Xenogears

Y'know, Xenogears was the only memorable RPG I have ever played. I mean sure, this game subscribes to every anime RPG cliche out there (amnesia is as common as the well, common cold, the guys have long hair, the girls have REALLY long hair etc.), but it's just plain <I> fun </I>.

SO... before we go on, I have a confession to make. I think the hottest video game chick is in this game. Those of you who wave played this game know who I'm talking about.

Elly



Yes, I know. There must be something about Chinese guys and her.

Y'know, she's attractive in a sorta tomboy way, not in the DOA chick, cup DD way.

Seriously, though, she's 18 and her specialty is "rods". How can one NOT love that!?!?!?!?

ANYWAY.

The battle system is great, it maps the strength of the attacks to the different "face" buttons (triangle, square, X), and in that regard, it feals more like a fighting game. There's also depth to the fighting engine, as there are "deathblow skills", which are basically special moves. Every character has their own series of moves that must be unlocked. I do have a gripe, which is that the final deathblows take FOREVER to earn.

The story is epic, and rarely makes you roll your eyes. Just play this game alone, because the worthless slugs known as, "family and select friends" will not get it. I won't spoil anything for you guys, but the story really in Triple-A (and X in someplaces)

Seriously, this game has a great mature story that didn't pull punches. For once I felt like I was playing a grown-up game. Not even Halo has invoked that feeling.

Problem. For a game like Xenogears, which has a sizable cult following, you simply can't Google it. Not even safesearch can help you, for you are forever sentenced to watch Elly get laid by, well, pretty much everyone. That's both good and bad. Good for when I ...

nevermind.

Moving on, the graphics would make a blind man wince. This is a PS1 game after all. The graphics ruin some of the scenes, but that's not that serious.

The Anime cutscenes are pretty cool (the nude running thing at the end) and are spiffy, except for the God awful lipsyncing. Its not that big of the deal. It's not like Xenosaga, there is alot more playtime, and less watchtime.

The reason this game recieves 1 mushroom is the transforming robot thing in the secon disc. Yes, this game really in from Japan.

Other than that, there's not really much that detracts from the game. There are plenty of memorable moments in the game, ranging from hot gear-on-gear action, to the showers, there's plenty to see and do.



Remember the epic story? At the very beginning, they give you alot of information, but only in the second disc they begin explaining things. Strange. Detail dorks rejoice! At the end, everything is explained. The beginning is a little confusing, but at the end you find out where the magic comes from, what powers gears, the truth about your stats, what save cubes really do, etc. Like I said, EVERYTHING.

Tons of great stuff. I finished the game in about 48 hours, including the supid "puzzle" parts. Great game in the end, you guys should get it if you can find it.

I do have a closing thought. How come a 18 year old, female soldier that can shoot electricity from her hands, get grounded from her dad's computer?

One word.


Porn.

4 star(s) out of 5

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