Gaming Xenogears

[Guest Golgo 13]

I would really like to know if this game is worth getting for 60 pounds. it looks cool but I need a second opinion, preferably from CWB. This game for 60 pounds is expensive and its second hand so i dont really know whether to get it or not. the pictures look really cool and I dont even no what genre the game is so any advice then would be good and prompt since i want to get this game rather quickly before someone else does

[Corey]

This game is so incredibly awesome that I would buy it for 60 pounds and ship it to my house in the US if I had that much money. It's in the genre RPG. It took me almost 74 hours to get to the end. It is one of the earlier RPG's to come out on the Playstation and is quite graphically graced for it's time. It has an entangling story with a wonderful battle system and a myriad of charaters. I would give this RPG a 9/10.

EDIT- I just checked on a currency convertion website and found that 60 Pounds is equal to about 91.29 US Dollars. That's quite a hefty price. You would do better to buy it here in the US where it only costs 30 to 50 US Dollars (19 to 32 Pounds).

[Semjaza]

First of all, that price is rather ridiculous...BUT this is a game you NEED to own in my opinion. I was let down by FF7, and horrified by SaGa Frontier...but Xenogears restored a lot of my faith in Square.

It is an RPG, and an incredibly long one at that. My first time through took about 60 hours. A lot of that time though is spent reading. This game has a LOT of text, and at times it get's rather complex. Lots of characters and such are introduced almost out of nowhere and you get little, if any, information about them. The story itself deals with "religion," but really only in it's most basic sense: whether or not god exists. The story is the game's strongest point though, despite it having some holes. I know a lot of people who consider it very boring due to its subject matter though...and the huge amount of text there is to read.

The fighting mechanics were pretty cool at the time. The game gives you a number of points which you can divide among weak, medium and strong attacks...as well as magic and special abilities (each using a different amount of points, or AP). This results in some planning at times, and the use of combos. The cool thing is that you discover new combos as time goes on, so the fighting isn't anywhere near as boring as it could have been.

Later on in the game you get to ride around in Gears, which are basically the mecha of the game. They also have their own fight mechanics and strengths...they don't really have combos, but they can learn new moves as you do and be upgraded.

Graphically, this game is great. The characters and enemies are 2D sprites. The gears and environments are 3D. There is some slowdown, but on a whole everything looks great and is detailed well. I think there are some design issues though, because there is a point in a game where you have to climb the side of some temple without falling...it's a pain in the ***.

The sound is also great. I'm not sure if they used the same filetypes as in the FF games or what, but at times it's almost CD quality. Sound effects are good, but the voice acting is [b][u][i]HORRIBLE[/b][/u][/i].

If you like deep RPGs, this game is NEEDED. If you don't, just stay away. I don't feel it's worth $90 US though, as it is hardly that rare. At least here.

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Golgo 13 [/i]
[B]I would really like to know if this game is worth getting for 60 pounds. it looks cool but I need a second opinion, preferably from CWB. [/B][/QUOTE]

It's good to know that my opinion counts. :toothy:

I really have to agree with Semjaza. That price is fairly ludicrous. I gather that Xenogears must be rare in your neck of the woods. So, if you have no other choice, but to purchase it for that price, and the money's available, I say that you should go for it.

Xenogears debuted during a time of complete Square mediocrity. so it can be considered a real gem. With Square sprawling off in different genres, it's rpgs began to suffer, so it can be considered a mircale that Xenogears enjoys the end result that we see today.

Squares' best role playing games draw the gamer in with a deep, involving plot and Xenogears is no different. Without spoliing too much, the plot contains many twists and turns that will surely keep you guessing as to what happens next. Furthermore, some of the characters are blessed with excellent backstory and personality.

Yet, as Semjaza mentioned, there tends to be a bit of lackluster character introduction as well, mainly due to the number of characters you interact with. But, I was pleased with how Square managed to implement the concept of religion into it's game. Religion can be a touchy subject, but games like Xenogears and Grandia II manage to handle the subject quite well in drawing their plot.

Battling in role playing games is majorly important and the system is no different in Xenogears. There are two variations to battles. Of course, there is the traditional method, which allows you to use your characters with their magic and abilities, to take down enemies. The other variation, however, is fairly fresh and rewarding, as it has the player battle in their Gears. Although I noticed a few hiccups in the animation during these somewhat grand battles, but nothing overly distracting.

I wasn't really impressed with the music or displeased by it. There were a few songs that I was particularly fond of, but even though the music was high quality, it just didn't move me. It's hard to explain why, lol. You'll probably love it though. :)

As mentioned by Semjaza, the voices acting is pretty terrible. But, from what I can remember, it's not used to the same extent as other titles. This flaw certainly doesn't ruin the game, but it is apparent where available.

Overall, the game has some major meat to it and will deliver you upward of 50 hours of gameplay. The graphics aren't necessarily breathtaking, considering that the sprites need to become scaled often, resulting in pixalization. Some have complained that their characters seem to get lost in the backgrounds every now and then, but it's not nearly as bad as some of the sloppier rpgs out there.

Overall, this is a great title with a few flaws. As I said earlier, if the game is extremely rare, pick it up. If not, do some hunting and find a better price.

[SephirothNIN]

It's not THAT old of an rpg, it came out in 1997/98, after FF7, but it IS an awesome rpg. Definately one of the longest I played. When I got to the final dungeon I was around 80 hours as well (spent a lot of time leveling up to learn skills). It has a really fun fighting system, gear battles are cool too (but hand to hand is still my fav). The storyline is awesome as well, and eventho I haven't seen Evangalion, I heard Xenogears was inspired by it and the creators were fans.
FF7 a let down? Nah, and I happened to like Saga Frontier oddly enough, altho the graphics suck I really like the ability-learning system. Anyway $90 IS a bit high for any game....oh well it depends on if you have a lot of $$ or not I guess.

[Sephiroth]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crazy White Boy [/i]
[B]

Overall, this is a great title with a few flaws. As I said earlier, if the game is extremely rare, pick it up. If not, do some hunting and find a better price. [/B][/QUOTE]

the game is extremely rare in the UK, it was never released, the £60 version he speaks of is the US version....

and no, unfortunately he will not find a better price than £60 for xenogears here in the UK....

[ZeroBlade]

Man, that totally sucks if its rare. In that case, go get this game. Everything everyone said about this game is true and is well worth the heavy price. The game used to be rare here in the US for quite some time but they recently re-released it and I can find a new copy for $40 bucks.

[Semjaza]

I've seen it on Ebay for far less than that, and most people there are willing to ship worldwide. I think 90 dollars is rather insane, but then again I've paid up to $80 for imports... The last was Guilty Gear X on DC. I was pretty upset when they brought it out on PS2 much later lol.

[Silent Warrior]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]First of all, that price is rather ridiculous...BUT this is a game you NEED to own in my opinion. I was let down by FF7, and horrified by SaGa Frontier...but Xenogears restored a lot of my faith in Square.[/B][/QUOTE]

Let down by FF7..horrified by SaGa Frontier?! Are you kidding me?? What planet are you playing from?

FF7 is one of the best RPG's in it's time. It brought something new with it to PS. It revelutionized the whole FF saga.

As for SaGa Frontier, yes this game could've been better but it was good in my opinion. It was like any other RPG cept it was different in it's ways.

[RicoTranzrig]

[COLOR=darkblue]I think XenoGears was one of the most controversial of Square's games...a lot of people said it either was a terriffic RPG or one that wasn't all that great. To that effect, the stores around my area sell it $25 (Used), $35~40 New. To me, it excels with an exceptional storyline that revolves around tons of themes ala Chrono Cross but keeps to only a few characters. The only downside is that dreadful tower (as previously mentioned) and the lack of "story driving" FMV, which is replaced by text (remember going into disc 2?). If you can get a better deal on it, go for it...but for 60 pounds, it seems a bit hefty...[/COLOR]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1]Once I borrowed Xenogears from a friend of mine, but I never started playing it because the intro was so boring and it was late at night and so I just cut it off and that was that. I've ALWAYS wanted to play it though...I guess one day I'll pick it up since all of you guys seem to like it so much...[/color][/size]

[ZeroBlade]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Queen Asuka [/i]
[B][color=crimson][size=1]Once I borrowed Xenogears from a friend of mine, but I never started playing it because the intro was so boring and it was late at night and so I just cut it off and that was that. I've ALWAYS wanted to play it though...I guess one day I'll pick it up since all of you guys seem to like it so much...[/color][/size] [/B][/QUOTE]

Oh you must QA. This game is just that awesome that I think anybody who didn't play this game is cruel. Everything about this game top notch and I can only think of 2 flauts in the game: one no customization of controls, and LOTS of text, especailly on Disc 2.

This game actually did spark a bit of controversy due to its very powerful religious factor and because of that alone the game came within inches of not being released. I have to admit, the story really does leave an impact on you. I swear I didn't know what to believe in after I finished the game! Well, Namco is now taking over the series and claims that thier upcoming Xenosaga game has nothing to do with Xenogears. But there are too many similarites and they aren't doing a good job saying it isn't the same series.

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1]Now I regret not playing it. And my summer is practically over since band camp starts next week and school starts back on the 2nd for me. Definately no time for me to delve into an RPG...of course, that didn't stop me during the school year from completing Chrono Cross.

Well, what I mostly care about it a good storyline and a plot that's going to keep me hooked and wanting to play more. I have no clue what the basic plot is, but your post made it sound VERY interesting. So what exactly is the basics anyway?[/color][/size]

[RicoTranzrig]

*mini spolier* Basicialy, the story focuses on Fei, a simple town-person who gets himself straight into the middle a Centuries long war (Aveh vs. Kislev) after an incident in the town where he lives. A black, reddish Gear named "Weltall" is stolen from the Kislev...but they're not letting Aveh just "take it" since it's a "strange" prototype that could give Aveh the upper hand in the war. The Aveh team gets shot down by Kislev Gears and is forced to make an emergency landing in Fei's village. A battle ensues...Fei fearlessly jumps into Weltall and tries to protect the village. After his best friend gets shot...he just looses it and unleashes the Gear's mysterious powers...setting off the chain of events that will ultimately save the world (typical RPG goal)...*/spoiler*

[Semjaza]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Silent Warrior [/i]
[B]

Let down by FF7..horrified by SaGa Frontier?! Are you kidding me?? What planet are you playing from?

FF7 is one of the best RPG's in it's time. It brought something new with it to PS. It revelutionized the whole FF saga.

As for SaGa Frontier, yes this game could've been better but it was good in my opinion. It was like any other RPG cept it was different in it's ways. [/B][/QUOTE]

Well, I understand the whole FF7 debate. I don't feel it revolutionized anything. Sure it looked good, and the FMVs were nice...but really it didn't do anything [i]new[/i] that made me think anything like this. FF6 was already as cinematic as a game could get on SNES, FF7 was just a natural evolution.

I don't want to get into all the reasons why I don't think it's the best thing ever. I will say that the main reason I never loved FF7 was because Sony Computer Entertainment America butchered the US translation. There were too many times when the motivations of the characters were unclear. SCEA nearly killed Grandia and Star Ocean: Second Story for me too. Somehow I got past it though. When Square joined with EA they really fixed the US translations though. Xenogears was the start of that, and Chrono Cross was possibly the best translated game I have ever played.

As for SaGa Frontier. It looks good. That's it. The game's story is all over the place, and it almost never tells you what you need to do. There are times when you have to fight enemies that are WAY stronger than you, which would be fine... if you were given a chance to level up before them. Most of your time is spent running around aimlessly hoping to find some tiny clue that would let you advance. I did not have any fun with that game at all, and I will say it is one of the worst RPGs I have ever played (the worst being Faria on the NES, although it was more like Zelda). I did like the way the game did leveling up and ability learning... but that was it. SaGa Frontier 2 was WAY better, but still nothing great.

I'd much rather play Tactics Ogre, Persona 1 and 2, Suikoden 1 and 2, Thousand Arms and Grandia before SaGa Frontier. There are just so many RPGs that are way better than it.

And back to Xenogears :angel:

Maybe someone else would like to explain the basic story of this game... but it DOES have a great story. It's something I'd start playing when it gets cold out again though. There are too many other things to do in the summer :).

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]

Well, I understand the whole FF7 debate. I don't feel it revolutionized anything. Sure it looked good, and the FMVs were nice...but really it didn't do anything [i]new[/i] that made me think anything like this. FF6 was already as cinematic as a game could get on SNES, FF7 was just a natural evolution.
[/B][/QUOTE]


Hmm, well I would like to think that the materia system attributed greatly to the game's enjoyment. The customization involved was really brilliant and there were ample possibilities once one became acquainted with the system. I do agree with everything you're saying though.

Moving on, Xenosaga is going to be awesome. I hear that it's going to feature the talents of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. With that being said, we shouldn't be disappointed from an audio standpoint. :whoops: