|
Peter Dalldorf's Xenogears (PS)
|
| [February 9, 2008 01:45:26 AM]
|
Gameplay:
After playing the game more, I have greatly enjoyed the complexity of the battle system and become more frustrated by the occasional jumping puzzle. The jumping puzzles are usually simple enough to complete, simply posing as a faux-challenge, however I have come across several which were extremely easy to fail at, with hard to see gaps between platforms and occasionally (the camera is usually controlled by the player) badly implemented camera angles.
I have also become completely immersed in the story. I am much further along than I had ever gotten before, yet am still on the first disc. I'm now extremely curious to see how Citan will figure into the story (as he continues to appear in small cutscenes with seemingly god-like characters in alternate dimensions and characters (including enemies) who mention him by another name. In addition to this, more and more other nations (several of whom live in the sky) keep appearing on the scene.
Design:
Xenogears has several distinct design features which differentiate it from the myriad of other RPGs released around the same time. The in game animation of characters is almost two dimensional. Depending on which way the camera is, the character is represented two dimensionally according to it. The environments are entirely three dimensional lending an interesting feel to moving around.
The cutscene sequences are entirely hand-drawn anime (which is not exactly a design element) however I feel it works well with the feel of the game presented by the 2D characters in a 3D environment.
The other design element which makes it very interesting is the way the battle system is implemented with its system of skill points and combos. Other than these design elements, the others are fairly normal, however, they are well done which makes the game completely well rounded and makes up for the occasionally frustrating jump puzzles.
Great game, absolutely worth the time to play!
read comments (1)  -
add a comment 
|
| [February 9, 2008 01:14:49 AM]
|
I'd played Xenogears in the past, but I had never taken the time to truly appreciate the unique properties it brings to the table.
Summary:
The story so far (I'm still on Disc 1 of 2) consists of the main character, Fei accidentally destroying the village he has come to call home after piloting a "Gear" (large, Gundam-style machine) which had crash landed near the village. After being drummed out of the village, he leaves hoping to find another way to make his life work and to make peace with what he had done. His long time friend Citan follows him from the village and begins to help him understand his destiny and how it is intertwined with the Gear he piloted. It soon becomes clear that there is more going on behind the scenes and that Citan is quite possibly involved. As more characters are added throughout the story, they help Fei understand who he is and who he must become to fulfill his destiny.
Gameplay:
The gameplay at first seems very straightforward RPG style. Run around, talk to people, follow people's instructions on where to go and what to do. The gameplay is linear, however it is in the small differences that the game shows its true value. The battle system is (or rather was) revolutionary for RPGs. Instead of simply choosing between "Attack", "Magic", "Item" etc... (although technically you still do that) once you choose to attack, you choose a combination of strong, medium, and weak attacks. Each attack uses a different amount of skill points (which increase with level). 3 for Strong, 2 for medium, and 1 for weak. Certain combinations of those create special moves which do more damage. skill points can be saved up (by using moves which equal less than the amount of available skill points). they become AP and can be used to execute chains of the special attacks without putting in button combos.
Another well planned out portion of the game is that there are battles on foot and battles in Gears. Each character has their own custom Gear that they use in those battles, and each one has specific strengths and weaknesses. The battle system in Gears is similar, except instead of skill points, different attacks use different amounts of Fuel (30, 20, 10 respectively for strong, medium, and weak). however, only one attack can be used per turn. however, for each turn which you attack, your "attack level" increases allowing use of combos.
The game also features a tiny bit of a platform element in that when you are running around on the map, you have the ability to jump and the game takes advantage of this by placing small (usually simple) jumping puzzles in places around the maps.
add a comment
|
|
|
 |
Peter Dalldorf's Xenogears (PS)
|
|
Current Status: Playing
GameLog started on: Saturday 9 February, 2008
|
|
