Topic: Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2 and XII - Now with 80% more FF VIII

You're confusing 12 and 13. 13 is incredibly linear. 12 is one of the most open games in the series.

Very few people say 12 is a bad game. It's generally regarded as very good by the fans. It is very unique and quite unlike the rest of the series though, so a lot of people often disregard it on that basis, in that it's not very representative of the series as a whole.

Its gameplay is all real-time and extremely automated, so the focus on strategy plays out very differently than every other game in the series. Its story is also fairly mature and focused on the larger political machinations in the world, as opposed to the focus on the main character relationships that the rest of the series tends to have. (It's probably the only game in the series where the main character has almost no meaningful impact on the story, but is essentially just along for the ride)

If linearity is your issue though, you'll like 12. It's incredibly open. It's set up like an open-world, but of course has loading screens, and different areas are gated-off by the story.

I'll have to agree with @Dezzy on XII. I think it was very controversial at launch because it was so different than everything else before it, so that may be what @darthcervantes is remembering, but from what I've noticed perception of it has largely become more positive in retrospect.

I'll admit to giving up on it relatively early on back when I played it on PS2 because I couldn't get to grips with the combat, but now that I've gotten used to Xenoblade (which I think is pretty similar), I should try it again one day.

@JaxonH Final Fantasy x Ni No Kuni x Kingdom Hearts sounds fun! Thanks! I think I will order it now. The price wasn't bad for an import.

@RR529

Yeah the Xenoblade Chronicles games are essentially just a better version of the FF12 battle system imo.

Just adding a note here to say oh my god how good is FF12, both as a game and as a port on Switch?!

You will like it.
FF XII Switch & Xbox One version has Licence Board Reset by talking to Montblanc, unlike PS4 version.
FF XII was good in gameplay (Battle System mechanism) so you can make your party attack the enemies almost Automatically based on your Gambit setting (The Auto Commands when you set on different circumstances)
The story was pretty Blah in my opinion due too many Political issues, Very Archaic / Formal English conversation.
The drama inside FF XII wasn't really memorable or interesting or dramatic as FF XIII or FF X.
But overall, FF XII Switch is still your great choice.

@scoobdoo Yeah, the Switch port is terrific. Definitely the best version of the game. And still the best PS2 Final Fantasy game.

So I've just finished "disc 2" in FFVII. Have I understood it correctly that the third and final part of the game is just one long boss battle? My mains are Cloud, Tifa and Barret. How shall I prepare (keep it spoiler free)? Thanks!

Finally got three ribbons after trying to morph Master Tonberrys for a while. My characters are at level 73-75. Feels like I'm ready to take on the final boss now. Actually tried once before and got to Sepiroth's final form with quite ease, but then he put a lot of status effects on me and it was game over. That's why I decided to go after those ribbons after all. 😣

@Quarth

The final disc is just the final dungeon. It's because the end cutscene takes up so much space on the disc, that they didn't have room for much else.

Have you done any of the various late-game side-quests? You should do those before you fight Sephiroth.

There's quite a lot beyond the main story.

@Dezzy I'm ready to be done with the game now. If the side quests aren't essential, I'll go straight to the final battle now, at least I'll try.

I think the game will end up a 9/10 for me. It has held up surprisingly well, even though there are some things in it that hasn't aged that well.

@Quarth

They're not essential. But if you can't beat the final boss, some of the side-quests will help make you tougher. Maybe do the Ancient Forest and the Sunken Gelnika hidden areas.

@Dezzy Thanks! Will keep that in mind.

Aaaaaand beat it! Great ending, almost got a little teary eyed. The game has its flaws, but what can you demand from a 20+ year old early 3D game? It's still fun! 9/10

I might pick up 9 with this sale. I have it for ps, ps4 and steam, but what's one more copy.

@Quarth

Now you need to go and play Crisis Core!

@Dezzy It's on the PSP right? Bought one last year.

It is, @Quarth .... It's also a good game, IMO!

@BruceCM Will see if I can find it online. Sadly the biggest annual retro games exhibition here in Sweden has been cancelled due to the corona outbreak, was going to look for PSP games there.

Well, it's available on Amazon, @Quarth ... Who are charging ridiculous prices! Not sure where you are but I imagine there'll be some other options?