Xenogears

 PlayStation
Xenogears Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 238 Ratings

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  • Summary: A mysterious organization is turning the tides of a century-long war with ancient technology - giant combat robots known as Gears. A failed attempt to steal one of these powerful weapons places it in the unwilling hands of young Fei and his dubious allies. Now he is pursued by militaryA mysterious organization is turning the tides of a century-long war with ancient technology - giant combat robots known as Gears. A failed attempt to steal one of these powerful weapons places it in the unwilling hands of young Fei and his dubious allies. Now he is pursued by military governments, royal pirates, spies, the emperor, and his own forgotten past. … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Games Domain
    100
    Combining good action, dark drama, a splash of anime, and lots of Really Big Robots, this game is the must-buy Playstation RPG of the season... Square's greatest masterpiece since it started producing for Playstation, and I highly recommend this game to anyone who's even heard of "Final Fantasy."
  2. RPG Fan
    98
    Xenogears is a must for any RPG lover, regardless of your views toward Squaresoft. With its depth and creativity, Xenogears is my choice for RPG of the year.
  3. IGN
    95
    With an intricate storyline, beautifully designed characters and mechs, and some of the most innovative features in an RPG, you simply can't afford to pass this game up.
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    89
    An extremely popular anime-style role-playing game of epic proportions. [Jan 2004, p.189]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Gamezilla!
    88
    This game is geared (ha ha) more for the RPG player, and I can say that it could have possibly converted me into one with a little more action.
  6. Game Revolution
    83
    Playing this game is kind of like getting into a good book. The first few hours may be boring or even painful, but once you get into it, you'll be up until the wee hours of the morning flipping pages (or pressing buttons) trying to find out what happens next. And let me tell you - the story is first-rate and the plot gets thicker than a pint of Guinness straight from the tap.
  7. GamePro
    60
    A relentlessly slow plot, plodding dialogue, and the unfortunate fumble of the robot interfaces's potential keeps Xenogears out of that stratosphere enjoyed by its far superior cousin, "Final Fantasy VII."

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 64
  3. Negative: 2 out of 64
  1. GenXY
    Jul 20, 2017
    10
    This is part of the god tier of the JRPG genre. Unparalleled to this day in scope of story and ambition, this masterpiece boasts one of theThis is part of the god tier of the JRPG genre. Unparalleled to this day in scope of story and ambition, this masterpiece boasts one of the best gaming soundtracks of all time. Characters are memorable and richly developed, and battle system is nicely varied between turned based hand to hand combos and mech battles. If you are a JRPG gamer and have NOT played this title, it is essential to play. The second disk is mostly story (as the game ran into budget constraints), but the overall experience is not to be missed. 10/10… Expand
  2. Joe
    May 6, 2004
    10
    Best rpg game yet compared 2 elmental gearbolt.
  4. Seryin
    Mar 9, 2013
    10
    I admit that after time has taken its toll on this game that it is a bit hard to go back to now with all these new great games out. However,I admit that after time has taken its toll on this game that it is a bit hard to go back to now with all these new great games out. However, Xenogears still is my favorite game of all time. I enjoyed the story greatly and once you figure out the combat system, it was one of the most fun of its time. Better than the regular turn based stuff from old rpgs.… Expand
  5. AriaX.
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    I think the best RPG ever on PSX and maybe even on PS2. The story is something amazing, the use of toons instead of computer graphic for the I think the best RPG ever on PSX and maybe even on PS2. The story is something amazing, the use of toons instead of computer graphic for the interludes is simply perfect and give lot of "pathos" to the story itself. A pity that Squaresoft didn't make a PAL version. If you didn't buy it, hurry and don't wait a second more.… Expand
  6. RebornNightmare
    Jul 7, 2013
    10
    It may seem antiquated to give a review to a PS1 game in 2013, but this game needs more credit. The story is simply put amazing, I will makeIt may seem antiquated to give a review to a PS1 game in 2013, but this game needs more credit. The story is simply put amazing, I will make no more mention of it. The gameplay involves playing as Fei Fong Wong, Citan, Elly, amongst others, stacking button combos and building up "deathblows", which are stronger moves to put away enemies (Like Triangle/Cross would activate one, and so on). The combos are limited to how much AP you have on a certain character. This works similarly once you get into the Gears, or what some people know of them as Mechs. I just found this game a very good experience. Although its not for everyone, I would highly recommend it, as you get a really good story, good gameplay, and characters you can actually feel for, even through the very abyssmal Second Disc of the game, where everything feels rushed, but it was still a pleasant experience to end the game.… Expand
  7. OnlyOneWing
    Dec 7, 2014
    10
    I just replayed Xenogears a few months ago. The first disk is great. Things become extremely complicated and a bit extreme when the secondI just replayed Xenogears a few months ago. The first disk is great. Things become extremely complicated and a bit extreme when the second disk hits, and it moves extremely fast. There were budget issues that turned the second half of the game into what it was.
    But the gameplay is amazing, the characters are interesting, the story is engaging, Xenogears is everything you want an RPG to be. The game is huge compared to modern games, and even many other RPGs of it's time.
    Imo, they could have ended the game at the first disk and it would've been a 10 anyway, so I won't detract any points for some of the short comings of the second disk.
    Play it! You won't regret it.    … Expand
  8. mcikes
    Jul 21, 2012
    3
    Most overrated RPG of all time. Story is boring, battle system is one of the worst Ive seen, and the characters are not interesting. I dontMost overrated RPG of all time. Story is boring, battle system is one of the worst Ive seen, and the characters are not interesting. I dont get all the hype surrounding this game.… Expand

See all 64 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PS1 Game of 1998
4
#4 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1998
5
#5 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1998