Xenogaga
I finished watching Xenosaga II, and I have written up a lot on that matter, but something went wrong (oops *lol*) and I lost that post. But I think, it mostly consisted of fangasming all over the Albedo-Rubedo-Sakura/MOMO love drama-lama. I seriously loved it, and Albedo over-9000!innuendo (also, cheese. Angel!Kirschwassers - pffft ooe mai lulz! XD ) I strongly suspect, though, that XSII is way better when you#re not playing it yourself. All the fights sure seemed long like a long cat. Heh.
So, of course, I started Episode III. First thought I had was "Woah, Myaru weren't kiddin', Shion IS a giant bitch here!" Second was "OHNOE! They changed Canaan's voice!" I don't care how awesome Steve blum's supposed to be, Beng Spies was soo sooo much better! Cool, aloof, and not trying to challenge Shion for the title of royal bitch. Additionally, I still prefer Sherry Lynn as MOMO, even if Christina Puccelli did her job well (also, she's Sunny. That counts. XD ) Now what's good is that they kept Yuriev's amazing voice actor. Looks like the whole "URTV-Family" got mazing voice actors, with excellent (or sexy) voice colors and respectable skills. XD Margulis also never fails, he is constantly good - so, sooo important for an antagonist!
Now for the other acoustic aspect: the music. Not impressed much. So far?? I mean, XSII had only, like two themes, but those two were executed well, and all their versions were very memorable. The music in XSIII is sorta non-descript yet. I suppose, it will get better? It is still Kajiura, after all.
Finally, the visuals. Well, I like how they've found the middle ground between Episode I's very anime style and Episode II's more sober (read: boring) style. Jin looks awesome! I mean, not just generically handsome, but his face shows this certain middle-ageness and that works very well with his voice and everything. Really good work there. Citrine's costume is also very nice. XD I like that it looks so warm. :D The backgrounds/landscapes are great, too. Love 'em futuristic cities! :D What is less lovely, is the direction/editing of the fighting scenes so far. That's particulary disappointing, since that spectacular Jin vs. Margulis fight. :/ ...But I'm only at Fith Jerusalem, there should be few more scenes to come, heh.
Finally, I'd like to take the side of an obnoxious old-school Xenogears fan and proclaim: "'Spiritual prequel'?! Looks more like a pretty darn straight&direct sequel to me!" Not it really matters that much anyway. Certainly, all those scenes that were included in the legendary 8min8sec trailer, but did not actually appear in XSI, they seem like a very conscious way of spiking the original XG fans' interest. ... Ah, nostalgia...
So, of course, I started Episode III. First thought I had was "Woah, Myaru weren't kiddin', Shion IS a giant bitch here!" Second was "OHNOE! They changed Canaan's voice!" I don't care how awesome Steve blum's supposed to be, Beng Spies was soo sooo much better! Cool, aloof, and not trying to challenge Shion for the title of royal bitch. Additionally, I still prefer Sherry Lynn as MOMO, even if Christina Puccelli did her job well (also, she's Sunny. That counts. XD ) Now what's good is that they kept Yuriev's amazing voice actor. Looks like the whole "URTV-Family" got mazing voice actors, with excellent (or sexy) voice colors and respectable skills. XD Margulis also never fails, he is constantly good - so, sooo important for an antagonist!
Now for the other acoustic aspect: the music. Not impressed much. So far?? I mean, XSII had only, like two themes, but those two were executed well, and all their versions were very memorable. The music in XSIII is sorta non-descript yet. I suppose, it will get better? It is still Kajiura, after all.
Finally, the visuals. Well, I like how they've found the middle ground between Episode I's very anime style and Episode II's more sober (read: boring) style. Jin looks awesome! I mean, not just generically handsome, but his face shows this certain middle-ageness and that works very well with his voice and everything. Really good work there. Citrine's costume is also very nice. XD I like that it looks so warm. :D The backgrounds/landscapes are great, too. Love 'em futuristic cities! :D What is less lovely, is the direction/editing of the fighting scenes so far. That's particulary disappointing, since that spectacular Jin vs. Margulis fight. :/ ...But I'm only at Fith Jerusalem, there should be few more scenes to come, heh.
Finally, I'd like to take the side of an obnoxious old-school Xenogears fan and proclaim: "'Spiritual prequel'?! Looks more like a pretty darn straight&direct sequel to me!" Not it really matters that much anyway. Certainly, all those scenes that were included in the legendary 8min8sec trailer, but did not actually appear in XSI, they seem like a very conscious way of spiking the original XG fans' interest. ... Ah, nostalgia...