MR.KAZ said:
I can't help but notice that when I bring up "FF XII" in a conversation with friends and others,there seems to be a negative vibe with respect to this title.Generally,I notice that a lot of people seem to dislike a lot of different aspects in this game.Why?
God Bless,
Kaz
Because a lot of the changes were polarizing. The combat system was designed to ape the feel of an MMO, which is a unique concept, but if there's one aspect MMOs lack in it's engaging gameplay. I had fun with the gambit system, and found something strangely satisfying about running through the late-game with my demi-god characters murdering all who crossed them in the pre-programmed manner of my choosing, but at the end of the day what that really means is that I'm not actually playing the game, just giving it suggestions and letting it play itself. A lot of players didn't care for this.
The fact that none of the characters had specialties, and could be completely interchanged with one another in battle was a turnoff to some. I admit I didn't really like it, but I didn't mind it, because I could take some childish pleasure in making big, brawny captain Basch my primary white mage, and then having wiry little Penelo strap on a Zweilhander and go to town decapitating Malboros.
The story was watered down, and barely given more than an afterthought before the gameplay mechanics, which is the reason why I, personally didn't care for it. All of the characters were flat archetypes who barely developed over the course of the game... except for Balthier, but if there were ever a Final Fantasy character I could accuse of single-handedly saving their game, it would be Balthier. Indeed, the only support character I've ever encountered in all of gaming history who kicks more ass than Balthier is Jade Curtiss from "Tales of the Abyss." I suppose what the fellow above said was correct. I am "spoiled" by having stories in my games, and it's the one requirement I hold for any game I play that I won't compromise on.
To conclude, XII comes under scrutiny because it's different, which doesn't necessarily make it bad, it just means that if you buy it in the hopes of playing a game you'd love if you loved the final fantasies that came before it, you run the risk of being disappointed.
Personally, I didn't really like XII, but I wouldn't call it "bad" and I had fun with it when I played through it.
