Namco today finalized the US release date for Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose. The sequel to 2003's Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht will be released in North America in February 2005, exclusively for the PlayStation 2.

　　Developed by Japan-based Monolith Software (not to be confused with the Matrix Online studio of the same name), Episode II takes place in the same futuristic setting as the 2003 original. Android-designer Shion, KOS-MOS, and the rest of the cast from Episode I will return as the main characters. Players will control them as they go on a quest to retrieve the original Zohar and unravel the Militian Conflict. The game will also touch on many of the mysteries in the original game's extensive story.

　　Xenosaga Episode II will feature more than 100 different skills for character customization. Combination attacks, a refined boost system, and double-team attacks, such as archangel's requiem and fiery ritornelle, are all included in the game's new battle system.

　　See GameSpot's impressions of the Japanese version of Xenosaga Episode II for more information.