Single gamers who don't want online gaming rejoice! FF XII is everything you could want from an RPG and more. Everything from an intriguing storyline, new gameplay diversions that excite rather than exhaust and options galore that should satisfy any type of RPGer.
Square has "borrowed" some from Star Wars, Star Trek and Battlestar Gallactica to make a truly poignant fantasy story in beautifully detailed animation with new gameplaying improvements that should prove the PS2 will not simply fade away with the launch of the PS3 by any means. There is everything from an involved political plotline to an earnest, sincere love story mixed with numerous weapons, armor, items, as well as a new system of looting that transcends any FF game ever offered.
Gambits, quickenings, hunts and loot are all gameplay additions that provoke the gameplayer to battle situations that upends the previous FF titles exhaustive necessity to fight just to conquer the next 'boss.' Gambits is a feature that allows your teams to battle to your specs automatically when engaged by enemies. Hunts are specific encounters that you agree to take on to raise your level as a hero to your "clan." Loot is the booty taken from enemies that can be turned into gil by merchants so that you can buy the gambits, armor and weaponry needed to battle. There are stores and merchants virtually everywhere that need to be visited because you never know where your next upgrade is going to be. Don't think for a minute the challenge factor is downplayed in any way. You will have to consider all your options before you finish a hunt or a boss episode. This game is not for the casual gamer.
There are new 'races' in these areas that resemble other science fiction and fantasy titles in books, TV series and movie titles but it only upgrades FF to a richer, more diverse world. Moogles and chocobos and Cid are woven into the mix to secure their status back to where it should be since previous FF titles let that falter a bit. There are so many characters to talk to that you won't run out of interaction with your environments by any means. Frankly, the idea of talking to all of them would seem more 'exhaustive' than battling.
Main characters will allow supporting characters join the team from time to time to meld in more diversity and thicken the plotline as well as off opportunity to initiate new licensing opportunities your main characters haven't acquired. After all, you are in areas where any armor or weapons you carry need a license to use them or the merchants won't sell them to you and the game won't let you don them otherwise.
Everywhere you turn in this game is a new twist to gaming that PS2 single game players will revel in. I didn't take the FFXI opportunity because subscription gaming doesn't appeal to my budget. I haven't finished XII yet but I wanted to take time to assure other gamers who felt the same that, despite the really poor FFXII demos (like the one given in early releases of Dragonquest VIII)do no justice to the real gaming value here.
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