Final Fantasy 12 Review

Final Fantasy 12 is the lastest game in the series, and the first console based game since Final Fantasy X-2. The 2 year wait between releases was well worth it. The opening cinema scene, when you first start, is absolutely gorgeous. The rest of the cinema cut scenes are done just as amazing.

The game takes place in the world of Ivalice. War is on the verge of happening, as the Archadian Empire is planning the take over their neighbors. The story follows Vaan, who's brother died 2 years before. Joining Vaan in this adventure is his friend Penelo, Balthier (a sky pirate) and his partner Fran. Also, accompanying them is Basch (former captain of the Dalmasca army), and Ashe (princess and sole surviving heir to the Dalmasca throne).

Modes of transportation include: walking, chocobos, airships, and teleportation. Obviously, the most rewarding way of travel is by walking. This is where you will get your experience and loot. Chocobos you can hire at stables of a small fee. You travel faster on a chocobo than on foot and monsters do not attack you along the way. The ride lasts for a limited amount of time. If you press the x button you begin to sprint. However, you can only use sprint 3 times. Airships are one of the faster ways of traveling. You can use airships to get to different cities and towns. Just like in other Final Fantasy games there your also able to shop on airships. To use teleportation you have to have teleportation stones, and be at a gold save crystal. Teleporting happens instantly.

Licenses are another part of the game. You get license points for killing enemies. The license points are used for equipment, magick, accessories, technicks, weapons, gambits, espers, and quickenings. When you purchase a license your able to use the abilities on that license and it reveals what the licenses are that are connected to the one you just purchased. In order to get espers, you must first defeat the esper and that will allow you to purchase that esper with a character. When you purchase a quickening it is listed under "mist" on your battle menu. All of your magick is used when you use the mist ability.

Gambits allow you to setup your character so they automatically carry out a task during your fights. You have the option of targetting self, ally, or foe. For instance, you could setup a gambit that looks like this "Self: Libra" which allows you to see information about the monster your attacking and also hidden traps in the nearby area.

Like most Final Fantasy games there is a lot of playing time involved. This game can take between 40 and 100 hours. I recommend taking your time going through the game so that you do not miss out on any hidden secrets.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this Final Fantasy a 10. It is what you would expect out of the series. Square Enix delivers with this game.