FFXII Hate

[Klaux]

I loved the fact that there weren't random battles. Actually seeing the monsters roaming around made it seem much more realistic than the other games. The Gambit system took a bit of getting used to and most of the time I have them turned off, but it's nice for boss battles.

I've experienced the hate for the game. When I mentioned that I enjoyed it, I had no less than three people attack every aspect of the game. One of those people had never even played it. The other two compared the "Fail XII" to the "Legendary VII". Uh, I've played almost all of VII and I honestly can't see how someone would compare the two other than the fact that most use VII as the argument for every game made that they can't stand.

I love the game. I'll agree they could've done much, much more with the characters but it kept me entertained for over 200+ hours, something no other game has done.

 

[noah fon ronsenburg]

i absolutely loved this game, but i do feel that it lacked a little depth as far as the world, most of the characters, and even some of the story was concerned. dont get me wrong, i thought it was terriffic, scrapping the battle screen was a great idea and helped the game flow which was really nice, however, it would have been really to maybe have a few of the judges as guests or playable characters. but i would give it 9/10, and thats being picky really

 

[Gaige]

I disliked character development, because it was slow at best and non-existant at worst. I disliked the battle system because, although the concept was good, the implementation was slow, lethargic, and the boss battles were too long for my taste. The battles seemed slow even though they were in real time. The music was quite repetitive. It was either orchestral music or the same boss theme. They were lazy. For the third and second last fights, they just reused old tracks, and the Undying batle was just a generic orchestral thing, nothing like the riginal One Winged Angel and Succession of Witches.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

When I first started playing I didn't like it at all. I only started to really like the game after beating it. I really, really want to replay.

The thing that bothered me most were the endless dungeons in the beginning. When you finally got yourself out of those, it was the endless desert. Apart from that, I sort of missed the general stuff like more backstory on the characters and the romantic storyline. But I have a lot of imagination so I was seeing Fran and Balthier as a couple at first, and after beating the game Ashe and Balthier made a lot more sense to me, especially after looking at some of the Japanese version.
I guess that the wonderful thing about not giving too much away about background stories and the love story is that you as the player can fill it in any way you like. If you want Ashe and Balthier to have feelings for each other, fine. If you want Fran and Balthier to have feelings, fine. I guess some wouldn't like this kind of freedom and open endings, and while I had to get used to it at first, I'm starting to really like it now.

 

[Tman]

The battle system was pretty good, but if you knew what you were doing you could just leave it all on autopilot and just press the direction buttons >_>. To be fair the game was of a really high quality in most areas, but I was really disappointed with the storyline and the characters. Most of them seemed really underdeveloped, and it was hard to feel any kind of affinity with any of them. Was a fun game, but it didn't feel as rewarding as the other Final Fantasies when I completed it.

 

[GBJoker]

It was, what, five or six years between XII and X? Hell, five or six years between X-2 and XII... The spin offs of VII? Psh, not really Final Fantasy's from my perspective. In other words, this one could have been a hell of a lot better, especially considering that IX and X were almost being worked on at the same time, yet X proved that SquareSOFT could go ballistic with the new (at the time) PS2.

For me, you can't have the next FF Roman numeral game, five plus years to work on it, and come up with... what ever the hell you want to call XII...

Story line was fine, yes, I got it. Big empire using political and military might to push and shove every one else, that's fine. Bunch of semi-random people get together to stop big empire? Yes, yes, I expect, almost demand that from FF. Bunch of extremely random people who are not really tied together anymore at oh, I dunno, only the 1/7th? way point of the game? No.

Battle system? I liked it, but only because I liked XI. If I had never played XI, I probably would have hated this. And, to be honest, in the end I did hate it, because I played XI. I don't like having a party, only to have two members be completely predictable (read: crappy and boring), or having to control all three characters in a battle system like that.

Sidequests: There were sidequests in this game? Really? You're just messing with me now, ain't you? Oh, finding completely random chance of spawning monsters is a sidequest? No. Hunting down mini-bosses and getting paid for it? Yes, if I had an actual reason to kill the dudes, but I really didn't. Oh, collecting little stickers for one screen that says I casted magic 200 times, or killed OVER 9000!!! enemies? No. Not even bloody f'ing close. This game has no sidequests.

Licsense board? Don't even get me fricking started. Same with summoning monsters.

Weapons and armor could have been a quadrillion times better. (Yes, that's a real number.) "Yes, we confirm that you can't get the best weapon in the game unless you avoid opening certain treasure chests, and it's random in one of those treasure chests." "Oi, you forgot to mention that it's not really the best weapon in the game." "Oh, yeah, thanks. Due to how fighting works, the best weapon in the game is not really the best weapon in the game. Hope you like it though."

Quite simply, Square ENIX ca-leerly dropped the ball big time on this one. I guess they just needed to prove that Enix is better at creating crappy spin offs than actual games.

 

[Space Lizard]

I'm with you Tmoo, I don't get it either. The game for me was mostly perfect, I enjoyed the hunts, all the other sidequests, I didn't mind the Gambit system, I loved the free-roaming (is that's what it called) and the world was huge. I keep getting tempted to play it again. Yeah the story didn't grip me as some of the other FF's did, but it certainly wasn't the worst main FF title story.

Some people do just love to hate I suppose.

I'm pretty much in agreement with all of this. The only things I disliked were the quickenings, how you had to buy a license even to wear armor (I still don't understand that at all o_o) and how unimportant Vaan was despite being the main character.

And did someone seriously argue that the hunts aren't sidequests? Really? Even besides them there's more sidequests than any other game in the series. The only problem is that you get no indication at all that some exist, so you have to consult a guide just to know some things are in there. Like how else would you figure out that you had to go to a city the plot wouldn't take you too for many hours, then buy a chocobo and chase off some NPCs just so you can visit a shop (I think) later?

Also, some of the characters really aren't all that developed. Such as...the lead character. And yeah, some dungeons go on for ages. Did we really need that much much sandsea?

 

[Stoic Hero]

It is my conclusion that the story was originally meant to focus on Basch as the leading man, and Ashe as the leading female. Somewhere along the line someone pointed out that Basch is too old for their target crowd, aka teenagers/young adults. They then decided to slap Vaan with the highest strength and add a little backstory about him wanting to be a sky pirate so that he could be the main character instead of Basch. As it stands, Vaan's "fleshing out" lasts for about 10 hours, at the very first part of the game. After that, he simply stops being the main character and is an annoying burden on the rest of the team. Basch, Ashe, and Balthier all receive the best fleshing out, with Balthier having the most, essentially making him the "real" leading man. Finish the game and watch the ending if you don't believe me, Balthier is the leading man.

Final Fantasy XII is my second favorite Final Fantasy. Nearly flawless in all categories, I could only find fault in the simplicity of its battle mechanics (which for random battles was excellent, but bosses left a bit to be desired) and the strength of its overall story, though it was very well written. Very few plot holes and such, I just wish they'd stop making the final boss a "god" character and leave him as a regular human being. The game can get very monotonous and a little boring, but overall that's a drop in the bucket of an otherwise amazing experience. Oh, and voice acting was by far better in XII than in X, they really stepped it up.

 

[Platinum_Lies]

This is a serious question, please no flaming... I beg you:

Why do people say that FFXII has good or great voice acting? I personally found it to be devoid of emotional inflection and realistic fluidity (it sounded like they were reading a script a great deal of the time due to odd delays in character responses).

Specifically, scenes like the Penelo and Larsa conversations always seemed stilted to me.

I have tried asking this question on other forums, but that has yet to end well. I simply wish to hear the specific examples some people would provide... and not screaming that I am a barrel dwelling monkey that is only good for flinging... things. At least it was an actual imaginative insult. I could only stand up and applaud the poetic "ugliness" of it. Still, it didn't answer my question.

 

[Stoic Hero]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOdx4PwAGQ
I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with you at all, Platinum_Lies. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I'm not attacking you, I just don't agree with you. Final Fantasy XII had excellent voiceovers...Can you provide specific examples of parts you found cringeworthy? I can't think of a single one, unlike Final Fantasy X's "Laughing Scene."

 

[Dust]

It is my conclusion that the story was originally meant to focus on Basch as the leading man, and Ashe as the leading female. Somewhere along the line someone pointed out that Basch is too old for their target crowd, aka teenagers/young adults. They then decided to slap Vaan with the highest strength and add a little backstory about him wanting to be a sky pirate so that he could be the main character instead of Basch. As it stands, Vaan's "fleshing out" lasts for about 10 hours, at the very first part of the game. After that, he simply stops being the main character and is an annoying burden on the rest of the team. Basch, Ashe, and Balthier all receive the best fleshing out, with Balthier having the most, essentially making him the "real" leading man. Finish the game and watch the ending if you don't believe me, Balthier is the leading man.

Final Fantasy XII is my second favorite Final Fantasy. Nearly flawless in all categories, I could only find fault in the simplicity of its battle mechanics (which for random battles was excellent, but bosses left a bit to be desired) and the strength of its overall story, though it was very well written. Very few plot holes and such, I just wish they'd stop making the final boss a "god" character and leave him as a regular human being. The game can get very monotonous and a little boring, but overall that's a drop in the bucket of an otherwise amazing experience. Oh, and voice acting was by far better in XII than in X, they really stepped it up.

The first think Balthier said when Vaan asked who he was, was that he was the leading man. Half the cinematic sequences in the game are balthier talking and there is even one where he is talking while Vaan shouts something along the lines of hey is anyone listening to me in the background. It really feels like they where not sure who to make the main character and so nobody got character development at all. Also it completely feels like Vaan was thrown in at the last minute to please the younger crowd when their long term fans are now in their 20s. Not that they can't accept a young protagonist just make him feel human.

I could have forgiven every other aspect of FF12 I did not like if they have proper character development and I didn't feel so absolutely detached from the characters the whole game. Here is hoping they do better with XIII

 

[Platinum_Lies]

First... The laughing scene was supposed to be like that. The large fake laugh was intentionally fake. The fact that it tales into actual laughing shows this.

FFXII:

Larsa and Penelo, the Bhujerba conversation.

Meeting the resistance scene which eventually led into Ashe and the Marquist in Bhujerba. The Marquist is just horribly voiced in my opinion. Worst in the game.

Vayne's speech... well anything with Vayne.

Vayne and Penelo's talk after that speech. Also, another pair of characters with overall poor voice acting through-out the game.

And really, almost all scenes of interaction were a bit stilted. There was an odd delay between words and response/reaction through far too many scenes. The emotional range of the voice acting was stunted as well. There was rarely emotional inflection when characters speaked.


It wasn't all bad though. I do like Balthier, Ashe (for the most part), and the Occurian voices.

 

[KirstyIX]

I didn't hate this game and I don't particularly dislike it either, but it definitely my least favourite Final Fantasy.
The way that you move around the maps was great, I think it's been the best so far about getting into a battle, but setting up gambits...I dunno, it felt like cheating to me if you're not really doing anything. xD
But hey, that's probably just me.
The voices were awesome though.

 

[KrisPistofferson]

It does get singled out for an inordinate amount of hate. I think a big part of it is that Square-Enix is now a target for two unrelated groups:

1. "Modern Hardcore Gamers"- The guys who play nothing but online multiplayer FPSs, scream racial slurs through their headsets at kids in Iowa, and are used to zero plot and zero character development, just a big no-neck guy or a Marine in futuristic armor. They look at the success of the FF franchise, are unable to comprehend it, and label what they don't understand as "emo."

and I hate to say it but

2. "Old School RPG Fans" - the guys who really loved VI, or VII, or whichever, but ever since (insert Japanese name here) left Square, everything's gone downhill, or ever since Square and Enix merged everything's been crap, or Leona Lewis, or porting it to the 360, or whatever, you know these people. They have a single game in mind they consider the be-all, end-all of RPGs, and can't accept change, modernity or even the fact that these companies are capitalist entities and want a lot of people to buy their game. It's really pathetic because these people tend to be drawn to fansites and do nothing but troll with their overt negativity.



I think it will be ironic when XIII comes out, because all the people who complained about how horrible XII was will probably complain that things are no longer like XII. I read the review of XIII, about how you could see enemies but it was no longer seamless and you switch to a battle sreen. I'll bet all the guys who thought that XII was terrible will squeal about that one.

 

[Cricket]

I love this game. Sure the plot seems weak at one point or another and Vaan is kind of annoying. But then again, it's the only FF I own right now. And the first I have really started playing (like I said I'm a noob to FF) but the gameplay is good and the music is excellent. And graphics? Well, come on! It's the PS2! 2000 technology in 2006? Well, duh! I think they're quite good for a PS2 game =D

 

[Naldyx]

Honestly, I got used to the gameplay, all though i didnt set up gambits to be really technical, ust so i had complete control without having to click on every character every time i wnted to attack. But there was no real lead character, Vaan and Penelo sucked. I would have like the game more if it followed Reks after he somehow lived after being attacked, and it wasbased no him finding out why Basch betrayed everyone. I would have kept Ashe, Basch, Baltheir and Fran as the main party, and added someone else to replace Penelo. Also I enjoyed the hunts. But the not very interesting story and lame as main character was the main reason I didn't enjoy it. That and i got corrupt data after about 120 hours of gameplay. But yeah, mostly the sucky Vaan and Penelo and sucky story.

 

[Six]

Honestly, I got used to the gameplay.

Same.

At first I hated how this worked, I died a billion times 'cause I didn't get it. I gave up on the game somewhere near the middle, 'cause I was weak in levels, 'cause everything confused me.

I never gave it a fair chance.

Recently I started replaying it. Gave it my time, and full attention to understand what the hell it is that I'm supposed to do during battles, gambits, and the license board.

I'm kicking arse now.

I do like the game, I never had any real 'hate' for a character. I dislike Ashe. But... Beside that.

But yeah, mostly the sucky Vaan and Penelo and sucky story.

I think Vaan and Penelo are awesome. My favourite characters I have to say, I think.

Haven't completed the game yet, but yeah, I don't hate it.

Great game.

----

Ever since Square and Enix merged everything's been crap, or Leona Lewis, or porting it to the 360, or whatever, you know these people.

Amen to that, though.

 

[Johnny Mo]

I think one of the main problems with ffXII was that it took so long to come out and was hyped up to such a large extent.
Yes there was a lot of potential, but thats the key word potential. It failed to reach its potential in most ways which we expect from a final fantasy game.

Number 1, For me the story wasnt engaging enough to encourage progress. That paired with fairly emotionally blank characters, which are impossible to relate to.

Spoiler

Prime example of this is when Vaan meet Bashe for the first time. And the whole you killed my brother and i want revenge to oh i didnt realise your evil identical twin did it lets be friends.

To me it appears that detailed character development wasnt considered at all.

Number 2, The combat system lets be honest was a cheap summoner rip off. There where no tactics involved in that style of combat which should of been there. For example there were no area effect spells like say summoners wall of fire, which would of atleast added depth to combat and some additional strategy other than set up gambits, tape down buttons on controller leave over night, come back swap area rinse and repeat til your a high enough level to do the next quest.

Number 3, Espers. Just a over blown waste of time. They became redundant almost as soon as you get them.

On the plus side the innervations like having a open world were good but needed more development. The licence points and character versitility were good and the over all look of the game was brilliant.
And to adress the point about the haters, yes i admit people like myself do judge this game harshly, but so are all the final fantasies. I dont think the longevity of the hype of this game helped its cause much.

 

[niltsa]

the only reason i didnt like vaan was the way he was dressed. he shuld have had more clothes

Mod Edit: Could you please add a bit more substance to your post? This is a post count section. Thanks =]

 

[Bones]

FFXII is one of the games that I haven't completed because I kind of lost interest in it... I really didn't care for the battle system to be honest, but there are a few good things that came out of it, like Balthier, he is one of my fave characters out of the whole series, and the storyline wasn't half bad, but because of the gameplay I really don't think the game is worth playing. It isn't up there with the other titles in my opinion