Not many developers can come close to what Square-Enix achieves with this role-playing masterpiece.
You've got to give it to Square-Enix for working on so many projects at once and still maintaining the same superior quality gamers have come to expect from the heralded developer. Though it would seem like after this many games that the Final Fantasy series would be wearing thin with fans of the genre, it is apparent that the series is as alive and kicking as ever. In the hands of any other developer though, I am sure we would have seen the end of the series by now.
Like all Final Fantasy games, when the game loads you are treated to one of the most stunning cinematic sequences you can imagine. The music is incredible as always and the game's locales are presented in such beauty, you'll think you're watching a real film.
When the game starts you are thrown headlong onto the battlefield, into the body of Vaan, the featured protagonist, and are quickly joined by Basch, a battle hardened soldier and protector of the throne (or is he?).........
I won't go too much into the story for fear of providing too many spoilers, but rest assured, the epic storyline never gets old and is as detailed and complex as one could wish.
Through the early parts of the game, Vaan will be joined by 5 other fully customizable characters and an assortment of guests that will fight by your side, though they cannot be controlled or customized. Sounds like any other RPG right? Wrong. One thing that I love about FFXII is the "License" system that allows one to "buy" abilities for each character through the license board, which is located in the main menu. Each victorious battle provides every character (even those not in the main party) with a number of license points (usually 1 point). After accumulating a number of points you may buy such licenses as "Raise Max HP +100", "White Magic 1", etc...You may also buy new "Gambit Slots", which is another key to the excellent battle system in the game.
The gambit system is easily the best part of combat in FFXII. Each character has a number of gambits that you can customize to control each AI character in your party. One set may look like this: (Ally: HP50%: Cure / Ally: Any: Stona / Foe: Any: Attack) In which case this character will cast Cure on any ally who's HP dips below 50%, cast Stona on any character that has the Stone status, and will use melee attacks on any foes within range. Gambits can be turned on or off, changed whenever (even during combat), and are very important to the success of any battle. A problematic gambit can be the difference between an easy fight and a Game Over.
The combat system may seem complicated when you read about it in a review like this, but once you play the game you'll realize just how easy and effective it really is.
Final Fantasy XII will keep you busy for a very long time. The expansive environments offer a wealth of exotic locales to explore, a large bestiary, a number of items to search for, and just an all-around overwhelming experience. Between dungeons you may travel between orange teleport crystals to complete the side-quests offered in various locations, the most interesting of which are the "hunts". In addition to being an explorer and protector of the crown, you will have the opportunity to aid fellow citizens by accepting posted bounties and then seeking out the monsters and vanquishing them for handy rewards. Each killed bounty will also result in "clan points" that raise your party's status in the world.
So...you've read enough about the mechanics of FFXII, now just go out and buy it! You WILL NOT regret it.