[REVIEW] Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Nintendo Switch 2

 2026 is an excellent year for Xenoblade fans. Nintendo and MonolithSoft have been working hard to crank out Nintendo Switch 2 Editions for the iconic Xenoblade Chronicles saga. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was released in February, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was released digitally in June with a physical release on July 30th, 2026, and now we have Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition available digitally with a physical release coming on October 1st, 2026. We also have Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition coming later this year.

For the purpose of this review, we will be focusing on the newly released Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Now, like with our Explain & Play review for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, we will be segmenting the review into two parts. The first part deals with the base game and will be providing a revision of our existing review for the original Switch game that released in 2017. This is primarily because we still stand by that review, and the core fundamentals of the game have not changed. The second part of the review will focus on everything new with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. This is what I think most of you reading will want to read anyway, especially if you already have the game and want to know what is included in the upgrade pack, or if you prefer to double dip on the Nintendo Switch 2 version.

As it is tradition with our reviews, let’s start with the game’s story. Once upon a time, everyone lived on the World Tree with the Architect in a place called Elysium, until one day, the Architect suddenly cast everyone out, forcing them to live in the harsh world known as Alrest. Just as soon as it looked like life would go extinct, the Architect took pity on those he cast out and sent forth his servants. The servants were known as Titans, gigantic beasts capable of providing sanctuary to all those who sought to make a home for themselves on the Titans as they swim from the Cloud Sea. For a while, civilisation grew and “life” returned to normal, but the Titans are not infallible.

While it is true that life goes on, as does death — for that is an equal part of the process — the Titans are dying out and the more of them that fall, the less land mass there is in Alrest for civilisations to populate, which means come the day the last Titan falls, there will be nowhere safe for anyone or anything. It is this fear of what will be that makes Elysium the last hope for all who dream of having a future, and one such person is Rex.

Rex is a young salvager from Fonsett Village who lives and works on the back of a Titan he calls Gramps. Due to the size of Gramps, the Titan is too large to have been used to build a ship upon and sail around the Cloud Sea on, but nowhere near as large as the Titans upon which entire countries have been built. So instead, Gramps is just a gigantic living creature that has one permanent resident, who just so happens to live rent-free, which is a good thing, as it allows Rex to send money home to his village. As for the relationship between the two, well, if the name doesn’t give it away, Gramps is like a grandfather to Rex and even taught him how to wield a sword in battle, which is just as well, as holding their own against monsters is something every salvager needs to know, as sometimes the treasures they haul up come guarded by beasties.

Still, Rex’s and Gramps’ world is about to be turned upside down because a routine trip to the Argentum Trade Guild, where Rex often sells his salvaged goods, holds a promise of fortune that is just too good for Rex to pass up, and before you know it, a true adventure can get underway. I am going to list a few of those things, but only those that have been revealed already, as I do intend to keep this review spoiler-free and not divulge anything that happens after the 30 hours of gameplay mark. So what does the future hold in store for Rex? Firstly, there is a deceit that would see our young hero meet his end due to having the sharp end of a sword do an Alien impression and burst out of Rex’s chest after going in through his back.

Only death is not the end for Rex, because thanks to a certain fiery redhead by the name of Pyra, who just so happens to be an incredibly powerful Blade known as the Aegis during the Aegis War (a battle that took place 500 years ago), Pyra gives up half her life-force to give Rex a second chance. Only this time his new life sees him reborn as a Driver, selected individuals who have been born with the ability to form a connection to special lifeforms of immense power and skills. Unlike most Drivers, though, who before taking the test and seeing if they have what it takes to be a Driver, Rex never studied Driver Arts, Affinity Lines, or anything Driver and Blade related, so come his first battle, not only does Rex lose the fight, but he also loses a very dear friend, Gramps.

Don’t worry though, because as previously revealed, Gramps is not gone for good as Gramps is a very special Titan that by “maximising cellular regeneration to retain all vital bodily functions,” is available to carry on living, only this time in a far smaller and cuter form that is just as knowledgeable as he was before, only now he can take up residence in Rex’s salvage helmet and ride around on him for a change. (The shoe is on the other foot now Rex. Let’s see how you like it.) From that point on, friendships are made, bonds grow deeper, and treachery lies around every corner, but as long as Rex has Pyra by his side, he will do everything he can to protect her from all those who seek to claim her for themselves and see her safely to Elysium, for the Aegis wishes to go home.

The journey will not be easy, but both are determined to stand by one another no matter the cost and honestly have one of the weirdest but sweetest relationships in a video game, so it is hard not to like them. For me, in addition to a compelling story to keep the player engaged from start to finish, I do love a game with a good set of characters, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has that in spades. It’s not just Rex and Pyra who are worth keeping an eye on, but Gramps and Dromarch (Nia’s Blade) have one hell of a bromance going on, while the Nopon Tora, who fabricated his very own artificial Blade after failing to pass the Driver’s test, has the most ludicrous relationship of them all. I mean, I know he made Poppi and everything, but he clearly made her to be more than just a Blade, as the way he and Poppi act with one another, especially the things she says, can be a little wrong at times, and by wrong, I do mean in the kinky sense, and there’s a lot of that in this game actually. From comments about “one-eyed monsters,” to Rex waking up in bed with Mythra, who just so happens to be lying pressed up against him, with her bosom close to his face, who then wakes up, freaks out on him and calls him a “Pervert,” Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a game that is not afraid to show off its sexy side.

It’s not all innuendos though, as Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is rich in all counts, as there are many humorous moments with the majority of them being Pyra related, especially when she’s turning into or from her other form Mythra, sad moments, which includes a touching death that is the result of self-sacrifice and even very, very serious moments or just moments that make you go “Wow!” From lush scenery packed with monsters to vast open world surroundings and a story that reaches epic proportions, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 really is a game that strives to blow players away in almost all aspects, as even the soundtrack is formidable.

Okay, so let’s move on to gameplay Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has many magnificent lands to uncover, each with a multitude of Landmarks to reach that can then be used as fast travel points during your exploration. For the first few hours of the game, you will primarily be focused on proceeding through the game’s main story. Then, you will find the urge to take on the abundant side-quests that are available, with some being simple fetch quests that you can lose half an hour entertaining yourself with, or others that build up character development as you learn more about certain side characters. Although more of a side hustle than a side quest, shops that you encounter on your adventures around Alrest can be bought, provided you have purchased 1 of every item a store has to offer. This includes items that get unlocked from later Chapters in the game, allowing you to eventually obtain the deed to the store.

Being an RPG packed with beasties, beautifully designed Blades that are the creation of some outside help, and a levelling up system, a huge part of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is, of course, its battle system, and there is a lot to know! But before we tackle the harder stuff, first let’s begin with the easy stuff. Although a Driver and a Blade are two separate characters, in a battle they fight as one, so although together they can use Driver Arts like Rex’s Anchor Shot to do damage and cause the enemy to drop a HP Potion, or just use a special move of which there are four levels with the fourth being the most devastating, the reality is it’s essentially one character attacking due to a joint effort.

Next up, as well as the usual thing like each fighter having stats and skills they can use, which is all very basic of RPGs, much like accessorising them to give them a better weapon, or just strengthen it and make sure they are wearing clothing and accessories that benefit them the most, although Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition starts with Rex fighting on his own with Pyra, up to three Drivers can be used to shape your party, with each Driver able to take up to three Blades into battle at one time and switch between them at your own discretion, but just know changing the Blade will cause you to change your character’s equipped weapon to one that is associated with the new Blade you’ve selected.

As for the actual attacking, there is your basic auto-attack where your party will attack on their on upon engaging with an enemy, and then there are skills, like Driver and Blade Arts, that are done via button inputs. I must admit that I wasn’t a fan of the auto-attack when I first started playing, but it did eventually grow on me, much like the status effects such as Topple and Break that can be rendered upon you or your enemies. As for skills like Driver or Blade Arts, these each have their assigned button that you need to press their corresponding button on the right-hand side of your controller or the shoulder buttons. As for the buttons on the left side (or D-Pad if using a Pro Controller), these are used to summon your desired Blade into battle, or to have your party members focus their attacks on the same enemy.

Now, in the event of dying, if any member of your party (including your own character) should fall in combat, and you have 1 full bar in the Party Gauge, your fallen comrade can be revived. If the Party Gauge is empty, however, and your playable character dies (although Rex is the main character, the formation can be changed so others can take the lead), then it’s all over, and you’ll find yourself respawning at the last landmark you visited, with your progress intact. Should you wish to use the Party Gauge for something other than reviving allies, you can at a later point in the game execute a devastating chain attack where you and those in your party can let loose with all their might. Although powerful attacks mean nothing if the foe you’re up against is a superior level to yours, as a Level 40 monster will lay you to rest in seconds if you are not equal or greater. (I’m not saying victory isn’t possible, as it is, but it’s just a lot harder and it pays to level up, especially when there are enemies who can one-shot instakill you.)

In terms of levelling up though, there are two ways to go about doing it. The first is to battle and keep on battling, as each defeated monster results in you earning EXP and gold, but even completing missions and side-quests can result in you levelling up as they award you with Bonus EXP that go unused until you find yourself resting at an inn. Although you don’t have to choose to use the Bonus EXP as you can leave it for another time if you’d rather, but it can be used to level up each character you have in your possession and no, it is not shared, so you’ll never have to worry about picking which character over who in a bid to have one unit you can rely on, or build up a weak character you’re struggling to level up.

Another aspect or game mode that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has to offer is Merc Group. This mode doesn’t come into effect until much later into the game (20 hours in, depending on how you play), it is a great side feature where you can use the Blades you’re not using or have assigned to your party to carry out missions and requests that will not only earn you Gold and EXP like side-quests can, but you can also use them to build trust with your Blades and affinity. This, in turn, improves their effectiveness when used in combat.

But even if the Merc missions don’t appeal to you, there is always foraging for new goods, insects, or items as Rex can scavenge on land, or in the Cloud Sea itself at various Salvage Points all over Alrest. Salvaging does help net you some decent loot, but you will have to be quite responsive to the QTE prompts that appear so you don’t fumble the dive into the Cloud Sea. Unfortunately, you won’t get to see Rex hard at work gathering treasure under the clouds; instead, you’ll only see Rex jump in and then jump out, followed by the treasure he’s found and a monster or three that may have been guarding it. You will then have to engage in combat with the monsters and defeat them before you can open the treasure chest to acquire its loot.

With all that I have said so far, I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. It really is a black hole game, with so much more to talk about, like the Tiger! Tiger! mini-game, which is a great way of getting the required materials and Ether Crystals to improve Poppi. Then there are rare and super strong creatures that, when beaten, will become a gravestone, but can be battled at any time. Chests and secret locations just waiting to be uncovered, Heart to Heart moments and so much more, and then there is the Expansion Pass with the Torna – The Golden Country DLC to immerse yourself in. The game just keeps getting plenty of new reasons to have players keep coming back to it! I guess you will just have to discover what more Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has to offer for yourselves.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Features