The Xenosaga series is composed of three episodes where all the titles are named after the books of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The story mainly uses the science fiction theme but has frequent allusions to mythology. The Xenosaga world is composed of "columns" and hosts more species aside from humans - they have cyborgs, androids, and more.
Credit: princessmeyrin023
Story & Characters
(for Xenosaga: Epsiode I):
Finally! A space RPG that works! I'm a sci-fi nut, but I have the say MOVE OVER STAR WARS! (the last 2 movies
kinda sucked, anyways). Technobable is pretty rampant and it can get confusing to those unfamiliar to sci-fi stuff, but
once you get the hang of it, it flows and flows and flows.
For those of us who need a little Ghost in the Shell, we've got it with several sub-races of humanity: the humans
(like us), the cyborgs (those of us that have mechanical limbs), the Realians (basically humans who have no will except
to serve), and the androids (completely artificial). This caste system that is set up takes parallels of human history
and philosophers.
As for the story, hang on to your helmets, cause this is one roller costar of a ride. Starting off on Earth with an
archeological find of the millennium, you later travel about 4000 years into the future, where humans have dominated the
galaxy, except for some small groups and an alien threat known as the Gnosis. The scary thought of them is that they
don't react with space as we do. Bullets fly past them and when they grab a hold of you, you turn to salt and
shatter. Scary thought.
The characters each have a history: KOS-MOS is an android designed to counter the Gnosis. Shion Uzuki: one of the
developers of KOS-MOS who's boyfriend was killed during an accident relating with KOS-MOS. Ziggy: a cyborg who was
resurrected from the dead and now wants to become more and more machine. Jr., a kid that apparently is older than his
looks with a chip on his shoulder. MOMO, a Realian that holds the secret to the Gnosis. And chaos, a mysterious boy
that can make Gnosis vanish with a touch.
Mecha designs are cool, the Gnosis are creepy ghosts, and the starships look great, especially the Durandal and the
Rhine Maiden.
Feast for the eyes, and a pain on the brain. To those of you who loves this, bon appetite.
Rating: 10
Art
If you've played Zone of the Enders, than you know what the best Japanese 3D can do (which is great). Even though
the game isn't ground breaking, it is still pleasing to the eyes, with great articulation (anime-style) and battles
in the movies.
The in-game graphics are pretty standard, but the game is all about the movies. That is where the game truly
shines.
In short: if you're the kind of person that is very nit-picky on graphics in-game: sorry
if you don't care and love to watch long movies: GET THIS NOW!
Rating: 9
Sound
I know a lot of people love it when an RPG has orchestrated music. In fact, I too love it, especially during story
developments and during a battle. However, Xenosaga's music is a little.........how should I say it......lacking
in individuality. If you're looking for something out of, say Final Fantasy, you'll be very
disappointed.
There are three exceptions to this rule. The first, comes up during the final boss battle. I thought to myself,
"Finally! something different!" I sat there and listened to it until the entire track is over (now if only I
can find it -_-; ). The last too were from the ending cinematics. I can't spoil it, but it is great. trust me on
this
Rating: 7
Presentation
Even though many religious and philosophical themes are present in the game, everything is so originally placed, that
there is nothing that feels like "what the hell is that doing there?"
Unfortunately, the game could stand to have some more humor in the storyline and the cinematic, again, since that is
where the story is. There are a few, but you'd have to be very patient, and even so, it is pretty weak. The game
takes a couple months out of your game time (unless you're one of those nuts that play for days straight). Game
play is pretty short, and the battle system is somewhat lacking, so if you want a "game-game", go somewhere
else.
Character customization is great, if you know how to use it. Unfortunately, it is too complex for some of us pro-RPG
players. It's slow, tedious, and one mistake can cost you the game.
In summery, patience is a virtue. If you don't like to wait for a story, than you are going to have to find
another RPG with more action. But I can guarantee you this, a game can either emphasize on the "game" or the
"story", never both.
Rating: 8
Final Verdict
8.6667 (very good)
Reviewed by nightwolf0079, Mar 22, 2005
