Xenogears

The game store I used to work at got a copy of Xenogears in, brand new, still wrapped and everything, and is being sold for a used price of $35. Naturally, I had them put it aside for me to get later, but according to my cousin, the game sucks balls. Supposedly, the battles are slow and boring and the load times are atrocious.

So before I pick this up and possibly regret it later, what's everyones opinion of Xenogears? Do "slow and boring battles" and long loading times really hinder the game that much?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I never really paid any attention to any load times, and really I didn't find the battles to be slow and boring. A couple of dungeons were rather tedious. Great story, characters, and music for certain. Disc 2 is weak because it was rushed. Disc 1 is great though. Grab it and enjoy it man.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

My favorite RPG of all time. I'm a Xenogears whore.

The battles aren't slow at all. Back in the day I thought they were pretty damn fast. I still consider the battle system pretty fun, since it felt like I had more control over combos and attacks than other games.

Great music, excellent story, and it's really only marred by the rumored "lack of funding," which essentially killed the length and depth of the second disk.

You're stupid if you don't play and like this game.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

um, what? I don't think your cousin was playing Xenogears, then. And if he was, he was nitpicking it to death, which you can do to any game if you want. "Too much text", "text scrolls too slow," "disc 2 sucks," "jumping in Babel Tower is infuriating," "ChuChu is a waste of oxygen"...yeah, I've heard those, but never "long load times." After recently replaying it, I can't say I remember any bothersome load times at all. And the battles were not slow to me. Get the game!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Could he have got Xenogears confused with Xenosaga? That would be a lot more plausible...

How ya doing, buddy?

I found it enjoyable. It's been a while since I've played the game, and I don't recall the loading time being slow. The beginning of the first disc is interesting, but the game is known for surprising players once the second disc begins.

It's still worth playing if you're interested in an RPG that requires you to really pay attention to the story in order to understand how characters and events are connected.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Don't listen to your cousin. Put down the dough and grab this this classic RPG while you have the chance. Remember that the game is about eight years old, so the graphics and gameplay mechanics may seem a little dated to you. The story, characters, and soundtrack, however, are top notch and will not dissapoint. The only thing that "sucks balls" about this game is the length of the second disc, which is hampered by the predominance of character narration instead of gameplay. All of the parts that are narrated were originally supposed to play out as dungeons with cutscenes--like normal--but because of budget and time constraints...well, you get the picture.

Despite its flaws and age, Xenogears is still my favorite RPG, even when pitted against recent masterpieces like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XII. If you like RPGs, you'll like this game. Trust me.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Lian_Kazairl

Remember that the game is about eight years old, so the graphics and gameplay mechanics may seem a little dated to you.

Heh... Dated graphics and gameplay don't matter to me at all. Every once in a while I still go back and play through FF7 and Star Ocean 2.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Xenogears does have its flaws, but it's a good game. The most important thing to keep in mind is that it will require a lot of your time. Save points (god damn that sacred cow) are few and far between, and there are very long stretches of gameplay at certain points. Add to that the narratives and the slower-than-average text speed (that the player cannot speed up), and it amounts to needing patience to play.

However, it's the kind of game that you can play over and over and always find something new each time.

If the game has a single strong point over all else, it's easily the story. It's a complex and initially confusing one, and you'll probably want to play more than once to make sure you get it, but it's a real feast for the brain.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It's a good game on its own, and it definitly supports the experience of playing the Xenosaga series.

Most amazing jew boots

Half the game is worth playing, at least. The second disc is an exercise is masochism, but the first one is a fun playthrough. The storyline is not nearly as deep and cerebral as it's made out to be; it's trying desperately to be Evangelion but draws most of its inspiration from Hideaki Anno's insanity. The combat system is kinda fun though, and it's a blast to go stomping on wimpy ground enemies with your mechs. Plus, Chu-Chu on the cross.

Given the way everyone spooges over Xenogears, $35 is a steal. Buy it, play it, and if it doesn't suit your fancy, sell it on eBay for twice that amount. The price you can fetch reselling it overshadows any misgivings you might have about liking the game. Win-win situation.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Xenogears is like the Da Vinci Code of the video game world. It has numerous references to Gnostic Christianity and philosophy so if that's not your bag you probably will not like the game itself. It was almost not released in North America for that reason.

Most amazing jew boots

It's an alright game. I felt like the story and music were not as good as all my friends made it out to be and one of the main twists involving one of the many villians was kind of predictable.

Double Post:
I did finish the game though. The same can not be said for Xenosaga, one of the only rpgs i never forced myself to play through.

How ya doing, buddy?

If you don't buy it, you're a fool.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

like you saw at the end xenogears story was suppose to be the episode 5 in the xenosaga series(xenosaga was suppose to be 6 episode) but now they just "cancel" it and episode 3 will be the end, I really want to know how they will handle 4episodes in one game >.>

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Inhert

like you saw at the end xenogears story was suppose to be the episode 5 in the xenosaga series(xenosaga was suppose to be 6 episode) but now they just "cancel" it and episode 3 will be the end, I really want to know how they will handle 4episodes in one game >.>

Not to mention that Xenosaga became flat out weak sauce by the end. Xenosaga was a disappointment right across the board.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'd say get it. I'm currently playing through again myself and I'm enjoying it. There are times where I wish there was a Xenogears anime or something with terrific animation and voice acting to convey the emotion throughout the game.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Xenogears... one of my favorite games. As others mentioned, there is quite a bit of inconsistency. For instance, the opening anime sequence is far and away better drawn and polished than all the other sequences. Disc 2 is interesting, but a pretty bad ripoff of Evangelion's last couple episodes. And without knowing the greater backstory the plot seems rather contrived and random.

However, the gear battles are absolutely amazing, and require a good degree of strategy (especially with fuel management, healing, and infinity attack mode). I think the in-person battles are a bit lacking however. But the best reason to play this game in my opinion are the characters and music; both are absolutely top-notch.

How ya doing, buddy?

Buy it, you can't go wrong. It's a great game.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I picked it up today, and from what I'm hearing from everyone, I'm sure I'll like it. My cousin also didn't like any of the Devil May Cry games, so his taste in games is nowhere near flawless.

If I wanted to sell it though, I don't think I'd get much more than what I paid, as it's the Greatest Hits version with the Square-Enix logo on it.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Would be better as a movie, but worth a play anyway. I never beat it. The battle system IS a bit slow, but the story is just so engaging that you will enjoy whatever time you spend playing it, even if you never beat it.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Xenogears isn't my favorite RPG, but if jrpg's from that era interest you, it's definitely one of the better ones. Many of the songs are a bit too "marchlike" and militaristic for my taste, but the desert theme is classic, as is the town theme. The graphics are catchy. I never have figured out the battle sytem, actually - I have just button-mashed my way through the first 10 hours or so. :biggrin:

Most amazing jew boots

Xenogears was fun. I enjoyed it. I personally think $35 is fucking ridiculous for it. Unless its the original one, still brand new and sealed. In which case, I wouldn't open it. Buy that one and sell it on eBay. Then buy the Greatest Hits copy which seems to be everywhere in my town. Gamestop to Best Buy to fucking Walgreens has it around here. $35 is insane for a moderatly Recently reprinted game.


Loading times did bother me a bit. There was also an annoying swirl before battles which took 2-3 seconds before one started up. The annoying menu half a second pause always got on my nerve too. I'd still say go for it. It's got a fun combat system, cool characters and if you like anime, which I can't say I do at all, You'll dig the cutscenes. Nice story, Decent graphics, Fun battle system. It's defiinetly worth at least a try.

Do not open it if it's an original (Black side, not Green "Greatest Hits") copy. If it's got the seal intact, sell it on eBay and make double what you pay for it at least back. GH copies are a dime a dozen now.

FELIPE NO

Its weird but my bro never let me play it when I was younger....I havent finishd it ...and I left my stuff back in the Philippines....but I have read the entire script and watched the cut scenes......and by some reason...I also bought the Perfect Works....beautiful book.....Nice game....I think this game has one of the longest scripts I have ever read....some groups are even novelising it...I just forgot the site...word of sdvise...in the cut scenes dont try to match their lips with what they are saying...that drove me crazy.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Minoko

in the cut scenes dont try to match their lips with what they are saying...that drove me crazy.

Yeah, that's mostly a given in anime from back then.

Jam it back in, in the dark.