I was 13 in 8th grade. So yeah I would guess maybe around there. I graduated at 17. I think I was 14 when I played it for the first time and understood it.

I just see a big difference in understanding a game like Xenogears compared to let's say, Lunar.

It really depends.

Some stories can be written or presented in a more juvenile manner, but house interesting and deep phylosophy and thematics.

Curious, what console JRPG storylines did you like?

thinking back now , it was pretty simple .....to my liking ha
ill agree and say 5

I am sure they could read it, but take this from the Wiki for example.

Could you see a 10-year old understanding that?

Are we talking about the actual words, or the underlying messages? Most 5th graders should be able to understand the words to most anything out there because they should be able to house a sizeable vocab inside their heads at that point in time. However, that doesn't mean they grasp every ounce of the story in a game/novel/film/etc. Many RPG stories are well beyond a fifth grade level in understanding because many times they are unnecessarily convoluted and sometimes just don't make much sense at all, so they're even beyond my understanding as an adult. A lot of that usually stems from them not playing by the laws of the world we are in and them basically making up whatever they want along the way. Or maybe I'm just stupid.

The latter.

I agree they would be able to understand the words, but not grasp the entire storyline.

For example the game explores a great many philosophical, ethical, and psychological themes, going to great lengths to shape characters that are thoughtful and curious, and the probing criticisms of religion featured in the game almost resulted in it not being released at all in the western world.

Do you think the younger gamer would have understood why it almost did not get a western release from playing it?

^ if it was more deep it would go saying that the game is a movie.

like they did with mgs4.

I love my JRPG that way.

You know of any JRPG I could play that have a storyline as deep as Xenogears? Let alone have an awesome soundtrack?

I really need a new JRPG to play after I play and finish Star Ocean 4 but to be honest I haven't found any game that made me go "WOW!" since the PS1 era. The JRPG's are still good, but for me the level of quality I experienced back then hasn't been the same.

I am thinking of just replaying Xenogears unless I can find something else.