posted 2006/11/05 at 18:42
I did end up picking up Final Fantasy XII (and the Collector's Edition at that) last week when it came out, although I only actually started playing it earlier today because I was busy with the BFP.
First of all, the opening scenes are rendered incredibly well, and of course I'm tickled pink that they brought the Anthem back, although, as with FF IV Advance, I'm not too pleased that I have to race through the loading menus so that I don't hang around for the start of the main melody of the Anthem, which, as usual, reduces me to tears every time I hear it.
I'm going to reserve judgment on the story until I've had a chance to play more of the game, but I am not a fan of the new battle system. I've never actually played an MMORPG, but I have the feeling that FF12's battle system is similar to them, and I just don't like it. I would much, much rather have an old-fashioned "enemies on one side, your party on the other" system, as it makes things a lot easier to figure out. As it is I was starting to grow weary of Active Time Battle in the later Final Fantasy titles for PlayStation, and was glad FF10 switched it around some.
I don't know. I picked up a copy of Dragon Quest VIII while I was out as well, and I get the feeling I'd have more fun playing that than FF12. Yet another reason why I feel so OLD these days, because I'm sure the younger generations get bored by the RPGs I like to play. OLD.
copyright © 2008 Sean Shannon