Final Fantasy XII
Categories: Computer and video games in production | Final Fantasy games | 2006 computer and video games | PlayStation 2 games
| Final Fantasy XII | |
| Image:Final Fantasy XII Logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Square Enix |
| Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
| Release date(s) | March 16, 2006 (Japan) May 1, 2006 (North America) |
| Genre | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
Final Fantasy XII is an upcoming computer role-playing game produced by Square Enix for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console. The expected release date is March 16, 2006 in Japan, and sometime in the second half of 2006 in North America. On November 15, 2005, a playable demo of the game will be shipped with the North American release of Dragon Quest VIII. Though not a direct sequel to any previous Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy XII features several concepts introduced in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the Game Boy Advance.
Yasumi Matsuno, originally announced as both producer and director, was forced to bow out of both roles due to health concerns. In his place, Hiroyuki Ito and Hiroshi Minagawa have taken over directorial duties, with Akitoshi Kawazu filling in as producer. Matsuno will remain credited as "original scenario plot supervisor." Hitoshi Sakimoto has been announced as composer for the game, with series veteran Nobuo Uematsu contributing one track (the main theme, Kiss Me Good-Bye, performed by Angela Aki) and serving as music producer.
Contents |
Gameplay
Like previous games of the Final Fantasy series, combat is menu-based. Like Final Fantasy XI before it, and unlike the first ten games of the series, combat takes place on the same screen as regular exploration, with a seamless transition from exploration to combat mode. Combat unfolds in real time, using a new battle system called active dimension battle. Although a combat party can consist of multiple characters, the player may only control one character at a time. Any character not directly controlled by the player is assigned a "gambit": a tactical command that establishes a certain type of offensive or defensive behavior to a character. Alternatively, the player may switch to any character in the battle party and manually set commands for that character. So far, four distinct battle commands are known: Attack, Magic/Tech, Gambits, and Item. The game will also feature a system of chain bonuses. If a character kills a particular type of monster multiple times, that character will gain the chance to earn improved items after battle.
The magic system is augmented by the introduction of a new school of "green magic." Green magic consists of supportive spells that enhance character statistics. In addition, summoning magic appears once more. Like Final Fantasy X, summon spells remove the battle party from combat, replacing them with the summoned creature, who can briefly be controlled by the player. Confirmed summons include Ultima, Hashmurim, Velius, Adrammelech, and Queklain. All of these creatures have previously appeared as either Lucavi in Final Fantasy Tactics, or as Totema in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
Story
Final Fantasy XII takes place in the kingdom of Dalmasca on the world of Ivalice. Formerly a neutral party in the war between the neighboring kingdoms of Archadia and Rosalia, two years before the start of the game, Dalmasca was invaded and conquered by Archadia. Living on the streets of the Dalmascan capital, Rabanastre, an urchin named Vaan seeks vengeance for the death of his family and participates in an assault on the royal castle led by the Dalmascan resistance movement. In the castle Vaan encounters Princess Ashe, heir to the throne of Dalmasca and leader of the resistance movement.
Other major characters include Balthier, a sky pirate struggling to remain neutral in the conflict between Archadia and Dalmasca; his companion, Fran, a Viera warrior; Penelo, Vaan's best friend and a skilled singer and dancer; Basch, a former knight of Dalmasca responsible for the death of Dalmasca's king; and Ramon, a young prince with a mysterious connection to Maseki, the substance from which all magical energy is derived.
Judges, who first appeared in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, will be featured prominently in the story. They are the supreme enforcers of Archadian law, and there are known to be at least five of them (Judge Master Gabulas and Geis so far). In addition, four of the races available in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (Bangaa, Viera, Moogle, and Hume) appear once again, joined by a new race, called the Seeq.
Voice cast
- Kohei Takeda — Vaan
- Marie Eguro — Ashe
- Rika Fukami — Fran
- Hiroaki Hirata — Balthier
- Akino Murata — Penelo
- Rikiya Hill — Basch
- Akio Otsuka — Judge
No English language voice actors have been announced as of November 1, 2005. Noted translator Alexander O. Smith has been confirmed to be involved with English North American localization of the script.
External links
- Official Japanese Final Fantasy XII Site
- Final Fantasy XII US
- GameFAQ's Final Fantasy XII Message Board
| Final Fantasy series |
|---|
| I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII |
| Compilations and collections |
| I-II | Collection | Anthology | Chronicles | Origins | Dawn of Souls |
| Spinoffs and related titles |
| Before Crisis | Crisis Core | Dirge of Cerberus | X-2 | Rise of the Zilart | Chains of Promathia | Treasures of Aht Urhgan | Crystal Chronicles | Mystic Quest | Tactics | Tactics Advance | Kingdom Hearts | Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories | Kingdom Hearts II |
| Film and television |
| Advent Children | Last Order | Legend of the Crystals | The Spirits Within | Unlimited |
es:Final Fantasy XII
fr:Final Fantasy XII
ja:ファイナルファンタジーXII
pt:Final Fantasy XII