General Information
last updated: March 3, 2006
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TITLE: Xenosaga Episode I: Dur Wille Zur Macht
PLAYERS: One Player
MEMORY NEEDED: 34 KB
DISCS: One
DESIGNED BY: Monolith Soft Productions
PUBLISHER: Namco Hometek, Inc.
GENRE: Role-Playing (RPG)
RATING: T - teens
Links Out:
Xenosaga I Official Website
Xenosaga I @ Gamefaqs
Xenosaga I @ RPGamer
Xenosaga I @ Wikipedia
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RELEASE DATES:
02/28/02 (Japan) Xenosaga Episode I: Chikara e no Ishi
02/28/02 (Japan) Xenosaga Episode I: Chikara e no Ishi (Limited Edition)
02/24/03 (United States) Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
04/03/03 (Japan) Xenosaga Episode I: Chikara e no Ishi (PlayStation2 the Best)
11/20/03 (Japan) Xenosaga Episode I Reloaded: Chikara e no Ishi
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HISTORY:
Xenosaga was originally released for the Playstation 2 in 2002 in Japan. This Japanese release included two versions. One package contained only the game, while the special edition included an action figure of KOS-MOS and other goodies. The US release followed almost exactly a year later in Febuary, 2003. A few months after the US release, the international version of Xenosaga, dubbed "Reloaded" was introduced in Japan. This special version of Xenosaga included extras not found in the original or US versions such as special costumes for the characters. Xenosaga I will be remade for the Gameboy DS along with Xenosaga II under the title "Xenosaga I+II."
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CREDITS:
Director: Tetsuya Takahashi
Producer: Hirohide Sugiura
Music Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Character Designer: Kunihiko Tanaka
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Executive Producer: Masaya Nakamura
Event Scenario Writer: Soraya Saga
Music Performed by: London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vocals by: Joanne Hogg
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Xenolegacy Review
Introduction: Thousands of years into the future, man exists only in deep space. Brutally opposed by a merciless alien race, humanity faces an uncertain destiny as it unlocks the secrets of the universe in search of the ultimate truth.
Story: Xenosaga I follows the story of Shion Uzuki, a young scientist who leads the development of a female battle android named KOS-MOS. This android's sole purpose is to exterminate the Gnosis threat. After the ship escorting Shion's research team is attacked by the Gnosis, it becomes evident that KOS-MOS's involvement in the matters at hand is even deeper than her creators themselves know. As the first installment of a long-running series, Xenosaga I's story is an introduction to the plot and rich cast of characters. Shion will share the leading role with her companions as the game switches to seemingly unrelated scenes that eventually tie into her own.
Battle System: The battle system that drives Xenosaga I is a traditional turn-based RPG system, with several additions which make it deeper than most of its kind. On each turn, a character is given action points (AP) which they expend with every move. They can chose to perform half of an attack in order to save AP and perform a large special attack on the following turn. Other actions such as magic and items also cost different amounts of AP. A character's boost gauge will increase throughout the battle as well. When it is full, the character can steal an extra turn. There is also the slot wheel, which grants each turn, enemy or player, a special attribute in a certain order. There are many different kinds of attacks, starting with physical or ether(magic) based, and branching off into different types such as slash or pierce. These mechanics combined create a great deal of depth in battle, but they can be difficult to learn especially for those new to RPG games. Characters will advance and learn new techniques with different attributes as well, making each one both unique and customizable.
Gameplay: As Xenosaga is set in the depths of outer space, most of its locations will not involve long treks across landscapess. Instead, your characters will find themselves exploring technological settings such as colonies and space ships, and navigating science-fiction-inspired labyrinths full of puzzles. These puzzles often make little sense in their setting, but add an element of challenge nonetheless. All monsters are visible on the field, and destroying certain objects with the on-screen character's explosive ray can grant you bonuses in battle.
Music: There are not many who can argue that Xenosaga I's music isn't top notch, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and performed in part by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The sweeping orchestral scores lend the game a much-needed Star Wars-esque space epic quality, while remaining faithful to Mitsuda's own style. The vocal songs performed by Joanne Hogg give the game an excellent closing.
Voice Acting: The voice actors for the North American release are a mixed bunch, but overall the game is a solid piece of work. The actors are mainly veterans from the world of anime dubbing, and are well cast for the most part. Many of the voices are widely preferred within the fan-base, such as Crispin Freeman in the role of Albedo. Some of the voices may not be on par to their Japanese counterparts, and the dialogue may be forced at times, but this English dub definitely will not send you screaming in agony from your television set.
Overall: Many elements of Xenosaga have proven to be a matter of love or hate. With its over six hours of full motion cut-scenes, Xenosaga Episode I may not be for everyone, but those who welcome a long and detailed story in an RPG will find it highly enjoyable just for that reason. The game follows an episodic format; long treks of game-play controlled completely by the player, followed by long cut-scenes in which the player has no interaction at all. Players may find this either engrossing or distracting depending on personal preference.
Where the game really shines is its unique presentation, interesting themes, and character depth. It introduces you to a truly original science fiction universe and portrays the story in a unique, anime-inspired style. Each of its characters has a great deal of depth, including the ones who seem simplistic on the surface. Even the prerequisite "cute little girl" MOMO has a complex story to tell. Many of the themes present in the story are controversial as well, from matters related to various religions and the perception of reality, to scenes which insinuate murder and rape. The mode of the game manages to stay light-hearted for the most part, with these scenes serving as an interesting contrast. If you are familiar with anime such as Neon Genisis Evangelion or Fullmetal Alchemist, the same tactics (and many of the same themes at that) are used to such an effect, and we say it's a good thing.
Perhaps Xenosaga's biggest failing is the fact that is is simply an introduction. It offers so much, and yet resolves very little, leaving that to future installments. If one game out of the series fails, it will have an effect on them all, as they are all directly connected. To see if Xenosaga's true potential will be reached, we will have to wait for the remaining installments.
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