Summary
TheXenoseries created by Monolith Soft stands out by exploring deep themes in intricate plots, always set infuture worlds with science fiction elements. Defined by philosophical themes and unique battles, this saga earned recognition for balancing complex stories with gameplay systems that reward thorough exploration across vast landscapes.
Over time, the franchise gained different forms, adopting names likeXenogears,Xenosaga, andXenoblade, even as it shifted certain mechanics and settings. The best Xeno games keep the franchise’s core intact, featuring memorable characters, layered plots, and battles that highlight the special traits of this world, always delivering distinct and engaging experiences.
Xenosaga Episode 2offers a political storythat reveals fierce conflicts among UMN, Vector, and Wilhelm’s church, expanding the lore introduced by the franchise and presenting a dramatic soundtrack by Yuki Kajiura. Antagonists Albedo and Margulis shine with powerful scenes and a strong presence, adding emotional weight to an already gripping JRPG narrative.
Immersive tracks by Yuki Kajiura intensify key scenes that highlight the link between Shion and Kevin, as well as Juli Mizrahi’s sacrifice. Even with interesting story points, the pacing and altered combat systems did not fit well with the established JRPG formula, making this one of the weaker entries while still remaining relevant to the overall plot.
This JRPG includes a vastmap that encourages exploration, though it focuses less on narrative than many entries in the Xeno line. Enthusiasts of deep stories filled with layered references may not see it as an ideal choice, yet the expansive world design remains a standout element that elevates this installment.
Reduced story focus is balanced by multiple locations to discover and tasks to complete, creating a broad scope of content in distinct environments. This JRPG also features a robust mechanic for piloting and customizing mechs, letting players traverse the entire map and confront large enemies in battle, an approach that appeals to fans of dynamic gameplay.
The first part of theXenosagatrilogy sets a mysterious tone that centers on the Zohar and the sudden appearance of the Gnosis, building suspense around cosmic events. This approach forms a sci-fi atmosphere that draws in JRPG fans, enhanced by cinematic cutscenes and a layered world that hints at deeper truths.
Its strategic combat requires planningthrough wise Ether usage, area attacks, and mindful resource management, adding tension to each battle scenario. Yet KOS-MOS stands out as a remarkable figure among JRPG icons, blending mechanical design with an emotional core, which cementsXenosaga Episode Iamong the best Xeno games from Monolith Soft.
If the franchise experienced massive growth on the Nintendo Switch, much of it was due toXenoblade Chronicles 2, which managed to fully utilize the console’s potential to deliver one of the best visual experiences on the platform. The game’s different and stunning environments played a big role in its rich worldbuilding, with each Titan visited offering unique cultures and settings.
Even though the game stumbled a bit with its narrative pacing and presented a story filled with common anime tropes, that didn’t diminish its overall quality. Instead, it helped make the story feel lighter in various moments. Additionally, the gameplay has its own unique charm,allowing players to collect various Bladesthroughout the adventure and create some impressive combos during combat.
Prior chapters offered intricate events that left loose ends, andXenosaga Episode 3managed to resolve them with skill. A cinematic style emerged, featuring over eight hours of cutscenes that enriched many plot points and shaped one of the best Xeno games from Monolith Soft, leading to afinal that feels monumental on PlayStation 2.
A personal narrative replaced the political tone of the previous chapter, balancing reveals tied to Shion and KOS-MOS. Refined gameplay simplified some mechanics, allowing smoother progression and reinforcing the finale of this influential JRPG trilogy, as these revelations addressed backstories and motives, forging a cohesive link to earlier plot arcs.
While theXenoseries already had a solid fan base, it was thanks to the release ofXenoblade Chroniclesfor the Nintendo Wiithat it broke out of its niche and reached a broader audience. Much of this success was due to the JRPG’s semi-open world design, with massive environments to explore, and also because of its protagonist, Shulk, who stands among the best main characters in the genre.
The real-time battles and well-developed narrative, packed with twists throughout the journey, also contributed to making the game one of the greatest classics among modern JRPGs. TheDefinitive Editionon Nintendo Switch further enhanced this experience by fixing some bugs and improving the visuals, turning Shulk’s entire adventure into something even more spectacular.
Some stories in the saga hold quality, yet the plot inXenogearsremains among the darkest and most imaginative in the series. This factor elevates the game to one of the top PlayStation 1 titles, where Fei Fong Wong faces philosophical and religious themes while unraveling deeper mysteries tied to amnesia.
Gameplay remains exciting despite the second disc having a narrative focus, limiting some exploration but deepening the plot. Fights switch from martial arts duels to larger conflicts with mechs called Gears, providing challenges as the story unfolds and showcasing varied combat scenarios, a shift in scale that tests strategic thinking.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3ranks among the best Xeno games from Monolith Soft and stands as one of the finest JRPG choices on Nintendo Switch. The developers improved the series formula with a narrative that examines war and life’s cycle, and most importantly, features memorable characters such as Noah and Mio.
The music and combat design add a fluid progression that rewards each minute of play. The game’s DLC,Future Redeemed, is another strong point, serving as a love letter to longtime fans, filled with references to other titles in the franchise, making it a must-play for those who have followed the series so far.
