FFXII reviewed in Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) Issue 209, 11/06

I just got my new issue of EGM in the mail today and they have a rather lengthly review (4 page spread) for FFXII. I haven't read it yet (I'm going to read it tomorrow during my lunch break at work) but I'll give you a summary of the review then. The scores from the three reviewers are 8.5, 9.0 and 9.5 for an average score of 9/10.

EDIT: Ok I just read the review and I'll mention some of the things the reviewers said.  First, I forgot to mention FFXII is the Game of the Month.

Summon monsters are called espers in FFXII.  The story is good but falls apart at the end.  The story as a whole lacks emotion.  It concentrates on politics and not on your characters.  You'll never connect with the main characters like you would with Cloud/Aeris, Tidus/Yuna, etc.  The characters seem mundane and it's hard to distinguish who the main character is.  The English voice acting is uneven.  Several words were mispronounced.  The battle system feels simple and a step back from FFX, FFX-2 and it's more like FFXI.  Or more like an MMO.  Shallow, repetitive and dull.  The License Board is a vague, less user-friendly version of FFX's Sphere Grid.  The Gambits are cool but take out some of the challenge and strategy of past FF games.  And it sucks for boss battles.  Instead of giving commands, the Gambits are set up so you basically can sit back and watch the battle.  Summons aren't worth it with the massive MP cost.  The camera is annoying and you'll have to constantly hit R3 to recenter it.  One reviewer says some people may love the change in the battle system but others will want to wait for FFXIII which should be a return to the classic FF feel.  And yet another reviewer says the battle system is awesome.  He says he loves MMOs though so that's why he likes it.

I just got my new issue of EGM in the mail today and they have a rather lengthly review (4 page spread) for FFXII. I haven't read it yet (I'm going to read it tomorrow during my lunch break at work) but I'll give you a summary of the review then. The scores from the three reviewers are 8.5, 9.0 and 9.5 for an average score of 9/10.Gigastormz

If I were to rate the game, I will only give it a 7-8/10. I'm not really impressed with the battle system, and the license board is just a simpler sphere grid.

im already expecting that from EGM. They always make lenghty reviews out of new FF games. im going to have my copy by monday if its not delayed here. Speaking of FFXII reviews, i already started writting mine, and im expecting to submit it just in time for the october 31 release. Orasion_Seiz

Fortunately, we both have import versions. :P

If I were to rate the game, I will only give it a 7-8/10. I'm not really impressed with the battle system, and the license board is just a simpler sphere grid.Fantasy_Gamer

Then again, the Japanese are pretty crazy about Final Fantasy. The only magazine I ever really trusted was Official Xbox magazine, but we're talking playstation here. Gamespot is pretty trustworthy in my opinion as well. EGM is probably my least favorite review magazine. I've never read Famitsu, so I don't know their reviewers.
Headbanger88

[QUOTE="Headbanger88"]
Then again, the Japanese are pretty crazy about Final Fantasy. The only magazine I ever really trusted was Official Xbox magazine, but we're talking playstation here. Gamespot is pretty trustworthy in my opinion as well. EGM is probably my least favorite review magazine. I've never read Famitsu, so I don't know their reviewers.
omega235