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Xenosaga: Episode II-U
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| Preowned |  |
| Publisher: |
Namco |
| Category: |
Role Playing |
| Our Price: |
14.99 |
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Sorry
OUT OF STOCK
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Product Details
This is a GameStation preowned video game. GameStation guarantees it to work on your console, but may not include a box or instruction manual.
Imagine if Peter Jackson, instead of continuing his The Lord of the Rings epic in movie form, had decided to tell the story of The Two Towers through limited edition Bazooka Joe comics. The characters would all be there and the concepts behind the story would still be intriguing, but the delivery and execution would be devoid of grace or subtlety. If you're having trouble picturing that, just pick up a copy of Xenosaga Episode II and you will understand all too well. Despite my undying adoration of the first entry, I am sorry to report that this game is a dropped ball of Devil May Cry 2 proportions.
Let's get one thing straight: This is not a bad RPG. It is, however, utterly disappointing in its mediocrity. Even ignoring the radiance of its predecessor, this game features some baffling design choices that seem specifically intended to make it frustrating. It contains a meager 25-hour critical path (one of the dungeons is even repeated!), jarring load times before each fight, and an absence of money or shops that leaves you with a constant shortage of necessary recovery items. I'm not against titles breaking from conventions, but these are some of the worst decisions outside of Charles Grodin's resume.
Unfortunately, the area where Episode II has received the greatest attention is also where it falters the most. It sports a redesigned battle system that focuses much more on combined efforts rather than individual abilities. By stocking extra attacks and using the shared Boost gauge, the party can cooperatively unleash devastating combos. First you attack a sequence of zones on an enemy (which breaks its defense), then boost other characters into the action queue so they can take advantage of the weakened foe. Unfortunately, this method quickly becomes the only viable way to inflict damage on any enemy; whether it's a simple encounter or key boss fight, every battle is a pathetic routine of eating attacks as you build up your various gauges in preparation for the big assault.
My favorite thing about the first Xenosaga was the way it systematically gave the finger to anyone who didn't devote themselves, body and soul, to taking in the whole experience. ""Oh, you don't want to watch the plot or figure out the skill system?"" the game seemed to say, ""Well toughen up, buttercup. It's a long ride."" On the other hand, Episode II appears to be aimed squarely at the milquetoasts who couldn't handle the previous iteration, coddling and cooing ""Do you want a lolly, sweetheart?"" Where the series' balance (or imbalance) between story and action was once the subject of criticism, the frequency of amazing cutscenes is now all that redeems Episode II.
FEATURES
Engage your enemies with larger, more powerful mechs with their own independent, tactical battle system
Devastate your opponents with innovative cooperative combat techniques, with refined boost systems and a unique zone attack/zone break mechanic
Customize your party with power-ups, advanced attacks and over 100 different skills
Explore lush, expansive environments and enjoy detailed, realistic character designs
Challenge more than 30 side quests for hours of action-packed adventure
SKU: 722674100144
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