Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U)
By: Nintendo
IF THE thought of role playing games conjures up images of sebum-slicked oiks rolling dice, Xenoblade Chronicles' oak-aged pedigree will change your mind. With a bloodline tracing back to 1998's Xenogears, this milestone in adventuring has been fashioned for RPG buffs and could stand as one of the last major releases for Nintendo's much-loved, if seldom purchased, Wii U.
As a survivor of the White Whale, a ship that left Earth when warring aliens destroyed the planet, players must explore the mammoth planet Mira, where New LA is the last hope for humanity. Stuffed with sprawling vistas, complex battle systems and much to do, Mira offers an even bigger environment than the formidable Skyrim.
As a member of the BLADE task force, you and three party members will scope out Mira, locating pods that house humans, collecting trinkets and battling indigenous nasties. Gameplay boils down to exploration, buying new weapons and armour, upgrading your giant robot and taking on various missions.
Pushing the Wii U to its limits, Xenoblade's breathtaking visuals will shock your gasping console. So beautiful is Mira, in fact, that most enjoyment comes from Sunday driving in your giant robot, quaffing the scenery porn.
The game's giant robots are the main draw, and while it can take around 30 hours to earn a license and acquire your own Skell, destroy it in battle and you'll be left to roam on foot unless you have the cash to fix it.
It's well worth the grind, however, as your metal monster can fly, swim and transform into tanks and motorcycles, allowing players to roam the virtual acres with ease. The snappy combat, focusing on teamwork and properly timed, cool-down-based special attacks, offers blessed relief from the constant loop of fetch quests.
The Japanese option for adjusting the size of characters' boobs has been canned, which caused something of a storm in a D-cup, and while series faithful will rankle at such Western tampering, it's hard to disagree with Nintendo's decision to up the age and remove the more revealing costumes for 13-year-old Lin.
Interstellar arks and larks abound in this sprawling, battle-stuffed JRPG that's a wet dream for the niche band of thumb bandits hungry for hardcore attribute juggling and level grinding.
Married men need not apply, but if you have months to kill, Xenoblade will blissfully devour your life like heroin and could well define the last days of the Wii U.
