For the next episode, play up to the point where you enter Solaris. Stop at the very first save point you encounter. In the fourteenth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, the party is admitted into Shevat, where we learn about the war with Solaris 500 years ago, meet with Queen Zephyr, and help defend the city from a Solaris attack. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Introduction To Maria (0:27) 3. Meeting Queen Zephyr (6:03) 4. NPCs And Lore Dumps (8:14) 5. Dominia Infiltrates Shevat (55:31) 6. Nikolai Balthasar Attacks Shevat (1:10:46) 7. Chu-Chu Analysis (1:13:48) 8. Maria Faces Her Father (1:38:10) 9. Zephyr, Wiseman, and Gaspar (1:39:20) 10. The Best Part Of Every JRPG--When You Get Your Airship (1:52:39)

State of the Arc Podcast

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.14) | State of the Arc Podcast

For the next episode, play all the way through the Shevat sequence. In other words, just save the game and stop after leaving Shevat. In the thirteenth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Id is revealed, Bishop Stone is transformed by Krelian, and we finally get to go inside the Babel Tower. Time Codes: 1. Fei wakes up (0:00) 2. Id shows up (5:05) 3. Fight with Bishop Stone (17:25) 4. On to Babel Tower (52:48)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.13) | State of the Arc Podcast

This episode was split into two parts. For next week, we'll be covering up through the Babel Tower. Save once you enter Shevat and stop there. In the twelfth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, We defeat a Giant Wels with Billy, The Ethos gets wrecked and Elly begins to "remember" a few things about... well, we aren't quite sure yet. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. The Reaper Ship (0:25) 3. Ethos Massacre (11:50) 4. Thames Attacked (25:15) 5. Excavation Site (28:45)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.12) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the tenth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Fei tries to save Rico from execution, finds the Goliath, and then subsequently crashes it into the ocean. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. The Party Separated (0:56) 3. Fei And Elly's Conversation Out At Sea (11:46) 4. The Thames (32:02) 5. Dominia Attacks (40:48) 6. Miang Sets Elly Free (53:39) 7. Ramsus Attacks (1:06:02) 8. Requesting Help From The Ethos (1:16:19) 9. Spoiler Warning Starting Point (1:24:43) 10. Spoiler End Point (1:28:13) 11. Billy's Orphanage (1:39:28)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.11) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the tenth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Fei tries to save Rico from execution, finds the Goliath, and then subsequently crashes it into the ocean. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Rico to be executed (0:20) 3. Attack on Nortune (15:03) 4. Searching for the Goliath (44:52) 5. The aftermath of the destruction of Goliath (1:11:30) 6. More Gazel Ministry nonsense (1:20:36)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.10) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the ninth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Fei enters Nortune's battling arena, investigates the sewers of D-block with Rico, and meets with Kaiser Sigmund! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Nortune Battling Arena (2:47) 3. The Sewers (17:54) 4. Citan's Report To The Emperor (42:22) 5. Elly Shows Doubt About Her Orders (56:46) 6. Back To The Battling Arena (1:01:02) 7. Battle and Conversation With Wiseman (1:03:38) 8. Battle Arena Championship (1:12:16) 9. Introduction to Dominia (1:14:43) 10. Meeting Kaiser Sigmund (1:20:11) 11. Wrapping Up (1:34:01)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.9) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the eighth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Fei leads an attack against Aveh's military near the border with Kislev. Then, he finds himself having to battle for his own freedom in Kislev's D-Block. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Fei's Divesrion Against Aveh (2:10) 3. Bart's Mission (12:19) 4. The Red Warrior (48:35) 5. Nortune (56:54) 6. Gazel Ministry (1:43:52)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.8) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the seventh episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, Bart confronts Sigurd and Citan about their ties to Solaris. Then, plans are made to usurp power from Shakhan and put Bart back on the throne. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Bart Confronts Sigurd and Citan (0:17) 3. Massive Tangent About A Game We Want Someone To Make (26:08) 4. Battle Plans To Take Back Bart's Throne (33:37) 5. Calm Before The Storm (40:11) 6. Ramsus' Dream (58:21) 7. Franz (1:05:56) 8. Elly Struggles To Assert Her Command (1:08:39) 9. Fei's Confrontation With Elly and Gebler Pilots (1:09:49)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.7) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the sixth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, we escape Bledavik and make our way to Nisan. Here we learn about the origins of Nisan's church and its founding figure (Sophia) who bears a remarkable resemblance to Elly. We also make an effort to summarize Carl Jung's influences on this game. Time Codes: 1. Intro and Update On FF Retrospectives (0:00) 2. Battle Against Ramsus (03:18) 3. Meeting Elly Again (22:18) 4. Citan Sends Messages (Commands?) To Ramsus? (30:42) 5. Chu Chu (35:15) 6. Sigurd Giving Bart Reasons To Distrust Him (41:38) 7. Sigurd's Conversation With Citan (43:40) 8. Nisan (1:05:41) 9. Jungian Influences On Xenogears (1:13:53) 10. Portrait of Sophia (1:47:27)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.6) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the fifth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, the introduction to the Yggrasil through rescuing Margie and... Chu Chu... This part of the game is amazing. The cinematography and the character development we witness here are integral to understanding Xenogears. Timecodes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Yggdrasil (1:06) 3. Enneagram (46:30) 4. Yggdrasil attacked (1:10:50) 5. Ramsus intro (1:26:40) 6. Bledavik (1:38:40) 7. Tournament and Rescue (1:50:45)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.5) | State of the Arc Podcast

In the fourth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, we're joined once again by Chris and Eric from Retrograde Amnesia to cover Dazil through the Yggdrasil. From translation to philosophy, this part of the game sets the stage for all the events that will follow. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dazil (3:00) 3. Desert (30:10) 4. Grahf (36:40) 5. Captured (1:00:52) 6. Liberation (1:17:20) 7. Caves (1:22:56) 8. Escape from Caves (1:52:42)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.4) | State of the Arc Podcast (Ft. Retrograde Amnesia)

In the third episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, we're joined once again by Chris and Eric from Retrograde Amnesia to cover Lahan Village through the Blackmoon forest. There's a lot to talk about in this short introductory section of the game! Retrograde Amnesia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ZMfpromeak2dHU4IybFYw Timecodes: 1. Opening Political Exposition Dump (0:00) 2. Thoughts On The Effectiveness Of Xenogears Opening As A Hook (5:31) 3. Lahan Village (16:00) 4. Citan's House (38:12) 5. The Destruction Of Lahan Vilalge (1:01:57) 6. Blackmoon Forest (1:17:05) 7. Wrapping Up (1:41:26)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.3) | State of the Arc Podcast (Ft. Retrograde Amnesia)

In this second episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, we're joined by Chris and Eric from Retrograde Amnesia to cover a very basic introduction to gnostic cosmology and the opening cutscene of the game--which is filled to the brim with symbolism and foreshadowing! Retrograde Amnesia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ZMfpromeak2dHU4IybFYw Timecodes: 1. Introduction To This Week's Guests (0:00) 2. A Fair Warning About So-Called "Spoilers" (4:05) 3. Extra Tidbits Of Dev History (5:38) 4. An Intro To Gnostic Cosmology (12:03) 5. Analysis Of The Prologue/Opening Cutscene (26:52) 6. Spoiler Warning (1:17:06) 7. End of Spoilers (1:23:03) 8. Wrapping Up (1:35:49)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.2) | State Of The Arc Podcast (Ft. Retrograde Amnesia)

In the first episode of our deep-dive analysis of Xenogears, we cover the development history of this JRPG classic. We'll introduce you to the creators who conceived the world and show how they secured the opportunity to create a brand new IP for Squaresoft--one which was meant to push the industry in ways Final Fantasy simply wasn't doing. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Where To Begin? (4:17) 3. Getting To Know The Creators (9:12) 4. The Purpose Of Criticism (59:27) 5. Religious Controversy (1:11:35) 6. Hellish Localization Efforts of Richard Honeywood (1:23:22) 7. Explaining Aizuchi--There's A Lot Of This In Xenogears (1:38:39) 8. Developers Were Overworked On Xenogears (1:51:26) 9. What To Keep In Mind As You Start Xenogears (2:00:33)

Xenogears Story Analysis (Ep.1) | State of the Arc Podcast

In this fourth episode of our deep-dive analysis of Nier Replicant, we look at Grimoire NieR and other supplementary materials to help us understand the story better. Next, we move on to Xenogears and hope everyone will join us next week! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Overview of the Podcast (1:34) 3. Grimoire Nier (8:00) 4. Emil and Sodom and Gomorrah (1:49:21) 5. Roberto Szeck, Kaine’s Portrait (2:00:55) 6. Greg Troyan, Melodrama (2:03:37) 7. Angst, a few points (2:09:57) 8. ICE, Drakengard Connection (2:15:56) 9. Slave, Disagree on B (2:16:50) 10. Jace1551, localization (2:38:39) 11. Final thoughts and feelings (2:40:53) 12. Ending, onward to Xenogears (2:53:57)

Nier Replicant Story Analysis (Ep.4 FINALE) | State Of The Arc Podcast

Our podcast breaks down the techniques of great storytelling across our favorite games, movies, literature, and music. I also occasionally upload music I've arranged or composed!