade X brand, or Monolith Soft brand itself. Another reason could be pride, which for creatives in the gaming industry is actually a driving factor. But in interviews the directors have said that they have no reason to port it at this moment, which leads me to believe that the only reason would be a XBX2 announcement. They ported XBC, which followed into XBC3 a few years latter. A Switch XBX isn't impossible, because, avoiding specifics, the ending of XBX leaves room for sequels, but unless XBX2 is soon I don't have hopes for a port. The cost of a port likely outweighs the business benefit.
Once last thing I'd like to do is compare ports to translations. There is a debate in translations about whether you should do a direct translation or do a localization, or something in between. And a port is no different. Should you make things as close as possible, or implement some modernizations? Some things necessitate a redesign, like the gamepad functionality in XBX. Other things could be... do you improve graphics? Like shaders? Or models? Or implement raytracing? Do you implement QoL features that are obvious now that the game has been out for years? Do you let the director implement a few more tweaks? Rewrite a couple lines to be more sensible/less problematic for the current era? A 1-1 port sounds good on the surface, but like a literal translation, it actually doesn't make a lot of sense, so now the question is, how much should you change? And it all has a cost.
(I understand that a lot of my commentary is brief, but I also wanted to keep this message brief as possible. Ports are a much more involved discussion than I think people realize.)
Your channel just popped up while looking at XCX reviews. So nice to seeing you around!
Welcome! 🙋
Super thoughtful and well put together. Thank you for showing this great series some much deserved love!
Wow happy to find your channel! I miss Xenoblade X so much and always dreamed of a sequel. Your knowledge is amaxing ❤️
Welcome 😊
I’ve seen your videos recommended a few times but only managed to get to one now. I really like the way you analysed Xenoblade X and covered the technical aspects involved in its development or a port. It’s rare to get analysis that goes to the depth of noting the differences in system architecture and hardware components, and I love how you referenced various articles, interviews and analysis such as those by Digital Foundry.
I do hope we see a Xenoblade X port eventually but I think if we do it’ll be reserved for the “switch successor” (which I’d prefer), and for after whatever the next major Xenoblade/Xeno entry is due to my take on the ending of Future Redeemed.
Thank you.
Yes, a lot of people have referred to the Future Redeemed ending (I haven't had time yet to play that).
As I say in my video, there is no doubt in my mind that any possible XCX resurrection has to happen on the Switch successor console.
Xenoblade X and the past Mistwalker console games are right at the top of my list for re-releases
Interesting topic for me as it is the only Xenoblade i haven't played. Although, I think Nintendo will someday release a port to complete the saga. Other thing is the preservation of games, a topic that would take hours of discussion. Greetings from Madrid!
I have to hope the next game Monolithsoft is working on is a sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles X. It is a massive game, and a sequel could easily take 5 years, as the original did. I would be surprised, unless it's outsourced, if we got a port within the next few years.
I have to hope though. If a studio like the one that did XC3D, ported Xenoblade X to the next Nintendo console, that would be very exciting.
They would need to rerelease the original game to be able to sell a sequel.
A remake of the original game would give Monolith new assets to more easily make the sequel.
@@westonmeyer3110maybe not especially since Xenoblade 2 came before Xenoblade 1DE and a lot of people started with that one
@@delireent.3960
That is different because Xenoblade 2 is a stand alone game in a completely different world.
X2 would be a direct sequel to X’s cliffhanger ending.
Loved watching this video, especially since I am now replaying X on my computer given I want to keep my Wii U and original disk safe from both flash issues, drive issues and disc rot.
I think your third option is likely, but I'm torn at 50/50 between a simple remaster (let's call it "Definitive Edition") just like XC1, where graphics, gameplay, and even small details are changed for canon purposes (think Alvis's necklace changing to the red Conduit-shaped core crystal). This will likely have an added DLC but I think in X this may actually be very difficult. Why, you may ask? Because X was a game that by itself already had a lot of attempts to "fit in with the canon" of XC1, 2, and even Xenosaga. Telethia (who we see drifting into black holes in Future Connected...), the Ovah missions come to mind (they reference the "great sea" either from 1 or 2), and then there's the obvious Elma similarity to a certain Xenosaga character who was drifting in space towards old Earth (aka Lost Jerusalem), a character that also got particular attention in the very last scene of Future Redeemed... And of course we cannot forget the Future Redeemed "canon-maker" radio. I think Monolith and Takahashi-san have a lot to work with and for, but them releasing Future Redeemed early clearly hints they needed to hasten the pace for what's in store. And I myself am very confident X has an important part to play.
Thank you, great comment - I haven't actually played Future Redeemed yet, so that's a great point to be aware of.
We live in optimism! 😎
@@Food4Dogs if you already played 1, 2 and 3, Future Redeemed is probably the only DLC that I would consider essential - it ties up the 3 games, even though all of those games were finished gracefully on their own. Future Redeemed seals the Klaus saga in great fashion and is just a stupidly good source of fan service, while being a fun game on its own. Unlike Future Connected or even Torna, which had great battle systems but had to screw it with either a lacking story, gatekeeping story progression with mandatory quests (dozens of hours of quests to be precise!), or both. Future redeemed can be finished in 10 or 20h depending on what the player decides to do, is fun, has great story and characters, a world as charming as any of the games (which complements Aionios to boot...), and the most satisfying ending one could ask. Especially after the bitter taste of XC3's great, yet sad ending.
Hi, very nice video! I'm a game modder that's familiar with the "modern" Monolith Soft engine. I personally have not played X, but it was the first game to use the engine that all the Xenoblade Switch games are based on. Each game iterated on the previous and matured the engine with each entry. A friend of mine (Jordan, who wrote “Did You Know Gaming Xenoblade”) wanted me to give my thoughts on porting, as someone decently familiar with the engine.
Quick aside before I dive into technical stuff, I do want to comment on your notes about gamepad functionality. Ultimately it may be able to be relegated to a menu, but then doesn’t that break the convenience of just being able to look down to use FrontierNav?
Anyway, at a very high technical level - yeah, a port could absolutely be made! Simply update the code, make sure it runs on the Switch, and bam, there's your X Definitive Edition. However, as with any grand idea, the actual technical and organizational details do not make this an easy process by any means. Even though they are technically on the same engine, the deep-seated internal changes are numerous. Even when comparing 2 and 3 to one another, a large amount of internal engine code has been reorganized, swapped out, or is entirely missing with newer code in its place. (To sell this point, every single game has had a different particle library, and X, 2, and DE+3 all use different UI libraries!) A simplified analogy would be that it’s like using a Windows XP program on Windows 11 - sure, it'll still largely work once you get it running, but there will be very unfamiliar behaviors and bugs that would have been avoided by rewriting it entirely.
Another point to raise is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the engine still has support for loading from disc. But, the linear nature of reading from a disc lends itself to creative thinking when it comes to asset management. The console needs to read data to load, but when you have to wait for a spinning piece of plastic to get to a certain spot to do so, then it becomes very important to use your time efficiently. The advantage of cartridge-based systems (and any flash storage, for that matter) is the random access. This is why some games nowadays recommend, if not downright require SSDs, even on consoles. Because of these conditions, engines for disc systems tend to have different philosophies for how they load data and keep that data in memory. I know firsthand how touchy the loading system can be, and while the Switch's doubled RAM helps, it's not the cure-all for this problem. Entire formats have to be designed around these limitations. The engine's map system (internally known as “Seamless”) still technically has support for streaming map files, but maps in 2 and DE are largely single areas, so this kind of seamless streaming capability isn't exercised. In 3, this is largely used for the other regions + infinite sea of Aionios.
Personally, I have no issue with the graphical fidelity of any of the games, so I do not have much to say on the topic of graphics. But, in their process, assets are designed and tested in-game on the PC, and then modified to work on the game console if necessary. Because of this, the engine technically supports any resolution (even if the UI is specifically designed for a 720p screen.) However, with the new particle library introduced in 3, each particle effect would likely have to be recreated from scratch. The porting work of that, on top of whichever other graphical changes they wish to make (better textures, rendering techniques, etc.) might ultimately make this unviable all on its own. I imagine they'll also want to redesign the UI, like they did with Xenoblade 1 with DE, which would require yet more work. I can only hope they're happy with the UI library now!
Ultimately, I do not think a port is happening at this time - justifying the business cost alone is difficult, let alone the discussions on "do we all-hands-on-deck this, or let a B team do it?" or "if we do make this port, will new players try it, or will it just be the hardcore X fans?" DE had the unique position of proving new tech for the upcoming Xenoblade 3 (a number of core engine changes, and the new UI framework were introduced here) but also served as a way of letting players experience a 10 year old game in the best way possible. The idea of an X2 is likely far more tempting to Monolith, especially after the lackluster sales and reputation of X compared to the mainline games. Hopefully we get a solid yes or no at some point, but until then it's fun to speculate.
Hi, Jordan here! I just wanted to say that I asked Block to write about this because I knew she is knowledgeable about Xenoblade datamining, but even I didn't know to the extent she'd explain all this stuff in-depth! She is incredible, and thank you so much for this awesome video, Food4Dogs!
Making a sequel to a game that was on a console that failed without rereleasing the original game is dooming the sequel.
The ideal for Monolith is remaking Xenoblade X with a new engine and then using that engine for the sequel.
@@westonmeyer3110 Please reread Block's comment. Xenoblade X/DE/2/3 run on the same engine.
@@robotortoise
Read my comment instead. I am talking about remaking X on a different engine.
@@westonmeyer3110 Okay. I just don't understand why they would do that. What benefit would there be to pour tons of money into starting from scratch? They have an incredible, portable custom engine already.
I've always been wanting a sequel for the X series over a Switch port of the first game and I stood with that opinion when they shut down the eShop. Now that Nintendo has announced that online functionality for Wii U and 3DS will be mostly shut down, It's now very important to me that this title gets off the Wii U and on a new platform for newer Xenoblade fans to experience even if it means we wait longer for a sequel that I've been waiting so long for. Preferably I would want a straight port/remaster, but if they have to remake the entire game just to make things easier to move to a different platform then that would be fine for me.
i hope you didn't get a heart attack at the announcement!
Ha! Almost did! 😂
I just jumped around the kitchen, gasping for words, and PoodlePa got rather worried. 😁
This game was the game and still's the game that make me want a WII U, i haven't seen a second hand one in a good price.
I think this new Xenoblade games uses a new compression and a new asset storage system in the engine, still i don't know if this could help to put the game on a cartdrige but still the Switch has some bad GPU bandwith problem which with the fliying parts of the game it would be a the biggest problem, loading of the asset's/map, the pop-in or level of detail changes, finger crossed to see a port to the next Nintendo platform because i really want to play it.
The shared tech from Monolith to the Zelda team it's the big example, i think they pushed their tech to the Switch limits and we can see those limits with the ultrahand in Tears of The Kingdom and it's fps down moments, the end scenes of this game gave me hope because of what they made but still is a big task and more knowing that WII U and Switch doen'st share CPU architecture it would be a BIG task, let's hope we can see the game in a new platform to give it a new opportunity with the people and let's hope the programmers doesn't get the pains of a big work and have a nice work environment.
Sorry for the big comment and sorry if i used some "techy" words, 28:54 absolutely agree with this, if we don't see XCX in a future it's completely ok, ❤.
Ha, there's no techie words anyone can throw at me that I can't cope with. 😀
I've been working with Unix and Linux servers since the 1990s. 😎
@@Food4Dogs :) Good to know that i can use my red hat in this channel *wink wink*, :).
❤
Good morning ma'am. Your video crossed my feed this morning. I hope you're well and celebrating the recent announcement of the definitive addition. Have a great day!
@@pdobi Thank you. Updates on this topic are on the Community page.
I hope maybe for a sequel with that cliffhanger ending. Good video.
I would love to be able to do a happy sequel to this video! 😀
We will know more once Nintendo unveil their plans and projects for the new Switch console. Not giving up hope!
It is worth noting that this game is very well playable on PC via CEMU emulator. I am about 50 hours in in my current playthrough as I can't justify taking out my Wii U from the loft just to play one game. There are also some definite advantages such as being able to play in native 1080p, increase range for collecting items and other small adjustments you can make to the game.
The tablet functionality works well and you can just switch to the tablet view with TAB key and do what you need to do with map/frontier nav management and then switch back to the game.
For myself, playing on the PC is the superior way of experiencing XCX, so in theory, they could port it to another system in the future, but as you say in your video, the original Switch would likely not have the power to manage it without any significant changes/re-writes of the original code which they would likely not be willing to invest into.
It would be great to see some sort of continuation of the story though or at least (as you say in your video) something done with this wonderful world.
Yes, indeed. I did have a look into CEMU and it looks very impressive what they have achieved.
Britta, your videos will never fail to brighten up my days. Right now in the world it's pretty scary but your videos and your contagious enthusiasm for games are just a joy to watch. I can't wait to see more!
I Finally completed a playthrough of this game after 9 years.
I uploaded the final part on my RUclips channel.
I always thought that the story of this game was not it's strong point but that ending blew me away, I was genuinely touched.
The world,the exploration, the sci fi design,
The feeling when you first get your skell, the feeling when you first get your skell to fly, the feeling when you finally understand how the hell overdrive even work !
What a fantastic game.
I'll make some time to watch your ending video!
@@Food4Dogs
Oh please mam don't go through the trouble, I wanted to get it done I usually played it in session of 45 minutes to an 2 hours but the last bit is a 5 hours+ marathon I can't put you through this ^^.
I appreciate a lot though
@valygomu no worries - I actually sometimes need a complete break from everything and so I watch a video, in smaller chunks, every day. It's kinda my "treat" for a gruelling session of video editing. 😄
@@Food4Dogs I tried to make a video summarizing my thoughts about this game that might be a bit more easy to watch ^^
WOW that is amazing timing valygomu! You just finished this magnificent game a few days before they finally announced the Switch Remaster! How do you feel? And Mrs. Britta, how do YOU feel?? I'm feeling pretty good myself this is fantastic. I think I'll check out some of your videos valygomu.
Great video!! I really love X and couldn’t get enough of it. I actually had to sell my copy of it, I was starting to affect the rest of my life negatively… 😅 (I have a copy now, but I’ve moved on to other things)
I stupidly went into it expecting a life-altering story experience like the original XC was, or some connection between the universes. Kept waiting for a zoom-out like moment where I could learn more about Klaus. It took me a while to appreciate the story as a stand-alone experience.
I'd be very interested in seeing how a "remixed" version of XCX would do. While I have attachment to certain characters, what truly drew me to the game was character customization/cosmetics, and the dramatic evolution of gameplay via acquisition of Skells. There have been many gameplay improvements in this series since XC1 and XCX, as well as a story and lore set that has seemingly moved on without being shackled by the original game's setting.
If they took the world, gameplay concepts, beloved characters that may or may not have made cameo appearances in XC2 DLC, and completely retooled them to fit this new wider narrative that they seem to be crafting, I'd be positively giddy to see the end result.
Its just been announced for Switch. Everyones happy, but a bit concerned a major game this close to what should be start of switch 2 preparations.
Yep. A bit of a head scratcher .. but probably to do with Nintendo's end-of-year accounts March 2025. They need a big game to send off the old Switch in style, and for those players who can't upgrade to a Switch 2 straightaway.
it fills my heart with such joy the love and passion the XBX community sees still all these years later. thank you for such a well researched and in depth look at why we haven't seen a port to the switch and your ideas for what's to come are very intriguing as well. i would also like to see a sequel with new ideas or even perhaps a spin off type game if they can't fit a full X2 into the budget.
I've always wanted to try X.
Lovely video! I miss Xenoblade X dearly and I hope everyone will get to (re)experience it in the near future.
It is true that the cost and size of the game were stated to be the main hurdles (though I doubt this argument is still relevant considering it was mentioned in 2018 back when they were about to release Torna). I think another reason why X wasn’t ported on the Switch was because it offers a different experience from the main Xenoblade trilogy. After the backlash of X’s narrative, Monolith Soft wanted to return to the story-driven style of games. At the time of X’s release, the Xenoblade series was still in its infancy stage. Between Xenoblade 1 and X, it did not have a consistent identity. With that in mind, it is likely they set X aside so they could focus on maintaining a consistent identity and theme as well as growing the Xenoblade brand. If they had reintroduced X after 2, it would’ve disrupted the brand’s image, which ultimately would’ve done more harm than good for the series’ longevity.
Now that the main games have been concluded, we can finally look forward to the future. Hopefully that future includes the return of X in some form.
Indeed, thank you, a very valid point and well put. Enough to talk about there for another video. 😀
I focused on the technical/financial issues because unfortunately I still see and hear an awful lot of "why isn't it on the Switch" and my focus was on directing people's thinking towards "What could be done with an XCX-based game on a new console?"
i'm glad we all lived to see the day the switchport got announced, but i'm glad you must of all got to aswell
it still blows me away there is not a switch port of the game but I do hope we get a port of it on the next system and hopefully with reverts to the original censorship done to original release as Nintendo was on a censor spree at the time.
This video just sealed your GOAT status for me. Hats off to you, Britta.
Thank you, Jianfeng Guo (not sure which one is first name!) - but I really just do what anyone with a bit of time and patience can research and compile!😀
XENOBLADE X LIVES!!! 🎉
As you said, X was very Wii U-centric. It even had Miiverse posts popping up.
Something to consider is that some recent stuff gave some attention to every Xeno game, not just the main Blade trilogy. That includes X, which might indicate a return to Mira.
I'm always asking myself the same thing and been waiting for a switch port
Let's goooooo X is coming!
Any updates and discussion will be, as usual, on my Community page.
I agree, if Xenoblade X port will happen it will be on the next switch, which would be great. Monoliftsoft with better hardware is going to be awesome.
You got it today🎉
OMG - it's 7am here, I'm just gearing up for the day and happen to see this comment first up! 😲
So I'm galloping off now to catch up with the news... Unbelievable!
Thank you 👍
First, I'd like to say I absolutely LOVE your work and find your story very inspiring. On the subject of XCX, I've come late to the party with my first venture into the world being the XC2 on Switch and now currently working on XC1 Definitive. I spent about 250+ hrs in XC2 and enjoyed every minute of it. It was during my time on it that I started hearing about XCX...started looking at gameplay clips of it on RUclips, and wishing they would do a port to the Switch.
You make a lot of great points about the architecture and roadblocks Monolith would face should they decide to undertake the task of remastering/remaking the game and if they could expect the sales to make it worth the effort. To that, I hope they are considering that I'm sure there are many more gamers out there like myself that didn't even get exposed to the XC series until the Switch came along. I think it would be interesting to compare the sales of the original XC and XCX with the sales of XC2 and XC3 (which I have already bought by the way but I wanna finish XC Definitive first...). I'd also be totally fine if they decided to do a sequel to XCX.
The whole concept of XCX just really takes me back to one of my all time favorite RPGs Xenogears. If I remember correctly, it was a branch of Square back then that broke away and became Monolith, maybe having something to do with the fact that Square didn't allow them to make the other parts to the Xenogears story. They seemed to want to recapture the intrigue of Xenogears with the Xenosaga series before moving on to the Xenoblade series. I still hold out hope that they'll expand on the XCX world. Time will tell.
Thank you for your comment, great points there.
The question of sales of XC2 and XC3 is easily answered, as the numbers are readily available just googling. Both games did very well sales-wise, which encourages us to believe there is a solid future for Xenoblade games.
Xenogears: indeed, those mechs! Takahashi himself talked about his love of mechs and how he wanted that "piece" of Xenogears in XCX in several interviews. Here is one comment:
"Takahashi: Yes, there is a little bit of a reference there. Although I want to point out that in Xenogears, we had to separate dungeons that were meant to be cleared by characters on foot from the dungeons that were meant to be cleared by the characters inside their Gears. We had to do that because of tech and cost limitations. But now we’re able to do those together, where you can have the ability to choose whether you want to fight in the Skell or fight on foot."
venturebeat.com/games/xenoblade-chronicles-xs-director-on-building-an-rpg-for-multiple-audiences/2/
Came to see your video and now you have a new sus. Very nice perspective about one of my fav games of all times. I have a looooooot of hours in my Wii U and I will have a bunch more in Switch. ^^
Salutes from Canary Island!
You're from the Canary Islands?
Fabulous. I visited Lanzarote, back in the 1970s!
Anyway - welcome! 😀🙋
@@Food4Dogs Yeees, from Tenerife!
😊🤙
@@Scarliet_ Hearty greetings to the beautiful Canaries! 🙋🏻♀
We won! I really do believe that this will also have a Switch 2 version either via a patch or a separate version.
Yes - I'm so intrigued how they're gonna handle the Switch 2 for back compatibility in general, and ofc for XCX in particular.
There obviously will have to be a way that people who buy the game in March can then also play it in April/May/June (whenever the Switch 2 comes out) on the new console!
We finally got a remaster! Also, hello! Love your videos. I always enjoy your candor and personal feelings about every title. Keep it up!
WE'RE SO BACK
What an interesting time to have this recommended
@@ENDIR0451 The discussion continues on the Community page. 😀
The switch was my first nintendo console since the ds, therefore i’ve missed on a lot of titles. I’d love to experience this masterpiece along with a lot of other titles that’s haven’t been ported yet… let’s hope 🤞
This would be a great title to play on handheld mode, too.
... if you have X-ray vision! 😄
Seriously, I'm not sure about that at all. So many people over the years have pointed to the small UI text size.
I would love it ofc IF this could work on some form of handheld; but the screen size would have to be such that it might not qualify any more as a true portable or handheld.
I know a few people who *have* played it handheld on the Wii U gamepad (obviously 20/20 eyesight!), but even they said that it caused eye strain.
To me, it's a game best enjoyed on a large screen.
I am sure that you have heard the news and I hope you enjoy it
Thank you - please check the Community page where I always post news and updates.
Lady, I salute you, we need more people your age interested in games!
Thank you for sharing your love and enthusiasm of this game! It's a really special game and I hope to see it see the light of day in the near future!!
Got a WiiU for Smash, kept it for Xenoblade Chronicles X. This game is legendary.
a pc port of this would have been a true milestone and i bet they would have sold another million for sure. its so sad. this is such a hidden gem!
When they released the Definitive Edition of the original Xenoblade Chronicles in 2020, 10 years after the initial version on Wii, I started assuming they would do the same for X in 2025. The HD versions of the Zelda games have been about 10 years after the originals.
Hoping my suspicions aren't proven wrong within the next 24 months.
Yep, you're the second or third person to mention this magic "10 year" window!
Let's stay optimistic and hope the 10-year-trigger does work. 😎
I have never in my life seen such a video as this. I love this, seriously with all that I am. I love the explanation and the overall outlook you have on the game and the space it is relevant in. The fact that you take the time to discuss things like relevance of the game in todays landscape is astounding and a really fresh way to look into this. Usually people just ask for something without understanding why some things have not been re-released. Fantastic video! Amazing work.
Thank you for your kind comment - and welcome. 🙋
We have it now, food4do-!!
Stay healthy ~~ ❤
thanks for the video and explanation Britta. yeah that's my take on this whole thing too. Aside from all the problems they would face on the technical side of things, at the end of the day gaming is not just a hobby it's a business, and if sales numbers don't do well then there is no incentive to give us the game. honestly they are also probably afraid that we're gonna keep begging and begging for a switch port , and then when we finally get it we won't play it because that's just the way gamers are😂😂
We have indeed seen a few "begged" ports which then ended up with abysmal sales. 😬
28:54 that's such an interesting observation. This was the case with Zelda developers and final fantasy developers too
This was a great video! X is my favorite game ever, so i hope it gets some love eventually somehow, but one point i wanted to mention is that xeno is a LOT bigger now, as of august this year, 2 has sold 2.7m, DE is at 1.8M and so is 3. With the series being as popular as it is now, i would really be surprised if they never gave X another shot.
Indeed, Xenoblade has moved from "niche" into pretty much mainstream, or at least "very successful" territory.
I'm sure Monolith and Nintendo are looking very closely at all possible angles to continue that trend.
Well Sometimes Remakes are done by Different Studio's. Like they did with Zelda TP and SS..
So Monolith can still focus on a new Project. While another Studio can remake Xenoblade X.
Technically, yes, that's a possibility. I just can't see it, though - unless Monolith was very closely involved with the porting studio's work.
Legendary Granny! You have great tastes on videogames, Ma'am!❤
I really hope that XCX will be released as a launch title on whatever the Switch's successor will be
That would be a dream come true! We can dream 😀
It would certainly take less time than making a completely new game in a new sub series.
Xenoblade X would also be great for the new system because it would show off how much more powerful it is than the Wii U and Switch by easily playing the game.
So many people think the X would be a straight port or DE instead of the massively different game it was intended to be, I've seen at 4 users max who do appriciate it to that extent. I still agree with most of what was said in this video, lots of good insight.
Lets go because its here.
just 5 more months ... 😎
X came out shortly after my oldest son was born. Lots of great memories attached to it.
If this does not get an upgraded port to Switch, I will probably just emulate on Steam Deck when I want to play again. I have done Wind Waker HD on Deck and bringing up the Gamepad screen is as simple as holding one of the back buttons. Not as seamless as having two screens, but barely less so.
Yes, that's exactly how I envisioned they might do the gamepad integration if they ported it to whatever the new Switch console (coming this year!) will be called.
Thank you, Britta!!! 🥰
23:00 this is indeed possible playing solely on the gamepad, (don't even need a tv) switching between the map and regular gameplay.
Yes, it is - however, very few people play the game primarily on the gamepad.
Appreciate the research you put into this topic. Amazing work!
Thanks for this video and see you next time. Take care and thanks again♥
Thank you Britta for this great video. I fully agree, it's sad that Xenoblade Chronicles X hasn't gotten a Switch port.
Great video. Nice to see a composed dedicated look on this topic. Had this game on my back log for ages.
I hope it will be on the switch successor. It’s such a great game. And unique to series. I also bought that operating manual. Super cool
The little manual?
It's great, innit! I use it all the time for quick reference and refresher.
To be honest, when I played Xenoblade Chronicles X I mostly played it "off screen" on my Wii U tablet. So I don't believe the Gamepad functionality prevented a port from happening. As for the technical divide, I agree that the slow media streaming on the Switch wouldn't have helped -- but look at what Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has achieved...
I think instead, it's that the developers had enough success with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 that they not only developed the remaster of the original, but also saw an opportunity to close out a planned trilogy with 3. Without getting into spoilers, MonolithSoft seems primed to remaster Xenoblade Chronicles X on the next Nintendo platform and -- fingers crossed, at least -- follow it with a sequel.
Rejoice! Can't wait to reunite with fellow B.L.A.D.E.S and explore Mira all over again. This was my favourite Wii U game, and came out during one of the best times of my life.
It'll be a shame to lose out on the QOA features of the Gamepad, but hopefully the Frontiernav can be reworked, and new content may make up for it. The fact that they're already going to continue the story past its original ending is exciting enough.
11:06 oh i do the exact same thing. I was debating atelier for switch or ps4 for a while.
Also whoa! I had no idea the map was that huge!
Fantastic video. I see your pinned comment about the online services, but I think there is an additional concern with XCX. Even if the servers were online indefinitely, so many features are connected to community stats and usage. Without getting into spoilers, all I will say is that some content is not available to the individual user in a way that is properly accessible. Some cyclical things unlock based on community usage stats, which in theory an individual could achieve. But it would take absurdly long to do so. So whereas the game was marketed as both on- and offline, in practice you need an active community to get full enjoyment from the game. I would hope, in the event of a port, this would get resolved. It really is a shame they did not create a patch to make some content accessible even if one wished to play solo/offline. You may address this in your other videos, but I have not had a chance to view them yet.
Hi, many thanks for pointing this out - no, I had not addressed this issue in any other video (yet).
I actually hadn't realised that the community usage features were so deeply embedded into the online provision. I had (foolishly) assumed that they would also work when offline!
So I'm making a note of your info and no doubt we will all be talking about online/offline issues in Q1 of 2024, with server cut-off looming.
Please note that for any more in-depth discussion I also tend to use the Community section.
Only getting around to watching this now. Fantastic upload. So detailed and your enthusiasm and passion comes through so well. I am very hopeful we will get Xenoblade X enhanced port at some stage on the switch 2 :) Makes so much more sense than current switch.
Thank you, appreciate you taking the time to watch this!
Now that online play is going away, I messaged a buddy to see if we could do some of the co-op missions together. Xenoblade X won't be the same without any online features!
A Xenoblade X port for the new Nintendo console would be lovely.
If we see Xenoblade X again it won't be the WiiU game. For better or worse. Xenoblade X was a monolithic (pun intended) endeavour.
To get this game shipped they had to cut vast amounts of content as well as try and sell the features of the WiiU (pad and miiverse) while taking advantage of every bit of power they could squeeze out of the hardware.
I believe that should we see X again, it will be remade from the ground up to avoid architecture and feature issues on a new platform, as well as go back to content that was cut just so new and old fans would have a reason to purchase it again.
That said its a game i have sunk a thousand hours into so i would love to see it come back on Switch 2.
Your coverage was very well done, thank you Britta for the awesome video!
For real. I bought a Wii U just for Xenoblade X (and Monster Hunter 3U), but the Xenoblade text is so small in handheld mode, I never started the game. Hope there'll be a port for Swidge or its successor
XCX was not really designed to be played in handheld mode. You really need a good size screen.
xenoblade x is still my favorite game to this day because i have yet to play another game that nails open world exploration as well as it does, its cool to see you talk about it like this i hope we do get a port
Im surprised that out of everyone, it's you who brought up how amazing xcx is and I too wish that this could get a port soon!
X2 is more than good though. God I love this series and cannot wait to get back to planet Mira,❤❤❤😭
I'm so glad I still have a working Wii U and the collector's edition for this game. I would like to see a future Xenoblade title that revisits and builds on X's battle system, character designs, incredible open world, flight and ground-exploration, maybe some underwater exploration and space exploration too.
The obvious answers in my view why there hasn't been a port:
1. Those who didn't buy it but wanted to play it anyway, took every effort they could to play a scuffed version of it through less than legal means, and likely won't buy it if it does become available to buy now.
2. Those who DID buy it don't want to buy it again. Without spoiling anything, the game leaves us wanting more, but not more of the same.
3. It's built for a two-screen touch-screen system, and the Switch is just 1-screen. Compounded with it being a massive game, and Monolith Soft having other games they want to make, I couldn't see them porting the game themselves, nor trusting an outside team to do a port that'd match or surpass the original.
4. Monolith Soft has gotten better at designing open world games since then. Newer Xenoblade games have better quest-tracking mechanics, Xenoblade 3 has less of a chance that you'll start a quest at level 5 that you can only finish at level 80. Xenoblade X has aged badly in this aspect, and Monolith Soft would probably want to rebuild those aspects if they were to try and make Xenoblade X again (and if they aren't making a part 2)
Hi QM, thanks for your feedback and I agree that a future Xenoblade that builds on and uses the successful elements from XCX would be fantastic.
Your points:
1. Oh boy oh boy ... piracy. I am known as being opposed to piracy (not hacking as such) and have had my fair share of abuse and death threats over this. It is a pernicious problem and I hear what you're saying. My one point would be that almost any game with some profile is a target of pirating.
2. OK, yea I can see that. This really advocates for a not-identikit remaster, but rather a 'new' Xenoblade building on the foundations of XCX.
3. Totally agree. Monolith have said it's too massive for them to undertake, and I assume they wouldn't want anyone else to tinker with it.
4. Yes, that's the progress in game design we've seen happen with most studios. I still think these issues are fixable .. but that doesn't mean ofc that the huge amount of time & resources needed for such a task would be spent in the best interests of Xenoblade as a franchise. Moving forward is likely the more fruitful option.
Finally, on a general note: I don't believe answers to a highly complex question such as "XCX port?" are ever "obvious". In the end, we are not privy to the deliberations of developers and publishers.
My aim was to talk about the issue and focus in particular on the technical aspects of a possible port.
It's been 7 years since the Switch came out and Xenoblade blew the hell up, so money definitely isn't a problem anymore. I'm half confident they're working on Xenoblade X right now, and we'll either get a surprise announcement for Switch with a release not far after or it'll get launched on the Switch 2 not long after launch. Could even be cross gen. There's no way this isn't happening. For now, I'm happy enough emulating my copy on my Steam Deck. The Steam Deck is an absolutely _amazing_ platform for RPGs.
I really hope our optimism and hope will bear fruit!
Here's to the Switch 2. 🍹
Love the t-shirt! The only thing we have heard is that the game would be too expensive to bring to Switch.
""Personally speaking, I'd love to play the game on the Switch, but it would be really difficult to make it," Takahashi told USGamer. When asked why it would be such a problem, he simply laughed and replied "Money. It's a massive game. Re-creating it would be really difficult."
That was from Takahashi. What I don't understand is they wouldn't have to "Re-create" It. They didn't have to recreate Xenoblade for Definitive. It just needs some polishing up to port it. My hope is if we get a Switch 2? That it is backwards compatible so we don't lose ease of access to Xenoblade 1, 2, and 3 on Switch.
I explain in my video why XCX would need to be recreated from scratch. Takahashi explains it in other interviews.
I don't have any reliable information on the porting process of XC Def Edition, so can't comment. But just looking at the game, it's obvious that this older Wii game presented a much lower technical bar for a successful port.
23:10 As a programmer i can say, yeah its obviously possible, it would be ridiculous to say its not, most programming today happens in a modular, reusable and object oriented way.
So you should be able to keep most of it as is, even the touch functionality can stay the same as is for the switch in handheld mode, the only real thing you would need to do is gamepad navigation and a key trigger or menu option to open the menu. Obviously the gamepad navigation would require a bit of work but its not a huge dea if you have programmers who know what they are doing.
The real concern, as you've allready stated out, is would the switch even be able to acceptably run this upscaled to 1080p, without the skells probbably yes, but with them, well probbably not if you dont want to touch how the world is loaded and rendered(basicly rewriting how the engine works as a whole).
Its understandable they did decide not to do it, it would probbably eaten up all their recources, which as we know now they've put into the remaster of XC1, the development of XC3 and helping out on Zelda as well.
I write this hours before the 18/06/2024 Nintendo Direct, there are some rumors about a Switch port, i really want it to be true, let's think that the game is near 10 years since it's announcement, maybe a 10 anniversary switch port can be an interesting way to celebrate, for its X anniversary...
And it could help to not just push sales on Switch but if the next console is retro compat it may help to push that too.
Knowing that they made interesting developments on the engine with Chronicles 3 and Tears of the Kingdom, the FSR tech could help to get better performance for those vistas X provided, the loading changes for Tears of the kingdom (the mini CPU overclock that it has while charging and the changes on the texture compression), but they released 3 in 2022 and they finished the dlc recently, so...
I just can dream, lets see what happen :).
I understand your hopes, Francisco, but mine are pretty small, considering the age and architecture of the Switch.
I'm sure there are all sorts of rumours swirling around at the moment!
We'll know more tomorrow (I won't see the Direct until my morning time) and if there's anything interesting to discuss, I'll post on the Community.