One of the first aspects of "Final Fantasy XII" that gamers will notice is the wonderfully crafted non-interactive cutscenes and in-game visuals.,”
After a long hiatus, Square Enix has at last delivered "Final Fantasy XII" for PlayStation 2. Surprisingly, the game ignores conventional "Final Fantasy" standards.
One of the first aspects of "Final Fantasy XII" that gamers will notice is the wonderfully crafted non-interactive cutscenes and in-game visuals. The title's architectural art direction and character design provide a futuristic, but old-fashioned mixture that impresses.
However, "Final Fantasy" titles do not remain captivating for their aesthetic values alone.
"Final Fantasy XII" dispenses with the adolescent romance plotlines of past entries and adopts a more mature story involving political intrigue.
The protagonists position themselves into a plot they cannot openly control, and the world's government and inhabitants push it forth.
The narrative becomes even more enjoyable through Square Enix's brilliant translation.
The dialogue between characters seems like a mishmash of contemporary and old European English. The expert voice work employed by Square Enix only increases the charm of these conversations.
Another aspect of "Final Fantasy XII" that boosts its quality is the musical score. Even with a new composer at its side, "Final Fantasy XII" incorporates familiar songs and high-quality original melodies.
Even though most players leap into a "Final Fantasy" for its story or characters, "Final Fantasy XII's" deviating battle system has emerged as the center of attention.
Initially supplying a terribly shallow experience, the fighting later morphs into a fantastic combination of creating useful gambits — artificial intelligence behaviors given to characters – and specializing party members with complimenting licenses.
The aforementioned license system operates better than earlier attempts at giving the player customizing duties.
The freedom of choosing specific paths for different characters becomes particularly addictive, especially when it works so well.
For people with nostalgia for old "Final Fantasy" titles, this return to a less childish storyline with adult themes will be a welcome sight.
Traditionalists might not agree with the departures in gameplay, but take part in "Final Fantasy XII" objectively and savor this makeover of the series.
The Verdict: ****
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