also, what problems did ffta2 fix from ffta? it seems to have all the same problems, only now it's slow as hell.
• The UI is VASTLY improved over FFTA. It's much less of a hassle to see the abilities on an item and the abilities of your characters.
• Score is fantastic (because it remixes FFXII and FFT tracks lol).
• All characters get experience, whether they fight or not. More experience is gained to those who participate more. There's an MVP system. AP points are spread to all party members equally after a fight. It's much easier to master an ability.
• The battlefields are gorgeous 2D. The spells have some beautiful 3D effects. Huge upgrade over FFTA.
• The law system has been overhauled. At the start of every battle you can choose from a list of clan privileges that can boost specific stats. If you break a law, you'll lose the privilege and you won't be able to resurrect any characters. There are no other penalties (it's actually fun now).
• MP system works similarly to Tactics Ogre I think. Everyone begins with no MP and gains an amount at the beginning of every turn, keeping casters consistently useful.
• The overworld/map building elements have been changed entirely (for the better). Traveling and taking over areas are much more accessible and intuitive now. Gone are the disappearing regions from the first game.
i don't see the ui improvements, and now, it's slow to boot. it's still no fun to navigate -- in particular, it's a pain to evaluate the skills tied to items.
visuals, bah. it's low-res, lo-fi ds crap. i don't play these games for the graphics, anyhow.
i appreciate the overhauls to the mp system and to the law/judge system, but for this step forward, we have weaker maps overall (compared to ffta) and the distinguished mentally-challenged auction system. i do like the bazaar approach for increasing store inventories, though.
taking over areas is better? the distinguished mentally-challenged auction crap is a HUGE step back. i wanna fight for control, not play some gimpy mini-game!
all the pluses are rendered null by the SLUGGISHNESS of the ui and the enemy turns. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ