As With Any Trilogy, The Series Goes Out With a Bang!
Anyone who has played the first and second titles will no doubt be looking forward to the conclusion of the storyline that began with Xenogears on the Playstation 1. Namco then began producing the Xenosaga series to tell of events that preceded the famous PS1 title. Over the course of the next 5 years, Der Wille zur Macht (Episode 1) was followed by Jenseits von Gut und Bose (Episode 2) and then the third installment, Also Sprach Zarathustra released.
Like the two previous titles, the story chronicles the events that Shion Uzuki (who may be related in some form to Citan Uzuki of Xenogears lore), a former project leader of Vector, became part of involving a staggering plot and various organizations intent on claiming an ancient and forgotten power. Characters from Episode 1 and 2 also make their crucial appearances, such as KOS-MOS the anti-Gnosis combat android, chaos the mysterious stranger with supernatural powers, MOMO the experimental girl who fled her obsession with Albedo with the help of another character, Ziggy aka Ziggurat 8 the cyborg, and Junior, who also shares a relationship with Albedo and has his own unique qualities. Characters that were introduced in Episode 2, both heroes and villains also appear, including Jin Uzuki, Shion's older brother with a penchant for swordplay (which also ties in with Citan Uzuki).
The third title shares its similarities with the first two titles in delivering a cinematic experience with its numerous cutscenes and deep story. The graphics are still on par with the PS2's full potential, with other titles such as Final Fantasy 10 and 12, or God of War. When it does go into the combat, there's been hardly any changes. Button presses coinciding with physical and ether attacks are still rampant, along with skills and item usage. Mech combat is still present, in the form of ES Units. The term AGWS somehow vanished in Xenosaga lore when ES Units became the new mech definition in Xenosaga Episode II. Otherwise, the combat is still very similar to what Xenosaga II had expanded upon from the first game.
Unlike its two previous installments, which can be found in bargain bins in most secondhand game stores, this title does still have some value behind it, making it a little more difficult to procure compared to its two other titles. If you haven't played the first two games before this one, not to worry. This game does incorporate a "Xeno Bible" feature that will allow you to catch up on the key events prior to the third game.
Conclusively, this game does deliver the last chapter in the story with a brilliant finish and flashy graphics, even if everything else is still the same.