Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht - PS2

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht for the PlayStation 2 is the first chapter of an ambitious sci-fi RPG trilogy developed by Monolith Soft — a studio founded by former Squaresoft developers, including Tetsuya Takahashi, the director of Xenogears — and serves as a spiritual successor to that cult classic.

Set in the distant future after humanity has abandoned Earth and spread across the galaxy, the story begins aboard the research vessel Woglinde, where scientist Shion Uzuki is preparing to deploy her life's work: KOS-MOS, a devastating battle android whose awakening will set off a chain of events that threatens the entire human race. When the Woglinde is attacked by the Gnosis — a terrifying, incorporeal alien race that phases through solid matter and consumes human souls — only KOS-MOS and Shion's escape sets the trilogy in motion. The game's subtitle, German for "The Will to Power," is drawn directly from Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical writings, and the story is saturated with references to Nietzsche, Biblical mythology, Jungian psychology, Kabbalistic tradition, and Richard Wagner — creating one of the most intellectually ambitious narratives ever attempted in the JRPG genre.

Combat takes place in a turn-based system where visible enemies on the map can be engaged or avoided — a deliberate break from the random encounter design of most JRPGs of the era. In battle, players control a party of up to three characters using a combination attack system built around Strike, Ether, and Special points, with a turn order display allowing strategic planning around who acts next. A Boost gauge lets players cut in front of the turn queue in emergencies, though enemies can boost as well, adding tension to every encounter. Characters can also pilot A.G.W.S. — giant mecha suits — in separate combat sequences that play differently from standard battles. Multiple leveling and skill development systems reward thorough play, and a series of optional Segment Address puzzles scattered across each area unlock bonus content for dedicated explorers. The game is notorious for its extraordinary volume of cinematic content — hours of in-engine and pre-rendered cutscenes directed with genuine cinematic ambition, with a sweeping orchestral soundtrack composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Developed by Monolith Soft and published by Namco, Xenosaga Episode I was released in Japan on February 28, 2002 and in North America on February 26, 2003, earning an 83/100 on Metacritic and over 80 hours of content according to the publisher.

A twelve-episode anime adaptation — Xenosaga: The Animation — was produced by Toei Animation in 2005, covering the events of this first game.

The trilogy continued with Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse and concluded with Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra. 

Japanese Title: ゼノサーガ エピソードI 力への意志 (Xenosaga Episode I: Chikara e no Ishi)
Language: English
Rating: T (Teen)
Platform: PlayStation 2
Genre: JRPG / Sci-Fi RPG
Players: 1 player
Developer: Monolith Soft
Publisher: Namco
Release Year: 2003 (North American release: February 26, 2003)