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[Troidal]

Playing it on PSP via PSN downloads.

A few years ago I quit playing cuz I was stuck at the first boss (Calamity), but now I managed to passed that part so I'm finally continuing where I left off. I've been playing Braid and Bionic Commando so maybe there's this nostalgic feeling of playing something classical.

 

[Jinfash]

I'm in. It's my favorite RPG of all time. I'm just not sure I'll be able to see it through to the end with my Dragon Quest VIII playthrough going on.

awesome

Playing it on PSP via PSN downloads.

A few years ago I quit playing cuz I was stuck at the first boss (Calamity), but now I managed to passed that part so I'm finally continuing where I left off. I've been playing Braid and Bionic Commando so maybe there's this nostalgic feeling of playing something classical.

so does that mean that you'll tag along?

 

[cmonmanreally]

i bought this game used (and it was a greatest hit) sometime in high school, played it for a few hours, then my house ended up getting broken into and i lost all of my games it seems like a copy is pretty hard to come by these days, but its not like i have a console to play it on anymore, though i really really want to.

 

[ElyrionX]

Great game but the dungeons were a huge drag by the time you got to the halfway point.

One of the best soundtracks ever too.

 

[dragonlife]

I have the game, but stopped playing...I've had it for years...er...

I guess I'll join

 

[Tamanon]

I just....I just can't play it any more, I've tried popping it in, but the slow text, no analog, awkward controls.....I just can't do it. I love the game though, beat it several times back in the day!

 

[Yaweee]

I just....I just can't play it any more, I've tried popping it in, but the slow text, no analog, awkward controls.....I just can't do it. I love the game though, beat it several times back in the day!

The game was absolutely ground breaking when it came out. But, despite all that it does phenomenally, the slow text almost ensures that I'll never play it again. Two times through was enough.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

The game was absolutely ground breaking when it came out. But, despite all that it does phenomenally, the slow text almost ensures that I'll never play it again. Two times through was enough.

Boot up ePSXe and set it to 90 fps.

 

[Urban Scholar]

I approve of this thread seriously! I remember the plot confused me so much I had to replay the game again to make sense of it. Playing this game not only made me laugh at games that get ragged on these days for too much text but some patience too. Sweet lord the patience...

Spoiler

I remember I timed the start of disc 2 to when you're actually able to play and...pfft

. Anywho Doc

Spoiler

with the sword

was the man.

 

[Shinz Kicker]

i loved this game soo much i think i played it between 9-10th grade, long days of chilling in the summer with my dog playing rpgs. i still find the fighting system to be one of the best ever in an rpg. the story was fun and long winded but decent... goverment rewriting history + god + giant robot kinda thing. i would replay this with you all if the game didnt take 6 hours to pick up and get anywhere interesting when you get to the tournement in the desert town Great great game. never played any rpgs except disgaeia on my ps2 so i never played the saga series that followed.

 

[pancakesandsex]

Damnit, I would have joined in if i wasn't in the middle of Xenosaga. Wish you had waited for the dust to settle on that first Maybe I'll jump in later.

 

[starchild excalibur]

I was real critical of RPGs until my friend lent me his copy of xenogears, which was the first RPG i ever played back in middle school. I think since then i've beat it no less than 4 or 5 times.

It's still my favorite, Breath of Fire 4 being my second favorite probably.

 

[Docpan]

This game was one of my favorite RPGs, but there were several aspects which held it back.

- Poor level design, especially as the game progresses. (Tower of Babel, dungeons on the second disc.... especially the final) I think a lot of them were purposefully made confusing to artificially extend gameplay time... An extremely low-level tactic, IMO.

- Confusing plot points and twists. I'm kind of torn here because the story is ultimately what makes this game so special, yet at the same time a lot of it felt extremely rushed to me. Again, as the game progresses, it gets worse. I did feel satisfied with the ending, however.

- All of disc 2. The core gameplay changes from exploration and long sequences to a sparksnotes-esque summary featuring key characters 'narrating' plot points from a chair. I felt that by that point, the developers kind of gave up in a way. IIRC correctly, you don't even see the world map for the first 8 or so hours of that disc. You're just ushered from dungeon to dungeon, from boss to boss, with only your 'narrator' as your source for what the FUCK is going on. I keep coming back to this, but I truly feel that the game needed another 6 months at least.

Despite all the flaws, I love this game for the sheer fact that it went against the norm and tried something new. It's relatively deep and compelling storyline stood out amongst all other games at the time. Even though it was kind of a blatent rip-off of Evangelion in some ways.

That being said, I could never play it again. Say what you will, but this is not a timeless classic. The flaws stick out so much now that I could never stand to play it again, unless some way or some how they remake it someday... Complete with a more coherent translation and some extra polish.... Especially during everything that transpired during disc 2.

 

[1stStrike]

I waited until last year to play it for the first time. One thing that helped was I played it via emulator (yes I own the game) and used AA and the other goodies to improve the games graphics a bit. Gears look so much better with that.

I was completely sucked into the game and couldn't get enough of it. I was ashamed of myself for missing out on this gem of a game all these years. Even so, it was still a great experience and I really loved it.

 

[AkuMifune]

Why can't they just release an English version on PSN? Sucks, I'd like to play again.

 

[Rodeo Clown]

There was once a time when I didn't dislike this game, but that changed when I got to the second disk. Unfortunately, the game had the last laugh because I spent something like 50 hours on disk 1.

 

[Demigod Mac]

I've played through it many times. Though it has some deep flaws for which it's been ridiculed mercilessly (mostly in regards to pacing and cutscene length, especially on the 2nd disc, as you can clearly tell that the developers ran out of time and money), there are several things that Xenogears does wonderfully.

* Complex, interesting characters
* Massive world without feeling overwhelming
* Deep, interesting storyline
* Two different and fun combat systems
* Wide variety of locations to explore
* A tactile sense of evil; the antagonists in Xenogears truly feel menacing and threatening
* Mitsuda's incredible soundtrack - though a few of the tracks are too often used

What did it for me was [midgame spoiler]

Spoiler

trudging up that interminably long Tower of Babel and finally boarding the floating city of Shevat, greeted by a sublime vista of the sky town accompanied by the relaxing music.

In many ways this game feels like Chrono Trigger.

If you have the patience to sit through long cutscenes and an appreciation for a lofty, complex story, Xenogears is worth a play.

 

[Kadey]

It's very hard to replay this game with the insane amount of loading. Especially with menus.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

I don't get all the hate for the Tower of Babel. I liked the platforming.

 

[Rodeo Clown]

I don't get all the hate for the Tower of Babel. I liked the platforming.

Because the encounter rate in the game is already high, and it becomes unbearable in the tower.

 

[Jinfash]

I just....I just can't play it any more, I've tried popping it in, but the slow text, no analog, awkward controls.....I just can't do it. I love the game though, beat it several times back in the day!

The game was absolutely ground breaking when it came out. But, despite all that it does phenomenally, the slow text almost ensures that I'll never play it again. Two times through was enough.

Boot up ePSXe and set it to 90 fps.

OR (if you're using the emulator) you can input a gameshark code that can increase the text's speed:

I'd replay it, but I don't think I can text the slow ass text scroll anymore.

There's a GameShark code to speed up the text, if that's the only problem. I know I'll be using it.

300B21D6 0001
You can replace 1 with any number between 1 and 8. 8 is the default speed, 1 is the fastest.

I have the game, but stopped playing...I've had it for years...er...

I guess I'll join

 

[Chris R]

:lol are referring to the sewers Teasel? cuz that's where most people give up on the game

NORTUNE D-BLOCK SEWERS is what the FAQ I'll be using calls them :lol

Got to see if I already transfered my save file over to my PS3 or if I have to dig up my PS1 memory cards. I'll find some time and power through this

 

[B.K.]

Because the encounter rate in the game is already high, and it becomes unbearable in the tower.

People don't complain about encounter rates in Shin Megami Tensei games, so they shouldn't complain about it in Xenogears.

 

[ElyrionX]

Because the encounter rate in the game is already high, and it becomes unbearable in the tower.

Yeah, encounter rates are way too high. I despise JRPGs these days due to various reasons but I realize a large part of it is because I'm absolutely sick and tired of random encounters and Xenogears had a shit-ton of it.

 

[flintstryker]

I'm in. It's my favorite RPG of all time. I'm just not sure I'll be able to see it through to the end with my Dragon Quest VIII playthrough going on.

hey i thought Dq 8 was your favorite rpg.

aw well i might join in if i can find my ps1 discs.

 

[GavinGT]

I recently played up to the

Spoiler

orphanage

part when my disk crapped out. Now I've got a backup and I'm good to go. I suppose I could be bothered to dust off the old Playstation and pick where I left off. Sorry I just can't start from the beginning again, I just don't have the time. Hopefully everyone else will catch up, then I won't have to spoiler tag everything I say.

 

[whiterabbit]

Nicely stylized op, and informative! I am tempted to start this up, for the first time, on my copy, since i have it unplayed in my fairly sizable backlog of RPGs, however it looks like a good winter-break game if there ever was one!

also too lazy :\ and in the middle of dq2

 

[Jinfash]

I recently played up to the

Spoiler

orphanage

part when my disk crapped out. Now I've got a backup and I'm good to go. I suppose I could be bothered to dust off the old Playstation and pick where I left off. Sorry I just can't start from the beginning again, I just don't have the time. Hopefully everyone else will catch up, then I won't have to spoiler tag everything I say.

that's alright! most of us played the game before, so we'll know what you're talking about spoiler tag just in case though

 

[Soule]

I think i'm going to try this game out, I've been curious about it for a while, going to try to get my hands on it soon.

 

[RpgN]

that's the attitude we're looking for!!

Uhm...why aren't I mentioned in the list? I said I'll join too

 

[vanguardian1]

I may join in after some time, but I currently have too many games to finish (I tried joining the playthrough a couple of months ago, but my PS2 deleted all of my xenogears savegames, including my current one which I had just done some MAJOR grinding in, so....)

Anyways, this game is still my #1 all-time favorite, so I'll get to it again sooner or later.

 

[Yaweee]

There's a GameShark code to speed up the text, if that's the only problem. I know I'll be using it.

300B21D6 0001
You can replace 1 with any number between 1 and 8. 8 is the default speed, 1 is the fastest.

I thought that was a cruel rumor? If it is true, I'm in. That will shave... like, 10-15 hours off the game.

 

[Sweedishrodeo]

ill have to start on monday when my girlfriend leaves, but it is soooo on.

 

[Rodeo Clown]

I'm playing against my better judgment. The 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds is ... strange, and not nearly as good as I remember.

Also, all these are downsized, so they may look kinda weird. And they're all within the first 20 minutes.

At least the 3D looks good.

Dude...

I make no guarantees about finishing this.

 

[Vorador]

At least it has aged better than FFVII that took the other approach (3D characters on 2D backgrounds)

 

[zbarron]

hey i thought Dq 8 was your favorite rpg.

aw well i might join in if i can find my ps1 discs.

My favorite RPG of last generation. Though that isn't saying much to me it's still my second favorite evar.

 

[Jinfash]

Uhm...why aren't I mentioned in the list? I said I'll join too

:O :O my sincerest apologies!!!

ill have to start on monday when my girlfriend leaves, but it is soooo on.

added too

 

[poking cow]

awesome awesome game =P
I love the story, but I wished they didnt run out of budget money on the last disk.

I need to find where I put my copy =(

 

[Kozmo]

Because the encounter rate in the game is already high, and it becomes unbearable in the tower.

Fun fact, there are no random battles in Babel Tower - just pre-set invisible "battle spots". They reset if you leave the area though, so most likely, you fell quite a few times.

 

[Kadey]

Does any of the Psone emus work with Vista?

 

[Rodeo Clown]

Does any of the Psone emus work with Vista?

I'm using epsxe with Vista. They released a new version not too long ago that was Vista compatible.

Oh, and when cleaned up, the 3D looks really good in this game. But then, graphics weren't my original reason for disliking it.

 

[Jinfash]

I'm playing against my better judgment. The 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds is ... strange, and not nearly as good as I remember.

Also, all these are downsized, so they may look kinda weird. And they're all within the first 20 minutes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2768480118_2e58d60dcb.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2768480156_a60ed67096.jpg[IMG]
At least the 3D looks good.


[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2767633527_860c1a250d.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2767633649_4df798988c.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2768480470_0731228fec.jpg[IMG]
Dude...

[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2768487496_9872125ed4.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2767640983_c23ce98d65.jpg[IMG]

I make no guarantees about finishing this.[/QUOTE]

you're problem lies in the filters, you're abusing them way too much. i'm playing the game on PSP, and i was certainly [I]delighted[/I] by how well the 2D and 3D graphics weld together, they weren't as awkward as i thought. so i advise to tweak some of those filters, make the game look less clean :P

and for those who're still not sold on playing the game on the PSP, here's some good things you're missing out:

- Portability (duhhh)
- The game looks good and totally playable, there's no need to waste your time on testing filters.
- PSP sleep mode is a GODSEND!!
- Great controls (the game doesn't use analog or R2 and L2).
- Portability

[B]EDIT:[/B] any contribution in anyway to the OP (tips, info, anything useful) will be greatly appreciated. if you're playing, then it's technically your thread.

 

[Rodeo Clown]

I don't have a hacked PSP and don't mind the cleaned up look. For instance, I like the way this battle looks.

And to stay on the play through topic, I hit level 4 before even going to Citan's house.

 

[Jinfash]

I don't have a hacked PSP and don't mind the cleaned up look. For instance, I like the way this battle looks.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2768677820_35596b1c42.jpg[IMG]

And to stay on the play through topic, I hit level 4 before even going to Citan's house.
[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2767830797_144266e2c5.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]

:lol Haaaaaa i'm not the only one grinding levels at the beginning of the game, and FYI i hit level 5 and earned the first deathblow before going in :P (btw i'll add your name to the OP ;) and i love how you're providing screenshots of your playthrough, maybe i'll install that screepcap plugin for the PSP :/)

EDIT: i really need to stop yapping around and get some serious action up int this bitch!

just finished a major exam today, and i'm ready to make sweet love to this game (you can tell that i'm not getting any :lol)

[B]SO[/B] i just finished going through the [spoiler]moon forest[/spoiler] last night and so far so good, though i'm waiting for the difficulty to increase a bit as i am a bit over-leveled atm (i know for a fact that i'll get my ass handed to me in time :P)

i'm starting to realize how much this game really resembles an anime, i mean the cutscenes and the lines :lol it's not bad, not bad at all (don't know how a newcomer would feel about it though :P) [spoiler]Elly is not as innocent and sensitive as i used to remember, actually she was kinda bitch during the forest events lol[/spoiler], i'm sure that will also change as her character develops. (god i love how i almost forgot everything about the game lol)

 

[zbarron]

Citan says we need more players.

And here's some Hi-Res shots.

Just check out this post processing!

 

[Fady K]

One of the best soundtracks ever too.

Agreed, this was easily one of the best OSTs and Mitsuda at his best. I miss the days when his "console" music. Im getting bored of his handheld music, isnt quite as good as his old stuff at all, IMO.

People don't complain about encounter rates in Shin Megami Tensei games, so they shouldn't complain about it in Xenogears.

Yep, im playing Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition right now - it taught me PATIENCE when it comes to random encounter rate =(

 

[Jinfash]

k guys stop that :lol i'm starting to get jealous over here! i really wanna complete this experience portable style but the last hi res images are pure NOM NOM!

 

[PetriP-TNT]

I'd hit it if I owned it.

 

[zbarron]

k guys stop that :lol i'm starting to get jealous over here! i really wanna complete this experience portable style but the last hi res images are pure NOM NOM!

Then The Lord said let there be upscaled sprites. Then the world saw it and realised it was not good.

Native resolutions FTW!

 

[Vorador]

Yeah, i fiddled a bit with the filters in epsxe a few years ago and the 3D really improved, but the 2D sprites were fucked up in the process. I'm still trying to find a good combination of both :-(