I started my playthrough of the Xeno series on December the 26th, booting up Xenogears for the first time with nothing more than a deep intrigue about a deeply loved cult-classic renown for its depth and thematically rich story, and now I sit here, several games later, finishing off this review having recently completed the final entry in the Xenoblade series: Future Redeemed. On the surface it may seem like just a conclusion to the Xenoblade trilogy, but instead goes one step further and embraces the entirety of the Xeno series as it aims to imbue its identity with elements from both Xenogears and Xenosaga, whether it be through the countless references that range from subtle to making you wonder "How did they get away with this?" or the usage of thematics that have been prevalent since the first Xeno game, it feels like a celebration of accomplishment and how far the series has come in its 25+ year lifespan. It is a game that screams fanservice from the top of its lungs but in a very endearing way, because despite how much its tied to the previous entries Future Redeemed is able to still create something great that stands proudly on its own two feet, cementing it as my favourite entry of the Blade series.

Exploration in Xenoblade has never been better, as map design takes a more focused approach with each region of Future Redeemed being densely packed, as opposed to the traditional vast and open biomes commonly found in previous Blade entries. Future Redeemed beckons you to interact with its map and explore all that it has to offer through its visually detailed and massively improved area design, which when combined with the highly rewarding exploration that is intrinsically tied to the newly added affinity tree system, results in an incredibly motivating cohesion of systems that work together to encourage the worthwhile time spent going off the beaten track. In addition your gem, arts and accessory slots that were previously locked behind levels in Blade 3 transition to being unlockable through consumables that are spread sparsely around the entire map, which when combined with the affinity tree allows for a large window of choice on how you want to build your party and choose between which characters are deserving of the resources you currently have. It should also be noted that this is the first Blade game that doesn't require loading between certain segments of the map, making for a seamless experience as each area flows into the other with no hitches.

"Nevertheless, our intentions will live on, and one day coalesce again. Be it tomorrow... or in a thousand years... Surely, the time will eventually come. I can see it, clear as day"

On a fundamental level, the Xeno series has always been about rejecting stagnation and pushing on towards the future, with Blade 3 leaning into this message much more than the others. Future Redeemed doesn't alter the thematics too much, choosing to build on what was established prior by still hammering home the importance on moving on towards the future in spite of adversity, but reaffirming and letting it be known that this message is not synonymous with completely casting away and abandoning the present or past. The main cast are more diverse in terms of their origins, allowing for an even representation of the past, present and future within the party resulting in not only the individual exploration of these themes, but also the interlinking of them through the interactions our characters have with one another.

Heavy emphasis is placed on the past by being shown through not just Shulk and Rex but also through a pervasive deep-seated sadness that can be found in every corner of Aionios, as the remnants of locations that once held fond memories, to us and the characters, are reduced to rubble. The present is represented by Matthew and Na'el, the two characters whom the narrative largely revolve around, and their trials and tribulations serve to demonstrate the necessity on reflecting on the past in order to learn from it as to not repeat the same mistakes, while also asserting that its perfectly fine to have things you cherish in the here and now.

Perhaps the most interesting development goes to the way the future is approached. This is not the story intended to conclude the Aionios arc, that is reserved for Blade 3, rather it's a story that ends on an future full of uncertainty, but one that has been imbued with such deep aspirations and meaning through the commitment to leave things to the next generation in the belief that there will be those to carry them on. Without the actions taken in Future Redeemed the Blade 3 cast would have likely never even started their journey, as the spark of hope ignited long before Matthew existed that he carefully nurtured and passed on, just as it was passed onto him, is carrying the hope that what was once a spark will one day grow into a roaring inferno, a coalescence of the wills and dreams of the many who came before and entrusted the future to those who could accomplish the things they couldn't. This is the message Future Redeemed delivers on, and one that I find very believable with its optimism through series creator Tetsuya Takahashi's acknowledgement and understanding of our weaknesses and shortcomings as humans, which is present in all of his works.

All in all, Future Redeemed is a brilliant thematic conclusion to the Xenoblade franchise, the first time Takahashi has been able to fulfil his ambition and give us his 6 game series. The Blade franchise may have been a rocky series for me to get through, but I'm happy to say that both Blade 3 and FR allowed it to end on a very high note, and the sheer quality of both sets a very high bar for Monolith Soft's next projects, whether there is a continuation of Xeno or something entirely different.