Maybe they’ll bring the remaster to PC. And while they’re at it, the HD versions of FFX and X-2 would be nice as well. I can play XII on a PS2 emulator of course (and it looks stunning just by doing a higher internal resolution setting), but something native and on Steam, perhaps with achievements, would get my money immediately.
LeeAbe
1644
I was going to read it, but someone said earlier in this thread that it is very much out of date from the game released. Is it worth reading? Does it going into details on mechanics that are accurate?
robc04
1645
I’m not familiar with the FF games. I tried one of the early ones (I can’t remember which) and didn’t like it. What makes FFXII so good, or any other one for that matter? Are they typical JRPGs, so it would be unlikely for a guy to like one if he hasn’t liked JRPGs in general?
robc04
1646
I had read a bunch of it, but then stopped when the in game info seemed to be much better. There is definitely incorrect info in the manual.
robc04
1647
Oh boy. I’m not sure what decision to make in Raedric castle. Toughest one yet for me. Obsidian is really making these choices hard - good and frustrating.
phero.1
1648
I don’t just sort of enjoy that stuff, I love it. Fine tuning parameters and then watching my autonomous adventurers have at it; that’s just precious.
FFXII is a JRPG, yes, but an unconventional one. Its particular uniqueness comes from the battle system, which has you script out your characters’ actions with simple heuristics (IF party member <50% hp THEN cast Cure) rather than controlling them all directly. It also has a uniquely grounded setup, where the story is a lot more about political intrigue, empire, and rebellion than the assorted goofy shit typically found in mainstream JRPGs/manga/anime.
Also, I poked my head into the official forums because I’m all obsessed with this game and oh my god my eyes what happened to my eyes i can’t see where am i???
Jaysis.
Zuwadza
1650
Tons of people complained that FF12 played itself.
Gendal
1651
FF12 is pretty different from the rest and you will find some pretty divisive opinions on the subject but I would think the love for 12 would be in the minority. Most fans of the series just wanted more of the same, and 12 was pretty far off in left field.
For somebody like me who played the FF games and kinda liked them but didn’t love them, 12 was an amazing breath of fresh air. I was very excited to see the changes then heartbroken over the general reaction and subsequent return to the previous game play style in all the sequels.
Tons of people were SUPER WRONG. But yeah, it got a lot of hate, mostly because people hate change and wanted a more traditional game. Remember that it was on the heels of FF XI, which people haaaaaaaaaaated for being an MMO and not the single-player RPG they wanted.
stusser
1653
FF11 was also a terrible asian grindfest, much worse than Everquest 1. It had limited appeal, particularly in the west.
Their main mistake was in not calling it “Final Fantasy Online”. This confused players into thinking they got the MMO instead of the single-player game they wanted.
An auto-pause when a Chanter hits a specific threshold (ala a slide bar) would be awesome. I don’t know how many fights I ended with a Chanter sitting on like 4 chants.
On the plus side, the chants themselves were really useful - I personally liked the one that was “frightens enemies” and had a chant set up to just do that one over and over again. Tremendous.
Blips
1655
So has anyone completed the game yet? I’ve heard some very conflicting game length times. Apparently some people on steam have already beat the game twice?
I thought that the camping supplies system was elegant and a good balance between endless camp/save and on we go and die/reload.
I was careful in the Keep as well - but the “Free” rest with the Old Man was part of the balancing of the Keep. I thought it was well done.
Really don’t have a complaint with camping supplies at all. Good innovation in my books.
I think I’m about halfway through Act II and just crossed hour 25. But I like to go slow and make sure I don’t miss anything, since it’s rare that I play a game twice. This may be one of those rare ones though.
I’m at about 34 hours and just started Act III, have a dozen quests and the second major city yet to even start exploring, and am only on level 3 of the fifteen level dungeon. ShivaX is at about 42 hours and is at the final battle, though it sounds like a real ball-buster. I don’t think he’s gotten through the big dungeon, and I can’t speak to how many quests he left behind, but I can say he’s at the level cap (12).
ShivaX
1659
So I’m on the last fight. The numbers in this fight are just beyond the pale.
It’s like fighting the end boss of Throne of Bhaal. With your dudes from Sword Coast.
Mark_L
1660
27 hours in, just starting Act III. Have done most quests so far. But I’m also on easy so combat goes quicker I think. Based on the map and the level limit I figure I’m 2/3 of the way through. So figure the game will take me 40 hours at the end, maybe 45 if I do Endless Paths.
Josh has a screenshot of his save at near the end of Act IV that had him at 58 hours on hard with a mostly completion run.
Blips
1662
Good to hear that there is some meat to the game that should only be further expanded with the upcoming expansions and what not. Unlike Cities Skylines, I’m actually trying to remain true to holding out until the expansions come out - even though I’ve been waiting for a game like Pillars since the age of 13!
