So far so good.
I only just bought this yesterday, and I've spent a whopping 2 hours on it. Not quite as much trial time as I would like, but I can see myself playing it more.
The game, so far, is very Final Fantasy-ish. I guess you can't put it any other way, and fans of the series will more than likely appreciate the reference.
For those who are able, perhaps you might even hear the introduction music as being that of the first few notes of Final Fantasy VII; because it is, heh.
Nonetheless, on with the review:
Positive points are working in favour of this title. So far I've noticed the sleek CGI, the slightly above average game play graphics (granted I am used to Xbox 360 spec, so for a PS2 game they've done really well), as well as the new combat system.
Fans of Kingdom Hearts might see a similarity, though the creators have managed to capture both aspects of each title (FF and KH): Where once, in past titles, you were limited to battling it out in a closed arena, with enemies that jumped on you from beneath invisibility cloaks, this is not the case anymore. Instead you can run around your enemy, while being able to see them on the map/in the world as you move all the time (no more screen twirls or glass smash effects to indicate a battle anymore), and all you do is simply run over to the enemy and begin fighting.
However, unlike Kingdom Hearts, they still have a FF 'time per attack/move' battle feature. Namely they've mashed both genres together, and it tends to work... however I don't think they worked on the potential for running from the enemy to evade their attacks as much as they could have. In fact, it becomes downright annoying when you rush around, trying to dodge an attack you know you *could*, in any other third person fighter game, only to be hit at a distance - or hit when you eventually go back in to attack again, once your attack bar as charged.
A minor point against, anyway.
Landscape looks interesting, but it's typical of the FF series. Big, technologically wonderful cities, vast desert and jungles, etc.
You also have to deal with a hail storm of information about the setting, who's who, and what's what at the very beginning; and while I was able to keep up for the most part, I do admit that some of what was told in the beginning narration was lost to me, as I tried to put who's name to what place (as they are all new again).
The start of the game is a little weird (you'll see what I mean, when people start losing their heads, so to speak)... but I'm sure it has some sort of plot device from it.
Character designs are also very typical of FF. The main character, Vaan, is a cross between Squall, Cloud, Tidus and (for those who have played Vagrant Story) Ashley. I could instantly see the similarities between VS and this design brief for the game.
Unfortunately, only being 2 hours into the game, I haven't come across any characters worth remembering. There doesn't seem to be the group aspect at the beginning, as is the norm, and for the first while you don't even have the help of a second character to back you up in you party.
Nonetheless I'm sure that, eventually, characters will be made clear, plots will be thickened, and ultimately it will become a grand tale fit for the FF franchise; I mean, this IS Final Fantasy, after all...
I'd say, if you liked Kingdom Hearts and past FF games, you might well be interested in buying this one. Initial impressions are good, and you get used to the new fighting system quickly. Graphics are great, sounds are decent, voice acting takes a little to get used to (as some of them do sound weird, and not like you'd think if you were casting actors), but over all it seems like it's going to be a pretty good game.
I'm just glad Square Enix learnt their mistake, and brought FF back to a single player console. I hope they never make an MMORPG of the game again.
However, I'm biased and I have every FF game since V (or IV, depending on who you ask); but if you want a quick into the action game to play with, I'd keep moving across the shelf and instead grab something else.
So, in conclusion:
For an involving, character and plot driven stint into a fantasy world, you probably can't go past Final Fantasy XII. It's what you would expect from Square Enix, simply put.
My advice: Watch the introduction bump, but don't think about it too much, and instead just start paying attention from when you get Vaan as the main character - Final Fantasy plots tend to make sure the player knows what has happened in the past through in-depth flash backs and character explanations, anyway (so you can just catch up when it counts).
All up, I'd say 4.5/5 so far.
I only just bought this yesterday, and I've spent a whopping 2 hours on it. Not quite as much trial time as I would like, but I can see myself playing it more.
The game, so far, is very Final Fantasy-ish. I guess you can't put it any other way, and fans of the series will more than likely appreciate the reference.
For those who are able, perhaps you might even hear the introduction music as being that of the first few notes of Final Fantasy VII; because it is, heh.
Nonetheless, on with the review:
Positive points are working in favour of this title. So far I've noticed the sleek CGI, the slightly above average game play graphics (granted I am used to Xbox 360 spec, so for a PS2 game they've done really well), as well as the new combat system.
Fans of Kingdom Hearts might see a similarity, though the creators have managed to capture both aspects of each title (FF and KH): Where once, in past titles, you were limited to battling it out in a closed arena, with enemies that jumped on you from beneath invisibility cloaks, this is not the case anymore. Instead you can run around your enemy, while being able to see them on the map/in the world as you move all the time (no more screen twirls or glass smash effects to indicate a battle anymore), and all you do is simply run over to the enemy and begin fighting.
However, unlike Kingdom Hearts, they still have a FF 'time per attack/move' battle feature. Namely they've mashed both genres together, and it tends to work... however I don't think they worked on the potential for running from the enemy to evade their attacks as much as they could have. In fact, it becomes downright annoying when you rush around, trying to dodge an attack you know you *could*, in any other third person fighter game, only to be hit at a distance - or hit when you eventually go back in to attack again, once your attack bar as charged.
A minor point against, anyway.
Landscape looks interesting, but it's typical of the FF series. Big, technologically wonderful cities, vast desert and jungles, etc.
You also have to deal with a hail storm of information about the setting, who's who, and what's what at the very beginning; and while I was able to keep up for the most part, I do admit that some of what was told in the beginning narration was lost to me, as I tried to put who's name to what place (as they are all new again).
The start of the game is a little weird (you'll see what I mean, when people start losing their heads, so to speak)... but I'm sure it has some sort of plot device from it.
Character designs are also very typical of FF. The main character, Vaan, is a cross between Squall, Cloud, Tidus and (for those who have played Vagrant Story) Ashley. I could instantly see the similarities between VS and this design brief for the game.
Unfortunately, only being 2 hours into the game, I haven't come across any characters worth remembering. There doesn't seem to be the group aspect at the beginning, as is the norm, and for the first while you don't even have the help of a second character to back you up in you party.
Nonetheless I'm sure that, eventually, characters will be made clear, plots will be thickened, and ultimately it will become a grand tale fit for the FF franchise; I mean, this IS Final Fantasy, after all...
I'd say, if you liked Kingdom Hearts and past FF games, you might well be interested in buying this one. Initial impressions are good, and you get used to the new fighting system quickly. Graphics are great, sounds are decent, voice acting takes a little to get used to (as some of them do sound weird, and not like you'd think if you were casting actors), but over all it seems like it's going to be a pretty good game.
I'm just glad Square Enix learnt their mistake, and brought FF back to a single player console. I hope they never make an MMORPG of the game again.
However, I'm biased and I have every FF game since V (or IV, depending on who you ask); but if you want a quick into the action game to play with, I'd keep moving across the shelf and instead grab something else.
So, in conclusion:
For an involving, character and plot driven stint into a fantasy world, you probably can't go past Final Fantasy XII. It's what you would expect from Square Enix, simply put.
My advice: Watch the introduction bump, but don't think about it too much, and instead just start paying attention from when you get Vaan as the main character - Final Fantasy plots tend to make sure the player knows what has happened in the past through in-depth flash backs and character explanations, anyway (so you can just catch up when it counts).
All up, I'd say 4.5/5 so far.
