Xenoblade Chronicles

While the first Xenoblade Chronicles is the foundation of the franchise, its sequel is mostly a standalone story set in a completely different world. The games are designed to be accessible to newcomers, so playing the first is not strictly required to enjoy the second. However, the stories all tie together in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for those who want the full lore.

The Monado is a legendary, red energy sword that serves as a central plot device in the game. Wielded by the protagonist Shulk, it grants him the power to see brief glimpses into the future. The blade is highly sought after by various factions because it is one of the few weapons capable of damaging the invading Mechon.

A standard playthrough of the game focuses entirely on the main story and takes roughly 60 to 80 hours to complete. However, the game is massive and packed with hundreds of side quests that can easily push playtime over the 100-hour mark. Players looking to defeat all the end-game Superbosses will spend even longer building their party.

The game was originally released on the Nintendo Wii, where it famously utilized a vast dual-layer disc to hold all its data. It was later remade for the New Nintendo 3DS handheld system. Today, modern players can experience the game through the enhanced Definitive Edition available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.