Final Fantasy XII: A Succinct Review

MINOR SPOILER WARNING

Yasunori Matsuno; mastermind, dreamer, orchestrator and, ultimately, a madman.
Final Fantasy XII took such a long time to make that many thought it would never make it out. Even more people questioned how good it would be, especially when Matsuno himself was relieved of his charge for the project. But nearly five years later, the game was released and it tore us a new one.

This is the best Final Fantasy since Final Fantasy VII a good nine years ago. Simply put, it is the crowning opus of the genre for the PS2. The visuals are gorgeous, the concepts – both new and old – perfectly implemented and the story is great. Many have balked at the lack of character internalization, but the truth of the matter is that the story is the most mature and politically charged to have ever graced the main series.

The gameplay is superb. This is crack in RPG form, make no mistake! After the somewhat slow beginning the game just blows open with quests and abilities and is positively rife with content.

A spoiler warning here, the only shortcoming I honestly found is the ending. It is fitting, especially in lieu of the DS direct sequel, but still feels like it was too short and light in content. That, I believe, might be the old FF fan in me.

This is the best RPG of the PS2 generation. Hands down.