Xenogears/Getting Started

The gameplay in Xenogears combines traditional console role-playing game elements with new innovative features. It uses two-dimensional sprites overlaid on three-dimensional backgrounds, as well as two different battle systems: the first uses the characters in combo-based physical combat; the second takes place in turn-based "Gear" battles. Xenogears uses both traditional anime and pre-rendered CGI movie clips by Production I.G during some emotive or important plot points.

The player controls the protagonist and his party through a fully three-dimensional fictional world. There is an overworld map with different locations spread out across several continents. At first, the party only travels on foot, but is eventually permitted to travel via a variety of vehicles, including their Gears.

Battle system
Battling is a variant of the Active Time Battle system found in various Final Fantasy games and Chrono Trigger. Most enemy encounters in Xenogears are random, and once a battle starts, the screen changes to a combat scenario. Characters fight with martial arts combat and "Ether" attacks along with special "Deathblow" moves that are learned through repeated combinations of strong, moderate, and weak hits. Attacks use Action Points (AP) and cost 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point, respectively. Each character can initially use 3 AP per turn, and leveling up characters eventually allows them to use 6 AP per turn. At a certain point in the story, an additional AP is acquired, allowing characters to learn "Elemental Deathblows". In addition to being used for attacks, AP may be saved and used as Attack Points for combo attacks in later turns. A total of 28 AP may be accumulated for combo attacks.

In addition to their regular attacks and Deathblows, characters can also use magical abilities that can aid the party or damage enemies. These abilities are limited by the number of Ether Points (EP) that are available to a character and are not replenished between attack rounds. For most characters, these abilities are called Ether, but some characters' abilities have different names, implying differences in their origins. For example, Fei's magic is called "Chi" and Citan's is called "Arcane". While fighting in their Gears, characters' Ether abilities are amplified, though some change or become unavailable during this type of combat.

Gear battle
In addition to small-scale, hand-to-hand combat, the characters sometimes fight from within their respective combat robots, called Gears. For these particular battles, the combination style is reduced to a selection of strong, medium, or weak attacks that build up the attack level of the Gear with each attack so that the Gear can unleash a special attack. While in Gears, the limiting factor of AP is replaced with a fuel gauge, with each attack consuming an amount relative to its power. There are three levels of normal special Gear attacks and one additional "infinite" level of special Gear attacks that correspond to a character's learned Deathblow skills. Infinite level differs from the other three levels in several ways. "Infinity Mode" lasts for three turns; while in this mode, fuel can be recharged in larger amounts and Gears can use "Infinity" attacks. To reach Infinity Mode, a character has to stay at attack level 3 while performing any other action. With each turn, there is a chance that Infinity Mode will be reached.

Gears can regain fuel with a "Charge" command. The Gears can also activate "Boosters" which enable them to act faster at a cost of extra fuel per turn. The "Special Option" command allows for Gear HP restoration abilities and special attacks. When a Gear has no fuel left, it can no longer execute attacks, use special options, or use boosters. They can, however, Charge to regain fuel and use Ether abilities. The main characters can purchase Gear fuel, parts, and upgrades in shops or from certain individuals.