Actually, that's not the first time I've seen a Xenogears fan say that. I've never played Xenosaga mainly due to lack of time, but the more I read Xenogears fans' opinions about the third game, the more I want to play it.
It's a shame Masato Kato didn't work on the series, though.
Really? I thought I was rather alone in that. Here's my rundown for you:
Xenosaga I: Very good and very fun game, but the story cuts off with a "To be continued" right when it is getting good! Left something to be desired. Nowhere near as good as Xenogears.
Xenosaga II: Starts off
immediately after Xenosaga I. Because the story is so complex, if you play Xenosaga I, you've gotta play II right after or you'll be hopelessly "WTF?". The game itself largely sucks. The battle system is horrendous and the story is not up to par. But it's a transition between Xenosaga I and III so you've gotta play it if you're a Xeno fan.
and finally Xenosaga III: Awesome. I rarely call a game "perfect" but it's pretty damn close. If you play an RPG for the story, this game's story is magnificent. It draws everything together from the previous games flawlessly and the battle system is fun once more. You never want the game to end.
For a long time Xenogears and Xenosaga III were neck and neck. But over the past year I replayed Xenosaga I-III and Xenogears consecutively and I've gotta say Xenosaga III is a tiny, tiny bit better story wise and gameplay wise than Xenogears. If the second disc of Xenogears wasn't the way that it is (I don't mind it, but still...) Xenogears would probably win.
My advice? Do yourself a favor and start with Xenosaga I and play through the series. While it is not a
direct prequel to Xenogears (in a sense at least, they could easily connect the games), you will not be disappointed as a Xenogears fan. I guarantee it.
