Does any one else realise it,s smurfing Star Wars?

[Joethulhu]

The story starts out pretty original, but the first similarity is the music. When you let the opening go, this game's version of the Final Fantasy theme begins like the celebration music from Star Wars IV. Several other songs sound familiar, but I won't recite them now, mostly because I don't feel like it.

Now for the story. Okay, besides the basics of an Empire and a Rebel Alliance, there are still a lot others.
Remember rescuing Ashe on the Dreadnought Leviathan? Hmm, I seem to remember something, once again from Star Wars IV, where some other people did the same thing with another princess! SURELY it's a coincidence, RIGHT?

Some characters have drastic similarities, also. Vaan is Luke, Balthier is Han Solo, and Fran is Chewbacca. AND BALTHIER'S A SMURFING SKY PIRATE. WITH A SMURFING BIG SHIP THAT FLIES.



Granted, though, FFXII does have original parts, like everything until you escape the Nalbina Dungeon. It also doesn't rip off EVERYTHING, so you guys tell me, am I right or is it just my RAGE at this game for being an adequate Real-Time RPG with Final Fantasy slapped on the cover.







On a side note, Balthier's name would be pronounced BAHL-THEE-EHR if you follow Japanese grammar, but everyone in the game says it BÁL-THEER. Why?
And yet, ddespite my anger at this game, I really want to play it, if only because of the empire's hilarious Britishness and the fact that Balthier's dialogue is the best since "this guy are sick", in my opinion at least. Sorry for ranting so much, I swear I'm done.

















For now.....

[Wolf Kanno]

You're wrong... XII technically rips off FFII which was the game that originally ripped off Star Wars.

Believe me, after you finish the Dreadnought mission and get your full party it isn't really Star Wars anymore. Also, Vaan is a poor Luke Skywalker and Balthier is more Roger Moore style James Bond than Han Solo. Yes there are similarities but when it comes down to it most of it is pretty shallow after awhile and everything becomes its own thing eventually.

[Fynn]

It seems to me like somebody serious issues regarding the new battle system (which is still actually more turn-based than real-time, mind you)...

[Marshall Banana]

More than one Final Fantasy installment references or has similarities to Star Wars. =O

I think it's pretty neat!

[Kyros]

On a side note, Balthier's name would be pronounced BAHL-THEE-EHR if you follow Japanese grammar, but everyone in the game says it BÁL-THEER. Why?

I'm not saying this is wrong, just made me laugh a little b/c reminded me of the ignorant people saying Zidane was pronounced zi-dan-ay b/c if you spelled it like that in Japan that's how it would be, but these people didnt look up the katakana to see it was spelled Jitan in Japan and the 'e' was added (and most letters changed since many letters/syllables are pronounced differently in Japanese then in English) for pronunciation when changing languages just like Balthier changed from "Balflear"

[black orb]

Vaan is Luke, Balthier is Han Solo, and Fran is Chewbacca. AND BALTHIER'S A SMURFING SKY PIRATE. WITH A SMURFING BIG SHIP THAT FLIES.

>>> Lol..

[Joethulhu]

I am aware of the fact that FF2 did the Star Wars thing first, but it still seemed more original to me than 12. And yes, I'm being inconsistent with my numbers.
I don't really have a problem with the battle system, I thought it didn't fit Final Fantasy. It's still turn based, but I prefer random battles. Leveling up was easy though, I remember spending 10 hours straight auto leveling in the Dreadnaught. I am playing it the first time, though. I'm at the tomb of King Whatsisface, and I've just discovered the ultimate win button of boss battles: Quickenings.
I am also aware I'm being a bit of a hipocrite in relation to Balthier's name, but even the japanese spelling isn't BÁL-THEER. I don't feel like sounding it out. And that al as in Albert. (adelbertsteinerhehehe) Sorry. I'm actually learning Japanese, so I would know, I just don't feel like it.
And you're right about Vaan, I just had to put someone in the role of Luke for my purposes, and they both have blond hair and come from a dessert environment, and that's GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. (imagine me pouting here, it's what I would do in real life)
And despite aforementioned RAGE at this game, I kinda like it. Although that demon wall didn't make any sense and ripped off FF7.
I also agree abou Balthier being more of a James Bond, if only because of his Britishness and puns. BUT FRAN BEING CHEWBACA MUST NOT BE IGNORED. Oh, and he IS a sky pirate, Solo was a smuggler, and Balthier has the Strahl, while Solo has the Millenium Falcon.
I'll be commentating more as I play the game; I'm becoming fast addicted to it.
Also, on a side note, Aerith/s had a similar name thing. Su is the Japanese equivalent of th, so therefor Aerith. The translators being idiots (This guy are sick!), they didn't know this. Me, first time, I called her Aeris. When doing some research, I saw that the Japanese was Aerisu, aka Aerith, I had to replay the game to change my save, even if she's dead by then.

Wait, who would Penelo be?

[Wolf Kanno]

Balthier and Han Solo are similar only in face value. Except for them both having a fuzzy partner people wouldn't mind sleeping with

Also, (cause I'm feeling "saucy" and a bit of an ass tonight) the Demon Wall is a boss originating from FF IV. VII just referenced it like XII did. That's the other oddity of XII is that it has several clever in-jokes and references to the whole series. Read the names of some of the Mark Hunts and you will notice a majority of them are named after (and even partially taken) from previous FF games. Not to mention the names of the airships reference different FFs. The Empire's are named after the classic summons while the Rebel armies ships are named after heroes and villains from previous FF games (mostly FFV).

Quickenings are pretty powerful in the beginning of the game when you get them but I wouldn't overly rely on them. The later Mark Hunts and boss fights are won much easier by using good strategy and conserving MP for buff/debuff spells. In fact, start using debuffs in this game cause they actually work for once. You can cripple n over-powered boss by inflicting Blind and Sap on them as your party wails on them.

As for Penelo... Part of me wants to say she's C-3PO but she's nowhere near as annoying. Ewok maybe?

[Joethulhu]

He still stands out as Han Solo to me, no matter what. And as for that last remark... You don't wanna know the kinds of porn I've seen.
About the wall thing:
Really? I never got too far in IV, I stopped... I think at the dungeon after the infamous "spoony bard" line. I just don't really like it. No idea why.
I've heard stuff like that about Quickenings, and I'm TRYING to not rely on them, but sometimes I'm just bored of fighting and want to finish the fight so I just switch out to the unused party members and skip to the end.
I knew the thing about the ships too, here's my basic reaction to it:
Balthier: It's the Ifrit!
Me: Ifrit's in this game!?!? Where!?!?
I haven't really done any marks except the one you have to do, but once I get back to Rabanastre I'm going to attempt some.
Penelo's not awesome enough to be an ewok. Hmm... She can be Random Soldier # 76.

[nik0tine]

How the hell is Vaan luke? Because he has blond hair? He hardly even plays a part in FFXIIs story line.

[Marshall Banana]

As for Penelo... Part of me wants to say she's C-3PO but she's nowhere near as annoying. Ewok maybe?

What kind of Star Wars fan are you? C-3PO is great! :mymelslap:

[Quindiana Jones]

A triple 15 Quickening chain enabled me to defeat the White Flan thing at level 15, thereby enabling Fran to use the Yoichi Bow LOOOOONG before she should be allowed weapons that good. Kinda like how Quickenings killed the first Demon Wall, enabling me to get a few Demonsbanes, which were only replaced at that refugee camp mountain thing. Quickenings are life-savers when you're up against an enemy that is way out of your league. Just difficult enemies should be taken on using buffs and debuffs. Like Wolf Kanno said, FF12 is the ONLY FF I've played that I frequently use buffs and debuffs. Thank you Gambits.

[Joethulhu]

Well, I'm really just kidding about Vaan being Luke. I just needed someone to prove my point, and he's the only one who even barely fits. If anyone can give a better suggestion, I'd be happy to hear it.

As for C-3PO, I never found him that annoying, but I can see why someone would. I think the only person Penelo would fit is C-3PO, so I'm afraid we'll have to put her down as that.

So, as it stands:

Vaan = Luck (for now)

Balthier = James Solo

Fran = Chewbacca

Ashe = Leia

Empire = Empire

Whatever they're called in this game = Rebel Alliance

Oh, and Gabranth is Darth Vader. Really. Just look at him.

People left out:

Bash?

Vossler? (Maybe a rebel general)

...can't think of more for some reason...

[Namelessfengir]

starwars still entertains me after twenty years where XII has be given indefinite exile to the stack along with midnight club and lotr the two towers

[Zora]

Basch=Obi-wan? He's the oldest, a mentor of sorts, and has fallen from fame, and has seemingly had run-ins with the Darth Vader equivalent prior to the game's beginning. But he doesn't die, unlike Obi-wan.

Vossler is... Lando perhaps?