Xenogears Perfect Works states that Episode I consists of the era prior to Deus's deployment, Episode II is the scenario after the crash with Abel and Cain, Episode III is the Zeboim era with Kim and Emeralda, Episode IV is the sordid affair of Lacan and Sophia, and Episode V is Xenogears's present era. From the beginning, Monolith Soft was never looking to follow this pattern, seamlessly link Xenosaga to Xenogears, and have Xenosaga Episode V as a Xenogears remake. (And even if they had been, Square Enix would certainly have had a lawsuit or two to contend.) The whole "Xenosaga Episode n" title structure was just implemented to (further) sucker Xenogears fans into thinking they were dealing with a legitimate prequel, when the reality of the situation turned out to be rather to the contrary.