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Let's just see, shall we?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: January 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I know I don't have much room to review the game since it's not released yet. Strange that some others think they can review an entire 40-hour experience based on trailers and opinions. Even stranger that it should be a bad game because, excuse me, the models are less colorful and look feminine? Please, people. Anywho, I was a little upset myself to find that they had changed the overall look of the game. But you know what? What attracted me was the story, which is why I loved the long cinematics. It was a bold move and very successful.

So I'm very hyped for the sequel because the story expands, and there are as much as 5 more games on the way after this one(though I hear that Xenogears was actually episode 5; it says so in the credits)!

A severe disappointment

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: June 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The original Xenosaga was a massive epic set in the universe of Xenogears (though not directly related.) The anime art style was innovative, and fun, and the story well thought out, deep, and engaging. Early on it was made clear that Xenosaga was meant to be a trilogy, so naturally Episode II was inevitable, and I was looking very forward to the new entry as many plot threads were left untied at the end of the original.
This installment disappoints in a number of ways. First, the art style has gone from being an anime, to being an attempt at more realism, which isn't easy to pull off on PS2. I normally do prefer realism, but I loved the art style of the original here, and felt that there was no need to change it. Many of the game play mechanics were confusing, I never got a double attack going, it seemed overly complex compared to the original. The game suffered from severe frame rate drops frequently, and worst of all the story was convoluted, and about half way into the game completely looses track of its own plot, either that or it feels that way because rather than focusing on the story and primary quest the game drowns the player in too many nonsense side quests, many of them taking far too long, and many of them having a hook that they cannot be completed until playing through the game a 2nd time. Namco really made me mad because I normally like to get absolutely everything in an RPG, but this game you have to literally play through the game 20 times just to complete one of the side quests, and frankly, I have too many other games to play, I'm sure that other people would feel the same way.
On the plus side, there were a handful of interesting revelations in the story. I am eager to see the third game, but I certainly hope that Namco shifts its focus back to the story and the main quest. Side quests are good, but there should only be a small handful of them. The average player will spend about 25 hours out of the 40 it takes to complete this game (as complete as possible for 1 time through) on side quests and that's just far too many.

From the previews it looks great!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: January 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Contrary to the other review, this game looks fun. It is one of (hopefully) 7 installments. The battlesystem is similar to the first one but you can attack with a team mate. Also, I noticed in one of the previews, theres alot of ether you can use. The graphics have improved from the last one, and all the characters are back (I think) plus some. I would recommend buying this game.

A disappointment indeed...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

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 Böse", 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!

It is important to play the first

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 04, 2007
Author: Amazon User

At first this game begins at a point where you think the story has nothing to do with xenosaga episode 1, but while you advance in it you think of how much you're missing if you don't know anything of the first game. Great storyline, great graphics, great sound, simply Namco did it again!. If you beated the first one don't erase the saved games and get this one, you'll like it a lot. But on the contrary if you haven't played the first then avoid it, because you'll be lost in the storyline.

What in the universe happened???

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If anyone enjoyed the entry that was Xenosaga (part one) the character design, story, gameplay and music would stand out first in your mind. The voice acting was spot on, although many say that MOMO was annoying to begin with. I enjoyed the leveling up and appreciated each character's diverse weaponry. I love the lengthy cut scenes and the cliffhanger ending with the re-entry into Second Milita. Xenosaga II however, should expound on all of these things and more...

The first disappointment I had once I popped this game in was the vast difference in character models. Yes, there are those who don't like the big-eyed anime look and chubby faces, but once you guide these guys though 40+ hours of gameplay I think it grows on you. What the development team was thinking in making the character change is beyond me.

The second disappointment is the drastic change Shion makes as a person. Didn't this game start immediately after the first? Now she is no longer the sweet, polite, intelligent scientist we knew. She tells Allen to "be a man!" It's not the same Shion that was like "okay, sure..." when Tony hits on her!

The voice acting took a wide left as KOS-MOS sounds like well... a girl instead of the straight-to-business android. The music that was the epic London Symphony was replaced by an 1993 Casio beat machine. I will not comment more.

The biggest departure in my experience was the eternal loading times before each battle. I went to make a sandwich when I got into a battle.

It was at this point after finishing the first disk I did not even complete the game, I just dropped it off at the store for my refund. We all wonder why this game is on two disks when it is far shorter (cutscenes included) and part one was all on one disk and it was double the length. It is good that Xenosaga III redeemed the series.

Nothing on the original game!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: April 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Xenosaga Episode I Der Wille Zur Macht, was a breakthrough in gaming! It had deep characterization, a deep storyline, innovative battle system and a soundtrack that blew you out of this world! It was a plot driven game with an intoxicating storyline. Episode II doesn't compare to the original in very many ways at all. Things have been changed that shouldn't have been changed, and in all essence, it's more like watching a season 2 of a declining TV series.

Xenosaga Episode II isn't a bad game. It's actually really good! It's just that it suffers from the sequel syndrome. The first one hit a level that was so high, and now this one has to compare. Either you'll be quite surprised by where it goes, or quite disappointed.

The game opens up with a flashback of Chaos being sent to Miltia with a realian named Canaan to see why all the Realians have gone berserk. Chaos and Canaan meet up with only one who still seems to be in control of himself. General Jin Uzuki, and to prevent spoiling more, let's just the say we rejoin our main cast from the first game in mere moments.

Where as Xenosaga Episode I put an emphasis on storyline, Episode II seems to put an emphasis on character development. It does a fairly good job too. You'll learn more about these characters, and be able to cope with them. Unfortunately, if you haven't played the first game yet, it's all mysterious to you.

A few things about the gameplay have changed. The battle system is refined just a bit. Now enemies are in "zones". Either Zone A, B, or C. Depending on the zone they're in they could take a lot of damage from your attacks. You can also knock them in the air, or down on the ground. You can also link attacks together to perform devastating combinations. Characters attack using points. If you decide to "stock" (by defending) you can attack more times in one turn.

Xenosaga Episode II is not an easy game. You can't just mash down on buttons and expect to win battles. There does need to be strategy involved. Without strategy, you'll more than likely lose.

The character raising is different. In the first game, you had Ether Points (Magic), Tech Points and skill points. In this one you only have ether points to improve your magic skills. Truthfully, that's sad since all your characters learn the same skills, and once you've learned everything (being that there are no Tech points and Skill points in this one) you'll have a bunch of Ether Points sitting around begging to be used, and they never will.

The graphics in the game have been updated from the first one. I personally didn't think this was neccessary. They tried to make the characters look more "human" and I personally thought the anime look of the first game was just fine. Some of their actions look a little strange, mostly because the dubbing of the game to English was terrible, but otherwise, the graphics are smooth and rich. KOS-MOS looks the nicest out of all the characters.

The voices, for whatever reason, have also changed. I was not too fond of this. The voices from the first game were perfect. These voices are either superb, or they're terrible. MOMO for example, has a terrible voice actor, while Chaos has a fairly good one.

The music is no where near as good as the first game. Actually, to be truthful, the music in this game is forgettable, and you won't care too much for it in the end. It's not the first one.

There aren't as many cutscenes as the first Xenosaga, and while the story is intriguing, the cutscenes don't flow quite as well. Also, it's sad to see this game isn't as long as the first one, and there aren't as many secrets. I thought the game would have more secrets than what I got.

It's also very disappointing with what you get from having a save file at the end of the first Xenosaga. Just a bunch of skills and whatnot. Nothing more. No impact on the story or anything. Really, the save file is useless.

Xenosaga Episode II does work, but it's sad that it can't live up to the first game. It had potential to live up considering how long it was in development, and what the first game gave it to go with. I just wish it could've fallen through.

If you loved the first Xenosaga game, pick this up. You won't regret it, but you probably won't remember it as well as the first game either.

Whoa, what happened?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: October 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Xenosaga 2 looked like it would be a great game, I mean updated graphics, continuation of a good storyline, and probably one of the most noticable changes, Shion's makeover. Unfortunately, this game falls a long way below the expectation I had.

Where to begin, the first noticable change is the graphics system, which is a good thing. It's easy to tell how the character is reacting or feeling. Also, the more realistic environments add to the seriousness this game has.

Anothing new change are the costumes, which work but are, in some cases, kind of creepy. Shion now sports an outfit that shows a little more skin (it's not that I don't like scamply clad women, I do, it's just not the Shion I know), Momo gets a navy-like costume, Jr. gets something similar to the past game, and so on and so forth.

The biggest change you notice though is the voice actors. Shion, KOS-MOS, MOMO, and chaos each have different people doing the voices. Shion, MOMO, and chaos don't bother me as much as KOS-MOS' because now she sounds almost human as opposed to the cybernetic voice in Episode 1.

I figured that wouldn't bother me for long, but then I get into the game and find out that they messed up the battle system. No longer do each character have their unique moves, but instead each character can learn the same moves depending on what they spend their points on. The only good change to this is the Dual Techs which allows two characters to do a move on an enemy. Physical attacks also suck in this game because you have no control as opposed to the ability to change them in Episode 1.

So, we start off with new voice actors, an even worse battle system, and some really confusing battles. The battles get confusing because now you have to Break the character to weaken it by using the right combinations of buttons, which is really annoying to do.

So what are the redeeming factors you ask? Well, we've got the storyline, the graphics, and the new costumes. If that's all that you want, then great, pick it up, otherwise stay far, far away from this game.

Pros:
- Continuation of the epic saga
- New costumes for the characters
- More mature look
- Dual Techs

Cons:
- The change in voice actors
- The battle system
- The long loading times to get into battle
- Taking away the unique abilities that each character could learn.
- The side quests are more annoying this time around and more bountiful, but if you want more dual techs, you have to do them.

good story, but no fun

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: March 03, 2005
Author: Amazon User

this is a good movie. but it's bad game.

the cutscenes are probably the best i've seen. the storyline far surpasses the first game.

but GYAH, the gameplay is AWFUL! for the first 5 hours or so, the battle system seems worth playing around with. then you soon realize...there is no playing around with it. you do the SAME THING EVERY FIGHT. no new moves. you get new ethers, but you NEVER USE THEM unless they are healing ethers, and even then...the items are better. you can't buy upgrades (you don't even get money) which is NOT GOOD.

if you finished the first one, you NEED this one...just for the story. if you can waddle your way through the awful gameplay, that is.

Jenseits von gut und bose -SPOILERS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: September 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

For me, the long anticipated sequel to Xenosaga 1 was at first amazing, then mildly disappointing, and finally quite rewarding. This chapter in the series is largely devoted to answering the many questions posed in the first. We are introduced early on to the Patriarch, head of the fictional religious organization Ormus. We get to learn a lot more about the organization hierarchy and purpose.

Albedo finally succeeds in obtaining the Y-data which opens the door to Old Miltia and the original Zohar. Now there is a race between Ormus and the Federation to obtain the most important and powerful relic of all time.

As usual this is more movie than game. There's only 7 or so dungeons to explore, plus a couple ships and cities. The most rewarding of all of this is getting to witness the back story concerning the URTVs. U-DO, or the Unus Mundus Drive Operation, is explained in a little more depth as a natural consciousness from a higher plain of existence.

This has my favorite battle system that involves using a specific combination of attacks in order to 'break' the enemy. You can also boost as usual and stock your attacks to unleash them all at once. You can even move behind the enemy for back attacks.

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