Final Fantasy XII

• by Bones
• October 31, 2006 00:00 AM PST

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Gamepro.com's official Final Fantasy XII thread!

PROTIP: Boss battles are difficult and nuanced, so figuring out a strategy is more important than hacking away at the enemy.

As impressed as we were with FFXII, it does have a few faults. While the cinematics are absolutely gorgeous, the in-game graphics are often grainy and pixelated. They're not awful by any means, but they are less polished than those featured in FFXII's pre-rendered predecessors. However, the extraordinary detail in the nearby vegetation and outlying backgrounds are more than enough to make up for small defects.

Knowing Is Half The Battle

FFXII's new Active Dimension Battle System is the most innovative part of the game. By combining the visual presentation of FFXI with the careful strategy of the old Active Battle System, FFXII skillfully balances strategic maneuvering with tactical efficiency. The disruptive random encounters that punctuated the gameplay of past installments have been done away withenemy monsters can now be seen roaming the dungeons and wilderness, thereby eliminating surprise attacks and allowing you to size up your opponents before engaging them in battle. All combat takes place in real-time, with party members acting independently and concurrently against multiple enemies.

PROTIP: Be aware of which gambits you set; if you're not careful, you'll quickly find yourself running low on items or MP.

As great as the ADBS is, it's the new Gambit system that truly separates FFXII from the other FF games. This new system allows you to pre-select priority actions for party members to perform during battle. For example, some allies may focus on attacking the enemy while the others place restorative spells at the top of their list. This removes the tedium from battle and enables you to focus on the overall strategy. However, you can still select specific commands for every character's turn to override their Gambit commands when necessary.

Leveling up and acquiring new skills has also received a much needed reworking. You purchase new traits, abilities and equipment with money earned in battle, but each new piece of armor, weaponry or magic must first be unlocked as a useable ability before it can be equipped. Upgrading your characters is now a more involved process, requiring much thought and planning.

The Finest of Fantasys

With amazing improvements and incredible gameplay, FFXII is without a doubt the best Final Fantasy game in over a decade. Put simply, this is what all RPGs, regardless of platform or subject matter, should aspire to be, and serves as a teasing glance of is in store for gamers as the franchise moves forward into the next-gen future. Smart fans will want to grab the limited Exclusive Collector's Edition which comes in a slick metal case and includes developer interviews, an art gallery and trailers; the package is easily worth the extra ten dollars. But regardless of which edition you pick up, FFXII will have you enthralled. It is a rare, monumental gaming experience that should not be missed by anyone.

PROTIP: Chocobos are a quick way to traverse the massive maps in FFXII, but you'll miss out on the treasure chests that litter the landscape.

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