Set and Setting

[Heath]

Although the previous entries in the Final Fantasy series have had excellent soundtracks and relatively vivid and impressive settings, I think that FFXII was the most absorbing of all the worlds that Square-Enix have created.

It feels very much more of a complete package. Although X had 3-D environments to explore the game itself was really linear and you were hand-lead through one locale to the next. Visually impressive at times (Macalania Forest is utterly beautiful), but it didn't instil me with a sense of adventure I had. People often compare XII to an MMORPG and I think it's a valid comparison even outside the gameplay. The ability to explore the huge world with monsters roaming about, with an impressive soundtrack and the ability to see your characters explore them really allowed me to be immersed in the game.

Some of the locations (Sochen Cave Palace and the Salikawood spring to mind) are not only visually impressive to see, but the music compliments them perfectly. Sochen Cave Palace felt epic, undiscovered and forgotten and the music really conveyed this emotion. The Barheim Passage really gave the impression not only that the place was grimy and underground (in every sense of the word), but that something would appear from round a corner or you'd get blown up by a trap. Which brings me to another feature: the traps. As irritating as they were, I thought it was another element that would sometimes force you to be on your toes and be prepared for the unexpected to happen which I suppose happens in adventuring.

So between the added features (traps, monsters), being able to roam freely around a huge world, a very atmospheric and immersing soundtrack and the general size and scope of Ivalice, I found FFXII to be the most immersing and impressive game in the series so far. What about you? Were you impressed by the changes from the other games in the series? Or did you find them irritating and unnecessary?

[Crossblades]

Personally I liked the fact that you were able to roam freely. You get that sense of adventure when you do so. And some of the locations were very breathtaking to see(Phon Coast and Tchita Uplands are some examples). And I agree the music really fits in with the area. I can never understand why so many people bash its music =/

[Dynast-Kid]

Yeah, the setting and music of FFXII are major factors in why this game is my favorite Final Fantasy. The massive-ness and the depth of each and every locale was just...awe-inspiring.

I especially love the art direction for this game, and the vivid Arabian/Mediterranean elements implemented in FFXII. Very unique and memorable!

I find that Archades, Eruyt Village, Nabreus Deadlands, and Giruvegan are the main locations that really made me "oooh and ahhh"! Simply stunning graphics and locales!

I freaking love this game to bits!

[Big D]

Yeah, the setting and music of FFXII are major factors in why this game is my favorite Final Fantasy. The massive-ness and the depth of each and every locale was just...awe-inspiring.

I especially love the art direction for this game, and the vivid Arabian/Mediterranean elements implemented in FFXII. Very unique and memorable!

I find that Archades, Eruyt Village, Nabreus Deadlands, and Giruvegan are the main locations that really made me "oooh and ahhh"! Simply stunning graphics and locales!

I freaking love this game to bits!

Agreed in full

[Del Murder]

I didn't find the music to be that epic. The visuals were stunning but a lot of the area musics blended together and sounded very much like something I would hear in an elevator.

[Bolivar]

to not go out and explore ivalice is missing out on half the experience. the detail, the scenery, the music, it worked well for an adventure.

[Wolf Kanno]

Exploration has been a missing factor the series for awhile. X was linear as hell and though Spira was visually stunning, its "one path" dungeon made for a boring gameplay experience. Part of the reason I like RPGs comes from the exploration aspect.

I was most impressed by the huge cities that were filled with people, Ivalcie just felt more alive than other FF worlds. In fact its world design is so excellent, I'm hoping XIII will continue it. I worry that XIII will be like X, visually impressive but horribly linear.

The point of XII is to explore the world. If you only played it for the story you missed half the game...

[LunarWeaver]

I had disappointments with XII, and the music is one of them I'm afraid. It didn't strike me like some other RPGs.

The world is definitely immersing, though. I loved how big and detailed it was. The long development time was well spent on it. I was never a huge fan of the old-school world map. The one where you're huge and everything else is tiny. I much prefer this kind of "world map" where it's from the characters' perspective. If you can call it a world map. I consider it one. And the art direction was really nice. It's a very well crafted universe.

[Heath]

I liked the music in that it the atmospheric style of it, so that it was never terribly overbearing and (in my opinion) complimented the visuals as much as anything else. I don't think there are many naturally 'stand out' pieces of music in XII as there are in the other games, but there are definitely some quality pieces in there.

[Roogle]

I feel that this incarnation of Ivalice was one of the most developed world concepts in the series.

I think that the game itself suffers from a lack of character development and character interaction and that this detracts from the gaming experience. A developed and interactive world may be what this game will be remembered for over its story or characters.

[Nifleheim7]

I think we will see more and more "open ended" worlds in RPGs as the hardware power increases.I don't think developers of previous FF's opted to go for linear environments because they wanted to,but because of the hardware limitations.FFX and FFXII may share the same console but bear in mind that FFX was one of the first games developed for PS2 and it's developers didn't have the technical knowledge that was available near the end of the system's "lifetime".I'm pretty sure that both FFXIII's will feel "open ended" but it's too early to speculate on that.

I also loved the environments and locations of Ivalice,there were times that i felt really immersed in that world.The music,although at first i didn't like it,really grow on me and now FFXII's ost is one of my favourite FF soundtracks.When i played Revenant Wings i really enjoyed hearing some of the FFXII's themes...In general i think the world of Ivalice was one of the most vivid RPG worlds to play on a console and it really felt "alive".Also,most of the NPC's had some really interesting stories to tell and they really complemented their surroundings (the Old and New Archades is the first that comes to mind).
Unfortunately,as Roogle said,these will be my only main reasons to replay the game (including gameplay/excluding level grinding) and not it's characters or story.

[hhr1dluv]

As a side note, concerning XII's soundtrack...
At first I didn't like it much...but I LOVE the pieces that play while you're in the Ozmone Plains and while you're in the Sandsea. I also enjoy the Rabanastre themes, and the prison theme. All those definitely rank high on my favorite FF themes list.

Oh, and I agree with the idea that XII will be best remembered for its open ended world.

[Markus. D]

I love all the Esper themes.

I'd feel each time I'd hear them it was like I was abusing something I was not meant to touch.

especially the small sequence after unsummonering an Esper... the sound effects of pure chaos confinement... very pretty :3

[Quindiana Jones]

I loved it. Except for the fact that in exploring and doing everything else, you often forgot what was happening in the main storyline, which often ruined later events because I would be thinking "Holy crap! When did I get that sword??" :laughing:

[Roogle]

I love all the Esper themes.

I'd feel each time I'd hear them it was like I was abusing something I was not meant to touch.

especially the small sequence after unsummonering an Esper... the sound effects of pure chaos confinement... very pretty :3

I agree. I think that the Espers would have been more frightening and involving if they were a type of recurring villain rather than a recurring gameplay element. I enjoyed the fights with the Espers much more than fighting alongside the Espers.