Quite possibly the most unique RPG to date. Very complex, and a thrill to experience!
::Beginning Story Spoilers::The world of Xenogears details a war that has gone on for centuries, between opposing nations, (and through the progression of the game) land-dwellers and advanced nations of floating cities in the sky. The game centers around Fei Fong Wong, a young man whose attempt to save his village from an attacking robot army ends with his fellow villagers dying by his own hands. After being exiled from the village in shambles, Fei questions his true identity and of his past that he has no recollection of.::Beginning Story Spoilers::
Gameplay-wise, Xenogears showcases two different turn-based battle systems: On foot and in Gear. On foot battles allow Fei and his companions to pull off weak, medium, or strong attacks, each of which cost a certain amount of AP. If single attacks requiring a minimal amount of attack points (or AP) are pulled off, then a meter fills with the remaining AP that was not used for that turn. By gradually filling up the AP meter, each character is capable of pulling off multiple stringed combo attacks that deal more damage. The "Gear" battle system is essentially the same (taking place in giant robots), except that each weak,medium or strong attack costs fuel points, and sans the string combo feature. When a Gear's fuel is fully depleted, the Gear cannot perform any action, but is able to Charge up to replenish a small amount of fuel each turn so as to not be completely out of commission. The battle systems themselves are unique, but not very groundbreaking. It does however make battles seem a little more real-time than the "one hit-next turn" style that's been beaten to death in a lot of RPGs.
The in game graphics are done well, with fully rotating 3D areas and 2D sprites. Although not the best graphics on the Playstation, it does a good job of representing an anime feel, even down to the few but awesome anime cutscenes in the game. The only downside is that the 2D sprites are very SNES-era, and controlling Fei running around in dungeons and stuff can be awkward at times, and with some platforming elements included, it adds for slightly frustrating moments.
One of the most important aspects of games, and even movies apart from visuals, is the music, and Xenogears does a great job in the music department. The music was done by Yasunori Mitsuda, who also composed Chrono Trigger, but the considerable difference between the two soundtracks are the more subtle and sometimes dark scores in Xenogears, as opposed to the heavily orchestral and vibrance of Chrono Trigger. The whole point is, Xenogears really has the "dark brooding world" going for it, and although personally not my favorite soundtrack of all time, captures the mood enough to coincide with the story and characters precisely.
For RPG enthusiasts, this is the game for you. There is a lot of story and gameplay here, all in only two discs. If you're just getting into RPGs, this may be a little too advanced to start out with, because of its difficulty and enormous plot that throws a lot at you at once. However, it does deliver a good challenge that will leave you satisfied. Even more impressive is its consistency in story telling and development, right to the very end.