How hard is this game?

[Sefie1999AD]

I didn't see a thread about this on Page 1 (or 2). Anyway, how hard is Final Fantasy XII? I've heard it's a lot harder than the other recent FFs (i.e. VI to X-2), and learning to use the battle system and the gambits well already take you a long time. How's the difficulty compared to other Matsuno games, such as Final Fantasy Tactics or FF Tactics Advance? So far I think FFIV and FFV have been the hardest FFs for me, but I'm not sure if that will change when I play FFXII.

[Cruise Control]

Theres some SERIOUS challenges for you. It's as hard as you make it for example (SPOILER)Demon Wall. You can either run or fight. If you fight, its incredibly hard. If you run, you still have some mild challenge.

It's definitely difficult.

[nik0tine]

So far it's proven to be the most difficult FF I have ever played.

[Zeromus_X]

If you aren't used to the battle system and don't use Gambits properly/build your characters efficiently on the License Board, it can get tough as newer and more powerful enemies appear as you advance in the story. Some bosses can be very difficult ((SPOILER)Demon Wall >_>), and in addition, the game pulls a FFII and sometimes places superpowerful monsters in places indicating that you aren't supposed to be there yet even though you may have wandered there accidently. Finally, acquiring Gil is rather tedious, as you may have to farm loot by chaining monster kills to sell loot in bulk, which is really the most effective way. I've also had to level up at some points, and of course buy new equipment. But overall it's much more difficult than the recent Final Fantasies.

I'd say it's probably on par with FFT so far, some battles are frustrating, but certainly nothing comparable to

Defeat Wiegraf!

or

Step on the Floodgate Switches!

.

[Ashley Schovitz]

How hard is this game?

Pretty F****** hard!

[skillzboy4]

im now pretty deep in the game n the bosses are getting pretty damn hard in the beginning bosses were so easy with quickenings but now theyre nothing against these bosses...

[Madame Adequate]

I'm loving this. I need to be aware of my location so I don't aggro stuff, keep an eye on like four different things at once, and even normal enemies can do enough damage to pose a risk.

Difficulty was precisely what FF needed to become even more amazingly awesome. A whole game full of bosses like Carry Armor and Demon's Gate from FFVII = teh wins, and so far this looks like it might be headed in that direction.

Edit: Not so much Demon's Gate, that dude was one bad dude.

[Zeromus_X]

I wouldn't say it's that difficult, but I understand what you're saying.

[Rye]

Yes, it's a lot harder, and I'm also still somewhat underleveled. xD

[Goldenboko]

Well its definitely harder then VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X. This game actually requires you to stop and level *GASP!*

[El Bandito]

I'd say it's not so much hard as it requires way more strategy than previous FF's. I mean, you gotta plan around the License board a bit unless you just want to straight up overlevel. There were times I found myself right next to an awesome augmentation before a boss, but I had just spent all my LP on equipment.

Additionally, the programming of really efficient gambits and planning ahead on really tough battles really becomes key. I thought I could have just gotten by with everyone attacking everything in sight with an occasional potion, but once I got the hang of the gambit system, the game got quite a bit easier and deep.

To put it in an analogy, I'd say it's like having to indulge in a bit of coaching in a sport rather than just playing. That is, actually having to create game plans instead of just running them.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

I'd say that I have died way many more times than I have in any other Final Fantasy game. You really have to think, adjusting your gambits for every situation (though I find some of the options for gambits at the moment not quite accomadating to what I want to do). The battle system is not that hard to get used to. I think some of the complaints are from people who love the turn-based-system too much. To say putting it in "Wait mode" is like playing old school, that is not quite right. It still can be hard at times keeping track off everything, especially when your team goes off to the side and engages into battles on their own. So yeah. I think I need to be more efficient with gambits though.

Anyways, what I want to say in summary is that the game controls themselves are not that hard, but the game play can be. Strategy becomes more important. Also the Liscense Board at first is cumbersome since you did not know its full breathd of capacity, thus early on I found myself unfocused when using it, now I find it much more effective, and I adjust my characters abilities according to what I need. (Right now, I am trying to make Balthier acquire some Red, Green and White magic just so he can buff, debuff and heal status effects while I'll keep Fran and Vaan as my main healers.

EDIT: I agree that at times there arises the need to do sidequests/events just to level or gain gil or LP before you can move on with the main plot.

[Miriel]

At first I was pretty stumped by this game, but only because of my own personal issues with making decisions and trying really hard to plan out the license board correctly.

Once I decided to be all, "screw it" and squander my license points left and right with complete disregard for any order, the game became a lot easier. I've only died twice so far and both times was when I only had Vaan in the party near the beginning of the game. None of the boss fights I've had so far (I'm in Raithwall's Tomb at the moment) have been particularly difficult. And I haven't even been using quickenings cause I kinda forget that they're there. So yeah, the game isn't terribly hard, it's just more intricate and complex than past Final Fantasy games. Although I gotta say, compared to the work required to party in Final Fantasy XI, the battling in FFXII is not difficult or tedious at all.

I usually don't even have time to use magic attacks in regular battles because they end so quickly after a few auto hacking and slashing.

[Elfen]

In my personally opinion, this is the most challenging FF game I have played.
But the optional bosses and bosses are far too easy than other FF games.
With just alittle afford, I can easily get all the Ultimate weapons.

[farplaner]

I really haven't found it very difficult so far, I suppose that could very well change as I progress, but aside from a couple of KO's, I haven't had too much trouble.

I think the gambit system works pretty well, though there are some gambits I could think of that aren't available...but I have plenty more yet to obtain. Plus, since you can turn them off or supercede them by inputting your own commands, it has a nice balance between old and new school.

My main problem is running in circles through areas chaining for items with high re-sell. After a couple of hours of that, my money is spent in one trip to the shops after buying everything I want before proceeding. Also, I'm hoping that monsters will start giving up more LP, as the licensing is starting to progress more slowly. (SPOILER)(even with the golden bracelet, or whatever it's called, that gives you double the LP.)