Xenosaga: Episode II. Let's discuss it!

[SOLDIER]

THIS THREAD HAS SPOILERS FOR EPISODE I. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

I've been in the mood to have a discussion about theories and such about Episode II. Well, after watching the newest trailers about Episode II:

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/xenosaga2/media.html

I now have completely forgotten about FFXII.

....Okay, not really, but my anticipation for the 2nd instalment of the 2nd biggest RPG series (fine, IMO, let's not start) has not wavered.

Here's a couple more shots before I get started.

http://www.dengekionline.com/data/ne...2e7601b28.html

http://www.zdnet.co.jp/games/gsnews/0311/06/news11.html

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/...107/tigraf.htm

Okay, now here's everything that's known so far (these are FACTS, not my opinion, unless indicated with a "maybe" or "possibly").

1. EP II takes place A FEW MINUTES before the end of EP I, as the crew escape Proto Merkabah.

2. Jin will be a playable party member.

3. Jr is the main character this time around. Shion is only a supporting lead.

4. MOMO's role will greatly increase in this Ep (like it wasn't obvious enough, since they keep showing her glowing over and over).

5. There will be an explanation for Shion no longer needing glasses. Since they've mentioned this more than once, it probably has more relavence to the story than a simple laser eye surgery.

6. Jr and MOMO's relationship will be expanded on. To let you know where they stand, an offical XS artbook stated "MOMO has fallen in love with Jr, but because of his past, Jr is afraid to get to close to MOMO, for fear of hurting her further."

7. There will be a lengthy flashback with the 3 (or more?) URTVs, specifically Albedo, Rubedo, and Nigredo. The flashback might be PLAYABLE as well!

8. The new blonde haired guy might be shown in the URTV flashback, thus proving that he is #668.

9. Rubedo and Albedo were friends during this time. Jr affectionately hugs Albedo from behind. Albedo was perfectly sane at this time.

10. Jr and Albedo will fight each other again, possibly for the last time. SMACKDOWN!! Hope it's like the Neo/Smith fight in Matrix Revolutions.

11. Albedo will be the main villain once again.

12. The emblem on KOS-MOS' head is a built-in Hilbert Wave. With it, she no longer needs to wear a visor to unleash the Hilbert Effect. It may have other uses as well, like a built-in camera.

13. The more serious look of the characters reflects on the story taking a MUCH darker and serious tone. Expect the equivalent of Xenogears' 2nd disc (in terms of pure drama).

14. The brown-haired girl shown in some shots is DEFINETELY Sakura Mizrahi, the original MOMO. She is shown playing the piano while Juli watches over her.

15. That same piano is shown during one of the earlier trailers, in an empty, ominious prescence.

16. An army of Gnosis are seen heading for Pleroma, the U-TIC's base. Good news or bad news for Margulis?

17. Albedo's main goal is the revival of U-DO.

18. Albedo views U-DO as a sort of ultimate God.

19. Here's a BIG ONE. Might be a spoiler, for those who want to be left out, so I'll mark it as one.

Spoiler:

---

In the newest trailer, Sakura is seen conversing with the 3 URTVs. This confirms that Jr and Albedo knew about Sakura before they met MOMO. This might indicate Jr's current feelings for MOMO, and I BET this also explains Albedo's twisted desire for her. I bet there was a love triangle between the three.

---

20. A huge winged creature is seen hatching (literally) from a planet. Many speculate it as Xenogears' Deus (it sure looks like him).

21. Jr is seen having chest pains, which indicates Albedo's prescence (I thought MOMO would be the one experiencing this?).

22. MOMO's new outfit isn't a sign of her growing older, but a sign of her expressing her individuality. By this time, MOMO has been mass-produced, as planned. Thus, there may be hundreds of MOMOs shown at once ("No enemy shall withstand our combined CUTENESS!" ).

This is quite interesting, and might be handled more seriously than you think. It could reflect on MOMO's desire to be unique, and thus looking at all those copies of her might depress her even further. That whole "I'm not a doll!" angst found in shows like Evangelion. I also predict a massacre of those MOMOs, like the one with the Kirchwassers. Albedo's going to have a field day with all these peches.

23. A Xenosaga anime series has been confirmed. No other details were announced, and normally I would scream like a little girl at the news, but after the disaster of a certain anime based on a certain major RPG, I'll be holding off until I see some screens. It might show stories that took place during the episodes, possibly with side characters, as the director mentioned.

24. All 3 party members may appear on the field at once, just like in XG.

25. The new guy's name is theorized to be either "Oedo", or "Citrinis". Neither of these are confirmations, but I'll post 'em just in case.

26. The rumored release date is August in Japan. This doesn't sit well for me, since it means it might take until next X-mas to come out for US, unless Namco works on the translation during development (can they do that? I know Konami is doing it with Suikoden IV).

Whew. Now, here are some small bits I was able to translate from the trailer.

Mary: "MOMO-chan!? W..what's...!?" (while she's glowing)

Shion: "What's wrong, Jr-kun!?" (while he clutches his chest)

Jr: "It's...Albedo."

Young Albedo: "Ru...Be...Do..."

MOMO (glowing again): "Guh....guh....guh.." (it sounds like she's babbling, or in pain. I'm not sure if she's actually saying anything).

Shion: "MOMO-chan!?"

MOMO: "STOP IIIIIIITTT!!"

Albedo: (As he receives power from within Simeon)"Do you see me, Rubedo?! That's right...WATCH US BECOME GOD!" (Translated from a zenosaga member).

From the above, it seems the MOMO glowing thing might be a bad thing. It could be as I theorized before, that she attempts to link with the UMN, but Albedo then interefers (perhaps something he implanted in her during the probing) which screws her up. If anything bad happens to her again, I'm just gonna tear up...

Oh, and the music is INCREDIBLE. Seriously, I was awestruck. It contains the same Celtic beauty that Mitsuda is used to. In fact, it might surpass his work. I can't get enough of it.

So let's have a discussion! Post your theories, concerns, hopes, etc. More MOMO and Jr? Hell yeah!

Oh, and look at this.
http://forums.ffonline.com/showthrea...threadid=21562

Oh, wait, that's not news, that's just my fanfiction. Silly me.

Seriously, I implore and beg for more comments on the story. I recently uploaded my finest chapter yet, and NO ONE has commented on it. Why? I've gotten rave reviews from ff.net. I seriously want more comments on it. Perhaps all of you getting back to the XS spirit will benefit me?

Next post, I have some official manga images that may shock and surprise you. Look forward to it.

[prince leon]

I haven't forgotten about XS: Episode II either!

Some things I wish to get more info is Jin's involvement in the story. I hope they are planning to reveal more about chaos seeing as there were some seriously questionable events in XS that felt a bit awkward. Such as that strange discussion between himself and Nephilim. Though I won't hold my breath I hope we get to see more of Abel and get an explanation as to why he is around.

Little stuff:
I'm expecting some excellently composed battle themes. I remember the news about there being separate boss and normal battle themes (YES!).

I do think I remember it being said that the transition between walking on the 'field' and getting into battle will be shortened.

Oh and SOLDIER where can I see the pic of the huge lifeform hatching from a planet?

[Crusader]

Really, I'm not into theorizing. I mean, there's gonna be a plot and that game will tell it for me, so why try spend so much time trying to debunk the surprise.

On the other hand, rather than give another post saying that Xenosaga Episode II will probably be good at best though better than Episode I and Xenogears, I'm going to tell my HOPES!

Here is the -Dream Xeno Scenario-

There has been a great disturbance in -The Force-. Nephilim, an evil little girl with annoying dialogue has invoked the wretched spirit of -Hideaki Anno- and intends to use this power to cover the galaxy in lamely-crafted Christian Imagery, resurrect the Dark One, and destroy all who oppose her in one big cross-shaped EXPLOSION!

The people live in ph33r!

But hope springs eternal, as -Keanu Reeves- empowers three mighty souls with his...-Holy Power-: Big Joe, Hammer (played by Joe Camel), and the -CAPTAIN OF THE THAMES!!!-. And so they embark out on the Superlegendary Mobile Battlefortress of Mother Fucking Death THAMES to free the galaxy from Nephilim's twisted grip and prevent Anno's revival.

Can they do it? Find out in Xenosaga Episode X: Der X is for XCELLENT! Yah! (*air guitar*)

[SOLDIER]

I hope they are planning to reveal more about chaos seeing as there were some seriously questionable events in XS that felt a bit awkward. Such as that strange discussion between himself and Nephilim. Though I won't hold my breath I hope we get to see more of Abel and get an explanation as to why he is around.

Doh, I forgot. Yes, all of chaos' story will be revealed.

The 3 major plot points of Ep II are:

Jr's rivalry with Albedo

chaos' secrets revealed

Jr and MOMO's relationship

Can't wait, though honestly I'm not terribly excited about chaos' story, since it will most likely be "I'm an angel/spirit/alien/god sent to this world".

I'm expecting some excellently composed battle themes. I remember the news about there being separate boss and normal battle themes (YES!).

Yep. Kajiura is handling most of the cutscene music, while some other guy (forgot his name) will be handling battle and town themes.

I do think I remember it being said that the transition between walking on the 'field' and getting into battle will be shortened.

Yes. Transition between menus will be faster as well.

I'll see if I can find that monster planet pic you want.

Read the fanfiction!!

EDIT: Who loves ya, baby?

http://brothers.phimud.com/tas/pic4.jpg

http://brothers.phimud.com/tas/pic5.jpg

http://brothers.phimud.com/tas/pic6.jpg

[prince leon]

Thanks alot for the pics SOLDIER

You know when I look at those pics it does seem to be Deus. I doubt that it's U-DO because I don't think it has the sort of form. But if it is so Deus what would that suggest? Maybe they (as in whoever the maniacs are ) managed to build an organic super computer that required so much energy to even be conceived at birth it probably had to be 'born'. This is of course only a theory if that is Deus at all.

Man my excitement for this game grows more and more each day.

EDIT: I'll be sure to read your fanfic. When you mentioned that you also have it on ff.net I searched and located your pen name. Though I think I'll read it here first. Well my pen name is - of course - prince leon there as well. Anyway I'll be sure to check out your fanfic as it has been a while since I have.

[Xiu Xiu]

Yeah, Xenosaga II is probably my most wanted title right now. Though, it will probably be a while before we see it here in the US. Hopefully it won't take a year and a half to come out in America, after the Japanese release like ep I. I'm so excited!! Other than that, I don't want to hear much about it. I'd like to be completely unknowing when I start playing it.

[SOLDIER]

EDIT: I'll be sure to read your fanfic. When you mentioned that you also have it on ff.net I searched and located your pen name. Though I think I'll read it here first.

I really appreciate it, since you happen to be a XS fan. This is my greatest gift to all fans of XS. Even I'm surprised at some of the stuff I put. I'd suggest to just go straight to MOMO's chapter, because it's just so damn good, but it would be wisest to start with Shion. I am planning on editing her chapter, so I can put everything in past tense (I don't know what I was thinking putting it in present tense).

Hopefully it won't take a year and a half to come out in America, after the Japanese release like ep I.

Odds are very good that the translation will be MUCH faster this time around. Here's why:

1. All the VAs work for the same company, ZRO, so they won't have to acquire each actor seperately.

2. It's only been less than a year since they dubbed the game.

3. Much of the terminology has already been translated (I heard this was a big account for the long wait time).

4. It took twice as long last time because, according to a Namco rep, they finished dubbing about halfway, then took a look at their work, and decided that it was subpar. Thus, they went back and did a better dub.

Now the most major hope is that Namco USA works with Namco Jap to dub the game while it's being made. Haven't they done that before? Or will they have to wait until it's released in Japan first?

Now, here's some terrific news. Courtesy of Soraya Saga (one of the BIG names for XS. She created Jr, MOMO, Albedo, Ziggy, and just about everyone related to them), here is a translation of the newest trailer! This was taken from zenosaga.com

Lyrics of the song in the trailer is made of coined words. (you can confirm it at the composer's website) It's a sort of an exotic shoo-be-do-wah. Nobody can translate.
As far as I know, Richard is a very nice and considerate person. He can be highly appreciated.

And this is spoken lines of the trailer.
(Disclaimer: this stuff had been already published by the trailer itself. Not a scoop. Right?)

Jin: Probably we humans are like a small bug drawn to the light... without knowing what lies ahead.
S.O.C.E operator: Enormous data traffics by high speed languages from an invisible field!
The girl with brown hair (she looks alike M.O.M.O.): I'm going to have a sister ...so I'd like to ask you to take care of her and my mom instead of me.
Jin:I've got to go and let the matter be done.
Margulis: So I know that you know what I do.
Chaos: This could be...
KOS-MOS: Shion. Shion is calling me.
Allen: The encephalon field connection is now established.
Shion: O.K. Start it.
Jr.: Right, here we go.
Mary: Momo? Did you say something?
M.O.M.O.: Beware...this is a trap...
Rubedo: Bleeding... I can't stop Nigredo's bleeding...
Allen: The encephalon field is rapidly collapsing!
Shion: Momo!
M.O.M.O: Stop it!
Jr.: A...l...be...do!
Shion: KOS-MOS, shoot it!
Albedo: This is the kye of the abyss... Rubedo, can you see? This is a heavenly sound to wake Miltia out of a deep sleep.

This isn't the complete trailer, mind you. More bits will be translated soon.

[Rio-Sensei]

KOS-MOS: Shion. Shion is calling me.

Faithfulness to the KOS-MOS/Shion subtext (or more like OVER-text, considering the end of episode one... ) continuing through episode two, perhaps? Or maybe I'm too hopeful...

[SOLDIER]

Faithfulness to the KOS-MOS/Shion subtext (or more like OVER-text, considering the end of episode one... ) continuing through episode two, perhaps? Or maybe I'm too hopeful...

Ah, yes, that old debate (for reference, another line in the trailer is Shion going "KOS-MOOOOOOSSS!!!"). After seeing the ending to Ep I, I'm really having trouble figuring this one out. Does Shion view KOS-MOS as a daughter, or something more?

It does seem odd that Shion would view such an "older" character like KOS-MOS as a daughter. After all, I think MOMO fits the daughter role for Shion quite nicely (something that I'M hopeful for in Ep II, but I'll get to that later).

There seems to be quite a bit of subtext. There's Shion's dedication to KOS-MOS' outward appearance (this is mentioned here and there), there's that love song played during the ending, not to mention chaos' line ("Shion is binded to her"), and who could forget that illustration?

Need futher proof? Then prepare for this.

These are fan translated images taken from the OFFICIAL XS manga. This is from the joke section of the comic, and since the stories were all written by fans, I've been told that I shouldn't view them as canon. However, I keep making the point that since Namco themselves licensed the book, I don't think they would allow them to write any material that might mislead the fans. After all, there's plenty of stories that DO seem to follow the storyline (Jr's feelings for MOMO, along with some hints about Albedo's past, as well as a few more hints of his...sexual preference).

So either regard these as hints to Shion and KOS-MOS' relationship, or ignore them completely. Either way, prepare for a shock.

No matter how many times I see this, it still cracks me up. Now if only someone would draw MOMO in a chibi-KOS-MOS outfit.

Cute, just a little subtext.

This is the funniest one, by far.

Should be R.Blade.

She's talking about Krelian. Really.

Hey, I'll volunteer.

I bet she'd like that.

Aren't we the picky bitch?

Even Androids need TLC

Wonder where he keeps them all?

Even MOMO lovers, like myself, will find this funny

Anyway, I for one think it's very possible. Hell, if they allow pedophilia in the game, lesbianism doesn't seem like a stretch.

[Rio-Sensei]

(not _really_ a spoiler, but...)
.
.
.
Shion: "I always thought of her like a daughter...or
maybe like a *friend*, maybe..."
.
.
.
the little things...

[prince leon]

LOL those are some great pics there SOLDIER. Especially the one with Shion's "hot lesbians want you" email.

[SOLDIER]

I'm more disturbed about the "enlarge your penis!" E-mail. Something you're not telling us, Shion?

Anyway, here's a long article with an utterly wacky theory. chaos is....KEVIN!!?

http://guardian.leamonde.net/analysi...ticchaos.shtml

Hell, stranger things have happened in the series. Still, this one seems like a long shot.

[prince leon]

chaos as Kevin? No freaking way that could be possible! First of all, they look nothing alike. If he was Kevin wouldn't he somehow still at least possess some of the feelings he had for Shion when he was living despite the theory that he was split into separate entities? His attention seems to be more focused on KOS-MOS.

[SOLDIER]

I always thought chaos and Pellegri resembled each other. Notice the cross she's wearing? That usually represents something in the Xeno series.

[prince leon]

Hmmm, Pellegri. Yeah I remember her. Though she wasn't exposed much in Episode I. Now that you mention it they do sort of look alike. But like you said earlier that Kevin theory is loooong shot.