Information AboutXenogears |
''Xenogears'' (ゼノギアス ''Zenogiasu'') is a Role-playing Game released on the Sony PlayStation . It was released by Square Co., Ltd. in February 1998 in Japan and subsequently released in North America in October 1998. Xenogears never saw a PAL release. It was followed up by '' Xenosaga '' on the PlayStation 2 , although it has been stated officially that the ''Xenosaga'' series is not a sequel or connected beyond sharing similar themes and homages. GAMEPLAY ''Xenogears'' Battles are turn-based; the player chooses the party's fighting moves by pressing a combination of buttons that correspond to strong, moderate, and weak attacks. These attack combinations are limited by the number of action points (AP) that are available; a strong attack consumes three AP, a moderate attack consumes two, and a weak attack consumes one. A low-level character can use only three AP per turn, but each character has the potential to use seven AP eventually. Combinations that end with a strong attack (three AP) can trigger a more damaging deathblow if the character has learned it. Most of the characters can also use "magical" abilities that either aid the party or damage enemies. These abilities are limited by the number of ether points (EP) that are available. Unlike AP, EP do not replenish between attack rounds. For most characters, these abilities are called 'Ether,' although some characters' abilities have a different name, implying differences in their origins. For example, Fei's magic is called ' Chi ,' and Citan's is 'Arcane.' Unlike the main characters of most RPGs, who specialize in either physical or magical strength (exclusively), the main characters in Xenogears generally are competent in both areas, although few characters have more than one or two direct damage spells. In addition to the small-scale, hand-to-hand combat, the characters sometimes fight from within their respective combat robots, called 'Gears.' These fighting machines are often similar in fighting style and appearance to the characters that pilot them. Gear combat is different than regular combat; the combination style is reduced to a selection of strong, medium, or weak attacks that build up the attack level of the Gear with each turn until it can unleash a special, more powerful attack. The limiting factor of AP is replaced by the Gears' amount of fuel, with each attack consuming an amount relative to its power. The main characters can purchase Gear fuel, parts, and upgrades. PLOT Summary ''Xenogears'' Backstory and expansion Much of ''Xenogears'' Criticism ''Xenogears'' remains a critically divisive title, even years after its initial release. Those who praise it emphasize the game's discussions about religion and philosophy and the multitude of works from which the game draws, ranging from '' Star Wars '' to '' Neon Genesis Evangelion '' and Norse Mythology . Critics, however, argue that many aspects of the game are flawed, and that its similarities to aforementioned works (particularly '' Neon Genesis Evangelion '') are so frequent, so specific, and so similar in nature that its plot borders on flat-out Plagiarism . Other plot criticisms include the allegation that Xenogears, like most of Squaresoft's titles, contains many "overused" and "uncreative" plot themes and devices, and to such critics, feels like a pulp production. Examples of alleged gameplay flaws are the overabundance of cutscenes, deficient game mechanics (such as Linear Gameplay and change of style on the second Disc ); this is due to the fact that the second disc of Xenogears features considerably longer narrations and shorter dungeons than the first portion. Another criticism is of the extensive usage of allusions to Judeo-Christian religious jargon. For example, several NPCs in the game have recognizably Jewish names, such as Rue Cohen of the Kislev Battling Committee, and Bishop Stone/Stein of the Ethos; the 12 Anima Relics are named after the Twelve Tribes Of Israel ; and the Path Of Sephirot which Krelian seeks is a reference to a Kabbalistic concept. In a press release by Square announcing the release of Xenogears in Japan, it was stated that the game's treatment of religion in general and Christianity particular might prevent it from being released outside of Japan. However, Xenogears was released quietly into the United States, amidst very little controversy. GAME NOTES Graphically, ''Xenogears'' combines 2D sprite characters with 3D environments. The environments and Gears (the game's es selected tracks from the ''Xenogears'' soundtrack, and '' Xenogears Light '', a fan-arranged album. In the years following the release of ''Xenogears'', the speculation that the production of the title was cut short for various reasons, such as lack of funds, inability to move deadlines, etc., has accrued considerable credence, despite the lack of a reliable source. The main cause of this speculation is ''Xenogears'' PSYCHOLOGICAL/PHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCES ''Xenogears'' Also, although not distinctly psychological, allusions to the theories of the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche , are found in game. For example, there is the concept of the Eternal Return , which, in ''Xenogears'', correlates to the recurrences of the Contact and the Antitype. SEE ALSO
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