Publisher: Square-Electronic Arts
Developer: Squaresoft Japan
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
Peripherals: Memory Card
Story: 27% out of 30%
Xenogears masterful story begins to unfold from the opening anime sequence. Set in a world consumed with strife and warfare, Xenogears follows the adventures a young martial artist named Fei Fong Wong. Fei lives a peaceful and uneventful life, until one fateful night. Out of nowhere a marauding squadron of Avehan Gears lands in the middle of Fei's village, with the Kislev Army right on their heals. In the ensuing battle there is a great explosion and the entire village is destroyed. Blamed for this act, Fei is banished from the village, beginning his long journey. The story in Xenogears also has many religious themes that deal with the origin of God. This may turn some people off from buying this game and experiencing this great story. Xenogears story is so intricate that it can take nearly 40 to 50 hours to finish the first disk. At the begining of the second disk the story becomes more linear (there is a character sitting in a chair narrating events that are happening in the story), probably an attempt by Square to cut down on the playing hours. Overall, the story in Xenogears is masterful.
Graphics and Gameplay
Graphics: 20% out of 25%
Rather than polygonal characters set upon a pre-rendered background, Xenogears is a fully polygonal, fully explorable 3D world, with hand-drawn, sprite-based characters. This technique is absolutely magnificent. The characters do lose a lot of definition, but the areas you'll visit are better realized and possess great depth. Slowdown does occur often in some towns, such as the Bledavik market, but is only a minor gripe in a great game. Also, the animated CG movies are amazing(there are over 30 minutes worth). The anime sequences are developed by the same team that worked on Ghost in the Shell, and do not disappoint.
Gameplay: 23% out of 25%
Xenogears is a turned-based RPG, but installs a combat system called the Active Time Battle, which relies on the physical attributes of agility, speed, and weight, to determine when you may launch an attack. Also, the characters have 3 different attacks, weak, strong, and fierce. These can be linked together in different combinations to learn new and deadly attacks. Finally, do not forget the use of Gears, for which the game is named. While fighting in your gear your attacks consume different amounts of fuel, which can be expended. Allthough the battles are usually not that difficult, the game avoids the constant RPG pitfall of needing to fight forever to level up.
Music and Sound: 20% out of 20%
This is were the game truly shines. The music in Xenogears is of the quality that all RPGs should try to live up to. This is what FF7, should have sounded like. Not to say the music in FF7 is bad, because it isn't, I just thought the music in Xenogears was on a whole other level. There would be times during a major storyline plot that I would drop my control, turn up the volume, and listen to the music.
Overall: 90% out of 100% Xenogears is an amazing game, and allthough not as graphically good as FF7, has a much better story and music. Please remember that this is just my opinion, and the deep religious themes and ideals presented in this game may offend others.
Questions or comments? Write to me at cosmo@interpath.com