RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Reviews > Xenogears
Graphics:
I wouldn't say that the graphics are the best but that are okay quality. They are cartoon like and not 3D modeled. This game is very 3D challenged so don't expect graphics like FF7 or Legend of Legaia. Battles start quickly and are also challenged graphically. The only good graphics in this game would be the gear battles where Square put most of their effort next to the storyline of the game. This game can be compared to Breath Of Fire 3 for graphics and the movies in the game are animated similar to it. I would have to give the efforts on the graphics for the game a 6 because the graphics are mostly 2D but with the added Gears being very nice looking I rate the overall graphics at a 7.
Sound:
The sound in this game is overall good. The world theme is very well done and is played at the ending of the game only vocalized. There being over a good 25 sound tracks and about a medium quality sound effects put into the game but very well placed in order to give the feel of realism or as close as you can get to in a 2D game. The sound track is packed full of emotion and is well worth buying.
Control:
The control of this game is everything that you would expect in a 2D game gone 3D. You are looking down on about a 45-degree angle and you can rotate the angle with the Left 1 and Right 1 buttons. In battle you get to select 3 different attacks, a weak attack, a medium attack and a large attack. Each attack uses up so much energy called AP. Depending on your level you can build up to 9 AP in total and you are able to learn death blows attacks that do more damage for the AP use.
Plot:
This game is very deep in plot. If you just like fighting bad guys this game is for it I guess. You can call in your gears and make a total mockery of your enemy when ever you can call them and completely remove the enemy from existence. This plot covers over 2 discs. The story line being very deep in the first disc and the 2nd disc being filled with nothing more then a typical Squaresoft rush for story line and completeness.
Game Play:
With its unique world map, sand Cruiser/airship/sub brings you a wide variety of interesting storyline. The battle system is also a unique new way of looking at battles, due to the death blow system taking up AP. There not being magic used by very many enemies for players and being limited to basic healing and small elemental spells to begin with, the battle system is okay. Once you find your way onto the world map it will have a combination of 2D graphics and 3D at the same time. Gear fighting is basically the same as character fighting but it uses fuel and you need to watch out for this because if you run out of fuel you need to either pay to get more fuel (Does not cost very much and worth it) or you can use the "Charge" command and get 10 fuel back per uses unless you have special item's equipped.
Replay Value:
I would have to say this game was very good and the replay value would have to range from about 3-6 times in total. This game took me a good 48-60 hours to complete the first time around and I was level 68-70 and most people won't want to play it over 3 times due to you will lose interest because there isn't enough action in it to keep you hooked. The game is well worth it but I wouldn't suggest renting it unless you rented it for a very slow week during the summer.
I would have to say all in all I really enjoyed this game and it was quite amusing for first 6-7 times I have played it through. There are some really neat but weird parts in it. If you have any trouble following the story line or get lost I suggest you go look at a FAQ.
| Game Stats | |
|---|---|
| Genre | RPG |
| Platform | PlayStation |
| Format | CD-ROM |
| # of Players | 1 |
| Released Jap | 02.11.1998 |
| Released US | 10.20.1998 |
| Released EU | N/A |
| Aprox. Length | 35-70 hrs. |
| Reviewer Rankings | |
| Battle System | 7.0 |
| Gameplay | 8.0 |
| Music | 9.0 |
| Originality | 7.0 |
| Plot | 10.0 |
| Replay Value | 4.0 |
| Sound | 7.0 |
| Visuals | 7.0 |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Overall | |
| 7.4 | |
Xenogears
By: SquaresoftReviewed By: HHDropBaud
In detail this game can be interesting if you are into long, sequential RPG's that take well worth 30-40 hours of game play without FAQ's. This game being born after Squaresoft's Final Fantasy 7, and added to a collection of their many interesting and large collections of RPG's.Graphics:
I wouldn't say that the graphics are the best but that are okay quality. They are cartoon like and not 3D modeled. This game is very 3D challenged so don't expect graphics like FF7 or Legend of Legaia. Battles start quickly and are also challenged graphically. The only good graphics in this game would be the gear battles where Square put most of their effort next to the storyline of the game. This game can be compared to Breath Of Fire 3 for graphics and the movies in the game are animated similar to it. I would have to give the efforts on the graphics for the game a 6 because the graphics are mostly 2D but with the added Gears being very nice looking I rate the overall graphics at a 7.
Sound:
The sound in this game is overall good. The world theme is very well done and is played at the ending of the game only vocalized. There being over a good 25 sound tracks and about a medium quality sound effects put into the game but very well placed in order to give the feel of realism or as close as you can get to in a 2D game. The sound track is packed full of emotion and is well worth buying.
Control:
The control of this game is everything that you would expect in a 2D game gone 3D. You are looking down on about a 45-degree angle and you can rotate the angle with the Left 1 and Right 1 buttons. In battle you get to select 3 different attacks, a weak attack, a medium attack and a large attack. Each attack uses up so much energy called AP. Depending on your level you can build up to 9 AP in total and you are able to learn death blows attacks that do more damage for the AP use.
Plot:
This game is very deep in plot. If you just like fighting bad guys this game is for it I guess. You can call in your gears and make a total mockery of your enemy when ever you can call them and completely remove the enemy from existence. This plot covers over 2 discs. The story line being very deep in the first disc and the 2nd disc being filled with nothing more then a typical Squaresoft rush for story line and completeness.
Game Play:
With its unique world map, sand Cruiser/airship/sub brings you a wide variety of interesting storyline. The battle system is also a unique new way of looking at battles, due to the death blow system taking up AP. There not being magic used by very many enemies for players and being limited to basic healing and small elemental spells to begin with, the battle system is okay. Once you find your way onto the world map it will have a combination of 2D graphics and 3D at the same time. Gear fighting is basically the same as character fighting but it uses fuel and you need to watch out for this because if you run out of fuel you need to either pay to get more fuel (Does not cost very much and worth it) or you can use the "Charge" command and get 10 fuel back per uses unless you have special item's equipped.
Replay Value:
I would have to say this game was very good and the replay value would have to range from about 3-6 times in total. This game took me a good 48-60 hours to complete the first time around and I was level 68-70 and most people won't want to play it over 3 times due to you will lose interest because there isn't enough action in it to keep you hooked. The game is well worth it but I wouldn't suggest renting it unless you rented it for a very slow week during the summer.
I would have to say all in all I really enjoyed this game and it was quite amusing for first 6-7 times I have played it through. There are some really neat but weird parts in it. If you have any trouble following the story line or get lost I suggest you go look at a FAQ.
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