According to most reviews, it isn't. Apparently it's far too short and focuses for too long on Jr. and Albedo rather than the rest of the cast. On top of that, apparently, they re-cast a lot of the voice talent. Shion isn't voiced by the same woman, along with several other key players.

And is it just me, or does the entire AGWS system feel tacked on and sloppy? The Gears system in Xenogears was great, and was pretty easy to navigate. As opposed to the AGWS system in Xenosaga, in which I have to buy one of every weapon at each new shop I encounter because A) I can't remember the goddamn "serial numbers" for all of the stuff I've already bought and sold, and B) because the shop system doesn't display any change in stats, regardless of whether the selected weapon is weaker or stronger than what I already have! It's just a giant fucking mess, and it doesn't work at all.