Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra (may contain spoilers)

[Shauna]

Released Nationwide August 29th.

2 disc set!

Storyline:

The story picks up a year after Xenosaga II ended. Shion has resigned from Vector Industries after learning that the company is deeply connected to the appearance of the Gnosis. She instead joins Scientia, an underground organization working to unveil Vector's secrets in order to bring them down.


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Characters:

Shion Uzuki: Former Chief Engineer of the KOSMOS project, in vector industries, Shion has suffered greatly. Not only did she lose her parents in a ware that engulfed her hometown when she was just a child, but her boyfriend also died in an accident after she joined Vector Industries. Despite this, she always acts cheerfully and positively, hiding her trauma from others.

Kos-Mos: A key figure in the Xenosaga series, KOS-MOS is defined as "Order." A female battle android developed by Vector Industries, she is comprised entirely of mechanical parts - a rarity in an age of advanced Realian technology. She is programmed to prioritize logic, probability, and duty above all else, and to protect her developer Shion at all costs. She has been upgraded with the latest technological advancements.

MOMO: She is a 100-series Observational Realian prototype created by Dr. Joachim Mizrahi and his wife Juli. Her appearance is based on Dr. Mizrahi's daughter, Sakura, who died as a child. Plagued by self-doubt and a complex over her identity as a realian, she dreams of being reunited with her father again in heaven one day, and to that end strives to perform good deeds.

Ziggy: A ziggurat industries type 8 battle cyborg. In his previous life he served as a special agent for the Federation Police, but died in the line of duty at the age of thirty. His body was donated for recycling, whereupon he was revived as a battle cyborg. He is currently assigned to Contact Subcommittee member Juli Mizrahi. His former name was Jan Sauer.

chaos: A key character in the Xenosaga series, the boy named "chaos" is notable for his melancholic expression, calm voice, piercing eyes and silver hair. He never reveals anything about himself other than his name, leaving his origin shrouded in mystery.

Jr.:One of the representative directors of the special organization known as the Kukai Foundation. He looks about 12 years old but is actually over twenty-six. One of the surviving URTV anti-existence units, which were created to counter the discarnate U-DO entity, his unit number is 666-Rubedo.

Jin Uzuki: Former Captain in the Galaxy Federation Special Operation Forces Military Intelligence Unit, and Shion's brother. While in the military, he served under Margulis. He left the forces after participating in a descent operation during the Miltian Conflict. Changing his profession numerous times, he operated an antique bookstore a year ago. Aloof by nature, he is a surrealist.

Canaan: Vector Industries lent this special enhanced memory model realian for Second Miltia. He participated in the descent operation to Miltia during the Miltian Conflict to protect the URTV unit. He appears cool and indifferent, but this is because he is programmed to control his emotions to prevent interference from wave existences.

Miyuki Itsumi: Fomer Vector Industries First R&D Division Systems Programmer and subordinate to Shion. She is currently stationed in Vector's Second R&D Division, where she long desired to be. A whiz at gadgets, she is obsessed with making new inventions, which she lets Shion and her companions test out. Shions MWS is one such device. ( NOTE: NEW PLAYABLE CHARACTER)



T-elos: The cutting-edge anti-gnosis battle android hurriedly posted to the Zohar Project. T-elos is similar in appearance to Kos-Mos with darker skin and silver hair. The name "T-elos" is derived from the ancient greek word meaning ultimate state of being or limitless power.




Allen Ridgeley(image not available): Current Chief Engineer of the Kos-Mos project in Vector Industries First R&D Division. He served as Vice Chief Engineer when Shion was still at vector, during which he earned the respect of his colleagues for his dilligence in supporting her research. Although he is in love with Shion, he feels inferior to her former boyfriend, and keeps his feelings locked inside.

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Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Personal Opinion:

Thus far I have played 5 hours into the game. It has been relatively easy, mostly just storyline so far, but I have looked into the strategy guide for boss health levels, 58,000+ on some that are to be late in the game. Cant wait! This game plays way more smoothly than the last 2, and loads 10 times faster than the other ones did. I have to honestly say im -very- impressed with this episode thus far, namco did an amazing job! For those who have NOT played one or two, if you buy three, it has a story guide that you can choose to read at the begining! For those who have a cleared data from two, you aquire Shion's vector uniform, which gives her better protection against damages! A major difference in this game, is the abilty for EVERYONE to score points off of your battles, not just the 3 you chose to battle with, or the 3 that are in at the end of the battle. everyone gains points and levels up.. I like this better since it means I can continually sub characters without being gyped out of my points that they should have gotten for being in battle. So far this game is terrific and 100% worth the buy, I would recommend it to any rpg fan!

[vincent_10_27]

I don't have the game yet, Shauna! For some reason I suck at reserving games here in my place. But I'll be geting a copy probably this weekend. I am excited to see how the saga ends.

[cyberbeing]

I have only played Xenosaga Episode I so far. When I was at Fry's tonight I picked up Episode II for $19.99 and Episode III on sale for $29.99 (normally $39.99). Those are my kind of prices ^_^ .

I'll probably end up starting from scratch at Episode I so I don't get lost in the story. Sounds like I'll have something to look forward too in Episode III.

O_O I didn't know this was out....... I gotta get my grubby paws on it now. *runs off to get it*

[Leechasd]

Yea i just got this game a few days back. Faptastic. Love the new look on Shion. Also this is the best and final conclusoin of the Trilogy. Sadly it won't be made for PS3 :/ Aww and Momo isn't loli no more :/

[Shauna]

im 11 hours into the game.... i havent played more cuz i have bronchitis and i finally hit a boss battle that has 200,000 life points.... yeah, im not in the mood for a 45 minute battle with this mech... theres just no way....

now is it me, or is the game way easier to play this time around? o.o;;;

[Tyjos Azari]

I'm a big Xenofan.....Played the first two....[I know how it ends and the ending might make you sad.....makes me mad]

Of course I have fallen for T-Elos....she is one HOT android...but second only to Kos-Mos herself!

I plan on getting this game before the end of this month! I might have to trade in allot of stuff to get it but that means I won't get Final Fantasy XII that's coming out...

I am getting the Xenosaga Gashaphon Figures due out this november....

But Yeah one thing is they need another episode after this to bring some more closure to the series....and a happier ending too....

I got the game two weeks ago and have beaten it.... and the ending is sad and it does make you mad at the same time.

Now I'm just playing the saved game data trying to finish all of the side quests in it, and this one did seem easier to get through then the last two.

And wasn't the Xenosaga Trilogy supposed to be a prequel to the PS1 game Xenogears? I wonder if they'll re-release Xenogears only updated with the graphics of todays technology, or is that just wishful thinking?

[Sebur]

Damn and I'm still stuck on episode 2 .... Gah how do I get past that part :/

Originally Posted by Sebur

Damn and I'm still stuck on episode 2 .... Gah how do I get past that part :/

Which part in Episode 2 are you stuck on?