021 4 I am now working through this game for the second time , having owned it for less than a month . I find almost nothing worth polishing ; it's even better the second time .
One of the most important factors in RPG games for me is the storyline . Xenosaga surely won't disappoint you here . I have not played Xenogears , but still enjoyed the story greatly . I am going out on a limb to say the story is almost as good as Final Fantasy 7 - just a month ago , this would have been blasphemy to my ears . But , just like Final Fantasy 7 , you will not get all of the story the first time you play it through . And , just like FF7 , you will notice many , MANY more things the second time you play iy through , since you know the story . The story is complex and original . And this is just the beginning - the sequels will go even further into the storyline .
The only problems I have with the game lie here , however . The game often spews forth long dialogs introducing new terms and ideas that you have never heard before . This game takes place 4000 years in the future , and many allusions are made to recent events and technologies that we won't recognize . Some of these things won't even be explained to you - you have to wait for the dialog to end , and look it up in your trusty database of Keywords . And , as many people have mentioned , the game is like a long movie . . . In the first 5 hours of gameplay , I accumulated less than 30 minutes of battling , which was a huge disappointed - though I was enthralled in the story , I couldn't WAIT to get back to the battles , because the battle system is just genius . A half-hour trip to the bridge near the beginning of the game could take you as long as 90 minutes , because there are just * that * many FMVs . Granted they are beautiful and breathtaking , but they are also slow . The characters talk very slowly , perhaps trying to synch their dubbed words into the lips of characters who original spoke another language . The result is that they often come off as a bit melodramatic . The long pauses make it seem like they are always awkward talking to eachother .
In between FMVs , though , you will find one of the most innovative battle systems I have ever used . This is no Final Fantasy game . Battle is severely different from any other game I have played - and this is oh-so-refreshing . This battle system offers you a great deal more control than others . You could attack as often as 3 times in a single turn , but you may want to save attacks for your next turn , or heal instead . The magic system also offers a great deal of freedom - you choose the order you want to learn spells in . If a character you don't like has a spell you do , guess what ? You can transfer that spell to your other characters , so they all have it . The battles are great . They are easy to learn , but take a while to master . That way , the beginning of the game won't be spent fumbling around trying to figure out what to do . It is straightforward , and all clearly described in the game .
The characters are each fairly deep and well developed . . . some more than others . I must say this game has done something I thought would never be done - they created a mysterious teenage male character , whose past is a complete mystery , without making him a brooding , depressed vortex of gothic annoyance . Character interaction was somewhat shallow . Other than a comic relief character pining for a date with our main heroine , the characters all got along smoothly . . . there is a lot to be said for a little bit of tension between characters , it could have made the game a bit more interesting . Your party can have 3 characters in it , and there are 6 characters to choose from . At no point in the game is any character REQUIRED to be in your party ( unless you have less than 3 characters , you can switch him or her out ) , except for one short period of the game where you'll switch back and forth between controlling two different groups .
Characters are also extremely customizable . My second play through of this game , I have decided to take the physically weakest character , MOMO , and pump up her HP and attack stats . She is currently the second strongest character in my party .
Xenosaga offers great gameplay , breathtaking graphics , and a story you cannot forget . I was a bit concerned about where the game would end , since I know it is a to be continued game , but the ending was more than satisfying , though I am still begging for the sequel . I had given up on our next-gen systems in general , I found that all three ( XBox , Gamecube , and Ps2 ) had very few games to offer me . The older systems seemed to have much better selection , especially when it comes to RPGs . Xenosaga has shown me that there is still hope for RPGs to thrive on our new systems .
005 4 Xenosaga : episode I is without a doubt a masterpiece of a game . From a Soundtrack by the best of the best to awe inspiring graphics , to the deepest storyline in an RPG since Xenogears . Quite frankly there's not much to say but Takahashi , you dog . You did it again ! : D
As if it's storyline and graphics weren't enough , Xenosaga : Ep I also delivers a soundtrack by none other than the best music composer out there ; Yasunori Mitsuda ( internationally known for his awesome work in games like the Chrono series and Xenogears ) .
Another Giant making a return is the personal favorite ; character designer Kunihiko Tanaka , who's awesome way of bringing characters ' emotions to life is a style that has always fascinated ( and inspired those of us who are artists ) fans throughout the globe .
Last but not least is Xenosaga's professional voice acting work . While many ( myself included ) feared that after the game's localization and translation it's voice acting would end up poor and generic , this was not the case . While more work could have been put on the movement of the lips for more realism , the voice acting work still exceeds that of Final Fantasy X's . So far every character's voice seems natural and right in place .
All in all the game offers nothing but high quality everything , leaving us fans in agony as we await the arrival of the next episode in the saga with great anticipation . What else is there to say other than your favorite review quote Definitely a must get !
013 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
First off , as many people have said , the game is wonderful as a movie - - less so as a game itself . I am not a habitual player of RPGs for the sake of their gameplay , however - - I stray toward puzzle-solving and instant-action games along the lines of the Ecco the Dolphin and Metroid series , respectively - - but I appreciate the intricate storytelling the genre allows for .
Xenosaga really goes overboard for the sake of its story - - and there's nothing wrong with that . The game is pretentious , and open about being pretentious . The cast of characters are all , to a greater or lesser degree , mentally ill , from heroes to villains and back again . The story takes a sudden and whiplash-inducing turn in the last third of the game . The morality of decisions made are distinctly Nietzschean - - which is to say , often amoral and confused . But - - the critical but ! - - it's a wonderful story often BECAUSE of these facts .
If you'd like a good story to chew over and talk with your friends about ( I'm still talking about it , three years after I was introduced to it ! ) , buy this game . If you want instant action and a transparent storyline - - eh , give it a try . It can't hurt anything . But understand - - when you're going into it - - that this is more of a movie than it is a game ; the objective is to entertain , enlighten , and even disturb through the visual medium , not necessarily through the gameplay itself .
Oh , and , there's plenty of eyecandy for both the ladies and the gentlemen . Always a bonus . 8 )
014 4 First off , as many people have said , the game is wonderful as a movie - - less so as a game itself . I am not a habitual player of RPGs for the sake of their gameplay , however - - I stray toward puzzle-solving and instant-action games along the lines of the Ecco the Dolphin and Metroid series , respectively - - but I appreciate the intricate storytelling the genre allows for .
Xenosaga really goes overboard for the sake of its story - - and there's nothing wrong with that . The game is pretentious , and open about being pretentious . The cast of characters are all , to a greater or lesser degree , mentally ill , from heroes to villains and back again . The story takes a sudden and whiplash-inducing turn in the last third of the game . The morality of decisions made are distinctly Nietzschean - - which is to say , often amoral and confused . But - - the critical but ! - - it's a wonderful story often BECAUSE of these facts .
If you'd like a good story to chew over and talk with your friends about ( I'm still talking about it , three years after I was introduced to it ! ) , buy this game . If you want instant action and a transparent storyline - - eh , give it a try . It can't hurt anything . But understand - - when you're going into it - - that this is more of a movie than it is a game ; the objective is to entertain , enlighten , and even disturb through the visual medium , not necessarily through the gameplay itself .
Oh , and , there's plenty of eyecandy for both the ladies and the gentlemen . Always a bonus . 8 )
018 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
I just finished playing Xenosaga and I must say that it's one of the best RPG's I've ever played . Let me take you through my review of it . . . .
Xenosaga is an RPG based in the future where mankind has spread and colonized the universe and battles internal strife as well as an alien race called the Gnosis . The best feature of Xenosaga is its story . It's huge , engrossing and simply amazing . It really is a surreal trip through an alternate reality . The next best thing are the characters . They are so well developed and each has their own backgrounds and history which are revealed through the story . There are no useless characters in the story ; they all play a role and are brought to life through voice acting and dialogue .
Xenosaga's battle system is also a very nice change from the norm . It can be as simple or as complex as you want . It's filled with customizations , AGWS ( giant robots ) , boosts , fiersome enemies , and some very nice features . The only thing that's unfair is that alot of the bosses way abuse the boost ability making it feel very cheap . And it's hard to use the various points and learn the ropes without really examining the various features , but it's still good once you get the hang of it .
One element of the game that's come under heavy fire is the cutscene method . You will be watching as much as you play . I guarantee it . But the story is so well done that I didn't mind . Xenosaga ain't for everyone : but if you want an amazing RPG with a one of a kind story , it's a crime not to play it . If only they had better integrated the movie and gameplay parts . . . but still , it's extremely impressive . The game graphics are still awesome after 2 years and the soundtrack is excellent even though I wish they would've played more of it over the course of the game .
The back of the Xenosaga case says that the game contains 80 hours of gameplay . Most gamers I have seen say it's around 60 hours , 40 if you're quick . I watched every cutscene , did alot of the side missions including most of the decodings , fought every boss and played through it all in only 30 hrs . Half the time alotted by gamers . Still , the game felt more than sufficiently long , and I was very happy with the ending .
My only complaint with it all that really irritated me involved the enemies . The enemies are almost always placed at the chokepoints so you're FORCED to fight them even though the idea of seeing them is that you're free to not fight them if you choose . Even if you're a good distance away , the warning sign goes off and the enemy chases after you , something I've never ever seen in any RPG that's use this system . It really becomes a game of cat and mouse as you try to outmanuever them and it becomes 5 times more frusturating when they catch you and you're forced into battle . Please follow the Chrono Cross model . This is absolutely ridiculous .
Xenosaga really is an RPG all on its own . It sticks to formulas , but mixes it up with its story . It's a must play . If you're scared , try it out anyway . I was scared of the cutscenes when I read reviews , but I never really noticed them because they were so well done . ( Xenosaga movie anyone ? )
019 4 I just finished playing Xenosaga and I must say that it's one of the best RPG's I've ever played . Let me take you through my review of it . . . .
Xenosaga is an RPG based in the future where mankind has spread and colonized the universe and battles internal strife as well as an alien race called the Gnosis . The best feature of Xenosaga is its story . It's huge , engrossing and simply amazing . It really is a surreal trip through an alternate reality . The next best thing are the characters . They are so well developed and each has their own backgrounds and history which are revealed through the story . There are no useless characters in the story ; they all play a role and are brought to life through voice acting and dialogue .
Xenosaga's battle system is also a very nice change from the norm . It can be as simple or as complex as you want . It's filled with customizations , AGWS ( giant robots ) , boosts , fiersome enemies , and some very nice features . The only thing that's unfair is that alot of the bosses way abuse the boost ability making it feel very cheap . And it's hard to use the various points and learn the ropes without really examining the various features , but it's still good once you get the hang of it .
One element of the game that's come under heavy fire is the cutscene method . You will be watching as much as you play . I guarantee it . But the story is so well done that I didn't mind . Xenosaga ain't for everyone : but if you want an amazing RPG with a one of a kind story , it's a crime not to play it . If only they had better integrated the movie and gameplay parts . . . but still , it's extremely impressive . The game graphics are still awesome after 2 years and the soundtrack is excellent even though I wish they would've played more of it over the course of the game .
The back of the Xenosaga case says that the game contains 80 hours of gameplay . Most gamers I have seen say it's around 60 hours , 40 if you're quick . I watched every cutscene , did alot of the side missions including most of the decodings , fought every boss and played through it all in only 30 hrs . Half the time alotted by gamers . Still , the game felt more than sufficiently long , and I was very happy with the ending .
My only complaint with it all that really irritated me involved the enemies . The enemies are almost always placed at the chokepoints so you're FORCED to fight them even though the idea of seeing them is that you're free to not fight them if you choose . Even if you're a good distance away , the warning sign goes off and the enemy chases after you , something I've never ever seen in any RPG that's use this system . It really becomes a game of cat and mouse as you try to outmanuever them and it becomes 5 times more frusturating when they catch you and you're forced into battle . Please follow the Chrono Cross model . This is absolutely ridiculous .
Xenosaga really is an RPG all on its own . It sticks to formulas , but mixes it up with its story . It's a must play . If you're scared , try it out anyway . I was scared of the cutscenes when I read reviews , but I never really noticed them because they were so well done . ( Xenosaga movie anyone ? )
029 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
I have been a staunch Final Fantasy fan for years . While waiting for the newest release , which kept being pushed back , I tried out Xenosaga . Let me tell you , I am grateful I have !
This game is one of the most entertaining and interesting games I have ever played . The world is absolutely amazing and the characters are unique , not to mention a plot that has profound depth . You will fall in love . . . . trust me . If you are looking for an rpg that will draw you in and keep you playing for hours , it is Xenosaga .
030 4 I have been a staunch Final Fantasy fan for years . While waiting for the newest release , which kept being pushed back , I tried out Xenosaga . Let me tell you , I am grateful I have !
This game is one of the most entertaining and interesting games I have ever played . The world is absolutely amazing and the characters are unique , not to mention a plot that has profound depth . You will fall in love . . . . trust me . If you are looking for an rpg that will draw you in and keep you playing for hours , it is Xenosaga .
036 4 Xenosaga was one of those games I decided to buy on a whim one afternoon . What really sold the game to me was the cover art and the amount of gameplay it advertised .
When I first started playing it I remember the first long cut scene and thought , with this much video they are going to skimp on gameplay and this would be a complete letdown . Let me tell you though , I was very wrong in making that assumption ! Not only did this game deliver hours upon hours of battle and adventure ( 42 hours in my case ) but the video was incredible .
Just be WARNED . . if you are going to play , do yourself and your guests a favor and use the bathroom before playing , because you don't want to miss a minute of the story . Take my advice from experience , because my old roommate and other students at my university loved watching me play Xenosaga .
Should you buy it ? Sure , because if you're patient , you're bound to unfold a great story and there is rumored to be 5 - 6 chapters in this series .
048 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Xenosaga Episode I : Der Wille zur Macht has a challenging , but not overwhelming , battle system . . . in-depth character customization . . . interesting and memorable characters . . . and enough cut sequences to drive you bonkers . They're everywhere . There are more of these voice-acted invaders than there are Gnosis ( a storyline-important type of monster ) in some places . Fortunately , they're nowhere near as frustrating .
First , if you're really impatient or in danger of falling asleep without some serious Mountain Dew , you can always skip the cut sequences . That's a handy feature if you for any reason had to restart after watching fifteen minutes of cut scenes and would really rather not watch them again ( of course , skipping isn't recommended if you haven't seen them before , as you may miss something important ) . Second , skip or no skip , you can still pause them . So if nature calls - - or more like screams at - - you , fear not . However , even with these very important and practical features , it sometimes feels like you're watching a movie , not playing a game . So how can you expect to keep entertained ?
Well , even if some of the voices aren't top notch , and people's clothes and hair do materialize through other objects on rare occasions , the storyline and characters still make it feel like a good movie , not some made-for-video Disney sequel or something . The characters and plot are mysterious and captivating , and leave you hungry for more . Only the hardcore action-game-only gamers are likely to find the cinematics a major problem . But those types of gamers wouldn't likely pick up a turn-based RPG anyway .
That leaves just one more potential problem : if you buy this game , be prepared to buy II and III . It seems obvious from the title ( episode I ) , but to be more specific , you will probably end the game with more questions than you started with . And it's the same way with the second one . So if you plan on playing any of them , you'll more than likely want to play all of them . The extra money involved in that is definitely something to keep in mind .
But if that's not an issue to you , I would encourage all fans of RPGs and good storylines to go ahead and pick up Xenosaga . It may seem like an interactive movie at times , but that's part of its charm .
049 4 Xenosaga Episode I : Der Wille zur Macht has a challenging , but not overwhelming , battle system . . . in-depth character customization . . . interesting and memorable characters . . . and enough cut sequences to drive you bonkers . They're everywhere . There are more of these voice-acted invaders than there are Gnosis ( a storyline-important type of monster ) in some places . Fortunately , they're nowhere near as frustrating .
First , if you're really impatient or in danger of falling asleep without some serious Mountain Dew , you can always skip the cut sequences . That's a handy feature if you for any reason had to restart after watching fifteen minutes of cut scenes and would really rather not watch them again ( of course , skipping isn't recommended if you haven't seen them before , as you may miss something important ) . Second , skip or no skip , you can still pause them . So if nature calls - - or more like screams at - - you , fear not . However , even with these very important and practical features , it sometimes feels like you're watching a movie , not playing a game . So how can you expect to keep entertained ?
Well , even if some of the voices aren't top notch , and people's clothes and hair do materialize through other objects on rare occasions , the storyline and characters still make it feel like a good movie , not some made-for-video Disney sequel or something . The characters and plot are mysterious and captivating , and leave you hungry for more . Only the hardcore action-game-only gamers are likely to find the cinematics a major problem . But those types of gamers wouldn't likely pick up a turn-based RPG anyway .
That leaves just one more potential problem : if you buy this game , be prepared to buy II and III . It seems obvious from the title ( episode I ) , but to be more specific , you will probably end the game with more questions than you started with . And it's the same way with the second one . So if you plan on playing any of them , you'll more than likely want to play all of them . The extra money involved in that is definitely something to keep in mind .
But if that's not an issue to you , I would encourage all fans of RPGs and good storylines to go ahead and pick up Xenosaga . It may seem like an interactive movie at times , but that's part of its charm .
055 4 Two words : space opera .
I'm willing to put up with a lot from a game for quasi-original space opera ( ie - not star wars ) . Xenosaga was pure ambrosia . The storyline was pleasently complex without being convoluted for the sake of confusion and nothing else . And , wonderfully , the driving force behind this game was not the next shiny doo-dad you could get upon levelling up , but instead the : : shock : : story .
The cut scenes were long , and that did bother me towards the beginning of the game . It was a little frustrating in that I really couldn't play the game unless I had at least an hour of free time . The combat system was fun and rather flexible . I didn't use the mechas much and that didn't hinder me at all .
space ship space ship space ship space ship zoooooooooom !
059 4 Ok , I personally think the storyline in this game is so immersive you can't wait to go to the next cutscene ! As everyone here said , some cutscenes are pretty long but they're not that bothersome since it blends in with the gameplay . You'll actually want to see cutscenes as you get into the game .
Much like star wars , the story is so broad it's not like go find the bad guy , beat the bad guy , you're done . This game will keep you guessing who the bad guys are and eventually , you'll soon find out . On top of this , there's a lot of drama , and action in this game .
Imagine being in a battle and you can switch to MECH mode and use Mech weapons . There are a lot of special attacks for each character it's up to you how you want to use them or how powerful they get . Actual gameplay for me is around 50 hours plus around 20 hours of cutscenes I think so it's well worth it .
People may compare it to Final Fantasy ( which I love ) but I think the storyline and play of Xenosaga beats Final Fantasy hands down . Albeit , Final Fantasy has slightly better graphics .
This game is being designed to be like a movie + game as opposed to a game that has a nice story . Get this game , no doubt , it'll be one of the best RPG game you'll own !
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This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Pros : Interesting plot , memorable characters , memorable locations , good music and sound , interesting battle system
Cons : Only 1 / 3rd of the series , music is poorly implemented , long loading times , uneven difficulty
Other thoughts : Keep in mind this is the first in a three part series - and that the second game is pretty bad . Thus , unless you're willing to play the ( bad ) second game and ( very good ) third game , you will probably not end up satisfied in the long run .
067 4 Pros : Interesting plot , memorable characters , memorable locations , good music and sound , interesting battle system
Cons : Only 1 / 3rd of the series , music is poorly implemented , long loading times , uneven difficulty
Other thoughts : Keep in mind this is the first in a three part series - and that the second game is pretty bad . Thus , unless you're willing to play the ( bad ) second game and ( very good ) third game , you will probably not end up satisfied in the long run .
068 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Xenosaga is one of the most underrated RPGs on the PS2 . While the cutscenes can get kind of long , it make syou feel like you're watching a movie . Simply put , that's what this is , a playable movie . It has simple controls , but that doesn't mean that no strategy is involved . The boss battles can get intense , and the plot only gets thicker . If you have money , you should buy this game . It is guaranteed to entertain your gamer side and your intellectual side .
072 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
First off , this game has the MOST cut scenes I have ever seen in one game . The good news is , you can skip them if you like . Other than the extremly long cutscenes , the game is great .
This game is you basic turn based rpg which I rather enjoy . Gives me time to figure out what my next move will be . The enemies appear on your map so you always know if you're going to run into one . The enemies don't just pop up when you're walking around . I like that . Anyway , the characters are wonderful along with the graphics . Voice work couldn't have been better .
You learn cool techniques that you can even have your other team members learn . You can also transform into the really big machines ( been a while since I've played it , I don't remember what they are called ) but it's awesome.The side quests in the game are really fun also .
This games is really a must for any RPG lover . IF you can sit throught all the cutscenes and not get discouraged , this game is really great .
073 4 First off , this game has the MOST cut scenes I have ever seen in one game . The good news is , you can skip them if you like . Other than the extremly long cutscenes , the game is great .
This game is you basic turn based rpg which I rather enjoy . Gives me time to figure out what my next move will be . The enemies appear on your map so you always know if you're going to run into one . The enemies don't just pop up when you're walking around . I like that . Anyway , the characters are wonderful along with the graphics . Voice work couldn't have been better .
You learn cool techniques that you can even have your other team members learn . You can also transform into the really big machines ( been a while since I've played it , I don't remember what they are called ) but it's awesome.The side quests in the game are really fun also .
This games is really a must for any RPG lover . IF you can sit throught all the cutscenes and not get discouraged , this game is really great .
074 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This is a great game in my opinion , but not everyone will like it RPG fans will . I only say that becouse the cutscenes may be too long for some people . But of course you can skip them . This game has good graphics , a good innovative battle system . Oh yeah and if your in a big place in the game you might get lost and want to give up . I think this game is somewhat better than Final Fantasy becouse it doesen't have that Random Battle element . This game will keep you playing for awhile becouse the bosses take a while to beat . Over all this is a pretty good game , but remember its not for everyone .
078 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This is the best PS2 game I have ever played .
The graphics are great . In other rpgs I noticed that the graphic are kinda blocky . Not in this game !
The story is good AND original .
The characters are very original with their own stories and their own special abilites and personalities . There are mysteries that leave you very curious and you make your own theories .
The battle system is similar to the Final Fantasy games - you have a party and the good guys and the enemies take turns attacking . There are different skills that you can earn and there are awesome tech attacks .
The music is also very enoyable and is performed by a real orchestra .
Long story short , this is a game that any rpg lover should purchase . I was nervous about buying this and I wasn't sure if I would like but I was hooked in an instant . The music , graphics , characters , and the story all get 5 / 5 .
079 4 This is the best PS2 game I have ever played .
The graphics are great . In other rpgs I noticed that the graphic are kinda blocky . Not in this game !
The story is good AND original .
The characters are very original with their own stories and their own special abilites and personalities . There are mysteries that leave you very curious and you make your own theories .
The battle system is similar to the Final Fantasy games - you have a party and the good guys and the enemies take turns attacking . There are different skills that you can earn and there are awesome tech attacks .
The music is also very enoyable and is performed by a real orchestra .
Long story short , this is a game that any rpg lover should purchase . I was nervous about buying this and I wasn't sure if I would like but I was hooked in an instant . The music , graphics , characters , and the story all get 5 / 5 .
080 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
I am going to keep this review short . This is a great game . Has interesting characters , deep story and I mean deep , and great music . The movie scenes are very long but since story and gameplay are very important to me , I don't mind at all . Falls short against the likes of Xenogears but then again , what doesn't . Looking foward to Xenosaga II .
084 4 When I saw the previews of Xenosaga on TV , I couldn't help but want this game . Everything about it looked absolutely stunning . When I purchased this game last year , that's exactly what it was like , stunning to the eye .
However , when I played through this game , I couldn't help feel like it wasn't a game I was playing , but an interactive movie . Cutscenes were long , the graphics are too gorgeous to believe , and the voice overs are done well . Sometimes a scene would last up to an hour , but this can be avoided by pressing start and choosing to skip the scene . I was promised over 80 hours of game play , and 4 mini games . The game only took me between 35 - 40 hours to beat and none of the mini-games I really noticed to even test them .
Truly the game was fun , but not as addicting as other RPGs offer . The battles are turn based , so you can take 20 minutes if you want to decide on your next move . However , the use of a boost ability can make or break your battles .
Xenosaga can be challenging at times , but not enough to make it a lasting game . What still captivates me is the characters , their involvements , and what's to come for Xenosaga II .
Pros :
Awesome graphics
Great characters
Deep storyline
Part 1 of a game series . . . ( also see Xenogears )
Cons :
Cutscenes are long , which isn't bad , but some get too political and boring , ( sometimes scenes up to 1 hour of watch time )
Gameplay isn't as fun as many others
Overall , it's a must play for any RPG fan , but should be overlooked by the impatient . Don't believe neccessarily what the backcover says , ( over 80 hours gameplay ) because all ready myself and others I know have played it in 40 hours . And when it is claimed to have about 20 hours of cutscenes , that's only a 20 hour RPG , which is very short . But then again , a short RPG may be perfect for some !
107 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This game is good . It has an excellent story-line , great graphics , and an innovative battle system , but it is extremely difficult . It took me months to beat it , and I honestly can't recommend it . There was too much involved in beating it to really make me say it was worth it .
113 4 Being part of a 6 episode series , Der Wille zur Macht is an excellent opening to the world of Xenosaga .
In this episode , you play as Shion Usuki , along with 5 other companions , who are caught in the middle of a galaxy-wide scandal .
After Shion's ship is attacked by Gnosis , which are aliens from the imaginary dimension , the battle android she is working on mysteriously wakes itself up to save the ship .
Enough of the plot , now for the actual game itself .
I love how this game plays . There aren't any random encounters , the enemies walk around on the map along with you . The battle system is easy to learn ( though hard to explain without visuals ) . Also , you get to make your characters stronger according to how you want them . You use 3 different types of points ( skill , technique , and ether ( magic ) ) to gain new abilities , magic , and to level up your special attacks .
The plot is the most in-depth one of our era . The entire plot of Xenosaga covers over 10,000 years worth of events . Xenosaga - Episode 1 also has a glossary of terms as so you do not get lost in the story .
The game case says over 80 hours of gameplay , though I beat it in around 35 . There is also a great deal of CG scenes .
If you're looking for a game that isn't complex , this isn't for you . Though , if you want a game with an excellent plot and character depth , this is what you're looking for .
116 4 If you are looking for a movie that you can sort of interact with , this game is for you . Constant movies every 5 minutes of gameplay has left me bored each and every time . The movies were intersting , but I felt no involvement with the characters as I usually can when I am able to play them more .
I'd give the graphics full marks , for they are quite astonishing . Characters move around smoothly and in a realistic fashion , and the expression changes are constant and also realistic . A bit on the anime style side , but with a touch of realisim , the character designs are wonderful .
Voice acting was pretty good . . . as far as I'm concerned , if they don't make me wince every time they say a line , then you've got solid voice acting .
Overall , the plot was vauge ( that , of course , being that there are going to be sequels , ) the game play was limited , the graphics were good , and the characters were likeable ( with the exception to the rather dizty-acting Shion , whom is suppose to be a scientist ) . I think this is worth buying , but it doesn't play up to the standards of the other most recently released games , such as Windwaker and Kingdom Hearts , ( although the plot is a lot deeper than both of these ) .
125 4 Xenosaga is the greatest RPG I have ever come to know . However , I would like to say something to Namco . Ladies and gentlemen of Namco , the game is a good idea . It's very good , but this plot is so good it belongs somewhere more fitting than a game ! Listen guys , edit the cutscenes together , add a few to connect them really well , and release it into theaters ! Make it like a 3 parter because . . . well . . . you know the story is like 10 hours long . But honestly , this story is worthy of game fame . Best ever . Now time for combat . Now I liked it , but ya know , the combat system is so complex and weird , you may not even fully 100% get it til the end of the game ! In the beginning you will be beyond confused . A good third of the way through , you will have everything down well enough to be on your own . Now , the graphics are perfect . Well gameplay graphics aren't totally , but cutscene graphics are done so stunningly you have to be amazed . Here's the diagnosis .
PROS :
1 . Greatest story ever in a video game .
2 . Some unbelievable special powers .
3 . Beautiful graphics .
4 . Perplexing and colorful environments - some of the people who said the environments are bad must not even be halfway into the game ! * The enchephilon is the best environments ! *
5 . Epic boss battles , amazing . You can not let the bosses beat you ! You just feel like you must win !
6 . Beautiful music is truly unforgettable .
7 . No random battles ! Thank the lord !
8 . Great minigames , surprisingly !
CONS :
1 . Normal enemy battles can be bothersome .
2 . Confusing combat system will take forever to fully understand .
3 . Some really cheap enemy moves .
4 . Some annoying missions the developers put in to only waste time .
5 . When you do a powerful attack and miss , make sure you don't break your controllers .
6 . The story is great , but the long cutscenes are bothersome if you don't have time to watch them ( A few are up to 50 minutes long )
129 4 This is like watching a movie because of the cutscenes . You take control of the action like in a regular RPG , but there is no world map and you have to go where the story has taken you . There is all the usual stuff with building up characters ' stats and abilities , using items , save points , etc . I usually don't like RPGs that tend towards movies because I favour traditional RPGs . But this game is an exception . The story is so intriguing and the graphics so nice . I am a huge sci-fi fan , so I love playing the game . It's like an interactive sci-fi novel . Lots of fun .
I found the battle system fun . Lots of characters can switch to the robot ( like using a Guardian Spirit in FF8 ) . I think this was meant for boss battles . The story is very extensive . You can go into the database and pull up loads of info on keywords mentioned during the plot . I felt ' immersed in the gaming experience ' . You can also take your time and explore every nook and cranny of the places . There are secret rooms and hidden items .
A lot of the battles , regular or boss , can be really difficult . I think that's to account for the enormous range of abilities the player's characters have . They can switch to robots , use spells , and use tech attacks . You can escape from any regular battle , and once you have died once to a regular or boss battle , you have a much better idea of what to do next time .
Another great feature is that you can pick and choose what special skills , spells , and attacks you want equipped in a certain area . For example , if you are in an area with monsters that use poison , you can equip Poison Guard while you're in that area . Another example would be if you are in an area with alien monsters , you can equip tech attacks
that are specifically meant to deal with aliens .
There is quite a bit of Christian religious imagery that is subtly woven into the storyline . Haven't finished it yet , but I get the impression that everyone in the game universe is Christian . One example is that the main character uses a phrase from the Bible as a computer password . I actually found the combination of subtle Christianity with futuristic sci-fi to be intriguing .
Also , there was a scene that reminded me a lot of rape . It was really difficult to watch . Luckily , you can skip any scene by pausing the game and pushing the triangle button .
132 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This was a replacement game for me as I have overplayed my first game . I have played and played the series of Xenosaga over and over again and I'm waiting for the fouth installment of the saga to appear .
134 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
hmm .
this i a great game , But it takes patience getting into .
the cinematics in this game are a big part of what makes it so enjoyable .
I'd say , at times it's kinda like playing thorought a movie . the battle system in the game is quite good , and it's rather inovative as well .
Overall , the game was heavily story based and less game-play oriented .
there is hardly a wrong way to do anything in the game , it's very straightforward .
So , if you are looking for a really good story to play through , pick this game up , it's great . = ]
135 4 hmm .
this i a great game , But it takes patience getting into .
the cinematics in this game are a big part of what makes it so enjoyable .
I'd say , at times it's kinda like playing thorought a movie . the battle system in the game is quite good , and it's rather inovative as well .
Overall , the game was heavily story based and less game-play oriented .
there is hardly a wrong way to do anything in the game , it's very straightforward .
So , if you are looking for a really good story to play through , pick this game up , it's great . = ]
136 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
It's tough to keep in mind that this is the first part in a series . With that said , I think there might be too much going on . It can be difficult to keep up with the story line . In addition to that it can seem like it is dragging on . However , the game play is pretty cool , I do like how the battle system is set up . Over all I am pretty anxious to see this thing through to the end .
138 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
A new series to me , plays well , lots of movie sequences , interesting story line so far .
140 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This is a great game and the service was very quick.The write up amazon provided is exactly what my brother told me about the game before I bought it.He has been playing this game since it came out . I am very happy with my purchase . Thanks again Amazon
172 4 Speaking as an advid fan of rpgs , i can say that Xenosaga definitely ranks as one of my favorites of all time . I am the type of gamer who usually starts a game and does not finish it due to a lack of interest . I have not finished a Final Fantasy since 7 and it is not from a lack of playing . In the last 2 weeks i have logged in over 30 hours of Xenosaga ; which when taking into account the sheer amount of work i have to do for school . . is a lot ! This game is phenomenal . I am an anime fan as well , and the themes , animation , and story behind this game give such the feel of playing an anime that all fans of the genre need to pick it up !
When playing an rpg the biggest factors for me are story , characters , and playing system . The story for this game is phenomenal and very entralling . Many reviews have stated how it plays like a movie , 30 minute cut scenes , blah blah blah but they are missing the point . The 30 minute cut scenes are great and very rewarding especially after a huge boss battle . They serve to forward the story ( a must in rpgs ) and it gives the player a rest from fighting so many battles . The characters in this game are also very unique and amazing . If you do not believe me , play this game for 4 hours ; meet Ziggurat 8 and if you are not sold , i do not know what to tell you in terms of character . The fighting system in this game is very addicting as well . I found myself leveling my characters up to increase their attacks to defeat bosses a lot , its a very rewarding experience when the gnosis fall to your feet : )
This game also has some great minigames ! The xenocard game within ( a ccg based on the xenosaga universe within the game ) is also very addicting ! ! ! You get to play the game and earn more packs of cards to play more of the game . I've logged about 8 hours into this sidequest .
All in all , if you love RPGS , anime , or just a great story go buy this game ! ! ! ! !
9.9 / 10
028 4 Imagine that far in the future a small group of people is driven together by a shared interest in preserving the existence of humanity in space . Strange aliens that can cross from the spirit plane to the real in a moment , who have an abiding hatred for humans and their creations , are the enemy . Their opponents are ' people ' range from the apparently human Shion Uzuki , to COS-MOS , Shion's creation and a deadly battle android . In between is every variation of the concept of human imaginable .
This turns into a battle that rambles across known space , with an array of scenarios linked together by an amazing amount of lengthy cut scenes . The battle system , which involves human and mech fighters and a large number of weapons , skills , and spells , is complex and a bit frustrating as well . It is never easy to make basic leveling up and power decisions . Game puzzles abound , but the real focus is the fighting and everything around it .
Did I mention the cut scenes ? They are well done and acted , but there are so many that they can be tiresome if one decides to go back and re-fight some key battles . It is hard to criticize an RPG for having too much plot , but Xenosaga may be the one . Especially since the ' real ' plot is still a mystery to be resolved in later episodes . For now , what we get is continuity and strange hints about the past and future .
Characters are excellent . Shion , a young woman scientist , is sublimely irritating as a heroic figure . Her supreme interest is COS-MOS , sometimes to the exception of the rest of the human race . COS-MOS , is a beautiful and efficient killing machine who is more concerned about her looks than her body count . I also fell in love with MOMO , another android , this time built as an 11 - year-old girl with a charming smile , who cheerfully apologized to dealing enemies crushing blows . The rest of the team is equally interesting , with many secrets and many of the supporting cast are allowed full development as well .
On the whole , the game has two flaws . The first it that it over-delivers . There is simply too much of what it does do well , making it difficult to form an effective development strategy . Since this keeps the game from being simple-minded , it is a good thing . However , novices like me find the possibilities hard to manage until well into the game . In addition , despite the battle complexity and cut scenes it is still essentially a linear story with a small number of side quests that can be done out of order .
The other problem is the player interface . It may be luck of the draw , but Xenosaga uses several controller presses exactly the opposite from the past three games I played . If it did this consistently , I would not mind , but often the reversal is haphazard , causing redundant and nonsensical controller moves . I was still fumbling and cursing well into the game , and this contributed heavily to my problems with the game .
All in all this is a very good game with a couple of minor flaws . I wish every game tried to be as much as Xenosaga does . The interface , which was my worst problem , can be overcome . If Namco maintains this level , there is much to look forward to in future episodes .
062 4 First things first - if you've never played Xenogears , then you should probably rent this before you buy it . It , like Xenogears , is HIGHLY story driven . Some of the cut-scenes are extremely long , and Xenosaga tends to feel more like an interactive movie than a game ~ at times ~ . Having said that . . .
The universe of Xenosaga is incredibly deep and involving . It can seem a bit overwhelming at times , but the game provides a database feature that allows you to look up keywords . As long as you take the time to look up new terms when you come across them , you should have no problem .
The characters are quite dynamic as well . I don't want to give anything away , but I will say that the cast itself represents an array of real world problems - morality , spirituality , addiction . . . these issues and more within the first hour , or your money back . Well , ok , I can't promise the money thing .
The battle system is not difficult understand . Characters are allocated Action Points each turn that enable them to perform combination attacks , or they can choose to wait and accumulate AP for a larger technique . Furthermore , the new Boost / Counter Boost feature adds some extra strategy . In addition , characters can develop the ethers and techniques that the player chooses , creating nearly endless customization possibilities . Fun stuff .
Ahem .
Sorry , I have to say this . . . to the reviewer who seemed so upset that the controversial scene was removed . . . A ) Don't judge an entire game based on one deleted scene ! B ) This game wasn't even made by Square ! It's a NAMCO game . Argh .
Having said that . . this game isn't for youngsters . Some 14 year olds may be mature enough for it , but they're going to be far and few between . Despite the removal of the aforementioned scene , Xenosaga has some serious adult themes .
In summary , if you've played Xenogears and like it , then you probably already own this . If you haven't played Xenogears , rent Xenosaga and play it before you buy it .
064 4 Seriously , I would have gave this game at least a 4 if the cutscenes weren't so numerous and long . This game is very plot driven , so there will be several minutes when your watching a movie and not actually playing .
As such , that does not mean there is not a good RPG underneath all those movies . The fighting system is very good and is based on Xenogears ' . However , it extends it . For example , attacks can be fast or slow , as you upgrade them via points you get from battle . Fast attacks give you the ability to get extra hits . The characters can also be customized and streamlined by transfering abilities from other memebers of the party , again using points gained for battles . If you like RPGs you will not be disappointed with Xenosaga , it is your traditional option ladened RPG .
The graphics are excellent , no jaggies as I can see , but you often don't get that close up to the models . The cutscenes are well-done and great to look at , which is good as said before you will see many of them . The voice acting sometimes doesn't snyc with the mouths of the character , that's a minor nitpick though . ( It is originally Japanese , so that could be why . . : D ) Overall the visual side of the game is great .
The sound of the game is also very good , however a lot of the sounds are recycled . The voices are good , but they can just get annoying hearing the same saying over and over after battles . They do say different things however they only have like 3 or 4 phrases to choose from and the amount of fights you'll be in to level up your characters , you'll tune them out probably . The music is fantastic though , being epic and orchastrated . It fits the mood of the game .
So in the end this is a great RPG with many plot points which unfold in movie form . So much so it really detracts from the gameplaying experience . Imagine Xenogears instead of all that text to read , you have lots of cutscenes . Metal Gear Solid 2 had this problem too , it couldn't decide if it wanted to tell you a story or play the game . This game suffers from that syndrome . It has an interesting plot but mediocre interactive gameplay . I can only recommend this game if you liked Xenogears as it is much the same but more options with leveling up .
150 4 Be careful . This isn't a game you play an hour or less at a time . Right from the start , you're going to be sitting through a LONG opening movie . Be prepared to hit some kind of cinema after every 15 minutes of gameplay ( or at least it seems that way anyway ) .
That being said , I loved this game . The battle system's somewhat complex , but fun if you're the type who likes to customize your characters . The story's admittedly a little . . . out there and some things are left unresolved , but I suppose that just leaves room for the four sequels . Besides , who buys an RPG expecting a straightforward plot ?
Also , if you want , you can skip past all the movies - - but , basically you'd be skipping past the whole story and half the game !
In short - - a great game for those patient enough to wait through the cinemas ( and to wait for the next episode ! ) .
043 4 Now this game is nothing but amazing . Namco makes it but Namco has always been famous for the graphics not the gameplay . Such titles as the Dead or Alive series . But this game is totally different . It's just like a final fantasy game . Very good graphics , and the cut-scenes are amazing my jaw dropped to the ground and stayed there . This game also needs work from the player . This has a very deep storyline . All in one game . This game was a presequel to xenogears . This game is definetly the RPG for Ps2 for awhile . Also , check out . Hack part 1 . expect another title to come out soon followed by 2 other titles . go on ebgames.com and you'll find . If this was helpful than please click yes . Thanks for your time ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! A very skilled and amazed gamer ! ! !
139 4 A new series to me , plays well , lots of movie sequences , interesting story line so far .
097 4 Xenosaga is indeed great as any other of the commentaries might say . However , be warned playstation 2 first generation users for the game has a bug that usually makes the game freeze at certain parts of the game . Also , due to technical difficulties , Xenosaga takes a very long time to load some stages and specially the mini games . Be warned before buying this game . Namco hasn't still anounced yet if they will release a bug free Xenosaga and because of that , I would recomend to wait a little before buying it .
081 4 I am going to keep this review short . This is a great game . Has interesting characters , deep story and I mean deep , and great music . The movie scenes are very long but since story and gameplay are very important to me , I don't mind at all . Falls short against the likes of Xenogears but then again , what doesn't . Looking foward to Xenosaga II .
101 4 I came into Xenosaga with high expectations , especially because
Xenogears is
one of the greatest games that I've ever played and this is the sequel .
Well , to say the least , these expectations were upheld . They were
surpassed
beyond the level of great . The graphics in this game are almost
uncomparable with any other game that I've played , with the exception of
Final Fantasy 10 . The gameplay of this game is exceptional as well .
The battle system is good because you function your characters through asystem of attacks as in combos such as triangle triangle circle or a combo to that effect . The use of the AP system also brings in a new light . In other games , it was just fight , or use magic , or use an item . But , with AP , you
can use whatever you want in a turn if you have enough , except when you use an item , that's it for your turn , but the rest of the AP is added to next
turn . It's the same with the Ether spells . The storyline in this game is overwhelming . It beats Final Fantasy 10 outright in my mind , and the story in Final Fantasy 10 was the best I'd seen up until now . The music is well
done , but the game could use more when you're in control of the characters .
I give this game a 10 out of 10 .
022 4 Xenosaga , simply put , is a masterpiece . Considered a prequel of sorts to Xenogears ( PSX ) , Xenosaga beats it's predecessor in every way . The visuals of Xenosaga are some of the best I've seen on the Playstation 2 to date , and there's never any noticeable slowdown . Along with this , Xenosaga has a flowing plot that still keeps you wondering at every new revelation and anxious to find out what will happen next . The characters are full of life and rather mysterious as well . Their voices are done very well , and I've only noticed one actual slip-up during the character conversations . Now , what can really make or break an rpg is it's battle system . Xenogears has no worries in this department , as the system is deep in it's customization , but very simple to execute . The only major downside to Xenogears is that it's not for the action oriented gamer . The cutscenes that tell the story of Xenogears can get quite lengthy , and can bore some gamers . These scenes can be skipped , but it will probably leave most people confused if they do . Xenogears also has a number of mini-games , but I'll leave that up to the gamers to find those out .
069 4 Xenosaga is one of the most underrated RPGs on the PS2 . While the cutscenes can get kind of long , it make syou feel like you're watching a movie . Simply put , that's what this is , a playable movie . It has simple controls , but that doesn't mean that no strategy is involved . The boss battles can get intense , and the plot only gets thicker . If you have money , you should buy this game . It is guaranteed to entertain your gamer side and your intellectual side .
086 4 Have you ever played Xenogears or Xenosaga ? Let me tell you one thing about it . This game is DEEP . Xenosaga , like its predecessor Xenogears , is not just an amazingly good game , but it is one of the deepest games ever . Unexplained symbols ( such as a swinging cross necklace , the smiling face of a boy half-hidden in the pilot seat of a giant robot , or a small , well-dressed girl ) will mysteriously appear in cut scenes , keeping you on your toes and making you think . Xenosaga questions the rights of non-humans ( such as Realians , the cloned shock troops , or cyborgs that don't wish to live ) and makes you wonder - I have spent good hours pondering the questions put forth in Xenosaga . And don't think that the amazing cut scenes detract from game play . Everything is just beautiful , the battle system works great , the story is riveting , and all in all , you feel as if you're playing a movie ( Which is entirely true - of the first 2 hours of the game , i spent 1 hour and 15 minutes watching cut scenes ) . All in all , if you have the patience to watch all the movies , you'll love this game . If you have the patience of a weasel shot up on a triple espresso , then for the love of god , don't play this !
102 4 A good game is more than just a disc with some data on it , organized in such a way that when inserted into a device , it will set up systems with which you can interact and simulate experiences in some fictional context . Lots of games exist in your TV , and stop there .
Xenosaga is a game that exists in your TV , but also exists in your head , in your conversations with others , in your consciousness , and in your heart . As you play , you'll become close to its characters , like they were old friends . You'll unravel mysteries while discovering even more boggling ones . You'll question what it means to be human , to be alive , or to exist at all .
You'll also do these things when you're not playing . There is intense discussion of the game's themes at sites around the world . There are entire communities built up around appreciating this game's depth . For every hour you spend playing , you can then spend many , many more hours outside of the game contemplating it , fondly remembering it , discussing it with others , and looking toward its future . Your memories of this game will not just be of hitting the buttons .
And there are plenty of in-game hours to be had . Monolith Soft , like so few companies , know the meaning of added value . Lots and lots of fun is to be had outside of the main game structure , in a completely free and optional capacity . It has the finest minigames of any RPG I've encountered . How about a full-fledged collectible card game with deck building and deep strategy ? It's just one of the four minigames included , and you are forced to play none of them . This is a game you can play and play and play , and then when you think you're done playing , come back to one more time . I'm on my fourth run through it , and it still makes me smile .
I guess that's why I don't dig technical reviews : I could tell you that Xenosaga has the best graphics , or an excellent localization from the original Japanese version , or a captivating story , or top-notch character designs , or the best battle system I've ever seen , which is all true , but in the end all that matters is whether it'll make you smile , whether it'll make you feel good , whether it'll create memories for you . It's done all of those things for more hours than I can count . This is not an ordinary game .
115 4 Don't get me wrong , I enjoyed this game , and am waiting for the sequel . But you spend almost as much time watching the cutscenes as playing the game . And the storyline can be a bit confusing . Still , when you do actually play , it's fun . And the Story and Characters are quite good .
If you're an hardcore RPG fan , you'll want this game .
104 4 I played it and completed this awesome game . This game had me playing every waking minute to find out what happens to Shion and Kosmos . The last time i can remeber wanting to play a game this much was back when i played secret of mana all the time .
However , I would not reccomend this game to just anybody . This game is very linear . You are following a straight path the whole game . This is also a cutscene heavy game . It does indeed have save points in 2 of the cutscenes .
Other than those points , this game is one of the best games to come out in recent years . The battle system is deep and once you figure it all out , it makes the game have more reason as you build to get the ultimate techs and ethers . I can't stress enough how great this story is . The voice acting was great with very little to complain about .
If your an rpg nut , get this game .
061 4 I have been waiting for another Xenogame for 5 years . I had pretty high expectations of this game . Now that I have the hang of the game I have have to say THIS GAME IS AWESOME . It is complicated , I like that , I don't know about you . The only complaints I have is that it is a very long time between save points , and the cut-scenes sometimes take near an hour . The battle system is great , the dungeouns are HUGE with many braching paths . This game can easily take up 80 hours or more . In the game you actually start to care about the characters and what happen to them . If your willing to spend alot of time playing , than this is the game for you .
108 4 This game is good . It has an excellent story-line , great graphics , and an innovative battle system , but it is extremely difficult . It took me months to beat it , and I honestly can't recommend it . There was too much involved in beating it to really make me say it was worth it .
156 4 Excellent game .
Just be careful and look at the back of your playstation 2 . If your playstation is model 1000 - 3000 ' s then its going to crash at a certain part . I am literally stuck at a spot and I cannot move forward in the game because my PS2 model is outdated .
Apparently , it has something to do with the DVD layering and it causes the outdated PS2 ' s to simply hang , stall , and in my case simply crash . I am going back to Electronic Boutique to get an exchange for something else .
Like I said , I really enjoyed what I played so far , but I couldn't begin to give it five stars for only completing half of the game .
P.S The cut scenes were a bit too long .
168 4 This game is madd hott ! ! If you love rpg games this is the game for you . The graphics is realli hott , the story line is good but the onli thin that is bad is the fact that the cinamatic movies r too long nd they get kinda annoyin sumtimes but besides that its realli good ! !
106 4 The fact that this game series did not fair as well as it should have may have something to do with the fact that it's in-depth storyline was above the head of probably 90% of those who played it . I do admit though , that the fact that this is more of an interactive movie may have turned off a lot of people . There are more and longer cutscenes than any other game I have played . This has to do with the fact that the story is the focal point here . The fact that we get to play certain parts of it is only gravy .
The complex storyline is hard to follow without repeated play throughs or trips to fan sites that help explain it . As a matter of fact the game contains a glossary of the many terms that are discussed throughout the game . If it wasn't for this the dialog would be too clunky from exposition to be enjoyable .
So what is the game about ? So many things . Politics , religion , mankind's mortality , ethical issues concerning human beings and cloning , and on and on . The game's philosophical tone is highly influenced by the writings of Carl Jung and Nietzche . As a matter of fact each game in the series is named after one of his books . I don't want to go into too much detail as to spoil anything . The Zohar , an monolith artifact has been uncovered and everyone is after it for the power it will bring to them including Vector industries , a powerful military conglomerate , and U-tic , an undergroud organization with ties to Ormus , a fictional religious organization . All of this is built upon more in the later games in the series . This game is all about introducing our characters and the many organizations and terms that this series is about .
Sadly what was to be a 6 game series was cut down to 3 due to problems within Namco and lack of sales . The original creator was given leave after this game so while the other games have better graphics a lot of the magic seems to be lost . At least the series did it's best to close out the story line in a satisfying manner .
The voice acting isn't too bad . It's a lot better than most games , but can be grating at times . This game has the weakest graphics of the series but still is enjoyable . They were about on par with other games at the time , but many years have passed since it's release .
How about the game itself ? Story aside , this is one of the better RPGs out there . The only problem being out short it is . Due to the long cutscenes there is really only 7 or so levels or dungeons , in the game . Way too short . Magic , or ether as it's called in this game , isn't as useful as it should be . There are very few attack spells and the way it's set up only one or two people can learn them and you have to use points to transfer them to other players . The support magic is very good though .
Go into this game knowing you will do just as much watching as you will actually playing . Don't be too quick to judge either . My bother hated this game at first and it's now one his favorites .
032 4 Difficulty : easy to medium .
Pros :
Hugely compelling and mainly well thought out storyline .
Beautiful cutscene graphics .
Intuitive battle gameplay .
Wonderful music .
Very good voice acting and text translation throughout .
Sensible , easy to medium puzzles .
Cons :
Cutscenes can be very long ( the story is so good this didn't bother me in the slightest , plus the scenes can be skipped ) .
Two years until part two comes out .
Respawning enemies is a bit annoying .
Keep a clock nearby as you'll find time passes very quickly when playing .
098 4 I loved this game . I could go on and on about it , but so have many other gamers . In fact I will anyway , but I will dwell upon topics that everyone else forgot .
Game play time : Namco claims 80 hours , but I finished in 31 hours . My friends finished in about 40 . This all depends on how much time you want to invest in side quests and such , none of which I actually took part of . 80 hours in very overinflated ; I doubt this game will take anyone more than 45 hours to finish ( this is still a lot of time ) .
Storyline and cutscenes :
* You can skip cutscenes at any time by pausing and pressing triangle . Those who do not want to watch cutscenes don't have to . *
People complain quite a bit about cutscenes . I did too when I had to sit through the melodramatic crap in Metal Gear Solid 2 and Final Fantasy X , but I can't say the same here . This game is made for gamers with an above-average intelligence . Yes , there's melodrama , but there's also a very rich , intelligent story . This shouldn't come as a surprise to people who have played Xenogears or those that know what Der Wille Zur Macht , Xenosaga's own subtitle , is . There are a lot of cutscenes . Half of the first ten hours of gameplay will be cutscenes . After that however , I found that 4 hour dungeon crawling with 30 minute cutscenes were commonplace . I highly recommend buying Friedrich Nietzsche's book The Will to Power , its philosophy is lightly carried through within the plot of Xenosaga ( that is , if you have the capability to understand what Nietzsche is saying ) .
Aesthetics : This game is two years old . It took an incredibly long time to translate the massive amount of dialogue in this game . Thus , the graphics are polished and good-looking , but not astounding . The music is decidedly minimalistic , only using music for cutscenes or dramatic scenes . This makes it feel more like a movie . Instead of desert town music or shopping music , you've got a sweeping , cinematic , orchestrated score .
I can hardly wait until Xenosaga Episode two comes out . Xenogears fans , Nietzsche followers , and intelligent gamers absolutely need to pick up this game . This game is only 1 / 6 of the story , the saga is only just beginning , but already it will blow you away .
105 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
The fact that this game series did not fair as well as it should have may have something to do with the fact that it's in-depth storyline was above the head of probably 90% of those who played it . I do admit though , that the fact that this is more of an interactive movie may have turned off a lot of people . There are more and longer cutscenes than any other game I have played . This has to do with the fact that the story is the focal point here . The fact that we get to play certain parts of it is only gravy .
The complex storyline is hard to follow without repeated play throughs or trips to fan sites that help explain it . As a matter of fact the game contains a glossary of the many terms that are discussed throughout the game . If it wasn't for this the dialog would be too clunky from exposition to be enjoyable .
So what is the game about ? So many things . Politics , religion , mankind's mortality , ethical issues concerning human beings and cloning , and on and on . The game's philosophical tone is highly influenced by the writings of Carl Jung and Nietzche . As a matter of fact each game in the series is named after one of his books . I don't want to go into too much detail as to spoil anything . The Zohar , an monolith artifact has been uncovered and everyone is after it for the power it will bring to them including Vector industries , a powerful military conglomerate , and U-tic , an undergroud organization with ties to Ormus , a fictional religious organization . All of this is built upon more in the later games in the series . This game is all about introducing our characters and the many organizations and terms that this series is about .
Sadly what was to be a 6 game series was cut down to 3 due to problems within Namco and lack of sales . The original creator was given leave after this game so while the other games have better graphics a lot of the magic seems to be lost . At least the series did it's best to close out the story line in a satisfying manner .
The voice acting isn't too bad . It's a lot better than most games , but can be grating at times . This game has the weakest graphics of the series but still is enjoyable . They were about on par with other games at the time , but many years have passed since it's release .
How about the game itself ? Story aside , this is one of the better RPGs out there . The only problem being out short it is . Due to the long cutscenes there is really only 7 or so levels or dungeons , in the game . Way too short . Magic , or ether as it's called in this game , isn't as useful as it should be . There are very few attack spells and the way it's set up only one or two people can learn them and you have to use points to transfer them to other players . The support magic is very good though .
Go into this game knowing you will do just as much watching as you will actually playing . Don't be too quick to judge either . My bother hated this game at first and it's now one his favorites .
158 4 I love this game . I was a huge fan of Xenogears and I was really looking forward to Xenosaga and so far , I have not been disappointed .
I personally like to get every last item , finish every last mini-game and solve every last side quest when I play RPGs . Xenosaga has four mini-games - a card game , two casino games , a mech game ( like Armored Core or ZOE ) , and a drill game - which is pretty cool . I can spend hours playing the card game alone . .
The cutscenes can be long and the gameplay is fairly straightforward if you want to get through the game quickly . I like that you choose to initiate monster battles rather than random battles . Once you've been to previous locations , you can go back and fight through them later . Once I got MOMO's Star Wind ether and Magic Caster Tech ability , I went back to see what rare items I could steal from the various enemies . As you can tell , I like to spend a lot of time , wandering around and gathering points to level up my characters .
One of the things I really liked about Xenogears was the intricate plot and deep character development and Xenosaga really follows through on this . My main gripe with the game is the lack of music when you are running around the world . Yasunori Mitsuda's Xenogears soundtrack was gorgeous and his music really did a lot to give each area of the world a unique feel and character . I really expected Xenosaga to have the same rich , evocative music . There is often music during the cutscenes which is beautiful but I'd love to see more in the next installments .
122 4 Unfortunately Xenosaga I - Der Wille zur Macht is never come to Europe . But as the second Xenosaga ( Jenseits von Gut und 。 öse ) was released in Germany in November I was very happy .
So I played it and was impressed of this cool story and gameplay ! I became a big Xenosaga-Fan . After that I imported the first part of the series from America .
Now I am playing it and I must say , that the first Xenosaga is much better than the second ! ! ! ! It's a great pity that Xenosaga Episode I never will be brought out in Germany and Europa ! !
You Americans should be very happy , that so many RPGs come to your country ^ _ ~
121 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Unfortunately Xenosaga I - Der Wille zur Macht is never come to Europe . But as the second Xenosaga ( Jenseits von Gut und 。öse ) was released in Germany in November I was very happy .
So I played it and was impressed of this cool story and gameplay ! I became a big Xenosaga-Fan . After that I imported the first part of the series from America .
Now I am playing it and I must say , that the first Xenosaga is much better than the second ! ! ! ! It's a great pity that Xenosaga Episode I never will be brought out in Germany and Europa ! !
You Americans should be very happy , that so many RPGs come to your country ^ _ ~
122 4 Unfortunately Xenosaga I - Der Wille zur Macht is never come to Europe . But as the second Xenosaga ( Jenseits von Gut und 。öse ) was released in Germany in November I was very happy .
So I played it and was impressed of this cool story and gameplay ! I became a big Xenosaga-Fan . After that I imported the first part of the series from America .
Now I am playing it and I must say , that the first Xenosaga is much better than the second ! ! ! ! It's a great pity that Xenosaga Episode I never will be brought out in Germany and Europa ! !
You Americans should be very happy , that so many RPGs come to your country ^ _ ~
141 4 This is a great game and the service was very quick.The write up amazon provided is exactly what my brother told me about the game before I bought it.He has been playing this game since it came out . I am very happy with my purchase . Thanks again Amazon
143 4 I had the mixed reviews prior to getting this game , and I tend to side with the higher reviewers . It is like an interactive movie , but that's cool . Save points are in wierd places , but still quite frequent . The whole anti-gnosis concept infiltrating into the futuristic androids is a bit amusing . Am intrieged by this game and its humour and will most likely purchase the other 2 as well .
171 4 The graphics are stunning ! Voice acting is excellent ! The voices all seem to match the characters perfectly ! The game provides All the difficulty i needed in order to keep me interested for hours on end ! The story line is well developed , and action packed at times . I loved it and would gladly play it again and again .
131 4 There's a whole lot of RPGs for the PS2 , and I doubt many have played them all , or even come close . I sure haven't . But I have played a lot . From Kingdom Hearts to Rogue Galaxy , from Dragon Quest VIII to Final Fantasy XII . And I am here to tell that Xenosaga is the best one I've ever played . Not perfect , but definitely the best .
First of all , there is the cut-scenes . Start a game and watch a cinema , play for five minutes and watch another , play ten minutes and watch another . I'm not clocking it but by hour three I must have watched at least and hour and half of cinemas . Heck , in this game there are cinemas so long that the game asks you if you want to save before it shows you ANOTHER cinema . Yeah , EAT YOUR HEART OUT METAL GEAR SOLID ! At any rate , all of the cinemas are rendered in-game , with full voice acting by REAL voice actors who've been in quality anime . Quite frankly , those in-game cinemas are the best I had ever seen in a game until Final Fantasy XII . There is one terrible flaw with them . The lip synching . Is WAY off . To the point of distraction . Get used to it . Sometimes you'll feel like you're watching a really long cool anime rather than playing a game with this one .
The story is awesome , but quite incomprehensible . While many games attempt to tell you an incredibly long and complex story with massively long explanations , with this game it's like they gave up on that idea and just threw you into the story with no explanation of anything . What exactly are the Gnosis ? What is the significance of the artifact ? Why is there a serial number on one of the character's hands ? What happened to Ziggy's family ? Will Shion ever love again ? Darned if I know . But the story that is there is incredibly absorbing and rich , and that's thanks to the fantastic characters .
You'll start the game and be a little bored with the spartan sci-fi trappings , right until the alien Gnosis-killer android KOS-MOS wakes up . Then , as the aliens blow away a battle fleet and eat all the people , you'll witness one of the coolest entrances in video game history as the android cuts through the aliens like a hot knife through warm butter . Later on you'll meet a cyborg who wants to discard his humanity , and feel your cold heart touched like his when he decides to care about a cute ( but artificial ) little girl . You'll love to hate the psycho freak Albedo , and smile when junior attacks with action-movie-esque quotes . And of course you'll see some weird wacked-out stuff that you have absolutely no idea what it's getting at , but that's anime for ya .
There's also some really great music to be found , fully orchestral stuff reminiscent of the very best scores in movie history . Unfortunately in the musical department also lies another bad flaw . For most of the game there is only one battle music theme . It's really good so that won't bother you much , but there's also pretty much one frantic dungeon / battle theme that plays in battle areas . And it's really stressful , high-strung music that gets old after about 2 minutes . If you are stuck in a dungeon for hours , you'll have to turn the sound OFF , and play some other music , or risk losing your sanity . And then there's long sections that have no music at all making it kind of creepy and lonely . Considering the awesome music that plays during the cinematics and some of the boss battles , this was just a bad design choice .
It's a good thing that the general gameplay is so darn good . Like most J-RPGs , there are a ton of battles , which take you to a separate battle area for the duration . Fortunately they are not random , you walk into the enemies to start them ( or they walk into you ) . The fight systems is a modified version of the Xegogears system , which is a good and a bad thing . It's a good thing because Xenogears had the best battle system in any RPG save perhaps Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VII , and it's a bad thing because some of the changes were not so good . I like have high and low frequency attacks , which allow you to wait and power up devastating attacks or unleash combos . I LOVE hitting the square , circle , and triangle buttons to unleash combos . But I hate the boost system to switch characters , as I've never really gotten the hang of it and it's just kind of awkward . Fortunately , the speed and graphical flare of the fights ( cinematic camera angles go a long , long way ) , and KOS-MOS ' AWESOME attacks make battles incredibly fun for the most part .
People hearing about the AGWS robots may have hoped for a Xenogears-type giant robot series of battles . Unfortunately most of the time these battles are boring and few and far between . Without the fuel management and devastatingly awesome attacks from Xenogears , they are more a curiosity than anything else . The card game built into Xenosaga however , is not . I think the first time I played this game I must have spent 10 hours playing the card game that's built in . Basically it's a CCG like Star Wars , Star Trek , Marvel Vs , Pokemon , ect . But all the irritating management has been totally automated . I've played electronic version of other card games , but strangely , even on the ones which were stand-alone games , I never played one as addictive as this . Weird huh ?
And speaking of weird , there are some other game design choices to be found in this game which are questionable to say the least . Besides the incredibly enigmatic cut-scenes , there are also crazy weird borderline psychotic ones , which again , are never explained . And while the dungeon-crawling in this game is about as good as it gets ( no random battles ! ) for a game of this type , part way into the game you lose the best , most interesting , most POWERFUL character while you quest INSIDE OF HER MIND ( spoiler alert , level everyone up , not just KOS-MOS , or you'll be in for a world of hurt when you can no longer play as her for a long stretch ) , just takes things to a new level of weirdness , and not in a good way . Then there are a few puzzles later on that you probably will NEVER figure out without a walk-through ( I think I would have gotten permanently stuck on the crate elevator puzzle if it weren't for that ) .
For all of its flaws , Xenosaga still comes out on top . The level of story-telling in this game , the supreme quality of the voice-acting ( we're talking voice talents for Ghost in the Shell and The Big O here ! ) , the fantastically huge cinemas , the addictive battle system ( only the very very long time spent leveling up could possibly make it get old ) , the great characters and fascinating back-story ( Ziggy in particular is a character you will never forget , KOS-MOS is so cool she could freeze Africa , and Albedo could give the Joker lessons on psycho evil ) , excellent graphics , and sweeping orchestral score make this ( here it comes . . . ) the best RPG on the PlayStation 2 . Sure , Final Fantasy has the name , but Xenosaga delivers the goods . The only Final Fantasy game that compares is VII . If you only play one RPG for the system , don't play FF XII , play this game . You'll thank me later .
001 4 Xenosaga ( the spiritual prequel to Xenogears , which was released by Squaresoft on the PSX ) is an RPG of epic preportions . Like Xenogears before it , Xenosaga comes ready to provide its gaming audience with an incredible storyline , great character development , and stellar graphics . The game is said to be a 50 hour endeavor , and is certain to keep you interested as you trek through its huge tale ( complete with the longest cutscenes ever to grace a game - many exceeding 45 minutes in length ) . This game is definately the second coming of the RPG ; not since FFX has the gaming community seen a game with such high production values . The game also includes english voices ( which up to this point seem quite good ) .
As for the controvery concerning this games content , I will be glad to clarify . One scene ( that takes place fairly late in the game ) that involves the games villian and a main character has been altered to remove a suggested sexual relationship . Regardless of this one alteration ( which is being handeled by the game makers themselves ) the game retains its surprisingly over-the-top violence , language , and controversial religious themes . How namco was able to convince the ESRB to give this game a Teen rating is beyond me .
Have a question ? email me . gregs_anime @ yahoo.com .
008 4 Xenosaga , prequel of sorts to the almost cult-like game of Xenogears , is made by a different publisher but by the basically the same team as the original Squaresoft game ( a good thing to be sure ) . This game is a sort of quasi-religous star wars-esqe game very much in the spirit of Xenogears . If that description does nothing for you , and especially if you have never played the first Xeno - game , that means that this story takes place in the future . About 2000 years in the future to be precise . The story follows the quest of a few important ( realitive to the story , so it seems ) individuals as the each participate in various sci-fi escapades that revolve around secret organizations , the giant Federation government , another equally large corporation called Vector , and their ensuing actions toward each other ( note , BIG ships and bigger explosions ) and toward some seemingly average interspatial aliens called the Gnosis , a word derived from an ancient , spiritual religion . If you have played the first Xeno - game , the bells in your head are already going off with that note . Like the first game , even among all the politics , government schenanigens and incredible sci-fi visuals are the constant plot reference to everything from the bible to Shakespeare , making for a heady , wonderfully deep experience for those willing to spend time taking in everything the game has to offer . That is the one downside to this game . Despite the perfect score I have given the game , not everyone will like this game . In an ironic turn of events , the one thing that will attract and captivate some gamers , ie the story , will turn off , anger and just plain baffle others . The game is not one to be played if you are one of those gamers who play just for the gameplay , skipping or not liking the story and just playing the game will seem rather empty and pointless . The gameplay is good , but not really worth a purchase to do alone . To truly experience the deep , almost too much so , game to it's fullest . You must embrace the story and game .
By the way the gameplay is fun and rather inventive . It drones on at times , but by offering many options , including fighting by and hand and also with giant , cool looking ( and I think , useless , but some people really like them ) robots . The game is challenging , but not in an overly cheap way , and while rookie RPGers should play this game with the forwarning of challenging times ahead , everyone should enjoy the battles and charcter development system , not to mention the plethorea of great mini-games and sidequests .
I guess in the end I am saying I love this game and have only this word of advice . Be prepared after this game to be immediatly willing to shell out more money for an inevitable sequel . If you are like me , by the end you'll literally be screaming for the game to go on .
012 4 Xenosaga is Namco's prequel to Xenogears , an RPG released on the original PS1 a few years ago . What sets Xenosaga apart from most traditional RPGs is it's futuristic theme and deeply philosophical story . Non-playable cut-scenes are plentiful , though perhaps at times overwhelming in length ( some scenes run almost an hour without any breaks ) . However , story is a vital component in any RPG , so sitting through them isn't much of a chore if one keeps that in mind . Gameplay-wise , Xenosaga borrows some of the best elements of today's classic RPGs . Battles play very similar to how one might expect with standard attacks , magic , ect . Mech-type summons called A.G.W.S.s are an interesting addition as well ( although not all that important in the later stages of the game ) . There is some conflict though . . . for such a linear game in terms of the path the player is forced to follow , the character and AGWS upgrade methods seem needlessly complex . It's seems there are different types of points to earn for every attribute , so it becomes easy to neglect upgrading certain aspects of your party if you're not careful . Another fault I feel needs to be addressed : Even though I know this was intended to be episode 1 of a long running series , the ending provides few answers to the storyline for the 60 - 70 hours of gameplay one must put in to finish it . Xenosaga is definitely an ambitious project , but those without much patience or experience regarding games of this type should probably consider a less complex RPG to start with . If complexity and a deep , meaningful storyline are what you're looking for however , by all means this is your game .
015 4 Square has always been known for making some of the most innovative , interactive , and interesting games in the video market today . Starting back in 1990 with Final Fantasy , the company has exploded into other RPG's , strategy , action , and even fighting games to thrill their audiences with . But when the designer of one of their popular titles Xenogears , Tetsuya Takahashi , asked to make a prequel series of his project , he was denied . So , he did the next best thing , and turned it over to Namco , most famous for Pac-Man and the Tekken / Soul Blade series .
The game is hands-down gorgeous . If you're an anime fan , it will only heighten your experience , since the characters are designed in a very Manga-style fashion . A vast array of colors decorate clothing , backgrounds , and special effects to almost perfection . The characters move very fluidly , and though it's all game graphics ( no CGI in this one ) , there's very little overlap choppiness that happens when graphics are placed in the same place simultaneously .
The storyline is phenomenal . You're dragged into the life of Shion , a young scientific engineer who has just created an android called KOS-MOS , designed to protect against the threat of an alien race known as the Gnosis . KOS-MOS uses a special energy transmission known as the Hilbert Effect to turn the Gnosis from ghostly , transparent apparitions to full flesh creatures that can be defeated .
There are a LOT of long cutscenes that feature dialogue between the vast array of characters in the game , but for those of you who played and liked Final Fantasy X , this shouldn't be much of a problem to you . If anything , I think this only increased the appeal as the story is unfolded in spoken dialogue , as opposed to having to read everything .
The combat sequences are just how I like them : traditional . It's turn-based , with a variety of commands , such as fighting , using Ether ( Magic ) , defending , and changing position . The actual fighting is a combination of different types of attacks , which are either ranged or melee . Some types of attacks hurt certain enemies more than others . Plus , there are special attacks you can do which can hit one or multiple enemies .
Character customization is very innovative . You can learn skills by spending points to extract them from equipment , you can upgrade your special attacks by spending points , and you earn normal experience to level for gaining stats , HP , and Ether points . Plus , there's a variety of different clothing , armor , and accessory options your characters can choose from to help them out .
In addition to the normal game , which features an astounding soundtrack by the London Philharmonic Orchestra , there are side games you can play , including a very interesting , challenging , fun card game .
Two of the characters , Shion and Jr . , bring along walking robot constructs called AWGS . Though they're seen a few times during the story , and you eventually get to both use and customize them , they're not a very important part of the overall plot . They don't regenerate HP when you rest , meaning you have to use items to repair them , and they don't have a huge variety of weapon choices . You'll find battling with the characters outside of the AWGS ( pronouced eggs ) is a lot more effective .
Overall , this game is a 10 of 10 . Right up there with Final Fantasy X , Metal Gear Solid 2 , and Grand Theft Auto 3 . A must-have for anime fans and RPG fans alike . You'll find yourself strangely attracted to this game , a sort of addiction you can't explain , but you'll enjoy the experience . If you don't already have a copy of this , get one today . After you finish it , get ready for the highly anticipated release of Xenosaga Episode II : Jenseits von Gut und Bose , where the characters from Der Wille zur Macht come back to resume the fantastic story from where it left off .
016 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
War has erupted between humans and an alien life force known as the Gnosis . Man is in danger if nothing is done soon . That's where Shion Uzuki , the designer for the Anti-Gnosis Weapons System known as KOS-MOS , comes in .
This game has a splendid opening , it really gets you thinking about life itself ( the subtitle is also a book written by a philospher ) . Anyway , you start out on a space ship that is creating the ultimate weapon against the Gnosis . However , before completion the Gnosis attack your ship and KOS-MOS starts herself up by herself .
From then on , your basically thrown around to different areas , exploring multiple storylines and trying to figure out why everything is happening .
The graphics in this game are similar to that of an anime game . The characters have big googly eyes and look a little cartoonish ( especially Shion ) . That's what really sets the mood for the game , though .
The battle system is really unique and unlike any I have tried . Basically you have physical or ether ( like magic ) attacks . If you choose to guard during a turn the AP gauge will go up , allowing you to do an extra , more powerful combo . Once you level up a lot , you'll gain more of these powerful end moves that will allow you to defeat stronger enemies . You're not limited to just the characters , you also have AGWS units , which are basically mechs .
I really was not disappointed in this game , I loved it better than any RPG ( yes , even FFVII ) .
This a great game for the PS2 collection , I would highly recommend it .
017 4 War has erupted between humans and an alien life force known as the Gnosis . Man is in danger if nothing is done soon . That's where Shion Uzuki , the designer for the Anti-Gnosis Weapons System known as KOS-MOS , comes in .
This game has a splendid opening , it really gets you thinking about life itself ( the subtitle is also a book written by a philospher ) . Anyway , you start out on a space ship that is creating the ultimate weapon against the Gnosis . However , before completion the Gnosis attack your ship and KOS-MOS starts herself up by herself .
From then on , your basically thrown around to different areas , exploring multiple storylines and trying to figure out why everything is happening .
The graphics in this game are similar to that of an anime game . The characters have big googly eyes and look a little cartoonish ( especially Shion ) . That's what really sets the mood for the game , though .
The battle system is really unique and unlike any I have tried . Basically you have physical or ether ( like magic ) attacks . If you choose to guard during a turn the AP gauge will go up , allowing you to do an extra , more powerful combo . Once you level up a lot , you'll gain more of these powerful end moves that will allow you to defeat stronger enemies . You're not limited to just the characters , you also have AGWS units , which are basically mechs .
I really was not disappointed in this game , I loved it better than any RPG ( yes , even FFVII ) .
This a great game for the PS2 collection , I would highly recommend it .
026 4 I have never played Xenogears . From what I hear it was an underappreciated game on the PS1 . Despite being developed by RPG giant Squaresoft , Xenogears didn't possess the hype necessary to pull me in . I was too caught up in other franchises to pay the Xeno universe much notice .
However , all that changed the first hour I was into Xenosaga . 85 game hours later ( and just 30 minutes ago ) I finished it . Now I'm hooked and very much interested in what Xenogears was all about .
What drew me into Xenosaga wasn't the convincing , futuristic atmosphere . It wasn't the slick graphics and impressive battle animations . It wasn't the superb music and sound effects . No , it was the outstanding story and characters . These two aspects unfold in highly entertaining cinema scenes packed with perfect amounts of humor and drama . They do a good job of keeping you interested in the characters , as well as the plot . They're so professionally done you'd swear you're watching a movie , not a game .
And therein lies one problem . As you've no doubt heard , Xenosaga holds the record for longest and most frequent cutscenes in any game . . . ever . I , for one , never had a problem with Xenosaga's cutscenes . In fact , they were the reason for me to keep playing ! Thankfully , there is a feature to skip any cinema scene at any time , so no one can complain there .
If you like complex customization options you'll love Xenosaga's menu system . At first glance it's intimidating , but spend some time going through it and you'll begin to see how things work . That's also true with the battle system , which may not be what most RPG players are used to .
All of the music in Xenosaga is done by a full symphony orchestra , and it sounds stellar . I just wish there was more of it . And I wish it wasn't reused so often . The best example of this is the battle music , which never changes , not even for boss fights ( except for the final battle ) .
Sound effects are perfect throughout the game . Battles are riddled with satisfying impact sounds . Footsteps sound appropriate to whomever is walking around the environment . It's all top notch .
The only non-graphic / sound complaint I have has to do with the best part about Xenosaga : the cutscenes . I would have liked to see the characters ' mouths move in synch with the English voices . It's distracting but forgivable .
Be prepared for plenty of unanswered questions by the game's end . The title Xenosaga is accurate . Seeing as how there's going to be six-seven parts , this is one ambitious game series . I'm already addicted and this is only Episode I ! ! !
031 4 Fans of Xenogears who have been waiting for five years for this will almost certainly not be disappointed . While many things have been given an overhaul ( the battle system and the character development being the most major ) , it still feels like good ol ' Xenogears . For the new player , there's enough for it to stand on its own just fine , but for a Xeno fan , it's fun spotting all the things that come into play later .
The gameplay is almost perfect , the only downside being the steep learning curve . It took me some time to figure out how to effectively distribute my tech points , use the boost system , etc . , and the A.G.W.S . things I still never got the hang of . They were far too expensive to keep up and nowhere near as useful as Gears .
The characters and the story are all well-developed and rivetting . Each character has his or her own demons which they must deal with , and I think that each character is very sympathetic .
Overall , this is a must for any RPG fan and a good edition to the Xeno series . Square was insane for letting this team go .
034 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Back in 1998 , Square released Xenogears , a massive game that caused a stir due to its heavy religious and philosophical overtones . It was also a great RPG with some memorable scenes and a rather interesting but heavily complicated story . Flash forward couple years and Monolith announces that they're making a prequel to Xenogears , and it'll come out in 5 parts and probably span 3 systems by the time they're all finished . Reason why I say prequel in quotes is that it's not an official prequel like Resident Evil Zero let's say .
Story : The story picks up when archeologists find a massive artifact somewhere in Africa . Many many years later it's discovered in space and a ship captures it with some casualties due unknown energy . Meanwhile , Shion Uzuki is developing KOS-MOS , a Realian ( basically human-like robots ) that could fight off the Gnosis , a ghost-like alien race that absorbs the energy of whatever it touches and crystallizes them and shatters them . They're like ghosts so you can't shoot the things , so that's where KOS-MOS comes in . Of course , the Gnosis attack and they have to escape the ship and that leads them on a quest on finding out what was that artifact and what the Gnosis are after .
Graphics : Took a long time in development so the graphics don't have that finesse of Final Fantasy X but it looks pretty good .
Music / Sound : Done by Yasunori Mitsuda ( Chrono Trigger / Cross , Xenogears ) and with the London Philharmonic Orchestra so the arrangements are definately epic . . . whenever you hear them anyway . Levels tend to be devoid of music sometimes so all you hear is your footsteps going clank clank .
Gameplay : Pretty much typical RPG-fare . Going into A.G.W.S ( pronounced like eggs ) take the replacing of gears and they're the same thing only different name . Unlike in Xenogears , enemies appear on screen and also there's damage effects where you can lead them somewhere , blow something up and the resulting explosion will provide a bonus for you in the fight .
As for the cutscenes ? There's a LOT . Well , I'll put it this way : there's cutscenes but they're not like 50 5 minute ones , more like 20 15 - 30 minute ones . Seriously , some of these seemingly go on forever . You'll be hard-pressed to ask oh , I can play now ? Then you play for 10 minutes and there's another one ! Go you ! You're watching a movie with some gameplay thrown in . But honestly ? The plot's so interesting-and just like Xenogears , oh so complicated-that you wouldn't mind but then you start getting itchy fingers and want to play some more .
I often found books to be the best form to tell a story . You can be as long as you want like Wheels of Time , which still hasn't ended or short like Lord of the Rings with just 3 books . You can't see it and that's where games come in . With Xenosaga , this would be one of the most interesting and longest books in quite awhile , but because it's a game , you have to actually play it to get there .
035 4 Back in 1998 , Square released Xenogears , a massive game that caused a stir due to its heavy religious and philosophical overtones . It was also a great RPG with some memorable scenes and a rather interesting but heavily complicated story . Flash forward couple years and Monolith announces that they're making a prequel to Xenogears , and it'll come out in 5 parts and probably span 3 systems by the time they're all finished . Reason why I say prequel in quotes is that it's not an official prequel like Resident Evil Zero let's say .
Story : The story picks up when archeologists find a massive artifact somewhere in Africa . Many many years later it's discovered in space and a ship captures it with some casualties due unknown energy . Meanwhile , Shion Uzuki is developing KOS-MOS , a Realian ( basically human-like robots ) that could fight off the Gnosis , a ghost-like alien race that absorbs the energy of whatever it touches and crystallizes them and shatters them . They're like ghosts so you can't shoot the things , so that's where KOS-MOS comes in . Of course , the Gnosis attack and they have to escape the ship and that leads them on a quest on finding out what was that artifact and what the Gnosis are after .
Graphics : Took a long time in development so the graphics don't have that finesse of Final Fantasy X but it looks pretty good .
Music / Sound : Done by Yasunori Mitsuda ( Chrono Trigger / Cross , Xenogears ) and with the London Philharmonic Orchestra so the arrangements are definately epic . . . whenever you hear them anyway . Levels tend to be devoid of music sometimes so all you hear is your footsteps going clank clank .
Gameplay : Pretty much typical RPG-fare . Going into A.G.W.S ( pronounced like eggs ) take the replacing of gears and they're the same thing only different name . Unlike in Xenogears , enemies appear on screen and also there's damage effects where you can lead them somewhere , blow something up and the resulting explosion will provide a bonus for you in the fight .
As for the cutscenes ? There's a LOT . Well , I'll put it this way : there's cutscenes but they're not like 50 5 minute ones , more like 20 15 - 30 minute ones . Seriously , some of these seemingly go on forever . You'll be hard-pressed to ask oh , I can play now ? Then you play for 10 minutes and there's another one ! Go you ! You're watching a movie with some gameplay thrown in . But honestly ? The plot's so interesting-and just like Xenogears , oh so complicated-that you wouldn't mind but then you start getting itchy fingers and want to play some more .
I often found books to be the best form to tell a story . You can be as long as you want like Wheels of Time , which still hasn't ended or short like Lord of the Rings with just 3 books . You can't see it and that's where games come in . With Xenosaga , this would be one of the most interesting and longest books in quite awhile , but because it's a game , you have to actually play it to get there .
037 4 This game should be put in a museum because it is , in every sense of the word , art . It has a story which rivals any movie I have EVER watched . It has a system which takes the best elements from the Final Fantasy series , adds some new ideas , and combines them in a way that will keep you playing after you watch the ending . These are only a few of the things that make this game great .
This game begins in modern times with the discovery of a mysterious artifact , the Zohar , which will be one of the main objects that the entire series focuses upon . The scene quickly changes to about the middle of the fifth millennium ( although the game says 4000 years later , it appears to take place in 4500 or so ) . The main character , Shion Uzuki , is working on creating the robot KOS-MOS on board the Galactic Federation's starship , the Woglinde . From there , the two heroines join up with four other friends , all of them coincidently attempting to reach the planet of Second Miltia ( which is reached within the game . . . during the ending movie ) . Thus begins Xenosaga's epic story line .
This game explores many , many themes , such as the humanity of something who isn't human , and uses many religious messages , both vague and not so vague , to enrich the plot . Through LONG cut scenes , many of which are 20 - 30 minutes long , alliances are revealed , both between heroes and villains , and great space battles are waged . If you don't care about a game's story , you can skip all the cut scenes , cutting at least five hours out of the game and removing most of the game's dialog . I suppose if you are skipping it , you don't really care what's going on , but if you do , you will not see much of ANY story in the game . Sitting through the cut scenes is never annoying , and often will make you forget that you are playing a game . The story alone is good enough to convince you that you are playing a movie .
I wasn't expecting much from the music . Although produced by the London Philharmonic Orchestra ( I don't have the box in front of me , so spelling and name may be off ) , some of the music is highly repetitive and not as exciting as what Final Fantasy fans are used to . Some of the songs , however , are quite well done , and add a great deal to the game .
For those of you still reading , the battles can and will often last five to ten minutes ( yes , non-boss battles ) , and will challenge even people who have played many RPGs . Although most battles are avoidable , you will want to level up your characters often for the later battles . There are two main types of attacks : ether ( magical ) and physical , and within those more types , such as elemental type , distance , and hit type . Certain attacks are better against some enemies , so if you have the wrong characters for a situation . . . too bad . You can't switch characters during battle , so have fun .
What else can I say . This game tops Kingdom Hearts , which I previously called the best game ever . It's also on the greatest hits collection , so if you like RPGs , it's a good deal for a great game .
038 4 First let me begin by saying wow . This games graphics matches any on the playstation 2 with in game play and cut scenes that rival even the most graphically advanced games ever . Furthermore , the futuristic effect the game gives makes the player feel totally embedded in a world where your only limitation is the amount of imagination you have .
Additionally the game offers everything to the average hard core RPG player , delivering every aspect of a great RPG that the RPG player dreams about in his or her sleep all packed into one game .
This in theory then creates the best RPG ever known .
However , unless you are the gamer who has to be a part of the action in every game you play , this is not a game you would do well with . The cut scenes in this game are very long and sometimes not so entertaining . Although graphically beautfiul , these cinematics can be the games high point and low point .
The game is very good don't get me wrong , just be prepared for some watching . Overall you will watch almost 4 hours of the game , before you hit even hit the half way point . The battle system is good , although a little underdeveloped . Enemies are not to diverse ( as seen in any final fantasy , there are TONS of enemies ) and battles do not seem to come along often . At times the player may feel like he is only fighting to get to the next cut sceen , because the battles are short lived , and sometimes seemingly pointless . The point system however is good . you build up points to put toward each attribute , which can make the average perfectionist gamer go insane with 100 + hours attempting to max out all stats .
Quick tip to the wise , save as much money as you can , because it is really hard to come buy . You only get money from fighting soldiers and machines , and it is in small amounts .
Also , the ability to jump back to any spot you have visited is an EXCELLENT IDEA , except that the difficulty level remains the same as the first time you visited . Basically most places from the beginning of the game are not challenging at all , which is not too much of a surprise . The only beef anyone may have is that they might want to go back to get items they missed , AND gain some decent exp and skill points .
There are some mini games and sidequests , but not to many . There is a casino , but the payout is ridiculously high , and it is very easy to get come cool items from the prize exchange .
There is a sidequest to build the ultimate A.G.W.S ( giant robotic units much like summons in final fantasy games , and equally as cool looking , although maybe a bit odd ) and there are also units you can buy , even the monster AGWS that costs 300,000 gold . Which may take a LONG time . I battled in a spot with high payout for over 2 hours and came up with 97,000 . = (
So , finally , every aspect this game has seems to be wonderful , but as with every game it has a couple of down points , but it is absolutley enjoyable and I recommend it to anybody that doesn't mind watching the equivelent to two or three full length movies ( total ) before completing the game .
The ending will totally blow you away and chances are you won't even know you are at the end , I know I didn't and was very surprised when I saw the ending credits .
Pros :
Game has beautifully rendered graphics
Cut scenes are breathtaking
Always keeps you guessing , and is never predictable
Has battle system the RPG perfectionist would drool over
Squishes all aspects of a great RPG into one insanely long game
Cons :
Cut scenes tend to be overly long and not too entertaining
Your family might miss you because you will be addicted to the shear greatness of the game
Your buttocks may become glued to the couch or chair and require prying off . = )
041 4 Xenosaga will blow you away . I felt i should start the review with that statement . Everything about it just oozes quality . The character development is beyond anything seen so far . Every character feels like an individual and has many secrets in their past that you can't wait to uncover . The music is done by Yasunori Mitsuda ( Xenogears , Chrono Trigger / Cross ) and it is truly amazing . It could easily pass as a major motion picture's score . The music accompanies the cinemas beautifully and just seems to be tailored for each part of the story .
Speaking of cinemas , the in-game character models easily rival anything else on PS2 . Definitely the closest thing to playing an anime , the characters express emotion realistically and the voice acting is top notch . There really isn't anything to complain about when it comes to the voice acting . Some of the best in a video game to date .
The battle system is most relatable to Xenogears ( PS1 ) or Chrono Cross ( PS1 ) . You have a set number of ability points for each turn and different attacks take a different number of them . Just like Xenogears , you can jump into a A.G.W.S ( big robot ) mid battle for the upper hand . After battles you can use different points accumulated to upgrade your character .
It is quite refreshing to see in a game with so much emphasis on story that the gameplay doesn't take a back seat . There are many mini games and side quests added for good measure , also . Just about the only thing to complain about is that the ending just makes the wait for episode 2 that much more agonizing . So if you like RPG's or just good storytelling do yourself a favor and pick up Xenosaga .
042 4 One word of caution : you will either love Xenosaga or hate it . This RPG is not an average Final Fantasy . Cut-scenes shower the entire 80 hour's worth with more than half of it cinemas . But if you enjoy thorough and complex stories , then you shall love this title . This story's deep - although the plot is fairly simple in theory , the underlyings of it if you look deeper are enough to think for your entire life time . What is our existence for ? Is there a God ? Should you pursue the inevitable ? These all are questions that follow you throughout the entire game .
But enough about the story . The characters in here are awesome , with the foxy yet dangerous KOS-MOS , to the cool Jr . , these are top quality players . And they are all unique in the battle . You use an extremely intriguing and cool battle system featuring combos ( about 6 in all total ) including all the Techs you can find throughout . The leveling up system isn't bad either , allowing you to customize the types of spells , attributes , and weapons in any way you'd like . I find no flaws in this system . It's tough , too-though not too much to suffocate you . It's refreshing to play it , and when you beat a boss , you'll be proud of your victory ( unlike FFX , where it's basically one hit and it's dead ) . And the AGWS ( huge mechs that you as well can fight in ) are stunning and neat to play in and customize . The gameplay is equally as compelling as the story .
The graphics are great , too . Many people complain about them , saying they're outdated , but really they're nice . I love the character designs , as well , with the big eyes and shiny outfits and stuff . The only problem , though , is that the mouths either don't move at all , or warble mindlessly while they talk . It's kind of pathetic . Also , although the music is a stellar mix from the composer of the Chrono series , it's a skimpy track and you never hear it during actual gameplay . It's very dissappointing .
Despite these small shortcomings , it doesn't detract from the game or story , and trust me , you will not be dissappointed . This is a revolutionary game , and should not be overlooked by Final Fantasy fans .
Oh , and if you don't like the cutscenes , you don't have to watch them . Pause the game and press the triangle button .
045 4 Make no mistake - the ' Episode one ' on the cover of Xenosaga is there for a reason . This game is the first of a 5 part epic , and if the game is any indication , the entire thign is going to be huge . The game itself reeks of presentation , with a cinema ocuring almost once an hour in the first few hours of the game . . . and they can last for more than 30 minutes . That said , they are not the kind of cinemas you groan about - they are beautiful , and they serve very well in getting the detailed story across .
The battle mechanics are some of the best of any RPG save for Xenogears ( of which the Xenosaga battle system is a streamlined version ) and Vagrant Story on PSX . The graphics are not the best on PS2 , with FFX coming in way ahead in terms of realistic style , and various other games comign ahead in terms of a more stylistic approach . The game has been out in japan for over a year , so it makes sense that the graphics would show their age . They still get teh job done rather well , and dont take away from the game . The musci int his game is absolutely breathtaking , there's just nowhere near enough of it . The story is fantastic , as are the characters - one of th ebest ever . You dont get a complete sense of closure at the end though , as the game is meant to continue into the next part of the Saga . That said , the game itself is over 90 hours if you DONT do any of the side quests , and far longer if you do . . . it will take you a long time to beat .
Great game , I reccomend it to RPG fans in a big big way .
Graphics : 7.5
Sound : 9.5
Gameplay : 8.5
Replayability : 9
046 4 Xenosaga is certainly not your typical RPG . Why ? Because it succeeds in achieving everything that other RPGs strive for . . . and more . It is dramatic , intriguing , and deep in the scope of its storyline . Its battle system is appropriately complex , yet intuitive enough for you to control every aspect of your characters without frustration . Its graphics and cinematics are without peer and the vast environments you explore are simply awe-inspiring . But at the same time , it manages to be a very personal story of a few distinct people . These characters will capture your attention as you experience their struggles while the mysteries of the universe unravel about them .
Gameplay
The gameplay is a fresh mix of traditional RPG elements combined with some excellent innovations . I'm sure it pleases all of you to know that Xenosaga has no random battles : whether you fight or not depends on whether you can manage to sneak around enemies or if you choose to charge straight for them .
Though the battles are quite complicated , you easily get the hang of it within the first few hours . Controlling both your normal characters and their giant mecha , called A.G.W.S . in the game , will become a breeze , and Xenosaga becomes an enjoyable challenge from then on .
Adding to the already excellent gameplay is the interactivity of the environment . Using an energy gun , you can shoot various obstacles to find hidden treasure , or to catch enemies in explosions so that you'll have the advantage in battle .
Story and Characters
To tell you too much could spoil perhaps the greatest plot ever included in any video game to date . What I can tell you is that Xenosaga is a story that takes place far in the distant future , when mankind lives only in deep space , far removed from their home planet . It mixes science fiction and fantasy elements into a top-notch conglomeration that rivals the plots of even the greatest anime series .
During the course of the game , you play as an unlikely group of characters thrown together by circumstances beyond their control . The characters ' personalities are very complex , and you'll feel yourself identifying with them throughout the whole game . Everything about them , from their physical designs to their quirks and nuances , works together to make them multi-dimensional and realistic .
All of them are traveling to one destination , where they will all face their pasts and find out what lies for them in the future . All the while , mankind is being attacked by the Gnosis , brutal alien creatures from another dimension .
At its core , Xenosaga is a sweeping space opera that takes place throughout the whole universe . Your party members will journey through space and hyperspace , exploring foreign planets , space colonies , and even the very dreams of their unconscious minds . Their journey will intrigue you and push your mind to the limit , all the while pulling at your emotions . There is no other story as compelling as Xenosaga's .
Graphics and Presentation
Xenosaga takes all this , and presents it in one amazing package . Not only do you get a great plot , complex characters , and top-notch gameplay and interactivity ; it is presented alongside a sweeping soundtrack , outstanding graphics , and dramatic cinema scenes . The movie-caliber music is composed by the renowned Yasunori Mitsuda and performed by the London Philharmonic , fitting the game's epic atmosphere perfectly . Dramatic sequences are brought to life by the extraordinary graphics , including amazingly expressive character models and professional voice acting . The character's personalities and interactions really shine during these scenes , making you believe that you're actually watching a CG style anime rather than a video game's real-time graphics .
Overall
Quite simply , Xenosaga is an experience not to be missed . As one of the most polished and complete games that I have ever played , every facet of it speaks of undeniable quality . All of its excellent qualities come together magnificently to form a moving , interactive experience that you will enjoy the whole way through . If you like anything about video games , intriguing stories , or touching characters at all , Xenosaga is the game to get . With over 40 hours of some of the best gameplay ever created , the investment would certainly be well worth it .
076 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
After playing through Xenogears a few times on the PSX in the past , I must admit I was a bit sceptical when I first started to play Xeonsaga . Xenogears was a great game with one of the most interesting ( and equally confusing ) plots I felt ever had graced a video game . Unfortunately , the game was far what I would a truely fun experence , due to its sheer length and the level of player awareness it took to get the most out of it .
After I started to play Xenosaga , all my worries dissapeared . The storyline was amazing and on par with Xenogears , and I was pleased to see that it was free of that cram this all this story in one game and / or disc feeling that Xenogears had . While half the game is easily cut scenes , and the other half basically consisting battles , this didn't seem to bother me as much as some people .
The character development and the battle system seemed over-complicated to me at first , as having three kind of points to distrubute among your characters different abilities made me wonder if I could manage this , but it quickly became second nature . Battle itself is easy enough to learn , though the fact you only obtain money from certain enemies , while realistic , was somewhat annoying , as I had to build up my money every-so-often because I missed out on some of those investment e-mails .
The only thing I though wasn't up to par in Xenosaga was the soundtrack . Now don't get me wrong , there are some wonderful pieces , such as KOS-MOS ' fighting theme , the final battle theme ( that violin is just soothing ) , and the appearence the song Greensleves . The rest of the music , even boasting the fact it was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra on the back of the case , just didn't do it for me . Also consider the fact the musical score doesn't play continously during gameplay like in most RPG's , as the world of Xenosaga is sometimes so quiet you can hear a pin drop . The music is ok , but one will quickly realize that Yasunori Mitsuda did more with less on Xenogears ' wonderful soundtrack .
Before I wrap this up , I would really love to know how this game got a Teen rating from the ESRB . Not that I'm an advocate of the ESRB or anything , but honestly , there are some scenes ( one in particular involving a non-player character strangling a little girl ) that just makes me wonder how much money did Namco bribe the ESRB with .
All that aside , I would recommend Xenosaga to anyone that likes RPG's and has the time to kill . Don't let the complex character development system and complex story put you off .
077 4 After playing through Xenogears a few times on the PSX in the past , I must admit I was a bit sceptical when I first started to play Xeonsaga . Xenogears was a great game with one of the most interesting ( and equally confusing ) plots I felt ever had graced a video game . Unfortunately , the game was far what I would a truely fun experence , due to its sheer length and the level of player awareness it took to get the most out of it .
After I started to play Xenosaga , all my worries dissapeared . The storyline was amazing and on par with Xenogears , and I was pleased to see that it was free of that cram this all this story in one game and / or disc feeling that Xenogears had . While half the game is easily cut scenes , and the other half basically consisting battles , this didn't seem to bother me as much as some people .
The character development and the battle system seemed over-complicated to me at first , as having three kind of points to distrubute among your characters different abilities made me wonder if I could manage this , but it quickly became second nature . Battle itself is easy enough to learn , though the fact you only obtain money from certain enemies , while realistic , was somewhat annoying , as I had to build up my money every-so-often because I missed out on some of those investment e-mails .
The only thing I though wasn't up to par in Xenosaga was the soundtrack . Now don't get me wrong , there are some wonderful pieces , such as KOS-MOS ' fighting theme , the final battle theme ( that violin is just soothing ) , and the appearence the song Greensleves . The rest of the music , even boasting the fact it was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra on the back of the case , just didn't do it for me . Also consider the fact the musical score doesn't play continously during gameplay like in most RPG's , as the world of Xenosaga is sometimes so quiet you can hear a pin drop . The music is ok , but one will quickly realize that Yasunori Mitsuda did more with less on Xenogears ' wonderful soundtrack .
Before I wrap this up , I would really love to know how this game got a Teen rating from the ESRB . Not that I'm an advocate of the ESRB or anything , but honestly , there are some scenes ( one in particular involving a non-player character strangling a little girl ) that just makes me wonder how much money did Namco bribe the ESRB with .
All that aside , I would recommend Xenosaga to anyone that likes RPG's and has the time to kill . Don't let the complex character development system and complex story put you off .
087 4 To sum this game all up , this game has the best graphics.I mean besides Final Fantasy 10 ( which is also a good game ) this game has the best graphics.The background is amazingly detailed , and the battle scences are amazing.The characters have all developed great personallities and each one with different attacks , tech attacks , and A.W.G.S . ( which are basically a mech , or a robot , but Kos-mos , and Ziggy can not pilot them ) . The way how the android Kos-Mos looks , acts , and how she was built are the coolest things.And the cyborg Ziggy is very detailed and is not like a realians at all.The way the realians were set up , who are andriods designed for fighting , are very well thought out as well.Each character , thing , or something of the other are all different which creats a type of real enviorment.The lip sinc is on the dot so you won't be staring at the character watching their lips move when no ones talkin .
Now , this is a great game UNTIL , you watch loads and loads of these saop opera videos.Most of them you will not understand a thing of what the heck they're talkin about.It is too techonolgy like on how they speak about the computers.And the bad thing is if you skip one then you miss something important and your left to wonder , What just happened and why am I here ? Also the emails.These emails make the game a little too complex because you already do it on the computer and now a video game too ? I hated the fact that I couldn't figure out the ether thing and the tech attacks and the A.W.G.S . upgrades.You'd figure they'd tell you in an email or something.Also if you die and you saved at a save point really far away you start all over again .
The stroy line is pretty dumb , but all great games can only be so great.The gnoisis are very cool and the race that we sent in to our world.The monters in this game couldn't be better.Xenosaga is kinda like a final fantasy game so if you are interested in thoughs , or just looking for a great video game I reccomend that you try this one .
088 4 I bought this game simply because I wanted to see how far the team who made Xenogears could come to making a bastardized ( if you will ) prequel to the legendary though-provoking game . In that area , I was not disappointed .
First thing I noticed : excellent graphics . Eye candy certainly doesn't make a game , but it doesn't hurt to have some of it , either . The voice acting is awesome , too . They managed to find a guy who had the perfect insane laugh for one of the villains in this game , and I enjoy a good evil / demented / deranged laugh .
There are some long cutscenes in this game . I don't care , personally . There are many RPGs that have very long dialouges ; I got cramps from pushing the X button so many times , not even caring what bombshell or plot development was being revealed . This ? If I felt the same way , I would have . . . well , pushed start and then pushed Triangle . And the cutscene would be done . And I would go and . . . do what you do in RPGs .
Luckily , the same geniuses behind Xenogears were here to ensure that I did NOT hate the characters or think they were shallow . In fact , these are some of the best-developed characters I've seen in a long time . The conversations ( sci-fi as they were ) actually made sense to me ; there was not another way to have the characters interact . That can be bad , but these people did it so that it was a good thing .
Music ? Wow . Good stuff , that's all I've got to say .
And my favorite part is how the development team has smuggled in enough from Xenogears to effectively bite their thumbs at Squaresoft for leaving them out in the cold . And it's always fun for true geeks such as myself to see familiar faces and ideas .
I give this 5 stars . If I could have another , I would give it to this rating . But I don't . So 5 it is . A VERY enthusiastic 5 .
092 4 I played Xenosaga . Xenogears fans - you will NOT be disappointed . Namco has started a masterpiece ! Everything about the game : musical score , environmental detail , characters , plot , voice talent , seamless cinematics , and much more will win the tastes of the most cynical gamer .
At first , after hearing Squaresoft appointed Namco to put together Xenosaga , I was bitter about it and thought it would be lame . I was very much mistaken . Put simply , Xenosaga is the Xenogears of 2003 so to speak .
Graphic , vivid content in the cinematics makes the turn of events even more real and sucks in the gamer's attention immediately . I was only 30 hours into the game and already I couldn't wait for Episode Two ! This game is a must-have !
094 4 Most great games can be summed up in one word : Metal Gear Solid 2 is mesmerizing . Splinter Cell is exhilarating . Metroid Prime is breathtaking . The magnitude of Xenosaga necessitates much more . The scope of this title renders all adjectives inadequate ; it makes the word engrossing seem like nothing more than a few syllables slapped together . In some circumstances , words fail to explain ideas , illustrate visuals , and express emotions . Trying to describe Xenosaga is such a situation and as such , it must be experienced if its myriad of game features and profound story is to be understood and appreciated .
Every aspect of the game is deep : from its character customization and innovative battle system , to its plot development and evocative story , the depth of Xenosaga is staggering . Most importantly , Xenosaga is absorbing ; the 50 + hours it takes to finish this title will seem to go by quickly . Those worried that the long cut scenes may exceed their level of toleration can put their fears aside . The cinemas are as well directed as the rest of the game : the visuals are incredible , the events are entertaining , and the story is intriguing .
The gameplay does not disappoint , either . Random battles are non-existent , strategy is rewarded , and every fight is a challenge . The characters are unique and the difference between winning and losing can depend on which three characters are engaged in the battle . Does the battle require constant healing ? Better get MOMO in there . Need some serious damage done ? KOS-MOS and Ziggy should be able to help . Are A.G.W.S ( the Xenosaga versions of Gears ) the only way to victory ? Shion , chaos , and Jr . are ready and willing .
The need to pay attention to detail in battle - and in every aspect of the game - is what sets it apart ; no game is more meticulous in structure than Xenosaga and so the type of experience the game delivers is unrivaled . Couple this with the fact that words fail to describe it , and the phrase must-experience comes to mind . It may not be one word but it will have to do .
099 4 I did not think another video game could ever top Xenogears . I was mistaken . Xenosaga takes the top on my list of great role playing games . This game will make a great addition to the serious RPG player's collection .
The story is good enough for a movie screen play . Drama , comedy , suspense , and mystery are all present . It is unfortunate that most Americans do not see video games as a valid and serious medium for telling stories . Perhaps this game will change that mentality . By giving you the opportunity to take on the role of the main character , an RPG can immerse and involve you in the story in such a way that a movie can never do .
Xenosaga is an epic story that starts off with the discovery of a mysterious golden artifact in Lake Turkana ( The Jade Sea , supposedly the birthplace of man ) , sometime during our century . The story leaps 4,000 years into the future , where man's technology has evolved to the point of being magic . But still , humans have yet to unlock the secrets of the mysterious artifact . To complicate matters , a very mysterious and lethal species of aliens , called the Gnosis , are trying to take the artifact .
The central character is Chief Engineer Shion Uzuki , a brilliant young scientist working for an intergalactic corporation called Vector . The former project chief had died during a freak accident two years before . Her assignment is to continue and finish the development of Vector's most ambitious project , an Anti-Gnosis humanoid weapons system called KOS-MOS . KOS-MOS is the only weapon capable of fighting and defeating the ethereal Gnosis . KOS-MOS is equipped with the Hilbert Effect , which sets off a wave that forces the Gnosis to materialize and take on a physical form . At that point , she can finish them off with her powerful Triple Gatling Guns . However , as the game progresses , it becomes obvious that the battle android is hiding many secrets from her human handlers . Is this battle android simply a weapons system , or perhaps a totally new and unique form of life ?
In addition to controlling KOS-MOS , you have the option of using giant , mechanical humanoids during combat . Those who have played Xenogears would feel familiar with the concept . Anyway , controlling these mechs is the most fun aspect of the battle system . You can customize your mech's weapons , armor , and abilities . Weapons can range from the more exotic Gatling guns , grenade launchers , drill claws , gyro saucers , to the more traditional swords and axes .
There are no random battles in the game , so you will not have to put up with that repetitive and distracting time-filler that you have to put up with in most other RPGs . This is like a breath of fresh air after playing Final Fantasy X , where you could not walk for more than thirty seconds without triggering a battle . With Xenosaga , you can see the enemies . And , since the amount of Xenosaga battles are less , there is little to get in the way of the grand story . However , if you really love to fight battles , then you will certainly have the option of engaging the enemies that you can see , or you can follow one of the optional battle-rich sidequests .
This is easily the best RPG that this old gamer has ever played . The main selling point being the epic story . However , let me say that this game may not appeal to everyone . It might not appeal to the more energetic gamers who care very little for strategy or story and instead mainly prefer to bash , hack , and slash at enemies every fifteen seconds . And you do need to pay attention in order to catch nuances in the story and character interactions . In addition , this is only part one of a six-part series , so do not expect most of the plot lines to be resolved at game's end .
109 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Xenosaga is one those RPGs that doesn't get a lot of hype because they're not of a certain series that everyone's come to love , but its a damn good game . Although the cutscenes are extremely long , you can pause during them just in case . But the cutscenes are fun to watch . They help explain the storyline and it's almost like watching an anime ( if you're into that ) . But enough about that . The combat system is fun , with a combo system performed by pressing certain buttons on the controller in a set pattern . By performing a certain move you'll open a different set of attacks than if you had performed a different move , and choices can differ depending on the enemy . Plus , the main character Shion can employ the use of A.W.G.S . , whih are giant robots that are stronger than a normal character , but they attack less often . The music is good but inconsistent , and is usually not heard during points that should have music . But in any case , it is a good game that RPG fans will love and enjoy .
Overall : 9 / 10
Music : 7 / 10
Storyline : 10 / 10
Characters : 10 / 10
Replay Value : 8 / 10
110 4 Xenosaga is one those RPGs that doesn't get a lot of hype because they're not of a certain series that everyone's come to love , but its a damn good game . Although the cutscenes are extremely long , you can pause during them just in case . But the cutscenes are fun to watch . They help explain the storyline and it's almost like watching an anime ( if you're into that ) . But enough about that . The combat system is fun , with a combo system performed by pressing certain buttons on the controller in a set pattern . By performing a certain move you'll open a different set of attacks than if you had performed a different move , and choices can differ depending on the enemy . Plus , the main character Shion can employ the use of A.W.G.S . , whih are giant robots that are stronger than a normal character , but they attack less often . The music is good but inconsistent , and is usually not heard during points that should have music . But in any case , it is a good game that RPG fans will love and enjoy .
Overall : 9 / 10
Music : 7 / 10
Storyline : 10 / 10
Characters : 10 / 10
Replay Value : 8 / 10
117 4 I've played quite alot of RPGs in my life and I have to say that Xenosaga is by far one of the best . Sure , the Final Fantasy series are almost always breathtaking and at the top of the role playing food chain , but there's something unique and engaging about Xenosaga . You really get to know the characters and get attached to them . I was alittle depressed when I beat the game cause it meant I wouldn't get to be with KOS-MOS and the others anymore . ( I'm planning on starting the game up again just before the sequel comes out ) . The battle system is very easy to figure out and fun to mix things up . The movie scenes ( theres quite alot of them ! ) are extremely captivating and I was like watching a very epic movie thru out the game . All in all I was happy with this game from start to end , the proof is that I actually bought it ! I'm the kind of guy who generally just rents games and trys to beat them beofre they're due back . I also don't plan on selling my copy anytime soon , another sign I loved it . I will beat a game ( That I've bought ) and have it up for sale on EBay or Amazon the same day . Not this baby ! I only hope I live long enough to get the entire set , and the next installment lives up to the greatness of the first one .
119 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Having exhausted myself of Final Fantasy ( from the PS1 all the way through the PSX ) I decided to walk on the wild side and try this game .
Boy was I pleasently surprised !
If you happened to play Xenogears for the PS1 , this game is loosely based on events that occured in that game .
One thing this game has going for it is a story . Many reviews peg the game time at 80 hours but don't worry : A great portion of this is made up of those cinematic events !
I've only completed the first 2 portions of the game but I am well impressed enough to provide ratings for this game :
Graphics : 9 / 10
The cinema events in this game will simply blow you away . Keep in mind if you've seen the XBox 360 or PS3 , you can't compare the graphics of the 2 systems ( duh ! ) . But compare this game to other PS2 releases and I assure you the graphics hold up just fine to any other PS2 game , and in many cases far exceed them . In battles , the special effects are impressive , from Shion's Ray attack to KOS-MOS R-Blade . Tecmo defintely had a winner with the graphics from this game .
Sound : 9 / 10
The music often fits the mood of the situation perfectly . I was definitely on the edge of my seat in the level where you are trying to evade the Gnomis without getting touched ! Now , my ONE gripe with this so far is the music doesn't change for bosses as it does with other RPG's . This is slightly annoying but a minor complaint .
Sound effects are right in place and very good .
Presentation : 9 / 10
So far , the game directs you well in where to go , but allows a lot of freedom on how to get there . There are several paths , for example , you can take on the ship level to get around .
Add in the email system , the ether system and the ability to extract skills from different items you can equip and you've got a very deep experience here .
Lasting Appeal / Overall : 9.5 / 10
If you are tired of ordinary RPG's and want something different , Xenosaga Episode 1 is definitely for you . It can be had for around 10 - 15 bucks in most used game stores and is well worth the investment . You'll definitely spend a lot of time exploring the game dynamics , which are very much in-depth both in battles and in strategy .
This game does have some language ( hence the T for teen ) so if you happen to have a kiddie ( 8 - 12 or so ) I'd be careful about this one .
But if you've got a teenager ( or you're a kid at heart ) who loves RPG's and strategy , this is the game for you !
120 4 Having exhausted myself of Final Fantasy ( from the PS1 all the way through the PSX ) I decided to walk on the wild side and try this game .
Boy was I pleasently surprised !
If you happened to play Xenogears for the PS1 , this game is loosely based on events that occured in that game .
One thing this game has going for it is a story . Many reviews peg the game time at 80 hours but don't worry : A great portion of this is made up of those cinematic events !
I've only completed the first 2 portions of the game but I am well impressed enough to provide ratings for this game :
Graphics : 9 / 10
The cinema events in this game will simply blow you away . Keep in mind if you've seen the XBox 360 or PS3 , you can't compare the graphics of the 2 systems ( duh ! ) . But compare this game to other PS2 releases and I assure you the graphics hold up just fine to any other PS2 game , and in many cases far exceed them . In battles , the special effects are impressive , from Shion's Ray attack to KOS-MOS R-Blade . Tecmo defintely had a winner with the graphics from this game .
Sound : 9 / 10
The music often fits the mood of the situation perfectly . I was definitely on the edge of my seat in the level where you are trying to evade the Gnomis without getting touched ! Now , my ONE gripe with this so far is the music doesn't change for bosses as it does with other RPG's . This is slightly annoying but a minor complaint .
Sound effects are right in place and very good .
Presentation : 9 / 10
So far , the game directs you well in where to go , but allows a lot of freedom on how to get there . There are several paths , for example , you can take on the ship level to get around .
Add in the email system , the ether system and the ability to extract skills from different items you can equip and you've got a very deep experience here .
Lasting Appeal / Overall : 9.5 / 10
If you are tired of ordinary RPG's and want something different , Xenosaga Episode 1 is definitely for you . It can be had for around 10 - 15 bucks in most used game stores and is well worth the investment . You'll definitely spend a lot of time exploring the game dynamics , which are very much in-depth both in battles and in strategy .
This game does have some language ( hence the T for teen ) so if you happen to have a kiddie ( 8 - 12 or so ) I'd be careful about this one .
But if you've got a teenager ( or you're a kid at heart ) who loves RPG's and strategy , this is the game for you !
123 4 Xenosaga is a prequel and reinventing of the world in which Xenogears took place . Whether the precise same history will unfold remains to be seen ; I'm rather hoping that Xenogears will be re-issued and somewhat rewritten for PS2 ( or will that be PS3 by the time they reach it ? ) when the story arc advances that far .
The initial descriptions of Xenosaga made me wary of getting it ; Xenogears ' greatest failing was overuse of cutscenes to the point of leaving you watching and doing nothing for long stretches .
Xenosaga certainly DOES do that . However , unlike Xenogears the cutscenes are far better animated and the characters and events are far more engaging . The story , having been planned to cover a ( I believe ) five-game arc , is complex , with many characters for us to meet who have deep backstories and who evolve in front of us - - to a great extent through carefully planned cutscenes combined with nicely immersive play .
The combat system works well , permitting the user some tactical decisionmaking in terms of placement and use of select resources for the overall party as well as just direct choices of combat tools . Characters can be customized in a number of ways - - skills , ether ( magical-type skills with amusing technobabble explanations ) , and techs ( special super combat moves familiar to many CRPG players ) .
The characters are , if possible , stronger positive points for the game than the graphics , which are excellent . Some characters you think you may dislike become likeable ; others you don't exactly LIKE , but gain more insight and sympathy for . And some are just people worth knowing . ( there are , of course , some nasties who clearly need killing , too )
I am looking greatly forward to the next installment . They've earned my money .
126 4 Hello
I have played almost every rpg made from the early days of PC games like ultima and etc . This game is a very worthy addition to the rpg lineup . The game has almost no FMV sequences but it basically is one continuous interlude . The graphics for the cutscenes are just not done in the Final Fantasy style FMV but instead are done in the standard game graphics . This is not a bad thing in fact it's perfectly fine . The graphics on this game are top notch rpg type graphics . They stand up to anything else out there . It also DOES NOT have any Freezing Problems . I and my friends have several copies together and none of them freeze at all , or have any other problems . If a game freezes it is probably dut to damaged disks or dirth playstation laser's most certainly not the game code . Anyway the game's plot is very compelling if a little strange and the characters are top notch . Of course I love KOSMOS best but actually it's quite fun to run around with Chaos in a bathing suit later on in the game . It is one of those sequal type games where the stroy doesn't actually wrap up until the other games in the series are over . Also as far as difficulty goes if your scared about it being too hard if you have ever played a Final Fantasy then you shouldn't have any problem at all . It's pretty easy actually .
All and all I think it's a classic .
146 4 This game is one of the best games that I have ever played . Period . It rivals the Final Fantasy series in terms of gameplay and visual impact . The story is deep and convoluded and full of twists , making you scratch your head at one moment and then at the next - you get this great AH-HAA ! moment where you piece something together . True , Some of the cutscenes are quite lengthy , but if you watch them , you get the feeling that you are playing an interactive movie . . . they are important to getting all the story . In the beginning of the game , they may seem quite boring , but as you progress deeper into the world of Xenosaga , they become necessary and more involved .
The gameplay is great ! Xenosaga has one of the most innovative control / battle schemes that I have ever seen in a game . You have skills , tech attacks and ether . Each of these can be upgraded to make them more powerful , faster , and in some cases - easier to pull off . The ether ( magic ) system is neat too ; ether can be evolved into better spells and bigger status effects . During battle , you have the option of jumping into an A.G.W.S . which is basically a big mech that can pound the heck out of the opposition . These battle machines can also be upgraded , outfitted with different weapons , generators , and armor - all depending on your taste and the style of gameplay that you prefer .
The game has a great help system as well . You can enter a simulator to teach you the basics of battle and item management . There is a dictionary of sorts on the game disc . When you stumble across a keyword or phrase , it will show up in this database . I have found myself referring back to this in order to clear up some points in the game and some pieces of conversation that dont seem to make sense at the time . It is a great help and a wonderful addition to the game .
Personally , I reccomend getting the strategy guide so that you can go through the game and acquire all the secrets and cool items that you would have missed or otherwise not known about .
This game is a great additon to any RPG fans library of titles , and I am eager to see the entire six-part saga unfold itself . Anything that can effortlessly incorporate elements of psychology , biblical refrence , philosophy and a lively debate on humanity and the soul should definatly prove to be worth the time and effort that I put into it . This game is superb , simply elegant .
170 4 Xenosaga . . . I can safely say I've been waiting for for a long time . . . and I tell you , now that it's finally in my hands , I have never been more satisfied with any RPG I've ever played , except it's predecessor , Xenogears ( PSX ) . The graphics are simply amazing , topping even goliath producers like Squaresoft . There is much voice acting , and it all sounds excellent , and every voice fits the characters . The plot I couldn't even describe to you , as I'd be saying more than this box can hold . . . you immerse yourself in a complete universe that you can only experience . All I could tell you is that it's the greatest story and it's perfectly told . The battle system combines intense strategy with amazing effects , not to mention the return of A.W.G.S . . The whole system of combat is combined with a character development system that makes fighting itself an experience as well . 11Xenogears fans , don't hesitate , it's the same but better , but new fans . . . embrace ! Enter the world of Xenosaga and you will never want to leave ! I enjoyed Final Fantasy X , I played through Wild Arms 3 , not to mention Kingdom Hearts and . hack , but all above all , Xenosaga is the best RPG that has ever hit the U.S . . If you are a fan of RPGs don't hesitate ! Xenosaga is an instant pickup ! You won't be disapointed !
177 4 Yes , it lives up to the hype . Anticipated by many as it was created by Monolith who did the superb Xenogears on the Playstation , Xenosaga is the spiritual prequel . Although Xenogears was supposed to be part 5 in a series , and Saga is Episode One , the creators swear they are not related , and started anew . We'll see if this pans out many years from now if they actually complete all of the games . Regardless whether they are related in story or not , Saga takes all the good elements from Gears and then some .
A pure Sci-Fi RPG , there is no mention of magic or fantasy . All the spells can and are explained scientifically . This is of course a rarity in an RPG and is just one factor that separates it from the sea of others . The other being the battle system , which borrows heavily from Xenogears and is a welcome addition . The others are the fantastic story and music . The story is deep , and perhaps reaches deeper than Xenogears did . Controversial as well , I'm surprised this was released in the US with a T rating as some elements may offend some people with the religious references as Xenogears did . There is some bloodshed in the cut scenes as well , further making me wonder about the rating . Nothing horrible or too gory , but in this age , I'd almost expected the ESRB to rate it an M . Speaking of the cut scenes , there are a lot of them . Let me emphasize a LOT of them . And they are long . Really long . Some span only minutes , but at times the story advances for over 45 minutes . 15 - 30 minute cut scenes are the norm here . However , as you progress through the game the amount of playing and watching is more properly balanced .
The characters in this game are fantastic . You will be drawn in to their world . You will come to care about them . I haven't seen another RPG that has done character development as well as this game has . Of particular note is KOS MOS , a battle android which is probably one of the coolest RPG characters ever . With amazing attacks and a cold robot personality to boot , she is head and shoulders above all the other RPG characters out there .
Like Xenogears , you also pilot mechs though they are less important in this game , and are more a background theme than being the focus .
Music was done by Yasunori Mitsuda and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and it definitely shows . While much of the game is just ambient sounds , whenever the music does take over it brings with it the magic of what a truly well composed and performed orchestrated soundtrack can do for a game . The graphics are well done , and animated very smoothly and the effects during battles are very pretty . Being a little older than some recent RPG's ( Was released over a year ago in Japan and the translation took forever ) the graphics seem slightly dated but they are still beautiful .
And now the bad news : For me this game possesses only one flaw in that the English dubbing of it is only average , sounding like a dubbed anime . Many characters are over acting and it pains me to see this in such a quality RPG . It doesn't help that during the cut scenes the dialogue is subtitled right along with the actors speaking the same language . . . which would be fine if they sounded better , but since they don't it's annoying to read it before they say it , and hear them say it with forced emotion or non at all . It is a minor flaw in a near flawless RPG . The other concern is the editing . There is one cut scene that was altered and it only involves the placement of a hand . Nothing to worry about .
For me , I lost interest in RPG's awhile back , with the Final Fantasy series having lost some of the magic that the old ones had . Phantasy Star and Lunar had that old magic that I remember which is absent from the RPG's I play today . Xenosaga has that magic ( ironic since there is no magic in the game itself ) and I recommend it to anyone who loves RPG's . If you can find the soundtrack and art book , I heartily recommend that you pick those up as well .
155 4 When I first got Xenosaga I was a bit confused . I'm used to games like the Final Fantasy series which have good but easy to understand battle programs . But Xenosaga takes this to a new level . It's battle programs are very complex but it makes for a good battle . The graphics on this are awesome and i thought Final Fantasy X's graphics were the best you could get . Boy was I wrong . The people's heads turn and face eachother even when you are passing by , and there are tons of things to explore . It finally seems like someone figured out how people walk because on most video games the people have an abnormal walk . This is definately one of the best RPG's around .
075 4 This is a great game in my opinion , but not everyone will like it RPG fans will . I only say that becouse the cutscenes may be too long for some people . But of course you can skip them . This game has good graphics , a good innovative battle system . Oh yeah and if your in a big place in the game you might get lost and want to give up . I think this game is somewhat better than Final Fantasy becouse it doesen't have that Random Battle element . This game will keep you playing for awhile becouse the bosses take a while to beat . Over all this is a pretty good game , but remember its not for everyone .
090 4 The majority of complaints about this game is the long cutscenes . So I just want to let the fellow gamers know that you can skip cutscenes by pressing start / pause at the beginning of cutscenes and then by pressing triangle .
091 4 Xenosaga Episode 1 takes the average RPG gamer to the limit . Watching cinematric scenes up 45 minutes in places . Even though this is a downfall there is still the awsome graphics to look at . The mini-games are interesting to explore . I spent 20 hours alone just playing them . While blowing up crates can get boring after awhile it nver gets old . The Tech Attacks take forever to level up . The same can be said for the skills and ether . When you get the chance raise your attributes it will help a lot . The overall game was good , but what drives every hardcore gamer crazy is the to be continued . . . at the end !
103 4 I've had this game for a week now , and I'm 9 hours into it . So far , it's really good . The graphics are near perfect , the story is really unique and draws you in , the music is good , and the characters are really cool . . their voices , personalities , and overall appearances are cool . It keeps you interested , and for an RPG , I've never played any game like it . . . . the whole outerspace , sci-fi theme / plot is really cool ! Androids , aliens , spaceships , high tech weapons and everything . . it's a must have ! !
133 4 This was a replacement game for me as I have overplayed my first game . I have played and played the series of Xenosaga over and over again and I'm waiting for the fouth installment of the saga to appear .
137 4 It's tough to keep in mind that this is the first part in a series . With that said , I think there might be too much going on . It can be difficult to keep up with the story line . In addition to that it can seem like it is dragging on . However , the game play is pretty cool , I do like how the battle system is set up . Over all I am pretty anxious to see this thing through to the end .
160 4 Xenosaga is dramatic , intriguing , and deep in the scope of its storyline .
To tell you too much could spoil perhaps the greatest plot ever included in any video game to date . What I can say is that it's set in the distant future , when mankind lives only in deep space . It mixes science fiction and fantasy elements into a mix that rivals even the greatest anime series .
It is presented alongside a sweeping soundtrack , outstanding graphics , and dramatic cinema scenes . The characters really shine during these ; you'll think it's actually a CG anime rather than a game's real-time graphics .
Quite simply , Xenosaga is an experience not to be missed . As one of the most polished and complete games ever , every facet of it speaks of undeniable quality . All of its excellent qualities come together magnificently to form a moving experience that you will enjoy the whole way through . With over 50 hours of some of the best gameplay ever created , the investment would certainly be well worth it .
051 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This game has an extremely engrossing story that involves a great amount of biblical and theological references . There is also so much detail in character development , we see why characters are the way they are , what events led them to walk the path they did . The graphics are anime style but are so smooth and look great . This review is short , but if you are very much satisfied by an in depth , well written , epic storyline with excellent character development , xenosaga must be given a chance by you . Although episode 2 does stumble and seems to step back a notch in story , the whole series , Episode 1 - 3 , is of the most unique gaming experiences out there . Highly recommended ! !
142 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
I had the mixed reviews prior to getting this game , and I tend to side with the higher reviewers . It is like an interactive movie , but that's cool . Save points are in wierd places , but still quite frequent . The whole anti-gnosis concept infiltrating into the futuristic androids is a bit amusing . Am intrieged by this game and its humour and will most likely purchase the other 2 as well .
148 4 I haven't played a game this good in quite a while . Xenosaga is very story driven . The game starts off kinda slow , with your progress constantly interuped by cut-scenes . However , it picks up later , and the cut-scenes are all to further the story ( expect for a long one of them eating dinner . . . . ) . The game is very fun , and quite challanging in a couple of parts , challanging enough that i recommend getting the strategy guide . Overall , I loved it . The graphics are A + , the story is good enough to hold your attention for 40 + hours of gameplay , and its challanging enough to not get boring .
175 4 This game brings you so in-depth with the story line and into the characters it is unreal ! With videos and movies lasting up too 30 min . The graphics are great and is not far a gamer who does not want to sit down and play and get into the story .
182 4 There isn't much to say about Xenosaga that hasn't already been said . Namco hit the nail on the head with this game , and if you don't have it already then buy it right now ! The graphics are amazing , the story is impeccable , the characters seem real , and the enemies are right on where they should be .
I just wish Xenogears could have had graphics like this . . .
162 4 It all started circa 1997 , when a team at Squaresoft under the direction of Tetsuya Takahashi began a massive undertaking - - creating a game which took storytelling to a whole new level . A game that would not only redefine the genre which it was molded from , but would force the player to think philosophically - leaving an impression on them that would not go away easily , if at all . That game was Xenogears , and it broke ground in many areas where games wouldn't touch before . So much so , that the game was nearly banned from release on these shores based on some of its religious references and symbolic content . Upon release it never generated much hype from the gaming press , but instead managed to breed a fanatical cult following of hardcore gamers and anime otaku alike . Its science fiction / anime style and darker , more controversial subject matter ( compared to most RPGs of the time ) made for an interesting game - despite the fact it was blatantly rushed out the door by Squaresoft and it showed horribly in some of the gameplay sequences . Despite this , demand for a sequel was strong . And for years , the fans waited . And waited . And waited .
Enter 2002 . Xenosaga finally hits our shores after a year-long hiatus in Namco's localization department . . . and not a moment too soon . And instead of spending the entire review spoiling the game or debating plot points which infer ( or deny ) a direct connection with the Xenogears universe , I'd much prefer to focus on the style and gameplay of the game - both of which are unique , especially to those not familiar with Xenogears .
First of all , I would like to confirm something that's been passed around the gaming press for quite some time - the majority of the time you spend experiencing Xenosaga will be watching the events unfold , rather than playing through them . However , it's no more noticeable than in Final Fantasy X , where a cutscene stopped the game before and after any major scene . Xenosaga's cutscenes ARE longer , but they tend to be very interesting and well worth watching . There's also an option to skip them entirely and progress on to the gameplay sections - which is not recommended the first time through the game . . . besides not knowing what to do next , you'll miss out on the single most incredible aspect of Xenosaga - the storyline . The story of this game plays out naturally . . . it doesn't feel like the script had been read , reread , and edited by 30 people before the final sequence of events was decided on . It's arguably much less complex than the story of Xenogears but still manages the same kind of awe factor that made Xenogears stand out so much from the other Japanese console RPGs on the market in the late 1990 ' s . You'll find yourself often gaping in awe and thinking , they put THAT in a game ? . . . yep , they did .
The religious references in Xenosaga are used more as shock value symbolism than as major plot points , as they were a much larger focus in Xenogears . The characters are fleshed out just as much as you would hope they would be . . . I don't want to go into any details about most of them , because that would ruin the game for you . But I will say that they seem just as real as those in Square's games - despite their anime-style appearances .
The battle system takes a lot from that of Xenogears . You can attack twice in a turn , cast a spell , guard , use an item , etc . The key is that each action takes a certain amount of AP ( or Action Points ) , and if you save up enough of them you can unleash serious hell on the opposition or give some much needed aid to your ailing party members . The system takes a little getting used to , but the variety of attacks and different methods of fighting the enemies makes the game much more interesting than most RPGs . Boss battles are long and difficult , made moreso if you are not familiar with the fact that having certain protection equipped on your characters usually means the difference between life and death . You WILL die at least once in the game . Guaranteed .
The process of character buildup has been improved and become slightly more complicated at the same time . You earn three types of points ( aside from EXP that raises levels ) from participating in battles . Tech points raise your Tech Attack ( Deathblow for those familiar with Xenogears ) skill power ,
speed , and recovery . Power increases damage done , a speed increase allows you to perform a tech attack after only one normal attack ( rather than having to charge up your Action Points for a turn ) , and a recovery increase will decrease the lag time between the given character's next turn after using the specified Tech Attack . Tech points can also be used to raise character stats like HP , Ether Attack , Ether Defense , Evade , etc . Skill points let you extract various skills from the accessories you pick up - the best thing about doing this is that most skills give the same abilities as the accessories they're extracted from . Therefore , you can ( in theory ) extract an 1 / 2 EP consumption skill from an Angel Ring ( which decreases EP consumption by half when worn ) , and then also wear that Angel Ring in battle , meaning that your total EP costs will be 1 / 4 of what they were without either the Angel Ring or the skill equipped . You can equip up to 3 Skills and 3 Accessories ( armor is included in the Accessories category ) . Ether points give you access to new Ether attacks ( magic spells for those new to the Xeno-world ) . They are learned in a sphere-grid-like tree system , where you have to learn the lower level techs before the high ones ( you can't just save for the most powerful techs without spending points on the lower * sometimes useless * ones ) . One of the coolest parts about the Ether system is the ability to TRANSFER SPELLS TO OTHER CHARACTERS . Kos-Mos needs a healing ability ? Just transfer over Ziggy's Recharge skill , or even Shion's Medica-All . It only costs you half of the original cost to learn the spell , and the customization options are endless . One beef I have about the Battle System is the lack of enemies that give up money when you kill them ( non-human enemies don't drop money ) which is realistic but a bit annoying , particularly later in the game when you want to buy a new Gear . . . er . . . A.G.W.S . unit . Oh , and one more thing - no more random battles ! Every enemy is visible on screen , so you can choose whether to engage them or try to avoid them , a luxury seen in very few modern RPGs , but a much-appreciated one nonetheless .
The dungeons and world maps are much more thought out than those in Xenogears . Anyone who's played Xenogears remembers the anguish of hours spent wandering through dungeon after dungeon where every room is the same or similar , struggling for hours to find a save point just so you could shut off the game and get on with life for a little while . Those days are over , and it's about time . The dungeons ( with the exception of the ANNOYINGLY hard Song of Nephilim ) are well put-together and the areas differ enough from one another that it's difficult to get lost . There is also a more gratuitous amount of save points spread out among the areas this time around .
Yasunori Mitsuda composed the music for the game and it's very well done - what little there is of it . For some reason , the only scenes with music are cutscenes and also what I like to call danger zone scenes , where you're trying to escape from a place which is generally overrun with a massive amount of enemies . Oh , and ironically - the theme that plays during these danger zone scenes also happens to be my least favorite tune in the game . I do wish that a few more themes ( for things like boss battles , the Kukai Foundation , and the Elsa ) would have been composed , because they could have added a lot to a game which is already stellar . It should be noted that the music was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra , and is of the highest quality yet heard in a video game - so perhaps the reasoning behind the lack of music is the old quality over quantity cliche . . . There are also two vocal themes that appear in Xenosaga , both sung by Joanne Hogg . These are extremely well done and make the ending of the game that much more gripping .
Now for the most controversial part of the review . . . the voice acting . As a student of the Japanese language for a little over two years , I too was dismayed at hearing that there would be no Japanese voice option . More annoying still was the fact that the subtitles during the cutscenes could not be turned off . HOWEVER - a few hours into the game , the voices grew on me . Shion , Albedo , MOMO , and Jr . stand out in my mind as doing an incredible job with their characters , and it's refreshing to know that there are actors out there who take game voicing jobs seriously . A bad voice on a main character in a game like Xenosaga or FFX could tarnish the entire experience , easily . That doesn't happen here . Kos-Mos sounds a little older than she probably should sound ( I think she sounds more like a young girl in the Japanese version ) , but once you get used to it , it's really not that bad . Kudos to the localization team and the actors , thank you for bringing this game to life for a new audience .
There are a few issues with censorship that have been widely covered in the gaming press . I won't describe the scenes because it ruins one of the most powerful moments in the game , but I will say that the changes were for the best , and were made only to preserve the T rating . They didn't take anything remotely important out of the story , contrary to what you may hear .
As for extras ? There are four completely-optional minigames and two optional bosses to hold interest in the game after beating it . . . I haven't played many of the minigames at length but a lot of people swear by them - and one thing I can say for certain that they are much more polished than the ones found in most Square RPGs , and much better than the few present in Xenogears as well . The player isn't rewarded very well for excelling at them , though , and no real excuse to play them aside from being curious or bored . I wish they would have integrated more of them into the storyline , like they did with the Xenogears Battle Arena ( which makes a comeback in Saga ) .
The most important point to make about Xenosaga is that most of the gameplay issues with Xenogears have indeed been addressed , and the result is a product that feels both more polished and less over-done than a game like Final Fantasy X at the same time . It's got an engrossing story , memorable characters , and an ending that will make you cry out for more . Now if only we didn't have to wait another 1.5 + years for the sequel . . .
023 4 It's a really really fun game , especially if you're old enough to appreciate dark cinematic elements . Personally , I like hearing story and plot / character development , and didn't mind putting up with the long story sequences . The game seems set to run in a cycle :
Fight a bunch of battles ( as much as you like , to improve your character ) , run around a lot talking to people , cinema sequence , back to fight a bunch , rinse , repeat . . . so for me , ( since I play a lot to improve my characters ) , the cinema sequences were a good break in the gameplay .
Namco seems to have taken everything anyone liked about Final Fantasy and crammed it into one game . As a result , your options may be a bit overwhelming . . .
Each battle gives you Ether , Skill and Technique points ( in varying amounts by the enemy ) . You use Ether to buy and upgrade your magic spells ( or give one character's spells to another character ) . Skill points let you learn skills from items ( like in Final Fantasy 9 ) , Technique Points let you upgrade your stats OR your special attacks . So over the course of 60 hours of gameplay , you might spend several hours sorting out your points and upgrading your characters .
Then there's the AGWSs . They're like the Summons in Final Fantasy ; you basically summon the AGWS ( a giant mecha ) to replace a character in battle . You can spend gobs of cash upgrading your AGWS weapons and armor . Tons of time configuring them and setting them up . I skipped dealing with them pretty much .
Then there's mini-games . If you liked collecting cards in FF8 , you can do it again here . There's a card game with promo cards hidden throughout the game for it . There's also a casino where you can gamble and win ( hint : if it was a real casino on earth , it would be filing for bankruptcy 2 hours after it opened , it's too easy to win money ) . There's also a drilling mini game that's like that claw game they have in arcades where you try to move the claw to hit objects and win prizes . You can fight other robots in an AGWS mini-game . Ohh , and you can revisit any completed area to farm it for cash , experience or get stuff you missed .
I've put in at least 80 hours and I haven't even started to play the card game . Exploring and beating everything in the game could take months .
The game has a lot of options to adapt to your play style . If you want to rush through the game without working on character development , you can rely on your AGWS battlemechs to get you through . If you like playing the FF8 card game , you can spend all the time you want doing that instead .
You can analyze the opponents a lot , and customize your attacks and spells to an area , or just power up your characters so you slaughter the enemy no matter what attacks you use . It's up to you . = )
033 4 To sum this game up in one word it's incredible . Every part of about this game is great .
THE STORY
One of the most in depth stories I have ever seen in a video game . Capturing every emotion as the story grabs you . An encompassing sci-fi story that can rival any other in movies , books or games . Twists turns and surprises Oh my .
THE MUSIC
Music is one if my favorite parts of any RPG . The music done by the London Philharmonic Orchestra does an excellent job of helping the story engulf you as it does . Surrounding you in the environment of the game and making you a part of it . Having surround sound hooked up really gives the games music it's due credit .
GAMEPLAY / CINEMAICS
I group these two together because they both share the Xenosaga gaming experience . After a short amount of time walking around you'll be welcomed into a cut scene , as much of this goes along . This might seem like a bad thing to some but to me it's welcomed wholeheartedly . Being able to realistically talk with people during climatic points in the game gives it a realistic touch . Who wouldn't talk when being succumbed to shocking or scary events ? I also love the added feature of traps and destroyable objects . These traps have effects out of battle like slow or stop and in battle like start off critical or getting a boost bonus .
BATTLES
Xenosaga's battles are truly fun . This is where RPG's are made and broken . Even though to me battles are those annoying things between events in the story . These attacks are beautiful . Customization of your characters to your personal fighting style and strategy . The customization uses a skill / tech / ether point system . All of this adds to a game where I didn't mind fighting a boss a dozen times to find the right blend of characters and attacks .
GRAPHICS
Like the rest of the factors the graphics are literally a sight to behold . Very crisp and clear . The graphics in Xenosaga really push what the Playstation 2 is capable of doing . Those hunting for graphics in a RPG need not to look any further . * Even graphics in a game is merely icing on the cake in my opinion *
CHARACTERS
OK first of this isn't your classic ragtag bunch of RPG misfits . ( the warrior / thief / mage thing is thrown out the window ) Instead it is replaced by a team of intelligent , insightful , interesting , and some other in - words people . Every one of them . That is a rarity . I like them all . I can honestly say that in no other RPG have I made a connection with and liked all of the playable characters .
CONCLUSION
Well that's about all I can say without giving much away ( as I recommend to anyone planning on purchasing this game ) . Trust me the less you know the better . To me experiencing this game is as important as sugar is to candy and with playing gaming is so much sweeter .
044 4 First off , if you don't like cosole rpgs ( like some of the reviewers ) you obviously won't like this CONSOLE RPG ! Now , the incredibly obvious aside , this is honestly my favorite game ever . I know lots of reviewers say this , but I am EXTREMELY hard on video games . I hated Morrowind because , despite its dazzling sheer size and non-linearity , it was balanced so horribly that I wanted to beat the makers severely for aparently never testing it . Neverwinter nights was not only linear , but the multiplayer aspect sucked . I got sick of playing Civilization over and over again waiting for another good game to come out . Everything I played began to bore . . . me . I went from an AVID gamer ( of 10 + years ) to never playing video games ( albeit for only a couple months ) . Though my frustration and aggravation towards developers and companies waned , I was still not eager for another disappointment . Only out of crippling boredom did I even decide to try this game . I have to admit that for awhile the pattern - - 45 - minute cutscene , 5 - minutes of battling ( or an hour or more trying to find something or someone ) , repeat , repeat , repeat - - seriously got to me . Then as the game developed , something that hasn't happened to me in at least 5 years of gaming miraculously happened : I got dragged * completely * into the characters and storyline . By the time I was half-way through the game I wanted to find the makers and applaud them for hours . It almost brought tears to this gamers eyes . I LOVE this game . It may , unfortunately , be another 5 years before another game truly satisfies my boredom , but this one did , and still does . Though I've beaten it , I will certainly play it again . Thank you so much to the developers !
By the way , only get morrowind if you like being able to take out everyone , including the final boss on + 100 difficulty , in one . . . hit in what is a truly boring combat style anyways , or spending 2 + hours per quest just walking from place to place . Only get neverwinter nights if you don't mind a lvl 20 cap , badly uneven classes ( though true to AD & D 3 ) , a linear ( AND boring ) storyline , and confusing and annoying multiplayer .
I recommend this game if you like it linear , and everquest ( or wait for star wars galaxies ) if you like it nonlinear . If you just like the pretty graphics , and must go PC , at least get Morrowind over NWN . Well , that's my two cents . . .
050 4 Since this game is so good in so many areas , I'll start with my criticisms . First of all , the box says 80 gameplay hours , but that only applies if you're Ray Charles . Gamers with functional vision should finish in about 30 - 35 .
That hurt because I was hoping this would be an RPG series with every game being its own somewhat separate story . But this game ends way before you expect it to , and left me with characters that I was still building up for some other big fight . In retrospect , this experience was just exposition for the future episodes . The plot is quite fantastic , but it dictated that this game ( episode ) remain completely linear . All of this would be OK if we weren't talking about a $50 game , but I feel a little stale about where I'm at now - having to wait months and pay another $50 to continue the story .
The battle system was fantastic , with two problems . First , Tech attacks take WAY too long , with no button to skip . These aren't as long as some of the FF7 summons , but when you do Shion's Spell Ray 7 times in a battle then is really tends to lag . Also the mechs , or AGWS weren't necessary at all . I tried them out but NEVER ended up needing to use them .
I like the characters ' skill , attack , and ether building systems . However , it takes SOOO LONG to set these up once you learn how they work . At least 5 gameplay hours were spent arranging character attributes and equipment . Add more time to that if you actively update and improve your AGWS .
Read other reviews to hear about the story , graphics , and music . It's really fantastic . The top-notch presentation is why this game gets 4 stars from me instead of 3 . I truly enjoyed the cut-scenes , which I felt were a reward for completing game sequences .
Like I said , though , there's months and money between myself and the continuation of the story . Consider this before buying .
056 4 I've played a lot of RPGs . . . and have been into robot anime since GUNDAM series . Xenosaga slaps all this together and adds a healthy dose of existential philosophy which is gently sugar coated so it doesn't get too thick . I have to admit the game has a VERY slow start and I almost put it aside running around the simulation level at the beginning since the between-combat movement seemed so poor ( fixed camera etc ) . But slowly more characters join and one gets a hang of the complex ' experience ' points ( three types , Ether / magic . Skill and Tech-by far the most precious ) and combat system . Close to the end , ( not 80 hours as advertised but more like 40 - 50 ) I was hoping the game would last twice as long . So , just have patience with the first part ( Woglinde ) and things will get interesting very soon .
085 4 I love this game . The real fmv's are beautiful . You need to be able to sit for hours trying to absorb the plot . . . which is so thick you could make stew out of it . . . once you beat it . . . go play it again ! Then you know more , and can see more into the world that was created . Also ! Who has seen the screenshots for XS2 . . . it looks ( graphicly ) so so so much better ! . . . I hope the dubbing gets better . . . yeah we'll get more lovely Xeno in about a year i'm thinking . . .
BUY THIS GAME FOR DIE-HARD RPG PLAYERS . . . no one else can put up with it . . . : )
Gamers ! Hear me ! Find each other and unite ! Us Gamers need to take over the world . . . non-gamers . . you hear nothing . . . ; )
100 4 The graphics are very well done . If you've ever watched any Japanese anime , you can compare the graphics to that only it's all 3 dimensional . The models have been done very nicely and are amazingly as close as you can get to the real thing ( in anime terms that is ) . The special effects that are used in the game will put your eyes in a daze . The lighting system is very nicely done . The environments are all in full 3D . The only thing that I kept on noticing was that you couldn't control the camera like you could in Xenogears . I thought that that was a really nice feature in Xenogears but it's not there in Xenosaga . But it doesn't matter that much because the camera angles are done really well . You will definitely not have any problems because of a faulty camera angles .
When there are important pieces of the story to tell the game engine shows it all using pre-rendered CG movies . The CG movies are very well done . And all the space battles are just jaw dropping , They still have to put a little more work in the way they render the characters the characters tend to look a little elasticky around the waste . When the game is not telling a story using the pre-rendered CG scenes , it switches to using the in-game 3D models . Apparently for the story telling , the developers have included high resolution models , and let me tell you that they look beautiful , they're smooth and almost flawless . The bad thing about the story telling is the voice acting . Now I don't mean that the voices were bad or that they didn't suit the characters , I mean that the lip movements were not coordinated . This could get annoying at times but it's easily overlookable . The voice acting was done very well , much better then in Final Fantasy 10 ( if you'd like to compare ) . All the voices suited the characters ' personalities , you could kind of tell what the character's voice would sound like without actually hearing it just from their looks . Nice . The thing that gets to me the most with RPGs on console systems is the turn based battle systems . All you do most of the time is attack and attack . Now if you take a game like final fantasy , you should know that battle strategy is non-existent . All you do is prepare for the battle , put on the right armor choose the right weapon and choose some useful accessories , and provided you are at a sufficient level all you do is hack away . With Xenosaga's battle system it's a whole different story .
Gone is the day when all you have to do is press the attack button and chose a spell to cast . With Xenosaga you have all these gauges that you have to constantly keep an eye on . It's extremely intuitive and original this battle system in Xenosaga . You have a boost gauge . If the boost gauge is filled up , you can force your turn to be next . Of course the enemies can do that too and even counter boost your own boost sometimes . You also have to use combos . Meaning square followed by triangle will yield a different result then if you press triangle and follow up with square . Each press takes away 2 AP points . You get 4 AP points each turn , and any unused AP points carry over to the next turn . Then of course you have the EP ( Ether points ) points which allow you to cast magic spells . After each battle you get some experience points , some ether points , some skill points and some tech points . You can use all these different points to enhance you characters in different ways . Skill points can draw out skills from accessories , Ether points can help you learn new spells and also transfer spells to your buddies , and Tech points help you learn new combos AND let you level up your existing tech attacks . Tech attacks are the most useful when fighting , you really have to keep an eye on which tech attacks you set for a character , cause different tech attacks have a very noticeable difference on different enemies . Also another thing I really liked about this RPG was that there were no random battles ! W0000T ! You could see all the enemies on screen and choose whether to avoid them and sneak away , or bang into them head on . . .
130 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
There's a whole lot of RPGs for the PS2 , and I doubt many have played them all , or even come close . I sure haven't . But I have played a lot . From Kingdom Hearts to Rogue Galaxy , from Dragon Quest VIII to Final Fantasy XII . And I am here to tell that Xenosaga is the best one I've ever played . Not perfect , but definitely the best .
First of all , there is the cut-scenes . Start a game and watch a cinema , play for five minutes and watch another , play ten minutes and watch another . I'm not clocking it but by hour three I must have watched at least and hour and half of cinemas . Heck , in this game there are cinemas so long that the game asks you if you want to save before it shows you ANOTHER cinema . Yeah , EAT YOUR HEART OUT METAL GEAR SOLID ! At any rate , all of the cinemas are rendered in-game , with full voice acting by REAL voice actors who've been in quality anime . Quite frankly , those in-game cinemas are the best I had ever seen in a game until Final Fantasy XII . There is one terrible flaw with them . The lip synching . Is WAY off . To the point of distraction . Get used to it . Sometimes you'll feel like you're watching a really long cool anime rather than playing a game with this one .
The story is awesome , but quite incomprehensible . While many games attempt to tell you an incredibly long and complex story with massively long explanations , with this game it's like they gave up on that idea and just threw you into the story with no explanation of anything . What exactly are the Gnosis ? What is the significance of the artifact ? Why is there a serial number on one of the character's hands ? What happened to Ziggy's family ? Will Shion ever love again ? Darned if I know . But the story that is there is incredibly absorbing and rich , and that's thanks to the fantastic characters .
You'll start the game and be a little bored with the spartan sci-fi trappings , right until the alien Gnosis-killer android KOS-MOS wakes up . Then , as the aliens blow away a battle fleet and eat all the people , you'll witness one of the coolest entrances in video game history as the android cuts through the aliens like a hot knife through warm butter . Later on you'll meet a cyborg who wants to discard his humanity , and feel your cold heart touched like his when he decides to care about a cute ( but artificial ) little girl . You'll love to hate the psycho freak Albedo , and smile when junior attacks with action-movie-esque quotes . And of course you'll see some weird wacked-out stuff that you have absolutely no idea what it's getting at , but that's anime for ya .
There's also some really great music to be found , fully orchestral stuff reminiscent of the very best scores in movie history . Unfortunately in the musical department also lies another bad flaw . For most of the game there is only one battle music theme . It's really good so that won't bother you much , but there's also pretty much one frantic dungeon / battle theme that plays in battle areas . And it's really stressful , high-strung music that gets old after about 2 minutes . If you are stuck in a dungeon for hours , you'll have to turn the sound OFF , and play some other music , or risk losing your sanity . And then there's long sections that have no music at all making it kind of creepy and lonely . Considering the awesome music that plays during the cinematics and some of the boss battles , this was just a bad design choice .
It's a good thing that the general gameplay is so darn good . Like most J-RPGs , there are a ton of battles , which take you to a separate battle area for the duration . Fortunately they are not random , you walk into the enemies to start them ( or they walk into you ) . The fight systems is a modified version of the Xegogears system , which is a good and a bad thing . It's a good thing because Xenogears had the best battle system in any RPG save perhaps Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VII , and it's a bad thing because some of the changes were not so good . I like have high and low frequency attacks , which allow you to wait and power up devastating attacks or unleash combos . I LOVE hitting the square , circle , and triangle buttons to unleash combos . But I hate the boost system to switch characters , as I've never really gotten the hang of it and it's just kind of awkward . Fortunately , the speed and graphical flare of the fights ( cinematic camera angles go a long , long way ) , and KOS-MOS ' AWESOME attacks make battles incredibly fun for the most part .
People hearing about the AGWS robots may have hoped for a Xenogears-type giant robot series of battles . Unfortunately most of the time these battles are boring and few and far between . Without the fuel management and devastatingly awesome attacks from Xenogears , they are more a curiosity than anything else . The card game built into Xenosaga however , is not . I think the first time I played this game I must have spent 10 hours playing the card game that's built in . Basically it's a CCG like Star Wars , Star Trek , Marvel Vs , Pokemon , ect . But all the irritating management has been totally automated . I've played electronic version of other card games , but strangely , even on the ones which were stand-alone games , I never played one as addictive as this . Weird huh ?
And speaking of weird , there are some other game design choices to be found in this game which are questionable to say the least . Besides the incredibly enigmatic cut-scenes , there are also crazy weird borderline psychotic ones , which again , are never explained . And while the dungeon-crawling in this game is about as good as it gets ( no random battles ! ) for a game of this type , part way into the game you lose the best , most interesting , most POWERFUL character while you quest INSIDE OF HER MIND ( spoiler alert , level everyone up , not just KOS-MOS , or you'll be in for a world of hurt when you can no longer play as her for a long stretch ) , just takes things to a new level of weirdness , and not in a good way . Then there are a few puzzles later on that you probably will NEVER figure out without a walk-through ( I think I would have gotten permanently stuck on the crate elevator puzzle if it weren't for that ) .
For all of its flaws , Xenosaga still comes out on top . The level of story-telling in this game , the supreme quality of the voice-acting ( we're talking voice talents for Ghost in the Shell and The Big O here ! ) , the fantastically huge cinemas , the addictive battle system ( only the very very long time spent leveling up could possibly make it get old ) , the great characters and fascinating back-story ( Ziggy in particular is a character you will never forget , KOS-MOS is so cool she could freeze Africa , and Albedo could give the Joker lessons on psycho evil ) , excellent graphics , and sweeping orchestral score make this ( here it comes . . . ) the best RPG on the PlayStation 2 . Sure , Final Fantasy has the name , but Xenosaga delivers the goods . The only Final Fantasy game that compares is VII . If you only play one RPG for the system , don't play FF XII , play this game . You'll thank me later .
161 4 I have played this game all the way up to the last dungeon / final battle , and I have been impressed . I cannot say that this game is without flaws , because it is not . The music could have been better and I would have liked for it to be a bit longer ( or perhaps that is just how much I like it . )
I am at 50 hours and near the end . I've learned that this game could last up to 80 hours and I suppose it could if you put a lot of extra time into the EVS ( Environmental Simulator ) , and mini games . The battle system is quite interesting and I would suggest that those who are just beginning the game to take a close look at what is available to you , especially in the area of ' boost ' and ' skills ' because some of this could easily be overlooked and and it is quite beneficial to you and your characters .
The graphics are beautiful and I like the attention that they have given to detail . I was in awe with some of the minute details that I saw in some of the ships .
This game is really quite cinematic , but overall I found it to be interesting enough to hold my attention . If you do not like sitting for a long time while you are holding a controller ; then this game may not be for you . You are able to skip these cinematic events ( if you wish ) , but you will more than likely lose track of the story and / or what you should be doing next . I would suggest that the only time you skip these is when you have already seen the event and you wish to go on with what you are doing . I normally skipped events prior to a difficult boss fight . I ended up dead and had to do it over again . lol
The characters are all pretty original , interesting and each has their own unique qualities and special ' tricks ' . Be on the lookout for those . . . I will not say any more , as I do not want to ruin any of the surprises .
I highly suggest this game to any RPG fan , especially one who loves a BIG and somewhat mysterious story .
169 4 The graphics are very well done . If you've ever watched any Japanese anime , you can compare the graphics to that only it's all 3 dimensional . The models have been done very nicely and are amazingly as close as you can get to the real thing ( in anime terms that is ) . The special effects that are used in the game will put your eyes in a daze . The lighting system is very nicely done . The environments are all in full 3D . The only thing that I kept on noticing was that you couldn't control the camera like you could in Xenogears . I thought that that was a really nice feature in Xenogears but it's not there in Xenosaga . But it doesn't matter that much because the camera angles are done really well . You will definitely not have any problems because of a faulty camera angles .
When there are important pieces of the story to tell the game engine shows it all using pre-rendered CG movies . The CG movies are very well done . And all the space battles are just jaw dropping , They still have to put a little more work in the way they render the characters the characters tend to look a little elasticky around the waste . When the game is not telling a story using the pre-rendered CG scenes , it switches to using the in-game 3D models . Apparently for the story telling , the developers have included high resolution models , and let me tell you that they look beautiful , they're smooth and almost flawless . The bad thing about the story telling is the voice acting . Now I don't mean that the voices were bad or that they didn't suit the characters , I mean that the lip movements were not coordinated . This could get annoying at times but it's easily overlookable . The voice acting was done very well , much better then in Final Fantasy 10 ( if you'd like to compare ) . All the voices suited the characters ' personalities , you could kind of tell what the character's voice would sound like without actually hearing it just from their looks . Nice . The thing that gets to me the most with RPGs on console systems is the turn based battle systems . All you do most of the time is attack and attack . Now if you take a game like final fantasy , you should know that battle strategy is non-existent . All you do is prepare for the battle , put on the right armor choose the right [ tool ] and choose some useful accessories , and provided you are at a sufficient level all you do is [ play ] away . With Xenosaga's battle system it's a whole different story .
Gone is the day when all you have to do is press the attack button and chose a spell to cast . With Xenosaga you have all these gauges that you have to constantly keep an eye on . It's extremely intuitive and original this battle system in Xenosaga . You have a boost gauge . If the boost gauge is filled up , you can force your turn to be next . Of course the enemies can do that too and even counter boost your own boost sometimes . You also have to use combos . Meaning square followed by triangle will yield a different result then if you press triangle and follow up with square . Each press takes away 2 AP points . You get 4 AP points each turn , and any unused AP points carry over to the next turn . Then of course you have the EP ( Ether points ) points which allow you to cast magic spells . After each battle you get some experience points , some ether points , some skill points and some tech points . You can use all these different points to enhance you characters in different ways . Skill points can draw out skills from accessories , Ether points can help you learn new spells and also transfer spells to your buddies , and Tech points help you learn new combos AND let you level up your existing tech attacks . Tech attacks are the most useful when fighting , you really have to keep an eye on which tech attacks you set for a character , cause different tech attacks have a very noticeable difference on different enemies . Also another thing I really liked about this RPG was that there were no random battles ! W0000T ! You could see all the enemies on screen and choose whether to avoid them and sneak away , or [ meet ] them head on . . .
173 4 Well how do I start , I guess the best thing to say is that this game is trully the Final Fantasy 10 killer , it has everything you could possibly want in it . Lets start with the graphics , all I can say is WOW . Everything is down to the very last detail . The battle system is one of the most creative systems I've ever used . and ive played tons of RPGs . You get to normal attacks per round for 4 ap , but if u guard or use an item instead or even choose to do just one attack , ure next turn with that character is 6 ap which allows u to do your character's specific tech attacks . awh inspiring graphics on that one . To go along with the fighting are your hands AGWS or Anti-Gnosis Weapon Systems that are mechs , armed to the bone with machine guns , laser weapons , swords , fully customizable fighting machines that are at your disposal . Now to the main course , THE STORY . From the very beginning you're tossed into the turmoil of the girl named shion as she and her team of techs try and create the ultimate anti-gnosis weapon also known as Kos Mos . As the game progresses u learn more about the mysterious artifact known as the Zohar , and the struggle to find out its location . Unlike most FF games , Xenosaga has some deep topics and is serious at time while others its laughing and having a good time , it makes u think , and than makes you think again ! When the characters are happy , ure happy , when the character are hurt or in pain , u feel it . Bit by bit you are slowly absorbed into their world , and with all the cut-scenes you feel like you're living it . A must have for all RPG and Sci Fi fans . Der Wille zur Macht , THE WILL TO POWER , will u take that power and go out and buy this game and join in on the epic story and adventure of a life time , or will you ignore it and miss everything ? ? the power is in your hands . . . . . . . . . .
070 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
We can only hope Namco ( somehow ) pick's this franchise up again and give's so many people what they so desperately NEED .
Even as this game may have been a bit long-winded , those that knew Xeno , knew it for It's story and the power it brought you .
Could this game have used work ? Yes . However , it is still a great first episode and is STILL better than watching that god-awful graphic overdose bonus cinematic disk that came with the LE version of Episode 2 .
071 4 We can only hope Namco ( somehow ) pick's this franchise up again and give's so many people what they so desperately NEED .
Even as this game may have been a bit long-winded , those that knew Xeno , knew it for It's story and the power it brought you .
Could this game have used work ? Yes . However , it is still a great first episode and is STILL better than watching that god-awful graphic overdose bonus cinematic disk that came with the LE version of Episode 2 .
145 4 Great graphics . They were just great . Plus , the plot is really in-depth and just dragged you into it . However , the CG sequences take FOREVER . Its easy to understand the plot in the beginning , however , it gets more confusing . Fortunately , they added a Keyword Database , which I know worship like a GOD lol .
I loved fighting the bosses , and doing the puzzles ( not the music one , I'm not tone or pitch deaf , but STILL ) . There were some good steals , but I kind of wish you amount you could damage and the HP you had could be higher . Like hitting for 5000 and the boss having like 50,000 hp .
I loved the CG's , but if I'd seen the scene already , instead of skipping it , I went and took a bath or made supper . Some of the sequences were really long , and if you had something important to do , and had just finished a tough boss , it stunk to have to miss all of those scenes .
180 4 A great game with an ingenious battle system . It's at LEAST on par with the Final Fantasy series . The story is great , but it would still be an amazing game without it . So , with that in mind , how would one altered scene hurt the game ? Some people might compolain that you don't play it , you watch it but all cutscenes can be skipped ( though you probably don't want to ) . And to address Linlinchan , Square didn't make this game , and the point of making video games is to sell copies . And its nothing worth getting mad about anyway .
181 4 This game has everything you could ever want . It is the first game of a 7 game series . It has graphics more beutiful than FF10 and it has story as good or better than FF7 along with 8 and 10 . There are some long cut scenes but they arent anoying like the ones in FFX were they pop up everytime you change scenes . They show when nescisary and are used to explain the story . Also there are no random damn battles like in the other rpg's you have to walk into an enemy bee seen by one or be heard by one for them to attack you . Also in this game the cut scenes / FM。 's can be over 45 minutes long . Not only that but the battle system is beutful and very strategic but not so strategic that it bores you . Also in batlle instead of the Gaurdean forces summons or aeons you might be used to you can instantly pilot a giant robot as if from Gundam or an Armored core game . The voice overs are done beutifully ALOT better than the ones that are in Final Fantasy 10 . The style is anime most definatley but apeals to anime haters just as much as anime lovers its just that damn good . Also it has wonderful Sci-Fi that will catch your eye . Not only that but some scenes are even a little bit strange . They make you wonder who that is . Why do you keep seeing that strange little girl doing things . What is he doing ! You may even be mad at the characters some times . The enviorments are huge and you may get lost sometimes . But dont worry you will figure it out very soon . Also MOST not always but most of the time a cut scene will start when you enter the area that you are suposed to be in . GET IT NOW RENT IT IF YOU HAVE TO BEFORE YOU GET IT BUT SELL YOUR HOUSE FOR IT . . . . SELL YOUR SISTER FOR IT GET THIS GAME ( Would you like to by my sister shes anoying )
178 4 The bosses were hard as . . . but when I leveld up before fighting Albedo and the Final Nosis , they were nothin
Pros :
Superb Graphics
Great sound
A damn good battle system , makin the gameplay high
One of the best sotories a video game ever told
If you're good at evading enimes , u don't need to do unessacary batlles , unlike FFX
a very innovating battle system
This is easily one of the best games this year
One of my favorite endings , and the longest ending ever
Cons :
Bosses sometimes seem impossible at times but I got over them
Voice acting is rather funny
Robots can't heal ( In battle , even if u have a frame repair )
Robots can't be revived
Robots can't use items
LOOOOOOOOOONG Cinamatics ( U'll hold the contoroler for 45 min , watchin a movie )
Sometimes you can't avoid enemies
This is the best RPG of the year so far ( Dark Cloud 2 is excellent as well , and alot better than the first ) . I wish the loong cutsceens were as beutiful as FFX FM。's , but unfortonatly there not . There are so many long cutsceenes , I mind as well call this the Metal Gear Solid 2 of RPGs . And Why couldn't they just make the gargoyal boss fight a bit easier , cuz I lost to him too many times . Well I hope god is on my side and Thakfully he was so I could pull this off . There's no doubt in my mind that if u love RPGs there's no way you can hate this . But Xenosaga's big payoff is the story . FFVII just may have a contender , because this and FFVII stories are so far the best I've ever herd
Der Wille Zur Macht is a stunning game , really . While Xenosaga carries on the name Xeno as in Xenogears do not expect to find a copy of Xenogears in this in anyway .
Xenosaga opens up with an extremely long cutscene ( VERY , VERY long ! ) that introduces a part of the plot . The game then later shifts 4000 years into the future where you'll see your lead character Shion , a scientists on the ship : Encephalon . She begins a simulator with the Android she created : Kos-mos . After she's done with the simulation , her ship comes under attack and the story begins .
Xenosaga takes the battle system of Xenogears and evolves it into something much bigger . You'll string together combos and use points . There's a guage down in the lower right hand corner that shows the battle order ( like in Grandia ) . The pic that's furthest to the left attacks first . It'll show your enemies as well . That's for each round . You then can select to attack and string together combos to deal out some damage . As usual , enemies have certain weaknesses . It isn't just an elemental weakness , but a attack-trait weakness as well ( for example some enemes are weak against slash based attacks ) . The battles can sometimes be long though as the animations aren't exactly fast .
The field is unique as well . Xenosaga eliminates Random encounters and now you've got contact based . You can also interact with objects on the field ( you can blow some things up ) . If an enemy spots you it will give chase ( and some you just can't outrun no matter how hard you try ) . So its not bad as far as the field goes .
The graphics on Xenosaga are visually stunning . There are some parts that flash a bit but the 3 - D animations and beautiful cutscenes better make up for this . The flashing is minimal and not noticeable to many .
The music stands above all else . . . when we actually hear it . The game actually opens up a lot like a movie and its even got the dramatic score to go with it . But then there is music that is absent from other parts . When we watch cutscenes sometimes there's no background music at all , and that makes some cutscenes boring and unentertaining to watch . The voice acting is top-notch ! And while the game has a lot of cutscenes it greatly helps the character developement .
But that's the problem with Xenosaga . There are several cutscenes that further push the Videogame-movie trend . In other words , there are tons of moments where you're watching the game and not playing it . Not only that , but Xenosaga has it BAD ! Some cutscenes are just too long . As I said , it opens up like a movie and the cutscene is incredibily long . There are more long cutscenes where that comes from . Your clock will read well over 20 minutes when you actually get to play and roam the field for the first time . But there is good news ! You actually CAN skip these cutscenes . If you pause the game you can press triangle and skip them . It's great that the plot can unfold through these cutscenes but the cutscenes are just too long .
Xenosaga also has lots of minigames and sidequests ! The mini-games aren't frustrating but they do take some time to get used to because the learning curve for them takes a lot of time .
The game isn't bad but I'm afraid that because the cutscenes are REALLY REALLY REALLY long , I couldn't give it a five . A great game that I'd recommend to any RPGer .
The Good
+ Beautiful 3 - D graphics !
+ Great character developement
+ Unique battle system
+ Innovative , original and intriguing plot
The Bad
- Incredibly long cutscenes
- No music during cutscenes only makes them seem longer
006 4 One single scene is being edited in the US version of the game . That's - edited - , not cut entirely . The edit in question was handled by the original developers themselves , surely to prevent angering American soccer moms , not to protect anyone playing the game . After all , there was nothing to protect anyone from . Every other aspect of the Japanese game will remain intact . Please disregard the reviewer who made it sound as if the game was going to be butchered in the localization process .
024 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Xenosaga the prelude to the Playstation game Xenogears is an excelent role playing game and sequel . If you have played Xenogears I highly recomend you get this game . This time its Shion playing the role of the main character in this incredible 3d adventure . Over 80 hours of amazing game play and hours of fun to watch FM。's . With detailed graphics and storyline and customizable characters makes this a fun and incredible game . For most RPGers out here this is far different from Final Fantasy . Some of the game tactics are the same but the fighting style is different and you can customize the characters to your own specifications . There are 6 differnt characters in the game along with things called A.G.W.S . there mobile fighting robot suits you get to contol . WOW ! whats better than kicking the crap out of people with giant robots . The A.G.W.S are also customizable to your own specifications . So all in all its a well rounded game , you get a great story line , hours of fun game play , and best of all GIANT FIGHTING ROBOTS YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ! So if your an RPG fan and your looking for something new i highly recomend Xenosaga Episode 1 Dur Wille Zur Macht .
I also highly recomend you play the whole series to fully understand the storyline , so also check out Xenogears for Playstation , and the recent release of Xenosaga Episode 2 Jenseits Von Gut Und Bose . I hope you found this review to be helpful .
Thank you and happy gameing .
027 4 Xenosaga Episode 1 : Der Wille Zur Macht is a stunning game , really . While Xenosaga carries on the name Xeno as in Xenogears do not expect to find a copy of Xenogears in this in anyway .
Xenosaga opens up with an extremely long cutscene ( VERY , VERY long ! ) that introduces a part of the plot . The game then later shifts 4000 years into the future where you'll see your lead character Shion , a scientists on the ship : Encephalon . She begins a simulator with the Android she created : Kos-mos . After she's done with the simulation , her ship comes under attack and the story begins .
Xenosaga takes the battle system of Xenogears and evolves it into something much bigger . You'll string together combos and use points . There's a guage down in the lower right hand corner that shows the battle order ( like in Grandia ) . The pic that's furthest to the left attacks first . It'll show your enemies as well . That's for each round . You then can select to attack and string together combos to deal out some damage . As usual , enemies have certain weaknesses . It isn't just an elemental weakness , but a attack-trait weakness as well ( for example some enemes are weak against slash based attacks ) . The battles can sometimes be long though as the animations aren't exactly fast .
The field is unique as well . Xenosaga eliminates Random encounters and now you've got contact based . You can also interact with objects on the field ( you can blow some things up ) . If an enemy spots you it will give chase ( and some you just can't outrun no matter how hard you try ) . So its not bad as far as the field goes .
The graphics on Xenosaga are visually stunning . There are some parts that flash a bit but the 3 - D animations and beautiful cutscenes better make up for this . The flashing is minimal and not noticeable to many .
The music stands above all else . . . when we actually hear it . The game actually opens up a lot like a movie and its even got the dramatic score to go with it . But then there is music that is absent from other parts . When we watch cutscenes sometimes there's no background music at all , and that makes some cutscenes boring and unentertaining to watch . The voice acting is top-notch ! And while the game has a lot of cutscenes it greatly helps the character developement .
But that's the problem with Xenosaga . There are several cutscenes that further push the Videogame-movie trend . In other words , there are tons of moments where you're watching the game and not playing it . Not only that , but Xenosaga has it BAD ! Some cutscenes are just too long . As I said , it opens up like a movie and the cutscene is incredibily long . There are more long cutscenes where that comes from . Your clock will read well over 20 minutes when you actually get to play and roam the field for the first time . But there is good news ! You actually CAN skip these cutscenes . If you pause the game you can press triangle and skip them . It's great that the plot can unfold through these cutscenes but the cutscenes are just too long .
Xenosaga also has lots of minigames and sidequests ! The mini-games aren't frustrating but they do take some time to get used to because the learning curve for them takes a lot of time .
The game isn't bad but I'm afraid that because the cutscenes are REALLY REALLY REALLY long , I couldn't give it a five . A great game that I'd recommend to any RPGer .
The Good
+ Beautiful 3 - D graphics !
+ Great character developement
+ Unique battle system
+ Innovative , original and intriguing plot
The Bad
- Incredibly long cutscenes
- No music during cutscenes only makes them seem longer
082 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Ask yourself , why play RPG ? I assume it's for the story . So what if they are long ? I hope they are longer ( and I REALLY hope the game will come out as a novel someday . . . After all , the person who wrote the story first wrote it as a piece for reading ) . The story is engaging ; the characters are well protrayed ; background music and vioce acting are nicely done ; it is a masterpiece in every aspect . You cannot call yourself a RPG player without playing this game through and through . Play it , be engulfed , and you won't regret it . Moreover , since the game is in such low-price , what excuses do you have to refuse ? ? After you are done with the EPISODE I , the second EPISODE is waiting for you . . .
083 4 Ask yourself , why play RPG ? I assume it's for the story . So what if they are long ? I hope they are longer ( and I REALLY hope the game will come out as a novel someday . . . After all , the person who wrote the story first wrote it as a piece for reading ) . The story is engaging ; the characters are well protrayed ; background music and vioce acting are nicely done ; it is a masterpiece in every aspect . You cannot call yourself a RPG player without playing this game through and through . Play it , be engulfed , and you won't regret it . Moreover , since the game is in such low-price , what excuses do you have to refuse ? ? After you are done with the EPISODE I , the second EPISODE is waiting for you . . .
089 4 Xeonsaga is a game for avid fans of the series . . . if this is only the first chapter of 6 ( Xeongears being 5 ) i can hardly wait for the next one to come to the US .
Perfect battle system . . . Perfect cut secnes . . . Perfect Plot . . . Needs more music .
Overall is a treasure of a game
Der Wille Zur Macht , translated to Will to Power in German , the first out of a series of six video games , will be an instant classic . It's already IGN's game of the month . But I'm having a problem with the reviews those professional critics were writing . Unoriginal ? Lame ? Too much watching ? Critics are always biased . The world is filled with educated and experienced derelicts ( a.k.a . idiots ) . Xenosaga is not just a video game . . . it's a video game experience like none other . So I've decided I should give you a full , fair review , with both the game's up's and down's .
Sound : 4.5 / 5 >
I gave sound a 4.5 out of 5 , not because of the quality of the music , but sometimes , the lack of it . There isn't that many background music during quest mode ( explore mode ) , but when there are music , it's exceptionally good . The background music ( when there IS music ) was extremely well composed .
Tell me about the voice acting , man ! Okay , I am not a fan of dubbed work , but Namco pulled it off surprisingly well this time . The voice acting is completely done in English , with English subtitles ( for the deaf , I guess ) , which can't be turned off . I think the voice acting was great , perhaps even better than Final Fantasy X .
Graphics : 5 / 5 >
The graphics are not up to par with other recent video games , but you can't blame Namco for how long it took for the game to get to the United States . The Cinematic events ( cut scenes , FM。 's ) are done in-game , much like Final Fantasy , and the character designs are great . Because this game is based heavily on anime , all the characters have the anime look to them . Everything is run on a smooth frame rate , and I can't remember any in-game slowdowns . Facial expressions , life-like movements , etc . They're all there . The only thing I had a problem with was how long it takes for the menu to load , but you'll get used to that soon enough . Overall , the graphics are top-notch .
Game play : 4.5 / 5 >
Game play . . . this will take a while , so go get some chips and a drink . Episode 1 consists of three different play modes : Quest Mode , Battles , and Cinematic Events . In the Quest Mode , you explore your surroundings and talk to NPC's ( non-player characters ) . Some environmental objects ( like boxes , crates , etc . ) can be destroyed to clear your way . Some of the boxes and crates might have a treasure chest or an item behind it . Reaching certain areas will trigger e-mail events for the main character , with weapon upgrades , news , investment opportunities , and some will trigger a Cinematic event .
Thankfully , the random encounter system used in so many other RPGs was completely left out in this game . Instead , you will battle enemies only when you come into contact with them on the world map ( Like Chrono Trigger or Seiken Densetsu ) . By beating the monsters , you get experiences points , and / or tech points , ether points , and skill points , which you can use to farther customize your characters beyond their usual limits . Be sure to save every chance you get , because some of the stronger monsters come at you when you least expect them to . I had no trouble with the battle system . The Anti Gnosis Weapon Systems are premature Gears , large humanoid mechas piloted by a single human . Unlike Xenogears , the AGWS ' play a smaller role , which is good . Most battles could be won simply without the use of AGWS , unless you're a person like me and want to finish useless battles quickly to advance the story .
The cinematic modes are FM。 's , and these take up an astounding eight hours of your game experience . Yes , you heard me , folks . Eight hours worth of cut scenes and thirty hours worth of game play ( with another thirty hours if you take your time to go through all the side quests and leveling up ) packed into one CD . So really , you can't really say anything bad about the graphics . No other games go into so much character development like this one . So game play gets a 4.5 out of 5 on my scale , only because if you are going to play this game , you have to be willing to sit down for a while to watch the long cinematic scenes .
Story : 5 / 5 >
I don't see how this game can get any more original than it already is . I really CAN'T tell you much about the story , because there are so many plot twists and changes , and by trying to explain it to you , I'll be causing more harm than good . You'll be lost in a state of confusion for the rest of your life , so I'll tell you the base plot of the game when you start playing .
Thousands of years into the future ( four thousand to be exact ) , humans have left Earth to colonize other parts of the galaxy . But suddenly , the discovery of the Zohar , a powerful and mysterious artifact reputedly existing since the dawn of time , triggers a series of events that will ultimately lead to the discovery and the war against an alien race , called Gnosis . But why ? Shion Uzuki , a scientist of Vector Industries , is shipped on a Federation starship Woglinde with their new experimental anti-Gnosis android , KOS-MOS . The recovery of the Zohar emulator on the Woglinde puts the two into a struggle to unlock the final mystery .
As for story , it gets a 5 out of 5 .
Overall : 5 / 5 >
Rent or buy ? If you are a true RPG fan , you can't miss this opportunity .
124 4 Dur wille zur macht is the first chapter in what could be a truly massive RPG epic . . . It has great ideas in all the right places . The battle system is more fast paced than many other RPG's , the story takes a massive role in the entire proggresion of the game , and the graphics , espescially that of the gnosis aliens , are simply jaw dropping . Anyone who trys to tell you this is just another final fantasy game couldn't tell the difference between an appple and a banana . . . first off , this game has plot , decent plot . The battle system is awesome , and I can only hope they keep it . It's long , one very lengthy quest indeed . The characters have CHARACTER , even KOS-MOS , a mindless robot anti gnosis weapon . . . I personally hope this series only gets better , because as it is , only one game I have played even compares to it's complex but devastatingly effective sci fi , horor , religious based nature . And no , it's NOT final fantasy , I can assure you we have all had more than enough of those for a generation . . .
Der Wille zur Macht . In a world of Fantasy RPGs , Der Wille zur Macht is a solid sci-fi adventure which easily gives Star Wars a run for its money . The gameplay is quite a step up from the rest of the RPG lot . While the basic controls remain the same ( run / walk from right to left , north or south . . . ) it is the battle controls that truly shine like the stars among which this game is set . As opposed to merely selecting a simple single-styled attack from the actions menu , you are enabled to do a number of different , customizable Tech Attacks ( or combos ) via pressing the SQUARE , TRIANGLE , and CIRCLE buttons in patterns . This system gives a much greater amount of depth to the battles , and introduces a higher level of strategy , especially considering different Tech Attacks have different elements . Ether is the sci-fi equivalent of magic , only more believable , utilizing ( in some cases ) the use of nano-machines . All in all , the attacks and ether graphics are beautiful , and a pleasure to look at - - - which puts a positive spin on lengthy boss battles ( even when your under-leveled characters are being mercilessly wiped out ) . As for graphics - - - they are perfect for the setting of Xenosaga . The characters are animated perfectly , and look just as much like anime characters as polygons could possibly allow . With realistic facial expressions and gestures , you begin to see the game's characters as real beings , allowing yourself to be further immersed in the game's awe-inspiring story . Over the past few years , the wall between movies and games has been ever-crumbling , and Xenosaga completely obliterates it , by being the most cinematic game in history . Theoretically speaking , that could go either way , but for Xenosaga it was only positive . The cinematic sequences are so beautifully directed ( with expert camera-work and special effects ) you may very possibly forget you are playing a game , and believe you are watching the longest , most intriguing movie ever made . The brilliant musical scores of Yasunori Mitsuda ( Chrono Trigger , Chrono Cross , Xenogears , and Shadow Hearts to name a few ) serve to give an even more cinematic feel to game . Many of the tracks are performed ( perfectly ) by the London Philharmonic Orchestra . Each piece goes perfectly with its portion of the game , whether it be the tense , but bueatiful battle theme , or intimidating and menacing themes of the games many villains . With believable , lovable characters ( both good and bad ) and excellent voice acting ( each voice is perfect for their corresponding characters ) , excellent graphics and unbelievable music - - - all tied to the most complex and immersive storyline ever seen , heard , or experienced make Xenosaga Episode 1 : Der Wille xur Macht a must-buy game of Biblical proportions ( in many , many ways ) .
118 4 In the realm of RPG'ers , anything that is preceded by xeno automatically stirs up images of a long time spent on a glorious game known as Xenogears . The story was amazing , intertwining civil wars and religious overtones and more . The battles were , at the very LEAST , bearable considering the average of 50 hours to complete the game . It was a fun and enjoyable game that actually made us think .
As it turns out , Xenogears was originally Episode V in a six chapter-long saga . Namco picked up the series and decided to begin from the top . Fortunately for Episode I , it had the fanboys relying on the goodness of Xenogears in order to sell it without much difficulty . However , unfortunately for Episode I , it has almost no correlation to Xenogears and has even less of the selling points which its predecessor had . The music ? Fantastic . It's performed by the London Philarmonic Orchestra . The story ? It's good , I suppose . Maybe its even great . You'll need to have a good memory to bring together all the pieces from the somtimes half-hour long CG movie scenes . The characters ? You'll find them mostly to be unimportant , excluding the villain who is so insane , its almost funny . And the gameplay ? Atrocious . Thats right . You heard me , fanboy . You will be hurting yourself after the first time you have to fight a boss . You will be praying with everything you have to find someway to auto-battle . Alas , there is not . And this is where the points are drastically subtracted . I do not have the time or the space to define exactly what I mean , just trust me on this point . You will care less and less about the story as you are forced to play more and more hours of the terrible , endless battles . You will find yourself glaring at the gamecase from a distance because you hate the battles so much . At least I do . In fact , I am right now .
If you * love * RPGs , you may be able to handle this . A few professional reviewer friends of mine could not , however . A game is supposed to be a game . Fun and enthralling . Xenosaga : Episode I is a tedious , annoying task wrapped up in the pretty graphics and the luster of its predecessor .
I collect RPGs . I play RPGs . I may even live RPGs , I do not know . What I do know is that I honestly never want to pick up this game again to replay it for its story . Here's hoping for a more thought out Episode II . Let's hope they don't ask George Lucas how it's done .
153 4 All i can say is WOW ! This is a great RPG with wonderful graphics and exellent music ! Xenosaga is a sequel to a PS game , Xenogears . It will be 6 episodes long , and the 5th episode is the remake of Xenogears . The long cutsene doesn ` t matter me ( i love it ! ) cause the graphic is really beautiful . If you are a RPG fan , or animes lover , then you must try it . You won ` t regret it !
163 4 This is an absolutely breathtaking sci-fi RPG , loaded with wonderful graphics and story line ( feels like a movie ) , a complicated but flexible battle system and lots of fun all around . The game is beautifully finished and polished , and plays that way . Anyone who is a fan of RPGs , anime , or who simply likes a good story should buy and play this game .
167 4 The epic tale of Xenosaga is a story over four thousand years in the making . The first chapter in this massive RPG behemoth is Xenosaga Episode 1 : Der Wille zur Macht . In a world of Fantasy RPGs , Der Wille zur Macht is a solid sci-fi adventure which easily gives Star Wars a run for its money . The gameplay is quite a step up from the rest of the RPG lot . While the basic controls remain the same ( run / walk from right to left , north or south . . . ) it is the battle controls that truly shine like the stars among which this game is set . As opposed to merely selecting a simple single-styled attack from the actions menu , you are enabled to do a number of different , customizable Tech Attacks ( or combos ) via pressing the SQUARE , TRIANGLE , and CIRCLE buttons in patterns . This system gives a much greater amount of depth to the battles , and introduces a higher level of strategy , especially considering different Tech Attacks have different elements . Ether is the sci-fi equivalent of magic , only more believable , utilizing ( in some cases ) the use of nano-machines . All in all , the attacks and ether graphics are beautiful , and a pleasure to look at - - - which puts a positive spin on lengthy boss battles ( even when your under-leveled characters are being mercilessly wiped out ) . As for graphics - - - they are perfect for the setting of Xenosaga . The characters are animated perfectly , and look just as much like anime characters as polygons could possibly allow . With realistic facial expressions and gestures , you begin to see the game's characters as real beings , allowing yourself to be further immersed in the game's awe-inspiring story . Over the past few years , the wall between movies and games has been ever-crumbling , and Xenosaga completely obliterates it , by being the most cinematic game in history . Theoretically speaking , that could go either way , but for Xenosaga it was only positive . The cinematic sequences are so beautifully directed ( with expert camera-work and special effects ) you may very possibly forget you are playing a game , and believe you are watching the longest , most intriguing movie ever made . The brilliant musical scores of Yasunori Mitsuda ( Chrono Trigger , Chrono Cross , Xenogears , and Shadow Hearts to name a few ) serve to give an even more cinematic feel to game . Many of the tracks are performed ( perfectly ) by the London Philharmonic Orchestra . Each piece goes perfectly with its portion of the game , whether it be the tense , but bueatiful battle theme , or intimidating and menacing themes of the games many villains . With believable , lovable characters ( both good and bad ) and excellent voice acting ( each voice is perfect for their corresponding characters ) , excellent graphics and unbelievable music - - - all tied to the most complex and immersive storyline ever seen , heard , or experienced make Xenosaga Episode 1 : Der Wille xur Macht a must-buy game of Biblical proportions ( in many , many ways ) .
For the most part the graphics are excellent . During battles they easily top FFX's battle graphics , as the tons of deathblows and ethers you can do all look gorgeous and have all kinds of cool effects and particles like feathers blowing around them etc . Animation is smooth as is the framerate . Cutscenes are also superbly directed , and definitely help move the story ahead . All in all , an absolutely beautiful looking game .
Sound - The music is great for the most part but there just isn't much of it . If you take out the hollywood type action cut-scene music , you could probally fit the music on to 1 cd , it almost feels like it's only about 1 / 6 of the amount of tracks that say Xenogears had . Also one thing that bugs alot of people , is the for 80% of the gameplay section ( running around and dungeons ) there is no music because Mitsuda thought it's more realistic to only hear sound effects , and that it makes the music have more of an ' impact ' when you do hear it . But what is there is very nice .
Gameplay - The first five hours of this game is a intro movie , you really get no gameplay during it , and you mainly just watch cutscenes and nothing much happens right away . This isn't bad , it's just the game has a slightly slow beginning so be prepared and know that the game does open up . But remember , the Xeno series is like this . If you've played Xenogears you'll know what I mean . But , once the game really starts moving , the gameplay is very good . The battle system is one of my favorites I've ever played , the character management and development between Deathblows / skills / stats / equipment / AGWS is my #1 favorite character management system in any rpg in the last 10 years , it's very complex and really allows you to make the characters the way you want them . Luckily the game makes a save when you beat it which is only for loading into ep2 next year , so if your characters make it through ep1 alive then you can use the one's you've built up in ep2 probaly . Also the game has several mini-games which are completely seperate from the game itself . At save points you can use an item that just takes you into a different game , and you can't win anything to actually use in the real game . Also the AGWS are in the game . While your characters can Boost ( Extremely important ) , heal ( likewise ) , and attack for major damage starting around 1 / 2 through , your gears cannot do anything other than attack and guard . Their attacks do around a 1 / 3 of what any of your characters can do outside of AGWS's , and even there hp is only about 2x your character hp , and none of the bosses require you to use them since only 4 people of the 6 can even use AGWS's , the developers couldn't force you to use AGWS's since your party might not have them . Also there are only around 6 AGWS's ( 3 playable from the start , 2 buyable , 1 another character in the game uses ) in the game , and only 1 really looks like a ' gear ' . But this doesn't take away from the gameplay as there more of just an extra for fans . Also there are a good amount of side-quests and hidden scenes spread around the game .
The game's story does not stand on it's own period . Until the last 10% of the game , I thought it was turning into possibly one of the best rpg / anime / movie / novel stories ever . But then you realize at the last 10% , ' oh wait , there just going to end it there aren't they ' , and they do . Several of the characters in the main party do not even get more than 1 scene of development in the whole game , 1 character doesn't even get a single scene of character development , he's just ' there ' for now . But I really loved the bits of story in the game as there are told with style ( think Xenogears and the last 2eps of Eva ) , very artsy at times and cool . But the story has not even started . Expect to see lots of flashbacks and symbolism that makes no sense at this point . There isn't even enough story in the game to make theories yet . But again , this game is the first part of an on going Xenosaga series so expect the story to unfold during the upcoming sequals . The game took me about 47 hours including 4 hours of just non-stop leveling up in the middle which made the rest of the game pretty easy for me . The game does have a higher difficulty than say the FF series , but it's not the hardest rpg I've played . If you do all the side-quest stuff and get all the secrets I'd say the game will take you about 50 hours , plus the time if you want to play the mini-games . All in all , a great game and one of the better RPG's I've ever played and a series that is gearing up for an absolute epic adventure .
002 4 I'm an avid FF fan , and tend to be pretty biased when it comes to RPG's . Xenosaga is the first RPG that I have ever found to be MORE exciting and intensive than the FF games . I couldn't put it down . I loved the battle system , even though it was complex , I felt I had control of leveling up my characters the way I see fit . The story line is amazing , even the long cut scenes are worth the watch , and I'd even play the game again to watch a few of them . The voice acting is great too , I'm usually not a voice over fan , but I felt the voices fit the characters perfectly ! I beat the game in 60 hours , I obtained most of the items , though a few area's were left unplundered . I think my only beef is that the bosses weren't excessivly difficult to beat , but then again , I spend a lot of time boosting levels , so that could contribute to the ease I had beating the game . At any rate , I highly recommend this game to any serious RPGer . Even if you're not a sci-fi fan ( which I'm not either ) , you won't be disappointed . I can't wait for the next one ! ! ! !
003 4 Xenosaga is one of those rare great games that come out once in a blue moon . If you can handle the slow pace , you'll discover one of the best RPGs ever created .
The graphics in Xenosaga are top-notch . They're fully 3D and incredibly smooth . You'll be seeing a lot of cutscenes throughout the game , so it's a good thing the graphics are so good . Along with the graphics , cutscenes will also come with voice acting for the characters . Each has their own distinct voice that fits the character well , and none of them sound as bad and emotionless as Yuna from FFX .
The game itself of course tells a story , or rather , the beginning to a bigger story . The storyline in incredibly deep and complex . All the characters , even the sub-characters , have actual personalities . All their thoughts and feelings and actually believable .
The gameplay itself is very interesting . As you walk along the fields , you can destroy objects to reveal new paths or weaken onscreen enemies . And because you can actually see the enemy on the field before you engage in battle , there's a lot of strategy to be used outside of battle as well . You can sneak pass enemies to avoid battles you don't wish to fight . There's a lot to the battle system too . Unlike most RPGs where you can just hold onto the attack button for every fight , Xenosaga's battles requires much more strategy and thinking . Characters get 4 AP to spend each turn , and you have to decide how to wisely use it . For example , you can use all 4 AP to perform two attacks one turn , or use 2 AP to attack once , have 6 AP to work with next turn . For attacks with guns and cannons , you'll also have to watch your ammo count so you don't run out of attacks . And then , there's the AGWS . You can jump into one of these giant mechs , and there's a whole new fighting style to work with .
The graphics , story , and gameplay should already be enough to draw you in . And to keep you playing , there's also four great minigames , including a TCG-type card game ( think Magic or Yugioh ) and a 3D fighting game where you control the AGWS . Some even have two-player modes .
Overall , this is one great game you should get your hands on . Don't give up from the slow start , and you'll find yourself playing one of the best RPGs ever created .
007 4 Graphics : For the most part the graphics are excellent . During battles they easily top FFX's battle graphics , as the tons of deathblows and ethers you can do all look gorgeous and have all kinds of cool effects and particles like feathers blowing around them etc . Animation is smooth as is the framerate . Cutscenes are also superbly directed , and definitely help move the story ahead . All in all , an absolutely beautiful looking game .
Sound - The music is great for the most part but there just isn't much of it . If you take out the hollywood type action cut-scene music , you could probally fit the music on to 1 cd , it almost feels like it's only about 1 / 6 of the amount of tracks that say Xenogears had . Also one thing that bugs alot of people , is the for 80% of the gameplay section ( running around and dungeons ) there is no music because Mitsuda thought it's more realistic to only hear sound effects , and that it makes the music have more of an ' impact ' when you do hear it . But what is there is very nice .
Gameplay - The first five hours of this game is a intro movie , you really get no gameplay during it , and you mainly just watch cutscenes and nothing much happens right away . This isn't bad , it's just the game has a slightly slow beginning so be prepared and know that the game does open up . But remember , the Xeno series is like this . If you've played Xenogears you'll know what I mean . But , once the game really starts moving , the gameplay is very good . The battle system is one of my favorites I've ever played , the character management and development between Deathblows / skills / stats / equipment / AGWS is my #1 favorite character management system in any rpg in the last 10 years , it's very complex and really allows you to make the characters the way you want them . Luckily the game makes a save when you beat it which is only for loading into ep2 next year , so if your characters make it through ep1 alive then you can use the one's you've built up in ep2 probaly . Also the game has several mini-games which are completely seperate from the game itself . At save points you can use an item that just takes you into a different game , and you can't win anything to actually use in the real game . Also the AGWS are in the game . While your characters can Boost ( Extremely important ) , heal ( likewise ) , and attack for major damage starting around 1 / 2 through , your gears cannot do anything other than attack and guard . Their attacks do around a 1 / 3 of what any of your characters can do outside of AGWS's , and even there hp is only about 2x your character hp , and none of the bosses require you to use them since only 4 people of the 6 can even use AGWS's , the developers couldn't force you to use AGWS's since your party might not have them . Also there are only around 6 AGWS's ( 3 playable from the start , 2 buyable , 1 another character in the game uses ) in the game , and only 1 really looks like a ' gear ' . But this doesn't take away from the gameplay as there more of just an extra for fans . Also there are a good amount of side-quests and hidden scenes spread around the game .
The game's story does not stand on it's own period . Until the last 10% of the game , I thought it was turning into possibly one of the best rpg / anime / movie / novel stories ever . But then you realize at the last 10% , ' oh wait , there just going to end it there aren't they ' , and they do . Several of the characters in the main party do not even get more than 1 scene of development in the whole game , 1 character doesn't even get a single scene of character development , he's just ' there ' for now . But I really loved the bits of story in the game as there are told with style ( think Xenogears and the last 2eps of Eva ) , very artsy at times and cool . But the story has not even started . Expect to see lots of flashbacks and symbolism that makes no sense at this point . There isn't even enough story in the game to make theories yet . But again , this game is the first part of an on going Xenosaga series so expect the story to unfold during the upcoming sequals . The game took me about 47 hours including 4 hours of just non-stop leveling up in the middle which made the rest of the game pretty easy for me . The game does have a higher difficulty than say the FF series , but it's not the hardest rpg I've played . If you do all the side-quest stuff and get all the secrets I'd say the game will take you about 50 hours , plus the time if you want to play the mini-games . All in all , a great game and one of the better RPG's I've ever played and a series that is gearing up for an absolute epic adventure .
009 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
The increased use of drama is what made Final Fantasy 4 a successful formula , well over a decade ago . It encouraged a new type of RPGs never before experienced . I am truly surprised how well Namco was able to reenergize that essence . The events aboard the Woglinde are an amazing mix of storytelling and gameplay unlike any before . No doubt this will earn a lot of envy .
I've read many negative opinions about Xenosaga . None of them are true . RPGs have a long history of requiring patience - - that's not a surprise . Some of the greatest RPGs had long intermissions , like Final Fantasy 6 or 7 . They emphasized the story elements over anything else , and it worked !
However , I did notice that the second half of Xenosaga had a few too many ordinary battles between story events , which would become a little tiresome and dull , compared to the very energetic first half of Xenosaga .
Voice acting is very good , with voices of all characters well matched . There are a few obvious lip sync errors , but they are easy to overlook , especially since there is a lot of nonstop drama early on for many hours . The subtitles cannot be turned off , but I didn't find them disrupting .
I liked the battle music a lot . It was well matched to the setting of a cosmic RPG . I never tired of it . I expected it to change for the main battles , but that's only because every Final Fantasy game has done so in the past - - no big deal . Some battles with main enemies were engaging , requiring all-out preparation and sometimes no-mistake tactics , which reminded me of some tougher battles of FF 4 , like the Leviathan battle .
I respect Namco's willingness to write the story before making the series . If Capcom had written their general Resident Evil story more clearly sooner , they wouldn't have gotten themselves into such a deadlock over what to do next . They used up many interesting characters , only to recreate similar ones again , which makes the overall story look uncohesive and repetitive . The same problem goes for Konami's Metal Gear series . These companies need to write the story a few games ahead or risk getting into trouble later on .
The emails were a very nice comic relief . I noticed they were very well timed - - a very nice touch . Yes , the spectacular cinemas can be skipped . This is useful , if you find yourself redoing a scene due to a lost battle . Ordinary battles can seem long only because it isn't obvious at first into which skills to invest . There are several ways to go .
The time to complete the game depends on the player . I'm not a big fan of side quests , so I only completed a few of them . Linear gameplay is the thing . It is what makes a great RPG , always has .
I respect Squaresoft a lot , especially for their FF X , but the first part of Xenosaga is actually what makes Xenosaga more spectacular than any Final Fantasy game I have ever played . I think of the first hours of Xenosaga to be much like the first minutes of FF X . Spectacular and involving . Namco will either stay with this successful original formula or steer Xenosaga 2 into a black hole . It all depends on who they listen to . Competition is welcome to have their opinions about Xenosaga too .
010 4 The increased use of drama is what made Final Fantasy 4 a successful formula , well over a decade ago . It encouraged a new type of RPGs never before experienced . I am truly surprised how well Namco was able to reenergize that essence . The events aboard the Woglinde are an amazing mix of storytelling and gameplay unlike any before . No doubt this will earn a lot of envy .
I've read many negative opinions about Xenosaga . None of them are true . RPGs have a long history of requiring patience - - that's not a surprise . Some of the greatest RPGs had long intermissions , like Final Fantasy 6 or 7 . They emphasized the story elements over anything else , and it worked !
However , I did notice that the second half of Xenosaga had a few too many ordinary battles between story events , which would become a little tiresome and dull , compared to the very energetic first half of Xenosaga .
Voice acting is very good , with voices of all characters well matched . There are a few obvious lip sync errors , but they are easy to overlook , especially since there is a lot of nonstop drama early on for many hours . The subtitles cannot be turned off , but I didn't find them disrupting .
I liked the battle music a lot . It was well matched to the setting of a cosmic RPG . I never tired of it . I expected it to change for the main battles , but that's only because every Final Fantasy game has done so in the past - - no big deal . Some battles with main enemies were engaging , requiring all-out preparation and sometimes no-mistake tactics , which reminded me of some tougher battles of FF 4 , like the Leviathan battle .
I respect Namco's willingness to write the story before making the series . If Capcom had written their general Resident Evil story more clearly sooner , they wouldn't have gotten themselves into such a deadlock over what to do next . They used up many interesting characters , only to recreate similar ones again , which makes the overall story look uncohesive and repetitive . The same problem goes for Konami's Metal Gear series . These companies need to write the story a few games ahead or risk getting into trouble later on .
The emails were a very nice comic relief . I noticed they were very well timed - - a very nice touch . Yes , the spectacular cinemas can be skipped . This is useful , if you find yourself redoing a scene due to a lost battle . Ordinary battles can seem long only because it isn't obvious at first into which skills to invest . There are several ways to go .
The time to complete the game depends on the player . I'm not a big fan of side quests , so I only completed a few of them . Linear gameplay is the thing . It is what makes a great RPG , always has .
I respect Squaresoft a lot , especially for their FF X , but the first part of Xenosaga is actually what makes Xenosaga more spectacular than any Final Fantasy game I have ever played . I think of the first hours of Xenosaga to be much like the first minutes of FF X . Spectacular and involving . Namco will either stay with this successful original formula or steer Xenosaga 2 into a black hole . It all depends on who they listen to . Competition is welcome to have their opinions about Xenosaga too .
011 4 Xenosaga should go down in video game history as one of the finest RPG's ever created . It's a game that's a good cut from the norm , and stands out in the mediocre PS2 RPG crowd .
It takes place four thousand years into the future , and is set in deep space . I won't get into the plot because it is far too complicated too explain in a short review . However , I will say that it has THE most engaging storyline of any game I have ever played . It's one of those games whose characters are truly memorable , and etch themselves into your heart forever . You'll probably find yourself desperate to advance in the game just to find out what is going to happen next , as you really care about the games characters . Yes , there are a TON of cutscenes , but I found them all to be well done and enjoyable , adding much to the game instead of hindering it . I will say that if you're the type of person who hates this style , you probably won't enjoy the game .
As far as gameplay goes , it's only a little better than most RPG's nowadays , and has it's flaws . First off , the customization options for your characters are terrific , a very fun part of the game . However , sometimes battling becomes tedious and boring . A game like FFX has slightly better gameplay than Xenosaga .
The graphics are decent overall , but wonderfully detailed in the cutscenes , and voice acting is well done .
Basically , if you're the type of person that loves an epic story , you gotta get this game . I feel blessed to have been able to play it , and eagerly anticipate the follow up .
020 4 This is one of those games that at first you think woooo - - - why am I playing this game , then once you get about an hour into it it really picks up and soars . This is one the greatest RPG ever - - - - - well , except Final Fantasy X . So here's an analysis of the game :
Graphics : Good , but few movie scenes
Gameplay : Well thought out , smart and intelligently made .
Characters : The main characters are pretty cool but some times a bit annoying .
All around score : 9.5 / 10 , I reccommend though that kids the age of 12 and under should not play this game for blood and gore and some scenes that can give you the creeps .
One more thing , You should buy this game , it will be the best $50 you ever spent ( other than on your PS2 )
039 4 I'm not gonna write a long , tedious review . I'm just gonna tell it straight . Xenosaga is great . The cinematics are perfect , the characters are some of the best ever in a RPG ( when you meet Albedio you'll know what I mean ) , and the story is absolutley mind blowing . The battle system fits like a second glove , while the leveling up design is near perfect . When was the last time you were happy with a RPG's ending ? Xenosaga's is 15 mins of pure excitement . Not since FFVII have I seen an ending so emotional , exciting , and epic . When all other recent RPG's endings are flat and anti-climatic , Xenosaga offers a truly satisfying ending to a truly satisfying RPG . I can not recomend it enough .
047 4 Well , I have put a solid weekend into Xenosaga ( episode one ) , and I can honestly say that I enjoy this title . I won't comment about the plot , except to say that it is top notch ( any spoiling of the surprises would take half the fun of the game ) , and any RPGer would be sorry to miss it .
However , flaws do come to mind . For example ( and this is minor ) , this game is supposed to take place thousands of years before Xenogears , yet many of the characters which appear there have their roots in this game ( e.g . Citan Uzuki obviously descends , over thousands of years , from two characters in this game , and minor characters from Xenogears , such as Vanderkampf , have relatives which look IDENTICAL to their future counterpart ) . While I'm sure that some gamers think they're cool ( whatever ) for getting these in-game references , I would prefer more realism ( let's face it - how many people in the world , even Asians , can honestly trace their roots back even 1000 years ? ) . I guess it's cute , but whatever .
Also , the graphics are nothing to scream about . In fact , they are reminiscent of Square's much earlier offering , Final Fantasy VIII , and are nowhere near FFX . The characters in cutscenes are static - their hair doesn't move , their clothes don't ruffle , etc . The actual gameplay graphics are OK , however .
Finally , the cut scenes are a little too much . The voice acting isn't horrible , and the graphics ( though I complained above ) are OK . However , the first 10 hours or so are dominated by cut scenes ( I know the story is rich and perhaps difficult to develop in the gameplay , but I think the developers could have tried a little harder ) .
Now that I have ranted ( and really , these flaws are minor ) , I should praise . The story is magnificent , and will pull the gamer in even though it develops on screen ( rather than interactively ) . Also , the gameplay is fun ( the combo system returns from Xenogears , but it is simpler , and spell-learning is handled in a clever way ) . Also , there is a random effect which occurs every turn in battle ( e.g . the next turn will have a boosted chance for a critical hit , the following turn will have a boosted ether attack , etc . ) . The developers used this in a clever way at times , but I'll leave it to the player to discover just how it works !
Also , four mini-games can be unlocked during game play . These minigames are fantastic , and very involved ( I'll give away only one of these - a Magic-type card game in which you build a deck throughout the game in order to vie for tournament victories and fabulous prizes ) . The games are well thought-out , but can be complicated at times .
Anyway , I've rambled here . In summary , this is a worthwhile game to own , but the flaws are noticeable . I hope that Namco and company can sort this out by the time episode two rolls around ( particularly the cutscene problem ) .
057 4 That's the one thing you'll hear about this game all day long . Long cutscences . I'm not talking FF7 Kalm long , I am talking 30 - 45 minutes at some points !
But let's look at that a bit closer . The FMVs are masterfully done . The sound and graphics are superb and I certainly didn't mind watching any of them . The story is very well done on all accounts . Namco was also kind enough to include a VERY handy skip option on the FMVs , in case you die and start back before a long FMV .
So the FMVs are long , but they are quality . What about the rest of the game ? Well it definately doesn't disappoint . The level of customization of character is great . Bonus points are awarded after battles which can be used to boost stats , learn new abilities , improve exsisting abilities , or pluck skills out of items . This really adds a lot to the game and makes all those battles go a bit easier knowing that you're building up those upgrades .
Xenosaga also manages to add some action elements into the game . You can shoot various things in the world to damage or paralyze enemies . In one of the earlier battle encounters you have outmanuever an invincable enemy through a corrider . It's not just random boring RPG battles .
There are also a number of mini-games you unlock through the game . The Battle game , which seems pointless but is amusing , there's a full card game very reminsince of Magic : The Gathering , the good ol ' Casino where you can win some eqiupment and items , and a drilling game which also gives you items and money .
So yes , the FMVs are long , but they are well done and tell a wonderful story . But there is also so much more than long FMVs to this game . Give it a try , it's a solid RPG .
058 4 I'm not going to lie . I haven't actually FINISHED the game yet . But , after playing for 40 someodd hours , I think I can give a fairly decent review .
First off , the battle system is much better than in most other RPGs ( * cough * * cough * FFX * cough ) . The combo system is fun , the way attacks are upgradeable is fun , and boosting , which allows you to alter the order of turns , is fun . Also , the little doohicky that gives a different effect for each turn is great : on each turn , you either get nothing , an increased critical hit rate , an increased boost rate , or if you kill an enemy bonus tech / ether / skill points ( really fun to kill everything on screen , then get 10x the normal points for each enemy ) .
The voice acting is pretty good , which is more than can be said for 99% of games with voice acting . Annoying thing is , the mouths don't match up with the words the characters are saying . It's a minor problem though-a nuisance more than anything .
The plot is intruiging ( sorry , I know I spelled that incorrectly ) , complex , looooooooooooong , and not going to be relayed or summarized here-any such effort is doomed to failure .
As a few closing notes : A ) Jr . has the greatest fighting style ever in an RPG , and B ) the Gnosis are scary . You have to love phantasmal aliens .
060 4 Hmm . . . where to begin ? Basically , it's a nicely done RPG with relatively long cinematic sequences . I say relatively long because other adjectives tend to categorize it as a negative , which it's not . I highly enjoyed the cinematics and especially the ending . = ]
First off , the gameplay is very solid . While some may complain there are few areas to explore compared to other games , I disagree . The creators were very ingenious when writing out the story as every place in the game is visited much more often than with other games , hence becoming quite memorable . The areas themselves are made much better than other RPGs . Instead of simply walking through a maze with monsters , the explorable areas are filled with puzzles , which aren't stupid and tedious as it usually turns out to be , and various little interactive elements that add to the overall atmosphere .
Battles are another strong point ( does it even have a weak point ? = ] ) , instead of easily killed creatures undeserving of your wrath , it's actually very possible to die in regular battles . With the features included in the battles , you gotta make every turn count and it becomes fairly strategic as RPGs go . It's also great how the damage / hit points have been reduced to the hundreds and early thousands . I think it's really getting ridiculous how in Final Fantasy X damages were going 20,000 + . . . There's just really no point in that ? ADD ON : Characters are also highly customizable , but not to a point where in the end there's no difference between one and another ( again i.e . FFX ) .
The cinematics are very well done . Camera angles are practically flawless if not perfect . The story unveils like a book . Very nice plot and underlying mysteries . This first episode feels a lot like one book of the Star Wars New Jedi Order books . While it isn't the whole story the portion has enough in it to make the ending seem like a landmark in the tale . The only complaint I have is the dub . This isn't because the dub is bad . I'd say this is comparable to your general anime dub if not better . I'm just not much of a dub person . = ]
In addition to the regular stuff , there's of course several mini games you can play . These are VERY GOOD . I can honestly say XenoCards accounted for 25 - 35% of my total game time . Super super cool , especially when compared to FFX's rather lackluster side quests ( I couldn't stand the cactar in the desert . . . , nor finding 10 of some monster to catch when they appear really rarely ) .
Finally , there's also some secrets in the game . One big thing that makes this RPG different from the rest is that they're actually doable without a guide ! I mean , I'd like to see someone figure out all the side quests in FFX by themselves in under 1000 hours . - _ - That's also very cool .
In conclusion , I believe XenoSaga is a refreshing experience for those tired of the generic dregs that the RPG genre have begun to develop . I've played every Final Fantasy from 6 ( 3 in US ) up and it does get a little old ; this game should prove very different and very fun .
Final Note : Mahou shoujo MOMO is super kawaii ! = ]
063 4 Xenosaga was a good game , but it took a long , long time for me to get through . . . and not just because it offers a good sixty hours of gameplay . If you're looking for a jaw-dropping RPG that will leave you addicted , get Final Fantasy X ( at the nice new rate of twenty bucks a pop ) . If you've already beaten that twice , then get Xenosaga .
All the good elements are there : it's a ( sort of ) FF style RPG with nice graphics . The main hook for me was the story . The cutscenes were incredibly long . But it didn't matter , because most of them were riveting , and sometimes frankly creepy ( i.e . Albedo ripping his own head off and laughing ) . Presented in beautiful anime-style 3 - D CG graphics , the story that begins to unfold is gripping , and filled with many more-than-subtle refrences to different religions and philosiphies . Love it .
But as for why it takes sixty long hours :
The gameplay is unbalanced . Damage is dealt through special attacks , but though they are asthetically different , they all end up becoming ' short-range attack ' for ' enemy on ground ' and ' long-range attack ' for ' enemy in air ' . This deceptively simple system would lend itself to fast battles , but the solidly turn-based fight system drags itself along like a fallen tree sloth . Magic ( called ether ) is used , but rarely for anything other than healing , making your magic-user essentially useless once you transfer her skills to someone with more HP .
In contrast to the battle system , leveling up is hard , time-consuming and complex . Seems that seperate points are required for each of three types of attribute , and these are critical if you want to survive .
Areas . Way too few , way too big , way too overused . You only get about seven or eight main areas during the game , and over half can be summed up as gray ship walls with red spots , or red ship walls with gray spots .
Enemies . Too few types . Stupid , predictable , and too easy to avoid , giving rise to the temptation to not train at all . And they award so few points and gold that over half your time is spent killing the exact same enemies . Blahzzzzzzzzz . . .
Music . It rocks the first time you hear it . And the second , and even the fifth . But when you hear the exact same seven tired tunes forty hours into the game , you don't care that the London Philharmonic performed them .
All in all , the bad elements can be summed up in one word : repitition . The boys ( and girls ) up at Namco spent all their creativity on the plot . My personal suggestion : $ % # @ the game , edit the CG sequences together and add in a few more , and release it in theaters . It'd be great .
* * * Note : I saw this review now , a few months after I first wrote it , and decided that it was a little harsh . I like the old-school world map with a huge variety of locations and quests ( Baldur's Gate and FF7 are high in my list of favorite games ) . I had a lot of fun with Xenosaga . I just tend to really bash any characteristics of a game that get on my nerves .
Xenosaga sure beats the heck out of that THING they dare call a sequel to FFX .
093 4 This is one addicting game . Yes it is 50 + hours if you take the time to collect all the items ( which you will want do to for use with the second game ) . The graphics are cool but the dubbing was like and old kung-fu flick if you know what I mean . The building of characters is a tedious process and be be very slow . First you need to gain skill points and such . Skill points aren't gained as fast as the sphere system in FFX . It takes a while , but worth the wait . The combo battle system is a great thing to have along with the techattacks . I wish there was more battle anamation like in the FF series during a summon . The controls are very easy to learn and take no time at all . One of the biggest disapointing aspects of this game is crate busting . You run around and bust crates to get more items . Yeah . . . busting crates , crates , and more crates . As Adam Sessler of tech tv's Extended Play states : If your a fan of crate busting , this is the game for you .
096 4 I won't bother going into huge detail ; there are a billion reviews here , and I don't want to drone what everyone else has already said .
What I mean with my title , though , I suppose I should discuss . If you're going to mind about 30 hours of your game spent WATCHING and not playing , you will hate this game . Really , you will . If you don't mind that , or if you LIKE that , as I do ( at least now that I experience it ) , then I think you'll really enjoy this game . I , personally , feel that it is the strongest RPG franchise to be released in America in a long time . The gameplay systems are unique and fun , and while this is not the most innovative game ever made , everything it does , it does with a very high degree of style and solidity . If you play RPGs for the storyline , you will very much enjoy this one .
Other pluses are phenomenal music by the Xenogears / Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross composer , Yasunori Mitsuda ( who absolutely outdoes himself - - and the tunes are performed by the London Symphonic Orchesta ) , great graphics ( which everyone seems to underrate - - these are being generated by the PS2 , they're not pre-rendered , and they're amazing ) , an enjoyable battle system ( again , all the game systems are very well done ) , and enough extra stuff to keep you busy for a long time . This is one I'm going to hold on to after I've finished it . It's my favorite game to come out this year and in my opinion is rivaled on the PS2 only by titles like Suikoden III and ( obligatorily ) Final Fantasy X .
Finally , as always , I'll report on the localization , which is actually quite good . The character voices are about on par and will grow on you ( they're as good as Final Fantasy X ) . I do wish , however , that there would have been some way to include the original Japanese voice track , either through a double-sided DVD ( it's already dual layer ) or a second DVD included . This was a great feature of . hack and in my opinion should be a must when translating a game that is originally in another language . It's just common sense .
To sum up , think of this as a really long anime with top-notch gameplay segments . Sound good ? Then you'll like this . Sound awful ? Then avoid this game and all its sequels .
All that said , it is possible to exagerate the amount of cinemas . This is a long game , 80 - 100 hours . That leaves you with about 30% cinema , and Final Fantasy X really isn't all that far behind ( FFX basically pioneered the concept of including lots of cinema in games , building on previous FFs ) .
This game's highly worthy of 5 stars , has been underrated by many , and is my top pick out of all the very good RPGs that came out in February ( Dark Cloud 2 , . hack , Breath of Fire V , and Xenosaga ) .
111 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Xenosaga is the sequel to the game Xenogears ( which I've Never played before ) . But lets get to the point Xenosaga is one of the hardest games I've played but it's one of my favorite games.The story has a lot of dept and some unpredictable twists in the story , The graphics beat the living crap out of FFX , the sound is top-notch and the music is done by the famous London Phillharmonic Orchestra . The only thing that bugs me is that X and O are switched around , but you will get it down.So anyways , Xenosaga Episode 1 is a must-have for any RPG fan . But still if your not into RPGs buy it , also buy the guide to ( or you'll get lost . ) My point is buy Xenosaga ! I won't stop saying it until you do buy it .
112 4 Xenosaga is the sequel to the game Xenogears ( which I've Never played before ) . But lets get to the point Xenosaga is one of the hardest games I've played but it's one of my favorite games.The story has a lot of dept and some unpredictable twists in the story , The graphics beat the living crap out of FFX , the sound is top-notch and the music is done by the famous London Phillharmonic Orchestra . The only thing that bugs me is that X and O are switched around , but you will get it down.So anyways , Xenosaga Episode 1 is a must-have for any RPG fan . But still if your not into RPGs buy it , also buy the guide to ( or you'll get lost . ) My point is buy Xenosaga ! I won't stop saying it until you do buy it .
114 4 I was , at first , a little apprehensive about buying this game , as i was just fixing to beat FFX . After i ( finally ) beat FFX , i was thirsting for a good RPG . Enter Xenosaga , the gatorade to my marathon runner . The graphics , as you all should know by now , are nice and pretty . The gameplay and battle systems are quite fun . I really ( REALLY ) liked ( loved ) the way the side quests were done . There were a few but not too many ( FFX ) . Also , the side quests aren't needed , as in FFX , you can choose not to do the side quests and still stand a fair chance of beating the game .
Also about the side quests , they aren't near impossible to complete , most of the time , you just need to wait until your characters are of high enough level , and then you should have no problem . During FFX , i broke a controller trying to get the sun-sigil for Tidus ' ultimat weapon . In Xenosaga , everything is a good balance , challenging , but not too hard , fun , but not enough to distract you from the fact that your characters still have five more episodes to o through . Remember to save your game after you beat it so that you can transfer your character data to episode 2 : Jenseits von Gut und Bose - Beyond good and evil
127 4 When the game ended at 42 hours I sat there dumbfounded . This is the worst ending for a rpg I've ever seen . I've played all the FF games , Star Ocean , and Suikoden 1 and 2 , so I expected Xenosaga to have as good an ending , yet it only left me with questions :
Hey , where's the other cd ? I only played it for 42 hours and it said there was over 80 hours of play .
Why did it stop right here ? The ending was abrupt , not revealing any of the secrets that the characters were holding .
I was just left with a to be continuted sign on my screen .
That being said , I enjoyed the game up until that point . I chose to power up only the gals and took them all the way through to the end . Maybe I'll replay the game and have three of the male characters play .
The one exception to liking the game was this demented character who had a demonic laugh and liked to fondle and kill little girls . I don't think having this in the game added anything to it , it just creeped me out . It concerns me because I know that 9 year olds play teen games and that segment should only be for adults ( as an adult , I didn't want it at all ) .
As a personal aside - the character Allen was too whimpy . Yuck .
128 4 This review is from :
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
This is like watching a movie because of the cutscenes . You take control of the action like in a regular RPG , but there is no world map and you have to go where the story has taken you . There is all the usual stuff with building up characters ' stats and abilities , using items , save points , etc . I usually don't like RPGs that tend towards movies because I favour traditional RPGs . But this game is an exception . The story is so intriguing and the graphics so nice . I am a huge sci-fi fan , so I love playing the game . It's like an interactive sci-fi novel . Lots of fun .
I found the battle system fun . Lots of characters can switch to the robot ( like using a Guardian Spirit in FF8 ) . I think this was meant for boss battles . The story is very extensive . You can go into the database and pull up loads of info on keywords mentioned during the plot . I felt ' immersed in the gaming experience ' . You can also take your time and explore every nook and cranny of the places . There are secret rooms and hidden items .
A lot of the battles , regular or boss , can be really difficult . I think that's to account for the enormous range of abilities the player's characters have . They can switch to robots , use spells , and use tech attacks . You can escape from any regular battle , and once you have died once to a regular or boss battle , you have a much better idea of what to do next time .
Another great feature is that you can pick and choose what special skills , spells , and attacks you want equipped in a certain area . For example , if you are in an area with monsters that use poison , you can equip Poison Guard while you're in that area . Another example would be if you are in an area with alien monsters , you can equip tech attacks
that are specifically meant to deal with aliens .
There is quite a bit of Christian religious imagery that is subtly woven into the storyline . Haven't finished it yet , but I get the impression that everyone in the game universe is Christian . One example is that the main character uses a phrase from the Bible as a computer password . I actually found the combination of subtle Christianity with futuristic sci-fi to be intriguing .
Also , there was a scene that reminded me a lot of rape . It was really difficult to watch . Luckily , you can skip any scene by pausing the game and pushing the triangle button .
144 4 Let me start off by saying that I definitely enjoyed the game . I agree with almost all of the praise that it is receiveing . That being said , I would like to focus on some of the shortcomings that I think could be improved upon in the future installments .
First of all the game was too short . I really took my time and it took me just under 50 hours to beat . Many people beat the game in about 30 hours ; however , the back of the box advertises 80 hours of gameplay . There aren't enough enemies to max out your sats and abilities especially if you are using all six characters evenly . You have the ability to extract certain skills from items , which I never got to use because my skill level was still too low at the end of the game or I wasn't able to earn the necessary skill points for the abilities . Either that or the particuliar skill that I wanted to extract ( ie . protection from a certain status ailment ) was useless at that point in the game .
The next problem I had was with the magic , or ether as it is called here . I have a few problems with this one . Why do they need to call it ether to begin with . Ether was once considered to be a mystical substance that filled the heavens . Nowadays ethers are a class of organic compunds . I thought that they just should've come up with a more original name , or just called it magic . Some of the spells are utterly useless , not to mention the fact that they take up ether weight ( you can only equip a certain weight of spells at one time , with the good ones obviously weighing the most ) . The attack spells were worthless next to the powerful tech attacks that most characters could unleash . The healing spells were the only ones that I even needed to complete the game .
Some ( and I stress some ) of the science was really bad . They wanted to talk about nanotechnology nonstop becasue that is a hot topic today . It was as if they really knew nothing about the science , but thought that it sounded cool . When a Star Trek movie is made , scientific advisors are hired . They keep the writers / characters from looking like idiots by trying to use big words that they don't understand .
I only liked playing about half of the characters . Some of them were kind of cheesy and unbelievable . I guess jr was put into the game for some of the younger players . Being a grown man , I have no desire to play as a 12 year old running aroud with a pair of Glocks .
The AGWS ( like mechs or gears ) were useless . There were one or two battles in the beginning where they were of some assistance , but once your HP got high enough you didn't need them . They were very slow in battles , and you were better off with your normal characters .
Here are a few other things . There were not enough different types of enemies . I would guess that there were about 25 - 30 types excluding the bosses . Sadly , the game is very linear like so much of this genre has become . It is alot like FFX were your course is set , and you aren't really able to explore . What happenned to the games like FF2 - FF7 where you could go wherever you wanted to ? People rave about the music , but I thought it was median at best . It was well performed , but the score was to short . The cutscenes really didn't bother me as much as they did most people . Hope some of this helps .
154 4 When I picked up this game I was a little aprehensive about the strong anime elements . I have never been into big eyes and small noses . Only the recomendations of others and the local game shop store clerk helped me overcome my fears .
So I popped in the disc , and completly lost track of time . The graphics are great ( only beaten by FFX ) , the story . . . WOW ! What a story ! This is what an RPG should be !
Some people have complained about the length of the cut-scenes . I have never found them to be a problem , in fact I look forward to them . I play a game to be entertained . Some people like hacking and slashing . . I like to be part of a great story , and with Xenosaga I am part in a great one .
My advice to anyone considering this game is to pick it up . I am thankful for every moment I have to play this game . Pick it up , you won't be sorry !
164 4 Now I have to say that the graphics are great throughout the game . The only downside is that I must have been watching cinema for like 45 minutes straight , you even were asked to save between cinemas cause it was so long ! The times you do play though are very difficult and challenging which is whta I love . Overall , it is a great buy if like that much cinema ( even more than FFX ! ) . The battle system is something new with using up to three attacks per turn and using AWGS ( big robots ) to help you out . I just think this game was concentrated alot more on graphics and cinema than gameplay .
174 4 Not since FFX have I been so excited about a game . Great plot and game play . Can't wait for Episode II . I much better game than . Hack .
The music is also fantasic and is along the quality of FFX .
Purchase the book . It adds a lot to the game because it lists all of the charactors skills , tech attacks , and ether .
179 4 Ok Let me tell you i have been looking for decent RPG's for a while . . . ever since i was shown what they should be with FFX . I have played suikoden , Golden sun ( GBA ) , Tactics ogre , and many previous Final Fantasies . This game is right on up there with FFX . Sure the lips dont move when people talk and maybe there are some questionable incidents with religion but this is an awesome game .
Visual : Wonderful a 4.5 out of 5 its up there with FFX and Halo . Wonderful character design good fighting effects and some pretty [ cool ] spaceships .
Audio : 4 out of 5 The audio is about as good as you can expect for a video game . . . I dont usually have the sound on unless thers a movie or something on because most games just have repetitive tunes . . . ( Pokemon blech )
Story : 5.5 out of 5 This is what the game is about . its not about running around woopin . . . with a [ character ] like in devil may cry . its not about getting your socks scared off by bad camera angles in Resident Evil this game is about watching the mysteries unfold and story is where it shines . ( P.S . if your not willing to drop maybe 15 hours out of the game to watch these movies try getting ur mommy to buy you some short attention span games like mariokart or something )
Gaming : 4.5 out of 5 i dont think that so far i have ever been stuck for more than 15 minutes wondering where to go and the only reason I was lost was because i missed some dialogue . The battle system is reminisc any RPG with many well taken twists in it .
I love this game and dont say im crazy but this game to me is a mix of halo ( the firsts levels are much alike ship under attack by superior aliens and super powerful robot / android . . . ) and final fantasy battle system . there are no random battles but there are specified save points ( sigh ) I suggest this game to anyone who loves a good tale of adventure and i reccomend that mortal kombat and racing fans steer clear . . .
Xenosaga ( Video Game )
Positive and negative aspects of this game :
+ Good , epic sci-fi story
+ Great anime art
+ Deep character advancement and combat system
- Really bad lip-synch
054 4 Positive and negative aspects of this game :
+ Good , epic sci-fi story
+ Great anime art
+ Deep character advancement and combat system
- Really bad lip-synch
