Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Possibly Leaked By Melia Voice Actress
Based on comments made by the voice actor who played Melia in the original game, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 could be on the way. The original Xenoblade Chronicles was released for the Nintendo Wii in 2010, but the series has received perhaps the most attention it has yet on Nintendo Switch.
The second entry in the franchise was Xenoblade Chronicles X, and its sales performance was hamstrung by being a Wii U exclusive. Following the series' later successes, it's expected that it could be ported to the Switch in the future. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was a Nintendo Switch exclusive that was released at the end of the system's first year, and it got a warmer reception from critics and players. Later, the original game in the series was reborn on the Nintendo Switch as Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition in 2020, which added a epilogue called Future Connected. The series as a whole has been well-represented in Super Smash Bros., with Shulk being added in the 3DS and Wii U entries and Pyra and Mythra coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as DLC fighters.
The Future Connected content in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition brought back the original voice actors to reprise their roles. This included Jenna Coleman, who voiced Melia and went on to become part of the Doctor Who franchise after the game was released. According to Fanbyte, Coleman was recently interviewed by the Din's Meteorite YouTube channel, where she was asked about Xenoblade Chronicles. Coleman mentioned that she thought that Monolith Soft was "going to do another" entry in the series, though she clarified, "Not sure if I’m allowed to say that."
If Coleman is correct, it's possible that a third entry in the Xenoblade Chronicles series is on the way. It could be a direct continuation of the first Xenoblade Chronicles, which would explain why Coleman knows about it, as she would presumably be a part of the project. That could be one of the main reasons why Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition was released on Switch, as it would give Nintendo a chance to gauge sales potential and newer players the opportunity to see how Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2 stories are connected before a sequel expands on the narrative.
A third entry in the Xenoblade Chronicles series could makes a lot of sense, especially considering the popularity boost it has received from having multiple Super Smash Bros. representatives. The Xenoblade Chronicles series has produced some highly acclaimed action RPGs on Nintendo systems, and a continuation of Shulk and Melia's story would likely be welcome on Switch.
Source: Din's Meteorite/YouTube (via Fanbyte)