Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

"The Xenosaga is off to an Excellent Start"

1. Story (9/10)

It's not surprise this category receives this score as the major emphasis of Xenosaga is the story. It only lost a point for a minor qualm with the characters. As with any complex story like this, you start off not having a clue what is going on. This, however, changes about mid-way through the story when you get a little explanation and some events come together. So there's really nothing to worry about when it comes to understanding the story, especially with the handy addition of the database.

I can't say much else without risking spoilers so I'll be a little vague in my praising of this story. The story like that of Xenogears or Neon Genesis Evangelion is heavy with religious references. Christian religious themes also tie heavily into the story and start to become its focus as the game progresses but possibly not quite the way you'd suspect. Still, it is very well-structured and paced so anyone that claims that isn't true doesn't understand the meaning of the words.

And the final part of the story category is the characters. This is the reason for the one point loss on the otherwise fine story. The characters are all interesting but the development of most of them is overshadowed by the main three (you'll figure out who they are as you play the game). Now understand, this is the first episode in this RPG series and all indications point to the same characters being in the next game as well. Therefore, the development of those other characters is obviously going to come in following episodes. The seeds of such development were already laid out so we know it is coming. Despite this, I still feel we should have gotten a little bit more considering the fact there will likely be 2+ years in between each episode. Don’t let this steer you away from an otherwise quality game, though.

2. Graphics (9/10)

The graphics in this game can be divided between regular game and battle graphics and then the FMV. The regular graphics are superb. The best job is done on the player characters and important NPCs (non-playable characters) of course but you'll be pleased to hear that the average townspeople aren't all clones of one another. There are a few copies but for the most part people wear different clothing and have different details about them. The regular character designs are excellent as well, though they do look a bit too anime for my tastes. Of course since this is a Japanese game that is to be expected. The FMVs are some of the best I've ever seen so there is no room for complaint there.

My only complaint in this category is texture details. The backgrounds in some areas lack a level of detail I know the PS2 can manage after seeing the likes of FFX. I also now Namco is able to do some amazing graphical scenes as does anyone who has played Soul Calibur for Dreamcast. So Namco should have better background texture details but still it is not noticeable enough to detract from the gaming experience.

And speaking of Square, I still can't figure out why they and the Xeno guys think villains in thongs and drag are threatening. I mean we got Kuja, then Seymour, and now you got the villain in this game. I dare anyone to tell me he doesn't look like Liberace. But enough of this. The graphics won't disappoint so let's move on to…

3. Music / Sound (7/10)

Surprisingly, the problem here is not the music itself, but the lack thereof. The dungeon levels have unique music but every single fight in the game save for the final one has the same music. That just shouldn't be in an RPG. The battle track is good and doesn't get annoying but there should still be an amped up one for bosses. The final boss music is easily the best in the game, a very catchy tune. The game also has a sappy pop / chick song much like FFVIII, FFIX, and Kingdom Hearts. I say flush those garbage songs down the crapper and deposit a bullet in the kneecaps of those that thought they'd go well with a videogame of all things.

4. Gameplay (9/10)

Amazingly, the point loss here comes not from the game itself but from its collection of mini-games. The game controls fine and the combo system is fun to use. The game also features a ''Point System'' that can be used to upgrade combo attacks, Ether magic, and stat boosting add-ons. It'll keep you entertained. Then we have the AGWS (Anti-Gnosis Weapon System) robots. These robots are an important part of the game and managing them is one of the finest parts. You upgrade the armor just like in Xenogears but in this game a new system has been introduced where you can equip different combinations of weapons for various regular and status attacks.

Now about the mini-games. We have a drilling game, a casino, a card game called Xenocard, and an AGWS battling game ala the one from Xenogears. The mini-games are fun for the most part and will keep you involved for a while during the game. The controls, however, on the AGWS mini-game suck. The controls for this thing are extremely counter-intuitive making it almost impossible to play. The poker game could also have stood to have its controls sped up a bit. You'll find you need to play poker fast to make money in this game cause it is scarce everywhere else. Oh and the e-mail thing isn't necessarily a mini-game but it is a cool distraction.

Additionally, this game features very little replayability but only a fool would expect a game whose main focus was the story to have an insane amount of replay value.

5. Innovation (10/10)

I only include this category on games that had a predecessor. This one had Xenogears. This game improves on just about every single area of Xenogears too. We have the changes to the combo system, the mechs, the new mini-games. It is all great. You're not going to find Xenogears with better graphics here. This is an entirely new game that still retains the feel and the good stuff of the original. Not many sequals / prequels / whatever improve like this so don't take this improvement for granted.

6. Cons (or ''Get It If You Can Live With These'')

Now this is not a rated category as far as my review goes but this is just here to inform you of the worst areas of the game with as little spoilers as possible. I'm only putting the worst of the worst here and not minor stuff you may have seen earlier in the review. This is the stuff that you will notice and will affect your gameplay experience in some way.

There are four glaring problems in this game. The first is the extremely limited soundtrack. You have a single theme for each level and a single theme for every single battle, including boss battles. This just ain't cool, especially for a game from 2003. The second problem is that AGWS mini-game and its horrible controls. The gear battle mini-game was really fun in Xenogears so it is a disappointment that it sucks here. Maybe it will improved for the next installment.

The third problem is the length of the game. You as well as everyone else will notice this game is too freakin' short. I realize this is due to the episodic nature of Xenosaga but it comes off feeling like a short part of a regular RPG or a demo or something. This incomplete feeling the game leaves you with is all well and good for something like a TV show or comic book. That should not be the case for something like a videogame, though, that has new installments come out every one to two years. That's why movies like Star Wars and Back to the Future have each movie contain a complete story that is part of a whole. Xenosaga really should have been this way but the truth of the matter is that you can never fault a person or company for trying something different from the norm. The final problem is an obscene lack of money throughout the game for the prices demanded of you. The money problem can be solved in part by playing at the casino but still there is no excuse for how little money (sometimes none at all!) you get from the majority of regular enemy battles.

7. Final (8/10 or 88%)

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/16/03, Updated 03/16/03