Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is finally out in the wild with adrenaline-filled gameplay as anticipated by the action RPG fans. Monolith Soft’s excellent addition to the series instantly took the internet by storm with new gameplay with enhanced design and mechanics that fit best for all players. The new game welcomes every type of player to the massive community, which raises the question: Do I need to play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 before 3?
Key Takeaways
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is an individual game with its own unique and original plot, separate from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 events.
- The Xenoblade Chronicles franchise shares certain features, but each game features its own world and set of characters.
- Players can expect numerous hours of adventure, action-packed gameplay, and a captivating storyline in the Xenoblade Chronicles series.
- Previous characters may make an appearance, but playing them is not necessary to comprehend the new game.
- Monolith Soft- the game development studio, encourages new players to start with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 without prior knowledge.
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers familiar gameplay and mechanics, so playing previous titles can improve overall experience.
Do I Need To Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Before 3?
Nintendo’s unsung title Xenoblade Chronicles 3 makes a massive return to the platform to offer a unique experience for the tremendous community. Although, JRPG fans are still lacking behind because of the tricky situation where they can not decide whether to play previous games first or not.
Before that, it is worth noting how many titles are released before Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Monolith Soft released the original game on 2010, with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 released in 2017. Meanwhile, the players’ community received a Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Remaster with an improvement in graphics and mechanics and an epilogue to the original Xenoblade Chronicles game.
For that instance, the answer is straightforward. Xenoblade Chronicles games are separate storylines, but numerous elements connect all games together. Each game has different worlds, unique characters, and many more that make each title independent and standalone.
With that said, let’s have a look at what these elements are and how they connect the two games, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3, together.
Storyline
As for the question: Do players need to play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 before 3? storyline is the first aspect that comes into mind. In this case, the answer is NO. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a different game with a standalone storyline that does not directly continue with Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Think of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as a fusion of previous titles, Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2. But, the latest entry in the series welcomes all kinds of players without needing to know the elements that connect with the series’ backstory.
Surprisingly, Monolith Soft has also come forward to answer the question that new players in the community are welcome to hop on the grounds of Xenoblade Chronicles. Moreover, it does not require prior knowledge of the characters and storyline and will guide players throughout the gameplay. With that, it is clear that the story that stands unique in its entirety will give an amazing experience to players even if they start it with Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Characters
The characters are the next significant aspect that you will look into in the Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Although, all of the games in the series are connected technically. However, the game’s characters are known to crossover within the series.
For instance, you may occasionally encounter a character from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Players new to the series and playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will never know the backstory of the particular returning character.
They may not even know that they are part of the previous games. One such character also includes Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nia, which makes the return from the original game.

If that does not bother you, you can play Xenoblade Chronicles 3 without touching the previous games in the series. But it is worth noting that playing in an orderly fashion will give the best experience for your playthrough. This is because, in the latest game, you will be aware of all the returning characters and hits that connect them to the Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2.
Gameplay And Mechanics
Apart from the characters, you might also want to compare the gameplay and mechanics of the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Players diving into the latest Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will easily get familiar with the gameplay and mechanics. However, understanding the mechanics by playing the recent games is extremely important for an ideal playthrough.
The new game has introduced strategies and features that will enable players to take combat and other elements to the next level. At the same time, it offers complete training for the mechanics to allow both existing and new players to get familiar with the controls and what to expect in combat.
Players considering a perfect JRPG experience with in-depth story exploration can first pursue the recent titles to get a hold of the gameplay and mechanics. It is worth noting that you are looking at hours and hours of gameplay with an engaging storyline. Ultimately, it will pave the way for understanding the complex mechanics and getting better at the combat for the latest Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Easter Eggs And References
Like most games and franchises, easter eggs are a significant element that connects players with the game’s world. The same goes for the Xenoblade Chronicles 3, storming with easter eggs and previous game references.
Meanwhile, these do not serve a major purpose in the storyline of the latest entry in the series. But, ultimately, players will lack a unique gaming experience and miss out on the 99% of the easter eggs and references that connect the trilogy.
Final Words
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the culmination of the complete series that connects all games. Meanwhile, that does not mean new players can not start their gaming experience with the latest title. You can play these games in any order you would like.
In fact, the culmination relates to the merging of the trilogy for Xenoblade Chronicles. This means you must not skip the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 1 after playing the latest title. The overall trilogy serves as a unique gaming experience with an hour-long storyline and engaging characters.
That is about it for players’ questions: Do I need to play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 before 3? Do you find this guide helpful for deciding which title you should play first?
What are your thoughts on playing the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 before the latest Xenoblade Chronicles 3? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section down below.
Now that you are here, why not check out: Xenoblade 3 Mio: The Definitive Guide
Good job! Please give your positive feedback 😏
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 💡