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Final Fantasy XII demo impressions thread

Riddler said:
Ok playing through the demo acouple more times(shame on me for putting DQ8 on hold) I keep thinking the game might be shorter because of the quicker battles(in wait or active mode) and the way mana regens up from the start of the game. Anyways just wanted to throw that thought out here on the thread.

I really wouldn't mind a more firm 40-60 hours than a long ass boring 80-100.
 
As far as I know Quest developed FFXI and are developing XII.

:lol Three key Quest members joined Square in 1995 and worked on Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story. A bunch more were hired by Square in 2002 after Quest quit the game business, and worked on FF Tactics Advance and now FFXII. Quest as a company had no involvement with any of those games, and FFXI was developed by a totally different team (basically the team behind Chrono Cross and Xenogears, joined by some staff from the offline FF games and Legend of Mana)
 
I got it last night.. all I have to say is FFX-2 STYLE MISSION MODE AHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOO AHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO *BALLS EXPLODE*
 
DarkAngelYuna said:
I got it last night.. all I have to say is FFX-2 STYLE MISSION MODE AHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOO AHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO *BALLS EXPLODE*
It's actually closer to FFXI's quest system :b
 
What exactly is the FFX2 mission system, anyway? I haven't played FFX2 (I don't have a PS2) but from what I read it sounded more or less like you trigger events/quests by talking to people or going to places at certain times, just like any other event-driven RPG. The only differences seemed to be that the game was less linear and the event sequences were called "Missions" and had start/end screens.
 
FFX-2 missions were basically short vignettes with an objective to complete. It's usually someone asking for help and you doing it. The game itself is divided into chapters and non-linear within those chapters. However, if you hit the two or three missions within the story that are specific to advancing and complete them, you go on to the next chapter.

As for the FFXII demo, I got to give it a whirl again after playing it 2 years ago at E3. Same feelings on it as before, great stuff. Active mode will be the way to go IMO but will probably be the least used of the two because of how much planning and precise execution it'll need to pull stuff off.
 
In FFX-2 you had the whole world at your disposal at the very beginning of the game. You could go anywhere. Certain cities had certain missions, aka sidequests or minigames you could do by going there to trigger the mission or talking to the right people. Story missions were called hot spots.

So, like I said, this sounds pretty much exactly like any other non-linear RPG, only with different nomenclature (to fit the theme I guess). I just wanted to know why people were talking about "mission-based gameplay" as if that meant something, and comparing it to other games with things called "missions" regardless of whether the things called "missions" in those games bear any resemblance to the things called "missions" in FFX2.
 
Himuro said:
You're in the level 20's in the demo.
omgwtf_sm.jpg
 
www.penny-arcade.com

Tycho pretty much trashes the demo.

There are two combat modes, the "Wait" mode being slightly less bad but not what you might call "good." Give it a whirl, the whole thing is trash. If for some reason you <i>do</i> enjoy it - and I've certainly done my best here to lower expectations - then <i>rejoice</i>. You must be the person they're trying to appeal to. It'll feel good for a while, until they determine that mass market annual "footy" titles are where it's at.

I hope the fans don't take his opinion as some sort of guide for their own, because it really is a matter of taste. I have a turn-based friend cringe at me playing the demo, but after spending a night with it, he turned a complete 180.
 
Well, i have the feel this new battle system is more to fit in a trend that having vision.
Maybe i wouldn't call it trash as this guy does though.
 
I am happy when FF-purists don't like the demo. As soon as it was announced that Matsuno was working on FFXII, I knew there would be a lot of backlash from the old FF fans (especially the VII and onwards fans). I expected Matsuno to do something new and different (and my bias/Matsuno-fanboy in me would also add "great") with the series. If a bunch of FF fans dislike the game, great! It means it is doing something outside that comfort zone and might actually be a high-budget FF game that i will enjoy.

I haven't played the demo yet though =(
 
I may be some purist about FF but let me tell you that the post Scott did on this page did
consolidate my will to give ff12 a fair chance. It's just that i'm goin to rent it just to be absolutely sure i regret nothing later.
 
Gambits sound like a really cool system. I've often thought about an RPG battle system where you created scripts to determine character actions, rather than manually input actions - this way battles would be automated and go a fuck load faster. And it sounds like gambits are somewhat in that direction.

I can't wait. I'm picking up the FF12 demo today. :)
 
I don't get the hate. If you loved KOTOR and it's battle system, then you'll love this game. If not, then stop bitching and don't buy the game. End of story.
 
I just spent some time with the demo beating both scenarios... And I have to say that I thought it was really nice! I enjoyed the battles a bunch and liked the fact there was no loading to take you out of the game everytime a battle occurred.

The art direction was really nice... And the summons were fantastic. I cannot wait for this to release!! And for the record, I am a hardcore FF fan from the SNES days and loved every title except FF 8 (which I just hated for some reason). The early backlash reminds me of what happened with FF9 when the game took a turn back to a more fantasy cartoony setting and away from the more realistic psycho-drama of 8... That is what is so great about the FF series. Being that each game is totally independent from each other allows for constant reinvention.
 
It's strange, because people I know who're more excited for the new battle system are the old-school, been-here-since-ff1 nerds. I guess you can get tired after 18 years and 10 games with the same basic battle structure.
 
erefen said:
It's strange, because people I know who're more excited for the new battle system are the old-school, been-here-since-ff1 nerds. I guess you can get tired after 18 years and 10 games with the same basic battle structure.

Well hey, Final Fantasy is about change. Good thing they're completely changing the battle system this time around and not just the traditions.
Also I can't stand traditional RPG battle systems with 3 character parties. Since this game uses a nontraditional, mostly realtime system, the 3 character party is a lot more tolerable. I do wonder if we'll be stuck with 3 characters at any given time, or have the ability to swap characters in like FFX (though not sure how that would work in this setting).

I got through the demo, it seemed quite limited. I wanted to see the stats screen and configure gambits, but oh well. :( Lots of potential is all I can say.
 
My immpressions!!!

First of all Im really happy that I finally got to play the damn game... even if its just a demo.

Graphics: Great overall,very colorful and bright. The enemies look really good I must say, it almost feel like they were put more effort on them than on the characters.

Its a really good looking title, not the best Ive seen on PS2 but definetely a top notch effort as it's always been with FF games. Even so, it definetelly shows how aged is the PS2.

Gameplay: The real meat. I gotta say I never enjoyed KOTOR's battle system but this one I dig a lot! Its very fast paced, very strategic and its realtime. No more screen shattering is the best thing to happen to the FF series in years!!.

Its not as fast as X-2 but this is faster than everything else on the FF realm. Im very happy that its not completely like FFXI cuz even though I liked that system I felt it was kinda slow so FFXII being fast is a very welcome thing.

Wait mode is more for the ones who prefer old school FF gameplay, it pauses the action until you are ready so I guess old FF gameplay fans must be happy at such news.

Active mode is my type of thing as it reminds of FFX-2 gameplay, which even the hatarz should agree that it was awesome. Its quite fast, very tactical and you gotta think fast if you wanna save some HP (or your party!!).

Both worlds have been pleased. Haterz am cry!

My only worry is that it might get too old after a while...

Summons: The cheese of the FF games is also here... somewhat. FF cheese lovers (including me) should be happy that summons do have an intro. These are shorter intros but still cool intros. I hope not all summons intro are the same though.

Music: We have yet to hear the main single for FFXII but the music here is pretty nice. It reminds me a lot of FF tactics series which is not a bad thing.

Overall Im immpressed and very happy with the direction FFXII took. Im lso happy that I actually liked it cuz I did have some doubts about the action speed but those have been calmed.

Lets all hope the storyline kicks all kinds of ass and well get another worthy entrance in the FF saga. :)
 
I like the fact that FFXII seems to have a more realistic feel to it.

The change in battle system sounds really exciting and the new type of graphics engine will make things more flexible for the player. Apparantly when you buy swords and shields, they both affect the way your character appears.
 
I just bought the game. As a long time Final Fantasy fan disenchanted after X and X-2, let me say...

It's back. The graphics are fantastic, the gameplay is what it should have been in X, and the music is upbeat and exhilarating. I am so excited for this game. When the hell is it coming out?!?! :(
 
I also just got the demo and didn't want to bump the thread but now that it's bumped anyway I'll go ahead and say YES THIS RULES.

It's seriously so awesome, I loved every last minute. I initially thought I'd like Wait mode, and I did. But when I played Active mode I was absolutely in love, it's perfect. It's like... This is what I've always wanted in a Final Fantasy but I didn't realize it until now. I cannot wait for this shiznit
 
i played the demo, so i'll pitch in my thoughts.

gameplay: quite a leap away from the previous FFs..leaning more toward an MMORPG style, for sure. It's still pretty action packed. interesting they already mention weaknesses, unless that will be taken out in the final.

summons: wow, what a rush...really awesome. but i hate spells/summons/anything thats going to be used multiple times that take too long (like FF8); really a waste of time. i hope they abbreviate it like ff9 (but even shorter; ff9 was still too long).

music: good, i can feel the fft atmosphere going. i liked fft music, however, i hope the music may lean more toward a story telling, instead of a orchestraic like play.
 
mint said:
i played the demo, so i'll pitch in my thoughts.

gameplay: quite a leap away from the previous FFs..leaning more toward an MMORPG style, for sure. It's still pretty action packed. interesting they already mention weaknesses, unless that will be taken out in the final.

summons: wow, what a rush...really awesome. but i hate spells/summons/anything thats going to be used multiple times that take too long (like FF8); really a waste of time. i hope they abbreviate it like ff9 (but even shorter; ff9 was still too long).

music: good, i can feel the fft atmosphere going. i liked fft music, however, i hope the music may lean more toward a story telling, instead of a orchestraic like play.

It is possible that the main character had an item that identified weaknesses that we didn't know about.
 
I'm still trying to figure out why people are up in arms over the demo. Like mentioned before, it's ATB, only you can move around and your dudes auto-fight. Not exaclty a big leap there, and certainly not one that's destroying the franchise
 
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