Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Should You Play Online Or Offline?

In so many ways, Xenoblade Chronicles X is the most unique title in the four-games-strong Xenoblade franchise. Definitive Edition brings these differences into sharper focus for a far larger number of potential fans, taking the Wii U original and porting it to a console which far more gaming enthusiasts possess: the Switch.

Arguably most strikingly of all, Xenoblade Chronicles X features an online mode. Such a thing will surely blindside long-time fans of Xenoblade Chronicles 1-3 who head into X with no prior knowledge. What's the deal here, and is it better to play Xenoblade Chronicles X online than offline?

What Is Online Mode In Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition?

If you take your game online, you will have access to a wide array of optional side missions which must be completed alongside other players. You'll find three modes (well, two-and-a-half?) here:

• Lifehold Squads allow for an experience more tailored toward those who wish to come upon other players more sporadically, soaking in Xenoblade Chronicles X's open world while enjoying the periodic presence of others.
• Conquest Squads are more in-line with what you might be expecting, as they'll sport scenarios in which those who are online together will aim to complete various objectives, including full-fledged squad missions.
• Friends Squads are, well, what we just wrote above this entry - with your friends. You can play Xenoblade Chronicles X online together with folks you know, via a password system. Chill!

You'll need to reach Chapter 3 in order to begin playing online, and you'll do so by accessing the BLADE Network back at the BLADE Barracks. Furthermore, you must reach Chapter 6 before you can conduct Skell missions, which just so happen to form a fair number of online scenarios.

Once you're in Conquest or Friends mode, access will be granted to Squad Missions, Nemesis Battles, and Time Attack Missions.

The first of these frequently pits you against several successive waves of enemies; the next includes a couple of fights against highly powerful enemies; and the last involves defeating bosses within set time limits.

What Are The Perks To Playing Online?

First, the obvious: You might find a more enriching experience by playing alongside others, especially if you're good buds. More tangibly, however, there are missions in online play which can be especially challenging, mandating a coordinated approach for victory.

You can work together to locate crafting materials, too, and you'll earn Reward Tickets which can be exchanged for especially rare materials that are tougher to come by via single-player gameplay.

In the Wii U version of Xenoblade Chronicles X, players needed to head to a specific location in order to cash in their Reward Tickets. In Definitive Edition, you can do this at any time via the main menu once online functionality has been unlocked.

Should You Play Online Or Offline?

The truth is - and as you may have guessed - there's no wrong way to play between the two versions. Key to this conclusion, though, is the fact that Reward Tickets can be earned in single-player as well, albeit in more limited quantities.

Therefore, there's very little reason to feel compelled to play Xenoblade Chronicles X online if the idea doesn't sound inherently appealing to you. Which we totally get - personally, I'm only all that jazzed about online play when my friends are around, and even, only sometimes.

Still, you will see exclusive missions in this manner. You'll also have an easier time grinding, so there's that. If you're in the mood to check out even more of X's already-substantial amount of gameplay, there's no better way.

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