What Should I Expect from FFXII?

Think of FFXII as a blend between the classic ATB systems from earlier games and the more fluid combat seen in recent titles. Get ready to learn about the Gambit system, which lets you set up how your characters act in battle. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be really rewarding!

FFXII has a unique combat system that’s a bit different from FFX. It’s not purely turn-based like X, but it’s not an action RPG like Remake or XVI either. You’ll find it feels like a mix, and it might take some getting used to at first!

If you’re playing on PC, I recommend installing the Planetary Age mod to make the job system easier to navigate. It won’t change the game’s difficulty, but it can help with character synergy! When I first played, I struggled with planning out my team since the vanilla jobs can get a bit messy. Also, if you’re getting the Zodiac Age version, I suggest looking up job classes beforehand to plan effectively—it’s not a spoiler, just smart strategy!

FFXII has its own combat system that can get pretty complex depending on which version you have, especially with the job system. Just a heads up, the story isn’t as character-driven; it really revolves around a geopolitical plot, so you might find it a bit hard to follow at times. But enjoy the adventure—there are some awesome moments!

You might feel like you’re watching a Star Wars movie at times! I have this vivid memory of my dad walking in on me playing FFXII and asking if I was watching Star Wars, so the vibes are definitely there!