Xenoblade Chronicles

I was late to the party with Xenoblade Chronicles, having just played it for the first time on the Nintendo Switch. After 52+ hours of gameplay, I can confidently say that this is one of the most masterfully created RPGs I've ever played.

Xenoblade Chronicles presents an original story in a beautifully rendered world. The scenery is amazing and the mere scope of the environment is almost too much to handle. This is paired with a phenomenal soundtrack that ranges from gorgeous piano tracks to riveting electric guitar riffs.

Aside from the world, the characters are well-acted and very likeable for the most part. Relations between party members build in a realistic way and each person's arc is compelling.

Finally, the combat system bridges the gap between turn-based and Action-RPG styles in a way that allows for seamless world exploration. While it can seem a bit confusing at first, it becomes very satisfying as battles increase in difficulty.

The downsides are few and far between, but I'd say this game is right on the cusp of being too big for its own good. Map completionists will find themselves spending a significant amount of time running vast distances with relatively little interaction between NPCs, items, or enemies. It's a small gripe, but a sprint button would be a very welcome improvement.

Ultimately, Xenoblade Chronicles will likely have a little something to give pretty much any fan of JRPGs. The story is great, the combat is awesome, and the music ranks up with the best of the best video game OSTs. If you haven't played it yet, do so ASAP.