by deadbass » Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:15 pm
I mean, every Final Fantasy is it's own thing, but FFXII follows that more than most. The gameplay is more of an MMO/Xenoblade style of real-time combat that isn't for everyone. If you get into the gambit system, which lets you program your party's actions (so they'll like automatically buff before each fight, will heal each other when health drops below 30%) it can be really satisfying. The remaster adds a fast forward button that really helps make the combat more satisfying because it lets your little programs play out more quickly.
It's more of a political game than most FF's, and the cast is more subdued than your usual Final Fantasy. A lot of people hate the protagonist, Vaan, but I find him pretty inoffensive and useful as a vantage point for the more interesting personalities (Ashe, Balthier, Basch, etc.). I find the plot a slow but interesting burn, but it's almost certainly the case that the script was cut in the latter half and probably changed when the director (Yasumi Matsuno) left. Even people who love the game often ding the plot and characters, but I personally think both are pretty much perfect. Lots of memorable areas and encounters. The music is incredible, but its much more symphonic than melodic, so that turns people off too. The voice acting is probably the best in the medium.
I dunno, Yasumi Matsuno's games (Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Vagrant Story) have a really specific type of medieval flavour, political-yet-JRPG style that I absolutely love, so Final Fantasy XII is just heaven for me. The game got a bad rap when it first came out, but the remaster has really turned around its reputation. If I'm being honest, this page is more negative than I think you'd usually see for the game these days. That doesn't mean you will or won't like it. I think if you like slow burn, political storytelling and you enjoy preparing for battles more than actually micro-managing, you might really love it.