On June 22, 2022, Nintendo hosted a Direct live broadcast event focused entirely on Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the upcoming next entry in the popular role-playing game series. In addition to showing off new characters, gameplay elements, and hints regarding the story of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the publisher also revealed extensive post-launch DLC plans, including an Expansion Pass that will be available from the game’s launch.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was first revealed during February’s Nintendo Direct event. The anticipated sequel was originally scheduled to release during the September window, but was later moved to July 29 so that September could be focused on the release of Splatoon 3. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will reportedly contain elements connecting it to both Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, while still also featuring an original story centered around brand-new characters.
Broaden the world of #XenobladeChronicles3 with the paid Expansion Pass! From launch through the end of 2023, receive additional content:
► New Heroes
► Challenge Battles
► More quests
► New outfits
► A new story scenario
► And more!Buy today:https://t.co/FQIfX0muNJ pic.twitter.com/wo4AitQJbm
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 22, 2022
The DLC Expansion Pass for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is slated to include new playable heroes, new quests, new outfits for playable characters to wield, a new story scenario, challenge battles, and more currently unrevealed content. Those who purchase the Expansion Pass before or at the game’s launch will receive a set of unidentified “helpful items,” as well as an “Outfit Color Variants” cosmetic pack, along with a copy of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 itself. More content, including the planned story expansion, will be released later, with the story content in particular slated for a potential release as late as December 2023.
It is likely that the DLC story for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will be similar in length and style to the previously released Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country. The Golden Country, which served as a prequel to Xenoblade Chronicles 2, added approximately 25 hours of new content, and added a number of gameplay mechanics, including combat elements that will appear in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Currently, the Expansion Pass is slated to cost $29.99 at launch, and will be purchasable via the Nintendo Switch eShop. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 itself launches on July 29, 2022. For more on the anticipated RPG, stay tuned right here at GameLuster.
