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With each of the Xenoblade Chronicles Switch 2 Update Packs, we’ve seen Monolith Soft and Nintendo do something to slightly enhance some element of the game and add a little quality of life adjustment. A means of making a return seem a little more valuable, but also perhaps the sort of thing that you don’t absolutely feel you must do if you aren’t ready to drop what you’re doing and head back into that world. With Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition, the focus is on the Blades by making the Merc Missions feels a little more hands-on with direct control of the characters and the inclusion of MOMO and new Pyra and Mythra outfits.
Like the Xenoblade Chronicles Switch 2 Edition additions, the ones in the sequel are all pretty easy to immediately access so long as you’ve already advanced the story in the original version of the game. Some of it also doesn’t require too much of a time investment, just like the Ether Jet Bike in the first game. When this game first launched, we could unlock the Merc Group mechanic and send out our extra Blades on assignments after getting through the third chapter and completing the mission “Vandham’s Last Wish.” Well, now Yew offers another assignment to us called “Vandham’s Other Ask” for Merc Assault. This is still set up at the Uraya Mercenary HQ and just means talking to Yew again to take a first task and control the up to six Blades you send on a mission directly.
The Merc Assault option with Blades in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition really feels like an excuse to use more of them while earning additional bonuses like more EXP, gold, Merc Points, and Rare Core Crystals at the same time. Which in turn makes it more enticing and possible to get additional Rare Blades that you could fight with in this mode. (Since Common Blades can’t be used in this mode.) It feels like a way to really connect more with the characters, since you are directly using their Basic Attacks, charged Role Arts, signature Special Arts, and the frenzy of Fever Time attacks. And since we’re also causing buffs from different Ether Pods to appear by attacking, it ends up feeling a little more intense and dynamic.
I also liked that there’s a little bit of diversity when it comes to the types of missions in Merc Assault. It makes it feel like these really are additional Merc Group assignments, rather than an excuse to go into a beat ‘em all up battle. I mean, that is there and tends to be the motivation for each one in some way. Elimination is the most basic form and is about wiping out the foes, and Collection is about getting items by taking them down. But given the diversity of Blades and their abilities, I actually didn’t mind the Defense types that involved a bodyguard sort of situation.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention MOMO from the Xenosaga series being added as a Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Rare Blade. Again, she’s pretty easy to acquire, which is handy, and isn’t tied to the “gacha” system with Core Crystals. Instead, we get her from the “Tora’s Secret Stash” quest after recruiting Tora and Poppi. The Pretty Core Crystal from that mission immediately means access to MOMO. She’s a pretty handy supporter, which is great. I honestly prefer her Real Mode form, since the defensive capabilities and damage reduction is great. But she’s handy in both forms and I really appreciated the Rare Hunter and Specials Heart Recharge bonus.
Blades always felt important in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and that remains true with the Switch 2 Edition Merc Assault. The additional option feels like a means of more directly appreciating their combat ability. At the same time, it’s giving us a way to earn more Core Crystals to get additional Blades and make the ones we have stronger with the extra EXP. It feels worthwhile.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is on the Switch and Switch 2 worldwide. People can see MOMO in the original Xenosaga I-III games on the PS2 worldwide or the DS-exclusive Xenosaga I & II in Japan.
