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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Bigs 2, The
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
Four-thousand years into a war-torn future. Earth has been abandoned and mankind forges its existence in deep space, locked in eternal confrontation with the malevolent, alien Gnosis. With sophisticated weapons and robotics technology, humankind wages an epic battle for survival. In a desperate bid to fend off extinction, the search continues for the Zohar, a legendary artifact rumored to be capable of eradicating the Gnosis and ushering in an era of universal peace. Rejoin Shion, KOS-MOS and their companions in the enthralling 2nd chapeter of this landmark multipart RPG saga. [Namco]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
Gaming Target
Namco, in trying to fix what wasn't broken to begin with, ended up loosening a few screws where the job wasn't needed.
 88
RPG Fan
Like its prequel, the game does not even try to convince the player it would be anything else but a classic, heavily story-driven RPG with a traditional turn-based battle engine. The visuals are currently among the best in the genre and at least the songs composed by Yuki Kajiura are solid.
88
VGPub
I gauge a great RPG as one that sucks you in so much that you lose track of time. What may seem just a few minutes turns into a few hours. That is true of a few great RPGs, and Xenosaga II is one of them.
86
Siliconera
Xenosaga Episode 2 seems to top Episode 1 in almost all aspects of gameplay, graphics and sound...If you liked Episode 1, you'll like Episode 2. Speaking more generally, if you like RPGs you'll like Episode 2.
85
eToychest
Precisely what the second volume in a saga should be. It continues the story, and it develops the characters involved with the story... Hopefully, the next installment will propel the story forward a bit more.
84
TotalGames.net
Xenosaga II is a worthy follow up with richly detailed characters and great battling, but it seems a little unfair to expect European gamers to jump onboard so late in the game.
83
Pelit (Finland)
A good RPG with a brilliant story and a great cast of characters. However, the battle system is too slow-paced and not very flexible. [Nov 2005]
83
Weekly Famitsu
8 / 8 / 8 / 9 - 33 gold [Vol 811; 2 July 2004]
82
My Gamer
While the game is still decent, it simply isn’t as great as the original installment. Though it still offers spectacular plot, it just isn’t as deep in its character customization as it once was.
82
GamingTrend
If you are willing to stick with it, and accept that they may use terms that won't even get completely explained in this chapter, it is a decent science fiction story. It's just not simple to follow, and translation from Japanese to English probably did not help make things any easier to understand.
80
Just RPG
I’m not going to lie… this installment isn’t quite as good. Episode I had a few minor errors that I hoped would be fixed, and in some cases they were. But the game ended up leaving me unsatisfied. A pretty good game, but not as good as it should’ve been.
80
GamePro
A beautiful composition, but restless gamers will have a hard time sitting throught the constant cinemas... Perhaps next time developers will seriously consider integrating the story through an increased amount of real-time gameplay. [March 2005, p.90]
80
GameZone
The only problems are the longer-than-generally-accepted load times, and the long cutscenes.
80
Inside Gamer Online
Some might be a little disappointed by its short sub-30 hour campaign, but most people will find it forgiving because this game has so much heart and soul that it will be remembered long after it’s beaten.
80
Worth Playing
Monolith did attempt to reduce the ratio of movies to gameplay, and succeeded, to a degree, although they did also shorten the game by half or so.
80
Warcry
A marvelous game. However, you may want to have some popcorn with you while you play. Xenosaga: Episode 2’s cut-scenes are long and plentiful, about four and a half hours in total.
79
IGN
Though its story kicked butt and its characters look better than ever, the focus wasn't broad enough to make use of its rich cast of personalities and unique combat like the first game did.
78
Game Informer
This game is a dropped ball of "Devil May Cry 2" proportions. [March 2005, p.126]
78
GameSpot
Improvements to the game's turn-based combat engine, graphics, and its still-captivating plot ensure that fans of story-driven role-playing games and the Xenosaga series itself will still find much to appreciate about Episode II.
78
WHAM! Gaming
Episode 2 should take only about 40 hours to finish, short by the standards of the genre today and half the length of Episode 1.
75
Play Magazine
Episode II feels less grand than the original, almost like an epilogue to the first game. [Feb 2005, p.61]
75
PALGN
It is just that the problems that are in Xenosaga Episode II are pretty unforgiving in today’s standards.
73
Game Chronicles
Though the game is woefully short, the game does set a standard for RPG difficulty, which might breathe some challenge into the genre.
71
Next Level Gaming
This version seems even less interactive than the original. So for those of you, who got bored with the first, stay away.
70
netjak
Whichever side of the fence you sit on, it's probably safe to say that Xenosaga II is one of the better movies to come out in 2005.
70
NTSC-uk
Episode 2 is comparatively short not only in terms of Episode 1 but in comparison to RPGs in general. Whilst its length seems well paced in terms of the combat and exploration aspects of the title, its narrative just doesn't quite do enough.
70
DailyGame
Frankly, the game components could’ve been stripped out and this would’ve scored better as an anime DVD, but as a game, it’s going to come off a very tiresome to the average gamer.
70
PSX Nation
A good game all-around and a great continuation of the planned six-part saga, Episode II still falls short of what you'd expect from a supposed epic.
70
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Despite the game's pacing, the graphics, cut-scenes, and second half of the story end up making Episode II a solid RPG - just not the epic sequel that the previous game deserves. [March 2005, p.122]
70
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
In the end, it feels more like "Xenosaga Episode I: The Deleted Scenes." [March 2005, p.96]
70
GameSpy
Less than half as long as the original, making it something of a disappointing RPG snack for fans hoping to sink their teeth into a hearty meal -- something one would obviously expect after the seemingly endless twists and turns of the original.
70
GamerFeed
The new combat system is complicated but imaginative and adds much depth to the gameplay that was already superb.
70
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
More than a story game, Xenosaga II just about prevails in spite of itself as a title worth witnessing...for the patient. [Dec 2005, p.118]
70
Eurogamer
Xenosaga 2, is a big commitment for any gamer. If you want to get the most out of the game you're looking at weeks of concentrated staccato playing/watching/playing/watching as you work your way through the huge narrative arc.
67
Gaming Age
Good, just not great, and fails to live up to the expectations of its originator.
65
GameCritics
I don't think I can stress it enough; I really don't like the overhaul of the battle system in Xenosaga II.
60
1UP
Episode II offers hints of excellence, but few of them have anything to do with the gameplay.
60
PSM Magazine
Every enemy has a fatal Achilles' Heel. Once you learn a combo to exploit it, all battles become trivial. [Feb 2005, p.79]
60
TotalPlayStation
This is a story worth telling, but you'll be beaten and abused while you try to listen to it.
60
Yahoo! Games
A decent chapter in a larger story, but as a standalone game it's simply not that exciting. It's hard to get over the dumbed-down combat and character development systems.
60
Edge Magazine
The player is required to reap their principle enjoyment from the narrative and the cinematic rather than the interactive. The traditional flow of play has been turned on its head: cut-scenes are the new king, gameplay elements little more than lines to link the drama. [Apr 2005, p.104]
60
G4 TV
Despite the balance problems, less gripping story, somnolent voice acting, and dichotomous soundtrack, Xenosaga II is still a playable RPG if you don’t expect it to set your world on fire.
60
Gamer.tv
A pleasant addition to this templated tale.
58
Game Revolution
Despite a big, engrossing story and some improved combat features, this second step in the Xenosaga series doesn’t manage to live up to its prior success. Hopefully, the next game will tone down the excessive storytelling segments and continue refining the combat.
30
GameShark
This definitely isn’t a title that will impress most of the “jaded gamers” crowd, and while I had fun playing it, I certainly wouldn’t describe my experience as extraordinary.
Akeem G. gave it a10: zero_teen thao gave it a10: Andrew C. gave it a5: Anson G. gave it a10: Chris P. gave it a10: Jeff K. gave it an8: Stephen C. gave it a10: |
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