I think that FFXII was a complete waste of potential in every category. Every thing about the game sizzles with excellent ideas, but nothing is pulled off expertly. The battle system doesn't allow me to play it the way I want. I play every FF on active mode at the highest speed setting, and it's impossible playing the game that way. Also, the game either forces you to play with gambits and let the game play by itself, or make you play through an absolutely cumbersome and flawed menu system riddled with micromanagement times infinity. There aren't many options and it's not particularly fun.
On the story front, that also had a good premise. At first it was everything I had hoped for: a mature Final Fantasy that's not about saving the fucking world (again), with a nice swig of the internal political struggles and nice characters that Matsuno is known for. I got none of that as the game developed. What I got what a plot that felt half thought out, and had little reward. The game brings up questions but it doesn't really bring much resolution or resolve. Of course, I still haven't beaten the game because it's tedious and boring as shit, but that's still my idea on the situation and many seem to agree.
The best thing about FFXII are the production values. The voice acting, script, dialouge, translation, and everything that went into the graphics, music, cutscene direction are all FLAWLESS and bring up the notch about one million degrees in regards to console rpgs, and games in general. Which is sad, because for all the years I was hyped up for that game everything else fell flat.
One of the most disappointing games I've ever played.
