skLaFarebear
Member
LttP for first two games only because I haven't played the third one yet.
Got around to finally getting and playing these games after hearing about how "great" this trilogy is compared to something like Xenogears and Xenoblade (which both I find amazing for different reasons). Got to say, after beating one and making it about 3/4 of the way through ep 2 before running into a boss (Margulis) I just cannot beat at my level since I skipped a bunch of enemy fights. And looking back, these games are really awful, especially in the context of their own "series".
Guess I should get this out of the way first. I do think that Episode 2 is better than 1 when it comes to everything outside of combat. Story actually feels like it has some kind of direction and the characters finally start to develop and become more interesting outside of Albedo (who's still the only interesting character though). In 1, everything just felt so nothing. It clearly felt like the introduction game to set up the characters and the universe, which is fine, but there are clearly better ways to do it than having it being bogged down by a 40 hour, very slow JRPG with a pretty awful battle system in comparison to Xenogears. Honestly, the complaints about the first game can just pile up. The music outside of cutscenes is basically nothing aside from the battle theme, the voice acting, the terrible main character, etc.
For two, like I mentioned before, I like how the story and character development took a step forward with Jr and Albedo's relationship (though again characters like Shion are still just as nothing as ever and feel meaningless). However, this battle system is just complete garbage. Its like Final Fantasy 13 (which I enjoyed by the way) with its "break" mechanic to inflict greater damage on enemies, except done so sloppily in comparison. Everything about this battle system is just a mess since even enemies don't follow the same damn rules with their constant boosting on the same turn, killing characters at full health before I even have a chance to do anything. And add to that the fact that enemies have 1000's of HP, yet attacks will only do barely over 100 damage unless you max stock with all characters and unleash a combo, which can take a very long time depending on turn order. And also add to that absolutely no shops so you can't even buy any revives or potions or anything. So if a character dies from some bs in battle, its basically over and there's no way to prepare for it.
One compliment however is that I like how they streamlined its menus in comparison to the huge mess that Xenosaga 1's menu system was. I also like the mech design and how they thought that mech battles should be kept separate from the on foot battles. Almost like a certain game that did this before except way better (though admitedly, Xenosaga 2 has some sick mech designs).
Ultimately though, its step forward in story and characters just completely pales in comparison to anything Xenogears and Xenoblade have done this far in their stories. Of course Xenosaga never even touches Gears and definitely never will from what I've seen so far. And say what you want about Xenoblade's simplistic story, but having strong pacing and likable characters that actually show some kind of growth on a consistent level trumps whatever Xenosaga tries to do.
So, what is it this series? What drives people mad for an HD trilogy? Is it just one of those things I'm not getting and it actually is that great? Or am I right and that these games are just pieces of shit, especially compared to Gears and Blade and shouldn't even carry the name "Xeno" in its title?
Or is it just because I haven't played 3 yet and I'll be eating my words when I eventually get to 3? After all, I have heard from friends that Xenosaga 3 is very story/character driven and have each genuinely have said that its better than Xenogears.
Btw, I also have no plans to finish 2. I'm not grinding anything for this game because I'd rather snap my ps2 into pieces before I grind in a terrible game where each battle can take 20 minutes.
And no, I'm also not watching a movie for 2 that has all the cutscenes. Don't make the pacing of the cutscenes/gameplay already any worse than it is. I couldn't stomach something like that.
Got around to finally getting and playing these games after hearing about how "great" this trilogy is compared to something like Xenogears and Xenoblade (which both I find amazing for different reasons). Got to say, after beating one and making it about 3/4 of the way through ep 2 before running into a boss (Margulis) I just cannot beat at my level since I skipped a bunch of enemy fights. And looking back, these games are really awful, especially in the context of their own "series".
Guess I should get this out of the way first. I do think that Episode 2 is better than 1 when it comes to everything outside of combat. Story actually feels like it has some kind of direction and the characters finally start to develop and become more interesting outside of Albedo (who's still the only interesting character though). In 1, everything just felt so nothing. It clearly felt like the introduction game to set up the characters and the universe, which is fine, but there are clearly better ways to do it than having it being bogged down by a 40 hour, very slow JRPG with a pretty awful battle system in comparison to Xenogears. Honestly, the complaints about the first game can just pile up. The music outside of cutscenes is basically nothing aside from the battle theme, the voice acting, the terrible main character, etc.
For two, like I mentioned before, I like how the story and character development took a step forward with Jr and Albedo's relationship (though again characters like Shion are still just as nothing as ever and feel meaningless). However, this battle system is just complete garbage. Its like Final Fantasy 13 (which I enjoyed by the way) with its "break" mechanic to inflict greater damage on enemies, except done so sloppily in comparison. Everything about this battle system is just a mess since even enemies don't follow the same damn rules with their constant boosting on the same turn, killing characters at full health before I even have a chance to do anything. And add to that the fact that enemies have 1000's of HP, yet attacks will only do barely over 100 damage unless you max stock with all characters and unleash a combo, which can take a very long time depending on turn order. And also add to that absolutely no shops so you can't even buy any revives or potions or anything. So if a character dies from some bs in battle, its basically over and there's no way to prepare for it.
One compliment however is that I like how they streamlined its menus in comparison to the huge mess that Xenosaga 1's menu system was. I also like the mech design and how they thought that mech battles should be kept separate from the on foot battles. Almost like a certain game that did this before except way better (though admitedly, Xenosaga 2 has some sick mech designs).
Ultimately though, its step forward in story and characters just completely pales in comparison to anything Xenogears and Xenoblade have done this far in their stories. Of course Xenosaga never even touches Gears and definitely never will from what I've seen so far. And say what you want about Xenoblade's simplistic story, but having strong pacing and likable characters that actually show some kind of growth on a consistent level trumps whatever Xenosaga tries to do.
So, what is it this series? What drives people mad for an HD trilogy? Is it just one of those things I'm not getting and it actually is that great? Or am I right and that these games are just pieces of shit, especially compared to Gears and Blade and shouldn't even carry the name "Xeno" in its title?
Or is it just because I haven't played 3 yet and I'll be eating my words when I eventually get to 3? After all, I have heard from friends that Xenosaga 3 is very story/character driven and have each genuinely have said that its better than Xenogears.
Btw, I also have no plans to finish 2. I'm not grinding anything for this game because I'd rather snap my ps2 into pieces before I grind in a terrible game where each battle can take 20 minutes.
And no, I'm also not watching a movie for 2 that has all the cutscenes. Don't make the pacing of the cutscenes/gameplay already any worse than it is. I couldn't stomach something like that.
) but to be honest I do think its one of those things you're just not getting. There's a depth of symbolism and meaning in Xenosaga thats really top notch, and significantly superior to Xenosaga (and because the second half was such a mess arguably Xenogears). The only caveat is that you have to be familiar with the stuff its referencing to really get the most out of it, the allusions and allegories to medieval alchemical theories, the magnum opus and the philosophers stone. The references, both subtle and explicit to gnostic cosmology and eschatology, postmodern theories, the hyper-real, video-game references, the game is jam packed with meaning. There's a lot more going on in the game than may be apparent. You have to dig a bit for it, or at least be familiar with the material its drawing on. And I suppose even if you are familiar with its reference material, you have to enjoy it as well.
