Xenogears

[Kaylia]

One of my top RPG's along with Chrono Trigger, FF3 (FF6 here in the US), Grandia 2, WildArms series, and FF8. I thought it had a complex story (was a kid when I played it), but very entertaining. Unfortunately, I thought the Xenosaga series were going to have something in common with Xenogears. I played the first and it was a piece of shit.

And what make Xenosaga a piece of shit if you enjoyed Xenogears story? Or maybe you don't care about story and just wanted big robots and jump function.

[Jefe]

Stop comparing it to xenogears and play the 3 games... #3 makes up for all the crap #1 and 2 puts you through.

Nah, that would be like spending most of my life with a banshee of a wife giving me hell, and enjoying like the last 10 years... ANYWAYS, I've been camping Persona 3 @ BC it's gonna be released like the 12th, no? I'm kinda curious to try it since the last one I played was for the PS.

And what make Xenosaga a piece of shit if you enjoyed Xenogears story? Or maybe you don't care about story and just wanted big robots and jump function.

It's just a matter of taste, buddy. I didn't appreciate most of the game was just CS (If I wanted to see a movie, I could've just gone to one), I didn't find the characters memorable. In fact, I only remember CosMos and Billy. If you enjoyed the series, more power to you.

[Kaylia]

Taste is one thing, but when you are comparing apple with apple, I expect similar result. XG story is similar to XS story in more than one way, so if one is "good", the other can hardly fall in the "fail" category.

[Xavier]

I'm not nearly done with Episode 3 (still on the first disc), but I can definitely see the potential chain of events that could lead to the story in Xenogears.

[Exoduso]

No you don't. Keep playing. (it starts making a loooot more sense in cd2..besides, that cd is like stacked with plot twists like crazy)

[Kaylia]

I'm not nearly done with Episode 3 (still on the first disc), but I can definitely see the potential chain of events that could lead to the story in Xenogears.

I dont want to spoil anything, but the game take a slightly different route near the end. However, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say something very similar happened before Xenogears era.

[Steveon]

It was touched upon slightly and I skipped all the spoiler posts but how is the battle system? I am playing Shadow Hearts II right now but looking to buy the entire Xeno saga after I beat it.

Is the combat system more like the FF system of inputing commands, like Valkyrie Profile and "mashing" buttons to make combos, etc etc.?

[Xavier]

It was touched upon slightly and I skipped all the spoiler posts but how is the battle system? I am playing Shadow Hearts II right now but looking to buy the entire Xeno saga after I beat it.

Is the combat system more like the FF system of inputing commands, like Valkyrie Profile and "mashing" buttons to make combos, etc etc.?

Can't really remember combat in Episode 1, but Episode 2 is button combinations in turn-based combat, while Episode 3 is more "FF" styled combat.

[Kaelan]

In Episode I you get a set amount of AP per turn to input a series of button combinations, some combinations end in "deathblows" which do more damage. If you remember what Xenogears was like, it's just like that, only a few details got changed(like being able to "level up" your deathblows). Was my favorite combat system out of the 3

[Kaylia]

It was touched upon slightly and I skipped all the spoiler posts but how is the battle system? I am playing Shadow Hearts II right now but looking to buy the entire Xeno saga after I beat it.
Is the combat system more like the FF system of inputing commands, like Valkyrie Profile and "mashing" buttons to make combos, etc etc.?

Combat system is boring according to many people. I rarely [never] enjoy battle in a rpg, and Xenosaga is not an exception. I just want to see story and explore the world.

Episode1: Everyone can execute a 2 hits combo (weak strong, weak weak, strong weak, and strong strong), and depending which one you do, you use a different special ability. Because its not well balanced, you will end up spamming the same skill over and over. The boost system system was the only unique thing. Your gauge increase every time you hit an enemy, and you can use it to get a free turn at any point in the fight.

Episode2: Zone system similar to SH3 (and Shadow heart 2 to a lesser extent), boost system is back again. They added double tech system, but the only one you will use is "double medica" to heal everyone, and "steal 100%/scan. Basically, you have to execute long combo to "break" enemy's zone to kill them fast. Was decent, but fight were way too long (5min+ per encounter near the end of the game)

Episode3: Play like FFX. You spam attack, and when your gauge is full, you use your super skill to finish the mobs and get bonus xp. Boost system is still there, but kinda useless.

In episode1, robot were pretty much useless in battle. You can use them at any time in battle, but they are so fucking slow and weak you will be dead by the time it attack. In episode 2 and 3, gears battle are conventional turn based battle with nothing special to them. Still a nice change of pace, and big damage number is always fun, but character battle were always more fun imo.

In overall, battle system wasn't that great in Xeno series, but I don't think it's a good reason to stay away from it. Long cutscene and story is the only reason why you should play it. Well, that and hot droid fighting each other in epic kung fu battle. (that fight was seriously badass. DMC3 is probably the only game that had better fighting cutscene)

[Xavier]

Just got to disc 2 of Ep. 3, and omg, this game is infinitely better than episode 2 game wise, and the story is just as awesome. Is the second disc close to the first in length? First disc took me as long as all of Episode 2.

Edit: omg, Shion became a gigantic bitch in the span of 30 seconds.

[Vinen]

Just got to disc 2 of Ep. 3, and omg, this game is infinitely better than episode 2 game wise, and the story is just as awesome. Is the second disc close to the first in length? First disc took me as long as all of Episode 2.

Edit: omg, Shion became a gigantic bitch in the span of 30 seconds.

I don't remember it being as long.... EP3 is to me superior to Xenogears ;\ just due to the final dungeon alone. Just wait for the first part of the second to last fight in the game... all I had to say was holy shit.

[Xavier]

So far, Episode 3 definitely has come the closest to making me feel like I was playing Xenogears again.

[Exoduso]

Just got to disc 2 of Ep. 3, and omg, this game is infinitely better than episode 2 game wise, and the story is just as awesome. Is the second disc close to the first in length? First disc took me as long as all of Episode 2.

Edit: omg, Shion became a gigantic bitch in the span of 30 seconds.

I don't remember it being as long.... EP3 is to me superior to Xenogears ;\ just due to the final dungeon alone. Just wait for the first part of the second to last fight in the game... all I had to say was holy shit.

Talk about a plot twist, lol.. that part was my favorite in all 3 Xenosaga games.

The URTV storyline in Abel's Ark was pretty awesome too..

[Xavier]

In the Ark now. Loving the game, the combat, the story, its pro.

Really hoping they continue the series.

[Exoduso]

The best parts of the story are still ahead. Just wait until you find Dmitri.. (and listen to the music that plays during the 2nd boss fight, its fucking amazing..)

[Vinen]

In the Ark now. Loving the game, the combat, the story, its pro.

Really hoping they continue the series.

They leave it gaping wide open for a sequel in the end... the most frustrating part of the game...

[Exoduso]

In the Ark now. Loving the game, the combat, the story, its pro.

Really hoping they continue the series.

They leave it gaping wide open for a sequel in the end... the most frustrating part of the game...

I agree, it was way too open... especially since as of right now they have no plans to make a sequel (and that's besides the fact that they are now exclusive to Nintendo..)

[Kaylia]

Just got to disc 2 of Ep. 3, and omg, this game is infinitely better than episode 2 game wise, and the story is just as awesome. Is the second disc close to the first in length? First disc took me as long as all of Episode 2.

Edit: omg, Shion became a gigantic bitch in the span of 30 seconds.

Second disk had a lot more story, but a little less gameplay (20h on first disk, 15h on 2nd for me). Only 3 chapters, but they were a lot longer than the 1-7.

Shion being a bitch is probably the biggest problem everyone had with episode 3. And sadly, she will only get worse from that point. Pretty sad imo, since her character had a lot of potential if it was done slightly differently.

And if you didn't realize, censor hurt certain scenes really bad. You might want to rewach CD1 final scene on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Y_a-eRaYI if you want to make sense out of Shion's line.

In the Ark now. Loving the game, the combat, the story, its pro.

Really hoping they continue the series.

They leave it gaping wide open for a sequel in the end... the most frustrating part of the game...

It's an open ending, but they managed to give us a conclusion at least. :D There isn't many questions left to answer, just 2 characters that were left unexplored. A young kid who received power from god, and a woman that represent the mother archetype.

[Kaylia]

The best parts of the story are still ahead. Just wait until you find Dmitri.. (and listen to the music that plays during the 2nd boss fight, its fucking amazing..)

That sequences of event was seriously amazing (from the moment you see the Durandal in the background to Dmitri speech). I'm still amazed they managed to continue the game after that part, could easily have been the end of the game. The Xenogears cameos you encounter through the dungeon were also awesome.