If Episode I is like reading Frank Herbert's DUNE, Episode II is more reminiscent of watching David Lynch's DUNE. It's a good comparison in a couple ways: 1) Monolith Soft themselves compared writing the scenario for II & III to a film adaptation of a book (in this case, the original plan of Xenosaga) and 2) the pacing from the first half of the movie or game cannot be sustained in the second half, because of how much story there is to tell.

There's a lot to say about this game, but in the interest of saving time here's my takeaway: it's largely one step forward, two steps back. The cutscenes aren't given the same care that the first entry had for them. The battle system is more engaging, but half-baked -- and in the end comes off more as a detriment as a result. The side quest and dungeon gameplay have some neat ideas but feel a bit antiquated, with a lack of respect for the player's time (I can't see anyone realistically doing all the side quests without a walkthrough to point them in the right direction). And while Yuki Kaijura's contributions are great, the biggest loss by far is Yasunori Mitsuda stepping away from the remainder of the franchise at this point.

Some great moments, but it could have been so much more.