For those of you complaining about the story and how it seems like nothing happens.

Well if you just look at the back of the cover I think you should get your answer on why.

It says "sometimes to save the future you must uncover the past."

I am sure that the creators wanted people in this game to basically get to know the characters alot better. So they are exploring the characters past lives in order for you to get to know them.

I am sure alot more will happen in the present tense in Ep. 3. And when it does you will be alot more attached to the characters and the things that will happen to them will mean alot more to you.

When it is all said and done I think Ep. II will probably be one of the least loved of the series because nothing really exciting happens to further the story. But it is a necessary step in order for you to get attached to the characters so you enjoy the things to come all that much more.

I think the game creators know what they are doing for the series. And I think there are alot of great things to come in the xenosaga series.