Final Fantasy XII

Originally posted by ((The_Anomaly))
Don't worry about the fighting system, if you've played KOTOR for PC or Xbox, its much the same as that. Except more in depth.

And TRUST me, your gonna wanna level up, and your going to spend A LOT of time doing it. This is a difficult game, and dying is commonplace, especially at the start.

Its also pretty hard to avoid enemies in general as they chase you for a good while. Running away in this game is actually slightly harder then in previous FF games, as you cant just hit a button and get out, you actually have to run away yourself. And keen enemies wont easily let you get away (sometimes you actually have to leave the area in order to escape). So don't worry about it.

I've never played KOTOR though. But I'm not worried. Still looks good.

I was about to ask about healing after a battle now that the battle system has changed. I just remember though that FF games don't automatically heal you after battle anyway.

It seems Baten Kaitos Origins has handicapped me in that department. I'm going to be expecting that when playing this game for a while until I get used to having to buy items and healing myself again.

Anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Yeah, the graphics and scope are amazing. I do like the battle system and license board. Only thing, none of the characters seem particularly interesting, and I don't like the character design. Plus the game does start off very very slowly, but it kinda has to to in order to teach players all about the new style and combat.

Originally posted by BackFire
Yeah, the graphics and scope are amazing. I do like the battle system and license board. Only thing, none of the characters seem particularly interesting, and I don't like the character design. Plus the game does start off very very slowly, but it kinda has to to in order to teach players all about the new style and combat.

Yea, overall this is my main problem too. The characters are not as interesting as I'd like them to be. I think its because at the beginning they are trying to start off what will be a huge scope of a story by introducing you to like a 'million' characters and attempting to make you follow everyones story. They try to do this too much. I'm 6 hours in, and I feel like I'm JUST starting to get a grasp on some of the character motivations. Thankfully though, the characters do get more interesting as time goes on, and as you (slowly) learn more about them. The problem is that they are trying to do too much with too many people I think, so it takes a long while before you actually get anywhere (character development wise) with the characters. This isnt a major concern, as the game does focous more upon the overall conflict of nations as opposed to the actions of 2 or 3 individuals. Never the less, I hope the character development starts to pick up (though it already kinda has) more quickly.

Yeah, I read the game starts off very slowly and it takes about 5-6 hours before you really get into and that the characters aren't interesting at all.

I hope I don't feel that way about the characters when I play the game this weekend.

Anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Ah man, it feels so good to be into a new FF game again, it's been way too long.

After playing a few hours today I can say a few things.

1. The combat is great. For the first few hours it's pretty bland seeing as you don't really do anything but attack with one character. But now, about 11 hours in, I love combat. Building your characters through the license board and figuring out which gambits to use for maximum efficiency is really rewarding. I can safely say that grinding is the most fun it's ever been in this game.

2. It's hard. Yes, the game is pretty difficult at times. Particularly boss fights. Be prepared for some frustration at some points.

3. The story takes a LONG time to start. It basically just started and I'm about 10 hours into the game. Be patient and enjoy the other aspects of the game for the first few hours.

4. Boy this game is addictive, as much so as any other FF game, and even more in some ways. The combat has that nice feel to it, where you don't want to stop killing enemies because there's always something JUST out of reach, whether it be a nice new ability on the license board, or a character nearing their level up, or coming close to getting the amount of money you need to buy that nice new weapon.

5. Money is pretty hard to come by in this game. Most monsters don't drop money, instead they drop trade goods that can be sold for some cash. Also the fact that you need to buy a lot of things really enhances the money game. You won't just get stock loads of money, not for a while, at least, if at all.

Anyways, it's a very good game so far, Final Fantasy through and through. I know this because it's nearing my bedtime, I'm tired, but I want to keep playing.

Welcome back, Final Fantasy.

Yeah, I read on most of the things that you mentioned. You matched one reading almost to a "T" actually. Good Job in explaining.

From the way it sounds though. I'm beginning to fear I might not like this game that much. The License system doesn't sound good. The gambit system doesn't sound good. The lack of money doesn't sound good.

I do how the game doesn't throw you right into everything from the get go. I don't mind laying low for the first 10 hrs or so and just enjoying the game without any stress inducing events right off the bat.

Sounds like it's just like Kingdom Hearts 2 Beginning where it was slow and you weren't even Sora for the first few hours. Although, this game seems to have a longer period of before the game picks up. But as I said, I'm fine with that.

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

I'm only a few hours in, so I don't know about the Gambit system, but I can say the License Board is not bad, just... odd. It feels kind of weird to have to earn a license to use a weapon I'm already carrying. Apparently you'll need a license for most everything you can equip, weapons, armor, accessories, even the ability to cast magick. But it's not a bad thing. Just different.

From my few hours of play so far, I must say that I like it. The areas are beautiful, the music is perfect, the voice acting isn't painful, animation is clean, the world feels lived in, and battle is less of a hassle than before. I actually prefer this battle type to the old ATB system, it simply feels better to me. I agree characters are a bit... bland at this point, but I see plenty of potential in development.

Here's hoping that XII is good enough to usurp "Favorite FF" from VI, and acknowledging that I think there's a definite chance.

Yeah. It's said that the characters become much more interesting further on.

They said the most interesting characters is the Pirate/Sky Captain. He's name is like Baithlasar or something like that.

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Balthier. I've heard him and Fran being compared to Han and Chewie (Fran is even the mechanic of the duo), which I can really only guess is a good thing.

So is there anything about the game that you don't like?

Is there anything you can assure me on that I posted above that I don't know if I'll like that is actually a good thing?

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Keep in mind I've played a grand total of less than 4 hours. But no, I've not encountered anything yet that is a big turn off.

Actually, there's one thing that is a minor annoyance, at least in the city of Rabanastre. What the shops are for isn't readily apparent. I spent some time wandering around the East End just figuring out what the shops sold and where they were. I suppose it's somewhat more realistic in that you shouldn't instantly know where everything is until you familiarize yourself with the area, but as I said, it's a slight annoyance. I'm sure the large map has them color-coded in some way, but that too would take time to learn.

gametrailers said the story is lame cuz it doesnt involve the characters.. just their nation...and that the amount of story doesnt balance with the amount of content.. they threw something in about tedium as well.. but gave it an 8.2 or an 8.0 score.. so it couldntve been that bad.. O,o

How does the amount of story not balance with the amount of content? shrug

Being that many other reviewers have given it high scores along with high praise in their reviews, I'm not too worried about Gametrailers review. Plus they gave it a 8.2, so whatever.

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Originally posted by InnerRise
How does the amount of story not balance with the amount of content? shrug

Being that many other reviewers have given it high scores along with high praise in their reviews, I'm not too worried about Gametrailers review. Plus they gave it a 8.2, so whatever.

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

they said that theres about 20 hours of actual story line and like 60 hours of gameplay..

Originally posted by SaTsuJiN
they said that theres about 20 hours of actual story line and like 60 hours of gameplay..

Have you gotten the game yet? If so, what do you think?

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Well, I've spent a bit more time now, and my opinion has only improved.

The Gambits really only make things easier. Unless you completely misunderstand how to use them, which has got to be difficult, all Gambits will do is automate most of the tasks during battle. Things like healing if a party member's HP goes below a certain level, using a certain attack on enemies, stuff like that. Gambits, simply, modify the party's AI to your liking.

I haven't noticed any lack of story. (6 hours in, now) Characters are developing a little more, and I really like Balthier. The world just keeps getting better, and I've been seeing some interesting ideas implemented. Still waiting to find something I don't like, beyond getting Flan-spammed... (I've ALWAYS hated Flans...)

"Flan-spammed"???? shrug

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

😛 The enemies called Flans. Big jelly like (flan like, actually) slimy monsters. Extremely resistant to physical attacks, so much so that sometimes attacks do zero damage, but weak to various elements, depending on the type of Flan it is. The place I'm in now has tons of the kind of Flan weak against Fire. So they're eating up my magic reserves faster than I can replenish them, and they pop up outta nowhere, even while I'm trying to flee so I can build my magic up again. So yeah, "Flan-spammed."

Oh yeah. I hate those.

anata wa wakarimasu ka.....

Flans are annoying.

And honestly? Every FF game has more gameplay than story. Hell, every game does, period. You spend a good majority of the game travelling from place to place fighting random encounters to level up and guess what, killing that Flan or this Cactuar doesn't forward the plot in anyway...