[PS2] Xenosaga III: Also Sprach Zarathustra

I've a somewhat odd question for you then, Hiro. You say you liked Episode II & III's battle system, but you didn't mention Ep. I.

I didn't like the battle system in Ep. II, but I loved I's. Knowing that, would someone like me enjoy the battle system from III or not so much?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by SouthJag

I've a somewhat odd question for you then, Hiro. You say you liked Episode II & III's battle system, but you didn't mention Ep. I.

Well, I have nothing against Episode I's battle system, it's just that I happened to find II's cooler with the "hit spots" or whatever they were called.

Quote:

I didn't like the battle system in Ep. II, but I loved I's. Knowing that, would someone like me enjoy the battle system from III or not so much?

Well, I don't know how much of III's system you understand, but the whole "storing" of "action points" (or whatever they were called) is non-existent. To use a deathblow, you need to use your boost gauge's boost, so that alone is a rather major change (in my opinion) which may or may not be to your liking. I haven't really read any complaints about III's battle system, so it should at least be "okay" for you.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Quote:

News - Namco Bandai discusses future of Xenosaga series
Posted by Ash Paulsen at 12:29:27 AM EST on 8.14.2006.

Xenosaga series developer Namco Bandai recently discussed the past, present, and future of its epic but controversial sci-fi RPG series in a recent interview.

Of course, the main topic at hand was the series' upcoming third (and reportedly final) chapter, Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra. According to the company, what Xenosaga III has ultimately turned out to be is a careful mix of both the fans' requests and the creators' intent, resulting in what Namco Bandai feels is the quintessential handling of the game and story.

Here's where things get a bit interesting. Namco Bandai did once again confirm that Xenosaga III is indeed the end of main character Shion Uzuki's story arc, but was less outspoken about the question of Xenosaga III actually bringing the series to a close, as has been previously announced to be the case.

The series was originally planned to take place over a vast six installments, but this number was recently cut in half to three after poor sales of the first two games in the series, as well as internal destruction of the series' original design team.

Now, however, Namco Bandai doesn't seem to be quite as certain about the series receiving a premature end with Episode III, saying that the series' fate ultimately rests with the fans (read: sales), saying that "if reactions are good - who knows!"

The interview wasn't only about the Episode III and the future of the series, however. Regarding a stateside release of the (so far) Japan-only Xenosaga: Pied Piper, Xenosaga Freaks, and Xenosaga I & II (DS), the company only said, "this has not been decided at this time." The company does, however, hope to create an English version of a movie on the official Japanese Xenosaga site that sheds light on the events that take place during the year between Xenosaga II and Xenosaga III.

The interview then jumps back to Xenosaga III, talking about its volume of cutscenes, which are overall more than what Xenosaga II had, yet still less than the super-heavy Xenosaga I. Namco Bandai says that striking this middle ground has allowed them to use the ideal pacing to balance story and gameplay.

That's all for now, although GAF will be sure to keep you updated on any more news regarding the future of the series. If nothing else, though, American fans don't have to wait too much longer to continue the story themselves, as Xenosaga Episode III hits stores in just a couple of weeks, on August 29.

I don't think there has ever been a videogame series that has claimed to have a "final game" and stick with that promise, so it wouldn't be the biggest shock if Xenosaga continues after EPIII. A part of me is leary about the series going even further downhill (and further away from Takahashi's original vision), while another part of me is excited by the concept of a PS3 series that starts over, and gets things right from the start (no more fucking around with Takahashi's story).

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

Yeah, that article (and presumeably interview) screams, "IF XSIII DOES GREAT IN THE US AGAIN, WE'LL PROBABLY CONTINUE IT". It also looks like the US will get Missing Year.

I'm curious, what are the numbers for the JP version?

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

Probably around 150,000-155,000. Episode III is the worst selling game in the series, not counting I&II for DS. It's too bad too. It's the best in the series.

I was speaking idiomatically.

It's the curse of episode II the most horrible game in the series. III will sell more when people get wind of it being a better game. Fat chance of it meaning "IV". If that annoying ass battle system from epII is present, EpIII will flop in america, end of story.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

There are a whole lot games out there which where more sucessfull outside japan so I'm not worried about that.

FELIPE NO

Is this game really out today? You wouldn't know it with the lack of discussion or hype.

I'm not that much excited for it, either. Sure, the general opinion says this is a far improved sequel, but I didn't like the criticisms that I heard either (1/2 the game dedicated to dungeon crawling, not all questions answered).

I just find myself depressed over the Xenosaga series in general. I keep thinking of all the great potential this series had, and how quickly it hit rock bottom in just the second entry. It's not that EPII was terrible, but the story was pathetically short, and they turned Shion from a kind, naive scientist to a major bitch in jeans (I still can't believe she downlplayed the Albedo situation, which involved the destruction of the entire universe, as "a typical spat between brothers.")

Well anway, I'll be torrenting this one, since as I mentioned with DoC, I'm on a budget until November. I'm just setting myself up for any likely disappointment regarding the final closure on these characters that grew on me.

At least tell me if Sherry Lynn is back as MOMO.

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

Unfortunately, it was poor reviews that made me basically stay clear from XSII. The first game I played through and it wasn't anything worth going bananas for, but at least it was worth my time (watching cutscenes, basically). After fighting the gnosis, I really didn't have much of an interest in seeing the continuation and conclusion, so when XSII bombed, then I folded that series, as a matter of fact I think I did trade in XSI. I honestly can't care less that this game is out.

Originally Posted by Merv Burger

XENOSAGA EPISODE III: ALSO FUCKING FAIL!

LMAO.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Eh, I loved Ep II, and I have Ep III shipping today. Should arrive tomorrow.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Getting XSIII next week hopefully. I hope they have ditched the VA for Chaos in ep. II.

Also Spatula GTFO with Merv.

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

;________;

Alright just let me see when more reviews come in... maybe I'll change my mind. Is there some sort of cutscene disc with XSIII so I can see what happened in ep 2? As long as I can get some sort of idea what happened, plus my memory is foggy from the last time I played ep 1.

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

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

At least tell me if Sherry Lynn is back as MOMO.

Nope.

I'm actually pretty excited for Episode III, which is a little odd considering how much I loathed Episode II.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Spatula

;________;

Alright just let me see when more reviews come in... maybe I'll change my mind. Is there some sort of cutscene disc with XSIII so I can see what happened in ep 2? As long as I can get some sort of idea what happened, plus my memory is foggy from the last time I played ep 1.

No featurette disc, but supposedly there's a huge dictionary and reference menu in XS3 that chronicles the story and characters up to this point.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Would there be an online reference of basically what happened in a nut shell for XSII besides 1) online reviews, since they generally are spoiler free 2) something besides XSIII encyclopedia since I'd actually have to buy it first - an I'm not too too keen.

Perhaps I'll take another look at Gamefaqs to see any "summary" plots.

Gameplay aside, don't mean to be derailing this, but did XSII's story help with progressing the plot left at the end of the first episode? I keep reading from reviews that it actually detracted from the main story and went on it's own little route to expand on other mini plots. [/Idunnoguy]

How ya doing, buddy?

Read up on it in Wikipedia. They have some pretty good articles on each of the various characters and plot points. It'll also fill you in on the gist of Pied Piper and the Missing Year.

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

it would be fun if someone rip all cutscene of XSII, because playing the game is a real torture >.>

anyway for some reason I also reallly think epIII seem a lot better et pretty good, but I really want all the story in epII before buying it...

Jam it back in, in the dark.

haha I am your savior http://www.datorrents.com/download.a...scenes.torrent I just started getting it yesterday myself cause I wanna play 3 but didnt play 2.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Freddy Krueger

haha I am your savior http://www.datorrents.com/download.a...scenes.torrent I just started getting it yesterday myself cause I wanna play 3 but didnt play 2.

Well, those cutscenes look to be just the short CG ones, meaning you'll get absolutely no storyline from that, really.

I agree that XS2 is horrible. I'm "playing" through it now (about half-way through), and unless I'm still missing how to play it properly (although I am stocking, breaking, and boosting), each battle is a long chore and I absolutely hate it. I just want a simple generic battle system where you can xp grind away if you're not doing that well and then smash through the rest of the fights.

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

Originally Posted by Motsy

Nope.

What's the freaking point then? It's not like voicing a Tachikoma is eating up Lynn's time.

So now EPIII is going to be a hearing game to figure out which voices return from EPI, which ones remain from EPII, and which ones are all new altogether.

Fail, Namco.

And where's the torrent for this game already? :/

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

Originally Posted by JazzFlight

Well, those cutscenes look to be just the short CG ones, meaning you'll get absolutely no storyline from that, really.

I agree that XS2 is horrible. I'm "playing" through it now (about half-way through), and unless I'm still missing how to play it properly (although I am stocking, breaking, and boosting), each battle is a long chore and I absolutely hate it. I just want a simple generic battle system where you can xp grind away if you're not doing that well and then smash through the rest of the fights.

I don't think so, once cutscene I checked out wasn't CG and was like 5 minutes long. Plus XS3 will have a database which explains stuff from XS2. I am also awaiting the torrent for the game and Disgaea 2 hehe.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Who the heck is the English voice actor for MOMO in XSIII? I can't even dig up any information about it on the Internet.

Most amazing jew boots

You said Soldier -- Namco, you fail at LIFE. I admit, I'm very, very cautious about picking this up today. Shion looks like a whore, KOS-MOS, an ANDROID, looks like a whore, T-Elos looks like a whore and the voices are not entirely back to their original cast.

This would've been a much better trilogy if they had stuck with the same formula from the first game, no question. Ah well.

I do still plan to pick it up, if only to say "Hey I own all three." However, I don't plan on starting it until much later, as Okami comes out next Wednesday and I am WAY more excited for its release than Xenosaga 3's.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Freddy Krueger

haha I am your savior http://www.datorrents.com/download.a...scenes.torrent I just started getting it yesterday myself cause I wanna play 3 but didnt play 2.

I've been watching Xenosaga: The Animation while I wait for Episode 3 to come in. I like the anime, its very nostalgic and makes me want to play Episode 1 again. But to be honest, I don't want to spend another 20-40 hours replaying either 1 or 2 right now. Didn't someone rip all the cutscenes from Episode 1 a while back? I can't seem to find a torrent for them.

EDIT: Just got Episode 3. It looks and sounds alot better than Episode 2 thats for sure. The database is pretty detailed and it even has a summery of 'A Missing Year.' If you still have your Clear Data from Episode 2, it'll unlock Shion's Vector Uniform from Episode 1. It's nice to have the old Shion back . Her new outfits look pretty slutty for a 'scientist' to be wearing.

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

It'll be nicer if she gets her old attitude back. She was such a bitch in EPII.

Blackcats has the torrent up now, a whopping 6.52 GB. I'll be downloading Disgaea 2 first, then this afterwards (zero seeders right now, so it'll take a while).

I'll start reading the online reviews to see what I'm getting into. But what would help most of all is if you tell me straight up which characters get proper screentime and resolutions, and which ones get left in the dust, forever.

Jam it back in, in the dark.