Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. To use popular geek culture that I too am well versed in, Xenosaga to Xenogears is like Batman Forever to The Dark Knight, or Attack of the Clones to The Empire Strikes Back. Well, maybe that's a little harsh -- Xenosaga III was pretty good, and the first game was playable. Regardless, the point is Xenogears is in a class waaaay beyond Xenosaga, and it's one of the all-time greatest RPG's ever made. Right up there with any other of Square's golden-era classics.