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The long awaited sequel to Xenosaga Episode I is coming soon. Episode II, subtitled Beyond Good and Evil (when translated into English), will explore the bonds of friendship and trust. Xenosaga II features a host of changes from the original, including a new approach to the character designs, a redesigned battle system, new skill systems, and new playable characters. Xenosaga II begins 14 years before Episode I, with the much talked about Miltian conflict taking center stage. Here, Chaos and a new playable character, Canaan, will be introduced. Canaan is a "Realian," or artificial person. Shion's brother Jin, introduced in the first Episode, will join here as a playable character for the first time in the series. After the flashback, the game will continue in the time immediately after the end of Episode I, picking up the story of Shion and friends. The battle system has been significantly overhauled. Characters now have access to combo attacks with other characters. They also share their boost meter vs. having a solo boost meter in Episode I. This second episode also adds a "damage zone system," with enemies having certain weaknesses exploited depending upon the order in which the zones are hit. For example, a certain combination of zones hit could put the enemy into a weakened state allowing for critical attacks. A skilled player will use the revised boost system and character combo attacks during these critical openings for massive damage. Similar to Final Fantasy X and Wild Arms Alter Code: F, you can now swap different characters in and out of battle. Mech battles will also be handled differently; Mech battles are now mech only, and will feature only two playable mechs at once since they are now larger and more powerful than in other Xeno games.
More changes in Episode II appear in the skills interface. Expect for more freedom of character development. You can choose between using skill points to add to a characters strengths or make up for their inherent weaknesses. For example, you can now make a strong character even stronger or increase his magic power instead. Or a once frail character relegated to the back row could become a viable fighter. A rather long side-quest of sorts is the "Good Samaritan system." In this, players will talk to and aid NPC's throughout the game, opening up new skills and rare items. Gamers can also look forward to new optional bosses exclusive to the North American release. Similar to FF VII's Weapon bosses, expect these new bosses to be a challenge. One thing that hasn't changed is Namco's dedication to long cutscenes. This is either a good or bad thing depending upon on a gamer's point of view. On the topic of the presentation, character designs have a more mature look to them, slightly deferring from the anime-esque portraits in Episode I. Namco says the change was done to make the character's faces more expressive. Moving form eyes to ears comes a change in the game's composers. For the first time in a Xeno title, Yasunori Mitsuda did not lend his hand to the music composition. Yuki Kajiura and Shinji Hosoe are responsible for the music in Episode II. You may recognize Kajiura'a name from various .hack works and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. Fans of the original most likely won't be dissapointed in the new graphics or music. Speaking of the original, you will be able to use your completed game save from the first game in Episode II for a surprise - KOS-MOS and Ziggy swimsuits! With new characters, revamped battle and skill systems, enhanced character designs and more, expect Xenosaga Episode II to make an impact on the RPG scene when it is released in North America on 2/15/05. Below are some screenshots. Click the links to view them.
-Jacob Fernandez |
