Xenosaga: Episode I
9.6
10
10
10
Love it! A Great RPG To Buy.
Xenosaga is one of the best RPG games I've Played it's worth buying, It's a game anyone could play though it does take a little getting used to the Controls and battle system, the Music is amazing, the minigames are good, the Story line is one of the best I've seen. I'd recommend getting Xenosaga II and III after playing this one.
1/13/12
A hardcore-RPG-lovers dream series
This game and its two sequels make up perhaps the finest trilogy in RPG (and gaming) history. This standing even accounts for the fact that Xenosaga 2 was nowhere near as good as 1 and 3 (although still a good game and necessary to learn the amazing story). This is a future-based sci-fi game with deep RPG elements and what is perhaps the best story I've ever read/heard (including all books, movies, etc). There are many long CGI movies are they are still pretty beautiful even this many years later. A very, very long game and you can export your saved data to Xenosaga 2 to get a few bonus items and some free exp or skill points (one of the two I don't remember which). I've probably played through this series 3 or 4 times now and I've absolutely loved it each time.
**** Disclaimer time****
This game is heavily anime-influenced. If you can't handle that kind of thing I'd still recommend this game and series... just forewarning you. This game is actually the thing that got me to look past the quirkyness of amine and allow me to enjoy many, many other anime-type-things for their stories and not get tied up in the occasionally over-the-top strangeness that is inherent in anime. At $6 (as of 12/2011) any RPG fan MUST try this game out. Xenosaga 3 can be a little hard to find sometimes but it is worth it. (best game in the series.) If you DO play and enjoy Xenosaga 1 remember: Xenosaga 2 can be a little bit of a drag at times but it is SO worth it to play it anyways to fully appreciate Xenosaga 3.
12/30/11
Great Space RPG!
Xenosaga 1 is a mighty good one. Nice CGI's, good voice acting, battle system is sweet like honey. The game is focus on Shion and her hot cyborg human female friend KOS-MOS. But the game does give backstory to the other characters. The battle system is very easy to understand. You can battle hand to hand or jump right in your E.S's. The voice acting is great but some flaws. The music is good but the boss battles were the same as the minor battles which wasn't really epic at all... bummer. The game has mini games, hidden goodies to find, read the xeno bible about place you go to or heard, people you meet that will give you info about them. The game is well over 60 to 70 hours nice little extra after you beat the game, you get Ziggy's swimsuit and KOS-MOS which will you see on Xenosaga 2. Great RPG filled with fun and loveable story.
9/20/11
Biginning of a Legacy
Xenosaga episode 1 is the first game of a series i will never forget. Great story and music help make this a game to be reconed with. Easly one of the greatest games I have ever played.
6/13/11
its a pretty fun game
i cant manage to beat the game tho, i guess i need to train more ether skills... its really fun tho
4/23/11
Becareful what you order.
Xenosaga overall is a interesting little title, however be forewarned Episode I doesn't like to work on Slim models, supposedly because it is a dual layered disc. I have received 2 copies of this game and neither work. I have not tested in a fat model seeing as I don't know anyone with one. Xenosaga II however works fine, its pretty fun overall despite the story kind of straying away. It does work and you don't really need to play this one to play that one. (Unless you want to see KOS-MOS in a swimsuit you need to clear data for #1, which can also be found in a Namco disc obtained with Soul Calibur 3)
2/1/11
Great Gameplay
I love RPG's and this game is something different that is sure to please you. The game has great graphics and sound. If you like Anime this is a game for you since you play for about 10min then get about a 2hr cutscene. The story is very interesting so im sure many people will love it. If you just want to see the story line there is an anime out for this game as well. You will learn how the characters act and it makes it more realistic feel to the game. The game is not very hard at all. It might take you a while to get used to the battle system but one you know how to do everything its not very hard. I only died a couple times in the begginning and the end but over all the game is not very hard at all. If you like this one however i can not assure you that you will like the sequals, i did not really like the 2nd game i wish that they would have made it more like this one
3/27/10
Bandai's Competition for the RPG Market: Fierce
During the time the first round of .hack was making its way into the PS2 market. This little Gem Surfaced. The first of Three chapters in the then announced six chapter series of Xenosaga. A Science Fiction RPG on par or even surpassing that of Star Ocean by leaps in bounds in many respects at the time. A Beautiful Musical Selection, perfect Voice Actors, and a wealth of wonderfully designed characters enemies and areas await you in Xenosaga Episode One: Das Wille zer Macht. You open the game as Engineer Shion Uzuki; and her research and developement project Kosmos. An Anti-Gnosis Weapon. Getting the semi-normal rundown of controls and battle systems with Shion guiding Kosmos through a training excercise, is quite frankly quite a smart move on the part of Namco. Various Character Dynamics are very prevalent in the first Episode of this Three PArt "Mini-Series" of games, many include varing Cyborgs, Androids, Humans, and other interesting races as well. If you are a Science Fiction fan, I suggest this game for you as well, purely from the point of an excellently enjoyable series.. Fans of Star Ocean the Second Story and Till the End of Time. I would recommend this title to you for the same reasons as above. It's not quite an SE RP but just as good and better in many respects. The battle System is quite interesting; Featuring the Giant Pilotable Robot Suits used in the Game for various combat tasks in space and on terraformed planets. All in all 10 out of 10. Good Job Namco Keep up the Good Work. Let's see everyone enjoy a good RPG and Kudos to your return
9/4/09
Best story I've ever experienced. ** spoiler free review **
Before focusing specifically on Xenosaga Episode 1, I want to make some general comments about the series. Episode 1-3 are all direct sequels off each other and pick up the story right where it left off in the previous episode, so don't plan on starting with episode 2 or 3, or just playing episode 1, if you want the true effect of this series. Think of these games exactly as you would a trilogy of books. Also, it is NOT a sequel of Xenogears, and officially is NOT connected to that game in any way, although there is more than enough that happens throughout the series to create controversy that it is. This game, and the entire series, is all about the story. While there are plenty of other things that make the games great and fun to play, the engrossing and emotional story is clearly what leaves its mark on people. There is nothing that even comes close to Xenosaga from my experience, and I'm referring to not just video games, but movies and books as well. THE STORY IS THAT GOOD! If that aspect of a game does not hold your interest you may want to pass on this game, and series, however, as there are many cut scenes of length and story elements that could leave someone frustrated if it's not of interest to them. Graphics (8/10) - Graphics are somewhat dated, and they definitely can't compare with Episode 3's graphics, but for their time they were good. Not something that's a deal breaker by any means, and it's not like you're playing a 16 bit game, but compared to todays standards they are lacking. Music (10/10) - The musical score for this game is one of the best I've heard, and in my opinion the best of the series. Amazing music in this game, worthy enough of getting the soundtrack for sure. Some of the tracks are breathtaking. Battles (9/10) - Complex battle system is refreshing for those that want a challenge and originality, but perhaps could be seen as cumbersome for someone wanting simplicity. Very fun once completely understood, but don't expect to just jump into it without the training option or reading the manual. Extras (10/10) - Lots of mini games and one in particular of an extreme depth, the Xenocard game. Lots of fun and very intricate. There are also other hidden goodies throughout the game, and more mini games, so plenty to do besides the general game. Story (10/10) - As stated already, this is definitely the highlight of the game and series. Expect a very mature storyline that touches on everything from philosophy and psychology to the nature of existence and humanity. Many twists and turns through the course of the series, and engrossing and immersive are adjectives that barely do it justice. The story is uplifting and tragic at the same time, and will definitely pull in your emotions. Upon completing episode 1, however, expect a bunch of questions with just a few answers. Characters (10/10) - I figured this needed a separate category from the story, even though it clearly falls into the story. The characters are so well developed in this series it's amazing, and even the nature of the villains goes beyond simply black and white good and evil. Everyone has a story and a history that plays into their present actions, including the villains. Also, the characters are so endearing that it's almost impossible to not become extremely attached to some of them, especially as one continues to progress through the series. Expect to laugh and cry with them as you go through the journey. Fun factor (10/10) - Even apart from the story, I found the game very fun. Battles are a bit more complex than your normal rpg, but that was a positive for me. The level design is good and there was a good overall challenge to the game, but not to the point of frustration. Just a fun game, what can I say! Xenosaga may not be for everyone with it's frequent cut scenes and heavy story elements, but for the niche that it caters to I don't believe anything can even come close to it, including the ever popular Final Fantasy VII. If you are a f
7/19/08
An excellent buy
Buying it USED at a Gamestop location is a steal. This game is right on par with the Final Fantasy series, which I am an avid fan of as well. For a PS2 game it has great graphics, and it looks almost like PS3 if you play it on an LCD or plasma. The game is challenging, by far, and will keep you entertained for more than the 80 hours of posted gameplay, what with its 4 minigames and constant character developments. You start the game as a 22 year old woman named Shion, a chief engineer from Vector Industries. Currently, Shion is working on a project aboard a military warship, which analyzes combat data for an android model called KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS and Shion are your 2 main playable characters for a majority of the game, but heres the catch... unlike most RPGs, you get to choose your lead character during many of the battle sequences. This makes it easy to do many things such as leveling up the characters YOU want and in tougher battles using characters that will surely win. Shion is a somewhat weak character, granted, but she is a qualified pilot for the A.W.G.S. Battle Suits (think Gears from the original Xenogears) and has great healing power for your party. The story line is very action-packed so if I go any further I will ruin it for you. Now on to a problem many gamers may encounter... this game is nothing like the original Xenogears that appeared on the PS1 some 12 years ago. It has a completely different set of characters, storyline, and battle system. If you are looking for a continuation of that story you will be greatly disappointed... but even still... give the game a shot and you will be like "what is Xenogears? is it as good as Xenosaga?". Case in point, you will have alot of fun with this game. The Controls are a bit sticky in some ways, it takes alot of getting used to the controller layout, its not set up like most RPGs. The battle system is pretty cool, but again, you may have difficulty adapting to it. The sound throughout this game is magnificent. All scores are performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, and the music sets a great tone for the battles, characters, and story. Have fun with this game, and be sure to pick up episodes 2 and 3 when you are finished, they are a little different than this game as far as battle modes, but they are linear in storyline and you dont want to miss them!
5/28/08