Final Fantasy XII: The most underappreciated Final Fantasy

[magwaaf]

it's a fucking steam punk star wars (a new hope) game... it's so amazing.

balthier is a steam punk han solo!!!

 

[magwaaf]

i really liked it, i just wished armour appearance changed.
you get all these cool swords and shields. a shirt for vaan would have been most appropiate. (especially on the snowy mountain during a blizzard >_>)

seconded. that was my only complaint about the game

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

I'll tell why I didn't like FF12:

Seriously the licensing system did force unwanted grinding. I had to spend too much time doing dungeons runs to be able to use a sword.

That and Basch should have been the main character. That was the original plan by the scriptwriters but they stupidly went back to the standard "effeminate FF male character". The final boss was a letdown as well. Vayne's involvement in the story was minimal at best. I really enjoyed the story of Basch and Gabranth. The rest of the story was essentially the biggest Star Wars rip off ever. At least Baltheir was a good character, even though he had Han Solo written all over him. All in all the game wasn't unappreciated. It just wasn't that good.

quote]



Okay here's the thing, the License system is annoying but makes sense, it's not "I don't know how to use a sword" it's "I'm not allowed to use it because I live in a society under MARTIAL LAW!" okay you see all those Arcadian soldiers wandering around, remember how they have this big system of Judges? yeah thats to stop you from grabbing your most powerful weapons and murdering them all.

Now obviously you question this with the ultimate weapons but baby steps

That makes sense to an extent. But why even let the citizens have weapons if they can just go out and grind until they are able to purchase the weapons? It doesn't make sense to even let the citizens go around with a sword? If your arguement made any sense how come Baltheir and Fran, two wanted sky pirates, are able to sign their names on a peice of paper saying, "I own these POISONOUS BULLETS" with no one saying, "WTF mate?". That and as my picture above states, you should not need a licsene to put on a damn hat.

I always thought that they let people have a semblance of control in there lives (so they don't fight the License system) and anyone who gets too powerful is quietly taken out back and shot.

And I'm pretty sure the License board doesn't actually have you sign your name, if anything they probably both own one under a fake name. and as for why they would use it, is it better to be wanted and able to still move around town, or have every guard in the city looking to stab your shit.

Yes I know from a Gameplay POV Vayne could send his entire army at you and still probably lose like a *****. But it DOES work... very loosely! but it works

I understand what your saying, but I'm talking from more of a gameplay POV than a story POV when it comes to the Liscening Board. I as a gamer shouldn't have to grind to get points to where a hat. And unless I go onto the internet and look at a guide, I don't know what licesne will be unlocked until I buy the one beside it. This was really annoying for technicks. And finding a really rare weapon meant that if you wanted to use it, you had to unlock 6 or 7 liscences in order to find out that the weapon you just picked up is gonna cost you 100 LP and a few hours grinding time. That's just a really poor system that could've been done much, much better.

 

[SpaceMedarotterX]

I'll tell why I didn't like FF12:

Seriously the licensing system did force unwanted grinding. I had to spend too much time doing dungeons runs to be able to use a sword.

That and Basch should have been the main character. That was the original plan by the scriptwriters but they stupidly went back to the standard "effeminate FF male character". The final boss was a letdown as well. Vayne's involvement in the story was minimal at best. I really enjoyed the story of Basch and Gabranth. The rest of the story was essentially the biggest Star Wars rip off ever. At least Baltheir was a good character, even though he had Han Solo written all over him. All in all the game wasn't unappreciated. It just wasn't that good.

quote]



Okay here's the thing, the License system is annoying but makes sense, it's not "I don't know how to use a sword" it's "I'm not allowed to use it because I live in a society under MARTIAL LAW!" okay you see all those Arcadian soldiers wandering around, remember how they have this big system of Judges? yeah thats to stop you from grabbing your most powerful weapons and murdering them all.

Now obviously you question this with the ultimate weapons but baby steps

That makes sense to an extent. But why even let the citizens have weapons if they can just go out and grind until they are able to purchase the weapons? It doesn't make sense to even let the citizens go around with a sword? If your arguement made any sense how come Baltheir and Fran, two wanted sky pirates, are able to sign their names on a peice of paper saying, "I own these POISONOUS BULLETS" with no one saying, "WTF mate?". That and as my picture above states, you should not need a licsene to put on a damn hat.

I always thought that they let people have a semblance of control in there lives (so they don't fight the License system) and anyone who gets too powerful is quietly taken out back and shot.

And I'm pretty sure the License board doesn't actually have you sign your name, if anything they probably both own one under a fake name. and as for why they would use it, is it better to be wanted and able to still move around town, or have every guard in the city looking to stab your shit.

Yes I know from a Gameplay POV Vayne could send his entire army at you and still probably lose like a *****. But it DOES work... very loosely! but it works

I understand what your saying, but I'm talking from more of a gameplay POV than a story POV when it comes to the Liscening Board. I as a gamer shouldn't have to grind to get points to where a hat. And unless I go onto the internet and look at a guide, I don't know what licesne will be unlocked until I buy the one beside it. This was really annoying for technicks. And finding a really rare weapon meant that if you wanted to use it, you had to unlock 6 or 7 liscences in order to find out that the weapon you just picked up is gonna cost you 100 LP and a few hours grinding time. That's just a really poor system that could've been done much, much better.

Which I agree with, then again progressing through the license board wasn't unlike progressing through the sphere grid or Grinding Materia/Magic/Job Points or... you get my drift, it's hardly NEW in the series, it just had a lot of bugs

 

[irequirefood]

Enjoyable read. While X still remains the only FF I have managed to finish (currently up to the last boss of XII) I would have to say XII stands as one of the strongest titles for me. It has my favourite combat system, the license board, and I love the art direction. I don't mind Vaan that much, but I love me some Basch.

Edit: This Zodiac version of the game. Sounds like another great JRPG that would have been loved in places outside of Japan.

 

[Arqus_Zed]

Sorry, but that honor has to go IX, which, for my money, is almost up there with VII and X. It just had a ridiculously enjoyable atmosphere and its characters were some of the most charming I've ever seen in ANY game, let alone a Final Fantasy title.

Please...

You sell IX way to short, it's one of the top 3 Final Fantasy's depending on what your looking for.

Honestly? It's my favorite. I get nostalgia wiggles every time I look at it.

Subjectively? It falls apart a little bit towards the end. But the whole first disc is flat-out RPG perfection.

See I forgive the 'falls a bit in the 4th disk' because we got this scene.

This scene is one of my favorite video game scenes of all time, atmosphere, build up, conclusion

FF IX for the win.
It's number one in my top 5 best JRPG's ever.

But ask yourself, with all us people loving it, is it truly underrated?

 

[Lullabye]

Honestly, I hated FF12 if only because Vaan and penelo were the main characters. If we just pretend they never existed, and Balthier was teh main, then we have a whole lot better story.
God Balthier, he is such a sexy beast.

 

[ScatterBen]

Snip

I hadn't ever thought about the game - or any game, for that matter - like that before. You're right, though, it's all there, even if you do have to delve into it yourself quite a bit (though, I'd say that that is possibly one of the games strengths and part of its maturity).

There is more to Final Fantasy XII than meets the eye. People argue that there is little to no character development, and while that is true to an extent, it's simply a lie when it comes to Balthier, Basch and Ashe, as well as a large amount of the supporting cast - you just have to look a little harder than in any of the previous games (and most games, at that) to see it. It's this subtlety and the use of mature themes that I'd most want to continue in the series. I was disappointed by XIIIs complete disregard for it.

Enjoyable read. While X still remains the only FF I have managed to finish (currently up to the last boss of XII) I would have to say XII stands as one of the strongest titles for me. It has my favourite combat system, the license board, and I love the art direction. I don't mind Vaan that much, but I love me some Basch.

Edit: This Zodiac version of the game. Sounds like another great JRPG that would have been loved in places outside of Japan.

Thanks for the compliment, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I too love me some Basch, but even more so some Gabranth. Their story is one of my favourite things about the game. I hope you enjoy the end. Next to IX I think it's the best ending in the Final Fantasy series.

You're right about the Zodiac version, too - it would be an awesome thing to have had outside of Japan. Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to how to get an English translation of the game to work?

 

[SpaceMedarotterX]

Snip

I hadn't ever thought about the game - or any game, for that matter - like that before. You're right, though, it's all there, even if you do have to delve into it yourself quite a bit (though, I'd say that that is possibly one of the games strengths and part of its maturity).

There is more to Final Fantasy XII than meets the eye. People argue that there is little to no character development, and while that is true to an extent, it's simply a lie when it comes to Balthier, Basch and Ashe, as well as a large amount of the supporting cast - you just have to look a little harder than in any of the previous games (and most games, at that) to see it. It's this subtlety and the use of mature themes that I'd most want to continue in the series. I was disappointed by XIIIs complete disregard for it.

Enjoyable read. While X still remains the only FF I have managed to finish (currently up to the last boss of XII) I would have to say XII stands as one of the strongest titles for me. It has my favourite combat system, the license board, and I love the art direction. I don't mind Vaan that much, but I love me some Basch.

Edit: This Zodiac version of the game. Sounds like another great JRPG that would have been loved in places outside of Japan.

Thanks for the compliment, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I too love me some Basch, but even more so some Gabranth. Their story is one of my favourite things about the game. I hope you enjoy the end. Next to IX I think it's the best ending in the Final Fantasy series.

You're right about the Zodiac version, too - it would be an awesome thing to have had outside of Japan. Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to how to get an English translation of the game to work?

Have .ISO of Final Fantasy XII (That you own yourself of course)
Have .ISO of Internation Zodiac System
Run the patch (available at romhacking.net)
Burn the Patched .ISO

NOTE: I am simply telling him how to patch the game, not where to get .ISO's or to download .ISO's

 

[IamSofaKingRaw]

I'm sorry but i just really do not like FFXII at all. I couldn't get into the gameplay, the characters were annoying and that license crap was annoying.

Now, Final Fantasy XIII is the most underappreciated.

There are no good points about the game other than the graphics. You could argue the characters but I hold gameplay over characters. The gameplay was slow and terrible.

 

[IamSofaKingRaw]

I'll tell why I didn't like FF12:

Seriously the licensing system did force unwanted grinding. I had to spend too much time doing dungeons runs to be able to use a sword.

That and Basch should have been the main character. That was the original plan by the scriptwriters but they stupidly went back to the standard "effeminate FF male character". The final boss was a letdown as well. Vayne's involvement in the story was minimal at best. I really enjoyed the story of Basch and Gabranth. The rest of the story was essentially the biggest Star Wars rip off ever. At least Baltheir was a good character, even though he had Han Solo written all over him. All in all the game wasn't unappreciated. It just wasn't that good.

P.S. :Someone please tell me how to post pictures in forum posts, the pic i'm trying to post really helps my point.

Okay here's the thing, the License system is annoying but makes sense, it's not "I don't know how to use a sword" it's "I'm not allowed to use it because I live in a society under MARTIAL LAW!" okay you see all those Arcadian soldiers wandering around, remember how they have this big system of Judges? yeah thats to stop you from grabbing your most powerful weapons and murdering them all.

Now obviously you question this with the ultimate weapons but baby steps

That makes sense to an extent. But why even let the citizens have weapons if they can just go out and grind until they are able to purchase the weapons? It doesn't make sense to even let the citizens go around with a sword? If your arguement made any sense how come Baltheir and Fran, two wanted sky pirates, are able to sign their names on a peice of paper saying, "I own these POISONOUS BULLETS" with no one saying, "WTF mate?". That and as my picture above states, you should not need a licsene to put on a damn hat.

I thnik they put the license system to help you. Sure you could sell loads of shit and get the best swords etc but then you may go for getting better equipment then actually training to get stronger. Then you'd go into a boss fight with the best shit available and get owned because your strength, defence etc.. are not at the expected level. The only tthnig the could of done was lock off certain items to be available to only certain characters. So Balthier could only use guns, Basch could only use hammers or great swords etc..

 

[Arqus_Zed]

Sorry, but that honor has to go IX, which, for my money, is almost up there with VII and X. It just had a ridiculously enjoyable atmosphere and its characters were some of the most charming I've ever seen in ANY game, let alone a Final Fantasy title.

Please...

You sell IX way to short, it's one of the top 3 Final Fantasy's depending on what your looking for.

Honestly? It's my favorite. I get nostalgia wiggles every time I look at it.

Subjectively? It falls apart a little bit towards the end. But the whole first disc is flat-out RPG perfection.

See I forgive the 'falls a bit in the 4th disk' because we got this scene.

This scene is one of my favorite video game scenes of all time, atmosphere, build up, conclusion

FF IX for the win.
It's number one in my top 5 best JRPG's ever.

But ask yourself, with all us people loving it, is it truly underrated?

Because Final Fantasy VIII pissed people off enough to not buy IX. That's what will happen with XIII, it may have sold well but XV won't I'll bet.

You're forgetting Final Fantasy Agito XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Maybe they can fix its reputation before XV hits the public?

 

[SpaceMedarotterX]

Sorry, but that honor has to go IX, which, for my money, is almost up there with VII and X. It just had a ridiculously enjoyable atmosphere and its characters were some of the most charming I've ever seen in ANY game, let alone a Final Fantasy title.

Please...

You sell IX way to short, it's one of the top 3 Final Fantasy's depending on what your looking for.

Honestly? It's my favorite. I get nostalgia wiggles every time I look at it.

Subjectively? It falls apart a little bit towards the end. But the whole first disc is flat-out RPG perfection.

See I forgive the 'falls a bit in the 4th disk' because we got this scene.

This scene is one of my favorite video game scenes of all time, atmosphere, build up, conclusion

FF IX for the win.
It's number one in my top 5 best JRPG's ever.

But ask yourself, with all us people loving it, is it truly underrated?

Because Final Fantasy VIII pissed people off enough to not buy IX. That's what will happen with XIII, it may have sold well but XV won't I'll bet.

You're forgetting Final Fantasy Agito XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Maybe they can fix its reputation before XV hits the public?

I have never heard of Agito but Versus is a PS3 exclusive meaning that it won't have any positive effect on people with only XBOX's.

I also must say that this naming model they are using is not good. It will only cause confusion.

Agito is the PSP exclusive FF game that stars 12 recent inductees into a school of magic or war or the army I'm not paying much attention. At the same time an enemy army invades and drains everyone of there powers except for those 12 who were off GETTING THEM.

Thus leads to a 'Day After'/Every movie ever about a group of guerrila fighters raging against an army.

There's an over world map, rideable Chocobo's and a cross between the new ATB Kai (the only good part of FFX-2) and FFXII's combat (as in you can run around and not just stand in a line like a Ponce).

Also IX was under rated, because back when we were all sniveling shits who hadn't heard of critical thinking we though that retarded shit fest was the best thing ever. and thus when IX decided to be an actual good game it was decried for it's "Kiddy" graphics.

That was until we all grew the fuck up and went "No wait, FFVIII was terrible and IX was awesome"

So it's more like IX was under rated but it isn't anymore

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

I'll tell why I didn't like FF12:

Seriously the licensing system did force unwanted grinding. I had to spend too much time doing dungeons runs to be able to use a sword.

That and Basch should have been the main character. That was the original plan by the scriptwriters but they stupidly went back to the standard "effeminate FF male character". The final boss was a letdown as well. Vayne's involvement in the story was minimal at best. I really enjoyed the story of Basch and Gabranth. The rest of the story was essentially the biggest Star Wars rip off ever. At least Baltheir was a good character, even though he had Han Solo written all over him. All in all the game wasn't unappreciated. It just wasn't that good.

P.S. :Someone please tell me how to post pictures in forum posts, the pic i'm trying to post really helps my point.

Okay here's the thing, the License system is annoying but makes sense, it's not "I don't know how to use a sword" it's "I'm not allowed to use it because I live in a society under MARTIAL LAW!" okay you see all those Arcadian soldiers wandering around, remember how they have this big system of Judges? yeah thats to stop you from grabbing your most powerful weapons and murdering them all.

Now obviously you question this with the ultimate weapons but baby steps

That makes sense to an extent. But why even let the citizens have weapons if they can just go out and grind until they are able to purchase the weapons? It doesn't make sense to even let the citizens go around with a sword? If your arguement made any sense how come Baltheir and Fran, two wanted sky pirates, are able to sign their names on a peice of paper saying, "I own these POISONOUS BULLETS" with no one saying, "WTF mate?". That and as my picture above states, you should not need a licsene to put on a damn hat.

I thnik they put the license system to help you. Sure you could sell loads of shit and get the best swords etc but then you may go for getting better equipment then actually training to get stronger. Then you'd go into a boss fight with the best shit available and get owned because your strength, defence etc.. are not at the expected level. The only tthnig the could of done was lock off certain items to be available to only certain characters. So Balthier could only use guns, Basch could only use hammers or great swords etc..

Well look at it this way. It's better to know that you have to grind to beat a boss then have to grind to be able to wear a hat. Game-play wise, this was a horrible leveling system for equipment and skills. You have to admit that for the technicks section of the License Board was the most unhelpful part of that board. I shouldn't have to play Yu-Gi-Oh's Dungeon Dice Monsters to level up. as I said in the post that continued after this point, (yeah you didn't pick the latest part this thread with me and SpaceMedarotterX). If I find a rare weapon or piece of armour, I shouldn't have to unlock 6 or 7 more spaces to get to unlock the weapon I just picked up. It's even more of a piss off that after all that grinding for points that I find out to unlock the rare item I found, I need to go grind another 100 License Points. My point, forced grinding sucks. It makes you overpowered up until you hit a boss that stomps you. This system didn't help players at all.