[PS2] Final Fantasy XII

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?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

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..

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

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.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

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.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Godai

Anyone else actually importing it? I assume I'll have my copy by this time next week. I think this is going to end up like another FFX, where I ended up with 3 copies of the game (FFX (JPN), FFX (US), FFX International (JPN)), heh.

I wish I could but budget restrictions pretty much prevent that from happening. It'll mark the first FF title since FFVII that I haven't imported.

I'm glad someone is though since hopefully you'll be able to give us your own take and impressions on the game.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

Hey, that's neat. Is Vaan kicking that creature? His hair looks drastically different too (probably a motion effect?)...

Why does the middle shot look like it's taking place in a space hangar? :/

It looks like it but then the characters aren't just restricted to using weapons IIRC.

The middle shot looks like it's onboard an airship to me.

FELIPE NO

New screenshots, albeit small. They look to be captured from the actual game, no real spoilers though...


So it looks like the title screen is a rolling demo allowing you to choose "New Game" or "Load Game" without having to skip the demo or press start.

What's also interesting is that the top left screen looks like an options display on the title screen. Perhaps the menu pops up allowing to configure the game the moment you choose "New Game"....?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Hantei

"Kiss Me Good-Bye" from Angela Aki's new single is out now, release by AznMP3! Here's a YSI for both the single and FFXII version. Pretty good song.

Angela Aki - "Kiss Me Good-Bye" (Single + FFXII version)

Torrent to the full single below.
[#aznmp3] Angela Aki - Kiss Me Good-Bye [320k][2006.03.15].zip

Wicked. Thanks for the links, Hantei.

Looks like one lucky SOB managed to slip by Sony's ninjas....


Sony issued a notification to retailers that if anyone broke the March 16th street date then they would face a penalty or "counted on sanctions".

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The official site updated with 2 new TV spots under "Trailers & Music".
http://www.ff12.com/

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by CuteChocobo

I was bored, what else could i have done~~!
since the screen wasn't very clear, so this is as much as I can make sense of it. I held no liability for incorrect translation *hehe*

[?] The Game will commence after this configuration screen
Configuration Menu
- Play the game in Default Setting 
        (It was blurry here, so i only manage to pick up a few words)

******** (Can't see the small text)
- Controller Vibration          on              <>off
- Static Camera Movement (?)    on               <>off
- Help Function               <>on                  off
- ***********                  <>on                 off
- Sound                     Pro Logic         <>Stereo           Mono
- Color? (something to do with color contrast, not sure)

********* (Some small word again)
- *********

2004 ******** Co. Ltd All right reserved

Someone post a larger screen cap please~~ so I can get the full menu out!

You've already provided enough! At least that confirms an options menu of some sort popping up once you choose "New Game". Thanks for the translation.

Quote:

Shit, about 9000 yen = $90 CDN. Well actually that's not too surprising. I remember seeing quite a few new games, including FFX-2 (in May 2003) selling for about that much whilst in Akihabara. Meh, they can afford it.

Yeah a few GAFers at Gaming-Age who are located in Japan commented how expensive games are, especially the retail price for FFXII.

Out of curiosity though but how many people here are actually importing it or located in Japan and plan on playing it?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Spatula

This question might have been flung around here (and perhaps the old FFXII thread pre-crash) but does anyone know of Japanese voicing in the NA release? I highly doubt it, but meh, I've never been impressed with NA voice acting.

I doubt the Japanese dubs are all that great either, but at least I won't understand close to 95% of their whiney bitchy voices. (Actually I have yet to hear any of the voices for FFXII characters.).

There's been no word on dual VA tracks but I doubt it'll happen and only the English dub will remain. At least on the Japanese dub they've got Akio Otsuka (Solid Snake) voicing Judge Master Gabranth so it can't be all bad.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

New but short gameplay video. Credit to DullahanEX for finding it:
http://rapidshare.de/files/15380450/ff12.avi.html

It looks like Hume enemies actually do drop Gil when defeated compared to the rest of the enemies and monsters in the game which don't drop any Gil, only special items for you to trade in.

Slight spoiler in regards to characters assisting as possible 4th party members:

Spoiler:

Also it looks like A.I controlled party members assist in battle on special occasions too since Vaan, Balflear, Fran and Ashe are all seen in the video fighting the Arcadian soldiers but Ashe isn't isn't listed in the party.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by CuteChocobo

Thanks Phatcorn and Godai for the info
But what does Flicker Filter do?

As for the cash-in Gil looting method, it makes the whole thing much harder doesn't it? This method just reminds me of most MMORPG game system where only humanoids drop currency and other trash mobs drop items for garage sell

Is it true that most Jap shops already have them in their storage? Coz one friend from Jap messaged me that his shop just got them this arvo and he already started playing it *cries* So unfair...

I guess so but none of the reviewers have complained about the Gil system. It's true that some stores in Japan already have the game but as I posted above Sony issued a notification to retailers that if they break the street date then they were going to dispatch their ninjas to take care of them...or something to that effect.

BTW where is your avatar from and is there a bigger version available?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by CuteChocobo

So does that apply to like online shipping companies like yesasia.com? Because normally when I pre-order games on yesasia, most of the time they tend to get here 1 day earlier... so thats why I was expecting my copy to arrive at 15th March... but i guess since the SE-Ninjas are on the loose I might be getting mine on the day or one day late >_<

@Simo: My avatar is just from some random cosplay shashin, and I just 'borrowed' from that and chuck it on. Its some where on Hongfire.com -> Gallery -> Cosplay section

I'm not entirely sure, I mean it looks like at least 1 retailer has broken the street date which is why we got snaps of the manual along with some screengrabs and footage. Still I don't think it would affect online retailers all that much because they could probably argue that titles wouldn't reach customers until the street date but don't quote on me that.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Spatula

This is probably posted but looks like EBgames will be shipping out/releasing in October. OMG. >_>

Something tells me I'm not getting a PS3 for a VERY long time.
(The whole time and money issue, lah)

OLD NEWS

"Ship date not confirmed and subject to change."

We may not a specific date but at least we've got some kind of information from Famitsu and the SE President for a "Summer" release. I just hope it isn't October. Just waiting until August is bad enough let alone an additional 2 months.

Double Post:
I guess the game is already available in some parts of China. Some snaps of the packaging and disc from A9VG:














They also comment on the A9VG boards how the game is on a DVD5 disc that is only 3.7GB in size.

You can also check some crude photos someone took of their TV screen with the game running including some snaps of the rolling demo on the title screen, opening FMV, save screen and the first few moments of gameplay:
http://photo.xuite.net/nwo.lee/650512

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

I hope that doesn't mean the game might be short, or have sparse dialogue. Perhaps it's because there's a smaller amount of FMV.

Has anyone read any reviews in regards to story? I'm curious if Matsuno succeeded in creating a dark story akin to FFT, full of betrayal, deaths, double-crossing, triple-crossing, and so on.

It was mentioned there would be less FMV than previous FF titles but who knows. As for the story, Famitsu briefly mentioned it in their review with one reviewer expressing how "great" it was and that the voice acting was "impressive".

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

I'll let you decide whether we need a seperate spoiler thread or not. If not, I hope everyone takes great care not to give anything away. Like I said before, I know absolutely very little of the actual plot, and I'd like it to stay that way.

Simo, is that pic in your avatar official? Looks like Balthier is one of the "ladies man" type of characters (Edgar, Zidane, Irvine).

Yep it's official. It's one of 2 posters for the game with the one in my avatar showing how much of a pimp Balflear is as he's got a nice hold of Ashe while Fran is piloting the vehicle in front.

As for spoilers, I don't mind impressions on the gameplay and such but any plot talk and story spoilers should remain strictly to using the spoiler code thanks.

I do have 2 minor requests though from those who import it or whatever. Can we get a good high quality rip of the rolling demo and opening movie? We've seen most of the footage in the various trailers anyways so it'd be nice to see them in their full glory.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

Actually, people need to be careful with gameplay info as well. I don't want the names of any unknown areas, and I especially don't want to read any boss names.

"Sup I'm stuck on Vaan's zombie brother any gameplay tips?"

This isn't GameFaqs though so any such questions should be posted over there rather than here. When I mentioned talk of the gameplay I was more or less referencing to member's impressions of the battle system, just how expansive the world map looks and feels and such. I don't need specifics on locations not already known or boss titles.

Quote:

One question I do have regarding the story is the romance subplot. I remember reading how Vaan and Ashe's relationship wouldn't be a typical love story, but instead an "other kind of love". And I do like the concept of Vaan and Penelo having a relationship before the game starts (an idea that hasn't been done since Cecil and Rosa in FFIV). They do look cute together, too. So does Matsuno make good on this promise, or does it become the typical love triangle concept that's starting to get old?

Matsuno also said that while the Vaan and Ashe would be involved in a relationship it may not be with each other. Since Vaan is already with Penelo, my own theory or assumption would be that Ashe might end up falling for Basch but we'll see.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Spatula

Damn I don't want to CLICK! So hard to resist.

It's nothing major. He just comments about a love triangle with no characters mentioned and standard FF love stuff.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Craze

Whoa, awesomeness! Those in China said they bought it for about 300RMB, so it's much cheaper than Japan. I'm going over to my friend's place to see if he got hold of it and probably stay there for a few hours to watch him play.

Is the soundtrack even out? I thought the official release date is 19/4/2006?

Yeah it's not out yet. I gather MrSatan's question was directed toward Zip who is playing the game now and is about 10 hours in.

Nobuo Uematsu does have some involvement in the soundtrack-he composted the theme track "Kiss Me Good-Bye" performed by Angela Aki.

I was speaking idiomatically.

"Rolling Demo" before the title screen:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BkWQZhckfK4

Minor spoilers as it quickly shows glimpses of the summons and other monsters but most of all....Sakimoto's rendition of the Final Fantasy "Main Theme".

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Can anyone actually rip the audio from that and convert it to MP3?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Spatula

The CG done for these characters as seen through the multitude of trailers available is quite remarkable, if I may note. Watching the "hope" trailer again, we see the long dark haired warrior, Vayne, give military commands to his troops. In this CG sequence, the way that his face and hair "swing" give off that aura that he is alive. Here's a screencap to focus on what I'm trying to describe:



I would almost go so far as to say that I find these characters more believable than the ones portrayed in Advent Children. This is not to say that Advent Children was not executed with equal aplomb, but the characters in FFXII appear to have a better "connection", or in other words, to seem to be more "alive". What are your thoughts?

As good as the CG is, this is Square afterall, I'm more impressed with the in-game cutscenes. The level of detail and the animation are superb and if they are using more of the in-game engine over CG FMV scenes for FFXII then it certainly isn't a bad thing judging from screenshots, the trailers and even CAM recorded videos from the E3 2K4 demo and such.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Some more first impressions these from Troidal over at Gaming-Age:

Quote:

2 hours into the game, barely scratched the surface...

* The prologue/intro is amazing. The battles are like watching a mix of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Pretty fast paced too. Events happen one after the other, so not many long dialogues.

* Once you are able to move your character, the city feels big enough. There's a lot of people which you can't talk to and just standing there, but it gives you a sense that you're in a city. I like how there is an icon on top of NPCs you can talk to.

* Treasure chests, doors you can enter, anything you can interact with also have an icon. I don't know what other games do this, but I've seen it in Grandia III which I thought was a cool feature. Props to FFXII for using the same feature.

* The license board (to learn spells, equip new weapons/armor, etc) looks overwhelming at first, but like the Materia system in 7 and Sphere board in 10, it looks straightforward once you know how it works. However, I am being careful as to how I should raise my characters - might want a FAQ for this personally ^^;

* Battles feel like KOTOR and FFXI. I haven't figured everything out, but so far seems strightforward. The color of their gauge shows if you are strong enough to beat it, now this is pretty useful. The first DO NOT FIGHT enemy would probably be

Spoiler:

the dinosaur once you go out the city. One hit, bam, you die.

* Not much complains for voice-overs so far...except Panero :-)

Overall so far, it doesn't feel like the traditional Final Fantasy, but I like the atmosphere so far. It's probably apparent with the previews you guys watched, not to sound like a broken record but...I'd say the architecture and mech design feel very much like Star Wars Ep 1-3...with characters coming from Vagrant Story.

Its still a long way, so its a very initial impression. Hope to add more in coming days....

Most amazing jew boots

Ok. That intro was fucking awesome.So well paced and edited, and the music....

I can understand the "Star Wars" comments in the earlier impressions based on the intro though, especially shots like the POV of a pilot in the fighter and the whole scale of the battle. Interesting to see the Nephicite used to create a shield over the entire city.

There's nowhere I can't reach.