Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition has updated the classic Nintendo Wii roleplaying game with new features and content. Returning intact is the Affinity and Heart-to-Heart systems, allowing characters to unlock “Skill Links” to equip skills from another party member. Heart-to-Hearts are only within the main scenario of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. The expanded epilogue chapter Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected uses a separate but similar system called Quiet Moments.
By combining Affinity and Heart-to-Heart events, players can work towards building a much more customized and versatile team. For example, Shulk could take the Healing Wisdom skill from his Humanity tree and pass it to Sharla. Or Reyn and Dunban could trade Battle Character and Charge Acceleration with each other. This can be incredibly useful when facing tough or bewildering fights. Besides the inherent gameplay benefits, Heart-to-Heart conversations are also a fun side-story events that showcase character interactions and give player choices.
Understanding Affinity in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Affinity gauges the relationship between one party member and another. At first all characters have a 500 score with everyone else. By completing certain main and side story events Affinity can rise to a maximum of 5000, or fall down to 0. Successful Chain Attacks, Burst Affinity, and aiding party members will boost Affinity by various amounts.
Affinity has five levels, signified by a different color face icon. With each level unlocked, a pair of characters will be able to use one Skill Link to swap their skills. The icons indicate a range of points:
- Yellow: 0-999
- Green: 1000-1999
- Blue: 2000-2999
- Lavender: 3000-4999
- Pink: 5000
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Heart-to-Heart Requirements
There are 63 Heart-to-Heart events, but they can’t all be accessed at once. Each event occurs at a certain location and may require certain story prerequisites. Additionally, in most cases characters must already have met an Affinity threshold to trigger a Heart-to-Heart. When conducting a Heart-to-Heart there will typically be four dialogue choice combinations. Of those pairs, some will not affect Affinity, while others will rise or lower it. This guide will highlight the best choices that give a net +8 result.
Colony 9 Heart-to-Hearts
Sunrise in the Park – Outlook Park, Shulk and Fiora, Yellow Affinity
- Shulk: You and Dunban…
- Shulk: Kind of.
Overlooking the Colony – Agora Shore, Reyn and Sharla, Lavender Affinity, Colony 6 Reconstruction unlocked
- Reyn: Do you wanna go back there?
- Reyn: Don’t be so hard on yourself!
Enduring Friendship – Tephra Cave Entrance, Shulk and Reyn, Green Afffinity
- Shulk: When we had that big fight?
- Shulk: Of course.
A Heropon’s Perspective – Mechon Wreckage Site, Sharla and Riki, Lavender Affinity, Prison Island events
- Sharla: This is unusual for you, Riki.
- Sharla: No, Riki. That’s not true.
Ancient Wreckage – Cylinder Hangar, Melia and Reyn, Lavender Affinity, High Entia Tomb events
- Melia: I am saying exactly that.
- Reyn: If there were any survivors?
Watching Over Them – Residential District, Dunban and Reyn, Pink Affinity, Galahad Fortress events
- Dunban: I’m being quite serious.
- Dunban: I see you share my views.
Fiora’s Cooking – Dunban’s House, Reyn and Fiora, Green Affinity, Mechon Raid
- Reyn: Of course I want some!
- Reyn: So… uh… when can we eat?
Tephra Cave Heart-to-Hearts
Glowing in the Night – Spring of Grief, Dunban and Riki, Lavender Affinity
- Riki: Riki tell Dundun.
- Riki: Riki surrenders!
The Legend of the Spider – Bone Corridor, Shulk and Reyn, Laender Affinity, Mechonis Core events
- Shulk: You’re scared of spiders!
- Shulk: I played a prank on you!
A Scene Revisited – Kneecap Hill, Reyn and Fiora, Pink Affinity, Mechon raid
- Reyn: The first time I came here.
- Reyn: No one thinks that, Fiora.
Bionis’ Leg Heart-to-Hearts
What Visions May Bring – Raguel Bridge North, Shulk and Sharla, Green Affinity, Ether Mines events
- Sharla: I wish I had it.
- Sharla: You can save someone’s life!
Heir to the Monado – Refugee Camp, Dunban and Reyn, Green Affinity
- Reyn: If it wasn’t for Shulk.
- Reyn: Hope kept her going.
What’s on Reyn’s Mind – Refugee Camp, Reyn and Sharla Green Affinity
- Sharla: You, by a whisker.
- Sharla: You have… dignified qualities.
Geography Lesson – Believer’s Paradise, Shulk and Dunban, Lavender Affinity
- Dunban: Of course I’m interested.
- Dunban: Oh! I Know!
Revisiting the Past Rho Oasis, Dunban and Sharla, Pink Affinity
- Sharla: Did something happen?
- Sharla: Was it important to her?
Colony 6 Heart-to-Hearts
One Year On – Pod Depot, Dunban and Reyn, Lavender Affinity
- Reyn: Well, I was glad you came back.
- Reyn: I know how you feel.
Recovery and Reflection – Hope Farm, Dunban and Fiora, Lavender Affinity, Central Tower events
- Fiora: It makes me sad.
- Fiora: It must have been really tough.
Dunban’s Right Arm – Hope Farm, Dunban and Sharla, Lavender Affinity, Galahad Fortress events
- Dunban: It hardly even bothers me now.
- Dunban: I have no regrets.
Quiet Time – Armu Farm, Fiora and Riki, Lavender Affinity, Colony 6 Reconstruction special level 3
- Fiora: Nature’s wonderful, isn’t it?
- Fiora: I like the way you speak.
Renewed Determination – Freight Elevator, Shulk and Reyn, Pink Affinity, Mechonis Core events
- Reyn: Could’ve been veeery different.
- Reyn: You’re not wrong.
Strength of Heart – Main Entrance, Shulk and Dunban, Pink Affinity, Colony 6 Reconstruction nature level 3
- Shulk: It’s because you’re Dunban.
- Shulk: Strength of the heart.
The Colony Reborn (Sharla/Shulk, Roof of Reconstruction HQ, Pink Affinity, Colony 6 Reconstruction fully complete
- Shulk: A safe haven for everyone, huh?
- Shulk: Because it’s everyone’s dream.
Ether Mines Heart-to-Hearts
A Broken Watch – Mining Base, Sharla and Shulk, Lavender Affinity
- Shulk: It’s a beautiful watch.
- Shulk: I can fix it!
A Wistful Glow – Central Terminal, Sharla and Reyn, Pink Affinity, Meyneth Shrine events
- Reyn: Sounds like fun!
- Reyn: Gadolt would just be a friend.
Satorl Marsh Heart-to-Hearts
The Shimmering Marsh – Zaldania Waterfall at Night, Shulk and Dunban, Green Affinity
- Dunban: Really? Interesting.
- Dunban: Will it ever run out?
High Entia History – Sororal Statues, Dunban and Melia, Lavender Affinity, High Entia Tomb events
- Dunban: That seems fitting.
- Dunban: A half-Homs like you?
Atop the Crown Tree – Crown Tree, Sharla and Riki, Pink Affinity
- Sharla: I’m not surprised.
- Sharla: Oh dear! Why not?
Makna Forest Heart-to-Hearts
Fallen Brethren – Agni Tablet, Shulk and Melia, Green Affinity
- Skulk: What’s wrong?
- Shulk: They sound like great people.
No Boys Allowed – Sparkling Pool, Sharla and Melia, Green Affinity
- Melia: You may be correct.
- Melia: Are you sure?!
Riki’s Crazy Crystal Plan – Twisted Tree Gate, Reyn and Riki, Lavender Affinity
- Reyn: What you gonna do with it?
- Reyn You’ve gotta refine it!
Frontier Village Heart-to-Hearts
At the Pollen Works – Pollen Works, Shulk and Riki, Green Affinity, Leone Telethia fight
- Shulk: Because it’s not made of metal?
- Shulk: That’s very resourceful of you!
True Natures – Apex Lake, Dunban and Melia, Green Affinity, High Entia Tomb events
- Dunban: I’ll be honest… Not really.
- Dunban: As all wise rulers do.
A Mysterious Sanctuary – Prophecy Hut, Melia and Riki, Green Affinity
- Melia: They’re delivered from on high?
- Melia: You mean… you?
Reawakened Memories – Mysterious Sanctuary, Fiora and Sharla, Lavender Affinity
- Fiora: You mean… Shulk?
- Fiora: Reyn said that?
A Day Like Any Other – Nopon Tower, Fiora and Melia, Lavender Affinity
- Fiora: OK. I’ll tell you.
- Fiora: No, nothing in particular.
Life’s Hard for a Heropon – Riki’s House, Dunban and Riki, Pink Affinity, Galahad Fortress events
- Dunban: I’ll shed a tear for you.
- Dunban: Not at all.
Eryth Sea Heart-to-Hearts
Fish Fly! Fish Fly! – Sleeping Dragon Isle, Reyn and Riki, Green Affinity
- Riki: But Riki just see one!
- Riki: Riki want five for himself!
A Gift for a Loved One – Ether Plant, Dunban and Sharla, Green Affinity, Galahad Fortress events
- Sharla: I – I’d love to, thank you…
- Sharla: But the thought is still nice.
Riki Have Question – Syrath Lighthouse, Fiora and Riki, Pink Affinity
- Fiora: What is it, Riki?
- Fiora: You do? Wow!
Flowers of Eryth Sea – Hovering Reef 2, Sharla and Riki, Green Affinity
- Sharla: I like flowers too.
- Sharla: She’d be so happy!
Alcamoth Heart-to-Hearts
Brother and Sister – Fountain of Hope, Fiora and Dunban, Green Affinity
- Dunban: I could get used to it too.
- Dunban: You worry too much.
Ancient Astrology – Melfica Road, Sharla and Melia, Lavender Affinity
- Melia: Of course I do!
- Melia: Yes, I do.
The Forefathers – Great Hall, Fiora and Riki, Green Affinity
- Riki: Forefathers were important?
- Riki: Make weapons! Fight Dinobeast!
Melia’s Imperial Villa – Imperial Villa, Fiora and Melia, Green Affinity
- Fiora: Thanks!
- Fiora: So it’s not just me then…
A Breathtaking Sight – Sky Terrace, Reyn and Melia, Pink Affinity
- Melia: I quite agree.
- Melia: I got that impression.
So Close, Yet So Far – Audience Chamber, Shulk and Melia, Lavender Affinity
- Shulk: It’s not a bad thing.
- Shulk: Nothing would change.
High Entia Tomb Heart-to-Hearts
Hopes and Plans – Hall of Trials, Shulk and Melia, Pink Affinity, Mechonis Core events
- Melia: Do you think it’s possible?
- Melia: You’ll… look for them with me?
Echoes of Ancient Times – Valley of Emperors, Reyn and Melia, Pink Affinity
- Reyn: Let’s go and take a look.
- Reyn: Mind sharing it with us?
Valak Mountain Heart-to-Hearts
In Ose Tower – Harict Chapel, Dunban and Riki, Green Affinity
- Riki: Ghosts are here.
- Riki: Dundun know what ghost is?
First Sight of Snow – La Luz Church, Reyn and Fiora, Lavender Affinity
- Fiora: I’m with you. It’s strange.
- Fiora: That sounds like a great idea!
A Snowy Hot Spring – Jakt Geyser, Shulk and Riki, Lavender Affinity
- Riki: Not too hot, not too cold!
- Riki: Shulk jump in water too!
Fallen Arm Heart-to-Hearts
A Night-Time Chat – Ether Light, Fiora and Sharla, Green Affinity
- Fiora: Thanks… I think.
- Fiora: I don’t think he’s changed.
A Family of Two – Junks, Dunban and Fiora, Pink Affinity
- Fiora: You caught me.
- Fiora: There’s more to it than that.
Overcoming the Pain – Digit 1, Fiora and Melia, Pink Affinity
- Fiora: And you regret that?
- Fiora: That’s probably for the best.
Eternal Scars – Black Wreckage, Dunban and Melia, Pink Affinity
- Dunban: We were comrades-in-arms.
- Dunban: I know the truth.
Just Like Old Times – Wreckage Beach, Shulk and Fiora, Lavender Affinity
- Fiora: Never mind. It’s fine.
- Fiora: OK. Here I go.
Camping Spot – Inlet Beach, Riki and Melia, Lavender Affinity
- Melia: Most intriguing.
- Melia: But how will you catch it?
Those Waiting For You – Distant Fingertip, Shulk and Riki, Pink Affinity
- Riki: What wrong, Shulk?
- Shulk: OK. Here’s the thing…
Bionis‘ Interior Heart-to-Hearts
Fiora’s Body – Spinal Nerve Tower, Fiora and Sharla, Pink Affinity
- Fiora: Sorry. Is it that obvious?
- Fiora: You’re right. I should go.
Kind Words – Terminal Nerve Tower, Melia and Riki, Pink Affinity
- Melia: You’ve seen right through me.
- Melia: That is simply not true.
Prison Island Heart-to-Hearts
Untold Feelings – Gravina Bridge, Sharla and Melia Pink Affinity
- Sharla: Do you still like him?
- Sharla: That is just like you, Melia.
Journey’s End – Empty Throne, Reyn and Riki, Pink Affinity
- Riki: Riki do want to go home.
- Riki: Cheer up, Reyn!
Before the Final Battle – Corridor of Silence, Shulk and Fiora, Pink Affinity
- Fiora: You’re worried about me.
- Fiora: Oh, Shulk! Thank you!
Once you have completed all Heart-to-Hearts from beginning to end, you’ll have a strong and connected party. If you have made it through to the final locations of the game, there may be slight hints to events in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Fans of the entire franchise will appreciate the connected layers throughout Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is available now on Nintendo Switch.
