Final Fantasy XII (PlayStation 2, 2006)

I'm a player of Final Fantasy, and I was disappointed by 12. I chose "below average" because this game does not meet the standard that 10 set. It's a rehash of 11 with a poorly thought-out level-up system. It's also a very easy game. Because of these reasons, the game is not worth playing unless you're a fan. As a non-FF game, I'd rate it a 4, but as an FF game, I only can give it a 2. Allow me to go into detail about the poor level-up system.

The game allows characters to progress in three different ways. On the Licence Board, you use "LP" (license points) to "buy" licenses to use things. The board is split into two parts. The top half is abilities, spells, and accessories. The bottom half is equipment. The third way you level is by gaining actual levels through EXP. Standard operating procedure here. Just looking at it so far, it sounds like a great, unique system that will allow for unique characters. Of course, this isn't the case.

The problem is not the system itself. It is the correlation between LP gained and Gil (FF term for money) gained that makes this system not work. We also have to factor that the characters themselves are oriented towards certain FF job archetypes. Fran (the bunny wonder woman), for example, will be best suited as a mage. So why try to make her anything but? I digress. Let me get back to why the GIL/LP relationship hurts the system.

You see, the game gives you copious LP. So much that it is very simple to in fact buy the entire board early. Secondly, the game limits your Gil influx provided you do not go "farming." (Farming is a 11 term used to refer to killing monsters for the sole purpose of gaining gil. Remember, 12 is a Lot like 11.) You have to buy Job abilities and Spells Before you can use the spell. Also, once you buy a spell or job ability, anyone who has the LP unlocked can use that spell. Let me make this clearer.

If I buy a spell with my limited money. I then am able to use my copious LP to buy that spell with every character. So, if it makes logical sense to buy the same thing (thus getting more mileage from my gil), I will be making the same character each time. Each character will be the same character with maybe a few Minor differences.

So, this system that was to make unique characters does the opposite. It makes very much the Same characters. It could have been easily fixed, too. Give less LP, and give more Gil. That would have fixed it. Instead they have it ass backwards. I know I haven't discussed the entire game, but I wanted to highlight my primary problem.

I feel I did that. 12 is a weak game because of a major design flaw in addition to other minor flaws. As an FF game, this is inexcusable. They should be held to a higher standard, so I am. I thank you for reading.

Have a good day,

Matt