Xenosaga: Episode III - Also Sprach Zarathustra

aka: Xenosaga Episode III: Zarathustra wa Kaku Katariki
Moby ID: 23110
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Description official descriptions

The concluding chapter of the Xenosaga science fiction role-playing game series begins one year after the events described in the previous episode. The main heroine Shion Uzuki is shocked by the discovery that implies a connection between Vector Corporation, the organization she is working for, and the Gnosis event, which set the whole story in motion. She leaves her post and tries to solve the mystery on her own. Meanwhile, the KOS-MOS project is halted, and a mysterious new android, T-elos, emerges to replace it. Shion and her friends are about to fight the ultimate battle that will determine the destiny of mankind.

The third episode retains the combat basics of the two previous games, resembling more the system of the first episode. Weapon and equipment management returns, and the complex break system from the second chapter has been simplified. Once again, there are two kinds of combat, in human form and piloting giant robots. The usage of ether attacks, boost gauge, and other typical Xenosaga gameplay elements are also present in this game. Robot combat is more prominently featured and is handled somewhat differently, the giant gears having a wider variety of attacks at their disposal. Both player-controlled and enemy parties have now a special bar that renders them immobile when filled. Exploiting this feature is yet another strategic addition to the combat.

There is an in-game database listing all events, people, items, monsters and locations. Next to the main storyline, there are 60 puzzle mini-games. The game includes an editor to create these custom puzzles and share them with friends.

Spellings

  • ゼノサーガ エピソードIII: ツァラトゥストラはかく語りき - Japanese spelling

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Credits (PlayStation 2 version)

274 People (248 developers, 26 thanks) · View all

Product Group Director
Localization Manager
Localization Producer
Localization Support
Marketing Director
Product Marketing Manager
Marketing Translator
Senior PR Manager
PR Manager
Publishing Support Director
QA Manager
QA Supervisor
QA Lead
Assistant QA Lead
QA Testers
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 80% (based on 19 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.9 out of 5 (based on 17 ratings with 1 reviews)

A bittersweet ending to the trilogy

The Good
Xenosaga is one of those games series that their redefines a genre or is just weird. The finale is a little bit of both. Xenosaga excels at storytelling, because they do tell a great story with excellent character development and a plot with plenty of twists and turns. The cutscenes and animation doesn't push the PS2 any but what it lacks in substance it makes up in style with some awesome fight sequences. The battle system has changed again which I don't understand why they do...anyway it works to the degree since it combines parts of Episodes 1 and 2.

The Bad
The very start I don't like since I will never like mechs fights.......EVER! Anyway, right after a great fight scene between Jin and Margulis I counted three full hours of walking around talking to people and watching cutscene after cutscene before fighting a single enemy. Frankly, it drove me crazy. Also, as I referred to above, Xenosaga is great at storytelling it just can be confusing sometimes. The Xenosaga series is one where you have to play through the entire series back to back in order to understand the story. Plus, the story guideline is just too much reading for me to handle.

The Bottom Line
For people who already have the first two games, its a must buy to finish the series and its $20 so there's no excuse not to get it. Also, fans of great storytelling should purchase the entire series (the entire series used should cost around $40) . It really is a good game if you can look past the few flaws.

PlayStation 2 · by Jacob Gens (1115) · 2008

Trivia

"Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the title of one of the most famous works of German philosopher Friedrich Wilhem Nietzsche (Also sprach Zarathustra. Ein Buch für Alle und Keinen / Thus Spoke Zarathustra. A Book for Everyone and Nobody). Provocative and influential, the book is unique in the sense it is narrated around the teachings of the ancient Persian prophet Zarathustra.

The book (actually a collection of volumes) is better known for summarizing some of the more controversial aspects of Nietzsche's philosophy, including the concept of a dead god and the "Übermensch" which has been credited as a heavy influence of the Nazi regime.

"Also Sprach Zarathustra" is also the title of an heroic symphony composed by Richard Strauss (based on Nietzsche's work) and is better known for the inclusion of a few of its movements in Stanley Kubrick's film "2001: A Space Odyssey" (based on the novel of the same name by Arthur C. Clarke).

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Unicorn Lynx.

Additional contributors: Zovni, DreinIX.

Game added July 11, 2006. Last modified January 31, 2024.