Recap of Xenosaga: Episode II (RECAPitation)

An in-depth plot summary of Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse explaining everything that happened.
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#Xenosaga #XenosagaII #OniBlackMage

[@chaosgilleon6433]

When I was young I broke my knee cap and was bedridden for a month, I had finished xenosaga episode 1 and had just started episode 2, I distinctly remember even if I wasn't playing the game I would Boot It Up and leave it on the title screen just to hear the Beautiful music.

[@SubduedRadical]

If I recall correctly, Episode 1 and the first half of Episode 2 (first disk? Up through the end of the Momo memory arc) was supposed to be a single episode, which is why that part of Episode 2 drags so long, since it was basically stretched out "filler" to make it fully half of an episode itself. The latter half of Episode 2 was a little compressed as a result, and probably only part of what was ORIGINALLY supposed to be Episode 2.. After Episode 2 didn't sell well, they got cut from 6 to 3 games, meaning they had to take what WAS going to be Episodes 3, 4, 5, and 6, as well as the rest of what was supposed to be Episode 2, cut out all the "fat" they could, and compressed it all into Episode 3. This is why Episode 3 was so crunched, but also had the positive side effect of it being very eventful, without the long stretches of not much happening that were in Episodes 1 and 2. But it also ended up with a lot of things having to be cut out, mentioned in passing, or relegated to the data log/encyclopedia rather than shown and dealt with in-game, and the ending had to be kind of slapped together to make a semi meaningful ending given the compressed amount of story they had room for. All in all, Xenosaga was an interesting and good series with a compelling and in-depth story, but really is only half (if EVEN half) of what it was originally intended/had to the potential to be. The really should do a remake. If nothing else, it might give the series some popularity, as it's already a cult classic.

[@cactus-mcjacktus]

It might just be the curse of the Xeno games. As popular as JRPGs are, they are a lot more artsy and thematic than the casual player night want, and when people don’t gel with that, things get cancelled and the original vision has to be tampered with. Happened with Xenogears, happened with Xenosaga, not sure if it happened with Xenoblade or not but it doesn’t entirely seem so.

[@OniBlackMage]

Here by Very popular demand by Patrons and comments both, please enjoy the second episode of the Xenosaga trilogy. I will promptly begin work on Episode III, no worries, but like most projects, it's bumped up the queue, but not next in line. Thank you all for your support, please continue to share this video, subscribe for more content and look forward to the next episode. I also want to say, GEEZ, what a headache to upload this... FIVE times it got copyright claimed until I put up a version that did not immediately get flagged by robots, so keep your fingers crossed. Are there other series I have already started you would like for me to update with remaining installments? Next RECAPitation will be: Zero Time Dilemma (or Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, whichever I finish first)

[@tougakun]

Interesting note the xenosaga 1 and 2 ds version is closer to the original version of xenosaga 1 as originally xenosaga 1 was going to be much longer but like Xenogears they had issues finishing the game on time so the 2nd half of episode 1 was just rolled into episode 2.

[@isaacgraff8288]

Thank you so much for doing this one.

[@levirivers2772]

Thank you for doing these stories as I played xenosaga 1 but was never able to play the second or third.

[@steven7936]

Your going to try and make sense of episode 3? I wish you luck.

[@SubduedRadical]

@@steven7936 Episode 3 wasn't bad. Honestly, Episode 2 was the one that always confused me the most. Granted, I did spend literal hours reading the datalogs in Episode 3. A LOT of story and the underlying mechanics of the world were revealed in those, which is something I've done in my own writing since (work out the mechanics of things like magic in the worlds I write about), but by reading them, I probably understood far more of the story than a person who didn't read them might have.

[@nytro-nick7660]

They need to remake this game into one that is bearable.

[@rogerarteaga2665]

This whole trilogy was quite garbage. The only one that was deemed reasonably good was the last game.

[@snibborg12]

The combat was so tedious in this one.

[@rogerarteaga2665]

@@snibborg12 The only good thing about it were the cinematics and a handful of the music was great. Everything else was quite a dumpster fire.

[@isaacgraff8288]

No kidding. I absolutely hated the combat system.

[@chicodepuertorico1450]

Garbage... garbage garbage garbage!

[@NettechZelkova]

Momo take the wheel.

[@x.MaverickHunter.x]

When the Xenosaga games came out. I was excited as I thought it would expand on the Xenogears lore. I was told it wasn’t.

[@LunaP1]

EvilMaverickHunter a remake of these games with less discs thanks to today’s console generation would be great. I played these games and want to play them again.

[@rook1196]

Ep. 1 was great, but very cutscene heavy if that's not your thing. Ep2 was OK, Takahashi got fired 1/2 way into development and they ditched some of the good ep1 VAs. Xp 3 other than the most excellent Kajura tracks was trasssssssshhhhhhhh.

[@washoywa]

dorothydreams oftornadoes not rly, xs 123 was suposed to be xenogears 1

[@Animebryan2]

@@washoywa No, it wasn't. The entire Xenosaga Trilogy was only supposed to be 2 episodes, with Ep1 & 2 being 1 whole episode & Ep3 (including the skipped Gnosis Terrorism incident) was supposed to be Ep2. The planned Ep. 3 & 4 were supposed to take place sometime after XS3 with a different protagonist, & Ep5 & 6 were supposed to be another arc in which Xenogears would actually be Ep5.

[@washoywa]

@@Animebryan2 your argument might be correct only after mine was debunked at the time of the events. The dev rumors were that xs1 2 3 would retell the events of xenogears 1 as told in perfect works.

[@mrx9540]

As someone who just found out about this Trilogy of games, thanks for resuming and explain the plot of all these games, I was shocked by how much plot there was in Episode 1

[@SwiftGundam]

Geez Louise, I forgot how extensive the story is. And that some of the mechs have awesome transformations. I really want a toy of them all. Gimmicks included.

[@LunaP1]

There’s still a lot more that wasn’t put into the PS2 version. The Data File section explains a lot of terms, references and previous info from the DS versions.

[@Stryder467]

I'm surprised this RECAP was shorter than the previous one, but I suppose Xenosaga Ep. 1 did have a lot more cinematic to watch while Ep. 2 was more saturated with gameplay. I must compliment your ability to RECAP games that are so dense with lore like this, a series where it feels like a new acronym was emerging in every cutscene. Supremely done and I can't wait for Ep. 3. I'll meet you on the next battlefield.

[@TwoFacedKid4]

Once you're done with Xenosaga you definitely need to do the Xenoblade games. They're really deserving of a recapitation.

[@karateLEMON]

Haha Xenoblade chronicles 2 will always be summed up by Rex saying 'Easssseey Peeeeesseey' yet the game is far from but clocked in 80 hrs when I first played it and still didn't make much of a dent in the games story haha beautiful series😊

[@kennyhammons]

Glad you're still doing these. I enjoy these videos

[@Tilkino]

I always love how you explain every side of story at same time making everyone join the party as we all know isn't impossible in the game. My favorite Star Ocean series.

[@jayistrying4558]

Okay, Jr is my favorite character. He actually convinced me to read 20,000 leagues under the sea. Canaan is also fine af. 1 had anime look 2 had a slightly realistic features. 3 combined both

[@austincha689]

OMG thank you so much for this video and doing this series again!! I can't wait for Episode 3!! BIG BIG BIG FAN OF YOURS!! Thank you so much! Take your time and I'll be waiting :)

[@Aaron-x3]

Thrilled to see you did Ep II. Can't wait for Ep III. Great work OBM!

[@MetaSieg]

Very nice recap. I started playing Episode III recently and this helped jog my memory of the story up to this point.

[@WALKUREX]

Manny Mark my words your channel is going to be HUGE next year. Thanks for the wonderful content! May I please make a suggestion for Ephemeral Fantasia? Much love from vancouver

[@ShimaS-0079]

I just hate the chracters faces. Mainly Shion . She has this blank face

[@Captain1nsaneo]

I just hate Shion on principle.

[@rogerrodriguessilveira8162]

@@Captain1nsaneo Why ?

[@Captain1nsaneo]

@@rogerrodriguessilveira8162 Her single minded focus often made her act like a complete idiot in a lot of situations which was deeply annoying while playing.

[@nightshroud9671]

KOS-MOS's design in 2 was honestly pretty bad to look at. Especially the face.

[@ConstantlyKenny]

ooo yes I've been waiting for this also big sad this story didn't get finished

[@MrFullMetalEdward]

Didn't it finish with Xenosaga Episode 3?

[@Shishiyahuda0703]

@@MrFullMetalEdward IIRC This series was originally supposed to be a six-part series, but the developers didn't have a large enough budget, so they had to settle for only making 3 games, forcing them to cram the story together the best way they could with the fiscal limitation. I loved these games when they originally came out, and I wish they'd get a new dev team like SE to do remakes, but I know that'll never happen.

[@СергейСтаровойтов-д4с]

​@@Shishiyahuda0703 this is incorrect. They wanted to make six-part series which would consist of 3 story arks, but they only managed to cover the first ark which is about Shion. 2nd would probably be Xenogears remake and 3rd - Xenogears episode VI.

[@Shishiyahuda0703]

@@СергейСтаровойтов-д4с So.....um exactly how does what you're saying make what I said above incorrect? Just because I didn't break down the specifics of the game's original development plan, doesn't mean I was wrong in my original statement. "THIS SERIES WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE A SIX-PART SERIES". I don't really care what they were going to call it, or what the "ARKS" were planned to be about, it was still going to be SIX parts, but like dorothydreams oftornadoes said "They didn't have the budget because the game tanked." Let's not play these games of semantics.

[@SPB___]

​@@Shishiyahuda0703pretty indignant response considering you're the one that doesn't seem to know how to read

[@DammnDeejay]

Yay THANK YOU for taking your time to do this!!

[@martinhennigan1113]

I remember seeing a japanese audio trailer for Xenosaga 1 that includes footage from several pivotal cutscenes in this game. It always seemed like it was meant to have been one gigantic episode 1. If only the entire project could have continued without all the strife and budget issues.

[@Rem694u2]

Originally Xenosaga was supposed to be way longer. It was intended to be like 5+ episodes but it got cut down and that kind of ruined it by making it have more cutscenes than gameplay because it needed so much exposition dump. IDK why they decided to cut it down because episode was was very successful and sold over 1.5M copies. Very good for it's time.

[@SubduedRadical]

@@Rem694u2 If I recall correctly, Episode 1 and the first half of Episode 2 (first disk? Up through the end of the Momo memory arc) was supposed to be a single episode, which is why that part of Episode 2 drags so long, since it was basically stretched out "filler" to make it fully half of an episode itself. The latter half of Episode 2 was a little compressed as a result. After Episode 2 didn't sell well, they got cut from 6 to 3 games, meaning they had to take what WAS going to be Episodes 3, 4, 5, and 6, cut out all the "fat" they could, and compress it into Episode 3. This is why Episode 3 was so crunched, but also had the positive side effect of it being very eventful, without the long stretches of not much happening that were in Episodes 1 and 2. But it also ended up with a lot of things having to be cut out, mentioned in passing, or relegated to the data log/encyclopedia rather than shown and dealt with in-game, and the ending had to be kind of slapped together to make a semi meaningful ending given the compressed amount of story they had room for. All in all, Xenosaga was an interesting and good series with a compelling and in-depth story, but really is only half (if EVEN half) of what it was originally intended/had to the potential to be. The really should do a remak. If nothing else, it might give the series some popularity, as it's already a cult classic.

[@ATHEK104]

Ive watched you videos quite a bit now and keep up the good work man 👍

[@Rem694u2]

Well done! Can't wait for episode 3!

[@steven7936]

xenosaga 2 never followed up with what happened to shion in episode 1.

[@technomage6736]

It never is specifically mentioned again, but (spoiler alert) it was Shion herself who called the gnosis as a result of her contact with U-DO.

[@blueflare3299]

Would I be a big dumb idiot if I said the only reason I searched this up was to know what the hell happened in that flashback in Xenoblade 2?

[@ennislange1304]

What flashback are you talking about. The one in chapter 7 at the end of Elpys or the Chapter 10 opening?

[@blueflare3299]

@@ennislange1304 10 opening.

[@carlb1874]

thanks for airing this on a Saturday night so the whole community could be there to watch! love your videos and keep up the awesome work.

[@topiasky2149]

I really need part 3, thank you for making sense of it all

[@0Raik]

Bad news. Nothing makes sense.

[@coyotestarship7412]

This is so heavy it’s the thickest JRPG plot of all times

[@KyleTO7]

Since Kos-Mos an Te-los are Xenoblade 2 I could see them remastering this game in the next few years. It all looks really good still, all the cutscenes at least .

[@Flareboxx]

I LOVE your recap videos! Would you by any chance do some of the Fire Emblem games (Three Houses, Awakening, Fates, Echoes)? Nier Automata, Octopath Traveler, Tales of Zestiria/Berseria, Persona 5, or even some of the recent Zelda games would be awesome as well!

[@OniBlackMage]

Fire Emblem: Yes Nier Automata: Yes Octopath Traverler: Maybe Tales of Zestiria/Berseria: Yes Legend of Zelda: Yes

[@Flareboxx]

@@OniBlackMage That would be so awesome!!

[@dark_scintilla]

I will wait patiently for episode 3. I really hope these games get rereleased.

[@sorbpen]

Watching these RECAPitation series makes it so obvious how weird these stories actually are. The constant juxtaposition between events is quite the roller-coaster.

[@writerblocks9553]

Good Lordy I always had a dick of a time with the first encephalon dive in this one

[@kravenraven3986]

chaos' real name is Yehsua?! So basically, he's like Space-Jesus? Wow. Well, I mean, he's not white so I guess they got that part down correct. I never would have imagined Jesus teaming up with a futuristic samurai in order to take down an alien invasion from another dimension though....

[@LockeGran]

I was confused why you mentioned 8 party members, then I remembered Canaan was a pilot for a while and thus is "playable." Kinda surprised you didn't mention the huge chunk of side quests considering one of them is kinda important and how barebones this game actually is.

[@AppericateGamer]

Amazing job Oni Black Mage I love xenosaga series

[@lastlegend9657]

22:49 Shion didn't recognize the Red Testaments voice. She recognized the Blue Testament from their encounter at the Song of Nephilim, and possibly the Black Testament's ship from earlier in the game.

[@V3daStarr]

Thank you so much for making this!

[@thegawdtheynotlikeus]

Episode 2 aka the jr story

[@Butterflywings011]

I love this series, it's not perfect but for the time it came out, it was one of my favorite games I ever played. Realistically, I sadly don't think we will see this game come back, not unless a different company takes it on, take the rights, and re does the whole thing. It was supposed to be 6 episodes and it got crunched down into 3 parts because of cost concerns, I honestly don't know or remember all the details that happened, but it's honestly a shame, that this story had so much potential, only for it to disappear... If it wasn't for the fans keeping it alive, this series would be become obscure, having no one know about it. What's even more sad.. Is that it literally ends with KOS-MOS, floating away asleep to Old Milta... Talk about irony..

[@ArcaneEther]

"Xenosaga explained in simple terms"...27 mins later. ^_^

[@zakwood3094]

honestly loved this

[@LucasA84]

This was a confusing story. Thanks for the videos.

[@TP-qo5yx]

Can't wait for number 3!

[@PassionPaint]

God the way the graphics kept changing in this game is horrifying, you can see this best when they zoom in on shion when she’s being a bitch to her brother in the ramen shop and again when she’s about to dive into momos subconscious. It’s either really good ( for the time) or it is laughably sad ( like when they zoom in on anyones hands)

[@decusq]

I get that they were trying to streamline this game's story experience but taking away item shops, money and other BASIC essentials of RPGs was a horrible move on this games part. If the trilogy is ever remastered can they please just remake Episode 2 with RPG basics, it REALLY hurt the experience trying to play this game. And WHY WHY WHY did they alter the art style??? Talk about a jarring and bland design for these characters after having a pretty great anime style in the first game.

[@pelgervampireduck]

I played the games years ago but I forgot a lot. I remembered some things of episode 1, but this one was totally confusing and I didn't remember anything. I hope episode 3 is more clear.

[@griffca4814]

I remember there were like 3-5 dungeons. Each one had a PONR and they only lasted an hour each. The other 20 hours of the game were cutscenes.

[@ericnick4498]

Basically MGS 4

[@ericnick4498]

So MGS 4

[@Wiseman3001]

I knew I loved the composer for this game

[@SlimeDadUltra]

Thanks for doing this one. This series confused me as a kid.

[@ExistentHope]

This game I love it. This game is a fave of mine.

[@AlphaSections]

I must know!

[@washoywa]

Tetsuya is a genius, this whole u-do thing is like the internet and the big data. We do it, it owns us. Maybe AI will help us defeat it.

[@darkecofreak23]

I really miss this series.

[@UnownDepth]

That great time of the day

[@jdrobin1]

Finally!!! Let's Go!!!!

[@fattucus1361]

I would rather have the original planned 6 game series than a remake

[@jzblue345]

You crazy for this one man it's a hard story to interpret flies over most people's heads.

[@MrFullMetalEdward]

Xenosaga HD Remaster when?!

[@carlb1874]

YES!

[@tolil8547]

And now recapotation on Episode 3 please :)

[@lloyd011721]

wait thats shion? the same shion in ep 1? why does she look so different? did i miss something?

[@benjamindonahue9434]

Love Xenogears! So much that admittedly this is probably the only series I have played through for love of the world, and wanting to now what will happen. Each one was pretty bad lol. Love these videos though. Can't wait to see the 3rd.

[@pollomatic8521]

But..... This is xenosaga

[@benjamindonahue9434]

........... Thanks.

[@gabeguerrero4354]

I think I played this when I was younger

[@mistersomaru]

I started the series here. Big mistake. Side story, I also ended it here.

[@StargazingCeres]

Awesome recap, love this series so much. I bought them each when they came out, the drastic style change between episode 1 and 2 was jarring and a bit disappointing at the time. Thankfully, episode 3 (and tough, confident actually-believable-character-development Shion) made up for all of that negativity for me.

[@DammnDeejay]

I will always be salty they named Chaos..Chaos. They should’ve named him Caius

[@pokeleoantiqua7326]

Now I can see the story without having to hear the horrible new voices

[@Noctaru]

Just beat patriarch after 2h tries imma check this during final boss ^^

[@will2tao]

Need episode 3!!!

[@givmespace]

hi are will you ever do a what happened in final fantasy 15 video?

[@OniBlackMage]

I will definitely do FF15 sooner rather than later

[@givmespace]

@@OniBlackMage thats great! thanks, love your work

[@KayderimGameplays]

Would it be great to see you cover the plot of Tactics ogre, i really want to see the knight of lodis, same with FF XII revenant wings, i can't stand the gameplay after playing tactics ogre on auto.

[@MostEnvious]

I needed cheats to beat this game. I hope that if one day they remaster the games, they make one combat style for all three games, preferably the first game.

[@ClericalError87]

Xenosaga is anime as fuck and I love it. Even as disappointing as Episode 2 was.

[@soulcrossinc3089]

oh god yes. thank you

[@storyspice974]

Wtf what a coincidence. I'm watching the cut sence movie on youtube

[@klee5531]

But today is my son's birthday. Lol

[@danielcappuccio6720]

I can't like this enough times.

[@imreplyingtothiscomment2378]

Hey hey people

[@RudeXII]

26:05 YOINK. MINE NOW

[@ben_sisko2149]

These games are absurdly (and unnecesarily) convoluted. Monolith Sof improved their storytelling hugely by the time they made the 1st Xenoblade. Also the direction is way better; in Xenosaga, I just can't bring myself to watch the damn scenes because of how boring and stilted they are. It's like watching puppets trying to act

[@optimize0]

West. 2 down 1 to go!!!

[@jmarra07]

I was so disappointed in these sequels. First game was amazing, then for no reason they decided to change everything about them each new game that came out. One of the dumbest things they could've done, and I guarantee that's the reason why this series had to be cut down to 3 from the planned 6 games. Bastards

[@mrsgamer9218]

@It's Alright got fired

[@BlackVulcan22]

I remember playing thru 2 super quick, just to play 3. Dont remember anything from it except the shitty combat, and awful art style. Really wish the studio got to go with original plan, and make 6 games. Thats why 3 felt so rushed....

[@imnotcrazyforeal2706]

Surprised this got through the bots man. Bandai Namco don’t play! They’re worse than EA when it comes to their properties

[@PassionPaint]

God I could not STAND the combat in this one

[@BurningUp99]

I've owned this for many years I really struggled to get into it in the past so it's just been collecting dust on a shelf. I'm gonna give it one more go and sell it if it doesn't hook me.

[@ArveEriksson]

This story s crazy A-F, and the gameplay needs to not get in the way of it...

[@amirmcmullen1805]

And this is where the series lost me

[@ababilashari9970]

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLEE?!!!!

[@blackdadgaming6944]

Xenogears was a better game

[@navi2710]

Oh god this game was boring and slow as hell.

[@diabolicaldag]

The character design in this series is atrocious

[@lucbauer]

utter trash game

[@chicodepuertorico1450]

The entire franchise is garbage! Garbage, Garbage, Garbage!!