Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Role-play with some fantasy violence demands much time.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3D is a re-released version of the similarly named game available for Nintendo Wii, with only minor adjustments to graphics and the interface. It tells the story of a group of humans and machines who live on the enormous bodies of a pair of fallen godlike titans. So huge are these now-still beings that their body parts take on the appearance of sprawling fields and valleys that stretch almost as far as the eye can see. The humans and machines are at odds with each other, the latter frequently attacking the former and eating them. Players take control of a young man named Shulk who has the ability to wield a mysterious sword with the power to destroy the machines. Journeying through open worlds with old friends and new acquaintances, Shulk has the goal to eliminate the machine menace once and for all, taking time to help nonplayer characters with errands and side quests along the way. Note that this game is made specifically for the New Nintendo 3DS, which launched in early 2015 and is identifiable by the second analog control stick just to the right of the lower screen. It will not work with earlier 3DS consoles.
Is It Any Good?
Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the very best Wii RPGs ever made, and this port to the New Nintendo 3DS manages to capture much of its magic. The massive, imaginative world has made the transition in all its scope and grandeur, suffering only a little loss of detail along the way. And combat -- a deeply complex real-time system that involves indirectly commanding companions, chaining attacks, and working to achieve advantageous positioning on the battlefield -- is as rewarding as ever. It takes a long time to learn and master, but once you have a proper feel the frenetic battles begin to feel less chaotic and more choreographed. Strategy is paramount, especially in epic boss fights against towering mechs.
But a few things have been lost in the hardware translation. The 3DS's low-resolution screen means it's sometimes harder to distinguish monsters and objects in the environment. Plus, tiny text is slightly blurred and more difficult to read. And the 3DS's greatest asset -- its second screen -- has been put to poor use, serving only as a place for character stats and a small, circular mini-map, which really should have been stretched across the whole screen. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is brilliant, beautiful, and fun, but the game is still better experienced via the Wii and viewed on a big TV.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship. What does friendship mean to you? What limits should friends -- even best friends -- set on what they'll do for each other?
Families also can discuss screen time, because a big game such as this takes dozens of hours to complete and encourages long play sessions. How can you fully experience such games without being consumed by them?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading comprehension , Hobbies : collecting
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , collecting data , strategy
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Nintendo
- Release date : April 10, 2015
- Genre : Role-Playing
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate