While the game takes a little getting used to, once the gameplay picks up you realize just how powerful the DS is.
FFXII: RW takes place in Ivalice, a world that is unique in that it is one of the only locations used multiple times as a setting (most Final Fantasy games are set in different universes. Ivalice seems to crop up over and over, especially more recently). Without revealing too much story, suffice it to say that Vaan and a group of characters from Final Fantasy XII return and pick up where FFXII left off: they begin to pursue their dreams of becoming sky pirates. But when their ship gets destroyed, they are forced to find a new craft. The craft that they find (or does it find them?) leads them off to a lost continent in the sky and a whole new set of adventures…
Even though I haven't played FFXII (I refuse to buy a Sony system), I found the story easy to follow from the start. I would recommend that, if you do want to play the original Final Fantasy XII, that you play it first as this game is a sequel and will reveal certain details you may want to discover yourself.
The actual playing of the game takes a little getting used to; I found that I had to combine the touch screen controls with the pad controls to really get the most out of my game. The game starts out with a lengthy set of tutorials which tell you most of what you need to know, but some of the controls aren't explained fully either there or in the instruction booklet. Once you figure out how to manipulate both the touch screen and the controls in a smooth manner (being gamers, it shouldn't be a problem), you can enjoy the game.
Combat relies on the standard rock-paper-scissors style that every strategy game has come to use. Flying units work well against melee, which work well against ranged, which work well against flying. The requisite white mage helps out and is sort of separate (as always) from the other classes. Adding a further set of twists, elemental damage also factors into the battle (ie. Water is effective against flame). Initially, when you are fighting unspecialized and, frankly boring, units, you may find yourself wanting more unit types to add more strategy to the game, however the elemental damage which gets quickly added to the game eliminates this need. Since this is an RPG, you are able to level up your main characters through battle experience, and you can equip armor, weapons etc. that you steal from the battlefield to make your heroes more potent.
Since it is an RTS, you do have the ability to call up minions. Through the power of summoning gates, you are able to call upon a host of fighting units to aid you in the fight. When a level doesn't have a summoning gate, you start off with a set of player-selected helpers that stay with you until they die (so don't let it happen or you are screwed). Your beasts are leveled up separately (in a system much akin to the orbs of Final Fantasy X or the board of FFXII, if you have played those games) mainly by purchasing better units. You can then set up teams of summons for use in battle (you can only bring in five different types of minion into each battle, but your supply of them in battle can be virtually endless). If you are worried whether you will keep up with the action, fret not. The characters move slowly enough (too slow, in my opinion. One of the reasons that game didn't get a higher score) that you will be able to orchestrate your attacks before engaging.
Two excellent aspects of the game are the graphics and the sound. The soundtrack is fully orchestrated and it sounds good (none of that tin nonsense). The graphics are stunning. The locations are detailed and intricate. The effects of Blizzaga and other magick look great and, the accompanying sound keep the high quality. Most games I will play while watching TV or listening to music. With this game, I turn everything else off so I can hear. These round out an already spectacular game.
BOTTOM LINE: A great, great game. The story is Final Fantasy par, and the gameplay leaves you begging for a sequel. Luckily, you will spend plenty of time returning to locations to do more missions. On the downside, the characters move physicaly slowly, and large battles slow down the frame rate. If you are a fan of video gaming, GET THIS GAME. You won't be sorry.