If you haven't played the previous games in the series, then bringing you up to speed is no small task. The Gnosis have wrought havoc throughout space, and the golden artifact known as the Zohar is involved somehow. The anti-gnosis battle android named KOS-MOS has developed human qualities, and this is freaking people out. Expect the same sort of direction from Xenosaga II as the game heads for its premature climax (the series was originally slated to run through six installments). You'll have 7 playable characters from Episode II, and some new combatants to manage as well, even if they do seem rather wimpy by comparison.
The combat system is a hybrid of what was in place for Xenosaga I and II. The developers have done away with the zone attack/zone break system, which lead to faster battles. It's also worth nothing that load times leading into battles are instantaneous. To lend some strategy to drawing enemies into combat, you can purchase up to ten traps before venturing into dangerous territory, and these traps can be placed outside of combat, allowing you to lure enemies into them through careful strategy and management of their aggressive nature. Get an enemy caught in a trap, and the turn-based combat will reflect this with some form of bonus, be it damage or a turn advantage.
There are a few improvements that have been added at the request of the series' fans. You'll be able to shop in stores and purchase items of value, something that gamers felt was lacking before. An in-depth Segment File manages all of the side quests, and there's a full encyclopedic system in place to help make sense of the story and characters when things seem to get a little strange. If you enjoyed the previous games, then undoubtedly this one is right up your alley. Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra is set for release later this year.
