Final Fantasy XII on PS2

Hummy from London , 04/03/2007

This is a real return to form for the Final Fantasy franchise. Not since the heady days of the release of Final Fantasy VII in 1997 has the series really demonstrated such a spectacular treat. The easiest way to describe it for the casual gamer would be to say it's an epic adventure taking the best aspects of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings as sources of inspiration.

For Final Fantasy connoisseurs the change in production by bringing in the people behind Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story has really refreshed the series. Something it desperately needed as there was a real risk of stagnation, one of the biggest overhauls comes from the updated combat system. It really speeds up the overall game play and fixes one of the most complained about aspects of Final Fantasy...random battles!

As an aside Vagrant Story scored a perfect 40/40 in the Japanese gaming bible Weekly Famitsu. One of only 6 titles in recent gaming history to do so. You'll be pleasantly surprised to know that they've managed to do it again with Final Fantasy XII, another perfect 40/40! You really can't go wrong with this title, I strongly urge you to give it a try.

  13 out of 14 people found this review helpful

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Terry McCann from Swansea , 02/03/2007

I am currently only 20 Hours out of an apparent 40 - 100 hours of game play, and I am hooked. From the very start you are thrown in to a feast for all the senses. The music is just as amazing as the past games and the visuals far exceed that of ay other game on this platform! There is however a brief learning curve as you come to terms with the new battle system, gambits and the new licence board. Once you have played for around an hour or two this will all feel like it should do. Over all Final Fantasy XII is fantastic. I can’t wait to finish the game, but at the same time i don’t want it to end!

  10 out of 15 people found this review helpful

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* * * This review contains spoilers * * *

Tom Poultney from S Wales , 26/06/2007

It took me 40 hours to complete this game so I’m not going to complain about longevity. My problem with this game is that in those 40 hours nothing made me gasp with awe, smile with contentment or acknowledge that squareenix has once again created another epic Final Fantasy to go in the archives. Here's a short list of all the problems with the game;

Rubbish Characters (penelo is completely useless with no back story or personality),

Under used story (I agree that this had the makings of a fabulous story of global war and betrayal but Princess Ashe goes through no inner struggles or clashes about using great power to destroy all her enemies their innocent civilians),

Loading times (I walk forward two steps...loading time, another step, loading time!!)

Big Boss (His first and last words to you are “who are you exactly?”. Where’s the hatred an enmity between hero and villain!

Battle System (WHAT BATTLE SYSTEM!! You set it up, they see something, they do all the work. It’s like watching a computer play!)

Arduous Travelling (In other FF games you did the hard walking a couple of times then found an easier way to travel like ship, aircraft or chocobo. FF13 has a ship but you can’t control it! Its drop off points are in the middle of nowhere and nowhere close to where you need to go! Besides, getting a new toy to play with is part of the fun.)

In closing FF13, in my opinion, is 40 hours of eating stale bread dipped in chocolate, looks good from the outside, should taste good when you eat it but makes you feel sick with a nasty taste in your mouth.

SQAUREENIX! GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND CREATE YOUR NEXT FF AROUND THE STORY AND CHARACTERS!

NB/ I admit that it has good points, the facial emotion is getting better (but not quite there yet) and the enemies and surroundings look great, but you can only look at a pretty picture for so long.

  8 out of 11 people found this review helpful

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009 from Colchester , 09/09/2007

i think this is a brilliant game i was hooked strait away. i dont like the characters as much as ff 7,8 and 10 but the gameplay is smooth and swift no waiting to be plunged into a random battle .i guess thats what makes it a final fantasy i like the licence board but i dont like the idea of dragging my ass to the nearest shop to buy everything there is no quick way to get to the shops. you should get it right away as soon as you get the lincence overall excellent.

  5 out of 8 people found this review helpful

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Terry McCann from Swansea , 02/03/2007

I am currently only 20 Hours out of an apparent 40 - 100 hours of game play, and I am hooked. From the very start you are thrown in to a feast for all the senses. The music is just as amazing as the past games and the visuals far exceed that of ay other game on this platform! There is however a brief learning curve as you come to terms with the new battle system, gambits and the new licence board. Once you have played for around an hour or two this will all feel like it should do. Over all Final Fantasy XII is fantastic. I can’t wait to finish the game, but at the same time i don’t want it to end!

  10 out of 15 people found this review helpful

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Hummy from London , 04/03/2007

This is a real return to form for the Final Fantasy franchise. Not since the heady days of the release of Final Fantasy VII in 1997 has the series really demonstrated such a spectacular treat. The easiest way to describe it for the casual gamer would be to say it's an epic adventure taking the best aspects of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings as sources of inspiration.

For Final Fantasy connoisseurs the change in production by bringing in the people behind Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story has really refreshed the series. Something it desperately needed as there was a real risk of stagnation, one of the biggest overhauls comes from the updated combat system. It really speeds up the overall game play and fixes one of the most complained about aspects of Final Fantasy...random battles!

As an aside Vagrant Story scored a perfect 40/40 in the Japanese gaming bible Weekly Famitsu. One of only 6 titles in recent gaming history to do so. You'll be pleasantly surprised to know that they've managed to do it again with Final Fantasy XII, another perfect 40/40! You really can't go wrong with this title, I strongly urge you to give it a try.

  13 out of 14 people found this review helpful

Read all highest rated reviews