Clan Centurio knows how to treat its hard working members

March 6, 2007

I'm really amazed that Final Fantasy XII can be this engaging even 47 hours into it. Yes, forty-seven. Guess what I did this weekend? I've unlocked every spot on the license board that I care to, I have oodles of magick spells and great weapons for everybody. I'm also totally broke (in-game), so I'm taking on hunts and other side quests to get cash and obtain the hidden espers. Why am I choosing now to goof off and ignore the main storyline? Why, because the final guy is about to kill everyone, that's why.

Officially FFXII still has only two flaws. The lack of camera inversion is one and the missing "sell all loot" button is another. This is more of a throwback, an homage, than anything. I've beaten everybody in the Empire I care to with the exception of the emperor himself. He's summoned Bahamut (or "bah-hah-moot" as the phonetically challenged characters pronounce it) and is about to lay waste to the city of Rabanastre from his giant airship.

With all the Final Fantasy IV and VI references in this game it was about time they got to number VII. Yes, the meteor is hovering over the planet (#186) and is about to kill everyone. What better time to race chocobos or level up obsessively and defeat Emerald Weapon? I really expected to see Cloud in the background of one of the cinematics leading up to this situation, snickering at the amateurs of angst. Here's a fun drinking game: take a shot every time somebody accuses Ashe of desiring power and she gasps guiltily.

But I can deal with that. The game's Gambit programming system is a disgusting amount of fun once you unlock all twelve slots. In everything except boss fights I can kick back and let my guys and gals slaughter the enemy. They'll heal their own status ailments, revive fallen members, and counteract Slow with Haste. Dungeon Siege has nothing on this.

Perhaps another reason I tore into this game so heartily this weekend was because it's gonna be busy from here on out in March. I snuck into Best Buy early on Sunday and was rewarded with a copy of Wii Play. Burnout Dominator comes out tomorrow for the PS2. Then God of War II comes out next week. And S.T.A.L.K.E.R. the week after that. Oh, and Worms is coming to Xbox Live this Wednesday. I'll need the support of my trusty gaming compatriots to help me get through this turbulent time.

... Hello?