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PS2 | RPG | Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Boxart for Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra 59 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.50
  • SOUND: 4.00
  • CONTROL: 3.50
  • FUN FACTOR 4.00
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.4
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.9

Preview: Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Preview by Chris Morell | 06/29/2006 | 12:20:49 PM PST

Gorgeous cinematics, pissed-off androids, and the conclusion to an epic storyline - we get an in-depth look at the finale of the Xenosaga trilogy

A little more than a week ago, Rice Burner gave us a detailed first look at Xenosaga III, laying out all the important story elements you need to know for the conclusion of the Xenosaga trilogy. For the record, I'm not going to reiterate. Go here if you want all the juicy plot info.

Namco Bandai cruised over to our beautiful and not-so-dangerous (though there has been a serious of semi-violent mugging attempts in our area-- I call them "smuggings") Downtown Oakland office again to show off the battle systems in Xeno III. The quick rundown will help set up the main battle that ensues: Shion suspects that Vector is in cahoots with the enemy, so she quits to join an underground alliance with some of her old cohorts. She quickly learns that Vector is developing a new android, even more powerful than KOS-MOS. Long story short, the advanced android, T-elos, is created and is searching to eliminate KOS-MOS at all costs.

We were able to peer at a nice, lengthy cinematic of an epic battle between KOS-MOS and T-elos in a spooky cave-like setting. Without spoiling much of the action, KOS-MOS quickly realizes that she is outmatched in a big way, and gets a rather brutal beatdown.

Cinematics aside, Nacmo Bandai was really here to show two of the of the game's battle systems: regular character and E.S. If you are familiar with the Xeno series, you'll know that battles take place in a turn-based fashion. Character battles are centered around a typical combat system that seems like a mix of the first two Xeno games, including the boost meter that builds up according to successful attacks landed. Boost allows you to perform special attacks for extra damage, but to spice things up, a break meter has been implemented as a bonus. As break damage builds and the break meter is full, the enemy will become dizzy and powerless for two complete turns, meaning it's time to wail.

In contrast, E.S. battles are quite different. The main difference is the availability of anima attacks, which are managed through a special anima meter. You'll be able to build up your anima to level 3 attacks that will unleash a considerable amount of damage. But, enemies also have anima, so you'll need to protect accordingly lest you want to make it a quick fight.

Fans will certainly be happy that the Xeno store is back in full force with the option to buy tons of items and customize characters. Xenosaga III is already looking insanely better than the previous game, and the 20-plus hours of gameplay combined with 8 hours of in-game cut scenes should keep even the best gamers busy for one caffeine-infused weekend, at least.


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