Unlike Xenogears, Xenosaga makes great strides in not trivializing most battles. The game pushes you to use all of its systems, battles are tough and it pays to plan ahead. Unfortunately, the game is just too slow. Slow walking, long loading screens, and battles that can last 5-10 minutes. Compelling cast of characters but much of the story is bogged down by sci-fi jargon. This makes it difficult to ask for the my full attention in the many 20-40 minute cutscenes. Also I'm as a big a Yasunori Mitsuda fan as the next guy but I don't agree with the decision to have no area music.