[PS2] Final Fantasy XII

Thank god. I've generally been avoiding the last 2 or so pages of posts. I'm not sure how much has been given away, but with terms like "final boss" and so forth, I didn't want to take any chances.

I also think it's pathetic for anyone who looks up screens or info of the final boss. That's like getting a new book and flipping right to the end. Unless the final boss is one of those last minute creatures like FFIX's Necro, you're ruining the story by jumping ahead like that.

That said, I do have a few questions regarding the story, as long as I get some spoiler-free answers of course.

1. Usually in every RPG, there's always one or two characters who unfortunately have to take a backseat when the story picks up, removing any focus or development in their story. Examples include DQVIII's Angelo, FFIX's Freya, Xenogears' Rico, etc. Does the same apply to any of FFXII's characters, or is this a rare case where every character gets a proper amount of development and closure? Considering the small main cast, it shouldn't be too hard to do. But I have a feeling someone like Fran will get forgotten when the story progresses.

2. Speaking of the characters, who's the fan-favorite so far? I've been wondering myself which character I'll end up liking the most. Basch has a deliciously dark story about him, closely resembling FFT's Delita (not evil, but isn't afraid to take evil measures for the greater good). Ashe received a lot of praise in another forum when she was unveiled, in the hopes that she could be "the next Celes." This would be nice, since there hasn't been a lead FF heroine who has emotional depth AND is strong enough to take care of herself since Tifa. I really dig Penelo's design though, since it's cute. Plus I like how she and Vaan are already a couple before the game starts (hasn't been done since FFIV's Cecil and Rosa).

3. Finally, I wonder how far this FF pushes the envelope. FFT was pretty dark compared to other FF's, including a pretty graphic amount of violence (like the monster who sacrificed himself for the final boss by shoving his own claws into his stomach, releasing a huge gyser of bloodspray), along with other dark themes like betrayal, devil worship, and I think even implications of rape somewhere. How far does FFXII go? I'm hoping Square hasn't interfered with the story because they want to keep things relatively clean (there hasn't been a major death since Aerith, and that took a lot of persuading for them to approve).

I keep thinking about the shots that have Pennelo tied up while a group of orcs hover above her. Of course I doubt anything would actually happen, but I do wonder if they would at least imply if the orcs would do something to her. That's assuming if they would even want to do something like that to someone who's not from their species.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

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As for characters in FF XII you have only main characters pushed to the first plan. You use tour team as an help in getting somewhere. Fran is not so pushed back as you think. It all depends on the way you look it.

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No no it's simple MMORPG style game with monster apers after certain amount of time and after death they just vanish. No horror stuff actions =).

I don't think you understand my questions.

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

Didn't FFVII sell 2 million copies in just 2 days?

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

I remember an article in GameFan (great magazine that soon turned to crap and died) spending a whole paragraph talking about it. They were amazed, I was amazed, that whole magazine had the best FFVII articles.

They also gave the game a score of 100++. Over-hyped? Yeah, but back then I believed it.

I was speaking idiomatically.

This is going to sound bizzare, but I find it pretty amusing. I had a discussion with someone last night in AIM about Shadow Hearts 2's ending (which I recently finished). Basically I was leary about the game having one of those "figure it out yourself" endings, which basically was devoid of any real resolution for the characters. Well, due to the late night discussions, I ended up having a dream that this very thread here was discussing FFXII's ending, with everyone complaining that it was a similar piece of trash that was too short and didn't offer any sort of closure for any of the characters.

So, for the sake of curiosity, did this omen prove true? Does FFXII's ending deliver on a proper closure (FFIX), or is it a "we have no idea how to end it so we'll just let you figure it out" type of ending (FFVII)? Keep it spoiler-free of course.

On that note, I'm also real curious about peoples' claims about how the main character basically becomes left out of the story. What exactly does this mean? Does he get no development? Does he dissapear from the storyline entirely? Or does it turn out he isn't really the main character? Again, please keep it as spoiler-free as possible.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It's basically a yes or no answer. :/

FELIPE NO

I won't look at those spoilers, I've gone about as far as I'm willing to venture. I hope in any case, anything involving the main character or his role will be unique and interesting.

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

Square's conference is today? What time (EST)? Crap, I didn't know about this.

Anyway, one thing I'm really looking forward to is an english preview of FFXII. I hope we get a chance to hear the voice actors in action, especially considering the Vagrant Story-level dialogue.

I also hope for a release date earlier than November.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'll be damned. Well, at least it's not the same month as the PS3. My wallet is in Square's debt.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Perfect, exactly what I was hoping to see. Hopefully a direct feed trailer will surface soon.

Are those weapon replicas to scale? Has a price been mentioned?

How ya doing, buddy?

So....anyone still remember FFXII? Have there been any details at all about the english version? How long until the trailer is online?

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

That's twice I've heard the word "haughty" to describe the localization. What does that even mean (the placement, not the definition)?

Aside from that, hooray for multiple accents. LOTR ye old english like what.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I really want to see the trailer, but someone just PM'd me, saying the video was played on G4 today. I'll probably wait for the G4 trailer to be uploaded, which hopefully won't be too long.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Oh, in that case (watches)

Even from the garbled sound quality, I could tell that the voice acting is phenomenal. I'm so glad they decided to go with accents again, considering how well it worked with DQVIII. Vayne and the Judgemasters sound especially incredible. And Ashe is definetely played by Karen (Shadow Hearts 2), but I'm not certain if Vaan is really played by Joshua Seth. Also, I'm pretty sure I heard Crispin Freeman in there (wouldn't be surprised).

Can't believe I have to wait until October. Dammit Square.

FELIPE NO

Seems so. The date was revealed during E3. Granted it's a month earlier than the original date (November), but still.

How ya doing, buddy?

Here's a downloadable version.

http://www.ffxii.net/?nav=media/video4

Some lines are still hard to make out, but I think that's the best we'll be getting for now. Also, I'm pretty certain Crispin Freeman is playing Basch, which would absolutely rule (kind of good, kind of evil. that's freeman in a nutshell).

Jam it back in, in the dark.

You guys got your bunny girls wrong. The one with the witchy (witching? witcher?) voice is a different character, not Fran. Apparently she's the manufacturer of Nephicite, if I'm hearing the lines right.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Is this Screech.

Seriously though, I haven't seen any movies with this guy in it, but I'm sure he'll do fine. It shouldn't really matter too much, since from what I heard...

(not a spoiler, but marked anyway)

Spoiler:

Vaan's role isn't as big as it's advertised to be.

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

........

I'm not sure if I asked this in the last FFXII thread (pre-downtime), but is there a definitive main villain in this game? If so, how does he/she/it measure up to classic baddies like Kefka or Sephiroth? I loved the villains in FFT, since they were humans with typical human traits (betrayal, greed, murdering family members, etc), and I'm hoping we get some similar despicable bastards with the Judgemasters or Vayne (assuming he's bad, and with hair like that, it's pretty likely).

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

Good thing I didn't read it, then. I didn't exactly request a name, you know.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I don't suppose there's a chance the game will be moved up to September? October is fine and all, but September would be so much better.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

What's wrong with the audio quality? If they're going to improve on the original, give us a damn widescreen format.

It's nice that they're finally doing special editions, and it's for a game that very much deserves a special edition (must be tons of pre concepts and stories). The date sucks though, because it'll likely be delayed by a couple of days, putting it in November.

FELIPE NO

You mean it's compressed? Ugh, it's FFVII (and one winged angel) all over again.

How ya doing, buddy?

Wow, they're really going for that authentic medieval touch with the spelling of Magick (it was spelled that way in Vagrant Story, too). Still, it's kind of silly to do this so late into the FF series though, but it would help if they came up with fancy names for the trademark spells too.

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Mistnacks are also called "Mist Quickenings" which is a sight more better than 'Knacks.

I dunno, hearing about quickenings reminds me of a certain prophet...



Jam it back in, in the dark.

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Those look fucking wicked.

I so fucking concur.

I hope these are released around the same time as the game. If they sell for the same price as the AC figures, they will be well worth it.

I just hope they also make figures of Fran and Pennelo.

There's nowhere I can't reach.