I’ve always had a soft spot for Final Fantasy XII thanks to some nostalgic memories playing it at a friend’s place years ago, even though I’ve never actually owned it. I’ve never seriously played any Final Fantasy game beyond a few minutes here and there, so I’m wondering if this would be a good entry point. For series veterans, how approachable is Final Fantasy XII for someone totally new to the Final Fantasy world? What should I expect in terms of gameplay style and difficulty?
5 Answers
Final Fantasy XII’s gameplay is pretty unique compared to most others in the series since it was heavily inspired by Final Fantasy XI, the MMO. It blends real-time action with turn-based elements, which might feel unfamiliar at first, but it actually works well as a starting point. Just keep in mind that if its style doesn’t click with you, the other FF games offer very different experiences that you might enjoy more.
When XII first came out, I wasn’t too crazy about it, but after playing the Zodiac Age version and being able to speed up the game, it really grew on me. The dungeons can be long and the world big, so the faster pace made it way less of a grind and a lot more enjoyable. Definitely recommend checking out that version if you can!
The great thing about Final Fantasy is there’s really no ‘wrong’ order to play the games. You don’t need to play the classics before XII or anything like that. The franchise is full of gems, so you can just jump in and enjoy it. If XII sparks your interest and nostalgia, go for it!
Honestly, every Final Fantasy game can work for newcomers because their stories are separate from each other. Each title offers something a bit different, so jumping into XII is totally fine. It’s a solid game and modern Final Fantasy games usually do a decent job teaching you as you go along. Only the very old ones (like 1-4) tend to toss you in without much explanation, which can be frustrating these days.
I’d say XII might be a tricky place to start if you’re brand new to the series because of all the specific FF terms like moogles, chocobos, phoenix downs, and so on that you might not be familiar with. The lore and terminology can be a bit overwhelming if you’ve never encountered them before. Personally, I’d try playing another FF game first, then come back to XII once you know a bit more about the series. But if you’re okay with figuring stuff out as you go, it could still be a fun experience.
