Been waiting for this game for over 4 years... was it worth it? Find out
After playing Final Fantasy X I couldn't wait for what Square-Enix had in store for us next. Well I was dissapointed to find out that Final Fantasy XI is not the good old RPG everyone wanted it to be, and that Final Fantasy X-2 really wasn't the game that follows the Final Fantasy tradition. But now Final Fantasy XII fills that gap. This is simply the best Final Fantasy game ever. Lets get on with the review:
GAMEPLAY: This game dosen't play like like your standard Final Fantasy game (ie FFX, FFVII) no this game is very different. First there are no more random battles, meaning that you walk you see an enemy in the distance, you decide weather you want to run up and start fighitng, or find another route. Second the battles are all fought in Real-time, meaning no more screen breaking (FFX), the battles are fought on the World Map. That's the next thing, the World Map is HUGE. Its comparable to the size of Final Fantasy XI. The battles system works like this: You engage the enemy, run around the field, choose which attack you want and the character performs it, rinse and repeat (the other characters are computer controller, although you can switch to them at any time). Next up is the leveling system. The leveling system of this game is similar to the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X. Although this system is much more flexible, and allows for deeper customization of your characters. Some problems with the gameplay include, that while you have full control of the camera its inverted, which will take some time adjusting to, another small problem is that monsters no longer drop Gil (money). Some might argue about this being bad, but it adds to the realism of the game. Now when you kill monsters you get items, which you sell to make money, or you can do side-quests, monster hunts, etc. Overall this Final Fantasy has the best gameplay.
GRAPHICS:
This is the best looking Playstation 2 game on the market. I thought Resident Evil couldn't be outdone I was wrong, this game takes the throne as the best looking game on the Playstation 2. The characters are greatly detailed (while not detailed as characters on Xbox360) they exceed expectations for a five year old console. The games special effects, such as summons, are nicely done. The CG cut-scenes contribute to the beatuy of the game. The menus are perfectly done as well. This game has outstanding graphics.
SOUND: 9
While the game dosen't top Final Fantasy X in the sound department, the sound is award winning. The backround music is great, but i prefered Final Fantasy X's. The voice-acting is briliant, although some might find it annoying, personally I think its excellent. I don't have much to say about the sounds of the game other than that they are excellent, but not the greatest ever.
VALUE: 10
You must get this game. This game is atleast 50 hours long. While it can be spread out over 200+ hours if you decide to do everything. The game has a great story, so you won't be bored either. This is the must-have game on the Playstation 2 this holiday season, maybe the last great game on this legendary system. This is single handedly the best Final Fantasy game ever. If your a fan of Final Fantasy then your probably already playing it if not what the hell is wrong with you? j/k. If your not a real-RPG fan this game is still worth a purchase, as the combat is similar to a 3rd person action game.
Get this game.
Closing: The last Final Fantasy game on the Playstation 2 certainly does not dissapoint. It over exceeds in the graphics department and gameplay is excellent. The sounds of the game are brilliantly done, but not quite as great as the ones in Final Fantasy X. This game is over 50 hours long with a great story and numerous side-quests, mini-games, etc.
Any fan of RPG's must get this game.