• Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age - coming to PS4 in 2017!


    The wait has been long, but the time has finally come! Final Fantasy XII has finally been confirmed for an HD rerelease, and it's the Zodiac Job system version!

    The announcement came in the form of a teaser trailer (linked below) that showcases the game's improved HD visuals. The characters and environments are looking better than ever!

    According to various sources (neogaf forums), we can expect more than just a simple graphical update. As this version of the game will be based on the Japan-only International Zodiac Job System release, we can expect all of the extra features from that game, including a Job System, turbo mode, and a choice between Japanese and English voices, both of which are getting enhanced for the HD version. The soundtrack is also getting a remaster (is this what Arnie Roth spoiled us on?), and you will be able to switch between the original and rearranged soundtrack, just like in FFX HD for PS4 and Steam. We can also expect the usual upscaling of FMVs, shorter loading times, and an auto-save feature.

    For now, the only platform given is the PS4, but fans are already talking about a Steam port in the future. Though I'm personally disappointed this is not heading to a handheld as well, this news is still great!

    Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is coming out in 2017.


    Are you excited? Will you pre-order this? Let us know!
    This article was originally published in forum thread: FFXII: The Zodiac Age started by Fox View original post
    Comments 73 Comments
    1. Karifean's Avatar
      Karifean -
      Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by Formalhaut View Post
      With the remaster, I'm really hoping that with the power bestowed by the PS4, spell loading will be better. The fact that the game had to queue different actions using 'effect capacity' made certain magicks just obsolete, and using physical attacks with haste/berserk and a support character churned out damage. If that was removed, using spells would be better and the battle would just flow more naturally.
      The action queue is still there, it's actually part of the battle system since you can use it to delay enemy actions (and vice versa).
      Well it's debatable whether the effect capacity limit is intended to work as it is not just to stay within hardware limits but also as a battle system feature. Either way I find it doubtful that they'll change it since X-2 has the exact same thing and there was no change for the HD Remaster. Which is too bad, the effect capacity limit really is a hindrance if you want to play more of a magic-based setup. Though you can also abuse mist charged moves to circumvent the problem...
    1. Mirage's Avatar
      Mirage -
      Quote Originally Posted by Aulayna View Post
      I called it, a year too early, but I called it!
      I did too!
    1. krissy's Avatar
      krissy -
      personally never thought it'd happen
    1. DMKA's Avatar
      DMKA -
      Quote Originally Posted by krissy View Post
      personally never thought it'd happen
      Same. FFXII gets treated like the ugly stepchild of the FF series by Square Enix for some reason. They rarely acknowledge the existence of the game or its characters in comparison to all the other post-16-bit FF games.
    1. Elpizo's Avatar
      Elpizo -
      Personally I wish we'd get to choose between which License board we want, like you had two different (sort of) sphere grid options in X. Yeah, I know most people prefer the Zodiac Job system but being locked into one job just doesn't appeal to me. Plus, I heard the IZJS removed my favourite weapon in the series from the game, that lovable Zodiac Spear. <.< >.> Mix of both, please. Keep the spear, add choice option for license board, all other changes of IZJS were fine, from what I gathered.

      Pity about Larsa's infinite high potions, though.

      Keeping my fingers crossed for an eventual Steam release.
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      They may very well change it for the Western release. I'd be surprised if it was literally just a direct port with graphical and aural improvement. I'd personally want to add one or two things to the cooking pot myself.
    1. Karifean's Avatar
      Karifean -
      It didn't remove the Zodiac Spear, it's just obtained in a different way now, no more stupid leaving treasures unopened when you have no fathomable reason to do so. Now you just have to... uh... kill all 30 trophy rare game and split the trophies evenly between the three dudes. Or hope for a 1% treasure spawn in the Henne Mines. ...it could be worse.
    1. Fynn's Avatar
      Fynn -
      The problem is that the entire game was rebalanced for the rerelase in order to accommodate the Zodiac Job System. If they were to include both versions, that'd be much more than including both sphere grids - you'd have to change monsters, chests, and a whole load of other parameters to have both types of gameplay be balanced. So essentially, two different games in one.
    1. Big D's Avatar
      Big D -
      I'm kind of 'meh' about this. I'm sure it'll look and sound pretty, and the new job system may make levelling/character progression more streamlined. But the game itself was perhaps over-long or badly paced, so I don't know if it could sustain my interest for another play-through - even in glorious HD.
    1. Randy's Avatar
      Randy -
      Very pleased with this. Although sad no Vita.

      So what exactly was the Zodiac version and why is it so much better?

      Looking forward to exploring this world again. Best thing I remember and this game. The closest they'd really got to open world before FF15.
    1. Wolf Kanno's Avatar
      Wolf Kanno -
      Quote Originally Posted by Randy View Post
      Very pleased with this. Although sad no Vita.

      So what exactly was the Zodiac version and why is it so much better?

      Looking forward to exploring this world again. Best thing I remember and this game. The closest they'd really got to open world before FF15.
      It was the International version of FFXII that Japan got after the U.S. release. It also featured many elements that were planned for XII that got cut due to time constraints. The most obvious one being the Zodiac Job system. Basically instead of one massive License Board with all abilities on it, you got 12 smaller ones, with each representing a Job Class like White Mage or Knight (the boards are shaped like Zodiac signs, hence Zodiac Job title) and you could only choose one for each of your characters. The game also added a few new items, changed around the treasure and drop rate systems, as well as giving you the ability to customize the gambits of Espers and Guest party members. Also the Quickenings are now their own bar, and no longer attached to your MP like the original.

      The game also had a challenge mode where you can battle a 100 different bosses/Mark hunts and there is a speed up button like Chrono Cross. The Zodiac Jobs are the biggest change but the game has a lot of refinements as well over the original. It will be interesting to see if this version is just an HD remaster of the International version of if SE plans on adding in other mechanics or changes. I kind of feel its unlikely due to the games original director and producer being more of a supervisor role.
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by Randy View Post
      Very pleased with this. Although sad no Vita.

      So what exactly was the Zodiac version and why is it so much better?

      Looking forward to exploring this world again. Best thing I remember and this game. The closest they'd really got to open world before FF15.
      It was the International version of FFXII that Japan got after the U.S. release. It also featured many elements that were planned for XII that got cut due to time constraints. The most obvious one being the Zodiac Job system. Basically instead of one massive License Board with all abilities on it, you got 12 smaller ones, with each representing a Job Class like White Mage or Knight (the boards are shaped like Zodiac signs, hence Zodiac Job title) and you could only choose one for each of your characters. The game also added a few new items, changed around the treasure and drop rate systems, as well as giving you the ability to customize the gambits of Espers and Guest party members. Also the Quickenings are now their own bar, and no longer attached to your MP like the original.

      The game also had a challenge mode where you can battle a 100 different bosses/Mark hunts and there is a speed up button like Chrono Cross. The Zodiac Jobs are the biggest change but the game has a lot of refinements as well over the original. It will be interesting to see if this version is just an HD remaster of the International version of if SE plans on adding in other mechanics or changes. I kind of feel its unlikely due to the games original director and producer being more of a supervisor role.
      My only question is: how are quickening charges filled? If it isn't based on MP?
    1. Wolf Kanno's Avatar
      Wolf Kanno -
      From what I've heard, pretty much like a standard limit break.
    1. Karifean's Avatar
      Karifean -
      Quote Originally Posted by Formalhaut View Post
      My only question is: how are quickening charges filled? If it isn't based on MP?
      Anything and everything that charges your MP also charges your Mist Gauge along with it.

      Btw one change I forgot to mention before is that treasure spawns are now rerolled if you only move *one* screen away instead of three like it was before. Which is quite a godsend.
    1. Wolf Kanno's Avatar
      Wolf Kanno -
      Didn't they also fix the wonky A.I. concerning stealing? I thought I read that somewhere.
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      Quote Originally Posted by Karifean View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by Formalhaut View Post
      My only question is: how are quickening charges filled? If it isn't based on MP?
      Anything and everything that charges your MP also charges your Mist Gauge along with it.

      Btw one change I forgot to mention before is that treasure spawns are now rerolled if you only move *one* screen away instead of three like it was before. Which is quite a godsend.
      OH THANK GOD.
    1. Karifean's Avatar
      Karifean -
      Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
      Didn't they also fix the wonky A.I. concerning stealing? I thought I read that somewhere.
      Nah they didn't. There's no gambit that targets enemies that you haven't stolen from yet. But "Enemy: HP = 100% -> Steal" always worked out pretty alright for me.
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      Quote Originally Posted by Karifean View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
      Didn't they also fix the wonky A.I. concerning stealing? I thought I read that somewhere.
      Nah they didn't. There's no gambit that targets enemies that you haven't stolen from yet. But "Enemy: HP = 100% -> Steal" always worked out pretty alright for me.
      Yeah, that's the standard steal gambit. It does assume that the first steal will end up connecting, though for targets with rare items (and thus, will require *many* steals) I just put my entire team on steal gambits until the necessary item is stolen. And of course, if it doesn't connect you can just override and input manually.

      I'm glad treasure chests one-zone. That's so much easier. Might make getting the Danjuro easier as well, it if also counts for monsters.
    1. Karifean's Avatar
      Karifean -
      Quote Originally Posted by Formalhaut View Post
      I'm glad treasure chests one-zone. That's so much easier. Might make getting the Danjuro easier as well, it if also counts for monsters.
      Still two screens for enemies, but IIRC there's a bug you can abuse that lets you respawn Larva Eater rather quickly so the Danjuro isn't *that* horrible to get; either way it was replaced with the Hunter's Blade F (translation may vary) in this version which has like a 70% chance to KO on hit.
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      Besides the Seitengrat nightmare, are the best weapons still annoying to get, or have they even made them worse?
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