Xenosaga Episode II
by Namco
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Video Game Reviews of Xenosaga Episode II
Customer Review: My two cents
Summary: 4 Stars
As I read the previous reviews and other reviews about this games, I had to agree with some and disagree with others. I like the whole story line of the game. It gave us insight into the history of Jr and Gaignun and Shion. I was very disappointed with the overall combat system. I liked changing characters in the middle combat like in FF-X, but I miss the ability to hit the enemies with special weapons like in the first episode. I was also disappointed with the way the creators changed the way to build the characters from the first episode to the second. I liked having characters with different abilities. It added diversity to building a strong team.
I didn't care too much for the Good samaritan side quests. I didn't like having to go all over the place to pick up stuff vital to the development of my characters or to advance the game. The ability to have two characters attack during combat using special attacks was interesting even though I didn't use it much.
As far as the characters themselves, I agree with another reviewer about Shion. I also found her to be bossy and cold. In certain scenes, I found her to be too emotional. Most of her lines near the end were completely out of place especially at the end after Jr's showdown with Albedo. (I was disappointed when my most favorite NPC Gaignun was possessed, but that's just me.) I agree with one reviewer about the voice for MOMO although I did like some of her lines. I was very happy the creator took away her wand and give her weapon. It made her very useful in combat. chaos was too laid back for me in this game and KOS-MOS was too much on the vain side. I did like how the reaction between Shion and Jin or KOS-MOS before combat starts.
Overall the game was enjoyable to play. Once I got pass the disappointing aspects of the game, I found it to very entertaining.
Customer Review: Turn the sound down!
Summary: 3 Stars
Seriously, this game has some of the worst voice-acting I've ever heard. Xenosaga I wasn't fantastic on this front, but it was at least relatively easy to tune out. Xenosaga II makes this impossible, as every character speaks in the same opium-induced monotone drawl. A couple are passable - after all, as a robot and a cyborg, KOS-MOS and Ziggy ought to lack emotion in their speech. The other characters have no such excuse.
It's a shame, because the game itself is decent. It's essentially the same game as the first, with far better graphics. They've vastly overhauled the battle system, but all the other elements are there: varied and interesting characters, great mech designs, long cut scenes, strong plotline (though it can get wrapped up it's own self-importance). They've also upped the amount of time you get to spend in the AGWS (giant mech robots, similar to the Gears from Xenogears)
If you enjoyed the first Xenosaga, you'll probably feel the same way about this one. Just be prepared to mute your television.
Customer Review: A disappointment indeed...
Summary: 3 Stars
Much like others, I had high hopes for Namco's second episode in XENOSAGA and, with an ambitious German subtitle like "Jenseits von Gut und B?se", who could blame me? After the wonderful experience that was Episode I ("Der Wille zur Macht"), I expected Namco to redouble their efforts to make the next installment carry on the story while improving upon graphics, soundtrack, and providing gamers with new things to occupy their minds and time.
I must say, though, that I am *not* impressed. I'm not sure which one of the developers decided to make all these changes, but they certainly went too far. Now don't get me wrong -- Episode II is, at times, quite fun to play...but it simply doesn't live up to the reputation established by its predecessor. I have issues with several of the changes made in this Episode, particularly (but not limited to): the change in voice actors (KOS-MOS sounds silly now and MOMO is more irritating than I thought possible), increased complexity of the battle system, and those annoying GSC sidequests.
I've outlined some of the highlights below. I hope someone finds it useful. All-in-all, if you are a fan of Episode I, I'd definitely recommend playing Episode II as well. However, don't be surprised if/when you're disappointed or frustrated with it -- many other XENOSAGA fans are, too.
STORY: A/A+ As always, this feature is the trademark of XENOSAGA. The story is unparalleled amongst RPGs in complexity and intricacy, and a *large* amount of time is spent in cutscenes watching events unfold. If you're squeamish about watching video clips instead of fighting and killing stuff, don't bother with the XENOSAGA series because you'll get bored -- very quickly.
CHARACTERS: B+/A- While some character development does occur in Episode II, some personalities seemed to have changed -- for the worst. Shion is now harsh and curt, and is often rude and short with people (especially Allen). MOMO's new voice makes her more childish and whiny than ever while KOS-MOS' makes her sound less like an android and more like some beauty pageant contestant. Others such as Jr. and Ziggy have (thankfully) stayed the same.
BATTLE SYSTEM: C/C+ What started as a complex system in Episode I has evolved to become more complicated than ever. Unfortunately, ths complexity is cumbersome and needless. I'm all for designing a new system that's innovative and requires the use of strategy, but the routine in battles is painfully clear -- Stock for several turns, unleash attacks, rinse and repeat as necessary while trying to heal to avoid death. The "Boost" feature is still present, and its use is mandatory for performing special "Double Techs" and combos. The "Change" feature, while an interesting idea (cf. Square's FFX-2), is frustrating in that only the last person you switched into battle gets S./T. Points for the battle, no matter how long he/she was actually in the battle. Be warned: the complexity of the battle system makes for tiresome battles in many places.
GRAPHICS: A The visuals -- in the field, in cutscenes, and in battle -- are outstanding.
SOUND: B Again, the danger in promising a three-part saga of games is that players can (and should, I think!) compare a new game to the one before it. The soundtrack for Episode I was orchestral -- rich and energetic, always appropriate for the scene at hand (listen to the music the first time Albedo appears!). That orchestral flare is lost here in Episode II and, while not awful, the soundtrack is simply unremarkable.
SIDEQUESTS: C Apart from the main story, there are many sidequests and optional "quests" to undertake, some shorter than others. For the most part, these sidequests are pointless and are only hurdles to jump through in order to obtain some hidden items. Anyone who's completed them can attest to the pointlessness of running back and forth that some of these quests demand. There *must* be a better way to keep gamers intrigued!
Customer Review: I Really Wanted to Love This Game...
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a big fan of the first installment of Xenosaga. Speaking as a woman who enjoys RPG's, it's difficult for me to find a game that really appeals to me. I need to feel involved in the story and attached to the fate of the characters, and a lot of the hack 'n' slash games out there just don't do it for me. Xenosaga was different. It was set in space (a nice change of pace) and I loved the engaging storyline and fun characters portrayed in Episode One. As far as I was concerned, the game offered the perfect balance between plot development and mindless fighting. When I heard that XENOSAGA EPISODE II Jenseits von Gut und Bose was in development, I waited anxiously for its release. Now that I've played the sequel, however, I'm disappointed, and that's a bummer. I really wanted to love this game.
The second installment has issues. It's still worth playing, if you like the series and enjoy the storyline (which I do). Most of the problems are outlined in the other reviews (boring battles, etc.), so I won't waste your time listing them again. There is one thing (in my opinion), however, that makes it almost impossible to get through this game - the music. Episode I had nice background music - sufficiently (but not overly so) epic in battle and nicely soothing when in town or on the ship. It complemented the 90+ hours of gameplay necessary for finishing the game. The soundtrack for the sequel, however, is without a doubt the most annoying music I have ever been subjected to - always either feverishly heroic or nerve-gratingly inane. The music in Second Miltia alone makes you want to poke your eyes out. I finally resorted to playing the last chapter of the game with the sound off most of the time. If and when Chapter III is released, I sincerely hope that the soundtrack is better.
Customer Review: Xenosaga's Brief 2nd Chapter
Summary: 3 Stars
The reviews given by Amazon authors Joe Juba and Matt Miller are spot-on. Xenosaga Episode II is very short for an RPG. And yes, the gameplay has been altered in a negative way. However, any fan of Xenosaga is obligated to play this game. Episode II contains exciting and emotional cut scenes, offers further development of the main characters and continues a deep yet interesting storyline. Just be prepared for a few inferior modifications.
I, too, was disappointed with the change in voice actors, but I saw it coming and therefore wasn't overly bothered by it. Not everyone sounds different; I only noticed Shion and KOS-MOS with different voices. Thankfully, the characters' mannerisms and speech patterns have been left intact. To me, that's what's important.
Another noteworthy downgrade is the music. Episode I had a full symphony orchestra (with chorus) for it's soundtrack! Not so with Episode II. The music isn't bad by any means, but it's nothing that makes me want to buy the soundtrack CD, unlike the first game. The sound effects are pretty much unchanged.
If you want to collect everything the game has to offer you must take on the optional sub-missions, called GS (Good Samaritan) Campaigns. There are 36 of them, some of which are quite lengthy. The time spent on these sub-missions is equal to, if not longer, than the main quest! There's also Segment Files to discover, which Xenosaga veterans are familiar with. They should have named this game's title Side-Questsaga.
Also, can anyone tell me why Episode II comprises two disks? Episode I is only ONE disk, yet it has more cut scenes and is twice as long! I suppose Episode III will comprise THREE disks and only be 1/3 as long as the first game..! It's puzzling...
Oh, and why no database in this Xenosaga? Episode I had a useful database of facts the player could access any time to keep track of all the terms, items and significant events in the game. It was stupid to drop that feature. There IS a brief recap of the events from Episode I available to read, but it doesn't make up for a missing database.
The one, single improvement over the first game is the removal of the mail/plug-in module system. I found it annoying trying not to miss any of the items and information offered by the mail system attachments. I was glad to see it go in Episode II.
Despite all the negatives, Xenosaga Episode II is still worth playing, at least for fans of Episode I. Let's just hope for a grander epic in Episode III. There's plenty to improve at this point.