This is simple, with the exception of XI, every path that the FF series has dared to explore has worked out in a very positive way. This series could have a monkey as a main character (my bad Zidane) and it would still be awesome. Nothing but greatness should be expected from the most recent installment of the greatest rpg series ever.

Hi FF fans! I wrote this review based on the Japanese version of the game. And I have to say that it has the most thrilling and most exciting opening of all square-enix games! It takes place in Dalmasca where a war occurs. From swordsmen to mages to airships to hi-tech, star-wars like vehicles and weaponry, FFXII is bound to shake you off your feet! Sadly, FFXII has a weaker main character unlike the previous games. Just try to picture Cloud Strife, then Squall Leonhart. Big time heroes right? Then there's this famous kid, Tidus who aces blitzball and ends up a hero. And Zidane, the typical street rat who ends up with the princess and becoming a hero. So as you can see, the heroes start to decline. And in FFXII, square-enix tries to do the same thing with Vaan. He starts as a thief and also ends up with the princess (according to rumours). (Sigh) If the same story goes over again, the least they could do is change Vaan so as not to compare him to Zidane. For me, this is the biggest dissapoinment I saw in FFXII. Heck, Vaan even looks so girly that some gamers complained about this. As for the other party members, I believe they did a great job. They're very unique and I prefer to use them on the party over Vaan. FFXII also comes with new features. The new battle system rocks! Its as if your playing an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game - for those who don't know ^^,). The new batch of summons have completely been changed. The graphics are better, again! But the music scores are kinda... not catchy. I miss the old FF's where every single town I enter, I remember it for its beautiful simple melody. Not like this FF, its more of a Star-Wars turned final fantasy. But the music is still great! The composers really showed-off what they've got in this game. Overall, I'd give it only a 4.5 because of Vaan. I guess the game is just too big for a thief.

i played the demo: Ups: Graphics: 5.0 okay first off the graphics for a real time battle system game are pretty darn amazing (it IS a Final Fantasy Game...). The enviroments were lush and creative and gave a living feel to them. On the beach level, the uh beach looked very well created with the ocean melding in with the grassy slopes and palm trees perfectly. (Note: the game has a limit to the free roaming. It is outlined by little yellow dots that make a barrier. You can't see it from afar, but if you get close you can make out the bounderies pretty well). Sound: N/A Well i played the demo at Blockbuster and it was kinda noisy, but from what i heard it sounded better than the "fight theme" music implemented in the older games (VII-IX) and is enjoyable. Since i couldn't hear it that well i won't rate it, but if i had to i'd go with about 4.0 since it doesn't seem to stick in my head as much as the other songs. Gameplay: 4.0 Now we get into the good spot: Is the new battle-system any good/ better than the older versions? Well from what I've played of the VII, VIII, IX, and X versions, I'd say it's more enjoyable and fun then the ATB system. I would say that this new system is very good. You are given the option (when deciding which demo lvl to play) of whether you want to be able to pause the game and give out commands like a turn based game or just play it real time without pauses and give 'em during the heat of battle. The gambit system implemented into the game (characters like Penelo healing others when their HP reaches a certain point or use special attacks when available) turns out nicely. I won't go into much more detail, but i will say that it is very easy to understand and most meticulous players would be better off with the pausing system and giving out commands and then enjoy watching the monsters go down. Overall: 5.0 No fun factor had to shorten my review to 2k char

well i think it final fantasy XII is gonna be the best final fantasy yet. why do i think that because i got the demo when i bought dragon quest VII & i like the way they took out the random ecounter battles. also the graphic are better. final fantasy X was my favorite one but this one out does them all.

This is a first look at the newest addition to the Final Fantasy series. From the looks of things, it is not going to disappoint. The demo features two different levels. The first is a beachfront setting that brings back fond memories of Final Fantasy X. The graphics have stepped it up and look even better. The in-game background graphics rival that of the cut-scenes of FFX. The gameplay is solid with and easy to use heads up display. The number of items and usefulness maintains the expected level for Final Fantasy fans. What is left up in the air, however, is how the level-up system will work, if it is going to be like the orb system in FFX where the player could choose what attributes to enhance. It may not be customizable this time. What could be chosen in the demo, however, was if the player wanted to play the game in the new action mode or the classic wait mode. The action mode showcased the second level in the demo which was a dungeon. Like the beachfront, the dungeon contained many new enemies to face. While it is not certain that the final game will ship with the ability to play the entire game in both wait mode and action mode, it is a possibility. This would be the best decision for Square Soft to please the most people. One thing is for curtain, if you are a Final Fantasy fan, you must check this game out. If you are not, This is a good game to see what all the fuss is about. If you want to get your hands on a copy of the demo, it is currently bundled with Dragon Quest VIII for the Playstation 2. ~Kevin Nuest

Well. I know a 1.0 is a little harsh considering the game hasn't come out in the U.S. yet. I still feel that FFXII deserves worst for making us wait so long. I remember earlier in my life and seeing an ad for FFXII coming out January of 2005. 2005!! When it got close to that time, they pushed it back some more. It seems that when we get within a month of the "release date," it gets pushed back. It is January of 2006 now and they are now saying that it is coming out in the Fall. I should have already beaten the game 3 times by now!! The demo (on Dragon Quest VII) is fun but we still have to wait until Fall to play the actual thing. As a result of the setbacks, the game gets a 1.0.