(Image source: Square Enix.)

Final Fantasy XII complete!

The final battle(s) were every bit as frustrating as I anticipated. After three failed attempts, I was left feeling the ultimate Ultimate Bad Guy was all-too-accurately named. He did not seem beatable with characters between levels 38 and 45, which were what I had. The thing that was galling about this was failure meant replaying almost two hours of boss fights. And that’s with the cutscenes skipped.
Continued…

(Original image source: Square Enix.)

I’m not sure how close I am to the end of Final Fantasy XII. Vague story cues suggest I’m perhaps three bosses away from the finale.

The experience has been a mixed bag so far. That I’m enjoying the game is unquestionable — I look forward to every session — but the experience rings hollow somehow.

Presentation-wise, the game is great. Bear in mind I haven’t played many PS2 games and the console’s quirks and limitations haven’t really sunk in yet.

(That said … my god, the jaggies. I don’t see why a weapon would be necessary when I can simply bump into foes and cut them to pieces with the jagged outlines of the character models.)
Continued…