Chrono Compendium

Zenan Plains - Site Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Philosopher1701 on September 09, 2005, 11:46:57 pm

Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 09, 2005, 11:46:57 pm
I have just completed the first disc of Xenogears.

I have to say - in terms of story, this game has crushed every other game I have ever played. I just can't believe how intriguing it is.

Everything you know about the world is completely turned upside down in a wonderfully presented way! I can't wait to start disc 2!

Has anybody else played Xenogears and found it as intriguing as I have?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Silvercry on September 10, 2005, 12:49:44 am
About to start disc 2?

Prepare yourself for a level of disappointment never before seen on this mortal coil.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: DeweyisOverrated on September 10, 2005, 01:30:32 am
Haahah.  I hated  xenogeats.  Every last bit of it.  Way too damn long.  Story's too complicated, and makes no sense.

Then I started playing Disc 2.  And it got worse.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Silvercry on September 10, 2005, 01:54:18 am
Quote from: DeweyisOverrated
Haahah.  I hated  xenogeats.  Every last bit of it.  Way too damn long.  Story's too complicated, and makes no sense


Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense.  It actually makes perfect sense, it just doesn’t hold your hand all the way through. I t requires thought and real comprehension skills.

Though you are right about disc two.  Ick.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 01:57:40 am
Never played it, never cared for it.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on September 10, 2005, 02:10:11 am
An absolutely incredible game. I just wish they had the time and the money to finish it. Oh, and I have a copy of Perfect Works, for those who know what that is.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 10, 2005, 02:13:35 am
Without spoiling, if possible, what's so bad about the second disc?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 10, 2005, 02:24:38 am
Perfect Works is in Japanese........  :cry:
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Silvercry on September 10, 2005, 03:37:47 am
Quote from: Sir Frog
Without spoiling, if possible, what's so bad about the second disc?


Picture the second disk in CC, only instead of actually playing it, different Characters sit around against a semi-cool background and tell you what happens.  The only time you get to actually do something is when the narrative gets around to a boss fights, and maybe you actually get to explore Terra Tower.

That is Xenogears Disc 2
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Ramsus on September 10, 2005, 10:05:02 am
I actually liked disc 2.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 12:30:28 pm
Xenosaga is worse, you only play like 5 hours and the rest is Cutscenes!
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Kazuki on September 10, 2005, 12:34:59 pm
Xenosaga is actually a good game overall, once you can get past the fact that it is indeed mostly cutscenes (at least they look good =P).

About Xenogears...yeah, I've generally heard nothing but good things about it (Well, at least about the first disk :wink: ). Is it as hard to find as something like obtaining the Chrono Trigger/FFVI SNES cart? Because I was thinking, after I finish CC...
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: GrayLensman on September 10, 2005, 12:38:02 pm
Xenogears Disk 2 isn't that bad.  For whatever the reason, the game was released before the developers had a chance to finish Disk 2.  Basically the characters narrate the plot and skip right to the boss battles.  Often the game shows a slide of the characters doing something which would normally be a complete dungeon.  The final dungeon also looks like it was initially meant for another part of the game.

However, despite the ill treatment of the gameplay, I don't think the story suffers.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 12:42:49 pm
Quote from: GrayLensman
For whatever the reason, the game was released before the developers had a chance to finish Disk 2.


How could they do that?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 10, 2005, 12:57:08 pm
I've heard a rumor that the game suffered a massive budget cut, and the money was given to Final Fantasy VIII.

Ironic, isn't it? FFVIII is cool, but NOTHING in comparison to Xenogears.  8)
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Legend of the Past on September 10, 2005, 01:00:11 pm
Can't say anything about Xenosaga... I'm just watching the Animation, and it's friggin incredible.

Xenogears is a great game. I'm halfway through disc 1, and it's incredible.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 01:01:43 pm
Quote from: Philosopher1701
Ironic, isn't it? FFVIII is cool, 8)


Hell no it ain't. That was one of the worst FF games out there. WTF was up with the time compression? That made no sense.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Chrono'99 on September 10, 2005, 02:04:27 pm
Quote from: nightmare975
Quote from: Philosopher1701
Ironic, isn't it? FFVIII is cool, 8)


Hell no it ain't. That was one of the worst FF games out there. WTF was up with the time compression? That made no sense.

Actually, Final Fantasy messed with time since the first episode on NES (with the 1,000-year time loop).
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 10, 2005, 02:16:18 pm
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My burned copy of disc 2 doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :x  :x  :x

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: AuraTwilight on September 10, 2005, 03:22:44 pm
pwned.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 03:31:12 pm
Quote from: Chrono'99
Quote from: nightmare975
Quote from: Philosopher1701
Ironic, isn't it? FFVIII is cool, 8)


Hell no it ain't. That was one of the worst FF games out there. WTF was up with the time compression? That made no sense.

Actually, Final Fantasy messed with time since the first episode on NES (with the 1,000-year time loop).


I was just talking about FFVIII.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Legend of the Past on September 10, 2005, 03:44:16 pm
In fact, Time Compression makes total sense. A time in which the past, future and present are combined. You can find things from the past, things from the present and things from the future. From that point in time, Ultimecia was able to have control of everything. Makes perfect sense, I think you just didn't want to understand it.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 03:58:52 pm
Quote from: Legend of the Past
In fact, Time Compression makes total sense. A time in which the past, future and present are combined. You can find things from the past, things from the present and things from the future. From that point in time, Ultimecia was able to have control of everything. Makes perfect sense, I think you just didn't want to understand it.


No, I understood it to an extent, you helped me out btw, thanks. But, the entire premes of the game suddenly goes off to fight s person you've never met.(FFIV anyone?) And, even though you succede, Ultimecia still wins.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 10, 2005, 09:05:11 pm
Here you go!  :)

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/final_fantasy_viii_time_ultimecia.txt
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 09:11:57 pm
Quote from: Philosopher1701
Here you go!  :)

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/final_fantasy_viii_time_ultimecia.txt


its a broken link
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 10, 2005, 09:15:05 pm
http://www.gamefaqs.com/

"Search" for Final Fantasy VIII.

Click on the file titled "Time/Ultimecia FAQ"
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 10, 2005, 09:55:32 pm
Quote from: Philosopher1701
http://www.gamefaqs.com/

"Search" for Final Fantasy VIII.

Click on the file titled "Time/Ultimecia FAQ"

Yes, definitely give that FAQ a read.  However...

<2 cents>
I hate that FAQ.  It's screwy.  It gave me headaches last February.  It just doesn't work.  Period.

OK, perhaps I'm being too hard on Sir Bahamut.  (For the record, it's no coincidence that I'm Sir Frog.)  The FAQ is well written, and the plot analysis is quite good.  I just have issues with the discussions of time and time compresion.

Time compression does not make sense.  If time will "eventually" be compressed, time compression should always be experienced.  But that's not the case.  One of two things must be wrong:  either time CAN be changed in FFVIII or time compression cannot logically succeed.  The problem is that both of these are contradicted by the game itself.
</2 cents>
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 10, 2005, 10:20:20 pm
I'm trying to work time compression into my game I'm designing. Its still in the sketch phase however.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 12:43:22 am
Quote from: nightmare975
I'm trying to work time compression into my game I'm designing. Its still in the sketch phase however.

Good luck.  How would it work? Imagine it is 1000 A.D. and everything is A-OK.  Now imagine it is 2000 A.D. and some crazy sorceress is hellbent on compressing time and actually manages to do so.  Shouldn't 1000 A.D. also be part of the compressed timeline? Of course it should be.  But it isn't--we know this because we were there.

The only way to resolve time compression is to assume a new timeline is formed when time is compressed.  But this contradicts the major theme in FFVIII that one cannot change the past and that one must instead strive to work for a brighter future.   However, even if we assume this constraint away, it's clear that time compression is not all that big of a threat.  After all, there is no darkness beyond time in FFVIII.  So, if the crazy sorceress creates a new timeline in which time is compressed, the "original" timeline should continue to exist uninterrupted.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 12:47:33 am
Quote from: Sir Frog
Quote from: nightmare975
I'm trying to work time compression into my game I'm designing. Its still in the sketch phase however.

Good luck.  How would it work? Imagine it is 1000 A.D. and everything is A-OK.  Now imagine it is 2000 A.D. and some crazy sorceress is hellbent on compressing time and actually manages to do so.  Shouldn't 1000 A.D. also be part of the compressed timeline? Of course it should be.  But it isn't--we know this because we were there.

The only way to resolve time compression is to assume a new timeline is formed when time is compressed.  But this contradicts the major theme in FFVIII that one cannot change the past and that one must instead strive to work for a brighter future.   However, even if we assume this constraint away, it's clear that time compression is not all that big of a threat.  After all, there is no darkness beyond time in FFVIII.  So, if the crazy sorceress creates a new timeline in which time is compressed, the "original" timeline should continue to exist uninterrupted.


Actually, all that happens at the end is

Quote from: SPOILER!
Ultimecia goes back in time and gives her powers to Edea, starting what caused everything leading up to Time Compression
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 12:56:18 am
Quote from: nightmare975
Actually, all that happens at the end is

Quote from: SPOILER!
Ultimecia goes back in time and gives her powers to Edea, starting what caused everything leading up to Time Compression

I am pretty sure that the event you speak is part of a causal loop (or predestination paradox).  It happened before the events of the game from young Squall's POV and after the events of the game from old Squall's POV.  Time in FFVIII works much like it works in Twelve Monkeys.  All time travel is taken into account in the universe's single timeline.  This is the major reason why time compression is inconsistent.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 01:00:25 am
That was really pathetic if you think about it.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 01:26:42 am
Quote from: nightmare975
That was really pathetic if you think about it.

What was?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 01:27:54 am
Quote from: Sir Frog
Quote from: nightmare975
That was really pathetic if you think about it.

What was?


The ending
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 01:34:34 am
Quote from: nightmare975
Quote from: Sir Frog
Quote from: nightmare975
That was really pathetic if you think about it.

What was?


The ending

I actually loved the ending.  The 13 minute long FMV was awesome, the music was incredible, the slideshow was heartwarming, and the post-credits part made me cry.

In terms of endings, I think the only FF game to beat FFVIII is FFIX.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 01:37:22 am
Quote from: Sir Frog
Quote from: nightmare975
Quote from: Sir Frog
Quote from: nightmare975
That was really pathetic if you think about it.

What was?


The ending

I actually loved the ending.  The 13 minute long FMV was awesome, the music was incredible, the slideshow was heartwarming, and the post-credits part made me cry.

In terms of endings, I think the only FF game to beat FFVIII is FFIX.


Oh yes it was a wonderful ending, but the game was below par. Too realistic, too romantic, etc,etc.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 01:40:09 am
Quote from: nightmare975
Oh yes it was a wonderful ending, but the game was below par. Too realistic, too romantic, etc,etc.

Well, FFVIII may have been a bogey, but it's a par one course.  8)
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 01:42:04 am
Personaly, I like FFVII much better.

And FFIX just for Beatrix. :P
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Sir Frog on September 11, 2005, 01:44:22 am
I, too, like those games better than FFVIII.  I just meant that FFVIII is still a great game, despite being somewhat less good than its brothers.

In my opinion, IX > VI = VII > CT > X > IV = VIII > CC
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 01:48:54 am
Quote from: Sir Frog
I, too, like those games better than FFVIII.  I just meant that FFVIII is still a great game, despite being somewhat less good than its brothers.

In my opinion, IX > VI = VII > CT > X > IV = VIII > CC


Mine goes more like:

VII>VI>V=CT>IV>IX>III>I>X>II>X-2>CC>XI>VIII
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: SilentMartyr on September 11, 2005, 07:14:57 am
Let's make a deal guys, I'll play my copy of FFIV I have sitting here, and you guys find Earthbound for SNES and play that.

(Hint: Square and Enix are not the only RPG companies)  8)

<= Still a FF virgin.  :?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Legend of the Past on September 11, 2005, 08:24:47 am
Time Compression is possible. Why can Squall remember everything that happaned in his original timeline? Because the Future, Past and Present still flow. Except their flow is flawed, unnatural. It flows with things that shoulden't be there. The point in Time Compression destroying the idea on which the game is based is that Ultimecia managed to destroy a rule by which the world works. And Ultimecia intervened for every moment since possesing Edea, the Rinoa, then Adel. Edea getting her powers had nothing to do with Ultimecia, as she got them from a dead Sorceress.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 11, 2005, 01:49:22 pm
Uh....... guys........... did you forget what this thread is supposed to be about.........??????
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Legend of the Past on September 11, 2005, 01:57:00 pm
Yep.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Silvercry on September 11, 2005, 02:30:48 pm
Xenogears and Xenosaga both have their faults.  

Xenogears tried (and in my opinion, failed)to put way too much plot into two CD's for fear of not being able to make the complete, six chapter saga.

Xenosaga doesn't try hard enough to put as much plot as needed into two DVD's because they know they will be able to complete their six-chapter saga.

Even so, Xenogears is a good game, kept form being great by a crappy second disc and poor character growth for half the cast.

And Xenosaga is still the best game I ever watched.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 11, 2005, 02:32:03 pm
Quote from: Silvercry
And Xenosaga is still the best game I ever watched.


Heh, watched but not played? :roll:
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Silvercry on September 11, 2005, 02:56:52 pm
Quote from: nightmare975
Quote from: Silvercry
And Xenosaga is still the best game I ever watched.


Heh, watched but not played? :roll:


No.  The best game I ever played  would be Chrono Trigger, of course.  And I base that on the simple fact that I had more fun playing CT than any other game to this day.  I'm not trying to say its the best game ever coded, just that I had more fun, was more interested in the plot, and cared about the characters more in CT than any other game.  FF VI and Xenosaga Episode One were they only other games that even come close to challenging CT in that regard.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 22, 2005, 07:44:15 pm
Well, I completed Xenogears.

That was the GREATEST game I've ever played!!!!!!!!

The story was one of the best I've seen in a novel/film/video game. It absolutely crushed the Final Fantasy and Chrono series.
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: nightmare975 on September 22, 2005, 11:33:42 pm
What did you think of Disc 2?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 23, 2005, 06:09:26 pm
By the time I got to disc 2, I could have cared less about the gameplay. I was just concerned with the story. I enjoyed disc 2 more than disc 1.  :)
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: NeoEpoch on September 25, 2005, 10:21:03 pm
Man, I'm loving this game. Although I haven't gotten all that far into the game, I'm still loving it. And I don't think I'll be bothered too much with the whole sitting around in chairs thing. Is it that bad? I don't mind watching/reading video games all that much... But do they sit and talk throughout the entire disc?
Title: Xenogears- WOW
Post by: Philosopher1701 on September 25, 2005, 10:50:52 pm
No. They don't sit in chairs for the entire disc, but most of the exposition comes from those "scenes".