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starman · Aug 18, 2006, 08:43 AM

Might as well get a topic started on this.

The October PSM says:

9.5/10 "BIG BOLD, AND BREATHTAKING- A MASTERPIECE RPG"

Widescreen added to the game for HDTV users.

Dakar · Aug 18, 2006, 08:46 AM

I gave up on PSM a long time ago.

They're absolutely toothless in their previews.

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 08:47 AM

Well every other review of FF XII says it's nothing short of perfect.

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 08:49 AM

FYI:

Oct 31 - Final Fantasy XII
Nov 6 - Final Fantasy V
Nov 14 - Final Fantasy III

Dakar · Aug 18, 2006, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Well every other review of FF XII says it's nothing short of perfect.

I have no issue with that. Its just that I couldn't take that magazine anymore after a year or two of subscription. It seems to be targeted at 14 year olds (Which is understandable, but more than I can bear).

Millennium · Aug 18, 2006, 09:17 AM

I was not impressed with the FFXII demo. Then again, neither was Famitsu, yet the allegedly-finished product (one can never be sure with Square, these days) was only the sixth game to ever get a perfect 40/40 from them.

I'll probably give it a shot when it comes out. This is one I definitely want to try out before buying, though.

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 09:23 AM

Trailer is up.

FINAL FANTASY XII

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 09:30 AM

tutelary · Aug 18, 2006, 10:52 AM

FF has sucked for years now, especially the character designs.

Millennium · Aug 18, 2006, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by tutelary

FF has sucked for years now, especially the character designs.

I've heard many complaints about recent FF games, but complaining about the character designs is something I've not heard before. Care to elaborate?

tutelary · Aug 18, 2006, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Millennium

I've heard many complaints about recent FF games, but complaining about the character designs is something I've not heard before. Care to elaborate?

the guys/girls have all looked the same since ff7. the outfits are all the same. Its pretty easy to see when you look back at pictures. What exactly was wrong with the more distinct character classes from the early games? I'm sick of the "one pant leg longer than the other" thing too. Its just ugly.

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by tutelary

FF has sucked for years now, especially the character designs.

And what "years" would that be?

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by tutelary

the guys/girls have all looked the same since ff7. the outfits are all the same. Its pretty easy to see when you look back at pictures. What exactly was wrong with the more distinct character classes from the early games? I'm sick of the "one pant leg longer than the other" thing too. Its just ugly.

That was used once with Tidus. It wasn't used with Cloud, Squall, Cid, or Sephiroth. I mean really, they don't all "look the same". Does Aeris look like Tifa? Does Tifa look like Yuna? Does Sephiroth look like Squall? Sure, there's a resemblance between Cloud and Tidus, but there's also enough of a distinction to easily tell them apart.

Oh, and o fcourse the toons from FF IX look a lot like the ones in the other games

Sour grapes.

Oozinator · Aug 18, 2006, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Millennium

I've heard many complaints about recent FF games, but complaining about the character designs is something I've not heard before. Care to elaborate?

Chicks with no boobs= the dudes in FF games. Plus, throw in a HUGE sword, and some stupid yellow spikey hair.

Borrriinnnnggg.

OwlBoy · Aug 18, 2006, 02:03 PM

I personally have enjoyed the styles. If you look around you will find out that the same person has done many of the ones you find the same.

Just because you are not a fan of a style of art does not make it a bad style.

And on the dudes looking like chicks comment, this is true about a lot of Japanese anime too. Not just final fantasy. Its a Japanese thing. I don't see it as being bad, just a different culture. And I am open to different things.

-Owl

Gossamer · Aug 18, 2006, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by OwlBoy

Just because you are not a fan of a style of art does not make it a bad style.

Uh-oh, you just told Ca$h that his opinion isn't fact. This does not compute.

Big Mac · Aug 18, 2006, 02:23 PM

Geek Alert!

starman · Aug 18, 2006, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Geek Alert!

Yeah, on a Mac board.

Chuckit · Aug 18, 2006, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by tutelary

FF has sucked for years now, especially the character designs.

I kind of have to agree. Final Fantasy VI was a great game with awesome character design, but then the series got stuck in a loop after that. The characters are so similar that I sometimes have to think for a minute to remember which one is Cloud and which one if Squall, or which one is Yuffie and which one is Rikku.

That said, I thought FFX did a better job with its character designs. There was still some of the repetition (Tidus was the SAME freakin' hero yet ANOTHER time), but it seemed like they mixed it up a little more.

ink · Aug 18, 2006, 03:11 PM

Maybe they'll make up for X-2.

Salty · Aug 18, 2006, 10:28 PM

I enjoyed FF9 a lot. I still need to play FF7.

Millennium · Aug 18, 2006, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by ink

Maybe they'll make up for X-2.

Actually, despite the whole "Pretty Princess Dress-Me-Up" routine, FFX-2 was surprisingly good. While it lacked the awesomeness that was FFX's Sphere Grid, it did some interesting things with the job (err... Dressphere) system. The plot was good, and Rikku aside, the characters were actually all right.

If there's anything Square needs to make up for, it's the nonexistent sequel to Vagrant Story. Then again, FFXII is supposedly by the same team, so maybe we'll finally kinda-sorta get that.

loki74 · Aug 18, 2006, 10:58 PM

Although my experience with FF has been somewhat limited, I would have to say that my favorite of the series was VIII. IX wasn't bad, X was OK. X2 was the lamest idea EVER. Right now the game I'm most anticipating is Xenosaga ep III, but as far as FF goes, I have to say I'm really looking forward to Dirge of Cerberus--Vincent is easily one of the coolest FF characters ever. I am looking forward to XII, but truth be told, I am not holding my breath. Maybe I oughtta check out more of the press on this, 'cause most of my anticipation (or lack thereof) is borne of SquareEnix's lackluster performance in X & X2.

Ghoser777 · Aug 18, 2006, 11:02 PM

:jaw drops:

Someone actually enjoys FF8....?!?!?!

I am in shock. The whole drawing business agitated me to no end. But I guess to each his own. I'll take FF3/6 any day (I actually wish they'd make an old school 2D one... 3D hurts my head).

Apfhex · Aug 18, 2006, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by tutelary

I'm sick of the "one pant leg longer than the other" thing too. Its just ugly.

You forgot to complain about the character designers unhealthy obsession with belts. Belts everywhere.

lavar78 · Aug 19, 2006, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by Ghoser777

:jaw drops:

Someone actually enjoys FF8....?!?!?!

I am in shock. The whole drawing business agitated me to no end. But I guess to each his own. I'll take FF3/6 any day (I actually wish they'd make an old school 2D one... 3D hurts my head).

Yeah, FF8 is the worst since the 8-bit era IMO (although I've still never played X-2). My favorites (not including the completely awesome FF Tactics):

1. VI (by a mile)
2. IV (easily)
3. VII
4. IX and X

loki74 · Aug 19, 2006, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by Ghoser777

:jaw drops:

Someone actually enjoys FF8....?!?!?!

I am in shock. The whole drawing business agitated me to no end. But I guess to each his own. I'll take FF3/6 any day (I actually wish they'd make an old school 2D one... 3D hurts my head).

Yeah. I'm not sure for what reason, but I just persisted with the game... usually I don't have the patientce to play a lot of games; the irony that I would find the patience to deal with one such as FF8 is... well, interesting. heh. But I totally agree that 2D games still have a lot to offer us, at which point I cannot help but highly recommend a 2D-ish shooter called Ikaruga--play it, if you can manage to find it, becuase it is insane. Sorry to go a bit OT, lol.

Oh and I also agree about the belts thing. That was just lame. Super lame.

himself · Aug 19, 2006, 01:33 AM

The FF franchise started it's decline when it went 3D... it looks cool, but none of them compare to the 2D versions as far as story, characters, and playability goes. I'm more looking forward to another Chrono Trigger sequel, or Vagrant Story, personally.

n8236 · Aug 19, 2006, 03:29 AM

I'd hit it.

starman · Aug 19, 2006, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by himself

The FF franchise started it's decline when it went 3D... it looks cool, but none of them compare to the 2D versions as far as story, characters, and playability goes. I'm more looking forward to another Chrono Trigger sequel, or Vagrant Story, personally.

Yeah, that's why they sell like crazy and get top scores...because they're in a decline

himself · Aug 19, 2006, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Yeah, that's why they sell like crazy and get top scores...because they're in a decline

Riiiiiight... not because most of the folks who play FF today were introduced with FF7 (or later), and that is the "standard" by which the following versions are measured. Or, not because of the fact that more folks are playing video games now than in the pre-FF7 days, and that more people are into RPGs today than in the pre-FF7 days, and that explains why they are "top sellers."

Because these games get top scores today doesn't make them automatically better than the previous versions, either.

(bacatcha)

Then again, I haven't played XI or XII, so I'll reserve my judgment on those two until I have.

Chuckit · Aug 19, 2006, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Yeah, that's why they sell like crazy and get top scores...because they're in a decline

They sell like crazy because the market has grown. FF6 is still very easily the best of the bunch.

Daveecee · Aug 20, 2006, 08:33 PM

40/40 from Famitsu? Daaaang. What was the last game to do that, again? Chrono Cross?

Ghoser777 · Aug 20, 2006, 09:35 PM

Chrono Cross was not that good.

Chuckit · Aug 20, 2006, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ghoser777

Chrono Cross was not that good.

Not nearly as good as Chrono Trigger. So disappointing.

- - e r i k - - · Aug 21, 2006, 12:07 AM

Anyway, FFXII looks pretty good to me from reading that review.

Chuckit · Aug 21, 2006, 12:51 AM

To be quite honest, I've bought every Final Fantasy so far (other than the MMO) even though I didn't like them all very much. I'm sure I'll buy that one and find out whether or not it is indeed all that and a bag of weed.

Stradlater · Aug 21, 2006, 11:34 AM

Chrono Cross was good.

starman · Nov 1, 2006, 10:19 AM

Got it.

Loving it.

Truly an excellent, breathtaking game.

G Barnett · Nov 1, 2006, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Got it.

Loving it.

Truly an excellent, breathtaking game.

Stayed up WAY too late last nite playing it.

starman · Nov 1, 2006, 11:51 AM

Did you avoid opening the treasure chests linked to the Zodiac Spear? If not, you have to either replay back to where you first did it (like I did), or at some point I'm sure there'll be a GameShark code for it.

itai195 · Nov 1, 2006, 12:28 PM

Unfortunately I don't have a PS2 anymore. Feeling the pain with a few games, including FFXII, that I want. Hmm.

My favs in the series are FF6 and FF7. FF8 was horrible IMO.

G Barnett · Nov 1, 2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Did you avoid opening the treasure chests linked to the Zodiac Spear? If not, you have to either replay back to where you first did it (like I did), or at some point I'm sure there'll be a GameShark code for it.

I got the collectors' ed. strategy guide with it last nite; not using it for everything (basically for NPC locations in towns, and for the License info), but I DID notice those "Don't open them!" things, so I should be good to go for the spear.

The art book that came with the guide is gorgeous, btw.

G Barnett · Nov 1, 2006, 12:39 PM

Oh, and btw, if you haven't yet, you absolutely MUST check out Okami. Words cannot describe its sublime awesomeness....

starman · Nov 1, 2006, 12:40 PM

The book's nice, isn't it?

What I don't like is that it says "DON'T OPEN THAT" a page or two AFTER you run around that area (I don't read the strat guide line for line, it's more of a reference). They should have marked those things in red on the map.

G Barnett · Nov 1, 2006, 01:04 PM

Aye, true that about the placement of that warning, heh.

Plot's pretty good, so far. Mannerisms of Vaan seem very.... Sora-like, if you will. Fran is amusing. I love her vaguely Australian-sounding accent.

Millennium · Nov 1, 2006, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by G Barnett

Oh, and btw, if you haven't yet, you absolutely MUST check out Okami. Words cannot describe its sublime awesomeness....

Seconded. Pictures might be able to describe it, though

G Barnett · Nov 1, 2006, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Millennium

Seconded. Pictures might be able to describe it, though

Possibly, but it's when everything on the screen is in motion that Okami really shines. Feeding the animals, restoring the guardian saplings and the scene that follows.

Oh, here's something my kid loves to do in Okami: draw a cherry bomb in the middle of a group of cats. I won't spoil the effect for ya, but it's hilarious.

Millennium · 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Daveecee

40/40 from Famitsu? Daaaang. What was the last game to do that, again? Chrono Cross?

Nintendogs was the last one, and The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker before that. FFXII makes the sixth game to get a perfect 40, and the first FF on the list at all.

FFX got a 39 (as did Okami). Fifteen games have done that, though no other FF titles have scored that high.

Jolt21 · Nov 1, 2006, 04:40 PM

wait..i'm a little confused..didn't XII come out a while ago? or are X-2 and XII different things?