So, I just got done watching a rather amazing and hilarious LP of Xenogears, over here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMthTW4vRq8bNjz1PVnn-2YCTWc5vHJ1O
Doubtless it is an extremely flawed game, like so many overambitious games; the combat mechanics are undercooked, the dungeon design is horrible, many of the story beats are, at best, loosely connected with each other, and the game simply seems to have no idea about how to effectively exposit its narrative details or provide satisfying bits of gameplay.
Yet, despite it all, I find it to possess a strange, compelling charm. It is absurd, for sure, overblown for sure too, and has more than its fair share of writing issues, but at the heart of it all, it's very sincere about what it's trying to be. Rarely does it ever feel like a story moment was inserted just for its own sake, and while there are absolutely moments that drag, there are just as many that are solidly hilarious or moving.
It helps that the game knows how to set up grandiose moments and convey many varied vibes through its visuals, environments, and dialogue. The pirate king's ship genuinely feels like a grand hideout for gallant brigands, Bledavik feels like a bustling Middle Eastern city, so on and so forth. Indeed, the visual design is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the limitations the game had to be built under.
A short, yet notable mention should be given to the "second half" of the game, which apparently gets ragged on for being blatantly unfinished. I have to say, I didn't find this portion particularly worse, and if anything, cutting down on the horrid dungeons and shifting focus to what I felt was the strong point of the game, its narrative, actually helped it on the whole, though it'd have been worthwhile to get more explorable towns, and it's unfortunate that their limited budget held them back in this regard.
On the whole, I'd say Xenogears is worth experiencing if you want to enjoy a hilarious, absurd and grandiose adventure. Do not expect good gameplay or a well told story, as you'll be disappointed in those regards. But, if you're open minded enough, you might just find and appreciate its underlying "heart", so to speak.
Doubtless it is an extremely flawed game, like so many overambitious games; the combat mechanics are undercooked, the dungeon design is horrible, many of the story beats are, at best, loosely connected with each other, and the game simply seems to have no idea about how to effectively exposit its narrative details or provide satisfying bits of gameplay.
Yet, despite it all, I find it to possess a strange, compelling charm. It is absurd, for sure, overblown for sure too, and has more than its fair share of writing issues, but at the heart of it all, it's very sincere about what it's trying to be. Rarely does it ever feel like a story moment was inserted just for its own sake, and while there are absolutely moments that drag, there are just as many that are solidly hilarious or moving.
It helps that the game knows how to set up grandiose moments and convey many varied vibes through its visuals, environments, and dialogue. The pirate king's ship genuinely feels like a grand hideout for gallant brigands, Bledavik feels like a bustling Middle Eastern city, so on and so forth. Indeed, the visual design is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the limitations the game had to be built under.
A short, yet notable mention should be given to the "second half" of the game, which apparently gets ragged on for being blatantly unfinished. I have to say, I didn't find this portion particularly worse, and if anything, cutting down on the horrid dungeons and shifting focus to what I felt was the strong point of the game, its narrative, actually helped it on the whole, though it'd have been worthwhile to get more explorable towns, and it's unfortunate that their limited budget held them back in this regard.
On the whole, I'd say Xenogears is worth experiencing if you want to enjoy a hilarious, absurd and grandiose adventure. Do not expect good gameplay or a well told story, as you'll be disappointed in those regards. But, if you're open minded enough, you might just find and appreciate its underlying "heart", so to speak.
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