Forget paying 20 bucks for those old ps ff titles when you can pay 10 to 12 for this and be blown away
Now you will hear all about menu screens and stuff from others.THey try to say things like oh well theres to much menu stuff in this game.Thats just silly and they are obviously hating on the developers of this game.WHy I say that is any past final fantasy game has way more menu usage than this.The random battles are controlled by menu's.So don't make me laugh.I've also read and heard about the massive dungeons and how one took 5 hours.This is really funny.If it takes anyone 5 hours to do one of these dungeons then they should not be playing video games because they obviously are lacking in something.The dungeons do not all look the same so don't listen to that stuff either.You'll hear many previous final fantasy fans say lots of bad stuff about this game but it is amazing take my word for it.
Now when you battle there are no more random battles.Go ahead and get the brown paper bag if your hyper ventilating.I mean no random battles,you see all the enemies on screen and fight them in real time.The battles loose non of their strategy though because the developers of this game just made something amazing.Ok in battle you can have a party of up to 3 people.You can switch players and micro manage the battle if thats what you want,or you can just program them to do what you want.Yes the changes keep comin I know.You can set up gambits that automate another characters actions.While this may sound like a chore and I guess it is at first but once your used to it, its just amazing.You also realize how easy it is to do and that your stressing out over that fact was just silly and this is due to the smooth interface.Setting up gambits and going through the menu's is just a cake walk in this game.I know what your thinking but are the battles still strategic.The answer is yes.They are also fun and grinding is not even that bad why you ask because fights are so much more faster in this game thanks to elimination of random battles.You will also want to grind but i'll explain all that a little later.
Ok I had to talk about that first because if your wondering I had to let you know.Anyways on to the graphics and sounds.The graphics and cut sceens will impress you even today.The cut sceens are some of the best even beating out many games from this current gen.The characters are all well detailed as are the enviroments.I can't say much more other than the visuals are just great.The sounds and music are nothing short of amazing.I didn't think memorable video game sound tracks were possible these days.The developers must have also thought that and said you know what lets give them a soundtrack to remember.The music is just fantastic.All the creatures have their own sounds and the boss battle music is just amazing.You can see why this game spent so long in development,they made sure that every aspect of it was just amazing.
Now i'm sure you've heard oh the worlds kinda like a mmo.Thats just crazy.I have played a couple of mmo's and when i'm walking around exploring I don't even think of an mmo.Instead it reminds me more of say zelda or just any game where you explore a large conected game world.On these fantastic land scapes you will find plenty of enemies,treasure and story awaiting you.You'll explore a lush jungle,wierd ruins,snow covered tundras and much much more.
The story is like a final fantasy/star wars game.Make no mistake its final fantasy but it deals with this huge war like empire bent on global domination.You are vaan a poor kid who was orphaned thanks to the emipre and you were taken in by migelo a strange blue humanoid thing and you help him run his shop.Vaan however has dreams and hopes and he won't stand by and let the empire sit pretty with everything.So he causes them trouble and winds up in a very epic battle to free the people that this emipre is oppressing.To me and in my opinion this is the most epic final fantasy game ever.You really feel like you are taking part in this grand drama.So those worried about all the changes just just chill because the story is wonderful.
Next up is how your characters progress.You gain experience and license points in battle.While the experience may be normal the license points are not.Well what are the license points you ask.The license points may be spent on the license board menu to unlock new powers,abilities,and so on.You can unlock new weapons and armor licenses,new magic licenses,augments and technicks are also on the board.The only problem I had with the board was that while it allows for some great customization you might not get what your wanting at first and this is due to the fact that most are covered until you by squares that light up new sqaures.So its kinda hard to plan your characters to the max the first time around.Still thanks to the fast and fluid battles you can just go grind an area until you get what you need.In fact grinding didn't bother me that much at all,in fact I grinded so much I unlocked the whole entire board,and yes it does take a while to do but if you want real customization than thats the real way to go.Once you obtain the license needed you must them purchase the item,magic,ot technick that you need to use it.I like this system because if you don't have you need then its your fault you don't.Some are well hidden but are a joy to find or at least I had fun doing so.
Next to all this is side quests.The main quest is epic and long all by itself.If your like me and like to go do other stuff well get ready because their is much to do.YOu can go on hunts,find espers, search for fabled weapons and much more.If you do decide to go and due the side quests you will come close to if not go over playing this game for 100 hours yes its that massive.Most of it is also a blast to do.Still their are those few quests that will test your patience to the max so be prepared.
I don't believe that any video game is perfect.I do believe that some come as close as possble to that though and final fantasy 12 is for sure one of those games.I believe for all who played this game and enjoyed it this game will be around for some time to come,this is one of those games that you'll remember 10 years from now and then look on ebay or amazon and see it for like 200$ or something.All the changes are good and do nothing more than enhance the gameplay and story to the max,the graphics and sound are just icing on this very tasty cake.Take my word for it,if your wondering about go and get it now and thank me later.