Final Fantasy XII

Overview

Also known as FFXII, the game takes place once again in the world of Ivalice, which fans of the franchise will recognize from past games. The limits have been pushed on Sony’s console to deliver a true and genuine game with a lot of new features as well as new and improved changes that are being done for the first time in the series.

This installment offers up a deep storyline with a good level of sophistication that can completely immerse a player into the experience and world of Ivalice. With so much content packed into this one disc it can easily add up to over 70 hours of gameplay with a number of side quests and challenges for the player to complete.

The story is probably the most thought out detail in the game.  Though it isn’t on the level as past games it offers up a new approach from a wider perspective. It takes on the role of telling the story from multiple points of views where every line is vital to the story.This time it is more about political intrigue than anything else. This time you fight to save the world essential from power hungry politicians through complex story twists delivered from beautiful in game cut scenes

Some would say this is great and puts it on a whole other level where some might think it’s too much to keep up with. Regardless the story delivers with a lot of twists and a superb ending.

Gameplay

As stated above, the Gameplay has made quite a hefty overhaul. Instead of running around an overview of a battle map, randomly encountering guys that you cant see, loading up a fight sequence, taking turns hitting each other and coming out victorious, just to repeat, you control it a bit more now. Rather then running around the overview of a map, you are put into areas where you run around freely, and you can actually see your enemies, as well as pick and choose which ones you want to fight. Of course, this can become hectic at times when you accidentally pull more monsters to your fight then you can handle, that’s part of the learning curve. While the game still revolves around a turn based system with action bars filling up for each characters next attack. You can still pause the game if need be by bringing up the battle menu for each character. From here you can choose special attacks, summons, use items, or change formation. This will stop the battle for you to make it easier for you to decide among many of the things that could be going on at any given time. Though, with the Gambit system you shouldn’t have to be pausing much, if used correctly.

Gambits

Gambit Menu Screen

The trick comes in unlocking all the gambits. Most are bought at a store, but the rare, good ones, are normally found on the maps in chests and what not. While any action you can command your allies (such ass any magic, ability, or item you have in your inventory) will always be available, it’s the conditions you need to unlock. The power of the gambit system comes from the fact that you can turn any character into any class you choose them to be. This goes hand in hand with the new license board as well, where you can unlock licenses to give them more energy based licensees or health and attack based licensees.

License Board

License Board Screen

Also new to Final Fantasy 12 is the License Board. Much like the Sphere Grid from 10, you unlock the ability to use different magic techniques, perks (such as 10% less Mana costs, or more status effects curable by a remedy) different forms of armor and weapons, and also Quickenings.

You gain license points by defeating enemies. The harder the enemies, the more points you get per kill. You can also obtain items that increase the amount of license points gained from each kill. There are of course flaws with this system. Early on in the game it is nearly essential to go right for the quickenings, which are all the way in the corners of the board.

The quickenings add large amounts of extra magic energy to your character. Each character can only unlock 3 quickenings, and then the rest are erased from their board. So when you rush towards the quickenings, you essentially unlock equipment that you wouldn’t even come near obtaining until extremely late game areas. Of course you don’t have to go after the quickenings; this provides more of a challenge to the overall game. Once you obtain summons as well, you have to learn them on the license board before you can use them. Each summon can only be learned by one person.

Espers

Espers are known as Summons in Final Fantasy XII. You get a small few from the main story; most are acquired by defeating them and the rest are found by adventuring out into the rest of the world in side quests.

Soundtrack

Disc 1

Disc 2

Disc 3

Disc 4

Plot

Ashe

Basch

The Judges of Ivalice