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Veteran Member - Level 13
As planned in my New Year's resolution blog post, I spent most of last weekend playing through Final Fantasy XII non-stop along with a friend of mine who was visiting and a ton of cool people on Twitter. Although we didn't come close to finishing the game, I definitely mark the experience as a huge success.
Part of the not-finishing problem came from the fact that I kept finding myself easily distracted. I love Final Fantasy games, but I'm not the kind of guy who does every single sidequest. If the FF games had a quest log or something, then I'm sure I'd be obsessive about it, but since it's usually tiny stuff that you need to remember on your own, I ignore them. In FFXII, though, they introduced the Hunt system, which does come with its own handy quest log. So basically, I'm screwed.
I found myself jumping into every Hunt that I could as they opened up to me. If a mark was too powerful at the time I tried to tackle it, I'd just keep throwing myself at it again and again until I figured out a trick to defeating the beast. The only Hunts I was able to set aside (FOR NOW) were the special marks handed out by the clan. Those guys clearly require a level of preparation and grinding that I wasn't quite ready for. But I will be back for them.
These Hunts are well-serviced by the incredibly massive landscapes present in Final Fantasy XII. The game doesn't have an overworld like most Final Fantasy games, but it also manages to avoid FFX's linear feeling. I've heard from others who are bothered by the openness and lack of direction in some of the game's huge zones, but I totally loved it. The large open areas provide both an interesting space for these bonus activities to take place and a sense of a huge world that's not just there for your grand adventure.
At the end point of the game-a-thon on Sunday night, I had logged just under 15 hours. Not bad for two days! For those familiar with the game's area progression, I'm currently in the Nam-Yensa Sandsea. I'm hoping to hold onto this momentum and ride it to completion before March (when Final Fantasy XIII comes out), but it's going to be a challenge considering how many incredible games are releasing in January and February. I'll just need to keep reminding myself of my resolution.
One thing is certain though: I definitely want to do more of these weekend gaming events. Playing along with a bunch of people through Twitter was an amazing experience. We all exchanged thoughts about the game, gave each other tips on where to go and what to do next, and just generally had a fun time discussing and sharing our experiences. I want to make that happen again, and I'll definitely be planning some stuff for the future with my pkollar_live account.
Until then, I want to send out a huge thanks to the following Twitter-folk who played or commented along using the #ff12live hashtag: @delerat, @Jeremy_Lamont, @KyleHorner, @V_Ben, @John_Carson, @EbbFlowe, @ververdan, @neurotech, @cselogy, @defteats, @Albedo12, @Coltonio, and @NikkiAndrews. You were a blast, and I hope you'll join me for whatever the next game-a-thon is!
Stuff came up. I only ended up playing for about four hours, but considering I had started it a week or two before, I'm at about the same point as you Phil. My goal had been to finish it before XIII and this whole thing happened to coincide with that. What a coincidence. Anyway, I do plan to continue that and I look forward to any events you have in a similar vein. Only made one tweet though... shameful.
Best of luck with the resolution.
I was lucky to have caught you RIGHT as you started, so I instantly cracked the shrinkwrap on my copy and followed along. My schedule for gaming is REALLY spotty, but I was able to go a marathon 10 hours.
At that point, I had to drop out and watch from the sidelines. The whole thing is bittersweet, really.
Really enjoyed the experience though. I don't know when else I'd have had the opportunity.
awesome
I'm getting all nostalgic. This was the last ps2 game I played before I traded it in for my 360. I logged around 125-150 hrs and completed I believe 92% of the game. I can't wait for XIII.
FFXII definately does not get enough credit. Afer Tactics, it's my favorite FF title. Yours is a truly noble resolution.
Just a little friendly advice Phil. If you are only at the Sandsea, youare gonna need to play a LOT more if you want to be done by the time FFXIII comes out. Especially considering you are getting so involved in the Hunts. There are a LOT more great ones on the way. Also, have you hunted down many of the summons? Those can be a darn distracting side quest as well.
Yeah, I know I have a lot left. Like I said, I'm only 15 hours in. It's a Final Fantasy game. Etc.
And they haven't even introduced summons yet where I am. :/
Ah that's right. It's been a few years since I dipped into that game. Don't worry, you'll be meeting your first one relatively soon.
Playing the game organically, taking sidequests when I felt like it, actually exploring when I didn't have to, obsessing over the hunts in the game (my favorite part actually), made my playtime reach 120 hours before I beat the game. Wow that game is awesome, its my 2nd favorite Final Fantasy game, with VI being #1. The funny part came when I realized I probably had at least another 100 hours worth of side quests and exploration left most likely (I stopped after the 120 hours I put in, to do everything at your own leisure probably would take 300 hours or more). I think its one of the longest games ever made (The last dungeon, which I won't detail stands out in that regard). I like how when you enter a dungeon, you do a smidge of it for the story, and later find out that there were like ten-twenty optional rooms to clear you didn't have access or didn't find the first time.
What I think is truly amazing however, is if you look at the game's opening city, just that for example, and you talk to the same NPC's that populate the city the entire game, they have soo many lines of dialogue that yes does change over the course of the whole game. They even have mini quest chains that can, and do, take multiple hours just to complete, with all the running around and distractions prevalent. That's what for me makes XII such an awesome experience. That even some of the most obscure of NPC's have entire stories and a few hours of gameplay attached to them. I don't know, XII is a tough act to follow, I'm beating 8,9, and X-2 (why not?) in preparation of XIII as they are the last I have yet to beat. Have fun conquering XII, its awesome.
I'm still playing.
Due to some rent concerns I've been left with nothing but my old PS2.
But luckily XII has been one of the most engaging games in the series.
I'm mostly excited because now I know that XIII is going to be great if they build off of XII's improvements.
But I'm still most excited about Versus XIII and KH3.
I've heard so much about this game, and I really want to try it...
...BUT I DON'T HAVE A *** PLAYSTATION!!!!! X-O
(sorry for double post)
Wait, I take that back. I do have a PS2.
I am the complete opposite. I try to do every side-quest I can. I like to get as much content out of a game as I can!
XII was cool but it only took me like 60 hours. I didn't feel like there was enough character development and the main plot and storyline were pretty weak. I'm playing VIII right now to get me ready for XIII. Can't wait!
keep at it guys, it's a great game, it's one of the few games that take a long time to beat, but well worth it. It will be better once ff13 comes out.
I dunno if i should finish final fantasy 6 (just managed to find a copy this week of the gba remake) then play this or just wait it out and get 13
I never beat ff12, was too cracked out on wow when that game came out. I did make it through a sizable chunk though. I'm currently playing through ff vi as i wait for ff 13 to come out, I never beat 6, and i hear its the best.
Very glad to see so many people playing through FFVI. It's easily my favorite!
Good luck getting through Final Fantasy XII. While not my favorite of the series by any degree, it did have its moments, and the Hunt missions are easily the most fun and difficult battles in the game... not counting hidden Espers BUT NOW I SAID TOO MUCH LA LA LA.
:)
Needless to say Phil, you helped me kick my butt into gear and beat this *** game before FF XIII, so for that I thank you.