• ID = PS0981
• STYLE = Third-Person 3D RPG
• DEV. = Monolith Productions
• PUB. = Namco Hometek, Inc.
• R-DATE = Feb-26-2003
• ESRB = T / For Teen
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

Thousands of years into the future, man exists only in deep space. Brutally opposed by a merciless alien race, humanity faces an uncertain destiny as it unlocks the secrets of the Universe in search of the ultimate truth. Brutally opposed by the Gnosis - a mysterious and hostile life-form, the Federation works to expand humankind's reach throughout the Universe, even by force where necessary. Based on Nietzsche's controversial theory of mankind's "will to power", Xenosaga delivers a captivating message through its seamless story and exquisite character development. The stimulating graphics and scrutiny to detail combined with a truly cinematic and sensory-absorbing experience, propel Xenosaga as the one Role Playing Game all gamers must own!

Description 2:
XENOSAGA for the PlayStation 2, is an unforgettable journey that awaits you in the form of an epic RPG. This intergalactic story takes place years into the future, well after the human race abandoned Earth in favor of the next frontier of space. An amazing 50+ hours of intriguing game play, a variety of mini-games, gorgeous movie sequences and a sprawling sci-fi storyline make this RPG a must-have for any game fan.

• Over 50 hours of riveting game play.
• Gorgeous movie sequences.
• Sprawling sci-fi storyline.
• Advanced combat techniques.
• Characters can be powered-up and customized.

Amazon.com
The ambitiously named Xenosaga: Episode 1--Der Wille zer Macht is an epic-sized space opera that opens in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The story follows several space-dwelling citizens as they aim to unlock the secrets of the universe. The specifics of those secrets presumably will be revealed over subsequent editions of the Xenosaga series (after all, this is only Episode 1)--but a vital clue is held in the elusive Zohar, a mysterious artifact that is aggressively sought by evil aliens. Without spoiling the plot's surprising twists, let's just say the game's German subtitle "Der Wille zur Macht" (translated as "The Will to Power") is a less-than-subtle ode to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who is considered as one of the precursors of existentialism.

Like many conventional RPG titles, Xenosaga's gameplay balances between exploration and battle modes. The game designers have thankfully spared players from any ill-conceived random battle sequences. Instead, you can concentrate directly on your quest without the repetitious enemy battles.

The designers also did a good job balancing a traditional RPG structure with complex themes. However, the game seems to go out of its way to casually integrate controversial (and frankly creepy) religious imagery into the context of the game. Some may find the game offensive and disturbing; others will likely find it intellectually stimulating.

Namco promises about 80 hours of gaming--but a good portion of that is non-interactive full-motion video. While the stretched-out cutscenes do add considerable depth to the characters, they're often poorly paced and too long--one takes an alarming 30 minutes to unfold! The addition of more background music might have helped to pick up the pacing, since the obligatory soundtrack is strangely absent at some critical plot points.

With impressive animation and unexpected plot points, Xenosaga: Episode 1--Der Wille zer Macht is easily one of the more enjoyable RPG titles to hit the PS2. While this isn't for the happy-go-lucky gaming crowd (see Kingdom Hearts), adult-minded gamers will likely be consumed by the darkness and devious delights offered within this twisted title. --Brett Atwood

Pros:
Complex characters and story themes.
No random battle sequences.
Impressive 3-D animation.

Cons:
Long, long, looooooooong cut scenes.