Xenoblade Chronicles is a series of open-world role-play games. They take place on the frozen bodies of two warring titans, the Bionis and the Mechonis. In the first game, during an attack on his colony, protagonist Shulk discovers his ability to wield a magical sword (the Monado) and sets out on a quest for revenge with his best friend.

As you explore, fight, complete quests and collect items, you control one character out of a party of three. Free to go where you want in the interconnected environments, day-and-night cycle and affect in-game events, quests, enemy strengths, and item availability.

Exploration, quest completion, and item collection progress your character as well as the main story. You're encouraged to dig into the large environments. While you to you can take on side-quests from characters you meet. As you do these you collect glowing blue orbs that unlock new items. There are also ether crystals to be found from fallen enemies or ether crystal deposits, which give the player craft items that increase battle stats when equipped.

Your progress affects the game. Relationships between characters affect how efficient characters work together in battle and gem crafting. Battle encounters are tackled in real-time. You control the lead character and party members will "auto-attack" when enemies enter their attack radius. Learning how the different systems work together in these battles can seem complex at first but, once learnt, are a part of the enjoyment.

Xenoblade Chronicles games include:

• Xenoblade Chronicles (2010) on Wii, 3DS
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (2020) on Nintendo Switch.
• Xenoblade Chronicles X (2015) on Wii U
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017) on Nintendo Switch
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna (2018) - The Golden Country on Nintendo Switch