The first Nintendo Direct of the year was held on February 8, featuring a multitude of announcements and news across its 40-minute broadcast. The event brought some pleasant surprises like a shadow-dropped Metroid Prime Remastered, alongside some familiar faces and games expected to appear like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Fans of Monolith Soft also got an update on what's to come for the JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
One of the first announcements from the Nintendo Direct was Xenoblade Chronicles 3's Expansion Pass Vol. 3, which also confirmed its release date coming this month. Nintendo and developer Monolith Soft also shared a brief look into Volume 4 of the DLC, which should be huge for fans of the whole series thus far.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass Vol. 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was one of the best games of 2022, being nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards, and fortunately there's still a fair bit more content to come. As of this writing the game has released two volumes of its Expansion Pass, and the third will bring several new features.
First, the expansion will add a new heroine called Masha. This character is a jewelry specialist known as a Lapidarist who is capable of making accessories with different effects, opening up a new option for all the game's heroes. For those who don't know, a Lapidarist in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 cuts, polishes, and engraves gems to make a name for themselves.
A new roguelike game mode has also been confirmed called Archsage's Gauntlet, in which a character will individually face hordes of enemies before coming up on a final boss. With each victory, users will be able to obtain new heroes and special abilities, as well as outfits for the characters. The outfit available to Lanz is among the rewards that provide references to previous installments, making him look like Reyn.
Luckily, fans won't have to wait long as volume 3 will be available on Wednesday, February 15. In order to enjoy it, players will have to purchase the full Expansion Pass through the Nintendo Switch eShop, totalling $30 USD.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass Vol. 4
In addition to announcing the imminent release of volume 3, the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nintendo Direct segment also offers a sneak peek into the upcoming volume 4. The video shown during the event features a very brief shot flying over the Gaur Plains, where familiar areas such as the bridge leading to Colony 6 can be seen.
The teaser also reveals scenes of Shulk and Rex confronting Alvis. Apparently, the fourth volume will include some nods to previous games through several returning characters who are set to complete a new adventure. The image of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass Vol. 4 teased several months ago was already revealing, as it showed the swords of Shulk, Rex, and Noah together - bringing focus to all three protagonists of this RPG trilogy. Although Volume 4 has no release date yet, it will be available later this year, and the brief teaser should give fans plenty to mull over.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is available now for Nintendo Switch.
