Χ-Play (2003)

Xenosaga II, Digital Devil Saga, D-Day and more! (3x27)

Air date: Mar 23, 2005

On tonight's episode of X-Play, we take a look at Xenosaga II. When the first Xenosaga came out, it was the first of a promised five prequels to a fan-favorite Square RPG, Xenogears. Two years after the original game’s release, Namco presents us with the second installment in their sci-fi pre-epic. Xenosaga II presents players with a lot of surface improvements over the original game, but look a little deeper and the game comes up short compared to other RPGs out there, and even its forbear. With an obscure and intimidating name like Shin Megami Tensei, you know this is the type of game that isn’t for everyone. People who take their religion seriously might not care for a guy employing Kali, Dionysus, and the archangel Gabriel to beat up on other deities. But hey, you actually don’t make pacts with any demons in Digital Devil Saga. You eat them. We sink our fangs into this wicked RPG and let you know that not only is demon meat rich in the unholy vitamins and minerals that growing teens need, it tastes pretty darn good as well. You’d think that a World War II-themed game that sports the official seal of approval from the Normandie Mémoire 60ème Anniversaire would be, you know, good. Or at least competitive with the hundreds of other tactical strategy games we’ve had to stomach. But D-Day somehow manages to not only be a bad game, but one that actually insults the very event it portrays. Nice job, guys. The Worms series has always hidden deep gameplay beneath a deceptive veneer of cutesy graphics and goofy gags. Forts Under Siege adds a new element to the tried-and-true Worms formula in the form of, well…forts. While the action still features teams of four heavily armed worms trying to blow each other to kingdom-come, it's augmented by the need to build and maintain fortifications. Call it a thinking worm's warfare. Plus, don't miss out on our Great Games Series segment. Tune in tonight!