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| award3 = [[Game of the Year]] {{nowrap|(Runner-Up)}}
| award3Pub = ''Nintendo Life''
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DualShockers awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10 and praised it as the best Japanese RPG released this generation, writing that Xenoblade Chronicles is "the perfect 'Don’t worry, I still Love you' signal given by Nintendo to it’s [sic] most hardcore fans, and a strong, resounding 'no' said right in the face of those that advocate the theory that the JRPG genre is dead".<ref name=DualShockers>{{cite web|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|title=Review: Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://www.dualshockers.com/2011/09/07/review-xenoblade-chronicles/|publisher=[[DualShockers]]|accessdate=7 September 2011|date=7 September 2011}}</ref> ImpulseGamer awarded the game a score of 9.5 out of 10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bourke|first=Peter|title=Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://www.impulsegamer.com/wiixenobladechronicles.html|work=ImpulseGamer|accessdate=6 September 2011}}</ref> Vandal Online gave the game a near-perfect score of 9.9 out of 10.<ref name="MC"/> Gameblog.fr gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="MC"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 5 out of 5 stars and stated in conclusion that "it's not just the best RPG of this generation, but one of the best games I've ever played."<ref name="gamepro_xenoblade">{{cite web|author=post a comment |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222854/review-xenoblade-chronicles-wii-import/ |title=Xenoblade Chronicles Review from |publisher=GamePro |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222854/review-xenoblade-chronicles-wii-import/&date=2011-11-30+22:29:51|archivedate=2011-12-01}}</ref> RPGamer also gave the game 5 out of 5, stating that "while the comparative lack of RPGs means it isn't hard to be one of the best on the system, Xenoblade goes beyond that to be right up there with the best of the console generation as a whole."<ref name="rpgamer_xenoblade">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/wii/monado/reviews/monadostrev1.html |title=> Staff Review > Xenoblade Chronicles |publisher=RPGamer |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref>
DualShockers awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10 and praised it as the best Japanese RPG released this generation, writing that Xenoblade Chronicles is "the perfect 'Don’t worry, I still Love you' signal given by Nintendo to it’s [sic] most hardcore fans, and a strong, resounding 'no' said right in the face of those that advocate the theory that the JRPG genre is dead".<ref name=DualShockers>{{cite web|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|title=Review: Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://www.dualshockers.com/2011/09/07/review-xenoblade-chronicles/|publisher=[[DualShockers]]|accessdate=7 September 2011|date=7 September 2011}}</ref> ImpulseGamer awarded the game a score of 9.5 out of 10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bourke|first=Peter|title=Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://www.impulsegamer.com/wiixenobladechronicles.html|work=ImpulseGamer|accessdate=6 September 2011}}</ref> Vandal Online gave the game a near-perfect score of 9.9 out of 10.<ref name="MC"/> Gameblog.fr gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="MC"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 5 out of 5 stars and stated in conclusion that "it's not just the best RPG of this generation, but one of the best games I've ever played."<ref name="gamepro_xenoblade">{{cite web|author=post a comment |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222854/review-xenoblade-chronicles-wii-import/ |title=Xenoblade Chronicles Review from |publisher=GamePro |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222854/review-xenoblade-chronicles-wii-import/&date=2011-11-30+22:29:51|archivedate=2011-12-01}}</ref> RPGamer also gave the game 5 out of 5, stating that "while the comparative lack of RPGs means it isn't hard to be one of the best on the system, Xenoblade goes beyond that to be right up there with the best of the console generation as a whole."<ref name="rpgamer_xenoblade">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/wii/monado/reviews/monadostrev1.html |title=> Staff Review > Xenoblade Chronicles |publisher=RPGamer |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref>


In December 2011, GameSpot gave ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' the award for "Best Wii Game" of the year, beating other nominees such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'', ''[[Lost in Shadow]]'', and ''[[Rayman Origins]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Wii Game|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2011-awards/platform-awards/index.html?page=4|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=19 December 2011|date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> GameSpot also nominated ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' for the "Best RPG" and "[[Game of the Year]]" awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xenoblade-chronicles|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=19 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' also nominated it for the "Game of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Telegraph video game awards 2011|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8974993/Telegraph-video-game-awards-2011.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph{{!}}The Telegraph]]|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=27 December 2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'' chose it as second place for the "Wii Game of the Year" award and gave it an honourable mention for the overall "Game of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newton|first=James|title=Game of the Year: Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/game_of_the_year_nintendo_life_staff_awards_2011|work=Nintendo Life|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''Xenoblade'' also won the "Best RPG" award from [[MMGN]]'s Community Game of the Year Polls.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of the Year 2011 Winners|url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/Articles/Game-of-the-Year-2011-Winners|publisher=[[MMGN]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=25/11/2011}}</ref>
In December 2011, GameSpot gave ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' the award for "Best Wii Game" of the year, beating other nominees such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'', ''[[Lost in Shadow]]'', and ''[[Rayman Origins]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Wii Game|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2011-awards/platform-awards/index.html?page=4|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=19 December 2011|date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> GameSpot also nominated ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' for the "Best RPG" and "[[Game of the Year]]" awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xenoblade Chronicles|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xenoblade-chronicles|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=19 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' also nominated it for the "Game of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Telegraph video game awards 2011|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8974993/Telegraph-video-game-awards-2011.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph{{!}}The Telegraph]]|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=27 December 2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'' chose it as second place for the "Wii Game of the Year" award and gave it an honourable mention for the overall "Game of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newton|first=James|title=Game of the Year: Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/game_of_the_year_nintendo_life_staff_awards_2011|work=Nintendo Life|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''Xenoblade'' also won the "Best RPG" award from [[MMGN]]'s Community Game of the Year Polls.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of the Year 2011 Winners|url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/Articles/Game-of-the-Year-2011-Winners|publisher=[[MMGN]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=25/11/2011}}</ref> [[Nintendojo]] chose it as the runner-up for its "Game of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sorice|first=Adam|title=The Best Games Overall of 2011|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/features/specials/the-best-games-overall-of-2011|publisher=[[Nintendojo]]|accessdate=10 January 2012|date=January 7, 2012}}</ref>


===Marketing===
===Marketing===

Revision as of 19:54, 10 January 2012

Xenoblade Chronicles
European cover art
Developer(s)Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Tetsuya Takahashi
Producer(s)Shingo Kawabata
Takao Nakano
Designer(s)Tetsuya Takahashi
Koh Kojima
Writer(s)Tetsuya Takahashi
Yuichiro Takeda
Yurie Hattori
Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura
ACE+
Manami Kiyota
Yasunori Mitsuda
Platform(s)Wii
Genre(s)Role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player

Xenoblade Chronicles, known in Japan as Xenoblade (ゼノブレイド, Zenobureido), is a role-playing video game published by Nintendo[2] and developed by Monolith Soft[3] for the Wii console. The game was announced during E3 2009, when a trailer was released to media. The game follows a young man named Shulk, who wields the titular Xenoblade – an energy blade called the Monado – against the Mechon in order to ultimately save the world.[4][5] Originally titled Monado: Beginning of the World, the game was retitled Xenoblade in January 2010 to honour Tetsuya Takahashi, "who poured his soul into making this and who has been working on the Xeno series".[6] The game was released on June 10, 2010 in Japan,[7] and was released on August 19, 2011 in Europe[8] and on September 1, 2011 in Australia.[1] It will be released in North America in April 2, 2012.[9][10]

Gameplay

Exploration

Xenoblade Chronicles attempts to convey the feeling of freedom through large, expansive environments.

It has been stated that the game will convey the feeling of freedom to the player, and would not be as focused on cutscenes and story as its sibling games.[11] According to Tetsuya Takahashi, the game employs an open-ended design, allowing much of the world to be explored from the very start.[12] He has described the game world as "overwhelming, like an MMORPG" and compared its size to that of Japan,[13] stating that from "one end to the other," the game's world is "about the size of the Japanese archipelago."[12]

Battle system

Xenoblade Chronicles has a real-time action-based battle system, where party members will "auto-attack" when enemies enter their attack radius, similar to Final Fantasy XII's battle system. However, manually-activated special attacks, called Arts, each have their own "Cooldown" time after being used; Talent Arts, on the other hand, can only become available for use again after using enough auto-attacks. Arts for each character must be set on a "Battle Palette" at the bottom of the screen, which can be modified outside of battle.[14] Movement of the character in play is also executed manually with the analog stick; however this only plays an integral role when using Shulk's Arts, as they are more effective if used from the side or behind. Another feature of battle is the aggro ring, which appears around party members who are targeted by enemies. The bigger the ring, the more focused an enemy's rage against that member will be. This gives Shulk and other members the chance to attack the enemy from the side or rear. Xenoblade Chronicles also has the "Visions" system, where Shulk can see glimpses of enemies' future attacks. With this information, the player has to try to react (e.g. getting out of harm's way) or prevent it from happening (e.g. warning fellow party members about the attack or using Shulk's Monado Shield Art), thus "changing the future."[15]

Other features

The game is known to have a number of features labeled as "Time Saving Support Features".[16] For instance, while the game will have a day and night time cycle, players can "wind the clock" to the time they want to go to, rather than just letting time elapse. Additionally, while the game is about exploration, many areas, called Locations and Landmarks, are added to aid in traversing the land by serving as warp points. The game also sports a "save anywhere" feature, a feature commonly found in Western RPGs.

Another of the game's systems is the "Bonds" system, in which characters can partake in many optional sidequests with non-player characters. Completing such quests can alter perception of the character in the towns, and open up additional story sequences.[17] The game also has an "Affinity" system, where each member has an Affinity stat that indicates how they feel about another party member, ranging from indifference to high friendship/love. These affinities can be altered by having characters participate in battle together, giving gifts, or using the "Heart-to-Heart" system. These "Heart-to-Hearts" are intimate moments between two characters that can show more of a character's personality, history, or thoughts, and can be initiated by having certain characters at certain places while having a high enough Affinity between them.[18] The game also has extensive customization, such as being able to change the character's outfits and weapons, and having those changes be seen during battle, in the field, and even during event scenes.[17]

Synopsis

Characters

Main article: Characters of Xenoblade Chronicles

The protagonist is an 18-year-old young man named Shulk, who lives in Colony 9 (located at the foot of the Bionis) at the start of the game’s main story. When the colony is attacked by the Mechon, he obtains the legendary energy blade called the Monado, thought to be the sword of the Bionis eons ago, and leaves to initially stop the Mechon threat. He is joined by Reyn, a headstrong Defense Force soldier; Fiora, Shulk and Reyn's childhood friend; Dunban, the previous wielder of the Monado and Fiora's older brother; Sharla, a medic and sniper from Colony 6; Melia, a mage and crown princess of the High Entia; and Riki, a member of the Nopon who is chosen as the "Heropon" of his race.

Prologue

In the beginning, the world had originally been nothing but an endless ocean. That was until two great titans—the Bionis (巨神, Kyoshin) and the Mechonis (機神, Kishin)—came into existence. These two giants fought a timeless battle, until one day only their lifeless bodies remained, forever locked in combat.[19]

Eons passed, and life came to be on the corpse of Bionis. Civilizations were founded by several races—including the humanoid Homs and the Nopon—and life flourished. However, this peace did not last: one day the Homs colonies came under attack from the Mechon (機神兵, Kishinhei), a horde of machines originating from the Mechonis. The Homs fought to defend their existence, a battle which would come to be settled at the battle of Sword Valley.[20] With the help of the Monado, a legendary blade with the power to penetrate Mechon armor, the Homs' hero Dunban fought against the Mechon threat.[21] Those fighting alongside Dunban include: Dickson, a seasoned traveler and old friend of Dunban; and Mumkhar, an honorless soldier who secretly wants the Monado for himself.[22]

During the battle, Dunban is almost overcome by the Monado's power and falls. While Dickson tries to help him, Mumkhar sees his own chance to escape.[23] While running, he falls down a slope and comes face to face with a horde of armed Mechon.[24] Dunban and Dickson, however, recover quickly, and lead a final charge against the approaching Mechon, completely destroying their army and ultimately winning the battle.[25] However, wielding the Monado caused great harm to Dunban's body, negating the use of his right arm. Nonetheless, peace was temporarily restored to the colonies.

Story

One year has passed since the battle of Sword Valley. In the scrapyards outside his home of Colony 9, Shulk is looking for usable parts from broken Mechon. Reyn arrives just as monsters attack them. They manage to hold their own, and they return to the colony.[26] However, Reyn gets in trouble for being late for military drills, and is forced to collect ether fuel from the nearby ruins as punishment. He asks Shulk and Fiora to "tag along" with him. From the ruins, the three witness a large fleet of Mechon attacking Colony 9, catching both citizens and soldiers unprepared for the assault. Shulk and his friends return to try to find Dunban, who left his house to reobtain the Monado.[27] While racing to the Weapon Development Lab, where the weapon is kept, the boys get separated from Fiora. Suddenly, Dunban, wielding the Monado once more, arrives to assist Shulk and Reyn. However, even when using his left arm this time, the Monado's power overwhelms Dunban once again, and he drops the weapon in agony.[28] Shulk picks up the Monado, showing greater control over the weapon, and exhibits the ability to see enemies' future attacks. Dunban realizes that Shulk may be the Monado's true Hier, and fights alongside him.[29]

During the assault, they encounter a large, visaged Mechon leading the attack, called "Metal Face." While Shulk and the others become incapacitated quickly, Fiora arrives in an ether artillery tank to save them. However, Metal Face easily overpowers the tank and stabs Fiora, presuably killing her. The Mechon then withdraw from the devastated colony, leaving behind a great number of losses and a mouring Shulk with a desire for vengeance against Metal Face. Shulk and Reyn leave Colony 9 to find the Mechon stronghold, located at Sword Valley, to avenge those who had lost their lives, while Dunban stays behind to let his injuries heal before following.[30]

Shulk and Reyn continue on through the Bionis' Leg, where they meet Sharla, an army medic from Colony 6. They venture to Colony 6 after Sharla's younger brother, Juju, runs off to Colony 6 and is kidnapped by a Faced Mechon named Xord. After venturing through the Ether Mine under Colony 6, they finally save Juju, but are ambushed by a swarm of Mechon led by Metal Face. A creature called a Telethia and a strange Homs save them. When Dunban and Dickson catch up with the two, Shulk has a sudden vision of him fighting—and defeating—Metal Face on a black, floating island. Dickson deduces that the island in question is Prison Island, making its location—the Bionis' head—their next destination. At this time, Dunban joins Shulk on his quest. Shulk continues on to the Eryth Sea, continuing his journey to the High Entia capitol, Alcamoth, where he needs imperial sanctions to enter Prison Island. In the Makna Forest before Eryth Sea, Shulk meets two new playable characters: Melia and Riki. Riki was deemed the "Heropon" by the nopon chief and joins Shulk on his quest. Melia, who is later revealed to be the half-Homs, half-High Entian crown princess of Alcamoth.

Upon reaching Alcamoth, the party is tentatively taken in, although conspiracy plots against Melia and the party occur, such as an attempted assassination during the "Trial of the Tomb" which she needs to accomplish to become crown princess. Upon returning, the party witness a Mechon invasion of Alcamoth. After realizing that the city's defenses will soon be overcome, the Emperor travels to Prison Island to release an "ancient power" sealed on the island by the High Entia Elders. Upon following him to the island, Shulk releases a giant named Zanza from the prison. Zanza tells them that he was the creator of the Monado, but is soon killed by Metal Face, but not before he gives the Monado the power to kill humans. Metal Face is quickly defeated, but before Shulk can kill him, a silver Faced Mechon takes the blow, breaking the outer armor. From this crack, Shulk sees a human operator, whom he realizes is Fiora.[citation needed]

Shulk decides to follow the Mechon to Galahad Fortress in Sword Valley, passing through the snowy Valak Mountains. On the way there, Fiora comes to see Shulk, although she has seemingly lost her memory.[citation needed] They are attacked by Metal Face, who is then revealed to be Mumkhar. After defeating him, both of them flee to Galahad Fortress. Upon reaching the Fortress, the party fights against Mumkhar again, finally killing him.

At the end of the fortress, the party fights against both Silver Face and Gold Face. Before Gold Face kills the party, the silver mechon intervenes, blocking the attack, but falls off the floating platform, which Shulk jumps down after. The platform then crashes down, separating the party.

The party is separated into 3 separate parties on various areas on the Fallen Arm. The first party consists of Shulk and Fiora, whom he rescues out of the mechon wreckage. She is revealed to still have her memories, although she couldn't control her actions while in the mechon. They then decide to find the rest of the party. The second party consists of Sharla and Reyn while the third consists of Dunban, Riki, and Melia. They all reunite around a Machina village, where they meet the people of Mechonis, the Machina.

After leaving the Machina village, the party heads off to the Mechonis Capitol, Agniratha. During their journey, they fight Jade Face, who is revealed to be Sharla's boyfriend, Gadolt. At the Mechonis capital, the party fights through the city, reactivating 4 towers to use a teleporter to the Meyneth Shrine, where the leader of Mechonis, Egil, awaits. Defeating his first two forms results in him reactivating the Mechonis and beginning the assault on Bionis. After fleeing and returning to the Mechonis Core, Shulk reconciles with Egil, beginning a truce between them. However, Shulk is shot in the back by the ultimate traitor: Dickson. At this time, Zanza is revived from Shulk's body and takes the Monado to begin the attack on Mechonis. Egil sacrifices himself to give the party enough time to escape, although the entire Mechonis is destroyed by Zanza. Prison Island falls down to the surface, releasing a large amount of ether particles, turning all of Alcamoth's residents into Telethia. At Sword Valley, the First Consort, Lorithia, turns out to be a traitor, turning all of the High Entia at the battle into Telethia as well.

The party retreats to Colony 6, although they are attacked by more Telethia. The third and final traitor is revealed at this point: Alvis.

The party travels to the Bionis Interior, where they defeat the first traitor: Lorithia. They then continue on to Prison Island, where Dickson is then defeated. Upon his defeat, the party appears in space, where they fight spirits of 4 former bosses: Mumkhar, Xord, Telethia and Gadolt in that order. Upon defeating the spirits, they enter a final map, where the party battles against Zanza. Shulk creates the True Monado, which he uses to destroy Zanza. At this point, Alvis reveals himself to be the Monado itself and shows Shulk the past, in which Meyneth and Zanza accidentally destroyed Earth eons ago and recreated it into the world of the Mechonis and Bionis.[citation needed] When given the role as the new god, Shulk rejects the offer and instead wishes for a world without gods.[citation needed]

Reception and release

Xenoblade Chronicles has received universal critical acclaim from reviewers, with average aggregate scores of 94% at GameRankings,[32] 92 out of 100 at Metacritic,[31] and 9.0 out of 10 at GameStats.[33] As of January 2012, it is currently listed as the highest-rated game of 2012 at both GameRankings[50] and Metacritic.[51] GameRankings has also listed it as the fifth highest-rated RPG of all time[52] and the sixth highest-rated Wii game,[53] while GameStats has listed it as the fourth highest-rated game of all time.[54]

Japanese magazine Famitsu awarded the game 9/9/9/9 in its review, totaling 36/40.[37] It was also voted the third most interesting game released in Japan during the first half of 2010 in a survey conducted by Dengeki.[55]

IGN UK gave the game 9.0 out of 10 stating that "Xenoblade Chronicles is the best Japanese RPG of this generation".[36] Metro GameCentral shared a similar view awarding the game 9 out of 10 and saying in conclusion that Xenoblade is "the best Japanese role-player of the current generation and a big step forwards for the genre in terms of accessibility and ambition".[46] Cubed³ gave the game 10 out of 10, stating "Monolith Soft’s grand Xenoblade Chronicles has arrived, bringing with it a sterling soundtrack, a phenomenal visual impact, vast amount of customisation, intriguing story and massive value for money."[43] Eurogamer gave the game 9 out of 10 stating that "It's a game that invites us to reassess an entire genre, pointing to a bold future while nodding its respect towards the past. It's a towering triumph",[35] and later chose Xenoblade Chronicles as game of the week.[56]

Edge said that it's "a glowing comeback for the Japanese RPG" and saying in conclusion that "Xenoblade Chronicles manages to impress, enrich and, best of all, inspire wonder" awarding the game 9 out of 10.[34] The Official Nintendo Magazine have also praised the game, giving it a score of 92% and calling it, "A genre-reviving blaze of wonder, immense scale and smart design."[42] GameSpot UK awarded a 9 out of 10, saying that it "is a remarkable game" and "drags the JRPG into the 21st century, modernising many of the genre's traits and nailing a pace that outclasses the majority of its peers" giving the game a 9.0 out of 10.[41]

DualShockers awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10 and praised it as the best Japanese RPG released this generation, writing that Xenoblade Chronicles is "the perfect 'Don’t worry, I still Love you' signal given by Nintendo to it’s [sic] most hardcore fans, and a strong, resounding 'no' said right in the face of those that advocate the theory that the JRPG genre is dead".[57] ImpulseGamer awarded the game a score of 9.5 out of 10.[58] Vandal Online gave the game a near-perfect score of 9.9 out of 10.[31] Gameblog.fr gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars.[31] GamePro gave the game 5 out of 5 stars and stated in conclusion that "it's not just the best RPG of this generation, but one of the best games I've ever played."[39] RPGamer also gave the game 5 out of 5, stating that "while the comparative lack of RPGs means it isn't hard to be one of the best on the system, Xenoblade goes beyond that to be right up there with the best of the console generation as a whole."[49]

In December 2011, GameSpot gave Xenoblade Chronicles the award for "Best Wii Game" of the year, beating other nominees such as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Lost in Shadow, and Rayman Origins.[59] GameSpot also nominated Xenoblade Chronicles for the "Best RPG" and "Game of the Year" awards.[60] The Daily Telegraph also nominated it for the "Game of the Year" award.[61] Nintendo Life chose it as second place for the "Wii Game of the Year" award and gave it an honourable mention for the overall "Game of the Year" award.[62] Xenoblade also won the "Best RPG" award from MMGN's Community Game of the Year Polls.[63] Nintendojo chose it as the runner-up for its "Game of the Year" award.[64]

Marketing

In Australia the first release was bundled with a limited edition ’Special Soundtrack’ on CD containing 12 original tracks that were composed specifically for Xenoblade Chronicles.[1] In parts of Europe, a special edition of the game came bundled with a unique red classic controller pro and 3 A1-sized posters, electronically signed by the founder of Monolith Software, Tetsuya Takahashi. Also, the game's soundtrack is available as a download to Club Nintendo members who register the game online, though only for a limited time.

Sales

The game debuted at #1 in its week of release in Japan, selling 83,000 copies.[65] At the end of 2010, the game had sold 161,161 copies in Japan, making it the eighth best-selling Wii game of the year.[66]

It also debuted at seventh on the UK game charts,[67] and at second place on the Wii charts, despite stock shortages.[68] According to Gamasutra, it was the fourth best-selling game in the UK during its first week.[69]

According to TorrentFreak, Xenoblade Chronicles was one of the most pirated games of 2011. The game was downloaded 950,000 times, making it the year's third most pirated console game.[70]

North American localization

Main article: Operation Rainfall

In an interview on the French television station Nolife, Mathieu Minel, the marketing manager of Nintendo France, stated that Nintendo of Europe was unable to show Xenoblade Chronicles at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011. Nintendo of America denied it since they are not planning to sell the product locally.[71] In response, on June 22, 2011, users on IGNBoards have started a campaign called "Operation Rainfall" that hopes to persuade Nintendo of America to localize Xenoblade Chronicles, along with the Japan-only Wii titles The Last Story and Pandora's Tower.[72][73] On June 25, 2011, it became the #1 best-selling game on Amazon.com, and stayed in that position for over a day.

On July 7, the "Operation Rainfall" website reported a rumor that the North American localization of Xenoblade Chronicles was finished and The Last Story was in progress, but this was not officially confirmed as truth.[74][75]

On December 2, Nintendo of America posted pictures from the game on their Facebook page, amid reports from online publications confirming an "exclusive" version from retailer GameStop to be available on April 3, 2012. Nintendo later confirmed through a post on their Facebook page that Xenoblade Chronicles will be released in the U.S. in April 2012.[76]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Daniel Vuckovic (1 August 2011). "Xenoblade Chronicles hits Australia September 1st, first print run gets bonus CD". Vooks.net. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  2. ^ "E3: Nintendo Release Monado Wii Trailer". Official Nintendo Magazine. 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  3. ^ "Monado: Beginning of The World". E3 2009 Information. Nintendo Co.,Ltd. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  4. ^ Caoili, Eric (June 2, 2009). "Nintendo Reveals Monado, Layton Sequel". Gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  5. ^ "Xeno lives: Xenoblade shown by Monolithsoft". RPGLand. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
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  19. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Prologue. Shulk (voice-over): Long ago, the world was nothing more than an endless sea cloaked in a boundless sky, reaching as far as could possibly be imagined. Then two great titans came into existence. The Bionis and the Mechonis. The titans were locked in a timeless battle. Until at last, only their lifeless corpses remained. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Shulk (voice-over): Eons have passed. Now, our world, this vast land stretching across the remains of the Bionis, is under attack by a relentless force known as the Mechon. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Dunban: We may die if we take a stand here. But staying gives us the chance to change our destinies. We have the Monado. With this, the future is ours for the taking! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Mumkhar: Those idiots. I'll just come and get the Monado when everything's quietened down a bit. That thing's gonna be mine! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Dunban: Mumkhar?! What are you doing?! That way is— / Mumkhar: Sorry, brothers! Hate to drop this on you, but it's the Monado they're after. So have fun keeping 'em occupied for me! I'm getting the hell out of here! / Dickson: Mumkhar, you dirty... {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Mumkhar: Oh, no! Please—NO! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Battle of Sword Valley. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. Dunban: Vile Mechon! If you think the Homs, the people of Bionis, are just waiting here for you to pick us off, you are sorely mistaken! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Level/area: Colony 9. Shulk: Thanks, Reyn. That was a close one. / Reyn: Man, what were you doing wandering off by yourself? Stay where I can keep an eye on you. [...] Anyway, we'd better get back to the colony. If I'm late for drills again, old Square-tache is gonna kill me. / Shulk: Square-tache? Oh, the Defense Force Colonel. He's pretty scary. / Reyn: Tell me about it... {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Level/area: Colony 9. Shulk: Where's Dunban? / Fiora: He's gone! I can't find him anywhere. / Reyn: What?! He ain't fit enough to face these things! / Shulk: Reyn! Let's get to the lab! / Reyn: The lab? Of course! The Monado's there! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Level/area: Colony 9. Shulk: Dunban! This time...it's my turn! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. Dunban: Don't think about it now! Just believe what the Monado showed to you and fight! / Shulk: Got it! {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Monolith Soft (2011-9-1). Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). Nintendo. Scene: Leaving Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. Dunban: Look after yourselves, boys. As soon as this heals, I'll be right behind you. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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