September 14, 2005 - Those who've gotten attached to the stories and characters of Monolith and Namco's Xenosaga series will be pleased to learn that the series will conclude without requiring an investment in new hardware. The latest issue of Famitsu contains first word of the third entry in the series, Xenosaga III. Not only is the sequel being made for the PlayStation 2, but it will serve as the conclusion.



Fully titled Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra, the subtitle is taken from Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The game takes place a year after part two and sees a return of Shion and the rest of the crew for the story's long-awaited climax.

Monolith is promising some new gameplay systems for Episode III. Currently, we know of just one such system, where conversation windows automatically open up as you play. We expect more to be revealed as the game's release approaches.

The two types of battle systems will return. In Xenosaga, you fight directly as the characters during Character Battles and board "ES" robot units for the fight in Robot Battles. We can expect new robots to appear in Episode III.

Episode III looks similar to Episode II visually, which isn't necessarily a bad thing considering how good part 2 looked. The game's cast retains its human-style proportions, although the magazine features a few pieces of artwork for Shion and KOS-MOS showing a new style of art.

We expect to get a first look at Xenosaga Episode III at the Tokyo Game Show later this week. The game is currently without a final release date.

All I can really say is that hopefully Part 3 is better then Part 2, I mean part 2 was ok, but I have to say Part 1 was a little better becuz it had more attacks you could use, and Part 2 it just didn't have as many as Part 1 did and that was a bit of a let down, but hopefully Part 3 makes up for that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xenosaga III Pics: Image 1 () Image 2 ()

Xenosaga III Trailer: Trailer (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/xenosagaepisode3/media.html)

As long as Mitsuda composes and arranges the score it will be ALL GOOD!

I am quite looking forward to its conclusion. It had potential, however its a real pity that they changed from VI episodes to only III.
Very distressing stuff.

As long as Mitsuda composes and arranges the score it will be ALL GOOD!

I am quite looking forward to its conclusion. It had potential, however its a real pity that they changed from VI episodes to only III.
Very distressing stuff.
The Xenosaga III trailer showing original music has me convinced that Kajiura (the person who did the movie scenes in the last game) will be back. I think the chances of Mitsuda coming back to the Xeno games again are extremely low. Im sure I'll enjoy it anyway.

I think the chances of Mitsuda coming back to the Xeno games again are extremely low.

I doubt that. Since this is the last Xeno game, and the fact that Mitsuda is the original composer for the series, it's only within perfectly good reason that he would return to compose for the game. He's been surprising us lately with some great additions; his orchestral style and his infamous lack of variation have seemed to evolve in a good way. Then again, he's been incredibly busy lately (according to my interview), so he might not compose it. However, he never stated what he is so busy working on. So, there is a high chance we will see him again.

I doubt that. Since this is the last Xeno game, and the fact that Mitsuda is the original composer for the series, it's only within perfectly good reason that he would return to compose for the game. He's been surprising us lately with some great additions; his orchestral style and his infamous lack of variation have seemed to evolve in a good way. Then again, he's been incredibly busy lately (according to my interview), so he might not compose it. However, he never stated what he is so busy working on. So, there is a high chance we will see him again.Well Im basing my opinion on actually hearing music from the game for whatever thats worth. As I understood it Mitsuda quit because he didnt like how his music was being used and a while after that I was told he actually wasnt too into videogame music anymore but that could be totally wrong so if you have any info for me on that part I'd appreaciate hearing it. Anyway I think Mitsuda coming back to the game is seriously unlikely. I dont really see any reason to think hes going to come back besides assumption.

I doubt that. Since this is the last Xeno game, and the fact that Mitsuda is the original composer for the series, it's only within perfectly good reason that he would return to compose for the game. He's been surprising us lately with some great additions; his orchestral style and his infamous lack of variation have seemed to evolve in a good way. Then again, he's been incredibly busy lately (according to my interview), so he might not compose it. However, he never stated what he is so busy working on. So, there is a high chance we will see him again.Well Im basing my opinion on actually hearing music from the game for whatever thats worth. As I understood it Mitsuda quit because he didnt like how his music was being used and a while after that I was told he actually wasnt too into videogame music anymore but that could be totally wrong so if you have any info for me on that part I'd appreaciate hearing it. Anyway I think Mitsuda coming back to the game is seriously unlikely. I dont really see any reason to think hes going to come back besides assumption.

Well I honestly hope that, that lame excuse for a VGM composer Kajiura does not come back. I would much rather Mitsuda finish what he started.

Well I honestly hope that, that lame excuse for a VGM composer Kajiura does not come back. I would much rather Mitsuda finish what he started.Omfg *shoots you* >: (

Omfg *shoots you* >: (

lol, well to back up my point I have indeed listened to most of her album "Movie Scenes" and I must say I was not impressed. But that was because I was comparing her to Mitsuda, and well there is NO competition....sowwwy...

Well Im basing my opinion on actually hearing music from the game for whatever thats worth.

I saw and heard the trailer, and it honestly doesn't sound like Kajiura. It's too lightly orchestrated, but then again, the trailer has some deep electronic beats, and Mitsuda's electronica has never been very heavy. We can't really judge when we are presented with such limited sound examples.


As I understood it Mitsuda quit because he didnt like how his music was being used and a while after that I was told he actually wasnt too into videogame music anymore but that could be totally wrong so if you have any info for me on that part I'd appreaciate hearing it.

Wrong, I don't know where you heard that, but Mitsuda didn't do Episode II because he was never asked. He did say he wanted to expand into new things (which he has), but he composed and still composes VGM today. In fact, he is in the middle of a 1 song contribution project right now.


Anyway I think Mitsuda coming back to the game is seriously unlikely. I dont really see any reason to think hes going to come back besides assumption.

Yet, why do you think Kajiura would be likely to come back? Isn't that based on assumption? As said before, it's the last Xeno game, so having the original composer adds depth and meaning to the final dive.

Yuki Kajiura should stick to Anime. Almost every composition on the Xenosaga II Movie Scene Soundtrack was somewhat a form of reprise of the main theme (or a reprise of "Sweet Song" and "Jr"). She put nowhere near the effort that Mitsuda showed on Episode I and Xenogears, and her attempts to create interesting arrangements are too influenced by her Anime work. In fact, the whole OST is influenced by her Anime work. Mitsuda, and Hosoe, are superior candidates for the series, that's for sure.

Oh, and nkwp, Kajiura is a girl :P

lol! I sorta figured that as I went over my posts but was too lazy to fix it. Bloody japanese names, I can never tell the sex...haha...........*embarrassed*

I saw and heard the trailer, and it honestly doesn't sound like Kajiura. It's too lightly orchestrated, but then again, the trailer has some deep electronic beats, and Mitsuda's electronica has never been very heavy. We can't really judge when we are presented with such limited sound examples.That heavy violin carrying through the whole song sounds extremely like her. Its one of those instruments that I'd assosciate her with like a flute or maybe bagpipes. Her song "The World" is a good example I think.




Wrong, I don't know where you heard that, but Mitsuda didn't do Episode II because he was never asked. He did say he wanted to expand into new things (which he has), but he composed and still composes VGM today. In fact, he is in the middle of a 1 song contribution project right now.
Well can I see a link if you;re going to tell me my information is wrong? I've read more than once he disliked how they used his music and left.


Yet, why do you think Kajiura would be likely to come back? Isn't that based on assumption? As said before, it's the last Xeno game, so having the original composer adds depth and meaning to the final dive.I dont think Mitsudas career is as simple as coming back to a series for senimental value which is the only reason I can see to say he'd come back. They chose Kajiura over Mitsuda (accoring to your info, not mine) for episode II wether she was cheaper or something along those lines.

Yuki Kajiura should stick to Anime. Almost every composition on the Xenosaga II Movie Scene Soundtrack was somewhat a form of reprise of the main theme (or a reprise of "Sweet Song" and "Jr"). She put nowhere near the effort that Mitsuda showed on Episode I and Xenogears, and her attempts to create interesting arrangements are too influenced by her Anime work. In fact, the whole OST is influenced by her Anime work. Mitsuda, and Hosoe, are superior candidates for the series, that's for sure.She showed plenty of times that she is very capable of varying the same song so it showed a different effect and she did it well. Sure Mitsuda put alot of work into episode I but its just two bad that I found that soundtrack lacking compared to episode II. You know I find alot of people are inclined to prefer episode I's soundtrack because Mitsuda did it. Not because they preferred the music. Im not saying anyone here is one of those people but its definitely a common attitude. What exactly do you mean the ost's influenced by her anime work? Maybe her different works seem similar bcause they were done by the same artist? And Mitsuda maybe but I still cant find anyone who liked Hosoes work on the game. Alot of people seem to prefer episode I's choice to ignore background music compared to his ambient beeps. Heck alot of people I've talked to thought the games music was bad based mostly on the background music.


lol, well to back up my point I have indeed listened to most of her album "Movie Scenes" and I must say I was not impressed. But that was because I was comparing her to Mitsuda, and well there is NO competition....sowwwy...Well I have to say I appreaciate someone who'd listen to the album before passing an opinion on it because it doesnt have mitsuda.

That heavy violin carrying through the whole song sounds extremely like her. Its one of those instruments that I'd assosciate her with like a flute or maybe bagpipes. Her song "The World" is a good example I think.

We can assume this, but, like I said, we don't have any better sound samples to judge upon. So, at this time, we are merely guessing. (The only composer which we can defietly pick out from trailer music is Sakuraba. There’s an obvious giveaway)



Well can I see a link if you;re going to tell me my information is wrong? I've read more than once he disliked how they used his music and left.

I think a good source is when Mitsuda said it himself (http://www.cocoebiz.com/mitsuda/english/index.php). (You'll need to search his English website as I can't post links. Go into Q & A and read from there). Can you post me a link where you heard what you think?


I dont think Mitsudas career is as simple as coming back to a series for senimental value which is the only reason I can see to say he'd come back. They chose Kajiura over Mitsuda (accoring to your info, not mine) for episode II wether she was cheaper or something along those lines.

I still don't understand why you think this: "Mitsudas career is as simple as coming back to a series for sentimental value which is the only reason I can see to say he'd come back", then think Kajiura is superior that she can come back to the series. I think that's just random. They chose Kajiura for unknown reasons. Nobody knows why.



She showed plenty of times that she is very capable of varying the same song so it showed a different effect and she did it well.

Then tell her to stop using Deb Lyons' voice in almost every single track. All those tracks all have very average variation. Now, I'm not saying Mitsuda is faultless because his variations on "Kokoro" were pretty decent to speak, but at least he didn't go full out and treat almost every composition like it must be reminiscent of it.


Sure Mitsuda put alot of work into episode I but its just two bad that I found that soundtrack lacking compared to episode II.

It's a lot more ambient than Episode II's, that's why people tend to prefer it over Episode I's, but one can't deny that Mitsuda's score had a lot more creativity, and was a fresh and influential score


What exactly do you mean the ost's influenced by her anime work? Maybe her different works seem similar bcause they were done by the same artist?

Most of it sounds very similar to her anime work. The instrumentation and chord progression are very much alike, using various aspects of her Anime work into her sole VGM score.


And Mitsuda maybe but I still cant find anyone who liked Hosoes work on the game. Alot of people seem to prefer episode I's choice to ignore background music compared to his ambient beeps. Heck alot of people I've talked to thought the games music was bad based mostly on the background music.

Umm, Hosoe's music was NEVER ambient beeps. If you've heard it, then you can comment, but not once did I find your statement in the score. It's very creative, one could say, and the rich blend between orchestral and electronica styles are great. Hosoe has never composed ambient beeps before. Enough said. (If the people you have talked to said that the music was bad, then they must have included the movie scene score in with their opinion. Remember, the average gamer isn't appreciative of the vastness of VGM. Most gamers DO think that the music in games is bad).

I think a good source is when Mitsuda said it himself (http://www.cocoebiz.com/mitsuda/english/index.php). (You'll need to search his English website as I can't post links. Go into Q & A and read from there). Can you post me a link where you heard what you think?Sorry are you talking about this?

"Previously, I read a question about whether you would be willing to take on the sequel to "Xenosaga", which you answered, "I'm not sure yet, since I still haven't received any word about the next game". But if you DID receive the offer, do you think you would accept? In my personal opinion, I can't imagine what the Xeno-series would be, without your music."


(from Yasunori)
"I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure yet (laughs). I don't think I can make a decision only by "assuming that I received the offer". Besides, I think it's a bit too early to be talking about things like that."

That was asked around June 2002 when there wasnt any word of Xenosaga II and the Q&A only goes as far as July 2002 as far as I can see.

And no I honestly dont know where I read he passed up on the job because he didnt like how his music was being used.

I still don't understand why you think this: "I dont think Mitsudas career is as simple as coming back to a series for sentimental value which is the only reason I can see to say he'd come back", then think Kajiura is superior that she can come back to the series. I think that's just random. They chose Kajiura for unknown reasons. Nobody knows why.I said that with the belief that he quit the Xeno series because he didnt like there use of his music. Even if thats not true (I still think it is and I'll keep an eye out for where I read it) it seems fair enough to say the series went in a direction that didnt involve Mitsuda. The same cant be confirmed for Kajiura and also as I've already said I think it sounds like her work. Its my interpretation given my understanding. Its not random.




Then tell her to stop using Deb Lyons' voice in almost every single track. All those tracks all have very average variation.She usually uses Deb Lyons for chanting and just adding to background while an instrument takes the stage. Not many other composers use this method so thats why it stands out more to you. I mean on disc 1 the first four tracks all join into one so expect them to seem similar while theyre all really varied at the same time. The only songs on the album where you'd say she was relied upon to carry the song was fatal fight and .in the beginning there was. She only showed up in slight chanting besides that. Thats hardly whoring her out. Most of the songs she showed up in all sounded very different.


It's a lot more ambient than Episode II's, that's why people tend to prefer it over Episode I's, but one can't deny that Mitsuda's score had a lot more creativity, and was a fresh and influential scoreBut thats the thing. I found ll the hard blown orchestrations as repetitive as you'll find Deb Lyons by the end of the album. I think its pretty hard to be creative with the loud orchestra feeling and instruments Mitsuda needed to use for the game but he did a good jpb. I just think Episode II's music themes were more creative.



Most of it sounds very similar to her anime work. The instrumentation and chord progression are very much alike, using various aspects of her Anime work into her sole VGM score.It sounds more like Yuki Kajiura than Yuki Kajiuras anime work. She has her own feel to her music. It seems pretty take it or leave it to me and monlith/namco took it.



Umm, Hosoe's music was NEVER ambient beeps. If you've heard it, then you can comment, but not once did I find your statement in the score. It's very creative, one could say, and the rich blend between orchestral and electronica styles are great. Hosoe has never composed ambient beeps before. Enough said. (If the people you have talked to said that the music was bad, then they must have included the movie scene score in with their opinion. Remember, the average gamer isn't appreciative of the vastness of VGM. Most gamers DO think that the music in games is bad).I've downloaded videos of gameplay and thats my only expierience with Hasoes music myself. I'll be getting the game once its out in October 28th (cant wait) and Im hoping to see what Hosoe has to offer for myself. I've readthrough plenty of threads on message boards and besides you the majority feel has been the movie scenes were alright but the background music sucked except for one dungeon. Cutscene music or not though just about everyone agreed the music was played at very bad moments. Episode I never had this problem with its cutscenes.

I know this is old, but hey, Sarah banned me for no reason. How kind she is. So I'm replying now (despite the fact that Destai hasn't been on for a while).


Sorry are you talking about this?

"Previously, I read a question about whether you would be willing to take on the sequel to "Xenosaga", which you answered, "I'm not sure yet, since I still haven't received any word about the next game". But if you DID receive the offer, do you think you would accept? In my personal opinion, I can't imagine what the Xeno-series would be, without your music."


(from Yasunori)
"I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure yet (laughs). I don't think I can make a decision only by "assuming that I received the offer". Besides, I think it's a bit too early to be talking about things like that."

That was asked around June 2002 when there wasnt any word of Xenosaga II and the Q&A only goes as far as July 2002 as far as I can see.

And no I honestly dont know where I read he passed up on the job because he didnt like how his music was being used.

I'm talking about every question relating to Xenosaga II. He answers and proves my example many times. By June - July 2002, they would have been well into planning stages of the game. They easily should have picked a composer by then, and it happened to be Kajiura.


I said that with the belief that he quit the Xeno series because he didnt like there use of his music.

No, you missed my point.


Even if thats not true (I still think it is and I'll keep an eye out for where I read it) it seems fair enough to say the series went in a direction that didnt involve Mitsuda.

Well, obviously, regarding Episode II.


The same cant be confirmed for Kajiura and also as I've already said I think it sounds like her work. Its my interpretation given my understanding. Its not random.

For the trailers of Episode III, they have just used Kajiura's work from Episode II. That means nothing.


She usually uses Deb Lyons for chanting and just adding to background while an instrument takes the stage. Not many other composers use this method so thats why it stands out more to you.

Interesting. Isn't this the same as building a melody and using harmony to support it? VERY unique, no wait, VERY talented she is.


I mean on disc 1 the first four tracks all join into one so expect them to seem similar while theyre all really varied at the same time.

None of the compositions featuring Deb Lyon's voice are 'really varied'. They all contain extremely similar progression and chords and are usually in the same octave.


The only songs on the album where you'd say she was relied upon to carry the song was fatal fight and .in the beginning there was. She only showed up in slight chanting besides that. Thats hardly whoring her out. Most of the songs she showed up in all sounded very different.

I suggest you listen to the OST again. You will surely hear her voice being annoying in almost every track. She DID whore out her voice and there is no sense in denying it.


But thats the thing. I found ll the hard blown orchestrations as repetitive as you'll find Deb Lyons by the end of the album. I think its pretty hard to be creative with the loud orchestra feeling and instruments Mitsuda needed to use for the game but he did a good jpb. I just think Episode II's music themes were more creative.

Episode II hardly had anything more creative about it than Episode I did. Kajiura just tried to go for a more diverse atmosphere with a more varied score instrumental wise. And since she implemented her anime style into the score, she was hardly being creative composition wise. Mitsuda was taking a huge dive; he had never worked with an orchestra before, so he had experience and learnt more. That said, the electronica in Episode I is far more meaningful than Episode II's. Mitsuda only used the London Philhamonic Orchestra a few times within Episode I. Compare that with Kajiura's constent use of Lyon. There is no competition; the anime composer used her voice A LOT of times more than the orchestra.


It sounds more like Yuki Kajiura than Yuki Kajiuras anime work. She has her own feel to her music. It seems pretty take it or leave it to me and monlith/namco took it.

Please, PLEASE listen to her anime work. It helps to know about something before you comment about it.


I've readthrough plenty of threads on message boards and besides you the majority feel has been the movie scenes were alright but the background music sucked except for one dungeon. Cutscene music or not though just about everyone agreed the music was played at very bad moments. Episode I never had this problem with its cutscenes.

Ask any gamer if they thought any music to a game is good. High likelihood that they would say no (unless its Uematsu's 'awsomest supa coolz final fantasy serees'). And if I'm not mistaken, the transition between Hosoe and Kajiura's music was bad because Kajiura couldn't keep up with Hosoe's atmospheric (not ambience), creative tunes. Forums only go so far with opinions. It's best to play the game to experience the Hosoe's music.

I'm talking about every question relating to Xenosaga II. He answers and proves my example many times. By June - July 2002, they would have been well into planning stages of the game. They easily should have picked a composer by then, and it happened to be Kajiura. At that stage they certainly wouldnt have. Xenosaga/Monolith was in an upheave through resignations and new messed up management. Its very unlikely theyd have picked her by then and theres alot more reason to say they wouldnt have known at that stage.


For the trailers of Episode III, they have just used Kajiura's work from Episode II. That means nothing.There are two trailers out now. Im talking about the one with original music. Not here he comes#2 and nephilim. I thought that was clear from the start.




Interesting. Isn't this the same as building a melody and using harmony to support it? VERY unique, no wait, VERY talented she isNow you;re just being rude, thats how music generally works. Not many vgm artists use chanting in there soundtracks. Vocals normally take the centre stage in a song for your average artist.




None of the compositions featuring Deb Lyon's voice are 'really varied'. They all contain extremely similar progression and chords and are usually in the same octave.All round I agree.



I suggest you listen to the OST again. You will surely hear her voice being annoying in almost every track. She DID whore out her voice and there is no sense in denying it. Being annoying? Just because you dont like a song or artist doesnt mean its bad. She whored out her voice about as much as mitsuyda whored out his orchestra.




Episode II hardly had anything more creative about it than Episode I did. Kajiura just tried to go for a more diverse atmosphere with a more varied score instrumental wise. And since she implemented her anime style into the score, she was hardly being creative composition wise. Mitsuda was taking a huge dive; he had never worked with an orchestra before, so he had experience and learnt more. That said, the electronica in Episode I is far more meaningful than Episode II's. Mitsuda only used the London Philhamonic Orchestra a few times within Episode I. Compare that with Kajiura's constent use of Lyon. There is no competition; the anime composer used her voice A LOT of times more than the orchestra. Once again you dont get how her anime style is her own actual style. It was with that style they selected her in the first place. And Deb Lyons is in plenty of songs because in most of the songs she had about one line or less of chanting. Take the end of track four for example or her lines in track 2. If thats what you consider whoring her voice then good luck to Kajiura because she can certainly get away with it.


Please, PLEASE listen to her anime work. It helps to know about something before you comment about it. Someone disagrees with yuo so theyre clueless? Please grow up.



Ask any gamer if they thought any music to a game is good. High likelihood that they would say no (unless its Uematsu's 'awsomest supa coolz final fantasy serees'). And if I'm not mistaken, the transition between Hosoe and Kajiura's music was bad because Kajiura couldn't keep up with Hosoe's atmospheric (not ambience), creative tunes. Forums only go so far with opinions. It's best to play the game to experience the Hosoe's musicActually since episode II came out in euope I've both and played the game and expierienced his work. Its horrible. He even said on his site something along the lines of, "well I gave it a shot but this isnt really my thing". And Im pretty confident to say you're main praise to Hosoe is him being a vgm veteran as opposed to his music.

At that stage they certainly wouldnt have. Xenosaga/Monolith was in an upheave through resignations and new messed up management. Its very unlikely theyd have picked her by then and theres alot more reason to say they wouldnt have known at that stage.

It is possible to develop a game when something like this happens. The game would have definitely been in planning by that stage. Easily.


There are two trailers out now. Im talking about the one with original music. Not here he comes#2 and nephilim. I thought that was clear from the start.

Yes, I know. The other one has a variation of themes composed by Kajiura. You can hear that in the trailer, followed by new sections. This still doesn't mean much.



Now you;re just being rude, thats how music generally works. Not many vgm artists use chanting in there soundtracks. Vocals normally take the centre stage in a song for your average artist.

If that’s how music works, then why did you say it’s uncommon? As for the next part, let’s see, Mitsuda uses chanting in his soundtracks, Sakuraba uses chanting in his soundtracks, Shiina Masaru uses chanting in his soundtracks, Hirota uses chanting in his soundtracks. The list goes on. It's hardly uncommon.



Being annoying? Just because you dont like a song or artist doesnt mean its bad. She whored out her voice about as much as mitsuyda whored out his orchestra.

Umm, what? It has nothing to do with the artist or anything, it's because she overused her voice with no particular diversity. THAT is what the definition of whoring out means. Let’s see, 10 tracks with Lyons' un-diverse voice vs. 7 extremely diverse tracks with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. No contest, Kajiura wins the whoring contest.


Once again you dont get how her anime style is her own actual style. It was with that style they selected her in the first place. And Deb Lyons is in plenty of songs because in most of the songs she had about one line or less of chanting. Take the end of track four for example or her lines in track 2. If thats what you consider whoring her voice then good luck to Kajiura because she can certainly get away with it.

I understand completely where you are coming from, but that doesn't mean an anime composer like Kajiura can inject anime music into a video game. It's like saying Mitsuda's Celtic style is his own style, the only style he can use, when it isn't true. The man has tried many different genres and compositional patterns. I'm pretty sure Kajiura could have done something different to fit with the game. You obviously don't know the difference between VGM and anime music. You simply cannot use anime music styling with VGM. It results in mediocrity and criticism, though it can also cheaply win people over because of the over dramatic effect it portrays. She could have at least done something different to surprise the listeners. In most songs, there was plenty of chanting. Doesn't matter if it was one line or more, she overused her voice.


Someone disagrees with yuo so theyre clueless? Please grow up.

No, my sentence was brewed on pure fact. Disagreeing on that sentence only proves YOU need to grow up. Listen to her anime works, then come back and explain.


Actually since episode II came out in euope I've both and played the game and expierienced his work. Its horrible. He even said on his site something along the lines of, "well I gave it a shot but this isnt really my thing". And Im pretty confident to say you're main praise to Hosoe is him being a vgm veteran as opposed to his music.

Actually, kiddo, you're absolutely wrong. Read here (http://www.cocoebiz.com/hosoe/faq/index.shtml) for the real proof on his opinion. My praise is that he did a good job, not because he's a veteran.

It is possible to develop a game when something like this happens. The game would have definitely been in planning by that stage. Easily.Considering the music is one of the later thing that happens in a games making and how long it took for the game to start production and for the new staff to get sorted out after the japanese release, no its really really unlikely.




Yes, I know. The other one has a variation of themes composed by Kajiura. You can hear that in the trailer, followed by new sections. This still doesn't mean much. Just thought I'd share with you Kajiuras been confirmed. Theyre ditching Hosoe though. He seemed pretty open to coming back on his site but they didnt seem to want to go near him, nor did any of the Xenosaga fans.




If that�s how music works, then why did you say it�s uncommon? As for the next part, let�s see, Mitsuda uses chanting in his soundtracks, Sakuraba uses chanting in his soundtracks, Shiina Masaru uses chanting in his soundtracks, Hirota uses chanting in his soundtracks. The list goes on. It's hardly uncommon.Im saying its something shes identified for making a habit of using un;ike those other artists who dont do it particularly often.




Umm, what? It has nothing to do with the artist or anything, it's because she overused her voice with no particular diversity. THAT is what the definition of whoring out means. Let�s see, 10 tracks with Lyons' un-diverse voice vs. 7 extremely diverse tracks with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. No contest, Kajiura wins the whoring contest. And out of those ten tracks she got like 10 seconds in track 4, and some bass space in track 2, 1(disc 2)16(Disc 2). And two different versions of fatal fight. Its like calling mitsuda a piano whore or Sakuraba a electric guitar whore.



I understand completely where you are coming from, but that doesn't mean an anime composer like Kajiura can inject anime music into a video game. It's like saying Mitsuda's Celtic style is his own style, the only style he can use, when it isn't true. The man has tried many different genres and compositional patterns. I'm pretty sure Kajiura could have done something different to fit with the game. You obviously don't know the difference between VGM and anime music. You simply cannot use anime music styling with VGM. It results in mediocrity and criticism, though it can also cheaply win people over because of the over dramatic effect it portrays. She could have at least done something different to surprise the listeners. In most songs, there was plenty of chanting. Doesn't matter if it was one line or more, she overused her voice. I guess thats the difference between you and me because ten seconds of vocals could never count for whoring out her voice to me. It seems to me the same as saying m,itsuda whored an orchestral theme or piano any insrument.


No, my sentence was brewed on pure fact. Disagreeing on that sentence only proves YOU need to grow up. Listen to her anime works, then come back and explain.It was brewed on your own opinion. Music in .hack//Sign sounds like music in Xenosaga? Big fricken duh, its Yuki Kajiura. Shes not interested in verying into tons of different styles. She has her own pretty original one.




Actually, kiddo, you're absolutely wrong. Read here (http://www.cocoebiz.com/hosoe/faq/index.shtml) for the real proof on his opinion. My praise is that he did a good job, not because he's a veteran.It doesnt matter what he said anymore. Monolith and majority xenosaga fans feel he did a desperate job on the soundtrack. When it came to living up to Mitsuda (who is better than Kajiura or Hosoe) he did alot worse than her. And it seems literally illiogical to me that someone could prefer the artist who did any of hosoes tracks over the artist who could create communication breakdown or Fatal fight. It really makes absaloutely no sense to me. Maybe Im looking at it for whats better for Xenosaga than which I prefer personally.

Considering the music is one of the later thing that happens in a games making and how long it took for the game to start production and for the new staff to get sorted out after the japanese release, no its really really unlikely.

Actually, they choose a composer very early in the game's planning, just like most of attributes to the game, hence, planning. They don't announce it early because the composer usually doesn't directly work for the company, thus is one of the least important production credits to be announced. Remember, planning and production are two separate things.



Just thought I'd share with you Kajiuras been confirmed. Theyre ditching Hosoe though. He seemed pretty open to coming back on his site but they didnt seem to want to go near him, nor did any of the Xenosaga fans.

Yeah, I read this a while back. Kinda disappointing, but I guess this would be good for you, but don't expect any excellent in-game themes. Her strengths lie with motion pictures (anime), and that's what it should stay to. The part in bold is purely your opinion. No one else’s. Perhaps knowing the truth would help?



Im saying its something shes identified for making a habit of using un;ike those other artists who dont do it particularly often.

Umm, please listen to virtually every Hirota score (Shadow Hearts series), listen to Masaru's work, and, yes, Mitsuda. They use it a hell of a lot in their scores (even more so than Kajiura), but they tend to be extremely diverse with their sampling and choose different voices each time. They have been identified universally as composers who use vocal sampling. Monolith could've easily chosen one of those composers, who are equally capable of creating a decent score. You have to realize that there is a difference in composing using one's personal style and composing using one's personal field.


And out of those ten tracks she got like 10 seconds in track 4, and some bass space in track 2, 1(disc 2)16(Disc 2). And two different versions of fatal fight. Its like calling mitsuda a piano whore or Sakuraba a electric guitar whore.

But you see, Mitsuda isn't a piano whore, nor do I see any justification surrounding it. As for Sakuraba being an electric guitar whore, do you even know who Sakuraba is? He's a progressive rock musician. He barely uses an electric guitar in his work (the only time I can clearly think of is in Baten Kaitos and a few times in Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, where he used it a very limited amount. Do you know how many works Sakuraba has done for you to make this amusing statement?! Kinda a bare comparison, don't you think?). Kajiura could've done soooo many things besides using the voice; even VGM fans think that her overusing her voice was a vast mistake. I'm now getting the impression that you're using the 'whoring' phrase in incorrect defense. Your use of it is highly amusing.



I guess thats the difference between you and me because ten seconds of vocals could never count for whoring out her voice to me. It seems to me the same as saying m,itsuda whored an orchestral theme or piano any insrument.

I guess you're right here, though saying that Mitsuda whored out the orchestra is like saying Sakimoto and Iwata whored out the orchestral samples in FFT. That simply doesn't make sense. And please, share any form of justification on Mitsuda whoring out his piano?


It was brewed on your own opinion. Music in .hack//Sign sounds like music in Xenosaga? Big fricken duh, its Yuki Kajiura. Shes not interested in verying into tons of different styles. She has her own pretty original one.

Since you haven't heard .hack//Sign, Noir, etc, you truly do not know her style, therefore, you cannot say it’s my opinion because you haven’t heard it yourself. And you're also agreeing with me here in saying that she did incorporate her own anime style into Xenosaga II. Maybe she should start using variety in her music. Using the same compositional pattern, same instruments, and similar techniques, can lead to a composers downfall (*coughUematsucough*). Also, her style is far from original. An original style would be Hamauzu's style, Sakimoto's style, Ishiwatari's style, Yasuhisa Watanabe's style. The list goes on.


It doesnt matter what he said anymore. Monolith and majority xenosaga fans feel he did a desperate job on the soundtrack. When it came to living up to Mitsuda (who is better than Kajiura or Hosoe) he did alot worse than her. And it seems literally illiogical to me that someone could prefer the artist who did any of hosoes tracks over the artist who could create communication breakdown or Fatal fight. It really makes absaloutely no sense to me. Maybe Im looking at it for whats better for Xenosaga than which I prefer personally.

So it did matter what he said before, but now it doesn’t? Besides, I didn't know you equaled the majority of Xenosaga fans, nor did I know you equal Monolith. You read an excruciatingly small number of Xenosaga fans didn't like Hosoe's music. If that's a large majority then no wonder the series is ending on Xenosaga III. Do not assume that Monolith didn't like the music, you could be dead wrong. So you're criticizing me for liking something you don't? I don't see how my opinion and personal taste is 'illogical' compared to yours. I prefer Hosoe over Kajiura because he is a thousand times more creative in his works, thoughtful, and has a good sense of what needs to be done in the right situation. His works stand out more than Kajiura's. And I would hardly call "communication breakdown" or "Fatal Fight" amazing pieces, so it's wholly based on pure opinion.