Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2003
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 148 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Thousands of years into the future, man exists only in deep space. Brutally opposed by a merciless alien race, humanity faces an uncertain destiny as it unlocks the secrets of the Universe in search of the ultimate truth. Features four exhilarating mini-games, innovative battle and controlThousands of years into the future, man exists only in deep space. Brutally opposed by a merciless alien race, humanity faces an uncertain destiny as it unlocks the secrets of the Universe in search of the ultimate truth. Features four exhilarating mini-games, innovative battle and control systems, and over 80 hours of gameplay. [Namco]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Gaming Age
    100
    Xenosaga has that extra special something that has been missing from RPGs for the last couple of years, an enthralling, profound story that leaves you truly wanting more.
  2. Game Over Online
    92
    But simply put, the cinemas are so full of incredible edge-of-your-seat excitement and intrigue that it feels like watching a top-quality anime production. And lets be straight here, who doesn’t like cinemas?
  3. GamePro
    90
    A masterpiece of cinematic, anime-inspired, science-fiction storytelling, but only if you have the patience (and time) to endure cinemas that can last upwards of 45 minutes.
  4. TotalGames.net
    83
    The critics will be keen to slam these scenes as a crucial flaw but while we’d agree that they are possibly the most annoying factor, they do an excellent job of pushing the story forward and after the first few hours, the balance becomes much more acceptable.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Yahoo!
    80
    If you are the kind of gamer who generally wants to button through game cinematics anyway because you think they're a pain in the ass, you should avoid Xenosaga like it was a proctologist with a history of methamphetamine psychosis.
  6. Inside Gamer Online
    80
    If you can get over the cutesy, anime driven art style of the game you're going to find a very rewarding RPG that will be fun for a long time.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    50
    You might enjoy watching the lengthy cutscenes and getting involved in the pondering of philosophical issues, but I've already been there and now I just want to play before I die.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 54
  3. Negative: 7 out of 54
  1. JoelM.
    Sep 13, 2003
    10
    This game is the best RPG EVER! Deeep storyline,android's,great graphics, awsome battle system! What else could you want, because its got it!
  2. Joe_E_Dee
    Mar 29, 2016
    10
    The story is presented very well, with excellent voice acting. I found myself anticipating the next cut scene to see what would happen next.The story is presented very well, with excellent voice acting. I found myself anticipating the next cut scene to see what would happen next. That said, the story is the strong point of the game, and there is a lot of it.
    Not a game to turn to if your looking for action. This one you wanna sit back and relax.
    When I started this game I kinda felt like it was one of those games I'd drop...Turned out to be 1 of the best games I ever played.    … Expand
  4. RecoveryRx
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    One of the most mature storylines every crafted for a video game - wonderful gaming experience. I will say that some battles can last a bitOne of the most mature storylines every crafted for a video game - wonderful gaming experience. I will say that some battles can last a bit longer than enjoyable necessary, but still, small distraction from a great game. Just don't play if you hate cut scenes.… Expand
  5. BenL.
    Mar 10, 2006
    9
    This game has iffy gmaeplay, but while playing it through, I realised that I could really care less. Now, while that's not the case in This game has iffy gmaeplay, but while playing it through, I realised that I could really care less. Now, while that's not the case in most games, this game's cinematic story flows out so well that I could survive the boring battle system just to get to the next gorgeously rendered cutscene. While I realise this is more of a movie then a game, I have to say it is one extremely good movie.… Expand
  6. mcikes
    Jul 25, 2012
    8
    Some of the cutscenes can be long, but its not like other games dont have long cutscenes as well. This is a great game to start what is aSome of the cutscenes can be long, but its not like other games dont have long cutscenes as well. This is a great game to start what is a fantastic trilogy of games. The story is good, battle system unique, just a solid game from top to bottom. In my opinion nothing like Xenogears if any of you think this is a sequel, I hated Xenogears but loved this game and the 2 that followed.… Expand
  7. f_type
    Aug 18, 2011
    7
    I was excited for this game, seeing as how many of the people involved with Xenogears were behind this. But this game ends up a bit tooI was excited for this game, seeing as how many of the people involved with Xenogears were behind this. But this game ends up a bit too convoluted. I didn't mind the long cutscenes but the story is a nonstop series of inconsistent tidbits, characters and details which do not make any sense until the final few hours of the game- and even then, you'll constantly find yourself referring to the database to figure out what's what. The characters, even the lead, never develop beyond their initial personalities. Visually, the game is very good (especially the FMVs) and the music is great, though not Mitsuda's best. The gameplay is fairly tradition with towns to explore, secrets to find, dungeons to conquer, and bosses to beat. The battle system and character development systems are very complicated and contains so many different aspects that you will spend a vast majority of your time in trail in error to find what characters and attacks work against what enemies. The game is also incredibly inconsistent in terms of difficulty. Above all, the entire game just feels slow and tedious: the long and boring dungeons, the overly simplistic but tiresome puzzles and nearly every single battle just seems to drag on. Ultimately though, if you do make it to the end, you will see that it's only the beginning of a huge saga and it will pique your interest.… Expand
  8. J.M.
    Apr 6, 2003
    0
    I paid good money to not play a game? Stupid idea.

See all 54 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PS2 Game of 2003
21
#21 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
14
#14 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003