Final Fantasy XII

[1.21 gigawatts]

So... it's out. You got it yet?

I've played about 30 minutes into it and I'm... intrigued, yet slightly frustrated and turned off. And I hate to say that because I'm a fan of the series.

Mods, please don't merge this with the big Final Fantasy thread. This is a specific topic, not an in general Final Fantasy chat.

[Teller]

I would have it if it was out here and I didn't have to wait til Feb 07 to play it.

[1.21 gigawatts]

I've been playing it today... and I hate it. I've never hated any FF game in my life, but I hate this game. I don't even want to play it any more.

[MidgardDragon]

I've been playing for a while now, here's what I posted on another forum:


POTENTIAL VERY MINOR SPOILERS


The cinematic (which is beautiful) kicks things off with a bang. You're introduced to combat by playing a side character during an event which sets up the story. The cinematics, as I've said, are beautiful, the in-game graphics are only slightly better than FFX, but hey, improvement is improvement. The combat gets a "eh" from me so far. I don't hate it, I don't love it, so I guess I kind of like it, but it's very very different. I hear that combat doesn't truly shine until you can start using/setting up "Gambits". The storyline is good so far. The voice acting is acceptable, unless you're one of those weirdoes who *****es about every single bad delivery of a line ever. ;) I haven't gotten very far, and I've played for about 3 hours. Much of that time was spent doing a couple of "Hunts" and levelling up in order to be able to do them, before finally continuing on with the plot and taking a break to get online for a bit (now).

I'm not going to know if this FF truly shines until I've played it a bit more, but hardcore fans of FF should pick it up ASAP (because they probably have already). Non-fans or casual fans should probably wait for a price drop. No random battles is definitely a breath of fresh air, I must say. One good thing to say for the plot which hasn't really developed all that well yet: you're not really sure who's side you should be on. I mean, the main character knows who's side he is on, but some of the things the new "Consul" says during your introduction to him makes you think that he is a much better man than the main characters would have you believe.

Oh, and as for music, the main themes during the opening cinematics are great, but some of the music so far in the beginning has been a little too quirky for my tastes. I very much miss the lack of battle music and victory fanfare, but I can deal with that. Hopefully once the game proceeds to the darker (plot-wise) areas the music will be a bit more intense.

One final thing that grates on me, is the lack of armor showing up on your character, ever. At least with FFX, bracers and bangles showed up during combat. I'm so used to playing WoW and CRPG's at this point, that I find it hard to concentrate when I put a really nice sounding piece of armor on, and am still in the same-old same-old clothes. Just a bit of a gripe with Square being behind the times, and not really with the game itself, though.

I can see how some people might hate this game. It's clearly not for everybody. I suggest if you flatout hate it, just put it down and move on to something you'll enjoy. As for me, I'm enjoying it slightly, but I haven't gotten into the plot enough to know if I truly like the game or just find it acceptable.

A quick edition to my previous review. After a quick review of FFX graphics to see if my brain was playing tricks on me, let me just update and say the graphics are actually much better than I had at first realized. I guess I've just gotten used to seeing the previews for next-gen titles and it skewed my perspective a little. They aren't the best graphics you'll ever see (with next-gen stuff out already), but they're still good.

I also read a review stating that "armor and weapons appear on your character on the field". The reviewer could have gotten it wrong, and admittedly I have been up for a very long time, so I'm going to take another glance and see if the armor is just a different color and design than Vaan's original chestpiece. I was kind of expecting a full chestpiece to appear when I upgraded to better armor, but it could just be a different design of the halfpiece that he wears in the previews.

[1.21 gigawatts]

I'm still, obviously, not a fan of the battle system, but I am making progress into the game. I'm hoping that it gets better. The story, so far, does not intrigue me. The armor does not change, but the weapons and shields do-- but only in battle areas.

And as for playing something else, that's why I'm playing WoW a little more than I originally expected once this game came out.

[MidgardDragon]

I popped into WoW while Jericho was on, but played FFXII afterwards. The storyline is standard, much more standard than I like from a Final Fantasy, but that could also be because I'm not very into the whole politics angle. The battle system, remarkably, has grown on me quite well. And the whole "Hunt" and Clan thing has definitely made me more interested in the game than I would be if it were just a strightforward roller-coaster like FFX was. The battle system, as I thought, doesn't start to get good, IMO, until you get to the really good abilities and gambits, along with a full party. The main gripe, however, is for me the character development. Whereas in the past many of the story lines of FF have taken a back seat to the characters development, this one has standard characters while focusing on the storyline. I'd much rather learn more about Viera than have to learn about a couple of nobles that aren't in the party but are actually part of the Resistance/Insurgence.

It's not going to be my favorite FF by any means, I can tell that now, unless the story just happens to take a flying leap and wow me from out of nowhere, but it'll definitely not be my least favorite, that honor going to Tactics, Tactics Advance, and FFIX in no particular order.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Originally posted by MidgardDragon
It's not going to be my favorite FF by any means, I can tell that now, unless the story just happens to take a flying leap and wow me from out of nowhere, but it'll definitely not be my least favorite, that honor going to Tactics, Tactics Advance, and FFIX in no particular order.

Really? I loved Tactics and FFIX. Great stories. Never played Tactics Advance.

Here's what I have to say about it now...

I know I bashed it at first, but in the last few days, I've really gotten into the game. I love the characters, the development, the ability system and even the battle system. I guess it just took me some time to get out of the initial stages to enjoy it. The story really gets interesting about 10 hours into it.

Other than that, my one gripe is that it's entirely too easy to level up. I'm completely owning this game. I reached a turning point in the story immediately after a story-changing boss fight. The thing is, the boss fight was way too easy. I one-shotted him with a 7-chain Quickening.

In fact, I haven't encountered a single boss fight that was difficult.

I love the game, but I just wish it was a little bit harder.

[MidgardDragon]

Well, the game isn't really too easy unless you actually take the time out to Hunt and level-up. But yeah, once you do take that time, the game becomes really easy. However, have you reached Euryt village and the boss just beyond the jungle? That boss fight is hard, IMO, so maybe that's the challenge you're looking for.

Then again I didn't have status effect preventing equipment or Gambits setup to immediately heal them, I've been kind of rushing through certain parts, because I, too, got interested in the story just a little while after I bashed it, and I want to see more of it!

[1.21 gigawatts]

I've beaten the rainy Giza plains. I understand all of the gambits and the Quickenings perfectly. I'm just staying around there because even at level 28, those plains to the south are still hard. I wish there was a License for short range characters to attack long range. If there is, I haven't found it yet. It's those danged Zuus. Using up all of my magic is what's killing me.

[MidgardDragon]

Heh, I just avoid flying creatures unless I need it for a Hunt. Otherwise I use Quickenings and Summons, since the Hunt ones are basically boss creatures anyways. The strat guide (which I've only glanced through in order to avoid spoilers) suggest giving everyone at least some points in bows or crossbows in order to take down flying foes.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Ok... I finally found a boss that is giving me trouble. He's a Class III elite hunt. I hit him with a 22-hit Quickening combo and it didn't even take him down by half! Whoa!

Ehh, he's optional. I may head on with the story for now.

[MidgardDragon]

Which one was it? I have a lot of Elite Hunts in my Clan Primer so it may be one I'm doing/have done.

I think the last one I failed was the slime thing that ate some moogle's key in the Waterway. I got him down to about 1/4 health and died. Of course I arrived with far too little health and mana because I was too low level for the Lord Malboro's in that area, and it was my reserve party that finally bit the dust, but he may have been a IV or V, maybe not even Elite.

Anyways, if you haven't already gotten there, let me just say that The Stilshrine whatever is some of the most fun I've had in an RPG dungeon in a while. There was one part that was full of just undead and I finally got up to a 76 chain before they stopped respawning entirely. Second Esper's there too, I like her a little better than Belias, but probably just because she seems more powerful.

[1.21 gigawatts]

I'm not quite there yet. I just beat the Tiamat. I couldn't have beaten him without a 17-chain Quickening and a Hastega mote. And then Fran still died twice.

The elite quest was in the rainy Giza Plains. I haven't been able to get the pudding hunt. I'm constantly checking the board and with Montblanc, but it's never there.

The highest chain level I've had so far was 218. I got it from killing the Yensa sand people thingies.

[MidgardDragon]

Ah, I managed to do all of the rainy Giza quests but Gil Snapper, and only didn't finish that because the plains dried up again and I can no longer get to him. Best thing to do when you can't kill an enemy at this point in the game is just level up and get better equipment/better licenses. And always open the battle by slamming them with a large chain of Quickenings. It helps if you get your Level 2 Quickenings for everyone, but that might take a bit of time at your point in the game.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Getting the level 2 Quickenings? Bah. I've had three for everyone except Basch (who has 2) since Raithwall's Tomb. You should see my top License grid. It's almost filled in completely for everyone.

Oh yeah, I did a 362 chain level. From the Yensa sand people. I put gold armlets on everyone and got double the LP for my party, which everyone is level 33.

And it will rain again in the Giza Plains, so chances are by then, the Gil Snapper will be easy.

[MidgardDragon]

Ahaha, L33 with level 3 Quickenings already and a nearly full License Grid? Man, you must level up for hours on end in the earlier areas. :lol: I couldn't bring myself to stick around those places long enough to do that. I do have all the Level 2 Quickenings, but haven't filled out the License Grid, although it is close. I'm level 35ish and haven't quite gotten all Level 3 Quickenings yet, but I probably will do that this morning. I've been meaning to get Golden Amulets for everyone, only Vaan has one right now. I keep upgrading my equipment/magic/gambits and never have enough left over to buy that many, though.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Yeah. I've spent at least 10 hours in the Urutan-Yensa Sandsea. It's all about the LP. Once you get enough, the rest of the game just falls into line.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Ok, I finally beat the Gil Snapper. I've filled in my top License Grid completely for Penelo. Ashe and Fran are close.

Just got the second Esper.

[al821]

that elder wyrm pos, what an annoying boss. stupid status ailments

[Kara15]

I'm a huge fan of the Final Fantasy games and I can't wait to play this one. The battle system seems really cool from what I've seen of it.

[Angel7]

Wow.
What an awesome game this is.
One of the best games I have ever played hands down.

[1.21 gigawatts]

Ok, I've completely filled out everyone's license grid completely. Top and bottom. Now I just need all the Espers and it'll truly be complete. And I'm only level 40!

I'm on the Phon Coast. Yeah, that's the place from the demo.

[MidgardDragon]

All the Espers, and all the Mark Hunts, you mean. :P I think there may be a couple (or at least one) optional Esper that you can go ahead and get at L40.

I'm at 50+ (don't remember the exact) and have an Esper for all but one of my party members. I've only got one more storyline Esper to get, I believe. Going to pop it in right now and play since I've exhausted Superman Returns The Videogame and Guitar Hero 2. Of course, I might have to play Sonic Mega Collection first. But then I'm definitely playing FFXII. Only have the magic and accessories left on everyone's license boards. Vaan's almost done with all the magic and is done with everything else.

[luthorsmentor]

this game is awesome. so far i have been loving it. i spend time at work watching the clock just so i can get home and play it.

[MidgardDragon]

For anyone who liked FFXII and also owns a Nintendo DS -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr7CA0ud8jA

No details on release date yet.

[Mello Penelo]

OMG! I love this game! I can't believe there's a chat here about it!

I'm at the end of the game. I haven't quite beaten all of the hunts and I'm still missing three espers. I'm not gonna beat it until I do!!!

[luthorsmentor]

same here, i could "finish the game" in a few hours if i wanted to, but i haven't done all the hunts and gotten all the optional espers yet.

[Mello Penelo]

Yah, another reason I haven't beaten it yet is because I'm hooked on the new Zelda game!

[boywithbluehanger]

I havent played the game but I've just picked it up for $10 on a huge clearance sale at wal-mart :D (sorry had to brag...)

Since my favorite FF titles are 5 and 9, I highly doubt I will hate this game entirely. However at the same time I am aware that the battle system may upset me just a tad bit. At the moment I am absorbed with Zelda Twighlight Princess and working in between every advance I make in the game. So I'm pretty sure I will not complete FFXII until after Spider-Man 3 is released :lol:

[luthorsmentor]

You won't be upset with the battle system at all. Gambits are the biggest thing and once you set that up it's all good.

[Kara15]

Okay, I got the game about a week ago.. I really like it so far. The battle system is pretty cool, but I still miss the old one. I think Final Fantasy X will always be my favorite Final Fantasy, but I am enjoying this one.

[luthorsmentor]

anyone here get all the mark hunts and espers?

[MidgardDragon]

I was down to the last 4 or 5 hunts and only two Espers left last time I played it, but I haven't played it in a while.

[Mello Penelo]

Me neither. I'm still trying to beat Zelda and I can't quit playing WoW. I'm at the end, but I can't seem to make myself play it!

[luthorsmentor]

Originally posted by MidgardDragon
I was down to the last 4 or 5 hunts and only two Espers left last time I played it, but I haven't played it in a while.

ok.....on the "paying for the past" hunt i know that i'm supposed to go to the zertinan caverns but where exactly? name of the mark is Catoblepas. i've combed the caverns over and i can't make this one appear.

[Mello Penelo]

Here's what the strategy guide has to say for ya, luthorsmentor!

PAYING FOR THE PAST

"Supinelu is looking for a little revenge for a wounder brother. Accompany Supinelu to the Zertinan Caverns. Travel to Hourglass Basin and weave through the hidden passage at the south end to reach the east ledge.

"This is a very powerful mark. Cast Dispel on it at the start of the right to remove Reflect, Bravery, Shell and Protect. The mark will actually recast these spells, so stay alert and Dispel them when necessary. Slow and Blind the boss immediately, then attack it normally. Supinelu will attempt to assist in this battle, but it will be difficult to keep him safe given Catoblepas' powerful attacks. Bombard him with physical attacks and magicks until it falls."

[luthorsmentor]

thanks, if you haven't done that yet then the wording is kind of confusing on the strategy guide. the hidden path that you need to use is actually at the save crystal in the area just south of the hourglass basin and not in the hourglass basin itself.

[Mello Penelo]

What I can't figure out is there are some things in the game that are probably almost impossible to figure out without the strategy guide. Like the mark in the Zertinan Caverns that won't come out unless you turn off all your gambits and stand in a certain spot for five minutes. I don't understand how you'd know that without the book. That's just one example though.

But what I really think of the game is that the story is too short and there are too many side quests. If you did no side quests at all, you could get to the end of the game in less than 30 hours. Which is not right. And who's idea was it to make the final boss level 50?

[MidgardDragon]

Originally posted by Mello Penelo
What I can't figure out is there are some things in the game that are probably almost impossible to figure out without the strategy guide. Like the mark in the Zertinan Caverns that won't come out unless you turn off all your gambits and stand in a certain spot for five minutes. I don't understand how you'd know that without the book. That's just one example though.

But what I really think of the game is that the story is too short and there are too many side quests. If you did no side quests at all, you could get to the end of the game in less than 30 hours. Which is not right. And who's idea was it to make the final boss level 50?

The one that gets me is there are certain chests scattered throughout the land that you can't open if you want to get the Zodiac Spear (best spear). There's no indication of this within the game, so it's either luck or a strategy guide to figure it out.

I don't mind the main quest being shorter and the sidequests increasing the length, since most of the hunts give the world substance. I don't mine the last boss being Level 50 either, that's about the right level if you don't do all the hunts and just go straight through. That way if you wanted to play straight through you wouldn't have to stop before the last boss just to level up in order to beat it. As it is I'll probably be L99 when I finally get there, though, because I like to do everything.

[Mello Penelo]

Originally posted by MidgardDragon
The one that gets me is there are certain chests scattered throughout the land that you can't open if you want to get the Zodiac Spear (best spear). There's no indication of this within the game, so it's either luck or a strategy guide to figure it out.

That's another one! I'm not going to get it because I didn't buy the strategy guide until I got to the Leviathan. I saw a chest and I was like, "Oooh, goodies!" Then it was like 2 gil. Now I know I messed up. :(

[luthorsmentor]

i made it a point to avoid all those "specific" chests and then when i got to the nechrol of nebudis and opened up the chests where it was supposed to be all i got was "knots of rust"........guess i got one accidentally, but i made it a point to be careful and not. good thing i don't really care about the spear as a weapon.

[Mello Penelo]

Y'know, missing out on the Zodiac Spear isn't really a big deal to me anymore. I've got the Ragnarok and the Ultima Blade. I think I'm set to beat Vayne.

[MidgardDragon]

Heh, missing out on the Spear was never a big deal to me, as I never use spears in RPG's unless I'm forced to. It's just the sheer stupidity of the method you have to go about getting it that irks me.

[Mello Penelo]

I've never really understood two-handed weapons anyway. Who in their right minds would want to half their defense to increase their offense by just a little?

[MidgardDragon]

Originally posted by Mello Penelo
I've never really understood two-handed weapons anyway. Who in their right minds would want to half their defense to increase their offense?

I dunno, I like two-handed swords, but not on my main character. Some characters just seem like the "two-hander" type, y'know? Like Basch, he seems like someone who would use a big bad-a** sword and not bother with a shield. Whereas Ashe, for example, seems the lightsword and shield type. And sometimes the increase in offense (at least in other games) is so extreme that the sacrifice of defense is completely worth it. When I played WoW I used two-handers on my Paladin, because two-handers at early levels were almost double the early level one-handers.

[Mello Penelo]

Well, I'm a rogue in WoW, so I always two hand. :D But the thing is, even with Basch being a tank, at the later points in the game, having his defense decreased is bad. And I keep a staff on Ashe. She's a mage for me. Penelo is a light sword person, Balthier and Fran are long-range fighters (gotta love that Fomalhaut), and Vaan is my all around that gets equipped with whatever's left (since I don't like Vaan).

[MidgardDragon]

I haven't noticed any adverse effects having Basch wield a two-hander. Everything damages everyone pretty much the same. For the record, my lineup:

Main party:

Vaan: Tank with sword and shield

Ashe: Tankmage with sword and shield

Fran: Archer

Backup party:

Balthier: Gunmage

Basch: Tank with two-hander

Penelo: Bombermage

Pretty much everyone's tanking at this point, though, as I haven't outfitted them properly for their rules, but rather just outfitted them with the best armor available. If I ever get back into the game I'll outfit them properly before heading to the final boss.

[Mello Penelo]

I never used bombs. I thought they were too weak. I have the Volcano and ammo for it, but I don't think I've ever used it.

And I just put the best armor on everyone, regardless of weight.

[MidgardDragon]

Bombs are hit and miss (horrible pun) but when they do hit hard, they hit very hard. I've seen a bomb do almost no damage, and a bomb take out creatures of a higher level in almost one hit. I like taking the risk since it adds a third ranged party member and is fun.

[luthorsmentor]

never equipped a bomb either. i have vaan equipped with the katana, don't recall the name, that you get after beating gilgamesh. combos quite often, very effective. everyone but fran and balthier are set up as melee characters. usually i have vaan, balthier, and basch in the main party.

[Mello Penelo]

I beat it this morning. No spoilers, I was highly disappointed by the end and the vocals for the song in the credits grate on your nerves.

[luthorsmentor]

a friend of mine, who's game i'm actually borrowing to play it, said that the journey was much better than the end. which upset him a lot too. but i'm having a good time getting there. i got ultima this morning.

[luthorsmentor]

i thought the end was done quite well

[Angel7]

I can't believe how good this game is.

Final Fantasy FTW always

[Uffr]

I don't know. I loved this game but it didn't feel epic to me. I just tried to get to the end. It didn't capture me like I hoped it would.

[Mello Penelo]

Yeah. There were too many things to do on the side. Keeping up with the story seemed to be secondary to finishing the side-quests. By the time I got my license grids filled in, I'd forgotten the first half of the game. I had to read a spoiler walkthrough just to remember what happened.

[Mello Penelo]

Well, I started playing FFXII again. This time around, I'm pacing myself. In almost three weeks, I've maxed out the license grid for every character, gotten everyone to level 50 and gotten the Zodiac Spear and Ultima Blade and I've just made it to Archades.

The funny thing is, because I paced myself and leveled up in every area and not just did a straight grind at one point in the game, I remember everything that's happened so far. I've spent on average four hours in every area.

So yeah, I've just gotten to Archades and I've already clocked 53 hours.

[Mello Penelo]

I just did the Lyndwyrm quest in the Tchita Uplands. Ok, so everyone is level 53. I get the boss down to 1/4 health, then unleash a quickening on him to keep him from doing a flash heal.

A personal best of 22 quickenings, with a concurrence of Ark Blast, and it doesn't kill him. Amazing.

I finally killed him off, but it made me mad he didn't drop after the quickenings.

[Dejected_Angel]

I haven't done that quest. When I eventually play the game some more I will though. I believe my characters were around level 70 or so but only because I used a cheap levelling up strat.

Nice avvy btw ;)

[Mello Penelo]

Which one? Power leveling to 99 in 30 hours or the gambit loop in the Stihlshrine of Miriam?

[Dejected_Angel]

The gambit loop in the stilshrine. I usually don't do things like that but the game just really frustrated me so I did it.
The last boss was still a bit challenging I thought though.

[Mello Penelo]

In my first file, the final boss is level 52. I was level 57 and still had a hard time with him. I've just gotten to Ghiruvegan and I'm level 53.

[Dejected_Angel]

Yep. Are all your characters evenly levelled up?

[Mello Penelo]

Of course. If you get someone too high, it skews the experience ratio. If you've got a person, say, three levels over everyone else, you'll receive 1/4 less exp for each monster killed than if everyone was even leveled.

[Mello Penelo]

At the Ridorana Cataract. I have three hunts left to go. Only need Ultima and Zodiark as the optional summons. Level 64. :D

[luthorsmentor]

yiazmat, the last hunt.......ten hours of gameplay to defeat.

[Mello Penelo]

Originally posted by luthorsmentor
yiazmat, the last hunt.......ten hours of gameplay to defeat.

Hell Wyrm took me an hour and 20 minutes. :\

[Mello Penelo]

Level 85, all Espers. I didn't think I'd ever get to Zodiark. The walk there was worse than the fight.

I'm fighting Yiazmat. I've been in the battle an hour already and I've only knocked him down 9 life bars.

And somehow, I've read strategies where people have beaten Yiazmat in less than two hours. I don't see how.

I'm using my "outlast" strategy. It's the same thing I did for Hell Wyrm. I've turned off the gambit for Curaja and only set for Arise. Everyone has a bubble belt equipped. It takes Yiazmat like five hits to knock one person down. That person gets revived, and with the warmage and martyr licenses, by the time someone else dies, Everyone is back to full magic.

I could leave the game turned on overnight and I'd have him beaten by morning, but every once in a while stone breath and cyclone catch me off guard.

[Mello Penelo]

I BEAT YIAZMAT!!!

Now for the easy part-- beating Omega Mark XII. Then for Vayne. :D

[Mello Penelo]

Beat the game. I got bored and decided not to beat Omega. I think I'll start playing FFIX again.

[crzygrl]

I'm wondering if to get Reverent Wings......probably will before the end of the year.

[aXem]

I've been playing the old FFVIII on my pc and this is making me want to get a ps3.
The last FF I played was X-2.

I just realized how old this thread is.

[Bigx07]

I really didn't like ff at first and I used to bash on that game all the time. Now its like one of my favorite rpg game series. I've already beaten it and I really liked the storyline for it and I cannot wait for FFXIII!!!