Final Fantasy XII

[Hucklebubba]

For those big on brevity: Buy it now.

For those wishing for more explanation, I don't have a great deal more to give. I'm just in a blind fanboy frenzy right now, where I can't nail down the exact reasons why this is the second-greatest game ever fashioned by human hands, I just know that it is. On that note, if you've played it as well, and find that you take issue with some aspect of it, you'd best let me cool down a bit before voicing your grievance here.

Kidding, of course. Grieve away, if you feel so inclined.

I actually have a mild criticism to level myself, in that it's looking like the permanent roster of six characters that I have right now (slightly over 10 hours in) may represent the permanent roster for the rest of the game.

That just seems a little light, somehow. But only by a couple.

Also, despite the vast array of Star Wars-esque races populating the FF world for this installment, all but one of the present six characters are human, and the remainder is a Viera, which isn't that far off. Basically a leggy, scantily-clad elf with bunny ears. And get this: Her race is long-lived, magically-inclined, and generally aloof of humans! That's like nothing I've ever heard of before!

Not that I can complain too hard. I'd just like for there to be a couple of hidden characters, and for one of them to be a ninja moogle.

[PoolMan]

Gee, thanks, Bubba. Like I wasn't already fighting my natural consumer instincts on this one.

Having recently suffered my 30th birthday, and having a couple of sets of parents who decided to mail me cheques (apparently word hasn't gotten out yet that I work for a living and have purchased my very own home), I could buy the PS2 at zero impact to my personal fortune, and only have the FFXII cost a few bucks out of pocket.

The problem is, I can't see any reason for owning the machine after that. I don't plan to get "into" Sony's library of games now that they're no long developing for that machine. Which means I'd be spending roughly $170 to play a single game (or less, depending on where the machine prices are after the PS3 launch tonight/tomorrow). That's a spicy meatball.

I suppose I could sell/trade in the system after I were done. But that would be a long time from now, let me tell you. My video game time comes in half hour bites if I'm lucky these days.

But the fact remains that even *I* want to see this game, with its more European art influence and it's Star Wars like story line and its (reportedly) better-developed characters. It's a mystery to me, too. I'm sure Justin is staring at his screen in disbelief right now.

PS: I heard that Fran was the only non-human in the playable cast. Seems like your ninja moogling dreams are for naught.

[Hucklebubba]

poolman said:

I don't plan to get "into" Sony's library of games now that they're no long developing for that machine.

You sure about that, hombre? There's a lot worth getting into. I suppose there is still the time issue to consider, though.

poolman said:

. . .Star Wars like story line. . .

You know, I had noticed that Balthier and Fran are, in fact, Han and Chewie, respectively. Were Chewie super-hot--I mean, not that he isn't now to someone, I'm sure, just not me--and had Han been caught in a matter transporter mishap with James Bond.

Hey, there's even a plot-central princess character who I'm pretty sure is going to end up being the sister of the peasant ragamuffin Vaan. And a large desert. And an evil Empire. Hmmm.

[PoolMan]

I have no doubt of the PS2's walloping library. I just don't see my day extending to 28 hours any time soon...

ETA: By the way, I hadn't bit yet... what's the FIRST-greatest game?

[Lordmoon]

ETA: By the way, I hadn't bit yet... what's the FIRST-greatest game?

Why Tetris, of course!

And if you really do want to play FF XII you can always get the PC version. I belive that both the PS2 and the PC crowd are all playing on the same servers.

[Hucklebubba]

Methinks you have one too many "I"s in your FF number, fair citizen.

And the greatest game of all time is, of course, Final Fantasy 3/6. So Square takes the top two spots. And by two, I mean seven or so.

[PoolMan]

Actually, that does raise a good question... will there be a PC release of XII? They've done it in the past, albeit a long way after the PlayStation release.

(Just out of curiousity, I just looked at the FutureShop/Best Buy web sites... the PS2 price remains constant, but there's huge Xbox 360 deals to be had, if you're interested in getting it. Today might be the day for you!)

[Hucklebubba]

A couple more selling points:

Without going into specifics, I will say that the battle system is just about perfect. It most closely resembles that found in the Parasite Eve games, so take that as you will.

I've noticed that the overall "feel" of the game--especially the music--seems to be more than a little bit Tactics influenced. Which I suppose makes sense, since the setting is supposed to be the same.

That may or may not be a selling point for you, but it would've been big-time for me, had I known beforehand, and actually needed a selling point.

Pooly, have you considered picking up a used or refurbished system from Gamestop or the like? They generally aren't dramatically cheaper, but every little bit counts.

Then again, there's also the assertion of one of the clerks at my local Vintage Stock--purveyor of fine nerd sundries--to consider. That being, that pre-owned systems have all been used by their previous owners for intimate hygiene purposes at least once.

Considering the part of the country we're talking about, I'm inclined to believe that because it's disgusting, and at the same time inclined not to believe it because it involves hygiene.

To any other SWMO residents who should happen to wander by: I would apologize, but you probably agree with me.