Final Fantasy 12/XII - Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy XII (12) is the twelfth title in the flagship Final Fantasy series, an RPG game developed by Square Enix and released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006. The game was directed and produced by Hiroyuki Ito and later re-released as Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System on the PlayStation 4 and Steam, the new version included major updates and the use of jobs. The game received critical success and won many Game Of The Year awards, situating it as one of the best games of the series. It takes place on Ivalice, where many empires are struggling against one another a group of adventurers caught in the balance. The game is situated in an open world, where enemies can be defeated, abilities and equipment unlocked, treasure looted, and experience gained.
Final Fantasy XII Plot
The game takes place in the land of Ivalice, where numerous empires, small and large, are at war. The small kingdom of Dalmasca is annexed by the tyrannical Archadian empire, who have been waging an endless war with the empire of Rozarria. Ashe creates a resistance movement against the Arcadia, and is joined by Vaan and a group of other adventurers that join him on his quest. Ultimately, the characters are pitted against Vayne, the son of the Archadian Emperor and the final boss and antagonist of the game. Vayne assumes control of the throne and an epic battle occurs on board the flying fortress Bahamut.
Gameplay
The game stays true to many hallmark staples of the Final Fantasy series, such as the use of “Limit Breaks”, experience gains, RPG based gameplay, use of magick, monster combat, and the acquisition of new abilities and items. Characters must be alive when they defeat enemies in order to gain experience. Bosses do not give experience but once defeated give “Level Points”, which allow a player to utilize new equipment and purchase licenses, allowing them to learn new abilities. A player’s armor, accessories, Technicks, Magicks, Augments, and weapons are governed, unlocked, and accessed by the use of the level points. The game continues on the theme of Final Fantasy XI, utilizing an open world wherein random encounters do not occur. Instead, battle occurs when an enemy goes within range of an aggressive enemy, initiates battle, or a confrontation is triggered within the storyline’s plot.
In battle, a system called "Active Dimension Battle" is used. Different colored lines connect characters to one another and to enemies, the color of the line distinguishes the type of action to be carried out. Players are able to switch between characters and use a menu system for deciding actions, choosing from attack, magicks, technicks, mist, gambits, and items. A new “gambit” system is introduced in Final Fantasy XII, whereby players can program automatic responses to certain conditions that occur in battle. Each gambit is made up of three parts: a target, an action, and a priority.
Characters
- Vaan- An orphan and street urchin living on the streets of Rabanastre with his friend Penelo. He fantasized about becoming captaining a pirate airship and travelling the world.
- Penelo- Vaan's best friend. She is also an orphan that lost her family in a war between Dalmasca and Arcadia. She wants to become a dancer, and studied martial arts under her older brothers who fought in the war. She joins the Vaan and the party in hopes of preventing more war and bloodshed.
- Balthier- His actual name is Ffamran mied Bunansa. He is a fugitive sky pirate escaping his troubled past. He called himself the “Leading Man”.
- Fran- Balthier's partner and friend. She is a viera. She is also on the run from her past, and, though quiet, offers words of wisdom when she breaks her silence.
- Basch fon Ronsenburg- A knight whose reputation has been tarnished. He wished to protect his surrogate homeland of Dalmasca.
- Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca- Princess of Dalmasca who is determined to restore her kingdom. She was married to the Prince of Nabradia, Lord Rasler. Even though they were married for political reasons, they fell in love.
Development
Development of the game began in the year 2000. Director Hiroyuki Ito teamed up with Yasumi Matsuno, the director behind Final Fantasy Tactics. In the beginning of development, the decision to leave out random battle encounters was chosen and replaced by the Active Dimension Battle system. Some ideas were dropped during development due to hardware and other limitations. Such as a co-operative gameplay in which a second player could join gameplay creating a two-player mode. Also the ability to recruit non-player characters to join in mini-games.
Final Fantasy XII marked the first game of the series in which Nobuo Uematsu, did not score due to Uematsu leaving his position at Square Enix in 2004. Uematsu only contributed to the ending song "Kiss Me Good-Bye”. His successor Hitoshi Sakimoto had trouble following in the footsteps of the seasoned legend.