Xenosaga Episode I - Der Wille zur Macht

PlayStation 2 · 2004 · JP

Also known as: Xenosaga Episode 1 - Der Wille Zur Macht · Xenosaga Episode I : Der Wille zur Macht (US)

Namco Monolith Soft

Publisher: Namco · Developer: Monolith Soft

Xenosaga: Episode I, is a Japanese-style sci-fi role-playing game. The battle system is similar to Xenogears (combo attacks, AP and EP gauges, ...) but random encounters are eliminated. During combat the few upcoming ally and enemy turns are shown onscreen, allowing to make strategic decisions based on who will act next. A rolling slot moves with each turn as well, conferring a bonus such as added damage or bonus XP for any action on that turn. If the enemy would be in position to take an advantage then the player can expend a character's "boost" gauge to jump in, although enemies can boost as well. Each character has a unique tree of Ether spells they can learn by spending Ether points, with lower spells requiring spells above them to be purchased first. After a spell is purchased, so long is it does not require a unique talent of that character, the spell can also be purchased and learned by any other character that can afford double its normal cost. The Anti-Gnosis Weapon Systems can be used in combat provided that a character has enough AP on that turn to board their AGWS.