I've recently been let go from my job and suddenly have a bunch of time on my hands to do whatever with. I downloaded Xenogears a while back on the PS Market and never got around to playing through it. I own the PSX game and made it pretty far, almost to the end of disc 1 I think (not sure), and then lost my memory card or the file was deleted or something (I can't remember) and I've since forgotten most/all of the story. I've decided that now is the time to bring this shining example of RPG gaming back into my life and hopefully finish it! (or at least play it until Catherine Deluxe Edition shows up in the mail)
If this goes well I might turn this into a playthrough topic, or maybe not. I've never been consistent with anything on this board in my 8 years here, so I dont know why I would be now. BUT MAYBE!
Just finished the first order of business in Lahan and have been advised to leave. Making my way to the forest where monsters and other bad things surely await!
Now this is a topic! I look forward to regular updates! I expect lots and lots of them and I want to hear your opinions about the various plot twists, favorite characters, best boss fights and more! Tell me how you outfit your Gears while you're at it! And let me know what you think of Fei's hairstyle, this is very important! I need to discuss Xenogears with you posthaste!
inb4JZ
Well yes.
-- Sir Chris Police ~Ace Detective in Homicide~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
Yes, that again. Until Square apologizes to me for only selling me half a game and replaces my second Xenogears disk with something playable, there will always be that.
Jeff Zero posted... Now this is a topic! I look forward to regular updates! I expect lots and lots of them and I want to hear your opinions about the various plot twists, favorite characters, best boss fights and more! Tell me how you outfit your Gears while you're at it! And let me know what you think of Fei's hairstyle, this is very important! I need to discuss Xenogears with you posthaste!
Well, I just got out of the beginning and stopped for a while to get my laundry done and shower for the day, and I have a girl coming over here shortly so I don't know how far I'll get today, but I'll very probably pick it up later on tonight. I am glad that there is interest from *someone* on this though. I'll see what I can do about giving my thoughts on all of that as I progress.
spoilers Jeff probably isn't the biggest XG fan on this board!
Good, then there should presumptively be more interest yet!
Are you sure you want to play a game that's aborted on the second disk?
Yes, that again. Until Square apologizes to me for only selling me half a game and replaces my second Xenogears disk with something playable, there will always be that
That so-called half a game still holds a longer story than any other single-player venture Square ever set out to make. That so-called half a game still manages to get its point across as well as possible given the budget and deadline issues and provides players with virtually every answer necessary by game's end -- undeniably truncated to high heaven as various otherwise-enormous plot points might have been it still pulls it off or I wouldn't like it so damn much.
That so-called half a game has a hell of a lot of problems thanks to what happened back in 1998 but I can't in good conscience call it 'half a game'. 70% of a game that would have been thrice the length of FFVII, maybe? That sounds like a better title for it, don't you think?
And if you don't consider the second disc 'playable' then might I suggest you get a Disc Doctor? I hear-tell they work wonders.
Well, I just got out of the beginning and stopped for a while to get my laundry done and shower for the day, and I have a girl coming over here shortly so I don't know how far I'll get today, but I'll very probably pick it up later on tonight. I am glad that there is interest from *someone* on this though. I'll see what I can do about giving my thoughts on all of that as I progress.
The Real Truth will probably wind up posting in here too for whatever that's worth.
-- Sir Chris Police ~Ace Detective in Homicide~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
Alright, well as long as there is interest somewhere I'll try to keep the topic bumped accordingly. Lookout for an update in the wee hours or possibly tomorrow. =D
This is pretty excellent timing as I recently rewrote my GameFAQs review for the game from scratch. It was seven years old to the day (although it says six in the review because I was rounding -- literally didn't realize it was submitted just in time for a seventh anniversary, augh) and I gushed entirely too much as a drunk sixteen-year-old so I felt the need to address that.
-- Sir Chris Police ~Ace Detective in Homicide~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
That so-called half a game still holds a longer story than any other single-player venture Square ever set out to make. That so-called half a game still manages to get its point across as well as possible given the budget and deadline issues and provides players with virtually every answer necessary by game's end -- undeniably truncated to high heaven as various otherwise-enormous plot points might have been it still pulls it off or I wouldn't like it so damn much.
That so-called half a game has a hell of a lot of problems thanks to what happened back in 1998 but I can't in good conscience call it 'half a game'. 70% of a game that would have been thrice the length of FFVII, maybe? That sounds like a better title for it, don't you think?
I don't want to take over someone else's topic with a long Xenogears debate, so I'll just make my final comment thusly: Xenogears Disk 1 was an impressive, expansive game with great battle mechanics, a gripping story and likable characters. The fact that it was so amazing made the obliteration of its pacing and failure to provide an epic conclusion all the more horrifying. If a game gets me all hot and bothered, it had darn well better follow through! That is all.
I respect your decision to avoid turning this poor topic into a debate and I'll agree to do the same. If you ever wanna talk about it in further depth for some reason though, lemme know. I'm a regular on the Xenogears board, actually.
-- Sir Chris Police ~Ace Detective in Homicide~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
So after a pretty opening cut scene of some space ship I know nothing about undergoing some sort of crisis and having to evacuate, I see the hero (Fei, as I understand it) painting...After a careful bit of exploration and research, I come to the understanding that my adoptive family, or friends or something are all getting ready for a wedding. Oh boy! I love weddings. I am admired here by little Dan and seemingly many others, and almost encouraged to push over the groom to be and replace him with yours truly. But this is not at all chivalrous and I refuse the opportunity when presented by Dan. Bride-to-be Alice burdens me with the task of going to grab some camera...or something..from Citan. Well, of course I'll do it.
So I make my way up the path killing many wolves and turnip-fiends along the way. I am a badass new-God. I arrive to find that my main man Citan is "Tinkering with his junk out back"..
I reluctantly venture out to see what the exactly consists of, and am relieved to find he's just working on some giant crab thing. However, Citan here wants me to go inside the shed and take a look at something. Turns out it's a music box statue thing. I leave. It breaks. Citan sees it as an omen. Eh, whatever. After dinner with Citan and his creed, I make my way back into town - BUT OH GOD IT'S BEING ATTACKED!
So Citan and I hurry back to Lahan (The name of the village if I haven't mentioned that yet) and do our best to guide everyone to safety. But uh-oh...a giant mecca gundam robot person thing. Fei can't resist hopping up into that bad boy and THE BATTLE IS ON!! I toss the enemy meccas out on their ass but only before several more show up. I am overwhelmed, but no worries. I do some crazy scream thing and BOOM no more Lahan.
When the dust settles I learn that I did much more harm than good, and am subsequently hated by all and told to get on up out of that business. No worries for me, I'm a hardass who could give a ****.
Heeding the advice of Citan, I make my way to the other side of town, but first I must go through the forest...
Oh boy! The forest! As I walk in, notice several downed trees and ominous music. Very creepy stuff happening here, folks. I scuttle around the forest a bit, and after killing some forest life and dodging out from a large tumbling boulder, I am met with a "Mysterious Woman". Another scene ensues where she begins to hold me at gunpoint. Also, she wants me to turn around. I am stalwart and unnerved by her threatening weaponry...for a minute...So I turn around and she draws closer, inching along nervously guns blazing. This is brief however, as she backs away when she understands I'm not a bad guy soldier out to get her. Regardless, she has orders to kill me, calling me a lamb, and assuring me it's nothing personal. But, before she can go about her dubious demands, she, like any woman, needs directions on leaving the forest. Of course, I am no help. I am still a hardass though, and provoke her of her orders. HURRY UP AND KILL ME! I turn into an emo sob, (My life is worthless, there's no point in living etc.) But again like any woman, she misses...OH CRAP A PURPLE MONSTER IN THE WOODS! I know what I must do..
After manhandling the beasts, I suddenly decide to care for this heartless wench. I build her a fire, set up camp, likely in hopes of "D. Put in in" later. I feign some form of compassion for this cold-blooded would-be killer, and even offer for her to try again if she would like. She knows her place and is silent...until reminding me that her duties are not fulfilled and my heroism will not change the circumstances. Again, feigning some sort of interest, I ask her for her name. She will not budge though, again calling me a -Lamb-. But with my cunning charm and wit, I get her to believe that we can cooperate and leave this forest alive if we can work together. An excellent course of action as I now am given this girl's trust...or her name at the least. Elly will be my burden. Of course Fei, being the psychoactive death machine that he is, somehow already knew her name. With some quick planning and sound-minded thinking, it is decided that camping out for the night is ultimately in the duo's best interest.
BUT WAIT ANOTHER SCENE OF BRILLIANT ANIMATION! Fei is shown, obviously younger, in a desert watching helplessly as some shadowy humanoids march onward into the dunes. Fei is highly upset at this until some smokin hottie approaches from behind him and offers her company. "You must be lonely here by yourself..Fei...Fei" And the dream is over. Elly is still here and we press onward into the forest..
After a few more casualties at the expense of the forest, Elly wonders why I'm so emo. She presses questions like an amateur prosecuting attorney, but I still oblige. I give her my sob story about blowing everything up like some kind of humanoid time-bomb, killing everyone in the mix. Naturally I turn to blaming it on the enemy forces, only to be called a coward. As it turns out, I was piloting the very machine (or "gear" as it is known) that the enemy was out to get. Well excuuuuse me, Princess. I break down and start crying about it like a pansy before snapping back at Elly with the shutups.I continue to babble like a crazy man about the pain of having no one, and killing Lahan etc.before Elly decides she's had enough and walks away. One more scene ensues and it looks like Elly is eating her own words and guilt tripping over it. But before she can get too emotional, A DINOSAUR COMES! And I hand him his ass...but not until Citan shows up out of nowhere on his flying crab! I hop into the gear he brings me and finish this fight without much trouble.
Citan and Elly have a conversation as Fei sleeps discussing her being a soldier of the army and how she abandoned her gear near town. Citan tells that ***** to take a hike and she does after giving the blame to herself for blowing up the town. Citan and Fei march onward....
As we make our exit towards Dazil the desert resort, a monstrous ship is seen flying overhead. Citan's initial thinking is that it's an aerial battleship from Aveh (The bad guys), or rather, from Gebler, the driving force behind Aveh's current position of power in the war against Kislev. The new point of skirmish seems to be at some new-found ruins on the northern end of Aveh. With this in mind, we continue towards Dazil. A good spot to save and stop before eating.
(I find myself rambling. To all you interested readers, feel free to provide feedback and let me know where to cut down. This is some fun and nostalgic gaming here, and I hope I can follow through with this. So long as there's interest, I might just have to keep going. Fun game is fun, etc.)
No, Reva, please continue rambling. I've beaten this game so many times -- it's fun watching your I-got-far-once-and-then-forgot-everything freshness. There are a couple of things you've said so far that have made me laugh thanks to dramatic irony but I won't spoil them for you.
--
"To save mankind he must destroy Zero." ~SCP~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
So this place is apparently excavation central. More importantly for our heroes, Dazil provides an opportunity to find out what each of the feuding armies are up to here. Oh, how we love to pry. And if we're lucky enough we'll be able to fix our gear "Weltall" with some items found here too.
After finding our way to the workshop, we're told that our Weltall is just too good for these scrubs. They don't carry such badass new parts, and only repair the household appliance type gears. AUGH! Worthless..
Upon leaving, Fei finds this to be an excellent opportunity to have a good heart-to-heart with Citan. Fei doesn't want a robot mecca. He wants to go home and rebuild the mess he left over in Lahan. Citan gives the ol' "Oh sure, just as long as we can move that giant sucker away from us." trick, but is fully aware that they need these parts in order to do that. A clever ruse indeed. With the help of a little more wandering, we happen across a SAND BUGGY! And Citan cooks up another scheme. If we can scrounge through the wreckage of the desert battlefield's remains, we may be able to come across the parts we need. Citan grows more and more wise as the minutes pass it seems. When we ask to rent the buggy, the rental owner gives us a "Keys are in the ignition" and not much else. How trusting of him. Citan ventures out alone and advises me to go get hammered at the local tavern. After his exit, the rental owner speaks up once more and tells me to accompany my genius friend or else he might get sand raped by desert pirates. HEY WAIT UP CITAN! YOU CAN'T GO HAVING ALL THE FUN NOW!
After some running in the desert, I find a pair of gears leap-frogging over each other for God-knows what reason. I decide to follow them for a similar cause. After a bit of a hike, The ground starts to rumble, and a large shadow is cast over me. It must be aliens. Definitely aliens. A large saucer is flying overhead with some strange field around it. It is gone before long, leaving nothing but confusion in its wake. But the leap-frogging gears are spotted once more! A different unit perhaps? Are all these gears' pilots so lackadaisical? Better follow them and find out! This plan is short-lived however, and I soon am met with some biker dudes. I stand in the way of one, he skids off, and I take his bike like a jackass should, and leave him in the dust.
Ripping through the desert like some X-Game contestant, I might have done this before. I'm too good at this to not have. BUT WAIT A GEAR WANTS TO CHALLENGE ME! TWO EVEN! I take them apart handily without even throwing a punch. And look, Weltall was there to witness my efforts! And he was piloted by Citan! These guys aren't done yet though. It's my turn to ride in Weltall once more and decimate these scrap heaps. Their piloting is the worst. I feel they are not even trying. I finish them off with ease.
Immediately after this skirmish, A mysterious "Man in Black" standing on a gear of his own starts in with some laughter. He goes on about how I'm some ruthless killer that is not to be tamed. (What can I say, really?) A scene ensues where this man calls me a killer and my young self reappears in some form of anguish. I apparently killed "her". Fei recognizes this guy from Lahan, but he is now to be known as "Grahf" the seeker of power...what a chump name. He goes on about how he sent those fools in to awaken my powers and stuff, to make contact with me, blah blah...snooooozer..But this fool thinks that killing my loved ones is going to do him some kind of favor. Wrong. His end is in the works, believe that. He continues to go on about my power, and how he needs it to...TO DESTROY MOTHER GOD WHAT THE ****!? THAT'S ****ING INSANE MAN! And when I tell him to shove it, I apparently sound like my father, I mean my dad, who this guy knows, or maybe knew. I'm left to kill this wyrm as Grahf flies off, and am taken by Aveh forces after the fight.
Yet another scene ensues of what appears to be a flashback-dream pertaining to Fei's father, or his dad, not letting Grahf(?) have Fei, eve if it kills him. Oh how we can assume. Citan and Fei are sharing a room in some kind of desert rover tank thing, and Citan questions Fei on his slumber. Fei isnt trying to talk much about it though, and Citan claims carelessness and mess-ups. Weltall is some super-secret Kislev gear , so naturally Aveh forces have come to get it from us. Citan presses Fei on his issues and why he's such a downer. Everything that happened in Lahan being planned, and how Fei fell right into the trap that was set, it's just too much to bare. I am able to save here, and do so.
I'd encourage you to play the game. It's really fun so far, and the only reason I haven't marathoned the whole time is because I feel slowed down by the write-up. If I don't pick up more interest here I might just blitz the game and then give my thoughts on it after completion, but it's a bit early to call this thing a wash just yet.
Bur srsly, if you have even the slightest bit of curiosity about the game and any bit of time to dedicate to it, I'd highly encourage you to play through it.
transience posted... do that instead. my first time, I started Xenogears at 8am and stopped at 4am.
Marathon it? I seriously am tempted, but I've promised a writeup that nobody cares to read! How would I look now if I just mailed it in and horded the experience all to myself?
Augh, and I JUST got Catherine like 12 seconds ago. My stack of duties is piling upon me. Perhaps you're right. I may have to take the cowards way out and just play the game and give my thoughts at the end, BUT I'VE MADE STRIDES TO DO THIS THING! Ugh...
If anyone would advise me not to take this route speak up now. I'm going to take a shower and delve into Catherine a bit before checking back.
Shucks..It seems like that's my best option. Nobody is reading this or interested in it. I guess I'll just hurry up and get it done and be amongst those who also enjoy it. Unless of course the second disc is as bad as some have said and makes me hate the entirety of the game, but I can't see that really happening. Guess we'll find out.
From: muddersmilk | #032 Maybe one day I will play this game. Or I'll just go read Rope of Robots again.
You and I possess enough similarities in the stories we have enjoyed that I feel completely comfortable telling you there's an extremely high probability you'd like this.
--
"To save mankind he must destroy Zero." ~SCP~ http://img.imgcake.com/Jeffzeropngus.png "Thanks Punny!"
Okay, so this is okay with everyone to just blitz through it and give my thoughts? I mean, now that Punch here has tagged it, I'm not certain if he's just been enjoying the reading of my posts, or if he's waiting around for the final thoughts...?
Jeff Zero posted... From: muddersmilk | #032 Maybe one day I will play this game. Or I'll just go read Rope of Robots again. You and I possess enough similarities in the stories we have enjoyed that I feel completely comfortable telling you there's an extremely high probability you'd like this.
I'll see if I can find a copy cheap and give it a try. The battle system is what makes me hesitate. I'm the kind of person that loves grinding and doing random battles, but the screen shots of this on Rope make it seem crazy.
I also have always ignored it because I didn't like Xenosaga.
-- (Maniac64 at work) [Browncoat] ~Board 570901~ All the proteins, vitamins, and carbs of your grandma's best turkey dinner, plus 15% alcohol.
So I've escaped the Aveh soldier's ship, duked it out with Bart, made my way through the stalagmite cave below and am now on the Yggdrasil. Bart is as cool as I remember him being, and I have to say, maybe it's just my "being in the moment", but the story seems to make more sense this time through. Maybe I'm just having an easier time grasping the canon between the feuding armies and different groups/characters, but I'm really keeping a good grasp of what's going on this far in, and I don't remember having that clarity the first time I tried this out.
Also, mud this game is way the hell better than Xenosaga. I enjoyed Xenosaga, but I'm really enjoying my time with Xenogears. It might be my nostalgia goggles reminding me of the golden age of gaming, but I'd say play it if you have the chance. It's a great time thus far, and I'm still pretty early in.