Think this would fall at a 7.5-7.9 for me! Not amazing, but far more charming than it gets credit for.
- Presentation is incredible for a PS2 era game. The music is lovely, as is the deeply immersive world of Ivalice. Art direction was a huge plus and kept me captivated for a hefty playtime.
- 70+ hours in and I still can't decide if the battle system is more dynamic than it is repetitive or vice versa. I found MMO style combat REALLY boring growing up (everyone hacks at one monster at different tempos until it fades away unceremoniously), but this one felt much livelier than I expected. Though still a little droning to watch over long periods of time, it was deeply engrossing experience once I got momentum with finding more frequent equipment upgrades. The meshing of battles with traveling the overworld---no "random encounter" interruptions this time around---feels like a largely welcome change for smoothing out the pace of exploration. I DO think the really high level Hunts (i.e. Fafnir) should've had separate music tracks so that you're not waging epic battles accompanied by the same melancholy piano track as you'd get with regular world traversal, but that's getting pretty picky. I'll have to play more early entries to gauge just how much I miss the turn-based format in comparison. On another note, I rarely saw any advantage to using summons/Espers over Quickenings, but maybe I was playing it wrong.
- Coming off of playing IX, the story here doesn't hit quite the same high for me. Reading up on how the main character was meant to be Basch does make a lotta sense in context; with Vaan and Penelo added in, the focus of the story comes off as diluted overall and I would've liked a more central theme to guide the games many twists and turns throughout. IX was about death, coming to terms with your own mortality, and embracing friends as family when you have none to go back to, so what's XII about? Something to do with brotherhood (Basch) and some exploration of "breaking from your family lineage" (Ashe, Balthier, Fran), plus some Star Wars prequel-y political intrigue and some rejection of religion thrown in, I guess. These are all concepts that I really dig, but would've liked less of them if it meant sharper focus on the rest.
I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the cast except in a handful of emotional moments, though those moments were really, really well done. And so is the voice acting!
- Presentation is incredible for a PS2 era game. The music is lovely, as is the deeply immersive world of Ivalice. Art direction was a huge plus and kept me captivated for a hefty playtime.
- 70+ hours in and I still can't decide if the battle system is more dynamic than it is repetitive or vice versa. I found MMO style combat REALLY boring growing up (everyone hacks at one monster at different tempos until it fades away unceremoniously), but this one felt much livelier than I expected. Though still a little droning to watch over long periods of time, it was deeply engrossing experience once I got momentum with finding more frequent equipment upgrades. The meshing of battles with traveling the overworld---no "random encounter" interruptions this time around---feels like a largely welcome change for smoothing out the pace of exploration. I DO think the really high level Hunts (i.e. Fafnir) should've had separate music tracks so that you're not waging epic battles accompanied by the same melancholy piano track as you'd get with regular world traversal, but that's getting pretty picky. I'll have to play more early entries to gauge just how much I miss the turn-based format in comparison. On another note, I rarely saw any advantage to using summons/Espers over Quickenings, but maybe I was playing it wrong.
- Coming off of playing IX, the story here doesn't hit quite the same high for me. Reading up on how the main character was meant to be Basch does make a lotta sense in context; with Vaan and Penelo added in, the focus of the story comes off as diluted overall and I would've liked a more central theme to guide the games many twists and turns throughout. IX was about death, coming to terms with your own mortality, and embracing friends as family when you have none to go back to, so what's XII about? Something to do with brotherhood (Basch) and some exploration of "breaking from your family lineage" (Ashe, Balthier, Fran), plus some Star Wars prequel-y political intrigue and some rejection of religion thrown in, I guess. These are all concepts that I really dig, but would've liked less of them if it meant sharper focus on the rest.
I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the cast except in a handful of emotional moments, though those moments were really, really well done. And so is the voice acting!
Everybody who thought that JRPG audiences weren't to be trusted with interesting gameplay for the first 12 hours and somehow made that the norm is going to hell forever. Oh my fucking god dude I have done two and a half dungeons and multiple MMO slop quests and have unlocked gambits and they have not deigned to give me indulgences such as "Multiple Spell Elements" or "Things For Vaan To Do Other Than Press Attack" and I can't fucking STAND it anymore
Esse jogo é muito bom, ele é viciante e envolvente até um certo ponto.
Não curti muito as License Board, além da maior parte ser apenas licenças de equipamentos e o que beneficia o personagem é tudo passiva, senti como se a party não tivesse uma real identidade da classe, foi uma sensação de que a party era composta pelo: "bate seco com escudo e espada", "bate seco com espada grande" e o "bate seco com arco que cura em area".
A história que me interessou desde o começo pareceu que no meio do jogo perdeu o ritmo, só te joga dungeon atrás de dungeon e acaba, isso prejudicou tambem o desenvolvimento dos personagens, o final também é bem apressado.
O protagonista é uma decepção.
O loop de gameplay é divertida, as caças são um grande ponto positivo que com certeza eu vou continuar jogando pra fazer todas, as boss fights também são divertidas.
nota: Balthier e o Botão L1 são os verdadeiros protagonistas
Não curti muito as License Board, além da maior parte ser apenas licenças de equipamentos e o que beneficia o personagem é tudo passiva, senti como se a party não tivesse uma real identidade da classe, foi uma sensação de que a party era composta pelo: "bate seco com escudo e espada", "bate seco com espada grande" e o "bate seco com arco que cura em area".
A história que me interessou desde o começo pareceu que no meio do jogo perdeu o ritmo, só te joga dungeon atrás de dungeon e acaba, isso prejudicou tambem o desenvolvimento dos personagens, o final também é bem apressado.
O protagonista é uma decepção.
O loop de gameplay é divertida, as caças são um grande ponto positivo que com certeza eu vou continuar jogando pra fazer todas, as boss fights também são divertidas.
nota: Balthier e o Botão L1 são os verdadeiros protagonistas
One of the worst battle systems I have ever used.
A rubbish story that mainly involves walking from one place to another looking for a magic rock, a main character that seems to be as confused about why he's even in the game as we are, and a combat system that plays itself. And yet still better than Final Fantasy XIII.
ENG:
Spectacular story, great characters and good gameplay. It isn't a 5 star because of some personal points, like ways of earing gil, how high (price) some equipaments can around early/mid-game (or even late), the "final dungeon" and some more. However, if you are an intermediate/veterean FF fan, you'll enjoy it (like I did)
BR:
História espetacular, ótimos personagens e uma gameplay boa. Só não é um 5 estrelas por causa de certos pontos pessoais, como as formas de ganhar gil, o quão caro os equipamentos podem ser no early/mid-game (até mesmo no late), a "dungeon" final e etc. Porém, se você é um fã intermediário/veterano de FF, você vai curtir (que nem eu).
Spectacular story, great characters and good gameplay. It isn't a 5 star because of some personal points, like ways of earing gil, how high (price) some equipaments can around early/mid-game (or even late), the "final dungeon" and some more. However, if you are an intermediate/veterean FF fan, you'll enjoy it (like I did)
BR:
História espetacular, ótimos personagens e uma gameplay boa. Só não é um 5 estrelas por causa de certos pontos pessoais, como as formas de ganhar gil, o quão caro os equipamentos podem ser no early/mid-game (até mesmo no late), a "dungeon" final e etc. Porém, se você é um fã intermediário/veterano de FF, você vai curtir (que nem eu).
The reputation of Final Fantasy's music indeed precedes itself. The series has been hailed as a prime example of masterful composing and emotive arrangements. A majority of acclaim is due to Nobuo Uematsu, composer behind the first nine games in the series and his influence and prowess is undeniable. But come his stepping down as lead composer, he would assist with Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XI and later depart from Square in 2004. With this, a new wave of individual composers would take up the mantle for future games, and with Final Fantasy XII, Hitoshi Sakamoto would create one of the finest video game soundtracks.
What really gives the music of Final Fantasy XII its unique identity in comparison to the rest of the series is based on Sakamoto's previous work in the world of Ivalice. Going as far back as Final Fantasy Tactics, the sonic pallet has remained lush and atmospheric, emphasising the space in which these pieces are heard.
I absolutely adore the serenity of "The Cerobi Steppe", with its twinkling harp plucks and woodwind ensemble as well as intensity of "Nalbina Dungeons" as Vaan and gang sneak their way out of the underground prison. Sakamoto does his best with ambient pieces for zone themes, each area having distinct tone to enahance the gameplay and immersion. The Dalmasca Estersand, Phon Coast and Ozmone Plain would seem as grand and illustrious without their respective soundtracks.
Not to mention the character themes doing a fabulous job at capturing each character's essence , with the highlight being "Ashe's Theme", which evolves its meaning along with her journey to power.
Sakamoto has crafted a immaculate soundtrack worthy of a Final Fantasy.
💫HIGHLIGHTS💫: THE ARCADIAN EMPIRE - NALBINA DUNGEONS - ENDING MOVIE - THE CEROBI STEPPE - TCHITA UPLANDS
👑🏴☠️🛫
What really gives the music of Final Fantasy XII its unique identity in comparison to the rest of the series is based on Sakamoto's previous work in the world of Ivalice. Going as far back as Final Fantasy Tactics, the sonic pallet has remained lush and atmospheric, emphasising the space in which these pieces are heard.
I absolutely adore the serenity of "The Cerobi Steppe", with its twinkling harp plucks and woodwind ensemble as well as intensity of "Nalbina Dungeons" as Vaan and gang sneak their way out of the underground prison. Sakamoto does his best with ambient pieces for zone themes, each area having distinct tone to enahance the gameplay and immersion. The Dalmasca Estersand, Phon Coast and Ozmone Plain would seem as grand and illustrious without their respective soundtracks.
Not to mention the character themes doing a fabulous job at capturing each character's essence , with the highlight being "Ashe's Theme", which evolves its meaning along with her journey to power.
Sakamoto has crafted a immaculate soundtrack worthy of a Final Fantasy.
💫HIGHLIGHTS💫: THE ARCADIAN EMPIRE - NALBINA DUNGEONS - ENDING MOVIE - THE CEROBI STEPPE - TCHITA UPLANDS
👑🏴☠️🛫
I put many hours into this game, loving every minute. I will someday return to do the last three or four super bosses I left behind.
This one was my very first Final Fantasy game, and I'm almost pretty sure it was my very first JRPG. I was mesmerized by the world, the music, the characters, and the fantasy, but I never managed to finish it. Hell, I never made it past the Giza Plains.
Yes, the characters are bland, and yes, the plot's very by the numbers, but Goddammit, I love it.
Yes, the characters are bland, and yes, the plot's very by the numbers, but Goddammit, I love it.
Best combat of every Final Fantasy. MOST boring story and characters ever in a video game.
Job system and difficulty changes makes it way too easy.
The original was better, sorry not sorry.
The original was better, sorry not sorry.
There's a lot I like about this game. The gambits system is cool, graphically it's leaps and bounds ahead of the previous titles (in particular is the facial animation. I'm not sure I've seen another game use micro expressions as well as this game) and the characters are nuanced and endearing.
However, the gambits system (while interesting) turns the combat into a complete bore. It's neat setting up your gambits and seeing it all play out once or twice... but then it just becomes a monotonous bore. I shouldn't get to a boss fight and think 'ah, I can just leave this running while I look at my phone, or grab a drink, or use the toilet'. It wasn't until the very last boss that actually forced me to rethink the tactics that had gotten me through 90% of the game (and even that was only because I ran out of Phoenix Downs).
I also found the story to be quite underwhelming. It lacks any sort of momentum until the final couple of hours. Also there's hardly any comradery building between the party members. My favourite moments were the times Vaan / Penelo were sharing some light hearted moments with the team but I could count on a single hand how many times that occurs.
Ultimately it's very ambition, and I appreciate that it does have it's fans, but for me this ranks towards the bottom of the mainline Final Fantasy games.
However, the gambits system (while interesting) turns the combat into a complete bore. It's neat setting up your gambits and seeing it all play out once or twice... but then it just becomes a monotonous bore. I shouldn't get to a boss fight and think 'ah, I can just leave this running while I look at my phone, or grab a drink, or use the toilet'. It wasn't until the very last boss that actually forced me to rethink the tactics that had gotten me through 90% of the game (and even that was only because I ran out of Phoenix Downs).
I also found the story to be quite underwhelming. It lacks any sort of momentum until the final couple of hours. Also there's hardly any comradery building between the party members. My favourite moments were the times Vaan / Penelo were sharing some light hearted moments with the team but I could count on a single hand how many times that occurs.
Ultimately it's very ambition, and I appreciate that it does have it's fans, but for me this ranks towards the bottom of the mainline Final Fantasy games.
I won't ever think about this again it just had zero impact.
one positive I will give it is I love an integrated series of maps with lots of little nooks and crannies to double back on and explore as you level up. more of that please.
it's also funny how XVI just stole this whole game's deal but added a nonsense somber tone on top of it. least this is trying to be fun!
one positive I will give it is I love an integrated series of maps with lots of little nooks and crannies to double back on and explore as you level up. more of that please.
it's also funny how XVI just stole this whole game's deal but added a nonsense somber tone on top of it. least this is trying to be fun!
Bon jeu même si les personnages principaux ne sont pas si fou que ça
What’s better than a game where you walk around and press one button? A game where you walk around and press no buttons!
I played this game back in 2006 when it first released and I really enjoyed it, then a power outage happened while I was saving and it was my only save file. I never had only one save file ever again and that’s a pretty big impact on me. I bring this up because this game is a massive time investment and I was very much not willing to get back into the mix, 60 hours down the drain. Zodiac age completely and absolutely fixes this. The game comes with a 2x/4x speed up mode that completely trivializes all the leveling and walkin around you have to do. Very much like the speed up mode on emulators, it makes the game accessible in a way it previously was not. I was able to beat this game in around 30 hours because of this feature.
Now I will actually talk about the game itself, like I said at the start. You essentially just setup menus and actions before you start combat and let the game play itself. It feels like a miracle that this game is fun. But the environment, story, characters, leveling system, license board, gambits, hunts all combine together to make this very enjoyable experience.
It was very cathartic to come back to this game and beat it. That’s all I got to say. Good times
I played this game back in 2006 when it first released and I really enjoyed it, then a power outage happened while I was saving and it was my only save file. I never had only one save file ever again and that’s a pretty big impact on me. I bring this up because this game is a massive time investment and I was very much not willing to get back into the mix, 60 hours down the drain. Zodiac age completely and absolutely fixes this. The game comes with a 2x/4x speed up mode that completely trivializes all the leveling and walkin around you have to do. Very much like the speed up mode on emulators, it makes the game accessible in a way it previously was not. I was able to beat this game in around 30 hours because of this feature.
Now I will actually talk about the game itself, like I said at the start. You essentially just setup menus and actions before you start combat and let the game play itself. It feels like a miracle that this game is fun. But the environment, story, characters, leveling system, license board, gambits, hunts all combine together to make this very enjoyable experience.
It was very cathartic to come back to this game and beat it. That’s all I got to say. Good times
literally medieval star wars, except vann is both luke and c-3po, and penelo is the chosen one (she is op)