Easy Guide to Play the Xenoblade Series in Order – What to play first?

Monolith Soft’s epic franchise Xenoblade’s latest entry, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, paved its way last year and garnered critical acclaim from critics and fans alike. It went on to being nominated for Game of the Year in The Game Awards 2022, which is an incredible achievement.

Despite the Xenoblade series having a number of games, new players can start with any Xenoblade game they want as each game consists of an entirely different story with separate characters and lore. There are no major connections between any game in the series.

However, for a better understanding, we have put together a guide for all the new players looking to get into the Xenoblade series as well as for returning players who want to get back into the series and check which entries to play next.

1. The Chronological Order to Play the Xenoblade Series

To play the Xenoblade series in the chronological order, you’ll have to play all the games which adhere to the Xenoblade Chronicles timeline. 

If you want to play the Xenoblade series in its chronological order, then follow the list below:

• Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country (DLC)
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2
• Xenoblade Chronicles
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected (DLC)
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3

It might seem a bit weird to start the series with a DLC but trust me, it will help you to piece everything together properly.

It is also worth noting that Xenoblade Chronicles X is not mentioned on this list as it can be played during any point in the series.

2. The Release Order to Play the Xenoblade Series

The release order for the Xenoblade series is the widely accepted and recommended order to follow while playing through the series.

If you want to play the Xenoblade series in its release order, then follow the list below:

• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
• Xenoblade Chronicles X
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country (DLC)
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Xenoblade Chronicles X is generally preferred to be played after Xenoblade Chronicles. However, you can play it at any point during your playthrough.

It is highly recommended that you follow the release order while playing the Xenoblade series as it is the most widely accepted order.

3. Which Xenoblade game should you play first?

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is the perfect place to start your playthrough. The gameplay in it is the most approachable in the series. The combat for the series has evolved off of Xenoblade Chronicles’ combat which means that if you master the first game’s combat, then it will be easier for you to grasp the combat system for the rest of the entries.

Both Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, while being self-contained games, share a minor connection. This specific connection in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will feel more thrilling after you have completed the first game.

4. Do you need to play the Xenoblade series in order?

What makes the Xenoblade series such a joy to play through, is the ability to play any of the Xenoblade Chronicles game in any order and still make perfect sense of the story. Every game features a self-contained and separate story with minor connections, which makes it possible to play the series in any order you like.

You do not need to play the Xenoblade series in order. Start with whichever game you want to and follow through with the next one. If you’re confused as to where to start and in which order to continue the series in, refer to any of the two orders featured above.

5. Can you play Xenoblade Chronicles 3 without playing the previous titles?

According to Nintendo themselves, you do not need to play any of the Xenoblade games before playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Since the Xenoblade games are JRPGs, it might be intimidating for new players to start with the latest title without playing any of the previous entries.

Each of the Xenoblade games contain a separate story — each with their own complex lore, characters, and gameplay ideas. However, there are certain connections between all the games, but you don’t need to worry about that. You’ll understand the story just fine.

6. Which Xenoblade game is the hardest?

This is something which will differ from player to player. Some players say Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the hardest Xenoblade game, while others agree on Xenoblade Chronicles X being the hardest one. From a new player’s standpoint, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is undoubtedly the hardest Xenoblade game in the series.

What makes Xenoblade Chronicles 2 so hard is its complicated combat system, which will take some time before getting the hang of it. Once you’ve mastered the combat, you can progress through the game smoothly.

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7. About Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fourth installment of the open-world Xenoblade Chronicles franchise, and the eighth main entry in the Xeno series.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 depicts the futures of the worlds featured in Xenoblade Chronicles (2010) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017), and concludes the trilogy’s overall narrative.