B.L.O.G.G.E.R

● Final Fantasy 12 review @ Monday, January 19, 2009 ●

As the game title suggests this is the twelfth installment of the Final Fantasy game series.This is my personal review of its gameplay.

Platform: Playstation2 Personal rating: 8/10

Completely different than the offline Final Fantasies before it, Final Fantasy XI, FF12 benefits from a battle mechanic unlike any other. Sure, it'll take some getting used to, but boy is it worth it.Now a big mistake that many have made when coming into FF12, of course, is that the new battle system is action-based and not turn-based. In reality, Final Fantasy XII still relies on a turn-based engine (much as the old games did), but it disguises that fact with a clever use of time bars and simultaneous character movement. It means we can freely move the camera and that enemies are no longer randomly encountered - you can see them and their behaviors in real time just as you do your own.Once combat initiates, a quick tap of the X button brings up everything you need to go. Attacks, items, magic, and techniques can

all be accessed from a single HUD window, and if you don't want to engage, holding down R2 allows you to flee (This prevents you from initiating any command and literally you will have to run if you want to make it out alive). Regardless of whatever commands you may choose, however, what happens next has your typical; Role Playing Game(RPG) start... that is, monster damage and speed of attack are determined by the numerical stats of your characters.If that's all there was to it, then Final Fantasy XII would be somewhat "numerically restricted" in the combat department. What makes it different from the competition is also what makes it shine. The creatures of do not hold back at all. Even in the first few hours, players will learn for themselves that the enemies of FF12 attack in packs, run away when threatened, cast hard-hitting magics whenever they can, and generally planning to kill you. It is quite refreshing actually, and it adds a lot to the experience.