Best Final Fantasy ever, fight me!

Its story is like Star Wars in a Final Fantasy world.
Its characters are lovable, because its synchronisation is top notch.
Its gameplay is like Final Fantasy XI Online "single player", but you can actually "program" your team members.
Its whole package is one of the best Final Fantasys.

I have 100% this a few years ago, getting impossible-to-get chests and fighting impossible-to-beat super bosses, but I come back to it from time to time to watch the final battle and listen to the sound track... I cannot resist. Clash at the big bridge, anyone?

I absolutely love the gambit system. Combat is quick, seamless, and fun in this installment. Vaan and the storyline in general kind of suck but I really had fun with the combat system and doing the hunts.

Very Good

great game a must play

Not a very great experience after trying to play it multiple times, kept freezing when I would try to use the menu and then give me a runtime crash report. Hopefully this issue is fixed in the future and I might try this game out again. Already beat it on the console so I have love for this game.

As always, my favourite..

Hands down one of the best looking PS2-Era Games there is. Easily my personal favourite in that regard.
Gorgeous soundtrack and sound design, some of the best character design in the series, immaculate aesthetics and a world that feels real and immersive. The english VAs did a great job, they all fit the characters well.
Bit of a slow start with a lot of running around but it picks up the pace eventually.

You can mostly ignore the side content which is great for anyone who doesn't want to spend 80 hours on one game, you can finish the main content in roughly 60 hours depending on how much you stare at Fran's Enormous Personalities.

It does get very grindy at a couple points and you'll have to give the main story a bit of downtime to do side content for leveling or getting better gear. However the game has a built in fast-forward feature and if your characters are geared enough for the grind you can just let the game run itself while you watch three episodes of family guy til the next level.

Story
Storywise it's basically the same as most FF games; epic action set piece right at the start, then character introduction and then a slow build over time for the big finale. You've seen it a million times (or only 11 times before this, depending on who you ask).

【English & Spanish】


➥ English review:

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age stands as a masterclass in game design, bringing together a world of political intrigue, vast landscapes, and innovative gameplay mechanics. It’s a game that defies easy categorization, blending traditional JRPG elements with real-time strategy and an open-world ethos that feels both expansive and intimate. The Zodiac Age, a remastered version of the original, refines the experience even further, polishing what was already a groundbreaking title into something that feels timeless.

Set in the war-torn land of Ivalice, the story immerses players in a deeply layered tale of betrayal, ambition, and survival. This isn’t a simple narrative of good versus evil. Instead, Final Fantasy XII invites you into a web of political tension and personal motives, making you question the morality of each character's decisions. At its heart is Ashe, the deposed princess fighting to reclaim her throne, and Vaan, a young man caught up in events far bigger than he ever imagined. However, it’s the broader ensemble cast—characters like Balthier, the sky pirate with charm to spare, and Fran, his mysterious and loyal companion—that truly shine, each bringing depth and diversity to the story. The interplay between personal goals and larger political forces creates a narrative that is as rich as it is unpredictable.

The real star of The Zodiac Age, however, is its battle system. In a departure from previous entries, the game uses a dynamic Gambit system, allowing players to customize their party’s AI, leading to battles that feel smooth, strategic, and highly customizable. The Zodiac Job System adds an even deeper layer of customization, giving players the freedom to assign jobs and abilities in a way that feels personal and tailored to their playstyle. It’s a refreshing take that blends the tactical depth of traditional turn-based systems with the fluidity of real-time combat, striking a balance between control and strategy.

Visually, The Zodiac Age is a marvel. The remaster enhances the already beautiful environments of Ivalice, making its vast cities and sprawling deserts even more breathtaking. The level of detail in each area makes the world feel alive and lived in, from the bustling streets of Rabanastre to the desolate, windswept expanses of the Dalmasca desert. The remastered score by Hitoshi Sakimoto breathes new life into the game, its orchestral arrangements perfectly complementing the game’s epic scale and emotional depth.

In terms of content, The Zodiac Age is overflowing with activities. From hunting rare monsters to exploring hidden dungeons, the game constantly rewards curiosity and exploration. The side quests and hidden challenges add layers of depth that extend the game’s lifespan far beyond the main narrative, ensuring that even after the credits roll, there’s still much to discover.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is a testament to the power of reinvention. It honors the legacy of the original while refining and expanding its systems, making it one of the most complete and rewarding experiences in the series.

With its political intrigue, complex characters, and revolutionary gameplay, this remaster secures a well-deserved 9.5/10, proving that even after all these years, Final Fantasy XII remains a monumental achievement in gaming.

➥ Reseña en español:

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age es una obra maestra del diseño de videojuegos, que combina una narrativa política profunda, vastos paisajes y mecánicas de juego innovadoras. Este título se aparta de las convenciones típicas de los JRPG, ofreciendo una experiencia que mezcla estrategia en tiempo real con la exploración de un mundo abierto que se siente tan extenso como detallado. La versión remasterizada, The Zodiac Age, eleva aún más esta joya, puliendo lo que ya era un juego revolucionario y haciéndolo sentir eterno.

Ambientado en la turbulenta tierra de Ivalice, el juego introduce al jugador en una trama cargada de traiciones, ambiciones y conflictos. Lejos de ser una simple historia de héroes y villanos, Final Fantasy XII te envuelve en un complejo juego de tensiones políticas y motivaciones personales. En el centro de la trama se encuentra Ashe, la princesa destronada que lucha por recuperar su reino, junto a Vaan, un joven atrapado en una situación mucho más grande de lo que esperaba. Sin embargo, es el elenco más amplio de personajes, como Balthier, el carismático pirata del cielo, y su misteriosa compañera Fran, lo que realmente brilla, aportando profundidad y diversidad a la historia. Las relaciones entre estos personajes y las decisiones morales que enfrentan hacen que la narrativa sea rica y sorprendente.

Pero el verdadero protagonista de The Zodiac Age es su sistema de combate. En una ruptura con las entregas anteriores, el juego introduce el sistema Gambit, que permite personalizar la inteligencia artificial de los compañeros de equipo para que luchen de forma estratégica. El sistema de trabajos Zodiac añade otra capa de personalización, dando a los jugadores la libertad de asignar roles y habilidades a sus personajes de manera flexible y satisfactoria. Esta mecánica logra un equilibrio perfecto entre control táctico y fluidez, lo que resulta en un combate ágil y profundamente estratégico.

Visualmente, The Zodiac Age es espectacular. El remaster mejora los impresionantes entornos de Ivalice, haciendo que las ciudades y desiertos se vean más deslumbrantes que nunca. Cada rincón del mundo está lleno de detalles, desde las bulliciosas calles de Rabanastre hasta las vastas arenas del desierto de Dalmasca. La banda sonora, reimaginada por Hitoshi Sakimoto, aporta una nueva vida al juego con arreglos orquestales que acompañan a la perfección la magnitud épica y la carga emocional de la historia.

El contenido es otro de sus puntos fuertes. Desde la caza de monstruos raros hasta la exploración de mazmorras ocultas, The Zodiac Age recompensa la curiosidad y la exploración. Las misiones secundarias y desafíos ocultos añaden una capa adicional de profundidad que extiende la vida útil del juego mucho más allá de la historia principal, asegurando que siempre haya algo nuevo por descubrir.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age es un ejemplo claro de cómo reinventar un clásico. Respeta la esencia del original mientras mejora sus sistemas y los expande, haciendo que esta versión sea una de las más completas y satisfactorias de la saga.

Con su intriga política, personajes complejos y un sistema de juego revolucionario, esta remasterización se gana con creces un merecido 9.5/10, demostrando que, incluso después de todos estos años, Final Fantasy XII sigue siendo un logro monumental en el mundo de los videojuegos.

Was great for what I was able to play, but after an hour the motion sickness was too much,