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PS2 | RPG | Final Fantasy XII

Boxart for Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII 136 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.50
  • SOUND: 5.00
  • CONTROL: 5.00
  • FUN FACTOR 5.00
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.5
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.7
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Update: Final Fantasy XII

Update by FUNKYZEALOT | 08/03/2005 | 18:21:23 PM PST

Emerging from deathly silence, Square Enix has shown that its venerable RPG is progressing along nicely.

Square Enix has unveiled more details of its highly anticipated RPG Final Fantasy XII, showing that the series will be borrowing much of its gameplay mechanics from the PS2/PC MMORPG Final Fantasy XI.

Turning the Turn-Based Tide
Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and countless other RPGs have long relied on the aging turn-based, random battle system (whereas many RPGs in the U.S. have long since moved on)--it took twelve installments, but Final Fantasy is finally having a more seamless combat system.

Completely overhauling combat, there no longer is a separate battle phase and adventuring phase. Instead, monsters you encounter on the field are all visible as you explore the terrain. Similar to MMOs, there are non-aggressive monsters as well as aggressive monsters roaming the landscape. Your party members can be controlled individually, but for the most part they trail behind your lead as in previous installments. So far, there doesn't seem to be any formation mechanics. Also similar to MMORPGs are how your HP and MP gradually regenerate over time (albeit at a very slow pace), and how monsters will give chase for only a certain distance before giving up.

One Spell, Two Spell, White Spell, Green Spell
Square Enix is still mum on what type of skill advancement it will use (Materia? Drawing?), but the traditional spell trees will still be distinguished by color. White spells are for healing, Black are damage-based, Time encompasses slow and haste spells, and the new Green magic feature defensive spells such as Shell.

In addition, summoning makes a return, featuring new monsters such as "Hashumalim," a humanoid monster with scissor-like hands, and "Berias," a humanoid monster donning a giant mask. So far, it seems when summoning the monsters takes your MP down to zero (but your magic doesn't have to be at full), and the monsters' summoned duration is dictated by a timer.

Despite the multiple Producer changes (from Final Fantasy founder Sakaguchi to Tactics Ogre head Matsuno), the game so far has effectively modernized the Final Fantasy franchise without taking a hit to playability. No word on how it will be enhanced for the PlayStation 3, but Final Fantasy doesn't seem to need to ride the next-gen hype to present itself as a worthy RPG.


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