'Xenoblade Chronicles X' will feature a 'different play feel' and the graphics will be changing too

By Staff Writer

Apr 13 2015, 11:11 AM EDT

The "Xenoblade" franchise has attained a cult following ever since the first game from the franchise was released, and now with its latest installment, it appears fans can expect something different. On the top of the list of things that have changed since the most recent "Xenoblade" game, is the new play style featured for the franchise's latest release.

In an interview with Gamespot, Tetsuya Takahashi, the head of the game's developer (Monolith Soft), talked about just how much has changed when it comes to the new gameplay mechanics of "Xenoblade Chronicles X."

Takahashi says the newest game will feature "a different play feel" mainly because it is now a non-linear title. Whereas the older titles from the franchise may have had their gameplay systems built around the main story arcs, the latest game is more focused on emphasizing the elements now present thanks to the open world environment.

Fans of the franchise need not be wary however, as Takahashi still promises that the game will stay true to its roots and provide the same level of fun and excitement that the players have come to expect. In related news, it appears as though "Xenoblade Chronicles X" will also be sporting significantly downgraded graphics from what was originally featured when the game was first revealed back in 2013.

According to Wii U Daily, when trailers from the E3 2013 reveal and more recently released trailers are set set side by side, the downgrade in graphics from two years ago becomes obvious. One possible reason for the apparent downgrade could be the game's developers choosing to sacrifice certain visual elements to make the game more suitable for the Wii U.

If the visual downgrade is proven to be true, then "Xenoblade Chronicles X" would be starkly different from other exclusives previously released for the Wii U. Previously, games exclusively released for the Wii U featured graphics which were better once it was officially released as opposed to its first reveal, according to Nintendo Enthusiast.

"Xenoblade Chronicles X" will be released on April 29 for Japan. The game will be released worlwide later in the year.