Why Final Fantasy 12 is the LAST GREAT Final Fantasy game | tiny RETROSPECTIVE |

[@VaporGuy]

Just wanted to say thank you all so much. Almost 30k views and I don't take it for granted. If you enjoyed the video please consider subscribing ☺ 👊👊much love and have a Blessed day!

[@trigunner6968]

@@VaporGuy Ur welcome, right video at the right time man 👍

[@monsutaman1]

SE themselves stated the golden age of FF was VII VIII IX X XI XII being the cutoff point..........Your onto something perhaps....... XI and XII feel similar in some respects.

[@NearLife4life]

You're not alone. 6, 12 and 4 for me

[@DamarFadlan25]

Final Fantasy XII is basically like combined gameplays from X and IX.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@monsutaman1for me it was VII, XII, VIII, IX.

[@metaldiceman]

This game was mind-blowing when it came out in 2006. Most people back then didn't give it credit, and most people now are too young and weren't around for those days. But this was a 5-year wait from the last traditional numbered entry, and I just remember it being FF10 on steroids. Everything was bigger, more grandiose. Massive multi-layered city that you start in. (10 skipped Zanarkand, 12 gave it to you) The wilderness areas were humongous; you could freely roam around and seamlessly meet the wildlife in the environments. After a 5 year wait, we finally got a freaking massive RPG to sink teeth into for 100 hours (excess in my case). Massive dungeons and tons of hunts/marks. Graphics were top notch on the system, can't believe they fit everything on 1 DVD. Music was balls-to-the-wall epic. The story did go a little soft around the middle but if you were into the lore, exploring environments, slaying creatures as you were trekking across wilderness, as I was, then it was easy to make it through to the next point where the story really picked up again. Plus, those huge expeditions across plains, deserts, mountains, etc. before reaching the next big city, just added to the epic grand scale to the game, which I really liked. This was the last FF where they just went full-bore on everything. Gameplay, graphics, music, story, lore, environments, everything. FF13 massively compromised on exploration. 15, I freaking love 15, but it's really weak in story pacing. 16 lacks permanent party members which robs a lot of the feel of grand adventure.

[@VaporGuy]

Yeah good point I didn't really consider. I do remember the wait and payoff and yeah it was very long awaited. Without looking it up I want to say there was usually only a 2 year wait in between games

[@averiskonsept]

16 in particular would have benefitted with better exploration. I also think the original ending killed the story in such a way that you really don't want to go back and play it again. Even the DLC didn't appeal to me. It was absolutely gorgeous and I did enjoy the battles -- especially the boss sequences -- but the flashy stuff isn't what brings us back every year or two to start from scratch. SPOILER: Biggest annoyance with the game was killing off every interesting character, particularly in the case of Cid and Benedikta and DEFINITELY Joshua. Literally felt like throwing the controller at the end of the game. On some level, I appreciate that they did something different. On another level, do something different again :/

[@LeoRex13]

Sounds like you played it right… so did I Lol to this day I remain one of the few fans this game seemed to have, even among the die hard FF fans I befriended I was the only one praising it- usually in response to being told how inplayable, bad & skippable it was!?! We played the same game, right? Lol I will never understand… so massive yet didn’t feel empty at all! Even more impressive for its time looking back as a PS2 game :)

[@alexandrert948]

É isso aí ,esse FF é realmente completo,nada é ruim nele ,nada falta

[@HigherKnowledgeArts]

10 and 12 are nothing alike 😂😂 12 is 10 on steroids? That's a biiiiigg stretch 😅 They both are pretty different and unique in their own ways.... 10 skipped Zanarkand and 12 gave it to you? Not really 🤷

[@9oh4.]

I'd bet I have well over 1000 hours in this game since it came out. It's in my top 5 games ever made. Simply perfect in every way IMO.

[@VaporGuy]

Holy moly haha I definitely don't have that much but I gotta respect the dedication 👊

[@hugbuzzard]

It definitely has flaws, but I think it’s the most underrated in the series. I absolutely adore this game. The Zodiac remaster really puts it waaaaaay up there for me.

[@sefatsilverlake3816]

My cousin had close to 400 and I can see why. Its practically a single player MMO lol

[@MohammadAliKhalil]

I probably have triple that lol Such a great game

[@DamarFadlan25]

For me i put around 10000 hours especially majority of them just trying to defeat the hardest optional boss in the entire Final Fantasy franchise, Yiazmat.

[@PlanttheSeed67]

This is my favorite final fantasy game and one of my favorite ps2 games

[@PandaDragon4Life]

100% I will die on this hill that FF XII is amazing. My favorite FF game and in the top 3 of my favorite PS2 games

[@MaI2Me]

Same here, although I like the ‘remaster’ a little bit more. But the original on the PlayStation 2 played on a CRT looks gorgeous even today.

[@mmmj1990s]

Same this and kingdom hearts were my favourite ps2 games

[@matteste]

It is the second place holder for me, right after FFIX.

[@kalulugamer]

The Zodiac version was great.. I like the girl with bunny ears.. 😂

[@Voltackle86]

It's the exploration that grabbed me when this game first came out. Everything just feels alive especially when you visits empires/town, everyone is doing their own thing. There is so much to discover because the game feels so vast and the music is wonderful. Still my favorite FF til this day and nothing has come close.

[@Omega-jg4oq]

I agree, there's types of forest like Galmore Jungle, Salikawood, Feywood and also lands like Giza plain, Raining Giza plains, Ozmon Plain, Tchita uplands, and desert like Eastersand and westernsand, even scary locations like the Great Crystal, Necrohol of Nabudis, Nabereus deadlands, Berheim passage

[@majin867]

20:14 Yeah, I don't blame the dude either. Yiazmat has 52 million hp and still holds the title of highest hp total outside of the mmos. He was even worse in the og. With damage hard capped at 9999, except for mist attacks, the fight took even longer. At a certain point, the damage cap actually gets reduced further to 4500 max, even for the mists. I think they removed it in zodiac, but I don't remember. There was a setup posted with either the guide or the ultimania that had the fight down to 52 mins. Faster times are possible, but you know its bad when the people making the guides still take an hour.

[@VaporGuy]

Thats crazy I've never actually attempted yiazmat myself but ill probably look up a guide if I decide to lol

[@hafizmohd8224]

Oh that's why I felt Yiazmat was weaker in Zodiacs😅.Nonetheless I can't beat the Judge trials even now🥲

[@majin867]

@@hafizmohd8224 Yeah, they're insane. I wish you luck if you keep trying. On another note, trial Yiazmat only has like 4 mil hp. Still a really hard boss, but at least he was easier in trial mode. Pretty sure that the judge stage is the hardest fight in the game now.

[@DaleStrife]

Took me a minute to get into it, but after giving it a fair shot and getting 20% into, it became one of my favorite games of all time.

[@VaporGuy]

Hell yeah love to hear it! Ty for watching 😊

[@DaleStrife]

@VaporGuy next is to get the Order of Ambrosia title!

[@alexandrert948]

No começo ele muito estranho e diferente,mas depois que tu se aprofunda ele de pega com força

[@WandererNamedGuy]

Have loved the world of Ivalice ever since Vagrant Story. When I found out these two game were related my mind was blown. There’s a lot of instances where was like “this looks familiar” or “this sounds exactly like…”. Even to the battle systems being in an open space where your freely moving but able to pause mid fight for strategic value. Also the amount of grittiness to the world was palpable.

[@VaporGuy]

I need another ivalice game asap lol its too good to be left alone

[@ColorOfSakura]

As someone who remembers the release of FFXII with pretty intense clarity, its always fascinating to me to see the cultural shift in the opinion of the game. Because if you went back to 2006 when XII was released almost no one would have called it a "Great" Final Fantasy - it would have been labeled as a disaster that ruined the franchise. Some critics enjoyed it, but fan opinion on it was overall VERY negative, especially due to things like the battle system, the Gambit System, and the License Board. People hated the removal of familiar summons, people didn't like how the game didn't *feel* like a "Final Fantasy" game because "its literally just Star Wars", people hated Vayne Solidor as a villain, and people hated Vaan as the protagonist. Oh and people hated that this game took place in Ivalice but was NOTHING like the Ivalice we'd seen in Tactics. I'm very glad people have come to appreciate and love XII with hindsight but I just find the shift of it going from a game that was *as* hated as FFXIII (if not moreso) to basically universally beloved to be interesting.

[@maynardburger]

Plenty of people really liked it even on release. It was divisive, but hardly universally disliked like you're implying.

[@VaporGuy]

I think a lot of older games becoming more beloved over time MIGHT be more of an indictment on modern gaming but maybe I'm reaching

[@Epicflipflops]

Final fantasy XII was actually my first final fantasy game and I loved it from the start. Going back and playing the older games made me enjoy the series as a whole and respect the call backs they all share. But my love for XII never faltered. So I was always rather sad that a lot of other people didn’t love this game the way I did as it was what got me into the franchise in the first place.

[@Centrioless]

I lost faith on this fandom after seeing the initial reaction towards FF12. The complain towards its supposedly "action" combat was ridiculous, becase at its core, adb is just atb with freedom of movement.

[@noellehiles5570]

Zodiac Age did a lot of lifting for changing the worst parts of the game

[@Yiazmats]

my two favs are 9 and 12 so won't be forgotten

[@VaporGuy]

FF9 is my personal favorite FF and one of my favorite games period

[@_7thSage-9405]

I agree! My two favorite Final Fantasy games are IX and XII!

[@alexandrert948]

Meu amor é o 9 mas tenho de admitir que em vários quesitos o 12 é muito superior

[@EduFirenze]

9 and 12 for me too

[@Daniel.AJ.R]

Mine too

[@BjorkensteinvanJurgenheim]

When you started talking, I thought I was listening to Jonah Hill for a hot minute. Had to do a double take. FFXII is a masterpiece. Scale. Even though the actual playable surface area isn't big by today's standards, the sense of scale never leaves you. It honestly feels like you are 1:1 in a massive world, rich in history, culture detail. It didn't feel like I was in an artificial sandpit made for my chimp brain neuron activation. It felt like I was a speck of dust caught in the wind. Perspective! You hit the nail on the head here - you get to this ancient world in a massive state of flux through the eyes of the churl and the noble. If you feel clueless as to the why's and the how's of what is going on, it's because you're supposed to. Vaan has no clue about the political undercurrents he finds himself swept up in, why should you? Just as Vaan is oblivious to these things, Ashe can't understand his reasons for stealing from the palace and immediately assumes Vaan is a bad sort. After all, how could she understand the plight of a poor orphan of war despite having been one herself for several years? Combat! There has never been a better battle system in the entire series and I doubt we will see it's like again. The biggest complaint I have seen about AI party members in real time context is that they are dumb. They do what you want occasionally (broken clock syndrome), but optimistically they are unhelpful and at worst a liability. So to address this flaw they gave you the keys in the form of a script editor and depending on how deep you go down the optimisation rabbit hole, you only ever need to take over in case of emergency. But you can also just set the bare basics and have a much more active hand. If your AI sucks, the only one to blame is you. Environment

[@VaporGuy]

First off thank you for your epic comment and watching the video 😊 and I haven't heard the Jonah hill thing. Ever. Lmao 🤣 but I can tell you are just as passionate about ff12 as I am 👊

[@BjorkensteinvanJurgenheim]

@@VaporGuy Any time mate! I'll stay tuned

[@chisaten]

I appreciate you relating this game to Skies of Arcadia. The GameCube version was my absolute favourite of that generation, up to the point that I wrote myself guides and played it multiple times. I still have those guides that I had printed out stored away, and like looking back at them. Also, I haven't come across any game which has a second battle system like you did in those airship battles.

[@VaporGuy]

Skies is just such a fun game...I made a video about Skies of Arcadia. It's my first video so if you do watch keep the bar kind of low 😁

[@jeri_miah8982]

While I was turned off by the new battle system at first, it has since become one of my favourite FF games.

[@VaporGuy]

It definitely took me a while at first to get used to the combat

[@st.anselmsfire3547]

Everyone complains about how it seems to pull a lot from Star Wars while ignoring that Star Wars is technically a by-the-numbers hero's journey tale and that Final Fantasy has borrowed from Star Wars plenty of times before. Evil empires have been featured in 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9. A major boss character being a close relative of one of the heroes was a plot point in 2, 4, 9, and technically 8. And every archetype in Star Wars has been a staple of every Final Fantasy game since 2. So, borrowing from Star Wars isn't a big deal here.

[@maxi-trillion]

Biggs and Wedge are also used as minor character names in the FF games thru out the franchise

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

FF10 and FF12 are always my 2 favorite games in the whole series, and the latter is seriously underrated, overlooked and deserves more recognition and admiration. Definitely the last great and classic game in the series.

[@VaporGuy]

I agree...am I the only one who wants a stand alone bliztball game? haha

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

@@VaporGuy Always had fun with bitzball, it's freaking awesome! 👍👍💪💪

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

@@VaporGuy That would be interesting if ever. I've always had fun with that mini-game, and it can really distract several hours away from the main story. 😏

[@reivelt3715]

This game is way ahead of its time : 1. Pseudo turn based tactical combat, with a very deep, like, A VERY DEEP system in regards to its combat. Action point, range, character stat affecting more 2. Classless system. See how newer rpg game have no classes? This game has it in 2006. 3. The most in depth control of AI Companion System to date in the Gambit System. No game has this amount of setting for AI Companion even today. 4. Dynamic weather. In 2006, only games like GTA and the likes has dynamic weather. And in that game, dynamic weather is mostly cosmetic. In FFXII? Changes the environment and enemy (South of Rabanastre becoming flood plain instead of savannah)

[@VaporGuy]

I agree with points...especially the weather lol its so normal now but back them it was so new and cool

[@benfoote9945]

The weather also affects elemental and weapon damage! I think it goes as far as bows doing more damage in storms

[@HigherKnowledgeArts]

No classes? 😂😂 Huh? They're called jobs.... It's literally just another term for class... Newer RPGs don't have classes? 😂 You're kidding right? They definitely do though? You make no sense

[@reivelt3715]

@@HigherKnowledgeArts play the 2006 version and you will know.

[@HigherKnowledgeArts]

@reivelt3715 I've played every version. PS2 original, international zodiac job system, and TZA. Sure you can make every character cover the whole license board, but by endgame everyone pretty much ends up in a class anyway 🤷 you can't get 6 wyrmhero blades or tournesols to make your whole party op in that version lol

[@Epicflipflops]

This was my intro to the series. My mom picked it up from Walmart because I thought the cover art was cool in like the 6th grade. Loved it from the start and it started my journey through the series. I went from XII to tactics then FF9 so my view on the series as a whole was that they were vastly different from each other. So when I went back and played 1-10 in succession I wasn’t bothered or surprised by the changes to the combat systems and enjoyed seeing where the OG enemy designs first appeared and how they changed overtime. It was like having different versions of the same game and I loved a that. Different stories with similar themes, characters of all kinds, new and old enemies to fight, combat systems that suited what mood I was in. And worlds I wished I could experience in real life. Now at the age of 30 every game has certain aspects I remember fondly. Even the ones that have come after 12. My personal favorite of the series is probably 6 followed by 3 then 12.

[@VaporGuy]

FF Tactics and Tactics advance are like my whole childhood memories lol I played basically all the game in order so thats a cool perspective

[@sefatsilverlake3816]

Its the worldbuilding for me. Just read these entries: Banshee "Appearing in places where much life has been lost, these zombies cry for those who can no longer weep for lack of eyes, and wail for those who can no longer moan for lack of throats. Should you hear their mournful dirge, you would shiver and weep, and when the tears dried, you would take your own life for sorrow. Should you wander a battlefield, and hear the cry of one who should not be crying, cover your ears, my child, cover your ears." Balloon (a bomb type enemy) "Being a fiend created by a Gran Kiltias of long ago to roam the Stilshrine, protecting the relics of the Dynast-King that rest within. Its body exudes great magickal power, fueling a pale glowing flame that burns around it incessantly. Made to defend the relics of the Dynast-King with their lives, or more precisely, with their deaths." Just 2 examples, of recolored enemies that brings them to life and gives the world such an awesome depht. I could spend hours reading the bestiary.

[@VaporGuy]

I've spent many hours in the bestiary and i dont regret it at all lol

[@viper-the-great]

I also love the bestiary. Great world building and just really interesting to learn about various creatures and monsters in ivalice. Plus if you pay attention tells you a surprising amount about creating goods through the Bazaar. Some pretty good music sprinkled in too. Very underrated FF imo. And the last really good one, everyone after was mediocre to just plain trash. I do hate vann and penelo though

[@viper-the-great]

I also love the bestiary. Great world building and just really interesting to learn about various creatures and monsters in ivalice. Plus if you pay attention tells you a surprising amount about creating goods through the Bazaar. Some pretty good music sprinkled in too. Very underrated FF imo. And the last really good one, everyone after was mediocre to just plain trash. I do hate vann and penelo though

[@alexandrert948]

Exatamente,esse jogo é todo gigante e profundo,toneladas de conteúdo e história,tudo que um RPG precisa

[@vvonser]

The music director, hitoshi sakimoto is also legendary amongst the cult classic final fantasy games. He and matsuno have worked on several titles together.

[@VaporGuy]

I love Matsuno...definitely a master

[@benjaminfast5496]

My history with this game is: I played it shortly after it first came out, and I got stuck on that darn wall boss. I did SO MANY TIMES! I eventually gave up and had no desire to return to the game. I eventually bough the Zodiac Age version because I was intrigued by the new concept of mixing two classes. I DID beat the wall boss and got much further in the game. It was a lot of fun! However, in my twenties I had a heavier social life and I didn't play games for too long before wanting to move on to something else that's shorter. So I never finished the game....again. I may return to it at some point and start over and actually finish it. I'm now 36 and still single and have more time to chill in the evenings as my social life has slowed down. It may be a good time to commit to playing it all the way through!

[@VaporGuy]

demon wall? I just beat that bitch like 3 days ago haha took me a few tries and switching around some gambits 😁

[@benjaminfast5496]

@@VaporGuy Yes, the demon wall! I think when it first came out I didn't have the patient to do it more than 5 times before quitting the game. I wish I had stuck with it though.

[@SoraZ2112]

The intro to Final Fantasy 12 is so nostalgic for me. Definitely my favorite FF game in the series.

[@VaporGuy]

Same this or ff8 has my favorite opening

[@VinnieSajan]

I. Loved. This. Game. Your story about your brother casting full cure on theboss was hilarious.

[@VaporGuy]

He still refuses to play the game lol

[@SuperPowerPainter]

Thanks for the video and I appreciate your passion for video games, and for this one too. I played the Zodiac Age a few years ago and ended up not finishing after about 25 hours. It felt like something was missing for me. I did love the art direction and setting, but was not instantly grabbed by the characters and other factors. Watching your video made me want to go back and finish the fight. Keep it up! Love your videos!!! God bless.

[@VaporGuy]

Thank you for the kind words! Sometimes going back can make a game click for you. I remember playing hollow knight and quitting after a few hours but going back to it a few years after it released and now its one of my favorite games ever

[@bryantbest8372]

This was a very well made introduction to FF12. Very authentic and heartfelt. Thank you!

[@VaporGuy]

Thank you for the kind words 😊

[@FrankencteynGamingPlaythrough]

I love almost everything about this game, the story, the battle system, the world exploration, the wide variety of side contents, the character designs, etc. In fact, I love this game so much that I finished it twice in a row with total around 200+ play hours, including beating Yiazmat & obtaining Zodiark. The only issue for me is the main character. IMO, Ashe should be the main character instead of Vaan.

[@VaporGuy]

going back to back is diabolical lmao Ashe is the central character plot wise, I can't argue with that at all

[@Omega-jg4oq]

Ashe already took plenty of screen time and story in the game, I don't think she should be the main character.. It's enough what she has now in the game, Vaan is like the player.. Both had no idea about the world and wants to explore all of it, if Ashe was the main character.. It would limit the amount of exploration and the first few hours into the game she was running, fighting and hiding and planning something with Vossler and the resistance, also Ashe looks like a version of Lightning from FF13 just because of her looks and her personality, Lightning is more serious but you get the point

[@PauloCesar-wd6ok]

I absolute love this game, it was my favorite ps2 game in addition to metal gear solid 3. The art, the combat system, the world design, the MUSIC, absolute everything about FFXII is a great nostalgic trigger for me. The first time i played this game i was 15, im brazilian so i had to deal with the language barrier and at this time internet conections was rare in my city, so, without any access to guides or wikis i had to explore the game without any help, and it was kinda good because it made me feel the adventure this game provides. A funny/kinda nostalgic moment for me was, when i first reached Paramina Rift i was exploring and getting some XP so i could go to the Stilshrine of Miriam, and out of nothing a different monster appeared on the horizon, the momment i saw him i could tell it was a rare monster, some sort of mini boss, i was so excited about killing him so i could drop some rare item (I'm quite pleased when games involve rare item drop systems) but I was very nervous about attacking him because I was very weak and the monsters in the region already posed a threat to me, so I got ready and made my attempt, I ended up dying, I tried to go back to find the monster and I couldn't, and none of the other three times I played the game did I have this encounter again lmao. So it became a certain magical factor of the rare encounters that some RPG-style games provide.

[@VaporGuy]

Playing this game without any guides would be tough haha my big brother always bought me the prima games strategy guides for every rpg I played

[@Messypapa]

i agree with everything you said man. like for real. final fantasy 12 has such a special place in my heart i almost teared up during the intro of the video. everything from the gameplay, the setting, the dialogue, the characters was just so phenomenal. the side content with the hunts was great and it had by far the most enjoyable world to explore. and finally the MUSIC was just amazing

[@VaporGuy]

I appreciate you im glad you liked the video 😁 I agree with ya for sure 👍

[@jubjuba1982]

I agree it was last great FF game. I play this through once a year!

[@VaporGuy]

I'm having a blast replaying it right now 😁

[@jehutyaumaan1633]

When i first came upon that beach place in FF XII when i alwas playing it for the firt time I was literally mesmirized!! That was the most beautiful beach area I've ever seen in a video game.

[@JiuJitsuGundam]

Saved this to watch later. Interesting concept. Can’t wait to check it out.

[@VaporGuy]

Appreciate it!! Waiting on your next vid also!

[@lioneart19]

Imo FF really lacks charm nowadays. Old FF might have cool and edgy, but it never lacked in charm too. I'd say XIII still had charm, it's after that that they abandoned it.

[@VaporGuy]

I need to replay 13. I haven't booted it up in several years

[@metaldiceman]

I definitely noticed this. I started playing FF13 for the first time recently, and it definitely feels like old FF, not new FF. (FF13 feels way more old school FF than FF7 Remake)

[@NoctLightCloud]

​@@metaldicemanhow is Remake supposed to feel oldschool when almost all the staff got replaced? we can be happy we still have the few OG staff left, but don't expect teams to still be the same after 35yrs. All old game genres have changed tbh. Rebirth had charm imo.

[@metaldiceman]

@@NoctLightCloud Not exactly trying to say that 7 Remake is supposed to be old school (it isn't), more trying to say that if you play FF13 nowadays, definitely feels a stark difference. Which might seem a little odd because most people would probably consider the PS3/360 games "relatively modern", but then you remember the game came out 15 years ago. Wow

[@MarcAntoineHamelin]

to be fair, there hasn't been a whole lot of "good" final fantasy since. 13 was a linear sci-fi epic that lasted too long for its own good. 14 crashed and burned to be reborn much like the phoenix. 15 was a fragmented development hell mess that was served half-baked. and 16 is ff/devil may cry/kaiju...

[@VaporGuy]

I broadly agree but I do find enjoyable things about each of those you mentioned. FF14 is amazing though but i wasn't really talking about mmo's haha

[@sciguy98]

@@VaporGuy That's something that really aggravates me about the discourse on mainline Final Fantasy games. Most people are content to just pretend the MMOs don't exist just because they're different. It's hard to respect an opinion that FF12 is the "last great Final Fantasy" when 14 is sitting right there as a strong contender for the best entry in the entire series. Especially in this instance because there's an entire Ivalice raid series in 14.

[@zirilan3398]

@@sciguy98 as well as the fact that FF14 is the sole reason SE is still in buisness

[@DietersYT]

Of those FF16 was the best. Score was AMAZING. But I agree, I wish they leaned less into the ARPG aspect…how could would it be if you could actually give commands to, or even control your party members!?

[@MarcAntoineHamelin]

@@zirilan3398 exactly, how many games can boast about integrating its own failure into the lore.

[@Callisto_Arcas]

Thank you for making this lovenote to ffxii. When my friends & I would talk about our favs in the series, I noticed I was always the only one who picked this one. It seemed weird to me, and so I chalked it up to me simply having weird taste. The fact that you have 25,000 views on a channel of less than 500 subs is a testament to this game. It's channels like yours that can get more gamers to talk about it....and maybe we'll eventually get a ffxii-2? If not, at least we know we're in good company when it comes to fond memories of this beautiful masterpiece. Nicely done!

[@VaporGuy]

Well thank you for the kind words. I always kinda felt the same like I was the only one who really loved FF12 lol

[@broshmosh]

I'd like to agree, but you don't really touch on what I felt was 12's biggest flaw; At certain points, there are pretty inexplicable jumps in enemy difficulty that collectively beget hours of grinding. The last one was, as usual, slap bang at the beginning of the final area, only for everything after that initial room to be blissfully peaceful in comparison. It's too emblematic of the problems with the PS1 FF titles to feel like it's somehow better than them. I don't really feel like this problem was solved until 15, and 15's got so many problems. Honestly I think SE rely on this gameplay hook to this day, and I bounce off so many of their games when I reach the obligatory grind sections. 12 was great because it knew what it wanted to be, and executed its storyline properly in line with that. It is bogged down, however, by a lot of ambling around and backtracking. Open areas were a direct response to 10's corridor, but the overwhelming majority of its open areas are widened corridors. It makes up for it with a good script and great visuals. The setting is also excellent, though I think Vagrant Story and FF Tacticsdid the lion's share of the work on that one. I was honestly relieved to finish 12's story because I'd spent so much time dealing with the padding that I wanted to play something else. Maybe for me, there is no "last great" FF game. They're all good and bad in their own ways. I've played so many of them now (mainly missing 1 and 5, 13's sequels and 16), and each of them have left a different impact on me to the point where I can't say one is better than all the rest. Admittedly I don't do postgames on any of them so make of that what you will.

[@VaporGuy]

I feel ya and can't argue. I guess grinding has always been fun for me. I love mmo's and arpgs also so I guess I've always gravitated towards that style or at least didn't mind it. But I agree it does have a grind that I'm sure a lot of peole don't enjoy all that much

[@shutup1037]

Doesnt feel that way to me. As long as you have sufficient gears enemy with few level more than you wont be problem

[@forcelightningcable9639]

Idk about the spikes in difficulty. I never felt the need to grind in 12 unless I’m hunting for endgame gear materials. Sure, some of the optional stuff is hard, but I just set up my gambits, keep a black mage (forever Penelo) handy, and go. Then again, magic is broken and melee requires a balanced party with a good healer, so maybe it depends on playstyle. It can be difficult if you don’t keep track of weaknesses and enemy buffs, and if you don’t keep a remedy gambit with remedy lores ready. I guess what I’m trying to say is preparation is key here.

[@insomnicide94]

If anything, 12 felt like the monsters weren't strong enough for where you were in the story. There'd be long stretches of time where the enemies, boss fights and marks felt underpowered to me

[@maynardburger]

The 'speed up' function was definitely a very appreciated addition to the remaster. Made doing all the hunts and some of the longer drawn out sections of the game a lot more tolerable.

[@jbivphotography]

Final fantasy 15 would have been a perfect place to bring back the gambit system. I really wish they would bring it back in a newer FF especially since they seem to be focusing on real time battles now.

[@VaporGuy]

yeah it would've. I think it should be a staple but I'm just a random dude

[@edotendo2196]

Agree with you, If someday Square Enix decided to remake 15 it will be amazing if they apply gambit, let us explore more altissia/insomnia, add more sidequest or just fill something into the overworld like FF 7 rebirth I bet it will be GOTY worthy And once more I really wish they put 15 gambit system, because it is indeed gambit appliable 😢

[@Swillo]

@@edotendo2196Adding gambit to action combat isn’t a good idea though, the whole appeal of action combat is executing offense and defense yourself, not watching A.I. do it for you and gambits are absolutely broken because it lets you basically program your characters follow perfect formulas, this would remove all the challenge and depth from action combat.

[@wildinstinct1585]

they cannot make a good ivalice content without yatsumi matsuno...he is the creator of the world setting and politics and atmosphere

[@VaporGuy]

He laid a great groundwork and structure for someone else to follow. Id love to see them try but I agree Matsuno is pivotal

[@gindokusei4712]

Yeah they can

[@mikeg5039]

This is my favorite ff entry even above 6 and 7. The only downside to this game was the summons being utterly useless but also being the coolest weve ever got

[@itemtest1]

FF12 reminds me of Mass Effect trilogy. It felt like you're watching an interactive movie. It was so epic👍👍

[@VaporGuy]

Epic indeed 😎 im literally playing it right now haha about 11 hours in and this is like my 5th time replaying FF12

[@itemtest1]

@VaporGuy After I watched your video made me want to play it again 🤔👍

[@VaporGuy]

Big decisions to be made haha 😄

[@bronzesausage]

I appreciate this video. Good job!

[@joelman1989]

Took me decades to figure it out but Vaan actually fits right in with FF protagonists. FF protagonists have often meant to reflect the player. People forget that cloud is first portrayed as a bad ass but revealed to scared, lost, and largely putting on a mask. Cloud at the end of FF7 is revealed to be silly and kind of goofy. This was all forgotten by advent children. Squall is very similar. He’s revealed to be scared and lonely, only until Rhinoa heals him. Zidane is more of a return to pre FF6 FF and doesn’t fit this role. But Tidus is also scared and lonely. And Yuna, the real main character of X, also puts on a mask. That’s why the laughing scene everyone memes actually is pivotal to the story. Another conversation though. So how does Vaan fit into this story? Again, the story doesn’t revolve around him. He’s meant to be a stand in for us. That’s why he’s so intentionally plain. He’s us, getting swept up in this grand adventure with grand characters.

[@ogun6464]

At the time I hated it. Now I see it as a nice bounce back from the low point of X. I'd say the last GREAT Final Fantasy was IX.

[@knightforlorn6731]

this was my favorite. Shoved Van to the back and moved Balthier to the front where he obviously knew he belonged. Fran was a natural trap diffuser for me, somehow she always wandered right into them. The battle system and realtime exploration was so finally freeing from past games. I LOVED ff8, its calssic RPG style but FF12 broke the mold. I played it at release! I'll be fair Van is a nice and likeable kid but he is very much a side character... And now that you mentioned it I like Penelope as well she works well with Van to give him at least a decent storyline.

[@DungeonMaster_D]

Excellent work man!

[@VaporGuy]

thank you very much! 👊😊

[@maynardburger]

Xenoblade has taken over as my favorite JRPG series since Final Fantasy kind of lost its way. And it always seemed like FFXII was at least partially influential on Xenoblade's design as well.

[@VaporGuy]

I've played the first xenoblade. I need to play the sequels too. I enjoyed it a lot though

[@joelman1989]

Definitely agree. From the foundation of its combat, to how the world is designed as big open interconnected maps, to the storytelling. It’s so interesting that so many including SE were ready to write off the style and Takashi was obviously influenced by it and ran with it. Because his work prior to Xenoblade was very much traditional JRPG style.

[@jaydeebow6431]

Back when it first came out you could use any weapon on any character, and I finished the game and just bought it on PS5 on sale and now it's a totally different game and made the game more interesting. I read up on it, so they watered the game down for us players in the states. As now you pick your class/job right from the start, so I am playing back through the game it is so much better imo.

[@NoctLightCloud]

I sincerely hope that FF17 will take place in Ivalice again. Why not use an already established aesthetic? It looks and feels great in every artwork, every musical score, every character design.

[@VaporGuy]

I agree and it hasn't been used in awhile. FF14 if you count that but even so I miss it and want a single player game in ivalice again

[@NoctLightCloud]

@VaporGuy I've been playing ff14 since 2014. It feels the least FF out of all of them. Even ff15 feels more like ff, because of its versus remnants, and versus feels very square soft in some weird manner. ff16 feels like ff because of its story and design. ff14 doesn't look nor feel particularly like a FF game.

[@Danny-mg1hu]

Final Fantasy 17 it's going to be postponed to some degree because we're getting more Final Fantasy 7 content and side games. This is awesome news

[@NoctLightCloud]

@@Danny-mg1hu I believe that it's already in development and that it will drop either the year prior or after FF7R-3 drops.

[@Luffione_]

I love this game so much that I still have my collectors edition from 2006 and the one that came out for the ps4. The music of the pharos lighthouse, getting lost in the great crystal and doing all the hunts were some of my favorite things to do.

[@VaporGuy]

Do you play ff14?

[@Luffione_]

@VaporGuy I did, but not anymore.

[@yiazmatoccuria8148]

My favorite FF! I was one of the few in my friend's circle that was in love with it when it came out. These days, I bought an Xbox to play this at 60FPS and have a copy of all the versions. Long live Ivalice!

[@silvermasked0]

Subscribed. Keep It up, I love all things Square Enix myself.

[@VaporGuy]

Thank you very much it's much appreciated 😊

[@ClashingwithAdagon]

I haven't even watched the video yet but going off of just the title, I agree. FF12 just hit different

[@ドリフト180X]

I remember back when this first came out, it felt so large and there was so much to explore. I loved the gambit system.

[@Grnvolpe]

Despite the wishes Van is definitely the main character. SquareEnix were making Basch the protagonist but got scared that they would lose sales if they didn’t go with a teen model

[@VaporGuy]

I like Vaan so I'm not mad but he doesn't quite have leading man energy haha

[@wilhelmpaulm]

Vaan being the protagonist is an amazing reversal of the trope, for once you're just the average person in a group of heroes. he's more relatable, he has realistic views but still wants to go big, and he tries his best even if he's not talented.

[@carlosfigueredo5682]

I agree, while FF12 is not the story of Vaan, you are still sorta playing through his POV, it’s a unique experience.

[@alexandrert948]

Ashe e Basch são os protagonistas sem sombra de dúvidas

[@illyria000]

It was the last FF to have a large customisable party, different job system (more Zodiac age tho) secrets and quest chains and acquiring summons that weren't grinding.

[@Raven_Konaim]

My Favorite FF Games are Final Fantasy 6, 12, 10, 9 and 16. Your statement of Final Fantasy 12 being the last Great FF game hits home. Aside from the store of 14, which took 10 years to hit it's peak, 12 is the last great in the series

[@VaporGuy]

For me it really is. I've like the newer ones but never fell in love with them. Someone else said they lack charm and I agree that is one big issue as vague as that sounds

[@Mrwigglyau]

Loved 12, moving away from random battles was such a breath of fresh air. Its made going back to more traditional JRPG's difficult. The remasters allowing you to turn random battles off helps.

[@VaporGuy]

I agree. I do love turn based but like you said it was a fresh take on the battle system

[@mistermysh1660]

One of my favorite FF games. I go back and play it again every few years, and your vid just reminded me that I'm due for a playthrough.

[@VaporGuy]

Funnily enough my video also reminded me im due for a replay lol I'm like 11 hour in rn

[@Bevtone]

I think 12 for me was that game where I was still young enough that when I replayed it recently I got a huge hit of nostalgia, very content rich game too I never completed allot of the side quest and hunts when I was young but having played zodiac age recently and sinking my teeth in made me apriciate how games back then respected a player's time.

[@VaporGuy]

I've been addicted since I booted it back up

[@Orakio]

XII is one of my favorite FFs along with VI and X. One of the things that made FFXII different is that you’re just a piece on a chessboard that the gods are playing with to get their way. There are several factions and you’re just one of them; you’re not even the most important one. FFXII feels so much bigger than other FFs partially because you don’t single handedly save the world. You may be an important part of history, but the world moves on.

[@VaporGuy]

Yeah I like that aspect too. Experiencing the war about archadia and rozzario when those 2 nations could have had a game all to their selves

[@ArtwithBen]

I think 15 feels a lot like 8. I love the big sprawling world in both of those games. Does 12 have an airship and that big adventure feeling?

[@VaporGuy]

Yes to all that but the airship isn't one you pilot. Its more like a fast travel type deal which does suck

[@ArtwithBen]

@@VaporGuy Ah okay. I will probably pick it up soon. Finishing off FF9 atm so maybe this is the next FF for me

[@VaporGuy]

FF9 is my personal favorite

[@sevasentinel4146]

I bought this last year for PS4, but I've yet to play it. After learning about it and seeing the setting, story, characters, and gameplay I could just tell it was something special, so I bought it anyway, knowing it'd be sitting on my backlog for a while.

[@VaporGuy]

Hope you get around to it soon and enjoy!

[@billdavenport8228]

This was the last game I pre oredered and stood in line at Gamestop waiting for midnight.

[@firemasterx23]

the world building was amazing. really felt like an adventure with the main characters and had so many "tiny" moments such as quest and bounties that make the NPC so real

[@VaporGuy]

Ivalice has a lot of potential for storytelling

[@MelchiahTheObscene]

It's one of my favourite Final Fantasy titles, and it's easily my favourite PS2 FF. It had that rarest of things; an antagonist with comprehensible goals!

[@VaporGuy]

I didn't get into villains or anything but yeah I agree. Thats why I def appreciated this game as I got older

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

I remember not liking the game at first, but being blown away by the graphics of the cut scenes. Especially the flock of birds in the disc intro. It wasn't until about four years ago that I went back and beat it. Yiazmat is BY FAR the hardest ff boss I have encountered. Even more than the stupid tortoise in ff15.

[@VaporGuy]

He is an actual real life videogame grade A asshole

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

@VaporGuy To make it even harder, I accidentally locked myself out of getting the license for the dark weapon that supposedly mows down Yiazmat, so I had to rely on conventional weapons to do it.

[@mrgoodbar2592]

I think 12 was awesome. It brought me back to Ivalice, which is where my favorite ff story comes from. Final fantasy tactics has my favorite story for an ff series with this one almost taking 2nd place. I definitely want another ivalice story.

[@StubbsDK]

I loved 12! I had to get to the tomb before I actually started enjoying it, but it is a game I am VERY fond of to this day. That said, I had some issues with it, Vaan being one. Another was the audio recording... for some weird reason, the voices sounded like they were of really low quality, kinda dusty and scratchy, if that makes sense? I'm have some trouble getting into Zodiac, as I had the perfect gambit setup in the OG release, where I rarely had to touch my controller in any way other than to move ahead when grinding through an area... I actually completed Pokemon Pearl at the same time as 12, because of that setup! Had my controller on the floor, and just nudged the stick with my toe, and the gambits took care of the rest, freeing up my hands to play my ds...

[@VaporGuy]

I'm gonna need your gambit setup Pronto

[@samcherry120]

I've said it too. It's the last great Final Fantasy. This game got me through the prime of my college years. One of the last games I ever truly "binged", until I got into the SoulsBourne games around 2017.

[@VaporGuy]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so, seriously sometimes I have these thoughts and I make a video and i don't know if anyone will agree or not lol not that it matters but I'm just curious. And yes I love souls games and I do plan on make a video on them at some point 😁

[@samcherry120]

@@VaporGuy Looking forward to it, keep up the good work.

[@GeleiaDeTomateOFC]

My favorite game of all time. Loved this and played this countless times since the release in 2006.

[@VaporGuy]

Same same same same same same. A same for each time I've replayed it lol

[@fredrikerixon4808]

Something I love with Vaan is not the main character debate. Is that this implys that we as the player have to be controlling the important characters in the group. I'd always liked Vaans point of view for us the players. Since he is us not knowing that much of the world we learn as he learns about everything.

[@VaporGuy]

agee with you 100 percent!

[@firstmarkbannor5266]

I recall the game being fairly reviled upon release. It was ahead of its time. On the heels of games like FFX and DQVIII, it’s understandable why people were upset. 10-15 years later when it had time to escape the shadow of those behemoths (which are among the greats in their own right) FFXII had a chance to shine on its own merits. I remember hating it when it released, but I warmed up once I gave the Zodiac version a fair chance. A great example of a game that aged very very well

[@EduFirenze]

Love this game and the soundtrack. Still have my steel book on the shelf.

[@ollieliddell3868]

I’m glad it’s not just me who feels this way. I was blown away when I played 12 and spent so much time on it just enjoying every detail. Then 13 came out and I was like “what the heck is this?”, only took me 20 hours to get to the final chapter, I felt so let down. I’ve played the demo for 15 and didn’t enjoy that either. I’d much rather just replay 10 and 12 until I see them maybe go back to the older ways of having a complex party in a magical world instead of the edgy vibe they seem to be going for now

[@TalysonMoreira]

I love this game so much, don't understand why is so underrated

[@FuriousGunnerKat]

FFV FFVII (my first one.....the 97 one) FFT (not mainstream but dont care....love this) and FFXII are my favorite ones honestly

[@VaporGuy]

FFV doesn't get enough love

[@bushikao]

this game helped change my tastes in commercial media when it first launched when i was a late teenager, and will FOREVER hold a very special place in my heart…reddas was correct when he said ‘the past, can bind a man as surely as irons’

[@VaporGuy]

I love FF12 also 😊

[@basedchang2501]

Greatest battle system, end game content, and end game/post game. Best art direction, best enemy design, best everything except story. Easily the GOAT FF.

[@VaporGuy]

I love so many aspects of FF12 but the art direction is my favorite I think. Replaying the game now I just love the world

[@anamorphicmind]

I would love to see you do a video about Vagrant Story.

[@VaporGuy]

it's in the pipeline. Idk exactly when but I want to eventually

[@dreamer6737]

I love it so much. The world building, towns, music, characters everything is sooo adventurous!

[@VaporGuy]

The game definitely makes you feel like a small piece on a giant chessboard. Adventure awaits!

[@mara-e1b]

Finally! This still is my favorite JRPG. Back in 2006, no one else played it because it wasn't "as good" as previous titles (a point I never adopted). Plus, it was overshadowed by the hype of "Fabula Nova Crystallis". Look how that turned out. Even now, I have the PS4 version to play from time to time. Just wish the license board was a free for all just like in the original game.

[@jimmyrolls37]

One of my favorites in the series, then and now. Honestly, plays similar to dragon age origins and baldurs gate, but with all the ff flare you could want.

[@VaporGuy]

Yeah actually it is kind of similar in a way

[@ShawnWeeded510]

The job system & Gambit system are what made this the most interesting ff game for me.

[@VaporGuy]

very interesting indeed

[@Mericaball]

This was the end/beginning of an era depending on how you look at it. I enjoyed the game and haven’t felt anything towards a final fantasy since. It might not be the best, but it shares a table with VI - X.

[@vvonser]

Ultimately, I feel that everything Yasumi Matsuno touched during his time developing games became something special, from Tactics Ogre, all the way to his final game, FF12

[@VaporGuy]

oof tactics ogre...that's a true classic too. Didn't they remaster it recently or was that a fever dream?

[@vvonser]

@@VaporGuy yes, there was a re-master "Tactics Ogre Reborn" I believe

[@DieserJunge89]

I, too, hadn't had that "Final Fantasy Feeling" anymore after FF12. At least not with any of the newer FFs, but with Lost Odyssey. I really loved (and still do) the soundtrack, as it was perfectly fitting in almost every situation and scene. Which is why I'm so into 'Sword of Convallaria', as Sakimoto did parts of the OST there as well, in addition to the game being a pretty good FFT-like. Maybe you'll like it, too. That being said, I once tried to play FF12 again and just couldn't, really. Maybe I'll give it another try some time.

[@VaporGuy]

I plan on doing a lost odyssey video soon. Stay tuned 😊 also the little stories that they tell in Lost Odyssey are so amazing

[@notomelette247]

You can thank FFXI for a lot of what FFXII combat and camera. To some small extent this felt like playing an offline version of FFXI.

[@VaporGuy]

So I've heard. I've never played 11 myself. I LOVE 14 but yeah I've heard that a few times

[@rubenleite5428]

The BEST of them all. A 1 in a lifetime experience that arrived right when, after X, I really got tired of this histrionic japan......Nomura, basically. Regarding Vaan, he is the frontliner because every FF had to have a "teenager" as a relatable anchor point for the teenagers and young adults the games were targeting at. But I love that, despite being the main character, they didn't push him to be, nor did they force any unnecessary romance situation. They let the rest of the more mature and experienced cast to shine and drive the group, while him and Penelo kept being the kids, which was perfectly realistic to me. Unlike on X, where Tidus is unsufferable but somehow characters like Auron, Lulu, Khimari, that are way more mature and experienced allow him to drive the group through shit motivations like "I need to tell someone I am sorry", and that means moving a whole crowd for hours and hours of gameplay.

[@williammcclure5097]

The perfect FF game, far and beyond my favourite. The battle system is fantastic and I wish the gambit system would return, the best use of AI party members.

[@Etherwinter]

Best FF game. Best world in an FF game. Gambit system makes this one of the best real time party-based RPGs in existence. It's so amazing that this system was on the PS2, and we've never seen anything like it ever again. IZJS was even better than vanilla and Zodiac Age is a fantastic tweaked remaster on top if that.

[@VaporGuy]

I cant explain how much I wish ff still used the gambit system

[@miguelfranciscovelasquez169]

the gambit system was the best because you could avoid actions that sometimes make gameplay repetitive just by preparing first and making combat more fluid. I sometimes felt it was too good so my character wasn't doing anything the rest of the team finished the battles fast, that is something I would fix

[@patan93]

I played this as a kid. Never completed it because it was so overwhelming, but I remember I had fun with it. Might come back to it with the ps4 edition if I find the time

[@VaporGuy]

give it another go when you have the free time. I didn't totally get it when I first played it on released. Like you I had fun but it wasn't until I revisited it that I really fell in love with 12

[@LOVEPHOENIXDANCER]

If I recall the gambit system was the reason why at the time the game was delayed .they couldn't get the feel for it down heck even when it was released one of the head workers still felt like it needed work. It was said he spent hours placing chests for Zodic age while his Co workers celebrated the sells numbers of OG 12. And you can tell the difference ( iv heard ) between og 12 and ZA. There's just that much care that went into 12

[@VaporGuy]

I didn't know that but thanks for letting me know. Honestly I can't even remember og ff12 I've played the zodiac age so many times haha

[@scorch25able]

It was a good move Square Enix made Vaan the main on this, but for me, it was definitely Ashe who is my main character. I have not played Zodiac Age (I played the original in 2007) so I have not experienced the job system, but I remember fondly in my save file that Ashe was my strongest character; I recall all of them are above Level 80 when I last played them, and Ashe was Level 88 if I remember it correctly. I had to level grind because I was frustrated with Yiazmat. Also, getting Tournesol was not fun too. But wow, I can talk about the politics of this game for hours; and I honestly feel that even after XII, the conflict between Rozzaria and Archadia are far from done. I eventually will try to play the Zodiac Age, but life happens....

[@VaporGuy]

I'd give Zodiac Age a shot at some point. I definitely think its the definitive version but its not a must buy or anything BUT if you're a big fan it may be worth it 😁

[@Schrear]

It was the last time I was so immersed into a world/game. 7Rebirth came close but, there were many things that takes you away from the immersion.

[@VaporGuy]

I enjoyed FF7 remake and rebirth. But for me once you get past the excitement of seeing FF7 on a new engine and stuff...it's kinda been there done that type thing

[@trigunner6968]

The Very First FF that I finished, so this game holds a Big Place in my Heart ✨️

[@VaporGuy]

Oof dont make me feel too old lol 🙃 but yeah that first one is always special

[@trigunner6968]

@VaporGuy Lol agree

[@dmonee6196]

Kinda forgot my experience in the game, I think the art style wasn’t really my thing for some reason? I do remember beating it, though. Oh and I felt it was way too predictable.

[@ntrivisv]

My favorite FF handsdown. I grinded and collected all weapons including the Wyrmhero Blade…great childhood memories indeed🥹💙

[@VaporGuy]

I love the grind 💪

[@Fine_Mouche]

16:20 ? did you liked the fairy tail of FF8 ? ...

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

I honestly think Rebirth is the first real engaging FF since X. It merged the oldschool FF as well as the modern aspects. The gameplay loop and endgame options and replayability is a game changer for the series to me. 12 was great too but steered a bit too far away for me. And everything between was lukewarm at best.

[@VaporGuy]

I want to replay the 13 trilogy to see if I like it better this time around tbh

[@indigoprelate]

I still play it to this day. The replay value is amazing

[@VaporGuy]

I'm replaying it now. Still a great time!

[@purwantiallan5089]

As of 2025, FINAL FANTASY XII, both on PS2 Original and PS4 Zodiac Age Remaster are tied for being the top 4 best Final Fantasy games of all time.