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Xenosaga THE ANIMATION
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Animation - 6.6 |
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Sound - 7.9 |
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Story - 7.3 |
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Character - 6.8 |
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Value - 6.3 |
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Enjoyment - 6.5 |
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Average - 6.8 |
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Yunalesca |
(2006-07-17 12:05:07) 2006-07-15 22:33:20 |
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| Average |
9.5 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Okay, first of all
#1- IT IS BASED ON A GAME
#2- It SHOULD stand on it's own but read #3
#3- The game = 3 episodes in total and the anime only covers the FIRST EPISODE so
#4- There will be things you won't have CLUE ABOUT since lots is explained in a LATER episode
#5- Basically it is a RE-telling of Xenosaga Episode #1
So, I think it's only fair to judge this anime if a) you played the game or b) they continue the anime to incorporate the later episodes (Episode #3 came out in Japan so it should be good to go)
So, I played and LOVED both games, what I love is their mystery mainly and character interaction
From the anime; I'd say they did a decent job re-telling the game's story.
The voice acting was okay, the music was nice, the animation is good...
Overall, good for those of us who want to have a recap of the main events in the first game
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Based on the game with only 12 episodes, it did a wonderful job on summing up the story. I'm not sure the impact it would have on someone who's never played episode I, and of course a lot of the details of the 40-70 some hour game (depending on how you play)has been left out and changed a bit, but I found it to be very enjoyable- The last episode especially was worth watching. The animation was absolutely beautiful and was very faithful to the character and area map designs of the game.
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| Average |
5.3 |
| Animation |
5 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
3 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
| I haven't played the game, but I did win the limited edition DVD, containing all of Episode 1's cutscenes. After watching it, I was immediately hooked to this series. When I heard about an anime based on the first game, I was dreaming. I in fact was dreaming , dreaming that the quality would be stellar. Xenosaga: The Animation is only recommendable to those who have already played the game, and want to see a different way of how the story is told.
While I do believe the story was slightly told better, it has a somewhat empty feeling about it that makes it much inferior to its video game counterpart. Earth has been abandoned, in fact it's been abandoned many times in other stories! But yeah, during a research excursion relating to the most powerful weapon in the world KOS-MOS, the Woglinde, the one storing the veluctious battle android, was attacked by an unknown alien force known as the Gnosis. It seems like all hope is lost, until she awakens, and it's so predictable that I don't even have to tell you who woke up. Shortly after, Shion, the one moderating over the battle droid, and the droid herself, along with a large cast of other warriors with unique fighting abilities, are headed towards a mysterious place that will save their universe. But I can't tell you first why it's in trouble now can I?
Ahh! I know why the anime isn't as good as the video game version, and I just figured it out in the middle of writing this review (I'm serious...how pathetic of me....)! When I was watching my limited edition DVD of Xenosaga, I had a feeling, and it's called epic. Even though parts of the story in the anime were told better, particularly what happens in the end, it's not very epic. How it lost its epic touch is beyond me. Maybe the anime would have benefited more if it were in the hands of GAINAX, or even GONZO, but whoever the hell did this crap shouldn't get their hands on a Metroid license if Nintendo decides to give it an anime. Toei does have a lot of credibility in their haul, but whoever the hell did this crap should get fired! Unless they're rookies. Honestly, near the end, you could care less if the universe was blown up with you in it. In fact, you'd probably yell "Yes I'm finally out of this crappy anime!" if you were to die there. It's the complete opposite feeling in the video game.
Finally, I don't know how the hell you can screw up the animation. The overall atmosphere in the game is suppose to be quite dark, but here, it feels rather light hearted and not so dark. I know I'm making many comparisons, but I'm just irritated at how bad they converted this. The mechas that are used against battling the Gnosis were so cool in the game, but they look pathetic and weak in the anime. And KOS-MOS looses some of her image as a result of the lackluster animation effort. In the game, you get the image of a robot that doesn't smile. Here, you get the image of a robot that does smile. I mean what the hell? Humanoid robots are suppose to have a badass feel to them, unless the anime is outside the action catagory, and your name is Robo from Chrono Trigger. Good thing the sounds department isn't as bad. I particularly like the ending theme, and it would make me go as far as downloading it. Well, overall, just play the game.
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| Average |
7.3 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Well, I can't say that this was bad per se, but as a fan of the games, I was sorely disappointed. I thought that they would give at least some further insight into the world and times in which the game took place, but they decided to make a simple recreation of the cutscenes, plus some extra pointless digressions. That would have been forgivable, though, had the animation been on par with the CG stuff in the PS2 title. Indeed, the animation was what I had the biggest beef with, seeing as how they managed to mutilate perfectly good character designs which were ALREADY MADE FOR ANIME. I mean come on, Toei, can't you just use what you've already got?
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| Average |
2.8 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
1 |
| Character |
2 |
| Value |
1 |
| Enjoyment |
1 |
| I think most of you folk are being WAY too forgiving. Let's not mince words. Xenosaga The Animation should have been titled, "Xenostupidity The Execration."
It shouldn't, and doesn't, matter this was based on a game. It should stand on its own. But it doesn't. There are dialog and events in every episode that refer to elements that are never explained. Characters say things to each other that make no sense, or have emotional reactions that have no basis.
About midway through the series, they pulled off a rather funny set of parodies of other anime during a virtual reality sequence. It's too bad that was the only enjoyable few minutes (and in retrospect, it almost seems like an apology from the studio).
I think it was somewhere in episode 3 when I started laughing at stuff that wasn't intended to be funny. The dialog is so stupid you can either laugh or vomit. I prefer laughing, especially when presented with rubbish dialog (like the little android girl who everyone decided to start calling kirschewasser (a popular fansub has it spelled wrong) near the end...kirschewasser means cherry water in German...when characters, esp. Shion, start yelling, "Kirschewasser!!," I couldn't stop laughing).
If Mystery Science Theater 3000 was still around and did anime, Xenosaga would be at the top of the list. If you not the kind of person who can enjoy the incredible badness, steer clear.
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| Average |
7.7 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| I played through Xenosaga eps. 1, big fan of it and Xenogears.
I liked this Anime because it showed the storyline in a non-RPG universe; by this I mean Shion and MOMO don't fight and other more realistic stuff that obviously doesn't fly in an RPG game. The backstory of the game was more held intact than the actual plot of the game, and I liked the foreshadowing of her brother for Episode 2 (the game). I'd say if you took the time to read all the stuff in the game and liked that aspect then you will probably like this show enough to not be upset for watching it.
Quality was a bit rough, but the series is enjoyable. It does rely on you knowing the characters from the game, otherwise you might see them as stiff and not well explored.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| In my opinion Xenosaga The Animation is rated way to low. I have no idea why so many people dislike it. I found it very enjoyable even though I have never even played the game. The truth is that I hadn't even heard about the game since just before I watched the series. At first I was quite negative about it because I had no idea of what Xenosaga really is. This made me a bit confused. I didn't really know what the series was all about. I thought about quit watching but I decided not to do so because this is the work of NAMCO after all and I usually like them and their projects.
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CoachZ |
(2005-06-03 02:36:14) 2005-06-03 00:39:56 |
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| Average |
4.2 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
3 |
| Character |
3 |
| Value |
3 |
| Enjoyment |
2 |
| Aside from everything that was done "nicely" from the animation, nothing was as great from the storyline if you've played it already, which is something I’ve done unfortunately. But even if I didn‘t have though during the time I’d seen it, I still wouldn’t thought of it as great compared to the other RPG games that were based on the anime. I could’ve somewhat cared less on the violence in it, or even on those other events with the Gnosis. At least they did some decent job on the CGI animation, but yikes, the character design with KOS-MOS. They should've had some better quality on her look when they made her seen as an android-like character. The ending theme song was well orchestrated with the highly decent lyrics that were included, as for the character's seiyuu were just average on anything you would expect from this one. I really can’t recommend it, even for the fan of the game itself.
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| Average |
7.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| Well I have to admit, I played the game. But I didn't like the game exactly, however I trudged through it to, I beleive, the last boss guy. (was the last cut scene the length of a whole episode??)
Yes, and if your observant you'll see what I think of this anime. It's pretty much the EXACT cutscenes! There's a part inside the Kukai foundation that may not have happened (again not a fan so don't specifically know) but the outcome is the same.
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Khavanon |
(2005-05-21 20:20:09) 2005-05-21 20:14:50 |
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| Average |
1.8 |
| Animation |
2 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Story |
3 |
| Character |
2 |
| Value |
1 |
| Enjoyment |
1 |
| I'm going to keep the game out of this. Xenosaga THE ANIMATION (in big, bold letters), by itself is God awful. Where do I begin?
It was made to capitalize on its name, and only for that reason. I've played a lot of games, many of which could have been converted to anime, and if done correctly would have succeeded quite well. This marvel was designed with an absolute minimal budget in mind. If I were a voice actor, I'd be ashamed of whoring myself out to this load.
The animation was rotten. The only reason it doesn't get a 1 is because I've actually seen worse in shows other than those listed on this site. The story was rushed so that it lost most of its effect, but it's not the worst I've seen. The characters were flat and overabundant for the little time that they gave this show.
Ugh, if you like the game, don't see this. Let your perfect (or somewhat affected) vision of the game go unspoiled.
***********************
Trend FAQ:
Is it a Mecha?: Yes.
Is it a Harem?: No, the show focuses on two female characters. One male character, however, does have a spaceship full of girls.
Level of Speculative Fiction: Takes place in space involving factions on worlds unknown to us. Advanced technology, androids, as well as aliens.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| Its really hard to judge xeonsaga. Apart from the worse character design couple with some great 3dCG the story itself is quite ok, but not great though. I have not played the game,but none of the game outstanding animation made into the anime. If the story does not bore you the animation will. Something like Star Wars attack of the clones + save the world thing. Some terms may confuse you as its only those who played the game will understand it.
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Trevor ^^ |
(2005-04-23 00:47:08) 2005-04-23 00:45:28 |
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| I am a fan of the Xenosaga series, and I enjoyed this anime. At first, I was simply disgusted by the strange animation, and it bothered me for the first few episodes. It looks old. However, I got used to it and then it didn't bug me in the slightest.
The story is very rushed, and chances are, if you haven't played the game before, you'll have absolutely no idea what's going on. Many names and terms are used that aren't essential to the story, but it helps if you understand who is who and what all the different terms mean.
The sound is WONDERFUL. Particularly the ending theme. This anime seems slow at times, but the last 3 or so episodes make it SOO worth it! The use of music in these eps was astounding, and I had goosebumps the whole time from being so excited by the intensity of the plot and the music.
The characters aren't developed well enough, but it's forgivable since they tried cramming a whole game's story into 12 episodes. It's for the best that they stopped at 12 episodes(because it would've been a LOT worse if they dragged it out any longer than that), and I'd like to see ANYBODY try to cram the development of 6 or so major characters into 12 eps, while still having an interesting sci-fi plot with lots of explosive and exciting battles.
Though it may be a bit slow at times, you HAVE to finish this series once you start, because the ending is just too freaking cool! (KOS-MOS's awesome battle there ^_^) This is worth your time to download and watch if you liked the game, and don't just piss and moan about the less-than-perfect animation. Enjoy! ^_^
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MistaFuji |
(2005-04-22 13:39:19) 2005-04-22 13:36:04 |
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| Average |
5.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
3 |
| Enjoyment |
4 |
| Xenosaga the animation was a terrible idea. When I started watching this I had high hope for it because the game was so enjoyable. I was appalled at how bad this was. They tried too hard to make this unique from the game by adding more characters and tweaking the storyline. The story was very bland with very little action, and when there was action the animation was very sketchy. They spent too much time explaining the somewhat complex storyline while they took away what was most important: "substance." All the characters were boring and some of the new characters seemed like they didnt even need to be there. The only thing descent was probably the music. Overall a big disappointment. Id rather play the game again since the entire thing was all cinimatic sequences anyways.
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| Average |
9.8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| I'm honestly not sure why this anime has gotten such a bad review so far... I watched it today, and I was extremely impressed. Now, I'd heard about the game from my friend who was playing it, and he said there was an anime... WHich interested me, because I wanted tot alk to him about it, without playing the game (No PS2, see...)
This anime is spectacular. At least, in my opinion... I loved every aspect of it, although I will readily admit that the CGI was powerfully cheesy. I didn't think that the general animation quality was bad at all, though, and I'd like to know what people are comparing this to...
At any rate, although animation and sound are never what I primarily look for in an anime, I have to mention the sound... I was really very impressed by the BGM throughout this series. Especially during the last few episodes... I was really impressed.
There were a few issues where you could -tell- that things were being left out of the anime that were probably further explained in the game, but that's to be expected. They couldn't cram the anime full of explanatory details about what everything was, and still have it capture people's attention. Remember the lowest common denominator. ;)
The important things... the characterisation, and the emotion behind the characters... They were all there. And the ending to this anime was one of the most brilliant, beautiful things I've ever seen.
Additionally, this anime had no annoying moments of particularly crappy voiceacting, or moments that made you want to wince and look away.
It was just -good-.
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| Average |
8.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| I only played about 20 min of the game, so i get atleast some idea from this.
I know everytime they convert anything(manga, novel, or games) it hard to do a same good job on animation. Think of as manga. If you want more detail you just add page. In game if you want longer story you just keep adding more space/video. But in animation, they have airing date and compact time. So it'll be really hard to do a good job you expect the same thing with game. Let's face it, do you ever a good series that come from a game or dating game? Unless you can accept a new-adopt story in anime and respect the original script from game you'll never be satisfy.
I know the animation totally blow off from what decent anime in 2004 and 2005 but you gotta remember the game is not done in 2004, and I bet they used the same style that they used to created the game. As you always know, this is not their main market, they suck ass haha. But hey cut they some slack and you still get something to see from the game. Or if you don't like the game but want to give them another chance? Ha you can die and re-born for hundred times and game company still be suck making animation. It's not their forte so don't expect anything fancy.
BGM is I think only thing that'll be decent in avg anime. If you think clearly game have good ost, so this one will too as well. God.. I think I'm gonna stop wrting useless review.
LET'S JUST SAY THIS ANIME IS LIKE THE GAME ITSELF WITH LESS DETAILS, LESS TIME, AND THE ANIMATION DOESN'T CATCH 04~05 STANDARD. NOTHING IMPROVE, ONLY DOWNGREAD. If you like the story then play the damn game. Don't complain this anime about it.
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Ridian |
(2005-06-04 16:21:22) 2005-04-08 20:50:04 |
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| Average |
4.7 |
| Animation |
3 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
4 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
| This is a fairly pedestrian fanwank for any Xenosaga fans who happen to have time to burn on this. Having not played Xenosaga myself, I have little to offer in terms of how they changed or re-adapted the plot from the game, but even I can tell that a lot of the anime is very truncated and underdone.
The animation, for instance, is total slop almost all of the time. The CG is either repetitive or crappy and the animation is choppy and off-kilter. Character models look inconsistent and frightening and everything is very poorly drawn. The game, from my limited knowledge of screenshots and promo videos, looked excellent...so one would expect the anime to follow suit, especially with a fairly demanding fanbase. Unfortunately, it fails to live up to its predecessor in this aspect. A very shameful job on Toei's part.
The sound is primarily orchestral, but not very exciting. I didn't feel particularly roused by the BGM at any point in Xenosaga, though I found the ending theme okay in a very cheesy, sappy sort of way. The opening theme is an unspectacular, crashing instrumental song accompanied by rehashed scenes from the anime and KOS-MOS looking hideous.
Not only did the animation and sound of Xenosaga feel rushed, but its story and characterization did as well. When trying to adapt a 40+ hour game into a 12-episode anime, there's obviously gotta be sacrifices...even if random battles comprise of a lot of that time. Regardless, basically everything I watched felt totally railroaded towards its denoument, as if it was rushing just to get to the final fight scene and then finish. But if there's one positive thing I can honestly say about Xenosaga, it's that it has a good ending. The door is wide open for a sequel, but the emotional climax was sweet without being contrived and the final moments were meaningful enough. A second part would really help to beef up the underdeveloped and uninteresting characters...but I'm not really holding my breath. Frankly, I don't really have anything to say about the cast. I didn't have a favorite character because they felt totally devoid of personality; they were all just standing around, doing their part in the plot. I guess if I had to pick then it would be Shion or even KOS-MOS. Whatever.
The actual plot of Xenosaga itself is somewhat uninteresting science-fiction pulp. In a video game setting, that kind of story works because it comes in tandem with (hopefully) an engaging gameplay experience. In anime, however, it's just boring. The writing is fine and there's nothing actively wrong with the material, but I wasn't ever interested, concerned or enthralled. Maybe a step short of apathetic, but there's no suspense to speak of. I at first figured that someone who has played Xenosaga would appreciate this, but considering the very negative reviews the anime has generally gotten from fans I guess that proved me wrong. Then again, how could this really appeal to a casual viewer outside its marketing scope? This poor puppy is trapped in anime limbo for eternity, as far as I see it.
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nauXolo |
(2005-04-11 23:10:02) 2005-04-07 19:49:17 |
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| Average |
4.2 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
3 |
| Character |
4 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
3 |
| I've not played this game before, so I don't know anything about this. I feel that you must be a fan of this series to even begin to like this.
For there to be only 12 episodes is a bit shocking. I dont know if this is true, but if so this anime is pointless to the average anime viewer.
First of all, the plot, which is very limited because it is based on a game, develops in such a way where one doesn't know if only 12 episodes is a bliss or a pity.
The characters are stereotypical and stay that way, for example the emotionless robot weapon person to the overly emotional woman. No depth can be found here.
Ah, the worst thing about this anime is its use of animation. It feels like Outlaw Star in terms of animation but there is such a difference in years. The way this series uses anime is very unpleasant, unfitting, and ugly. Sure I can't draw any better, but for a space anime where the focus is on all these technological gadgets and trinkets, don't just show it through a style of the past.
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sun9 |
(2007-01-05 22:57:13) 2005-04-06 09:02:53 |
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| The animation isnt good when compared to the works seen the 2004 and 2005.
The characters (noticeably: shion, MOMO, Chaos) seems to have bloated cheeks which might have been caused by the combination of their hair modelling.
I played xenogears (not saga) before and it was intriguing.
Xenosaga was supposed to be the precessor of the xenogears setting.
As like xenogears, xenosaga displays some interesting analogies to some common concepts or terms people may have come across in life.
One thing that bugs me is they seem to use the word "will" too loosely.
If slightly more time have been spent on expanding that term, the anime may have been even better.
Anime shouldnt necessary follow strictly to the game in terms of details even though the main events is recommended to be retained, partly, to present some (fond) resemblence to fans or people who chase the series.
Afterall, xenosaga episode I (out of 6 epic episodes according to the game) was entitled something like "the power of will".
The anime should also indicate that it is only episode I of the xenosaga series out of main episodes.
This may allow people to accept that some things or concepts arent going to be clear so soon (based on xenogears experience).
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Oujirou |
(2005-04-11 05:54:37) 2005-04-05 05:22:24 |
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| Average |
7.8 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| I guess this series isn't quite as enthralling if you've already played the first two Xenosaga games like I have, but it's still worth watching. The anime does a few things differently, so it's worth watching for that alone. The animation's nothing to write home about, nor is anything else aside from the story and characters really. It's worth it to see Albedo at his best though.
This series may not be the best one out there, but it has its moments. And for a fan of the Xenogears/Xenosaga story, it's tough to resist watching. I was surprised to see that episode 12 was the final episode. Honestly, I thought it might go into the storyline from Xenosaga Episode 2, but it didn't. Oh well, maybe in the future. Hell, I'll watch it if they make some more.
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xgl2k |
(2005-03-15 14:17:07) 2005-03-15 14:15:38 |
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| Average |
7.3 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| Review as of episode 8.
The Xenosaga anime largely appeals to fans of the games, but even those who haven't played the games will find it to be a decent sci-fi show.
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