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''Xenogears'' is the first entry in the series, and the only one developed for the [[PlayStation]] [[video game console]] and published by [[Square (company)|Square]].<ref name="Xenogears"/> The origins of the game actually started as a potential script for ''[[Final Fantasy 7]]'' written by [[Tetsuya Takahashi]] and [[Soraya Saga]].<ref name="siliconera1">{{cite web|author=By Spencer . June 11, 2010 . 1:38pm |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/11/soraya-saga-on-xenogears-and-xenosaga/ |title=Soraya Saga On Xenogears And Xenosaga |publisher=Siliconera |date=2010-06-11 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> While the script was deemed "too dark and complicated" for the vision for ''Final Fantasy'', Square did allow them to start the project as a new property instead.<ref name="siliconera1"/> Composer [[Yasunori Mitsuda]], upon completing music for ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', would also jump aboard the project to provide music. While developed by the staff that would later consist of [[Monolith Soft]], at this point in time the team only existed as a sub-team within Square.<ref name="autogenerated2003"/><ref name="gamespot2">{{cite web|author=November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xenosaga-episode-i-der-wille-zur-macht/previews/xenosaga-interview-2823598/?page=2 |title=Xenosaga Interview, Page 2 |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2003-02-26 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref>
''Xenogears'' is the first entry in the series, and the only one developed for the [[PlayStation]] [[video game console]] and published by [[Square (company)|Square]].<ref name="Xenogears"/> The origins of the game actually started as a potential script for ''[[Final Fantasy 7]]'' written by [[Tetsuya Takahashi]] and [[Soraya Saga]].<ref name="siliconera1">{{cite web|author=By Spencer . June 11, 2010 . 1:38pm |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/11/soraya-saga-on-xenogears-and-xenosaga/ |title=Soraya Saga On Xenogears And Xenosaga |publisher=Siliconera |date=2010-06-11 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> While the script was deemed "too dark and complicated" for the vision for ''Final Fantasy'', Square did allow them to start the project as a new property instead.<ref name="siliconera1"/> Composer [[Yasunori Mitsuda]], upon completing music for ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', would also jump aboard the project to provide music. While developed by the staff that would later consist of [[Monolith Soft]], at this point in time the team only existed as a sub-team within Square.<ref name="autogenerated2003"/><ref name="gamespot2">{{cite web|author=November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xenosaga-episode-i-der-wille-zur-macht/previews/xenosaga-interview-2823598/?page=2 |title=Xenosaga Interview, Page 2 |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2003-02-26 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref>


Despite the name merely being labeled ''Xenogears'', the game's end credits, and respective ''[[Perfect Works]]'' guide publication, state that the game was in fact "Episode 5 of 6".<ref name="rpgfan1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/xenosaga/Xenosaga-1.html |title=RPGFan Reviews - Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht |publisher=Rpgfan.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref><ref>''[[Xenogears]]'', End game credits</ref> While rumors of a ''Xenogears 2'' project starting at Square arose after the game's release,<ref>{{cite web|author=June 25, 1999 5:51PM PDT |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-developing-xenogears-2-2451155 |title=Square Developing Xenogears 2? |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=1999-06-25 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> ultimately Square decided that it wanted to focus more its flagship ''Final Fantasy'' series, leading Takahashi to choose to leave the company, along with much of the ''Xenogears'' staff, to form what would be Monolith Soft.<ref name="gamespot1">{{cite web|author=November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xenosaga-episode-i-der-wille-zur-macht/previews/xenosaga-interview-2823598/ |title=Xenosaga Interview |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2003-02-26 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> Because of this departure, and the legal rights of the game belonged to Square, later games in the series would not be the direct prequels or sequels suggested by the game's ending and ''Perfect Works'' guide, but rather more of a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] with share thematic similarities.<ref name="gamespot2"/>
Despite the name merely being labeled ''Xenogears'', the game's end credits, and respective ''[[Perfect Works]]'' guide publication, state that the game was in fact "Episode 5 of 6".<ref name="rpgfan1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/xenosaga/Xenosaga-1.html |title=RPGFan Reviews - Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht |publisher=Rpgfan.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref><ref>''[[Xenogears]]'', End game credits</ref> While rumors of a ''Xenogears 2'' project starting at Square arose after the game's release,<ref>{{cite web|author=June 25, 1999 5:51PM PDT |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-developing-xenogears-2-2451155 |title=Square Developing Xenogears 2? |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=1999-06-25 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> ultimately Square decided that it wanted to focus more its flagship ''Final Fantasy'' series, leading Takahashi to choose to leave the company, along with much of the ''Xenogears'' staff, to form what would be Monolith Soft.<ref name="gamespot1">{{cite web|author=November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xenosaga-episode-i-der-wille-zur-macht/previews/xenosaga-interview-2823598/ |title=Xenosaga Interview |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2003-02-26 |accessdate=2013-01-24}}</ref> Because of this departure, and the legal rights of the game belonged to Square, later games in the series would not be the direct prequels or sequels suggested by the game's ending and ''Perfect Works'' guide, but rather more of a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] that share thematic similarities.<ref name="gamespot2"/>


===''Xenosaga Episode I''===
===''Xenosaga Episode I''===

Revision as of 17:53, 28 May 2013

Xeno series
Genre(s)Role-playing video game
Developer(s)Square, Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)Square, Namco, Nintendo
Creator(s)Tetsuya Takahashi
Platform(s)PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Wii, Wii U
First releaseXenogears
1998
Latest releaseXenoblade Chronicles
2012

The Xeno series is a metaseries of science fiction Japanese role-playing video games.[1] The series is the brainchild of Tetsuya Takahashi and has been published by several companies, including Square,[2] Namco,[3] and Nintendo.[4]

Initially envisioned as a six-part series started with the game Xenogears, the series could not be directly continued due to the developers leaving Square, who held the legal rights to the property. This led to an exodus of the development team to Namco, where the Xenosaga series was started, not as a direct sequel or prequel, but as a new series with thematic connections. This too was envisioned as a six-part series, but instead was cut short to only three parts, after the completion of Xenosaga Episode I, Episode II and Episode III. After the ending of the Xenosaga series, Monolith Soft was bought by Nintendo, and a new Xeno game, Xenoblade Chronicles was developed and released. In January 2013, Nintendo announced a new game by Monolith Soft, yet to be titled, but many journalists in the industry speculate to be connected to the Xeno series due to similarities of the game's trailer and involved staff.

History

Xenogears

Main article: Xenogears

Xenogears is the first entry in the series, and the only one developed for the PlayStation video game console and published by Square.[2] The origins of the game actually started as a potential script for Final Fantasy 7 written by Tetsuya Takahashi and Soraya Saga.[5] While the script was deemed "too dark and complicated" for the vision for Final Fantasy, Square did allow them to start the project as a new property instead.[5] Composer Yasunori Mitsuda, upon completing music for Chrono Trigger, would also jump aboard the project to provide music. While developed by the staff that would later consist of Monolith Soft, at this point in time the team only existed as a sub-team within Square.[3][6]

Despite the name merely being labeled Xenogears, the game's end credits, and respective Perfect Works guide publication, state that the game was in fact "Episode 5 of 6".[7][8] While rumors of a Xenogears 2 project starting at Square arose after the game's release,[9] ultimately Square decided that it wanted to focus more its flagship Final Fantasy series, leading Takahashi to choose to leave the company, along with much of the Xenogears staff, to form what would be Monolith Soft.[10] Because of this departure, and the legal rights of the game belonged to Square, later games in the series would not be the direct prequels or sequels suggested by the game's ending and Perfect Works guide, but rather more of a reboot that share thematic similarities.[6]

Xenosaga Episode I

Main article: Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

After breaking apart from Square and formally forming Monolith Soft, the company would form a partnership with Namco as their owning and publishing company.[10] The team's original plan would be to start a new six-part series, called Xenosaga, which wouldn't be exactly the same games alluded to with Xenogears and it's Perfect Works guide, but rather be more like spiritual sequels with thematic similarities.[7] (The initial plan was six games, although it would actually eventually be wrapped up in three parts instead, with Episode III.[11]) Many key staff from Xenogears returned in prominent roles, including Takahashi and Saga as writers, Mitsuda as music composer, and around 20 staff members from Xenogears returning to be part of the larger 70 person staff of Xenosaga.[10]

The game was released in February 2002 in Japan, and February 2003 in North America, for the PlayStation 2.

Xenosaga Episode II

Main article: Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse

Xenosaga II brought a number of changes to the series. Mitsuda did not return to provide music for the game,[12] and Saga part way through the game's development, left the team.[13] The game's focus on characters in the story shifted as well, which it focusing more on Jr. than Shion this time around.[14] Several aspects of the game was changed due to feedback from Episode 1; complaints of tedium and slow pace led to Episode II have fasted paced gameplay and battles and shorter length cutscenes.[12][14]

Xenosaga I•II

Xenosaga I•II was an alternate version of the first two Xenosaga games remade for the Nintendo DS.[15] However, as the DS was far less powerful of a video game console compared to the PlayStation 2 that the games had originally been released on, so the game's graphics and gameplay mechanics were greatly simplified.[15] The game retelling and combining of the original two games, loosely telling the same story, while making some changes, for instance, such as the fact that the game is played from the perspective of "Shion" for the events of both games, where as the events of the original version of Xenosaga II originally had shifted to the perspective of Jr. The game was only released in Japan, not in any other regions.[16]

Xenosaga Episode III

Main article: Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra

Although originally intended to be a six-part series, Xenosaga III ended up being the third and final entry in the Xenosaga sub-series, and the final Xeno game with Monolith Soft working under Namco.[11] The series was cut short due to lack of sales of the prior released titles.[17]

Xenoblade Chronicles

Main article: Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenoblade (Xenoblade Chronicles in English speaking regions) would be the first Xeno game developed after being bought by Nintendo. Originally titled Monado: Beginning of the World, the game was retitled Xenoblade in January 2010 to honour Tetsuya Takahashi, and tie it into the rest of the Xeno series.[18]

Xeno successor

On January 23, 2013, in a Nintendo Direct, a game simply referred to as "a new game from Monolith Soft", was announced and shown in a brief trailer.[19] While not specifically referred to as part of the Xeno series, similarities between it and Xenoblade between its staff and game appearance has led to journalists speculating it may be part of the series.[19][20][21] [22]

Reception

References

  1. ^ Kohler, Chris. "Nintendo To Publish The Last Story, Mistwalker RPG | Game|Life". Wired.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  2. ^ a b "Xenogears". IGN. 1998-10-20. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  3. ^ a b "Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  4. ^ "Xenoblade Chronicles Review". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  5. ^ a b By Spencer . June 11, 2010 . 1:38pm (2010-06-11). "Soraya Saga On Xenogears And Xenosaga". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST (2003-02-26). "Xenosaga Interview, Page 2". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b "RPGFan Reviews - Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht". Rpgfan.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  8. ^ Xenogears, End game credits
  9. ^ June 25, 1999 5:51PM PDT (1999-06-25). "Square Developing Xenogears 2?". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b c November 8, 2001 6:29PM PST (2003-02-26). "Xenosaga Interview". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b "Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra Review". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  12. ^ a b "RPGFan Reviews - Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse". Rpgfan.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  13. ^ "Xenosaga Loses Scenario Writer". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  14. ^ a b "Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  15. ^ a b Parish, Jeremy (2006-03-31). "Xenosaga 1 + 2 Preview for DS from". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  16. ^ Parish, Jeremy (2006-03-31). "Xenosaga 1 + 2 Preview for DS from". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  17. ^ http://www.rpgamer.com/games/xeno/xenosaga3/reviews/xenosaga3strev4.html
  18. ^ Kohler, Chris (29 January 2010). "Nintendo To Publish The Last Story, Mistwalker RPG". wired.com/gamelife. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  19. ^ a b Sarkar, Samit. "Xenoblade Chronicles successor coming to Wii U from Monolith Soft". Polygon. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  20. ^ Marshall Honorof. "The Escapist : News : Xenoblade Successor Slated for Wii U". Escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  21. ^ ""X", Possible Xenoblade Spiritual Successor Shown | AllGameNews". Allgamenews.info. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  22. ^ "Monolith Soft Debuts New Wii U RPG". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
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