YBLTV Review: Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
When Square Enix first released Final Fantasy XII, I was 15 years old and only a Sophomore in high school. The game itself was considered to be a masterpiece by many critics and fans alike who played the game back in March 2006. The problem was that the time of the release back then was bad timing considering the PlayStation 3 was released 6 months later. So, a lot of people unfortunately missed this game. Fast forward to July 2017 and now we have a remastered version in Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age which features a new job system, game play enhancements, better colors, and 1080p HD resolution. Unlike its predecessors the 12th entry into the series features a more of a personal journey showcasing a small rebellion centered around a sky pirate, a princess, and a betrayed general trying to save their homeland of Dalmasca against an evil dictator and his judges who seek war and rule rather than the usual calamities set to destroy the world or plunge it into darkness.
The characters in this game are rich, well-developed, and each feature their own backstory which allows you to feel closer to them. Each city, town, and environment you come across breathes on its own and showcases a lot of detail. If you love to explore and talk to every npc and don’t want to bother with the main story right away- you will find plenty of hunts, optional quest, a new soundtrack and secrets to keep you at home for hours. Final Fantasy XII has a pretty huge semi open world with barely any limitations on where you can go with only strong and powerful enemies blocking your path. Back in 2006 one of the major flaws was the battle system and game play being too slow when facing powerful enemies, grinding for higher levels, and exploring. Depending on your level and your skill, a boss fight or exploration of a dungeon could last hours if you weren’t properly prepared.
“The remaster of FF12 was truly worth buying and made sense to re-release since a lot of people missed it 11 years ago,” - Eric D. Ellis, YBLTV Writer / Reviewer
In the remastered version of Final Fantasy XII however there is a new feature that speeds up game play two to four times as fast which makes the game more fun to play and less time consuming when grinding or going against the powerful main and side bosses. Final Fantasy XII new job system also adds a new dynamic letting you choose specific roles like knight, black mage, archer, etc., for each of your characters. This makes it easier in choosing your characters’ abilities and fighting styles rather than just figuring it out on your own with trial and error which can be difficult. The job system comes in handy since Final Fantasy 12 uses another system called the gambit system which allows you to pre-select your battle strategies and actions beforehand making all your battles in Final Fantasy XII a battle of strategy and wit. Also, if you’re looking for a challenge, the remastered version of FF12 comes with a new option in trial mode which allows you to test your skill against hordes of powerful enemies. So good luck!
Overall, going back to this game I couldn’t help but to feel a certain sense of nostalgia. I forgot so much about this game since 2006 but with the better graphics, game play enhancements, and the same beautiful story- I feel that the remaster of FF12 was truly worth buying and made sense to re-release since a lot of people missed it 11 years ago. After 120 hours of exploring, grinding, and beating the main and side bosses again at the age of 26, I must say that I have truly missed this game. If you’re new to Final Fantasy or you’re returning to this game like me then sit back, relax and lose yourself in the world of Ivalice. You might not want to come back.
Product Features
- New and improved graphics
- Better Game play
- Rich Story
- Large Semi Open World
- Job System
- Trial Mode
- Faster Battle Speed
- New Soundtrack
Product Specifications
- PS4, PC
- JRPG
- Single Player
Pros
- Enhanced Graphics
- Rich Story
- New Job System
- Easier and Faster Game Play
- Fun Side Quest
Cons
- Voice acting could be a little better
- Weak Main Antagonist
Final Thoughts
Being that I love video games so much, Final Fantasy XII used to be the black sheep of the Final Fantasy series since its release in 2006. But with this new remaster, Final Fantasy XII will rank among the top; not just in Final Fantasy as a series but for JRPG’S as a whole. Don’t sleep on this game.
Score: 9 stars out of 10