Nintendo have announced a new release date for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 via a new gameplay trailer, two months earlier than its initial window.
The new trailer finally showcases gameplay, while providing more information on the story. As stated in the press release, the nations of Keves and Agnus are at war, players will take on the roles of protagonists Noah and Mio and team up with a number of other characters from both nations.
This group seeks to the learn the truth behind the war, and set off for Swordsmarch, the land pierced by a giant blade. Their journey to Swordsmarch allows players to explore the “vast and sublime natural world” of Aionios.
The battle system incorporates elements of prior games, but with new twists. Players enter with all six party members, and even seven when additional allies from their adventure enter the fray.
While each character has their own class- Noah a close-ranged swordsman and Mio an evasive tanking Zephyr- players will unlock class changes as they progress through the game allowing for the creation of customized parties.
Each of the six characters enter in tag-team pairs; Noah with Mio, Lanz with Sena, and Eunie with Taion. The pairs can use their Interlink system when the right conditions are met, fusing into one giant being dubbed an Ouroboros. Each of these giants have their own movesets, and deciding when to use these powers are key to win.
Beyond the press release, there are other details that can be gleamed. For example, some characters appear to be afflicted with a red-haze over one eye, only able to see Noah’s group as shadowy monsters, while plenty of characters want the Ouroboros dead.
Gameplay seems to show the return of each character having three Battle Arts and a special attack, along with inflicting foes with various status effects that can combo off one another- such as toppling them to the ground, then stunning them.
Chain attacks also appear to return, building up “TP” to no doubt inflict more damage, along with overkilling enemies for greater rewards.
Interlink appears to allow the player to command their partner’s Battle Arts at the same time as the character they control. The class switching is also briefly alluded to, as Noah is later seen wearing Taion’s clothes, and wielding his paper-charm like weapon.
Finally, a Special Edition was also announced. Featuring the game and SteelBook, it also comes with a full-color over 250-page hardcover art book, all packaged in a special box designed by Masatsugu Saito (main character designer for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and 2).
A price was not revealed at this time, but Nintendo did reveal it will be available via the My Nintendo Store and also promised more details about it in the future.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was initially set to release in September, but with the release of this trailer it has been bumped up to July 29th.
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