Good layout for a FAQ?

[Dr. Deezee]

Heyo, I'm working on a Xenosaga FAQ, just wanted some opinions on the layout.

Thanks!

::EDIT:: About that junk at the top... It won't make it into the final version of the FAQ, I just have it up there for easy copy+paste headings. Capiche? >_>

[Expunge]

+1 Option 1

Deezee, holy fuck, you own.

[Jobe16]

uh, get a job, lol, but good werk.

[night3218]

looks great so far but I had to vote the bottom one. too tempting. :(











FFX :woot:

[Dr. Deezee]

Xenosaga > FFX. GG pwnt. (I own and have beaten both.)

[night3218]

Well I cant say for sure since I have never played Xenosaga before but I am a huge fan of FFX so even if i were to play Xenosaga i would still probably say:

FFX > Xenosaga


;)

[Dr. Deezee]

DEEZEE'S SUPER DUPER "WHY XENOSAGA PWNS YOUR FACE AND FINAL FANTASY X FAILS AS A VIDEO GAME" POST!:

First off, let me start by saying again that I have played and completed both Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga, and found myself to enjoy both.

Final Fantasy 10 fails in many ways. First of all, the gameplay. While the Sphere system is touted as strategic and refreshing, what it really does is make all of your characters clones of eachother with no special or unique battle characteistics whatsoever (aside from the beginning of the game when you don't really have the AP to access the whole grid) which eventually makes combat and gamplay boring and tedious. It is hardly strategic, either... much more strategic systems have been implemented in past Final Fantasies (see: Job system, Materia system, Esper system) and many still allowed (or had catches) that kept the characters unique to a certain extent. The only unique things (battle wise) about characters in FF10 is their weapon and their Overdrive.

Further, Final Fantasy 10 didn't really have very many mini games or sidequest things, and what was there was pretty dull. There was the sidequest to get Ultimate Weaons, many of which were absolutely tedious and horrid (dodging 100 thunderbolts in the Thunder Plains, for example, or playing well over 40 games of Blitzball to get Wakka's weapon). The sidequest to catch monsters basically entailed running through the game a second time in order to kill everything that lives 10 times over (no joke) so you could unlock some mega hard bosses (which requires you to partially remake the sphere grid and in the very least bastardize any individuality your characters had)... but since combat is dull at a higher level (I killed many of these monsters in one hit, the hardest part about this sidequest was actually encountering each monster 10 times in order to capture it) the sidequest soon becomes tedious and boring.

Lastly, the combat was never tactical. "Tactical thinking" entailed listening to one of your party members saying "ohnoes this monster is weak versus magic" and pressng L1 to bring in Lulu, or seeing a flying enemy and pressing L1 to bring in Wakka. Later in the game, once you've got access to more of the sphere grid, you'll never really need to switch party members because you can make all of your characters have access to the same exact abilities, etc.

****A BIT OF FF10 SPOILERS****

On the story front, Final Fantasy 10 is essentially a new spin on the same, cliched RPG garbage that has been used several million times over: "ohnoes a force threatens the world, send in rag tag team of teens to save it, possibly lead by mysterious party member who has a dark history, and the mysterious force is quite likely related to (if not one of) your relatives." Are there twists? Yes. Did I expect them? No, not exactly. Does that make the story good? No. You would be hard pressed to deny my summary of Final Fantasy 10's plot, found above.

****END FF10 SPOILERS****

Xenosaga isn't without its share of RPG cliches either. However, the refreshing take on both story and battle makes it a much more enjoyable experience than Final Fantasy 10, which is a perfect example of how graphics and presentation are taking precedance over actual gameplay content in the market today.

Xenosaga's battle system, at its core, is the standard turn based affair. Your characters have a speed stat, as do the enemies, which determines when and how often their turn comes up. Like Final Fantasy 10, the turn order appears on screen, but unlike Final Fantasy 10, it doesn't show (pretty much) every single turn that will ever happen, or even how your current actions will affect your turn order down the line. It shows the next 3-5 turns. It allows for some planning, yes, but you also have to be more defensive and a bit more "paranoid" because you won't know (often) when the next enemy's turn is. This is more strategical then knowing exactly when an enemy is going to attack.

Another twist on conventional battle systems is the event slot. The event slot is like a turn modifier - there are four slots in total, and they loop throughout the battle in the exact same order. One slot is empty, and your actions in the turn are not enhanced or modified in anyway. The next slot is the critical hit rate up -- it gives a higher chance for a critical hit (more damaging attack) to whoever lands on the modifier--be it ally or foe. After that, there is the Boost Up modifier, which fills either the enemy or ally's boost gauge up noticeably faster than normal. Lastly is the Points Up modifier, which really only affects allies--if you kill an enemy on this modifier, you can get x2, x4, x10 the amount of Ether, Tech and Skill points (crucial in developing your characters) for the same amount of experience, which is very important to becoming powerful without leveling to insane levels (like 99).

Boosting is another nifty thing unique to Xenosaga. A boost basically lets you have a turn IMMIDIEATELY following whoever is currently having the turn. Both monsters and allies can do it. Boosting is a crucial part of battle, and also allows you to modify the order of turns a bit. It is also crucial in trying to get the ever useful Point Up modifier.

It IS possible to make your characters all clones of each other, both in stats and abilities (to a certain extent--all characters have the same access to Skills, and Ethers can be transfered over to other characters) but it comes at the expense of either A) an insane amount of time, or B) sacrificing power for similarity (instead of evolving individual characters, you are instead wasting their points by transferring skills.) Tech Attacks are always unique to characters, however, and they play a very large and important role in battle... Normal attacks are hardly used, unless your characters have really high stats, and even then, normal attacks will never really kill anything. Case in point: I spent a good 20 hours leveling at the end of the game, making my characters uber powerful, and normal attacks didn't do crap. Some enemies in the final dungeon still took 2 or 3 Techs to take down, too. The smart way to play through the game is to keep each character individual (at least as far as abilities are concerned, not as far as stats are concerned) so that you can use them appropriately. Note that you can NOT switch characters out in the middle of battle.

Xenosaga's story is hardly cliched, and it is a testament to it that I could NEVER summarize it in a sentence, as I did for FF10's. Heck, even a paragraph wouldn't really do it justice. The nuances and attention to detail are amazing, as well as the overall plot arc. There are MANY twists and turns, many things that will catch you off guard, and the story telling itself is simply fantastic. It is the best story I've ever encountered in a video game, and it easily rivals books and movies, as well. However, seeing as this is only Episode 1, I can not judge the story in its entirety, but what has been presented thus far is exceedingly excellent.

That, my friend, is why Xenosaga > FFX.

[PyroInsane]

Night = pwnt.

That is all.

[night3218]

whatever. i like FFX. sorry.

[Verbal]

Good grief guys, you're talking about games, not politics. If someone doesn't like a game you play, get the crap over it. I don't like CS. So freakin' what? Ohnoes! Jon doesn't like CS! Let's list 50 reasons why he should like it and he'll change his mind! :eek:

[Dr. Deezee]

Please point out in my post where I started to ramble off passionately, like one would about politics.

I doubt you people even read the post.

Please read posts before assuming that "ohnoes lots of words means he probably went off on a big personal rant."

[Verbal]

Originally posted by Dr. Deezee
Please point out in my post where I started to ramble off passionately, like one would about politics.

I doubt you people even read the post.

Please read posts before assuming that "ohnoes lots of words means he probably went off on a big personal rant."

I did read your post you dipstick, I wouldn't have replied if I hadn't. I'm just saying people are different, don't look down on someone for having different tastes.

[Dr. Deezee]

Originally posted by Homeslice
I did read your post you dipshit, I wouldn't have replied if I hadn't. I'm just saying people are different, don't look down on someone for having different tastes.

Again, where did I ever say I looked down on Night for liking the game? I simply stated what was wrong with FFX and what was right with Xenosaga. Not once did I say Night was anything negative for having liked the game, ever. Also, thanks for the insult, it is much appreciated.

::EDIT:: Also notice in the first line (past the introductary title to the post) I state that I found enjoyment in both games. Insulting Night for enjoying FFX would be like insulting myself for enjoying FFX.

[Verbal]

Originally posted by Dr. Deezee
Again, where did I ever say I looked down on Night for liking the game? I simply stated what was wrong with FFX and what was right with Xenosaga. Not once did I say Night was anything negative for having liked the game, ever. Also, thanks for the insult, it is much appreciated.

You didn't come out and say it, it was implied. And you stated what was wrong with the game in your opinion. It's not a fact, it's an opinion. And no problem on the insult asswipe, anytime.

[Dr. Deezee]

Originally posted by Homeslice
You didn't come out and say it, it was implied. And you stated what was wrong with the game in your opinion. It's not a fact, it's an opinion. And no problem on the insult asswipe, anytime.

You'd be hard pressed to point out to me where it was implied, especially considering I said I TOO ENJOYED THE GAME. Here, I'll even quote it...

Originally posted by Dr. Deezee
First off, let me start by saying again that I have played and completed both Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga, and found myself to enjoy both.

[Verbal]

Originally posted by Dr. Deezee
You'd be hard pressed to point out to me where it was implied, especially considering I said I TOO ENJOYED THE GAME. Here, I'll even quote it...

I know, but it's kinda fun to chew people out sometimes. You don't mind, do you?

OK Pyro, you want some??? ;) :tongue:

[Dr. Deezee]

Originally posted by Homeslice
I know, but it's kinda fun to chew people out sometimes. You don't mind, do you?

Not at all. Good waste of a few minutes. ;)

[Expunge]

Originally posted by Homeslice
You didn't come out and say it, it was implied. And you stated what was wrong with the game in your opinion. It's not a fact, it's an opinion. And no problem on the insult asswipe, anytime.

Having a bad day Jon? :(

[PyroInsane]

Originally posted by Homeslice
I know, but it's kinda fun to chew people out sometimes. You don't mind, do you?

OK Pyro, you want some??? ;) :tongue:

Bring it! :mad:

[Verbal]

Originally posted by Dr. Deezee
Not at all. Good waste of a few minutes. ;)

Glad to hear it. :)

*edits swearwords out of posts*

Now, Stiny, get me a danish! *points towards danish*

[Expunge]

This thread makes me want to play Xenosaga.

Isn't it funny how Deezee can talk about a game I've never played and now I have interest in it? Like wow!

[Verbal]

Originally posted by PyroInsane
Bring it! :mad:

Ok Weener, maybe YOU could take a lesson in what a fact is versus an opinion.

fact P Pronunciation Key (fkt)
n.
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.
Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.
A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.
Law. The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.

o·pin·ion P Pronunciation Key (-pnyn)
n.
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof: “The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion” (Elizabeth Drew).
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert: a medical opinion.
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing: has a low opinion of braggarts.
The prevailing view: public opinion.
Law. A formal statement by a court or other adjudicative body of the legal reasons and principles for the conclusions of the court.

[PyroInsane]

Originally posted by Homeslice
Glad to hear it. :)

*edits swearwords out of posts*

Now, Stiny, get me a danish! *points towards danish*

*eats danish*

Yes, quite interesting Fear. I also wants to play Xenosaga

[Dr. Deezee]

Originally posted by FeaR
This thread makes me want to play Xenosaga.

Isn't it funny how Deezee can talk about a game I've never played and now I have interest in it? Like wow!

Thank you sir! +1 <3, to make up for <3 lost via no MSN (:() :)!

[night3218]

Originally posted by Homeslice
OK you piece of mouldy shit, maybe YOU could take a lesson in what a fact is versus an opinion.

fact P Pronunciation Key (fkt)
n.
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.
Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.
A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.
Law. The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.

o·pin·ion P Pronunciation Key (-pnyn)
n.
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof: “The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion” (Elizabeth Drew).
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert: a medical opinion.
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing: has a low opinion of braggarts.
The prevailing view: public opinion.
Law. A formal statement by a court or other adjudicative body of the legal reasons and principles for the conclusions of the court.


dont even try. i sat here for 10 mins on msn messenger trying to explain to him that him saying FFX sucks is his opinion and he still doesent believe that saying "FFX sucks" is an opinion, he thinks its a fact. :shrug::rolleyes:

[PyroInsane]

Originally posted by night3218
dont even try. i sat here for 10 mins on msn messenger trying to explain to him that him saying FFX sucks is his opinion and he still doesent believe that saying "FFX sucks" is an opinion, he thinks its a fact. :shrug::rolleyes:

:nag: :nag: :nag:

'Tis fact.

[night3218]

Originally posted by Homeslice
I know you did, while I was spying on your mother undressing I happened to catch your conversation.


:eek: :eek: :eek:

*turns around*

*sees jon in window with binoculars*

*wonders how he is talking to me on msn AND posting in this forum while stalking me IRL at the same time*

[Expunge]

Originally posted by night3218
dont even try. i sat here for 10 mins on msn messenger trying to explain to him that him saying FFX sucks is his opinion and he still doesent believe that saying "FFX sucks" is an opinion, he thinks its a fact. :shrug::rolleyes:

Oh I'm sure he seriously thinks it's a fact Night... :rolleyes:

Just a typical way to diss something.

IE I know for a fact that RvS sucks. Duh it's an opinion, but I make it look like a fact for the simple fact that I can. Whether or not that opinion is true or false is not the objective.

Also: Trying to trash on someones intelligence for being stubborn on an opinion is quite passe.

[Verbal]

Originally posted by night3218
:eek: :eek: :eek:

*turns around*

*sees jon in window with binoculars*

*wonders how he is talking to me on msn AND posting in this forum while stalking me IRL at the same time*

:bulb:

Freak. :no:

[Dr. Deezee]

Back to the point of the post (not thread, that's long gone, lol): I'd like to hear reasons why you think FFX is a good game!

::EDIT:: Everyone I've talked to who liked it (a lot, anyway) simply said it was good. When inquired further, they would say it looked pretty. No joke.

[Expunge]

Deezee, there is a much cooler thread in Gens ;)

I'm bored :<

[night3218]

lol someone deleted their post but i quoted it before you deleted it. ;)

[PyroInsane]

Originally posted by FeaR
Oh I'm sure he seriously thinks it's a fact Night... :rolleyes:

Just a typical way to diss something.

IE I know for a fact that RvS sucks. Duh it's an opinion, but I make it look like a fact for the simple fact that I can. Whether or not that opinion is true or false is not the objective.

Also: Trying to trash on someones intelligence for being stubborn on an opinion is quite passe.

Cody= +50 points

I am quite subborn, I'm almost temped to post the MSN convo between Night and I.

[PyroInsane]

Originally posted by night3218
lol someone deleted their post but i quoted it before you deleted it. ;)

Bullshit +1

[Expunge]

Originally posted by PyroInsane
Cody= +50 points

I am quite subborn, I'm almost temped to post the MSN convo between Night and I.

I try

Also note:

Bullshit = +2

I've been refreshing this thread like a banshee, I seen no deleted posts sir!

[Dr. Deezee]

No, I saw it, it's truth! The one where Night dives into the bushes after quoting one of Homesleeze's.... Homesleeze's is no where to be found! I saw him delete it too. I am refresh banshee +3.

[PyroInsane]

Do us all a favor and dont quote this ^_^

.--------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Session Start: Thursday, July 15, 2004 |
| Participants: |
| ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿- "YOU SHALL BE AS GODS" (hacker_147@hotmail.com) |
| night3218 (night3218@netscape.net) |
.--------------------------------------------------------------------.
[03:28:09 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿:
http://www.bellinghamlan.com/forum/showthread.php?s=fa1a
d14f2101351f8dc198f8e5a2ceb4&threadid=2174
[03:28:32 PM] night3218: lol your the 3rd person today that has
harassed me about that thread
[03:28:50 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Yea, that's cause you got pwnt :cool
[03:29:05 PM] night3218: :|
[03:29:08 PM] night3218: *blink*
[03:29:12 PM] night3218: whatever
[03:31:23 PM] night3218: I like FFX thats all im sayin
[03:31:36 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: I played it for 5 mins, and it sux.
[03:31:42 PM] night3218: *shrug*
[03:31:44 PM] night3218: in your opinion
[03:31:52 PM] night3218: its a really deep rpg
[03:32:02 PM] night3218: the first cutscene takes longer than 5 min
[03:32:13 PM] night3218: should have gave it more a chance ;)
[03:32:16 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: played, as in, gameplay, dork
[03:32:31 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: not watching a cutscene
[03:32:45 PM] night3218: you didnt say that in the first place
[03:32:49 PM] night3218: :\
[03:32:54 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: I shouldnt have to clarify.
[03:33:02 PM] night3218: *shrug*
[03:33:17 PM] night3218: at any rate. that is your opinion about the
game
[03:33:38 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: No, its a fact, the game sucks.
[03:33:53 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: sure its got a good story, but thats only
part of what it needs
[03:34:04 PM] night3218: it sounds like an opinion to me
[03:34:15 PM] night3218: if i said you suck is that a fact?
[03:34:46 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Yes, I do suck, at Raven Shield
especially.
[03:35:17 PM] night3218: what are you good at?
[03:35:37 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Ut2k4, Quake, Battlefield, RPGs
[03:35:49 PM] night3218: what if I said you suck at Quake
[03:35:59 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: you would be a liar
[03:36:30 PM] night3218: in that case, you are a liar. FFX is a good
game IMO
[03:36:56 PM] night3218: :) see how that works?
[03:37:22 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: no, you are a failure, go play the old
FFs, then see just how much FFX sucks
[03:38:02 PM] night3218: still opinion
[03:38:12 PM] night3218: saying ANYTHING sucks is an opinion
[03:38:24 PM] night3218: there will always be someone who thinks
differently than you
[03:38:30 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Unless it is in fact, a fact, like the
fact that FFX sucks.
[03:38:46 PM] night3218: do you know what an opinion is?
[03:38:59 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: affirmative
[03:39:25 PM] night3218: there are millions of people including me who
like the game. does that make all of us liars?
[03:39:25 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Go read Deezee's post already, nubbin.
[03:39:33 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: Affirmative.
[03:40:35 PM] night3218: oh well
[03:40:48 PM] night3218: you have your opinions and I have mine
[03:41:25 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: You like to try and have the last word
dont you?
[03:41:51 PM] night3218: not really
[03:41:52 PM] night3218: i dunno
[03:42:06 PM] night3218: well im done with the subject. I like FFX.
[03:42:10 PM] ?Þ¥®ðÍñ§åÑ€¿: lmao