Xenogears Backtracking by John Hummel

I buy stuff from Play Asia. So should you.

From TheGamersPress

Xenogears Backtracking Intro: Climbing Into the Gear

For years, Xenogears has been sitting on my game shelf, waiting for me. Once a year as I went through my reorganization, it would look at me, wondering why I hadn't opened the jewel case yet to reveal the black-bottomed Playstation CDs.

For the most part, the answer had always been "I'm just too damn busy". At the time, I was writing reviews for another online gaming publication, sometimes working on reviews for 2 or 3 games in a week. Between work, family, and staying up late nights to play and write about why The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings game for the Gameboy Advance sucked donkey balls, there wasn't time to put into a game like Xenogears.

But I wanted to. I had heard from others how cool and controversial it was. And if there's anything I like, it's something that's controversial. I'm the guy who loves to watch the movies like Momento, Mulholland Drive, and others that challenge my thinking and philosophy. I'm not saying that I really like unhappy endings, but I like to have my brain tickled and teased. I like to sit afterwards thinking "Hm? What was that about?"

And that's what I'm hoping to get from Xenogears. I'm hoping to get a mature, adult storyline that will surprise me. I've purposely spent years avoiding any information about the game or its sequel/prequel so I would be honestly surprised when I reached parts of the game. Right now, all I know about it is people think it's great, and it has a cute redheaded girl named Ellie.

Oh, and giant robots. Because no self respecting anime-influenced game wouldn't have giant robots to further the plot.