Nintendo’s June 22, 2022 Direct broadcast focused on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ahead of its July release date. A new trailer set up the game world and narrative of the third Xenoblade title, emphasizing its themes of war, transience, and legacy.
Check it out below.
Note that some of these plot details could be considered spoilers.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is set on the world of Aionios, where two nations: Keves and Agnus, exist in a state of unceasing war. The wars are fought by engineered soldiers with an artificially limited lifespan of ten years. Each year is called a “term,” and all ten are spent entirely on fighting.
Six soldiers, three each from Keves and Ionios, encounter each other while on a special mission for their respective authorities. After a mysterious encounter, the sextet end up as fugitives, hunted by both nations. Their only hope is to head to the Sword March, a part of the world pierced by a gigantic blade. There, they’ll find answers and a path towards “defeating the real enemy and bringing order to the world.”
Teases of cutscenes from the story of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 focus the characters’ short lifespans and their desire to live or leave a lasting legacy, something that’s not possible considering their life of constant war. Mio in particular is revealed to be late into her tenth term, with three months left to live. Another character appears to perform a ritual of some sort to share some of their own remaining time with Mio, who refuses to accept it.
The Xenoblade Chronicle 3 Direct also revealed more footage focusing on supporting heroes, who join the party as seventh members. The characters Ashera, Valdi, Riku & Manana, Fiona, Alexandria, and Gray were shown off.
From a hardened gunslinger to a charming pair of Nopon – meet some of the Heroes who'll lend their support on your adventures in #XenobladeChronicles3! pic.twitter.com/BvNayYzlJC
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) June 22, 2022
Heroes can bring unique classes and abilities to the team within Xenoblade Chronicles 3‘s class framework. Valdi is a War Medic, while Ashera is a Lone Exile, and Zeon a Guardian Commander. The main party members can also adopt the Heroes’ classes as they join the group, expanding their options for both combat and cosmetics.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 releases on the Nintendo Switch on July 29, 2022. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles, the previous main games in the series, are also available on the Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles X, however, remains a Wii U exclusive.
