The Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed Radio & Ending Made Me Lose My Mind

The final set of DLC for the Monolithsofth JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles 3 recently launched, concluding a series of character arcs and storylines set in motion for over a decade. Titled Future Redeemed, this significant DLC did, for me, as the tin says, somewhat redeem an entry I’m lukewarm on.

Honestly, I’ve only ever been a casual fan of the Xenoblade Chronicles games for various reasons, and 3 specifically felt like a husk of fantastic concepts not adequately realized. Yet, Future Redeemed, for the most part, tackled its subject matter simultaneously compellingly and succinctly. Seeing as this isn’t a review, though, what shocked me the most was the entire ending section. I had to pause the game and pace around for a solid minute, trying to comprehend the gravity of what I was hearing and seeing.

Of course, you should not be reading this if you have not yet played through Future Redeemed or care about spoilers. So running on the assumption you either don’t care about spoilers or have, in fact, completed Future Redeemed, the ending scenes directly reference the Xenosaga series, not subtly, but very, very explicitly.

I will also mention a few Xenosaga plot points, just in case you’d rather play those games at some point. 

When Matthew and the party reunite with Na’el in familiar modern scenery, a certain radio plays in the background, dropping bombshells left, right, and center. The contents of this radio, even as someone who hasn’t played the Xenosaga titles in well over a decade, immediately caught me off guard.

Firstly, the logo of the radio itself states Vector, representing the Vector Industries from the Xenosaga entries. This company is indescribably integral to the story, with one of the reasons being that the protagonist, Shion Uzuki, works for the CEO, Wilhelm. And to no one’s surprise, they’re seemingly involved with several layers of darkness and conspiracy, which becomes clearer throughout Xenosaga.

Next, the most obvious reference is Dmitri Yuriev, a prominent antagonist in Xenosaga Episode III. If you’re watching blind playthroughs of Future Redeemed, one’s reaction to Dimitri’s name pretty much determines their familiarity with Xenosaga.

Well, it is a bit strange, admittedly. Because in Xenosaga, Dimitri is spelled Dmitri; this could be a correction for a potential mistranslation from Xenosaga or a mistranslation altogether. Regardless, the last names are identical, so I’m willing to bet it’s the same character. There is…a lot that goes on with Dimitri that deserves an article all on its own. For instance, he’s a Designer Child, a genetically altered human with drastically enhanced characteristics who lived for well over a century. He even headed his own research Institute.

Interestingly, and perhaps humorously, the last line from the radio is a comment from Dimitri regarding the proposed Saviorite Human Rights Protection Bill, simply saying, “Please stay with us.” Is that a meta line from Monolithsoft asking us to look forward to whatever future this franchise has in store, or am I reading too much into it? It’s probably the latter, but it’s a thrilling notion.

Further, more of the radio references Xenosaga with the practice of colonization on other planets. In those titles, humans begin to do so, and at some point, Earth seemingly vanishes from sight. Then, after countless years, Earth became known as Lost Jerusalem.

To be completely transparent here, there’s undeniably more to dissect from that radio dialogue that I just don’t know or don’t remember well enough; Rhadamanthus Spaceport and Icarus being prime examples. Although there is also Project Exodus from Xenoblade Chronicles X, and while I’m doubtful that entry will resurge unless it’s retconned heavily, it would be neat to see everything come together.

Something else that really stood out to me at the end of Future Redeemed was the music in the final battles against Alpha. I had to pause during Chain Attack sequences to take them since the two tracks that play are so, so, so reminiscent of Xenosaga. I haven’t studied music, so I can’t say why exactly; just the instrumentation and vocal usage feel like they’re strongly inspired by Xenosaga.

To elaborate, the Alpha boss themes are eerily close to “Godsibb” from Xenosaga Episode III, with maybe a few hints of “Promised Pain.” There’s a very precise ambiance Xenosaga music comprises, and the Future Redeemed final boss themes have that same mold to me.

Moving on, the vocal track for the DLC has been confirmed to be sung by Joanne Hogg from Xenosaga Episode I and Xenogears. And as if that wasn’t enough, the credits list Bandai Namco for “Special Thanks.” For those unaware, Bandai published the Xenosaga titles.

Also, if you press the plus button on the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 icon on the Nintendo Switch home screen and view the Intellectual Property Notices from the Software Information tab, scrolling down will reveal both the Xenosaga series and Bandai Namco Entertainment credited. Lastly, and this is purely speculatory, some of the ending space shots of Future Redeemed remind me of the conclusion of Xenosaga Episode III.

Now, it’s imperative to note that, for as exciting and seemingly soft-confirmed as a Xenosaga revival may appear to be due to all of this information, these could all solely be references for fans and nothing else.

Ultimately, it’s fun to speculate and hope for Xenosaga to come back, perhaps via remasters and new entries, seeing as it was originally meant to be six games. Still, getting too carried away with speculation can spell potential disappointment, and I know that full well as a Kingdom Hearts fan. So, hype responsibly.

As for now, I intend to replay the Xenosaga trilogy to refresh my memories on several elements and to also play through Xenogears for the first time. Therefore, if the Xenosaga revival does occur, I’ll be ready.

In case you missed it, check out our review of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed.

For those who missed it, Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 recently had their physical soundtrack releases announced, alongside a Trinity Box housing songs from the entire Xenoblade Chronicles series.