Review Time: Final Fantasy XII

So it is about 1:30am on a Wednesday morning and I have just finished playing what can only be described as the best Final Fantasy - nay - best Computer/console RPG to date.

Seriously. Forget KOTOR, forget Jade Empire, Forget Final Fantasy X, and (thankfully for some) forget Final Fantasy X-2. This is simply the most amazing game I have played in a long time.

Firstly it is a truly imaginative and epic storyline of a war between nations, betrayal, love, mystery and humanity's drive to be masters of our own destinies. Next is the impressive utilisation of the PS2's Emotion Engine chip to make the characters in game the most lively, believable sprites you have ever seen. When you see Doctor Cid walk into the private chambers of Prince Vayne Solidor, his every gait and movement tells you something about his personality - even down to the bemused cocky smile that develops when he is told some interesting news.

Every character, no matter how small, has detail to their features and clothing. The main characters are all distinctive and extremely engaging. This is a game that I would just LOVE to see a live-action movie. Only they would need to have the same voices as the incredible voice actors who make each and every character interesting and enjoyable.

But what of the game itself?

Set initially in the kingdom of Dalmasca, Princess Ashe of Dalmasca and Prince Rassler of Nabradia are married to help bring peace to the ongoing conflice between the Empires of Rozzaria and Archadia. But treachery is afoot and soon disaster strikes.

The game picks up two years after, with you initially playing Vaan, a lowly street-rat of a kid who dreams of being a Sky-pirate someday. You wander around the city of Rabanastre doing odd jobs for people while they prepare for the arrival of the new ruler of the city.

Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, FFXII uses an active system for combat where monsters roam around locations. There is no cutting to a staged fight where everyone lines up on either side. It all happens in the normal location the characters were wandering around - further more, because you can see the monsters, you can avoid them.

This leads to chaotic and exciting battles where characters move around the area, seeking higher ground, trying to strike from behind the enemy... generally use various tactics. However combat is still turn based, meaning that you can pause the fight to open your combat menu, survey the scene and select the action. Or you can let the characters stick to pre-programmed routines, called Gambits, which are a sophisticated If/then set of rules that you give each character.

Each gambit is placed in order of importance - which means that the characters will make decisions based on the situation + the level of the gambit programmed. Because of the sheer number of gambits each character can take and the number of If/then combinations - this makes for a lot of detail. The AI here is impressive. Characters do not waste actions. If both Basch and Penelo have "raise knocked out PC" as an option - they don't both act. If Basch starts to do the action first, Penelo will move on to her next priority gambit. She will also make decisions based on the situation. For example if someone attacks her- she will move out of the way before attempting her action.

Monsters aren't dumb either. If there are traps nearby, they will try to lead the characters to them, or knock characters into deadly locations. If you catch a monster by itself, it will slowly lead the party over to other monsters - or make enough of a fuss that they will come to it.

Then there is the sheer number of options for customising your party - from a variety of weapons and armours, to magics, techniks (special abilities that can give you a winning advantage), Quickenings (kind of like Limit Breaks, but more powerful and controllable), Espers (FFXII's summons) and accessories.

Wow.

See those two over there - that is the quality of the in-game cut scenes and graphics. Notice how expressive Balthier and Vaan are. It never ceases to amaze me how detailed the expressions get in this game. Along with the physical movement of the characters.

By the time I reached the end of the game I had to share straight away how much I LOVE THIS GAME! Balthier is the coolest Sky Pirate ever. "After all, I'm the leading man..." His voice is smooth and cocky. He makes Han Solo (who he is modelled after) look pretty lame in comparison. I kid you not. There is a scene at the end of the game where he just made me grin and think "typical Balthier, you rock!"

What are you doing? Go out and get this game! NOW! :)

Love and Huggles

Conan

Currently Reading: Scion: Hero
Currently Playing: Exalted: Nexus of the Sun
Mood: Pretty Freaking Good!