The third Switch 2 update for the Xenoblade Chronicles series is on the way, and like its predecessors, it's adding a bit of new content to the already massive role-playing game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set for December 3, 2026, and today we got a look at its new mode and character.

First up, the new mode, Heroes' Vault, sure looks a lot like the top-down roguelike bullet-heaven genre sometimes called "Survivors" games, after the super-popular Vampire Survivors. You pilot Noah around from a similarly top-down perspective, take out enemies, and gradually build up both resources and a team to take down a final boss at the end.

That seems all well and good, but the news that will probably have Xenoblade Chronicles keenly interested in this update is the new hero, Shimmer. I'm reluctant to post any story details here that might spoil previous games — I'm still playing through the previous two games via Switch 2 update myself — but let's just say, if you're familiar with a particular photo shown at the end of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you might know why Shimmer's appearance and garb caught the eye of Xenoblade fans.

What role she'll play in the story, and how much extra content may or may not exist around her, is yet to be seen. But at the very least, by December 3, we'll have updated Nintendo Switch 2 versions of all three Xenoblade Chronicles games. They're very, very good role-playing games, so if you've got any free time over the holidays, there are a lot worse ways to spend the hours than finally getting into Xenoblade.

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