[PS2] Final Fantasy XII

Famitsu's Scans and Review Translated

Credits go to palf91

Quote:

My translation, since I'm bored and was interested in reading it anyways If someone has translated the scans already, sorry.

Scans:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4306/dvc000011ne.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5472/dvc000026sd.jpg

First reviewer:

"As always a grand story and the ever slightly changing battle system pulls you in more and more. The large maps that you battle in especially can make you lose track of time because of its appeal. It's amazing that a single player game can make you feel like you're playing with team mates!"

Second reviewer:

"It may feel awkward at first for FFX players since the battle system takes ques from the FFXI battle system, but the Gambit system will make getting used to the system a smooth transition. The freedom that can be achieved is great, even if the gamer's skills are limited. The story is great as usual and the acting is impressive."

Third reviewer:

"A very generous game in how it's built. The story is rock solid but offers a great sense of freedom. The battles are a joy to play once you're used to the transitionless nature. There are times when you may just die instantly, so caution is to be taken at all times. This nervousness also makes the game a lot more exciting and fun."

Fourth reviewer:

"Visuals that take your breath away, a complicating lking yet easy to play system, a balanced experience that fits all playing styles -- there are no faults in this game. You'll somehow get really into the game at one point and won't be able to stop. Even compared to the classic FFs, this can be ranked right alongside of them."

More Scans

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6876/dvc000037rk.jpg
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/7244/dvc000045el.jpg
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/5602/dvc000055et.jpg

Sakimoto Interview
http://rapidshare.de/files/15056007/...rview.zip.html

V-Jump Scans showing the actual Cid (who's fancy dressed as a Scientist), and Mist Skills/Nacks (i.e Limit Breaks which can be combed):

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/525/scan13wa.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1800/scan25ce.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9130/scan30jw.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/3987/scan44cp.jpg

Awesome... I'm even thinking of getting JAP version just to see it in action... I will not wait half year for USA release =(.

Originally Posted by Jagged

Famitsu's Scans and Review Translated

Credits go to palf91

[/b]

More Scans

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6876/dvc000037rk.jpg
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/7244/dvc000045el.jpg
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/5602/dvc000055et.jpg

Sakimoto Interview
http://rapidshare.de/files/15056007/...rview.zip.html

V-Jump Scans showing the actual Cid (who's fancy dressed Scientist), and Mist Skills/Nacks (i.e Limit Breaks which can be combed):

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/525/scan13wa.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1800/scan25ce.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9130/scan30jw.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/3987/scan44cp.jpg

Heh. I beat you about 7 minutes with the Famitsu breakdown and was about to post the new V Jump scans.

Thanks for the larger scans of the airships and the Sakimoto interview. I love the designs for the airship though, especially Ifrit and Leviathan. Now I'm just confused over the 2 "Cids", so was the first actually Alcid and this is the real Cid or what?

Thanks for the scans. O.o I have to say this may be the best Final Fantasy ever made...I have to get my hands on this game.

http://rapidshare.de/files/15056007/...rview.zip.html

Maybe someone could translate what he's sayiing plz?

I see all members here like FFXII !!!this FF is suck,is big different previous FF games "I don't like what change on FFXII & FFXI".I try demo before I didn't like it.98% same FFXI.that why I didn't like it

Originally Posted by RYU

this FF is suck,is big different previous FF games "I don't like what change on FFXII & FFXI".I try demo before I didn't like it.98% same FFXI.that why I didn't like it

Change is good. That's all I'll say for right now.

And as for the similarity between FFXI's and FFXII's battle systems, well, if you really hate the battle system, you can always play the game in Wait Mode. I kind of see MMORPG-like attributes present in the battle system, but I don't find it impact the game negatively at all. In fact, it makes things more exciting.

Originally Posted by soulsteelgray

Change is good. That's all I'll say for right now.

And as for the similarity between FFXI's and FFXII's battle systems, well, if you really hate the battle system, you can always play the game in Wait Mode. I kind of see MMORPG-like attributes present in the battle system, but I don't find it impact the game negatively at all. In fact, it makes things more exciting.

Agreed. You can't progress the series without any change, in my opinion anyway.

Quick summary of the Hitoshi Sakimoto interview from V-Jump:

• As with FFT, Sakimoto tried at first to keep to the FF sound, but in the end found he was better off sticking to his own style. Of course he kept the 'Prelude' in there.
• 120-30 tracks total. More than 10 tracks ended up being arranged.
• Tried hard to express contrasts in the game via music - eg. contrast between an underground dungeons and flying in the sky.
• Tried very hard to match the music to Event scenes - he kept adapting the music even as scenes were being changed.
• Being the focal point of the story, much of the music is also centered around Vaan. However, Sakimoto REALLY likes Penelo and always uses her in battle.

Little spoilery bit from Sakimoto about the use of past FF themes:

Spoiler:

FFV's Battle of Big Bridge theme is used at some point.

Credit to tebiro boy from GAF for the translation and summary..

Sounds great, especially the spoiler!

Some good news on the release date front that comes from Famitsu:

Quote:

Square-Enix President, Yoichi Wada, has finally released some details on the worldwide release date for Final Fantasy XII on the Playstation 2 during an internal meeting at Square Enix.

The game is released first in Japan on March 16th followed by the US release sometime in the "Summer" with Europe on or before the "End of 2006".

I guess the August 1st date does have some validity behind it then and the very least could be the date to keep an eye on until SE reveal any specifics themselves.

Originally Posted by Simo

Agreed. You can't progress the series without any change, in my opinion anyway.

Quick summary of the Hitoshi Sakimoto interview from V-Jump:

• As with FFT, Sakimoto tried at first to keep to the FF sound, but in the end found he was better off sticking to his own style. Of course he kept the 'Prelude' in there.
• 120-30 tracks total. More than 10 tracks ended up being arranged.
• Tried hard to express contrasts in the game via music - eg. contrast between an underground dungeons and flying in the sky.
• Tried very hard to match the music to Event scenes - he kept adapting the music even as scenes were being changed.
• Being the focal point of the story, much of the music is also centered around Vaan. However, Sakimoto REALLY likes Penelo and always uses her in battle.

Little spoilery bit from Sakimoto about the use of past FF themes:

Spoiler:

FFV's Battle of Big Bridge theme is used at some point.

Credit to tebiro boy from GAF for the translation and summary..

I'm interested in hearing the "Prelude" again. I actually missed hearing it since the latest Final Fantasy installments didn't include the song. I also wasn't sure what to expect from the soundtrack, but since it's going to have 120-30 tracks, I hope there's a lot of variation in the songs.

Wow, that spoiler is huge.

Sakimoto certainly knows how to remix and spruce up an old theme, as he proved in the Gradius V soundtrack.

The MMO style gameplay elements is an interesting gameplay decision, I've often wished myself that I could play WoW, Lineage 2, DDO or other MMOs in a single player mode or in a small LAN. I'm guessing these areas are going to dwarf even the expansive world of Dragon Quest VIII.

Originally Posted by Rydia

I'm interested in hearing the "Prelude" again. I actually missed hearing it since the latest Final Fantasy installments didn't include the song. I also wasn't sure what to expect from the soundtrack, but since it's going to have 120-30 tracks, I hope there's a lot of variation in the songs.

Well, Rydia, one of the points was that he wanted to "express contrasts" in game via the music, so I guess you can rest easy knowing that bit. Personally, I'm glad that came up, because as happy as I was when I found out that DQVIII's OST was orchestral, I realized that much of it would end up sounding the same. One of my pals over AIM lamented the lack of boss music that carries the oomph necessary to get your blood pumping.

Originally Posted by Hiiragi

Am I the only one that thinks Vaan looks like a total fag?

This has been beat to death so many times, heck even the people that do think that are tired of this conversation. Vaan was based on the Final Fantasy Tactics monk artwork, and he's a scrawny street urchin.

Then, I don't think you should get the game at all. Because if you get FFXII and that you rant it for just that one reason. I'd say that you're in over your head and that it'd be a waste of $49.99 (tax). Though, unlike you where you look at the outside appearance of characters. I look at the "inward" appearance. Where this game can provide lots of really interesting new features that can keep the gamer entertained.

Sorry, but that's just how I feel. When people like dissing characters like these. And perhaps the designer wanted to design characters like these. As they wanted to have original characters that would fit the war related theme in this game.

Well if they manage to keep the Europe release BEFORE the end of 2006 then that would be a welcome change to past release dates here in Europe.

Still it's SE were talking the same guys who said FF:AC would be released world wide simultaniously and we still haven't gotten our copies here in Europe and even in the US. :eyebrow:

I'm glad Mr. Sakimoto did his own kind of music for this game. I've liked certain tracks from other Final Fantasy's, but Tactics was one of the few were I enjoyed the entire soundtrack.

Originally Posted by Echolyn

Well if they manage to keep the Europe release BEFORE the end of 2006 then that would be a welcome change to past release dates here in Europe.

Still it's SE were talking the same guys who said FF:AC would be released world wide simultaniously and we still haven't gotten our copies here in Europe and even in the US. :eyebrow:

The thing with AC though is that Sony is handling the distribution and release, not SE so they had no control on when it would ultimately hit US and European shores.

FFXII on the hand is all up to SE and when they decide to release it.