Exploring the Connection Between Xenoblade Chronicles X and the Numbered Trilogy

Xenoblade Chronicles X stands apart from Monolith Soft’s acclaimed Xenoblade series, diverging from the numbered entries both narratively and mechanically.

Released in 2015 for the Wii U, Xenoblade Chronicles X introduced players to the vast world of Mira, with a self-contained story that shared science fiction themes but did not directly tie into Xenoblade Chronicles 1, 2, or 3.

However, recent developments, especially with the release of Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Future Redeemed DLC on the Nintendo Switch, have led to fresh discussions about how Monolith Soft might weave Xenoblade Chronicles X into the broader Xenoblade narrative universe. When development on Xenoblade Chronicles X began, Monolith Soft did not originally intend for it to connect to future entries in the series.

Tetsuya Takahashi, the game’s lead creator, has previously stated that Xenoblade Chronicles X was envisioned as a standalone story.

Yet, with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and especially its Future Redeemed expansion introducing elements that mirror events and technology from Xenoblade Chronicles X, fans and industry analysts alike have started to revisit the series’ complex lore. Xenoblade Chronicles X kicks off in the year 2054, as a catastrophic war erupts on Earth.

In response, humanity initiates Project Exodus, evacuating millions via massive starships to seek new planets.

The White Whale, one such ship, ultimately crash-lands on Mira, setting the stage for the game’s events.

Meanwhile, Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2 unfold around the worlds of Bionis and Alrest, which, as revealed through deep lore and in-game messages, were originally unified before being split by the scientist Klaus using the mysterious Conduit.

The resulting destruction of Earth and the creation of two distinct worlds underpin key themes throughout the trilogy. A notable narrative divergence comes from how the destruction of Earth is depicted.

In Xenoblade Chronicles X, Earth’s demise is attributed to an alien force known as the Ghosts, while Xenoblade Chronicles 2 references attackers called the Saviorites.

Despite these differences, Future Redeemed hints at a unifying thread: an in-world radio broadcast mentioning Project Exodus—originally detailed in Xenoblade Chronicles X’s prologue.

This narrative overlap suggests a potential connection between Xenoblade Chronicles X’s Earth and that of the main trilogy, though the specifics remain unrevealed. At the conclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles X, characters allude to returning to Earth.

The timeline, however, complicates this: Xenoblade Chronicles X’s story is set around 2056, while Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s events reportedly occur in 4058.

Additionally, Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s plot sees the worlds of Bionis and Alrest nearly recombining, prevented by Moebius, who freezes them in time for millennia.

These overlapping chronologies pose challenges for integrating Xenoblade Chronicles X into the main storyline. Another key point of intrigue is the Lifehold Core—essential for human survival on Mira—which is revealed at the end of Xenoblade Chronicles X to have been destroyed at the outset, casting doubt on how the characters endure.

This unresolved mystery is accentuated by narrative parallels in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, where the megastructure Origin houses the souls of Bionis and Alrest’s residents. With the announcement of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, there is renewed hope for fans that previously unexplained plot threads may finally be addressed.

Early details highlight new content, including world tears reminiscent of the annihilation events from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Skell designs featuring what appear to be Ouroboros Cores.

Monolith Soft’s sustained developer excellence has fueled anticipation for how these elements might resolve long-standing lore questions. While multiple avenues exist for Monolith Soft to formally link Xenoblade Chronicles X with the numbered trilogy, doing so will require untangling significant narrative complexities.

The studio’s consistent ability to deliver intricate, emotionally resonant stories suggests that further connections may yet be revealed in future updates or releases.

For now, Xenoblade fans eagerly await new information—especially answers about the fate of the Lifehold Core, a decade-old mystery within one of Nintendo’s most beloved RPG franchises.

Xenoblade Monolith Soft Xenoblade Chronicles Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Xenoblade Chronicles X X Nintendo Switch Future Redeemed Project Exodus White Whale Earth Bionis Alrest Klaus Cloud Sea Aoidos Conduit Elma Origin Lifehold Core Mira Ouroboros Core