What is xenogears?

Xenogears is a single-player role-playing video game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix) for the PlayStation in 1998. It's known for its complex and philosophical story, dealing with themes such as:

  • Religion: The game extensively uses religious symbolism and explores different interpretations and critiques of organized religion.

  • Psychology: Characters often grapple with their past traumas and fractured personalities, leading to explorations of mental illness and identity.

  • Philosophy: The narrative touches upon philosophical concepts like existentialism, determinism vs. free will, and the nature of humanity.

  • Giant Robots (Gears): The game features mecha combat with customizable and upgradable robots called Gears.

  • Reincarnation: The plot involves recurring cycles of reincarnation and conflict between key characters.

  • Political Intrigue: Warring nations and secret societies vie for power, shaping the world and influencing the story.

The game is divided into two discs. Disc 1 features traditional RPG gameplay with exploration, turn-based combat, and cutscenes. Disc 2 is primarily a narrative-focused experience, with significantly less gameplay and more emphasis on exposition and dialogue due to development constraints. Xenogears is celebrated for its ambitious storytelling, memorable characters, and the way it interweaves complex themes into its plot.