Finished XENOGEARS

I finished Xenogears.  I started it five years ago, and I got probably ... nine hours in.  I continued it again, probably a year ago but could not get into it.  Then a few weeks ago, I told myself to finish all games that I started, and so far it's been Wild Arms, Dragon Quest VIII, Pokemon TCG 2 repro, Grandia, and now, Xenogears.  I still have to finish Final Fantasy V (my file got corrupted, first time it ever happened to me and it was on an official Sony memory card, back in 2002), FFVIII (40 hours in), and XII (also around 40 hours in).

Anyways, is it one of my favorite games?  
It is not.  But the story, the world, and the concept of everything may be my favorite.  There are so many ridiculous concepts in this world, and it explores so much.  There are moments and characters that will be truly memorable to me.  It is probably my favorite love story concept in a game.  Certainly better than a few novels that try to make a complicated love story (like IQ84).  Way better in concept and excecution, I think. You may think that with all the convoluted philosophical stuff (it's better than Xenosaga III's vision, cheesey "reset the eternal recurrence!") and slow paced beginning and awkward translations that Xenogears might have execute its story poorly, but it does not!  Not at all.

But before that, I would like to get into issues I had with the game... because of course, I want to end this post in a happy note.

NAVIGATING THE WORLD
I was constantly comparing this game to Grandia.  Grandia is the older game, I think.  I admit, I am very dumb, but the maps in Grandia were easier to navigate, and I like it when games makes it easy for the player to nagivate around towns and dungeons.  The compass is confusing enough, and with this game being newer, the analog stick doesn't function... and there is no "Select" function where users are able to see the entire town map in a bird's eye view sort of way.  Another thing to add to the confusion and frustration was the jumping.  There was a lot of platforming instances where I missed the landing just because of camera angles. Speaking of camera angles, sometimes the terrain of the area blocks your sight so you cannot see your character at all.  So bleh, I did not like the controls and the map.

Also, when shopping for Gear Tune-Ups, I did not understand in the beginning, which part would increase my stats, as there is no indicator.  It turns out, after searching online, that a higher number next to the part means an increase in stat.  There are a lot of things like this in this game where you have to search outside to understand things.. I guess it is the lack of a tutorial that I have problems with... which brings me to this...

BATTLE SYSTEM
I did not like the battle system either. Mainly the speed and the music.  I did not like the battle music.  It was just boring, and does not get me pumped up like the main battle theme in Wild Arms, and it lacks the funness in Grandia.  But overall, the training and grinding was fun.  There was more to grind for than just "levels" which the game does not explain to you!

STORY

It's extremely memorable, and I will not spoil it.  But little notes to look back on that I will undersatnd: LIMITER, not wanting the painting to end, CAPTAIN OF THE SEA, Elly not wanting to love someone in desperation and being one practical mofo, "fighting yourself's willpower" (could mean that our enemy is our own Will To Power motive), "the coward".

This is my favorite scene in the game... I won't explain it. 

I do have something to say about the ending... I did not like the ending only because of all the naked people. If you are finishing the game, finish it in a room, alone, by yourself (unless the people around you are open-minded individuals).

Overall, really really loved this game.

It is merely just a WILL.  It does not have to be done.

Next up, going to finish up FFV.