Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse is the second
game in the Xenosaga franchise. Much like the first game this JRPG is developed by Monolith Soft for
the PlayStation 2. The game was published in Japan (2004), North America (2005) by Namco, and in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment
Europe (2005).
Having finished and enjoyed the first Xenosaga game I
knew I had to get the sequel just to know what is going to happen next
specially after the first game ended with such a high note.
Continuing after the events of the first Xenosaga game, Xenosaga
Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse with Shion and the rest of the characters
arriving on Second Miltia. But everything isn't what it seems as secrets are
revealed and Shion learns more about KOSMOS and the rest of the people around
her. We also get to meet Shion's brother Uzuki who has secrets of his own.
Storywise
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
is the best part of the game. Pretty much continuing what we makes the Xenosaga
game so good with rich detailed worlds and complex and deep characters all
around. Although I'm not a fan of the URT story arc that dominated the second
game on a personal basis I cannot deny how well paced and greatly done the
story is executed. This game does require you to have some knowledge of the
first game or have played the first game to some extent.
Character design is
where the game slowly falters as Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
went for a more realistic western look than the usual JRPG anime look that the
previous game had. I'm guessing the folks at Monolith Soft wanted to appeal to
western audiences but ended up doing the opposite. Graphic wise the characters
are well rendered enough although some of the hands looked blocky compared to
the first game. Thankfully the mecha designs are an improvement compared to the
first game.
Just look at how the first game design of Shion Uzuki looked
compared to how she looked in the first game and the anime version. Guess which one is from Xenosaga Episode 2.
Gamplay wise the game is much slower than the first game with
the second game where players must charge a turn in order to unleash certain
special attacks just to kill random enemies faster. Normal battles feels like
Boss battles due to this longer gameplay with battles lasting as long as 3
minutes at a time unless you are really high level. The game difficulty is broken
with your feeling like a level 10 hero fighting a level 20 random enemy most of
the time.
Characters now need to have the right character partner to do
certain skills like Shion's Spell Ray ability needs Chaos in the party for her
to use it. The game does let you change characters ingame but that just adds
more time to a battle that is already way too long. I think this game is trying
to emulate another famous JRPG game with this but eventually did a disservice
by making the game less fun to play.
The game also no longer have shops and a monetary system and
the only way to upgrade the character is to get the item dropped from the
enemies you encounter or find them hidden in boxes or by doing quest and mini
games. This would not be an issue if not that the battles are tedious and feels
more like a chore most of the time. The game does provide you with enough items
and gear to finish the game however but that's a bare minimum in any game as it
is.
Keeping with the tradition Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von
Gut und Böse in game cinematic is always jaw dropping and beautiful. Sadly the normal
fight game music that plays during random encounters and boss battle music isn't
as good and memorable as the first game. The bgm feels more like a western
theme this time around than the ominous grand sci-fi battle theme that was the
first game. They also change VA for a lot of the characters making some of the
dialogue somewhat cringe inducing.
Overall Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse is
despite its number of flaws is a decent game if you don't mind the lengthy complex
gameplay it brings. The story is definitely a reason to get the game specially
if you're a fan of the franchise and has played the first game. This game does
require you to have previous knowledge of the first game to fully enjoy.
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