Xenosaga Episode I Analysis (Ep.2): The Zohar Rises (ft. TJTheEmperor) | State Of The Arc Podcast

I'm only halfway through this episode and I'm about to EXPLODE with delight on how many things were picked up. This was 2 years ago, did you guys ever get to the other 2 games? I can't handle thinking that the first game will be all you'll do 😭

I love the English dub; it’s phenomenal. The VAs for Margulis, Cherenkov, Vergil, Ziggy, chaos, and Jr. especially stand out to me.

The VA for Jr. is also a kid in an episode of Trigun, which became my favorite anime (at the time, now I’ve realized all these years later that Gundam Wing is my favorite anime, while Berserk and Hunter X Hunter are my favorite manga/anime in a general sense) the same year I played this game so that only bolstered my affection for the dub and game as a whole.

Late to the game but glad I'm finally getting around to this. Specifically the comment about the battle music: Kajiura nailed this in the third game, but the thing that you're trying to describe here for it feeling "noisy" is definitely better described as "metallic." Maybe there's a better phrasing, but here's the one thing that Episode 1 does better than anything else in the series: atmosphere. For any other faults in the game (and there are plenty) this game is pure atmosphere. It nails cinematography and oppressive scene to scene tension, music inclusive, more than the others in the series. I'm in no way suggesting that it's better executed for that, but Episode 1 is a piece of art for better or worse.

Love the analysis, as usual :)

Is anyone silently raging over the constant mispronunciation or KOS-MOS? They say her name, out loud, the entire game for all to hear. How can a man keep saying Cosmos it's driving me insane.

That "... by clowns in hell" comment you mentioned might have been mine :D It's probably been deleted as I can't find it anymore, but I can't take the credit anyway as I originally heard it from Pat Boivin of PatStaresAt and Castle Superbeast (formerly Best Friends Play). Maybe he also got it from somewhere else, idk.

I'm just happy that you would concur XD

Many of your questions and misconceptions can be cleared up by simply reading the database.

I thought the rain that falls down represents knowledge and uplifting the species to the next level

I’m surprised Casen was so confused by the bunny. It’s just another version of clippy

One of the NPCs on the ship talks about the hyper compression technology they have to make the AGWS portable. I think he was in the agws hangar. They are essentially the hoi poi capsules that bulma in dragonball uses

Funny little thought I had while you guys were talking about the opening cutscene: you talk about the rain when the Zohar first appears and the symbolism of a flood and either the end or prosperity of humanity. According to another channel I watch from time to time called Esoterica, the Judeo-Christian god that we all know as "God," or "Yahweh" as is actually named, was the god of storms in a larger pantheon before he eventually became "The One True God." I know this video is pretty old and no one will likely see this, but I thought it was an interesting note worth sharing

Here’s to hoping you do the other two saga games

Damn just came from the xenogears analysis, and mike cut his luscious locks. Real sad day 😂

For people who are complaining about the pacing, it's a old game, it came out in 2003. I personally think they did a great job with what they were given, regarding animation, texture, voice acting, music and the overall story. I love the game, personally the 1st, then 3rd, 2nd last. But compared to games that are released today in 2023, it is slower in some areas. For people who are not paitant, and want a quick, fast game, with battle combat, story plot, Xenosaga series may not be for you. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the podcast, you guys are doing an amazing job analizing the game, keep up the great work!

The rabbit on her phone is like a bonzi buddy or ask jeeves or alexa

The protocol in the Kos-mos tests may be named after a dance of supreme calmness as a deliberate reaction to what happened the first time she woke up

This is the first time I've watched one of these series, but I am a little sad they don't show the game as they're discussing it. They have so much great commentary that I wish I could see what they're commenting on.

Did you know you can beat the game without using the mechs EVER? Cause you can. Just use the points to upgrade the characters. :D

The battle music is GREAT and nothing needs to change!!!!! FIGHT ME >:O

Xenoblade 2 absolutely does not have "tutorials every 10 seconds for the entire game," sir

Just started it last week, excited to follow along with my playthrough!

WOW you guys are going REALLY in depth! awesome! i love this!!

I'm glad I stumbled upon this, one of the times i'm grateful for procrastinating

Btw., why do you guys not separate the podcast episodes into chapters anymore that are titled by what you talk about? I thought that was really useful or at least you didn't do it here but I think you did it in your recent Silent Hill 2 podcast...

I started Xenosaga Episode I yesterday because of you guys! I love Xenogears (played it last year and only have the final episode of your podcast left to watch) and expect to love this trilogy even more. I will play the game along watching your podcast, hopefully you guys will start doing episode 2 by the end I'm done with episode 1. Excited!!!

Is it life creating or life ending? I personally think it's both, but that'd require theories that'd go into details not presented in Episode I :).

Also, it's pretty noteworthy that the Official Design Materials go into more detail over what's happening in this scene. The Zohar was not hidden, but literally materializing, because it's not a mere physical object but a phenomenon that's dependent on the perception of the onlooker. Pretty significant.

The name "Zohar" is also not chosen as a random cool reference to Jewish theology. I think it was this way too in Xenogears, but why the Zohar's named that will become clear during the series I think.

Wow, I can't believe how much details you guys got from the intro..... this is amazing

So psyched you guys are covering this game!

XENOSAGA V!. Will be in the works soon!. 2023!!. XENOSAGA V!.

I am eating Vector cereal as I am watching!!

Those thinking that the English dub of Xenosaga is bad, clearly hasn't heard something like Chaos Wars...

or is just an elitist weeb.

Following the podcast and playing through my first time too bit by bit!

Fun fact: If anyone is interested in seeing the Miltia incident. Episode II starts with a prologue that takes part during that incident.

Just started playing alongside the podcast. In this episode, around the 1h4m mark in the audio version, Mike asked about how the AGWS is carried around, and TJ said it wasn't really addressed. In my second visit to the hangar, after visiting the bridge, I spoke with a dude next to the dude that gives you the package containing the MWS. He says this exactly once before changing to entirely different dialogue that he always uses in subsequent conversation, so it's very easy to miss.

Oh, this? It's an AGWS capsule. You can carry an AGWS inside and deploy it as necessary. It uses the same space compression technology used in transportation to create a totally self-contained, portable AGWS hangar.

Watching these to not understsnd japanes culture is wild.
Why are they playing this generic elevator music ( anime music for every day slice of life stuff)
What’s up with this bunny
(Mascot merchandise char)
What does this mean?! ( some times it’s simply just wanting to reference something it doesn’t have to all have deeper meaning)
Why are we getting so many emails?!
( it’s your side quest list and they seem meaningless but one or two of them at the start of followed to the end grant you accsess to chars ultimate weapons/outfits.)

right.. 4 million years what a joke. anytime a scientist tells you something is over even 5000 years old just roll your eyes and tell them to go do some real research

I disagree about the battle music and thought it was my favorite track in the game but I agree it was overplayed.

As far as the dub being bad...it's just the same weebs who hate any dub. You're always going to get those obnoxious weirdos no matter what you watch or play. It really makes it hard to gauge what actually is a bad dub.

As far as the pacing goes, it is a little slow but there are still some "mysteries" before you visit the Realians. Touching the Zohar and seeing the little girl being one of them. But the walk from the Vector lab to the bridge does take awhile.

looks at Jin, Shion's Older Brother and than looks at Shitan . . .yeah no connection whatsoever

I’ve spoiled myself with emulation. Not sure I’d have the patience to go back to the pace of original hardware battle speeds…

By the end of the game, the battle system feels like you’re summoning knights of the round every move.

Mike's anegdote about battle music in Chrono Cross almost killed my cat. I was laughing so hard when he told the running joke about it🤣🤣🤣

Is xenosaga available on any of the new systems?

I can stress enough how much I'm happy to watch this show every week. I never thought xenogasa would receive this spotlight and it's a delight to hear your thoughts about it's many themes

I'm appreciating how much more speculation and debating on what things could actually mean is going on due to this being both mike and casen's first time playing the game. It's cool to try to see them both work something out rather than enjoying one watch the other work it out etc. great stuff so far!