Releasing to critical acclaim in 2017 on the PlayStation 4, today sees Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age released on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, with some new features added in!
First released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006, Final Fantasy XII is set in the world of Ivalice, still reeling from the death and destruction of the military coup that happened two years previously. Players control Vaan, a street urchin who flies under the radar but dreams of becoming a sky pirate. He – through luck rather than judgement – teams up with Princess Ashe, who’s family was killed during the coup, to lead a resistance and change the fate of Ivalice forever.
This version releasing today is based on the previously Japanese-only International Zodiac Job System version of the game. Characters can be assigned Jobs in the classic Final Fantasy sense and build up their stats according to whichever role has been assigned to them for the battlefield.
Final Fantasy XII has also received a graphical and aural upgrade including HD cutscenes, 60FPS (on Xbox One X only), 7.1ch sound output, and the choice of original, re-orchestrated or OST soundtracks that you can pick and choose on the fly. Three for the price of one!
New features hitting the Xbox One and Switch versions include additional Gambit sets and an improved New Game + that also transfers over items as well as levels and stats. Gambits are used to auto-assign functions to your supporting cast, meaning you spend less time controlling the party as a whole and more time killing fiends. It can be tricky to grasp at first, but it is hugely rewarding seeing your entire party doing what they do best without micro-managing them when you get the hang of gambits.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is available to download now from the Xbox Store or Nintendo eShop, priced at £44.99. It also represents the last of the Final Fantasy re-releases that Xbox owners were promised at the end of last year. Overlooked at the time due to its’ release date, Final Fantasy XII has since become a definitive modern-JRPG. Are you all Final Fantasy’d out with the recent releases or have you been saving your money for this one? As always, let us know in the comments below!
Game description:
Return to the World of Ivalice… This HD remaster is based on the smash hit 12th instalment of the FINAL FANTASY series, which has shipped over 6,100,000 units worldwide, featuring a new, re-worked game design! Not only have the graphics and sound been updated to take advantage of the power of new hardware, but the core game design has also been tweaked to produce an evolution of the original FFXII fitting for the current generation. Enjoy a classic adventure reborn! ■Story Two years have passed since the war in which the vast and militaristic Arcadian Empire annihilated the kingdom of Dalmasca… Vaan, a young man who lost his family to the fires of war, lives a stoic existence in the occupied city of Rabanastre, while dreaming of a life of freedom, soaring the skies as a Sky Pirate. Princess Ashe, the last remaining member of the Dalmascan royal family, vows revenge on the empire, and secretly leads a resistance in the hopes of restoring her homeland. Brought together in a chaotic age, the hopes and dreams of these two heroes will unite the fates of the people and change the destiny of nations. ■Special features of FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE The game graphics have been completely remastered using the latest technology. Not only has the game been converted to display in HD resolutions, but the textures and shadowing effects have also been enhanced. This version features the Zodiac Job System that allows the player to freely grow and develop their characters, picking a unique combination of two jobs from a selection of 12. Great enjoyment can be had from seeing the capabilities and tactical possibilities of your characters change and evolve depending on the combinations chosen. Numerous additions and improvements have also been made to enhance the playability and accessibility of the game, such as an increase in battle tempo, an optional high speed mode and auto save function. A huge variety of bounty hunts, battles and mini games make for endless adventure. The games BGM has been re-recorded using live performances, with sound quality being further enhanced and 7.1ch sound output supported for the first time ever. You can even switch freely between the original, re-orchestrated and OST versions of the soundtrack.
