I just got off the playstation. I have just spent the last few hours staring avidly at the screen, playing Final Fantasy XII.
When it first came out, I wasn't keen, I'm not afraid to admit. The graphics are great, sure, the characters are really likeable (as is always true of the FF games), the music is as good as is to be expected from Final Fantasy, and the storyline was as in-depth as you could hope for. Also, I managed to get my hands on the walkthrough guide at the same time as the game, and I am truly loving the hardback cover!
But, I was unbelievably devastated by the sudden change in battle system! Final Fantasy is (to me, at any rate), a fantasy RPG based on random turn-based battles in a seperate environment! I just could NOT get on with the whole real time fighting thing!!
So, after a year or so's break, I then decided to give it another go. This was purely because I was moving house at the time, and FF XII was the only PS2 game I hadn't packed. Gutted or what? ^ ^
The second time around, I managed to get into properly. It probably doesn't hurt that I'm now older and more seasoned at PS2 gaming, and so my performance has gone up in general. Let's face it, who can hate a game that they are incredibly good at? :)
So now, I have fallen in love with the newest Final Fantasy to be released. But, there is still something I dislike about it...It just doesn't feel like Final Fantasy to me now...The battle system was what made it special for me, as the game is primarily based around battling.
Here's hoping that the graphics keep improvig, but the creators come to a happy medium regarding the battle system!!
(What I heard on the street is that they found a compromise...The battles are random encounters again, but you are taken to a special battlefield where you fight real time...Hope it works when FF XIII is released!!!)

Buh bye for now!!!