Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
Developer(s): Monolith Soft
Publisher(s): Namco (AS, JP), Namco Bandai Games (US)
Genre: RPG
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: IGN: 8.0/10, Metacritic: 81/100
Game description: The story of Xenosaga III starts a year after "Xenosaga II" ended. Shion has resigned from Vector Industries after learning that the company is deeply connected to the appearance of the Gnosis. She instead joins Scientia, an underground organization working to unveil Vector's secrets in order to bring them down. Uncover the truth and save mankind in the finale of the Xenosaga series which boasts over 3 hours of movies, an updated battle system and an improved customization feature with more in-depth character specialization and diversification and higher rewards for strategic party management. This RPG also includes an easily accessible database feature, the "Xeno Bible" and a mini-game with over 50 levels that challenges both you and your friends.
It is one year after the events of Episode II and Shion Uzuki has left Vector Industries. After the "Missing Year" fiasco in which she uncovered information that revealed her former employer's shadowy intentions and her father's involvement with the U-TIC organization, Shion joined the anti-Vector group, Scientia. The CEO of Vector Industries, Wilhelm is trying to "reset" the universe going back to the point in time where it all began.
Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra is the sequel to Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose
Test configurations on Windows:
Environment | Configurations | Comments | Tester | ||||
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Region | OS | CPU/GPU | Revision | Graphics | Sound/Pad | ||
NTSC-U | ? |
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0.9.7 | GSdx 3693 0.1.16 |
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EE Cycle 2, VU Stealing 2. May run without speedhacks but there were no issues either way. "Allow 8-bit textures" has to be enabled in GSdx or some parts will have a severe drop in fps. Some cut scenes are distorted and unwatchable using a hardware renderer but they are far and few between (maybe half a dozen in the whole game), the context is still clear from audio. Software rendering may fix this and all scenes are available on youtube but as said, it's hardly necessary. | 84.58.40.232 |
NTSC-U(?) | ? |
|
0.9.9 | GSdx 5315 0.1.16 |
|
In dx11 hardware mode, screen often gets darker than it sould be. dx9 mode would fix this, but fps is severely reduced.(30~50%). There's some minor glitches in Zarathustra dungeon, etc. FPS: 40~60(dx11), 20~45(dx9) | Subsystem |
NTSC-U | Windows |
|
1.4.0 | GSdx9 1.0 |
|
Runs almost perfect. Occasional extra long character shadow appears. Slight frameloss in intense cut scenes. | |
NTSC-U | Windows 10 Pro |
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1.6.0 Stable | GSdx 1.2.0 AVX2 OpenGL (Hardware) |
|
Safe Emulation Preset with GSdx OpenGL. 4k 60fps, up to 400% speed. Setting Used:
• CRC Hacks: Aggressive • HW Hacks: Enabled • Disable Safe Features: Enabled • Preload Frame Data: Enabled • Merge Sprite • Half-Pixel Offset: Sprite(Texture) • Round Sprite: Full • Texture Offsets: X:0 / Y: 1000. Big thanks to Reddit user u/generalmartacus for the sprite alignment settings! These came from a thread on the Xenosaga Subreddit. I am only responsibly for the finding out about the CRC and other HW Hacks, as well as extra testing. |
Trivia
- Original names: ゼノサーガ・エピソードⅢ ~ツァラトゥストラはかく語りき~ (SLPS-25640)
- Also known as Xenosaga Episode III: Zarathustra wa Kaku Katariki (JP)
Known Issues
Broken graphics on certain surfaces in final dungeon
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: There are garbage graphics on some transparent/reflective surfaces in the final dungeon.
- Workaround: No solution exists.
One single shadow broken in final dungeon
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: There is one single broken shadow on the ceiling of one of the rooms in the final dungeon.
- Workaround: No solution exists.
Line going across middle of flashback cutscenes
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: Straight horizontal line going across the middle of flashback (sepia filter) cutscenes.
- Workaround: No solution exists, but it's least noticeable on hardware renderers at native resolution; however it appears on every configuration, including software rendering.
Broken floor shadow following playable character
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: An incorrect shadow will follow the playable character in the overworld.
- Workaround: Select OpenGL as the renderer and enable "Disable Safe Features".
Ghosting images around characters during cutscenes when upscaling
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: Ghosting will be visible around characters during cutscenes when running higher than native resolution. This is due to bloom not working well with upscaling.
- Workaround: Set Half Pixel Offset to Normal (Vertex) and Round Sprite to Full. Alternatively, enable Merge Sprite. If nothing seems to fix it, press F9 to switch to software rendering.
Fixed Issues
Darker screen/edge issues
- Status: Fixed
- Type: Minor
- Description: In dx11 hardware mode, screen often gets darker than it should be.
- Workaround: Update to the latest nightly version of PCSX2.
Scenes are distorted and unwatchable
- Status: Fixed
- Type: Major
- Description: Some cut scenes are distorted and unwatchable using a hardware renderer but they are far and few between (maybe half a dozen in the whole game), the context is still clear from audio.
- Workaround: Update to the latest nightly version of PCSX2.
The gallery
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Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra (SLPS 25640)
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Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra (SLPS 25640) displaying graphical issue