Graphics in FF12 couldn’t be better. From a dungeon to a sunny beach, they look fabulous. Also, the soundtrack perfectly compliments the environment, crescendoing when bosses or something of import comes up.
Treasures are easy to find in the environment, as an exclamation mark appears over the leader’s head when one is near. Also, when baddies are defeated, items are dropped in little balls which are easy to pick up. Their contents are displayed in green in the background.
Being able to pick the leader is great as well. Instead of only following Tidus around like in FFX, all three of the characters are running together. This means that the role of “leader” can be switched between any of the three at any time, enabling the use of each character’s special features or magic.
The camera in FF12 is movable at all times within the limitations of the environment. Obviously, the camera cannot move through a wall. But, in open spaces the camera can move a full 360 degrees. Visibility is key to an RPG, and Square-Enix has nailed it.
Bosses are a little tougher this time around, due to the scrambling nature of the ADB mode. However, they are not impossible. Strategy becomes more important as actions must be chosen quickly. Another great feature is that the boss’ remaining health and weaknesses are displayed on the upper left corner of the screen, eliminating the use of “scan”. Lastly, when bosses die, there is a cut scene showing their grisly demise. Great addition.
One of my old RPG pet-peeves has been eliminated in FF12! There are no longer any random battles. This makes the game a little easier and harder in some ways. Harder, because you cannot skate through a level without destroying baddies, or they will gang up on you. Easier, because many baddies have mortal enemies. If these baddies begin fighting each other, it makes them easier to defeat as their attention is no longer focused on you. Also, if your characters need some experience, baddies are easy to find. They are displayed on the map as moving red dots. This idea makes leveling-up in FF12 a piece of cake.
