Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2003
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 148 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 148
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 148
  3. Negative: 11 out of 148
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  1. edwardnintendo
    Mar 13, 2021
    0
    Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
  2. LarsA.
    Aug 6, 2003
    2
    Wow. If I wanted to wanted to watch a movie I'd have payed a lot less. This game sucks - it's not even a game. Only reason I gave it a 2 was because it was slightly reminiscent of Xenogears. Battles are over simplified. Points system is kinda cool. Casino is too easy to win. All mini-games are lame and the Xeno-card is especially over-complicated. Story is lame and tries to be Wow. If I wanted to wanted to watch a movie I'd have payed a lot less. This game sucks - it's not even a game. Only reason I gave it a 2 was because it was slightly reminiscent of Xenogears. Battles are over simplified. Points system is kinda cool. Casino is too easy to win. All mini-games are lame and the Xeno-card is especially over-complicated. Story is lame and tries to be too 'deep' and meaningful. This game just sucks...… Expand
  3. J.M.
    Apr 6, 2003
    0
    I paid good money to not play a game? Stupid idea.
  4. JayE.
    Jan 16, 2006
    0
    Okay, if you're going to make a game that is mostly movie, you have to make the movies good. The dialogue is painfully bad, the voice acting doesn't work well with it, and most of the storyline is uncreative. While there were some intriging subplots (such as the human-turned-cyborg man saving the cyborg-turned-human girl), they are either not developed or developed badly. The Okay, if you're going to make a game that is mostly movie, you have to make the movies good. The dialogue is painfully bad, the voice acting doesn't work well with it, and most of the storyline is uncreative. While there were some intriging subplots (such as the human-turned-cyborg man saving the cyborg-turned-human girl), they are either not developed or developed badly. The characters are not only cliche but often times stupid. Most of the main characters are adolescent or younger, and come off so. The entire KOS-MOS team is composed of teenagers, who meddle about their junior-high like drama, while we are suppossed to believe that they are smart enough to develop a highly developed weapon. KOS-MOS herself, a cyborg built for combat, seems like a girl playing a robot by wearing a visor and speaking roboteese. Many of the characters even overact, such as the scarred pilot Virgil, which must be an achivement for animation. I must admit I have not played the entire game, so I cannot speak for the game after about hour 5 or so. The story may pick up, and the game may get better. After the appearance of Jr., however, I had decided that I had my fill of cheesy characters with uncreative names. So I stopped playing.… Expand
  5. Spiky_20
    Aug 25, 2021
    0
    none of the chinese cartoons got naked to have sex, a very bad game I do not recommend it -1/10
  6. edwardnintendo8
    Mar 13, 2021
    0
    Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
  7. Avey123Avey
    Mar 19, 2023
    3
    very mediocre JRPG. The game tries to do many different things with it's combat system which does help it stand out however for the most part it feels very unfocused. The combat is occasionally satisfying but is held back largely by the dated JRPG approach to encounter design which will have you doing the same set of long drawn out animated moves over and over again on the same set ofvery mediocre JRPG. The game tries to do many different things with it's combat system which does help it stand out however for the most part it feels very unfocused. The combat is occasionally satisfying but is held back largely by the dated JRPG approach to encounter design which will have you doing the same set of long drawn out animated moves over and over again on the same set of trivial non encounters. The story is a little interesting but it is unforgivable how little actually happens in the span of a giant JRPG. It feels blatantly drawn out for a sequel. Lastly the presentation here is pretty good but is shockingly undercut by the lack of any environmental music. This is a baffling terrible decision that ends up contributing to a dull play experience.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. NTSC-uk
    70
    The narrative of Xenosaga dwarfs all of its other elements, which are under-developed in comparison.
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  2. 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.
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  3. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    The brilliant story is enhanced by a beautiful score from Mitsuda and cinematic sequences which are stunning, to say the least.
    Read full review
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