Quote Originally Posted by Bolivar View Post
^ Man, I agree with all that, I've put in more hours on FFXII than any other RPG except maybe DQVIII, I can't even believe how much better this game gets every time I play it, and I'm always finding new things to appreciate about this amazing application of a script with a fantastic translation almost unequaled voice acting, BUT!!!:

It doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy.

And that's something I've been saying since dizzay uno. And I think that's what Crazybayman was getting at. That, and let's not be so quick to condemn the past simply because its battle system wasn't as "progresssive" [/fanboy drooling] as the latest installment. And for the record, no, you can't play it like the older games. Well, you can, but you'd have to turn the ATB to its slowest setting just for it to be sustainable. But even that's doubtful.
While I would disagree on the subject that "it doesn't feel like an FF" that is a topic for another day. Btw, this post is not actually targeted toward you, so if I say anything condescending its not meant for you cause I know you know how fun this system can be.

I think my issue with some of the slander on the games battle system just stems from the idea that's its main difference is that we added the 3D element to it it (though rather poorly) and that it gives you a system that allows you to have the A.I. deal with the tedious aspects of combat while the player can deal with strategy and exploration. Overall, its setup and command style is basically turn base with a few modifications that create the illusion of something radically new and different. X's system pulled a similar idea and I've always found it amusing how similar and yet polar opposite they are to each other.

My other issue is that the gambit (and License Board) are only as restrictive and fun as the player allows it to be. The game easily allows you to make everyone into clones with an efficient enough Gambit setup that allows the player only need to press forward and on the analog stick and occasionally check to make sure they are going the right way.

At the same time you can highly customize your party and restrict Gambits to tedious fare like buffing spells or emergency's like Use X-potion on Ally/HP/Critical and then issue combat commands on an individual basis and even modify gambits when the battle turns sour. Basically its a system I feel is only as fun as your imagination allows it to be. In many ways, its like II and VIII's system in terms of customization. I just feel that like its predecessors, many fans can't seem to grasp the idea of the systems customization options and proceed to go with making bland party's where everyone is clone of each other.

Granted I don't believe the system is perfect and god knows it could use some improvements but for the most part; I felt the game is fun and its battle system is amazing when you try not to go all "munchkin" on it.

I don't hate turn base and its not that I wish all future FF should be XII's system but rather I feel its silly to hate on it cause its not like previous installments, when in fact its nothing more than a modification of turn base. Granted, its hard to tell when you play the game on Active mode. Cause god knows when you're wandering through the Lhusu Mines and half a dozen skeletons knights spawn around you the whole battle becomes a cluster smurf and it comes down to your gambits to win the battle. I think its moments like these where I truly appreciated the battle system.