Hey CorporalClegg, I'm curious about your opinion of FFXII.
I think it's fantastic. I was really hoping it--game play wise--was the direction they were taking the series. (Though I was highly impressed with the XIII demo) The "it plays itself" bit has become so tired and such utter nonsense that I've begun to think that people who say that, haven't actually played the game.
I also really liked how it didn't subject players to another prepube EMO love story and how the player character
wasn't the protagonist but relegated to more of a 3PO role--it really provided a unique perspective.
I would say, however, that it is a bit too long. (This coming from someone who's played and completed every Dragon Quest game...) I never finished the game completely. There's just so much to do and explore. My clock had eclipsed 100 hours and by that time I just decided to blow through the last part of the game to finish the story. I still had a lot of side-stuff to do, but just got caught up in other life stuff and never got around to it.
Cecil has more depth than every character in VII combined.
When you think about it, it really is amazing what they did. Obviously, by today's measure the game isn't very sophisticated nor are any of the characters. And, they're all very archetypal. But they still somehow made Cecil
real. And, even in early 16-bit glory, where able to make his emotions have weight.
They took the ageless story and turned it around: the "dark" character turns
good ... and then saves the world and gets the girl. He has to deal with fraternal strife and the betrayal of his best friend. But, it's still kept so simple. It's almost presented in a children's storybook like fashion. It flourishes in its simplicity. I was 10 when I came out, and I remember how I and all my friends were so amazed they could do something like that in a video game.
I'd also think the DS one is the definitive version. I know that's not the popular opinion, but I think the presentation is just fantastic. I also think they really improved the game play. It's really the first of the regular turn based FFs where they made so you can (and have to) actually use all the faculties available to you. They also upped the difficulty a bit which was a welcome change. Though, probably not as difficult as Hard Type of the PSOne version, it's still challenging enough to keep you interested because FF games have become too fucking easy.
