A handheld port titled Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is scheduled for release in April 2015, which is exclusively compatible with the New Nintendo 3DS variation of Nintendo 3DS platforms. The game follows Shulk and his band of friends as they search for answers about the mysterious "Monado" sword and defend their homeland from violent robotic creatures known as the Mechon. The game contains an open world design and strongly emphasizes exploration due to the world's large size. The game was very well-received by critics, with many citing it as a great example of innovation and improvement in a rather stagnant genre of Japanese role-playing video games. The game's story opens to scenes one year prior to the present time in the game, detailing Dunban's use of the legendary sword "Monado", to lead an effort against the Mechon, fighting alongside fellow Homs Dickson and Mumkhar. It is successful, and temporarily restores peace, but Mumkhar is killed and Dunban's arm is crippled. One year after the battle, Shulk and Reyn return to their home in Colony 9 after surviving an attack from monsters. After meeting up with Fiora and helping with an errand, the Mechon launch a large surprise attack against Colony 9. Shulk and his friends return to find Dunban with the Monado. However, the Monado's power overwhelms Dunban again, and he drops the weapon in agony. Shulk picks up the Monado, showing greater control over the weapon, and exhibits the ability to see enemies' future attacks. Fighting their way through the assault, Shulk's group encounters a large "faced" Mechon leading the attack, called "Metal Face". Unlike the rest of the Mechon, the Monado does almost nothing to Metal Face as it incapacitates them. Fiora, Shulk's childhood friend and love interest, arrives in a tank to save them; however, Metal Face dismantles the tank and stabs Fiora, killing her. The Mechon then withdraws from the devastated colony. Resolute, devastated, and revengeful, Shulk and Reyn leave Colony 9 in pursuit of Metal Face, to reach Galahad Fortress, the Mechon stronghold located at Sword Valley. Shulk and Reyn travel through the Bionis' leg, where they meet and recruit Sharla. After the group reunites with Dunban, Shulk has a vision of himself fighting Metal Face on a black island, which is deduced to be Prison Island, making it their next destination. On the way up, Melia and Riki join Shulk's group. Shulk also meets Alvis, a male Homs who can use the Monado.