Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra

 PlayStation 2
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 102 Ratings

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  • Summary: The story of Xenosaga III starts a year after "Xenosaga II" ended. Shion has resigned from Vector Industries after learning that the company is deeply connected to the appearance of the Gnosis. She instead joins Scientia, an underground organization working to unveil Vector's secrets inThe story of Xenosaga III starts a year after "Xenosaga II" ended. Shion has resigned from Vector Industries after learning that the company is deeply connected to the appearance of the Gnosis. She instead joins Scientia, an underground organization working to unveil Vector's secrets in order to bring them down. Uncover the truth and save mankind in the finale of the Xenosaga series which boasts over 3 hours of movies, an updated battle system, and an improved customization feature with more in-depth character specialization and diversification and higher rewards for strategic party management. This RPG also includes an easily accessible database feature, the "Xeno Bible" and a mini-game with over 50 levels that challenges both you and your friends. [Namco Bandai]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Armchair Empire
    100
    This is a phenomenal achievement on virtually every level.
  2. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    Unrepentantly intelligent, epic, and approachable, this is one of the best RPGs available today and the Rubedo of the Xenosaga series. [Oct. 2006, p.82]
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  3. RPG Fan
    89
    Where this game really shines, though, is in the fun gameplay and excellent music and voice acting.
  4. Yahoo!
    80
    Series fans -- and while it's a fine game, it's unlikely to appeal much to anyone else -- will lap it up, happy that such a well-loved saga is coming to a satisfying conclusion. What more could you ask?
  5. PSM Magazine
    80
    The beautiful, fun RPG that we always wanted to see from the series, and it brings the epic storyline to its dramatic conclusion. [Oct 2006, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The New York Times
    78
    The last scenes are quite interesting, sometimes very moving and reasonably informative, but they also highlight problems inherent in Xenosaga’s narrative approach.
  7. Game Revolution
    58
    The bridge between familiarity and innovation is thin and slippery, and Xenosaga Episode III sits precariously in the middle, demanding a fee.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. AnsonG.
    Oct 7, 2006
    10
    Finaly, Xenosaga 3, has come to the end, this what we waiting for. This might take awhile, so you probably wanna eat lunch. Overall, there Finaly, Xenosaga 3, has come to the end, this what we waiting for. This might take awhile, so you probably wanna eat lunch. Overall, there really isnt anything wrong with this game. The story is excellent, and the battles are much easier. Plus, load times have been reduced substabtially. If u re an RPG buff who thinks story is main reason to play a game, then sure buy this one. Trust me, you be glad you did.… Expand
  2. EmmanuelT.
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    One of the best storylines ever! Here's hoping to see the gang once again. Finally, the database feature helps you understand the story One of the best storylines ever! Here's hoping to see the gang once again. Finally, the database feature helps you understand the story even further, this game wants you to immerse yourself in the development of the series, it does what rarely any game out there does is to give a surprising story.… Expand
  4. Serenityinaz12
    May 28, 2015
    10
    This and Xenogears have the most deep and intricate plot lines I have every experienced in a video game, and I have played pretty much everyThis and Xenogears have the most deep and intricate plot lines I have every experienced in a video game, and I have played pretty much every game that is known for having a good story. Couldn't recommend more. Excellent end to the series… Expand
  5. IraM.
    Oct 23, 2006
    10
    The best story of any game I have played, that includes just about every Final Fantasy. The mech graphics and fighting are beyond anything The best story of any game I have played, that includes just about every Final Fantasy. The mech graphics and fighting are beyond anything I've ever seen in video games. The best interpertation of the Christion religon, science and philosophy by a video game ever! Ranks up there with 2001: A Space Odyssey! Only complaint is too much to read in one game. Kos-Mos is my favorite video game character, ever! Erde Kaiser Sigma!… Expand
  6. Cosmokeeper
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra is a game that changed my view on life and gave me such deep insights and emotional moments thatXenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra is a game that changed my view on life and gave me such deep insights and emotional moments that I never could have dreamed of before I experienced this game back in 2008, two years after its release.

    The Xenosaga series by Monolith Soft, although cut short by Bandai Namco from six to three games, still managed to create one of the most compelling, emotional, philosophical and psychological experiences ever made.

    The first game set the epic story in motion, the second game built upon those foundations even though it's sadly the weakest in the series from a gameplay perspective and the third game used everything that Tetsuya Takahashi and his awesome team at Monolith Soft had created and turned it into a tour de force without equal. The amount of depth distilled into Xenosaga Episode III is basically unrivaled in so many ways. It has the gameplay chops to compete with the best turn-based battle systems out there, it has the environments and exploration possibilities that make it feel like a big universe even though its linear in nature (which is a good thing because not every game needs to be open world), and as I said before it has an emotional, philosophical and psychological depth anchored in real-life works and musings of Friedrich Nietzsche, Carl Jung and other great thinkers as well as so much original content filling the game to the brim with creativity, character development and a culminating story that's nothing short of a masterpiece.

    Everyone in the world should experience the Xenosaga games and absorb their themes and messages. If they had, I can promise you that the world would be a much better place with more humble people that would care about nature, animals and each other and think more before they act and act better and with more sound judgement based in equal parts reason and emotion.

    The Xenosaga series and especially Episode III has its place among the best works of art ever created and is a timeless journey of self-discovery and wonder that will forever be with me and should be with you as well ;)    … Expand
  7. JackieS.
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Love at first sight. This game is great and the story line is awsome! The characters new looks are great and the battle system was perfect. Love at first sight. This game is great and the story line is awsome! The characters new looks are great and the battle system was perfect. Best game ever!… Expand
  8. Boltfrowah
    Mar 4, 2013
    5
    This series was one of the few games that I've ever actually felt was damn near a "2nd job". Slogging through the 3 games was something that IThis series was one of the few games that I've ever actually felt was damn near a "2nd job". Slogging through the 3 games was something that I never knew I was going to end up doing when I played the first one. Constantly mired in endless cutscenes and cinematics, it almost felt like I was more of playing a mini-game during a very preachy, self-absorbed story line. The constant references to philosophy and such doesn't make a game "smart", it makes it pretentious at best. This all combined with a nerfy combat system just didn't do it for me. Yes, Kos-Mos is an awesome character, but even her attacks left me wanting more.… Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PS2 Game of 2006
30
#30 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
60
#60 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006