Quote Originally Posted by wallomrslug View Post
ISo in effect Im in agreement with the OP, many of the side quests specifically require background knowledge or there is no hope in hell of ever completing them.
True but I loved the game and had tons of fun without ever completing them. There is no need for the Zodiac Spear, and if you know from the start that you won't get all monsters on the bestiary if you don't use a guide, there is tons of fun to be had figuring out the puzzles that can be guessed by mere mortals without ESP

Fafnir was my last hunt because I was tired and wanted a break from XII but I think I could have gotten all hunts without a guide. Not all Espers and optional bosses, but that will be on my second playthrough