Xenogears – 20th Anniversary
Every Major Video Game Anniversary in February 2018
Xenogears’ story, gameplay, characters, and religious themes make it a must-play JRPG for any loyal fan of the genre. Released on February 11, 1998 for the original PlayStation, the game is almost biblical in nature as a grand, epic story seeped with lore unfolds for players to witness with their very own eyes. An “Active Time Battle” gauge with an AP meter and intricate combo system whirling in the midst of battle only adds another layer of immersion into the mix and serves as quite the accomplishment given the technical limitations that the medium faced at the time.
Aside from all this, Xenogears was the first Square game ever to feature voice overs and anime cutscenes, thus marking a precedent in which other developers would learn from and incorporate in their own games going forward. There’s also the game’s timeless soundtrack to consider, which will leave a lasting impression on you well after the credits roll.
