So I'm Finally Gonna Play XII

[Wolf Kanno]

I would just simply beat the game and leave the rest as post game fun for this moment. No sense in killing the momentum created from the Pharos on the bazillion of side-quests that become available by end game.

[Goldenboko]

Yeah, just complete the game. If I could do it with a mid 40 level party and a low 40 backup you should be fine

[ANGRYWOLF]

I had a hard time with it until I got to the higher levels and got the better equipment.
Of course when I admitted that I was ridiculed for it on another forum.
I went to a lot of trouble to get all my characters to level 99 and to get those weapons, armor and the nip device. Still gave up at zodiark though.I didn't feel like continuing through all the frustrations.

If the tc wants to continue that's fine.We're here to give him advice if he feel he needs it.

Good luck.

[Forsaken Lover]

I've just completed FF12. I wanted to give a list of my thoughts and feelings on the game. I also want to address a few things I've heard argued about even since the game was released (though i just now understand what they are about).

Initial Thoughts:

1. The combat system is great. It took me off-guard at first, being so different from all teh other FFs I've played, but I think it's really more immersive than any of the others I've played.
2. Hardest storyline boss all game for me was The Elder Wyrm. Damn you status effects! Though if the optional Demon Wall counts, I also beat it after a while. I mainly fought it to get the Demonbane and to practice learning how to use Quickenings.

Now, onto the real meat of the topic.

The Story:

It's good. The best FF story yet? Hell no. In maybe the Top 3? Yes. While there's not nearly enough character development, the actual plot of the game is very intriguing. Not many twists and turns but I don't think it tried to have them. It certainly didn't seem like they were trying to keep the fact Gabranth is Basch's brother a secret.

Also I like the trend of public speaking with the villains now. Edea(Ultimecia) iN VIII was happy to give a delightuflly Evil Speech but then Seymour came along and was introduced by giving a friendship speech. Vayne did the same thing and even if I hadn't known then, I would have known from that that he was the Big Bad.

Really, the Empire itself was a far more interesting antagonist than Vayne. All the scenes with The Judges and Emperor kept me hooked.

The Ending:

I had more trouble getting to the bosses than the bosses themselves. The ending was decent I suppose. Nothing too unexpected but I wish it had gone on longer. Would have been more morable had Balthier and Fran actually died.

My Favorite Scenes:

1. The entire bit at the end of the Pharos with Gabranth as well as Cid's and Reddas' deaths.

2. Judge Bergan's crazy speech

3. Vaan and Ashe in Jahara

4. I'll just be general and say every other scene with The Judges.

5. Balthier's and Fran's Introduction

6. Zalera's Introduction

My Favorite Characters:

1. Gabranth - The plot did a much better job setting him up as the antagonist than Vayne. Vayne has actually a very minimal role in the plot when screentime is considered. Gabranth is just more interesting as well. I just kept waiting for his and Basch's moment to finally confront each other.

2. Balthier - What can I say? He's Balthier. It's like if you put James Bond and Jack Sparrow in a blender and created Pure Awesome. It helsp he undergoes some good development what with hsi father and all.

3. Ashe - Surprised me how much i actually liked her. She was quite the stick-up-her-ass bitch at first but she gets a lot more lax with time and I started to like her.

Now to address the aforementioned controversial topic:

Vaan:

Oh Vaan. Even before XII came out I remember people getting on the boards to rant about you. Then the game came out and most of them still ranted about you. Only now they threw in "he's not even the main character!" Well perhaps not. But he's definitely the second most important member of the party. It would go Ashe then Vaan then Balthier then Basch than Fran then Penelo.

I don't care what people say about Basch "should have been" the hero. The fact is, he's not. In fact, from the moment Vossler is killed up until the ending of the Pharos, Basch is completely worthless storyline wise. He had no reason to exist for all those dungeons and hours.

Also, as for Vaan vs. Tidus, there is no comparison. None. Tidus is an abomination; a mindless blackhole who serves to suck all enjoyment and intelligence out of everything near him. Tidus is what happens when you give a character -too much- personality. Vaan, in contrast, had just enough personality to be interesting. He had his dream of being a sky pirate which evolved into him showing he was just trying to distract himself from the truth of Reks' death. Vaan is just a normal kid. He's...average. not great, not terrible.

Voice-Acting:

1. Judge Zargabaath - I just call him Judge Kain.

2. Reddas

3. Balthier

4. Gabranth

5. Dr. Cid

6. Ashe

Favorite Music:

1. YouTube - Final Fantasy XII Music - Upheaval (Imperial Version)

2. YouTube - Final Fantasy XII Music - Time for a Rest This one may be unusual for some but I think every dungeon should have a satisfying conclusion theme. It's all well and good to have a big epic boss battle but I want something nice and peaceful to show me all that Hell I just went through as worth it. When i first heard this theme in the Tomb of Raithwall, I felt that peace and satisfaction.

3. YouTube - Final Fantasy XII Music - The Garamscythe Waterway It's amazing that a lot of the lesser significant dungeons in this game have the best music... This music would make you think you were off to some distant battle instead of fighting rats in a sewer. This music is the music to my most hated level in thIS game. i got lost in the Waterway so many times and I probably would have gone crazy and broken the game had it not been for this great tune keeping me calm.

4. YouTube - Penelo's Theme Hey after all the big important and mystical music, how abou a cute little theme for a cute little girl? Penelo was in my main party from the second I could have her... Sexiest chick in FF12.

5. YouTube - Final Fantasy XII Music - Seeking Power

6.YouTube - Final Fantasy XII Music - Esper Battle

Conclusion:

In my personal rankings of FF games, where to put 12.... Well, none will ever beat FFIX that much I am certain of. But I did have more fun with this story and world than either FFVII or X. I suppose overall VII and X had a better, more well-developed cast but well-developed doesn't mean memorable or likable. Apart froM Fran, I liked the party very much. While with FFX, I just liked Auron and Rikku.

So yeah, I think I'll place this as my second favorite FF game ever. Well dne FF12.

So those are a quick draft of my thoughts on the game after just beating it. i'll probably think of more.

So anyone here share my thoughts or disagree with them?

[Wolf Kanno]

First off, congratulations on finishing FFXII

Three of my favorite FFXII themes that you didn't mention (good choices by the way) have to be:

Basch's Reminiscence - reminded me of some of my favorite theme from Xenogears.

To Be A Sky Pirate - Criminally short and I think it was used only once (most of the best tracks are) but beautiful none the less.

The Battle for Freedom - Its been a long time since I really loved a Final Boss theme in FF but this track really hit all the right elements for me.

Also, you will be happy to know that Penelo's theme is one of the few recurring themes in the sequels RW and TA2.

I have to agree with Gabranth cause he was easily my favorite character in the game and I loved his story. I was so happy when he emerged as the representative for XII in Dissidia.

My issue with Vayne was simply that I felt for 90% of the game he was feigning being the bad guy, basically choosing the most cruel and brutal choices not only to set Archades up for his brother Larsa but to instill in him a sense of justice and honor that House Solidor was known for in the past. That all basically went out the window when you reach the final dungeon and he goes into the whole "I DID IT FOR THE POWER!!! MWHAHAHAHA!!!!!!". I know the game had some issues when the story was being written not only from Matsuno's departure in the project but also the main scenario writer mentioned that their was some creative differences between the two Matsuno teams (FFXI and the FFT team).

I also really loved Basch cause despite all the crap he got handed to him he never really lost his focus on what was important and it was really played out well in his conversations with Gabranth in the Pharos and Sky Fortress Bahamut. Though I agree he drops out of the picture after the Vossler incident but I felt he came back at the very end. I still feel Lady Ashe fits the role of lead character as the entire plot is basically her story but then I also understand that the team really didn't intend for the game to have a lead which is why it has some confusions.

And now for something completely different...

[Quindiana Jones]

HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE FRAN?

Pretty much the only thing I disagree with, to be honest. I thought Fran complemented Balthier perfectly.

[Forsaken Lover]

First off, congratulations on finishing FFXII :c

Thank you very much. ^^

The Battle for Freedom - Its been a long time since I really loved a Final Boss theme in FF but this track really hit all the right elements for me.

It's nice but better than Dark Messenger?

Also, you will be happy to know that Penelo's theme is one of the few recurring themes in the sequels RW and TA2.

Awesome.

gree with Gabranth cause he was easily my favorite character in the game and I loved his story. I was so happy when he emerged as the representative for XII in Dissidia.

Does he do anything of note in the game?

My issue with Vayne was simply that I felt for 90% of the game he was feigning being the bad guy, basically choosing the most cruel and brutal choices not only to set Archades up for his brother Larsa but to instill in him a sense of justice and honor that House Solidor was known for in the past.

That's what I figured as well. Especially since people have been telling me for years (indirectly, in general FF villain topics on various forums) that Vayne really wasn't a "Bad guy." I say he was....

And now for something completely different...

Lol

HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE FRAN?

Pretty much the only thing I disagree with, to be honest. I thought Fran complemented Balthier perfectly.

I'm just not a fan of her voice. Ye she compliments Balthier well but that's about it for me.
Also don't like bunnygirls.

In other news, seeing Gilgamesh in XII has made me want to go back and finish FFV. I only vaguely got started on it (like two hours in) and I reckon it's time I put another FF under my belt.

I'll also probably be restarting FFXII and try to do what a lot of people do ie. making your own Job Class. Seems like it be fun.

[Wolf Kanno]

The Battle for Freedom - Its been a long time since I really loved a Final Boss theme in FF but this track really hit all the right elements for me.

It's nice but better than Dark Messenger?

Dark Messenger isn't the Final Boss theme though

As for Gabranth in Dissidia, no he doesn't get a large role but he does get his own special chapter. His EX Burst is brutal as its basically all three of Basch's Quickening Chains finished off with a Black Hole Concurrence.

[Shin Gouken]

First off, congratulations on finishing FFXII :c

Thank you very much. ^^

The Battle for Freedom - Its been a long time since I really loved a Final Boss theme in FF but this track really hit all the right elements for me.

It's nice but better than Dark Messenger?

Also, you will be happy to know that Penelo's theme is one of the few recurring themes in the sequels RW and TA2.

Awesome.

gree with Gabranth cause he was easily my favorite character in the game and I loved his story. I was so happy when he emerged as the representative for XII in Dissidia.

Does he do anything of note in the game?

My issue with Vayne was simply that I felt for 90% of the game he was feigning being the bad guy, basically choosing the most cruel and brutal choices not only to set Archades up for his brother Larsa but to instill in him a sense of justice and honor that House Solidor was known for in the past.

That's what I figured as well. Especially since people have been telling me for years (indirectly, in general FF villain topics on various forums) that Vayne really wasn't a "Bad guy." I say he was....

And now for something completely different...

Lol

HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE FRAN?

Pretty much the only thing I disagree with, to be honest. I thought Fran complemented Balthier perfectly.

I'm just not a fan of her voice. Ye she compliments Balthier well but that's about it for me.
Also don't like bunnygirls.

In other news, seeing Gilgamesh in XII has made me want to go back and finish FFV. I only vaguely got started on it (like two hours in) and I reckon it's time I put another FF under my belt.

I'll also probably be restarting FFXII and try to do what a lot of people do ie. making your own Job Class. Seems like it be fun.

Ah XII and V are my two favorite FF's <3 And Gilgamesh my all time favorite character <3 You should keep us updated on your progress like you did here, i'm sure people will be interested in what you make of it plus you get lots of advice. Not to mention the FFV forum is usually dead lol it needs a little livening up

After the disapointment that was FFXIII i'm hugely considering starting a new game on XII. Even though the file that i used last (about 3months ago) has 300+ hours racked on it

[Forsaken Lover]

So i'm looking at this Class Challenge Guide on Gamefaqs


And it says for Berserkers:

Weapons : All Breakers

What is that?

[Shin Gouken]

So i'm looking at this Class Challenge Guide on Gamefaqs


And it says for Berserkers:

Weapons : All Breakers

What is that?

I think that refers to axes and hammers. They have a random number generated in their damage calculation which can mean a seriously powerful blow or a very poor one.

Just found this on gamefaqs -

Breakers (axes/hammers/hand-bombs) really lose their effectiveness as you progress through the game. The inconsistency in DMG values hurts. In fact, hand-bombs are completely useless and deserve Mr. Yuck stickers all around.

A somewhat simple comment for an otherwise quite in-depth faq, though this guy really knows what he's talking about with all the damage calculations

[Forsaken Lover]

Ah, thank you. I think I'm gonna do that Class Challenge thing.

And ya gotta have a Berserker.

[Shin Gouken]

Ah, thank you. I think I'm gonna do that Class Challenge thing.

And ya gotta have a Berserker.

Well i wish you the best of luck. I considered a low level challenge or a solo character challenge but despite having played a perfect game, i'm not comfortable with my knowledge of the game at this time.

Careful with that beserker, as a fixed class you wont be able to control him for the entire game =/

[Forsaken Lover]

Yeah. I'm thinking I'll go with a Berserker, a Paladin and a Chemist. That way I have two characters capable of attacking and healing.. Wanna make sure you have the capacity to heal with magic and items both, especially early on. I relied a lot on magic later when I had MP to spare but early on, items are very useful.

Hope it goes well. Sure it won't be a pcinic though.

[ANGRYWOLF]

probably been over a year since I played it last.

I went through the nechrol hoping to get the Helvenik to drop that special armor.No dice there.

I'll try to get a ribbon then on to Zodiark..to try him again.