Despite its many issues, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 stands out with a deep combat system, compelling storyline, and an endearing cast of characters. Just try not to get overwhelmed and give up in those first hours.

In the latest entry of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, a new hero seeks out Elysium on an immense journey through a brand-new world.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 goes back to its roots and builds on the 2011 Wii original. It may not be perfect but it's a great game that will see you through Christmas, the New Year and well into 2018.

Massive game; ‎Deep RPG system; Lovely anime style to main characters; Incredible musical score

Some terrible voice acting; Might be initially off putting to some; Undocked mode takes quite a hit

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a rough diamond that is both demanding and delightful, but one that raises the bar for portable RPGs higher than ever before

2017 was an amazing year for games, but for Nintendo, it had been a smashing year. One they were surely hoping for after what happened with the Wii U and its poor acceptance in the market (the Switch has already hit 10 million sales at 9 months, only 5 million short of Wii U total sales).

The true sequel to the best-loved contemporary JRPG is unrestrained in its ambition, and the result is a chaotic kind of brilliance.

Gorgeous world; deceptively complex battle and character development systems; subtly immersive story

Overly long cutscenes; patchy voice work; excessive tutorials

Different kinds of RPGs cater to different sorts of gamers. If you like getting lost in a long, complex narrative, you can do that. If you like to obsessively micro-manage, you can do that too. If you watch a lot of anime, there is somehow a thriving subgenre that caters to your tastes.

Deep; involved combat system; Engaging; powerful story; Characters you care about

Too many combat systems to count; Lot of menu management to wade through; Voice-acting is a bit uneven

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for the Nintendo Switch is a massive JRPG you can play at home or on the go, but if you aren't already familiar with the Xenoblade series, its design and scope can be bewildering.

Huge game world, with lots to do; Sprawling, eye-catching landscapes; Deep combat system

Mechanics feel overly complicated at times; Character design is very generically anime; Annoying texture and object pop-in bugs

In some ways a backwards step from its immediate predecessor, but this is still a fascinatingly complex Japanese role-player with the best open world since Breath Of The Wild.

A huge game world, filled with secrets; Deep combat systems and customisation gives plenty for role-players to get their teeth into; Some great creature designs

The storytelling and dialogue is weak, and full of anime cliché; Hands-off combat often lacks impact, especially in minor fights; Overly complex interface and unhelpful tutorials