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[B*A*G*G]

if anyone has any info on this game please post it!

[Cyberman]

It looks like someone edited an FF8 and stuffed a different image into it too me.

Ciao

[Alucard]

I didn't see any news about FFXII in Square's official website

[blizz]

this isn't official art people, it's Fan Art, a mock up:

1. her thigh is partially transparent
2. the light shines from the left onto her head yet onto the clouds from the right
3. her shoulder joints are really weird

[S-wo]

gosh where've you been thre's so much stuff on it now, just check any FFXII site. I'll just tell you that Ashe and vaan are the main characters.

[ScottJC]

FFXII was leaked a few weeks ago, and like everything leaked I just had to have it but enough about that (I won't tell you where I got it) - it gives me a unique perspective to view this topic though as I have played the game.

Firstly: The battle system is quite different from any of the rest - think of it this way, you know how Kingdom Hearts has computer controlled characters and you engage in battles without any loading? This is a bit like that. Your entire party and your party leader directly controlled by you can be controlled with things called Gambits, these are things which dictate how they behave as in "Foe: Any - Attack" As soon as you approach an enemy your entire party will target that monster and fight it.

You can controll them all manually as well and sometimes you will have to especially in boss battles - the whole battle experience is quite a bit semi automatic because you can overrule the gamebits manually at any time - at first everyone says that this makes the game easy - Dead wrong. Anyone who plays FFXII will learn quite fast that this game is very difficult, I have been killed about ten times as you can end up with about 10 enemies attacking your party of three in some points which means only one thing "RUN for it"

Secondly: The story, WOW what a story, it opens up with an amazingly well rendered FMV sequence and is quite epic. Basically some countries or lands are at war and Dalmasca is being invaded (thats your country) by a bigger more powerful group. Shortly after the intro sequence you begin your training and more stuff happens, I don't want to ruin the story anyways, play the gam e yourselves.

Thirdly: Music - Also wow, there is a new composer but hot damn i'd say he's actually better than the original some of the time, three words: Best Music Ever - I actually look forward to the boss battles because I love the boss battle music. The replacement has done a great job with the music as everything seems to feel just right to me.

Finally: Graphics, already talked about the epic fmv's, theres plenty of them - better than FFX's in quality. Graphics are great and square have pushed every ouce of power out of the PS2 by the looks of it... everything has been revamped from player models to levels to even the Menu. The menu graphics look quite cool.

YouTube - FFXII Gameplay (http://youtube.com/watch?v=_dzGa453nkQ) <-- something I made earlier showing off the battle system a little. Game comes out next year officially for me but at the end of this month for you american's. I shall have to import it.

[Allnatural]

gosh where've you been thre's so much stuff on it now, just check any FFXII site. I'll just tell you that Ashe and vaan are the main characters.
Now, sure, but not four years ago.

[ScottJC]

heh, in all the excitement I forgot how old this thread was, still there aint no other ffxii threads so I was just as well.

[JKKDARK]

I'm waiting for the european release :(

[Agozer]

I'm waiting for the european release :(
March 2007 for us. It's nice how Square-Enix claimed that they'd release the gamre in PAL territoris in December. Fat chance.

[Darkfox]

Yeah yeah. Another Final Fantasy for fans to drool over <_<

Edit: And FYI, a lot of FMVs do NOT contribute to gameplay and actually tend to drudge it down. They are starting to become less gameplay and more movie. That is rarely, if ever, good game development. It's more like "Look how pretty our FMVs are!"

[Doomulation]

FMVs are nice because companies rarely, if never, captures such intense dialogue or action as seen in FMVs without them.

[Darkfox]

But using too many drudges down gameplay and in the past have been used for some not so intense average and stretched out dialogue that can leave the gamer thinking "why did they waste so much time on this?"

So using some is ok, alot is questionable. Usually you'll see they do it just as fillers to make the game flow slower to extend the game without having to put in a lot of gameplay.

Edit: People can justify it however they will, but these are basically the cold truth in some games. For any game, gameplay should be prime concern as that is what is intended. Story elements are supportive of the environment in RPGs but it is the gameplay that defines it as being a game.

[ScottJC]

Don't judge FFXII's FMVs, you have never seen them they are epic. However this game is absolutely gigantic - FMV's don't take away any gameplay in this game trust me on that, they add to its presentation.

You play this game and you tell me FMV's don't contribute to the game, in any case you're trolling in this thread so piss off.

[Agozer]

There has never been too many FMVs or cutscenes in any Final Fantasty game. Ever.

For good reference, look at Xenosaga.

[Doomulation]

After watching that gameplay trailer, FFXII doesn't look too "epic" to me. Of course, I will reserve judgement until I get hands on it.

[Martin]

Now, sure, but not four years ago.

rofl true. this thread is actually older than our forum, believe it or not. ;)

[ScottJC]

After watching that gameplay trailer, FFXII doesn't look too "epic" to me. Of course, I will reserve judgement until I get hands on it.
well yeah but the gameplay video i made is a few years after the events you see in the intro (That part is epic) - thats just a desert you go to train your characters early on that I was playing on. Theres plenty of bigger events that i've played through which have a great epic feel to it.

[Doomulation]

To me it seems dull - dull characters (none looked to be really anything), dull clothes (too much like todays), dull battle system (annoying strings, controlling party via AI? Choosing magic or attack via menues in REAL TIME?!), etc.

[Darkfox]

You play this game and you tell me FMV's don't contribute to the game, in any case you're trolling in this thread so piss off.

Nono, I'm giving my legit view on this. Your attacking me for my own personal beliefs and opinions regarding it as trolling. That comment you just made is more trollish than what I've said. I never directed any insults, I never called a person a title, I just stated my view. If you cannot accept that then you should not have posted to this in the first place. That is all I can say.

Don't turn this into a fight, I have no interest in it, I am a gamer, I have my views, deal with it rationally or leave it be. I really have my concerns toward gaming of the future and when I hear cutscenes I recall these drawn out things in some RPGs that make me wish I could get back to the game. They ARE good for character development and story progression but if they also use it for everything else it can get pretty boring. No I have not played the game, but that is no reason to tell me to shut up on my own thoughts.

Anyways, this is a GAME we are talking about, no reason to get so touchy. Alright? :)

As for Doomulation: Yeah, I agree about the character design. They've really not been reaching much with developing their characters, they are seeming too generic these days, of course it could be because of standards for character design are set from other games, but still much could be done with it. In the game design and storywriting my forte has always been character development, originality has been a strong belief to me and I also believe it does hold a specific importance in an RPG, especially adventure game which is not my strong suit LOL. Recent games have shown a tendacy to be more generic. Either the typical effeminate prettyboy or a girl with rabbit ears that look like they've been pasted on her head. I have no clue what happened but they are not giving it much effort.

-Darkfox-

[Cid]

To me it seems dull - dull characters (none looked to be really anything), dull clothes (too much like todays), dull battle system (annoying strings, controlling party via AI? Choosing magic or attack via menues in REAL TIME?!), etc.

I agree that in this game the characters are not really interesting (not much interaction between them). The battle system remind of Star Wars: KOTOR only with more menus. There is a "wait mode" which pause the action so you can chose any commands so it is doesn't have be real time. The story (after 30 hours of gameplay) so far doesn't seem that interesting in my opinion.

[tye stik]

Theres only so-much originality that can be produced in any particular genre. At this point, unless a company is willing to risk huge dollars, people seem to be content with recreating and refining whats already been done.

[Darkfox]

Don't make it sound complicated. It is not that hard. What is going on is what is that they don't concern themselves enough with character development and etc because it would slow them down even if it would probably be worth it. Also competition is another thought going on with Squarenix's minds. With new game companies getting into the RPG business they are starting to get antsy about releasing more games.

Alot of this could be the reason. Cost is not the dominating factor.

-Darkfox

[Doomulation]

I agree that in this game the characters are not really interesting (not much interaction between them). The battle system remind of Star Wars: KOTOR only with more menus. There is a "wait mode" which pause the action so you can chose any commands so it is doesn't have be real time. The story (after 30 hours of gameplay) so far doesn't seem that interesting in my opinion.

KotoR's system just doesn't fit into a FF game. And the whole pause, choose your commands and unpause is at best a little stupid if you ask me. I like the whole to do it all in real time or in true RPG sense: turn-based battles.

[ScottJC]

Doom, you don't have to have it pause, choose Active mode in settings and you can pick things while the action is still going on. You don't have to control the characters with A.I. either - turn off the Gambits and control everything they do to the smallest detail if you wish.

The Battles are Turn-Based, just because you pick an action in a menu doesn't mean its not turn based - If I choose Attack, it doesn't attack immediately... the Little Timer we're all used to on FF games still happens. Atttack......... *attacks* - Trust me battles are still very much turn based, do not assume they are not.

Let me put it this way, there is nothing I can say that does justice to this game - It's very good you have to play it for yourself to see that.

[Doomulation]

Hmm well, I only assume what I see in the trailer. But they never really do a game justice. I'll take your word for it and hopefully see it for myself one day.
I still retain the opinions of the characters, however.

[Cyberman]

1) Oh my... someone necroed this thread big time (We need a grave digger award). I was talking with someone about FFXII about ..5 years ago (Yes 2001). They had art for certain parts back then. So it's been a long time in developement.

2) I'll have to wait and see, DOC was mediocre at best FF XI... I don't consider part of the FF series :) FFXII has had good reviews and is much more solid than anything Squenix has released past FFX (FFX was good but had some missing parts like it was short). I've been reading up on FFXII for the last several years I'll take an unbiased position and say 'It might be good'

3) Mutter, thread necroing is becoming a problem (geesh would have been nice for them to read the age of it).

Cyb

[Cid]

I wouldn't trust reviews until you actually play the game yourself. For example, I don't get how the god awful Vagrant Story get good reviews. I guess Square paid people off. BTW I think the people involve with Vagrant Story are involve in this game as well, which is not a good thing.

[Agozer]

What are you tallking about? vagrant Story is excellent, although difficult.

I tend to trust the reviews that Famitsu puts out, and they certainly don't give full scores to a game without a good cause. Either way, I'm not fan of realtime or semi-realtime battle systems (I prefer turn-based), but who knows, it just might work to FFXII's favor.

Still, five months to go. I'll se for myself in March.

[ScottJC]

For example, I don't get how the god awful Vagrant Story get good reviews. I guess Square paid people off.Welcome to the world of opinion. Enjoy your stay. What you hate someone else loves.

[Cyberman]

I wouldn't trust reviews until you actually play the game yourself. For example, I don't get how the god awful Vagrant Story get good reviews. I guess Square paid people off. BTW I think the people involve with Vagrant Story are involve in this game as well, which is not a good thing.
Vagrant Story was not an easy game in fact it was quite difficult, FFXII will not be either. However once you got started playing VS was a LOT of fun. Quite challenging and the story was rather good. I would like a sequel too it, as they left it wide open for a sequel. However that's not likely.


Also if you finished the story once, you should have replayed it. The reason why is that you would have missed 20% of the game. There are several areas you cannot explore until you have finished the game. Which reminds me, I should actually explore those. :) Maybe I'll find some missing parts of the story hmmm. :D

VS had some draw backs, but it was fun all in all. It just sucked up the time a lot :D

Cyb

[Cid]

I don't know about you guys, I just can't stand the idea of doing 5 or less damage and having to chain your attack to kill an enemy in VS. But that just my opinion.

As for final fantasy XII, you're right. It is easy most of the time and slightly difficult when you face boss.

[NightwolfAA2k5]

I've got to wait till next year before I'll even be able to play it... :angry:

[ScottJC]

or import it from america.

[Agozer]

or import it from america.
Yes, if he has a modded console and his TV supports NTSC.

[ScottJC]

You don't need a modded console - things like Action Replay and others can make your ps2 region free without much bother, and my TV isn't exactly an amazing piece of technology but FFXII looks fine on it - A PAL 60 tv is good enough. Get your facts straight before correcting me on something;

[Doomulation]

I have yet to see Action Replay for PS2 that can play import games. Especially the non-slim versions reset when you press the eject button. You need something like Swap Magic to make it work...
A PAL60 TV is enough if you have a European console, but if it's an American console, your TV needs to support NTSC to get color. If it doesn't support 60 Hz, then you're in for a pretty big trouble.

[Cyberman]

Some parts of anoying, but so far it's fun. I should be doing more of the "Arc the Lad 2 Style mark hunting", but I haven't (smirk). In any case I have enjoyed a lot of it stopped though for a week because it sucked up too much time.

Erstwhile I'm replaying FFVIII to get more Save state information and because I liked it. Also sometime in the future it may be ... easier too play. :D

Cyb

[ScottJC]

I have yet to see Action Replay for PS2 that can play import games. Especially the non-slim versions reset when you press the eject button. You need something like Swap Magic to make it work...
A PAL60 TV is enough if you have a European console, but if it's an American console, your TV needs to support NTSC to get color. If it doesn't support 60 Hz, then you're in for a pretty big trouble.
Who in their right mind in europe uses an american console? NTSC is inferior to PAL by far :P - oh well never mind, well Swap Magic is inexpensive, easy to install and lets you play Imports and is arguably better than waiting six months for the game to come out. Most British televisions can play NTSC content quite fine I believe, actually.

[Doomulation]

Who in their right mind in europe uses an american console?
I do.
I don't need to use swap discs and it is by far cheaper to import the damned console than to buy it locally plus usually no wait for it to come out.

Most British televisions can play NTSC content quite fine I believe, actually.
I would say it depends. Most TVs in a certain range of price supports NTSC as well as PAL usually, but there are some screens that does not support NTSC. Hey, I've seen a TV that can't handle 60 Hz at all. Connecting the *cough* American *cough* gamecube and trying to play resulted in disaster.