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  • $49.99
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Final Fantasy XII (PlayStation 2)

common sense media says

A fantasy RPG masterpiece for PlayStation 2 fans.


parents & educators say
  • 27% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this compelling adventure game is Teen-rated and features plenty of animated violence, but it's not overly realistic (magic spells, flying airships, and over-the-top creatures). The game also showcases the sci-fi heroines, large-breasted women wearing revealing clothing and bustiers.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: As with past games in the series, this offers animated violence in a fantasy setting.
Sex: Some underdressed, chesty heroines.
Language: Some occasional swearing but not gratuitious.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One or two minor references to alcohol.

More on Final Fantasy XII

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about what they like or dislike about this fantasy world, and how it deals with issues such as ethics, trust, and loyalty. To fully appreciate what their children are playing, parents might want to sit down to watch them play the game, view the fighting, read the dialogue, and enjoy the breathtakingly gorgeous cinematic sequences.

What's the story?

What's the story?

FINAL FANTASY XII takes place in Ivalice, a once-prosperous world, now subjugated by an invasion by the malevolent Archadian Empire. The game involves a feisty princess and a young rebel, Vaan, who vows revenge against the Empire for taking the life of his brother. But as with most other Final Fantasy adventures, which balance exploration, combat and dialogue, players will work toward unraveling a grand mystery by traveling the huge world with a unique group of characters (some of whom leave or join the "party" over the course of the game). The most dramatic change over past Final Fantasy games is how the combat sequences play out: The Japanese developers successfully fused "turn-based" combat -- where players can choose their offensive or defensive strategy in between turns with the enemies -- with "real-time" fighting, where there is no break in the action.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Unlike past Final Fantasy games, enemies can now be seen while walking around the environment instead of unexpectedly entering the combat screen. Also new to the series is the use of "gambits," a kind of programmable behavior you can give your characters before a battle plays out. Another interesting gameplay mechanic is a license system, which means characters must obtain skills before using them, such as melee attacks or magic.

Final Fantasy XII is one of the finest adventures in the longstanding series. is known for its gorgeous visuals -- and this game will certainly not disappoint. Both the non-interactive CG cut-scene sequences and in-game 3-D graphics are worthy of art direction awards, not to mention the game offers a widescreen mode (16:9 aspect ratio) for high-definition or enhanced-definition televisions.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: PlayStation 2
Not available online
Genre: Role Playing
Developer: Square Enix
Released on: November 13, 2006
Price: 49.99
ESRB Rating: T for alcohol reference, fantasy violence, mild language, partial nudity, suggestive themes

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 27% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

 
What I saw in the game
I don't feel that it is the best Final Fantasy game I've played but I do like it. In terms of violence I see more on the news. With the Bunny People, I see more on the beach. The bad language, I hear more on the street and since when was there not a FF game without product placement. I also feel that there are good messages such as might does not make right, love transcends race, friendship is priceless, you should never run from your problems but instead face them and strive for your dreams. The game shows that war is never good, no matter your intentions. I may be reading into this a bit but that is how I feel about the game. In the end, it is up to what you or your parents decide.

Plague
parent
 
Final Fantasy XII
A fabulous and epic RPG thats kid friendly, but also will appeal to teens.

Lady-Lithium
teen, 17 years old
 
My brother gave me this game and I adore it. It is long and it might be harder for younger children to play, but other than that, it's great. I love Fran. 10+

PlaystehPiano
teen, 15 years old
 
Great game with minor setbacks
I got into the FINAL FANTASY series starting with Kingdom Hearts, and it took off from there. FINAL FANTASY XII, my first real FINAL FANTASY purchase, is a great game. Here's the synopsis from the manual, since it's hard for me to explain personally- "A WORLD CALLED IVALICE... AN AGE WHEN MAGICK WAS COMMONPLACE AND AIRSHIPS PLIED THE SKIES... OUR TALE BEGINS. As was looms on the horizon, the mighty Archadian Empire begins a campaign to subjugate its neighbors. The small kingdom of Dalmasca shares their fate. Two years after its fall, in the capital city of Rabanastre, the people line the streets to wait for the appointment of the new consul from Archadia. To Vaan, a young man living on the streets of Rabanastre, the Empire is a hated enemy who took the life of his brother, the only family he had left. Vaan hatches a plot to break into the palace and take back the spoils of conquest from Dalmasca's occupiers. He gets more than he bargained for when he meets Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne, thought dead since war. Our story follows Ashe, Vaan, and his friend Penelo, the sky pirate Balthier, and his partner Fran. Accompanying them is Basch, a captain of the Dalmscan army who turned traitor and slew his king. Join them on an adventure spanning Ivalice that traces the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire's invasion." Great plot, right? Well, yes. The game is based around fighting off the Empire's soldiers and leaders, as well as monsters, but there's also side quests to, well, kill monsters for stuff. But hey, what do you expect from a FINAL FANTASY game? There are lots of cut scenes that bring you back to the story, and have lots of meaning. Fran, a creature called a viera, is a little scantily clad, and you can see her toosh, but it's covered with a sort of swimsuit bottom. Some of the girls wear "bikini" type tops, but full bottoms, while others where completee tops and short skirts. This may not be appropriate for little kids and immature ones too. The gameplay mechanics were a good try, but there's so much "leveling up to do" you can get really bored. Good thing for side quests! Some monsters are so tough to beat you have to run from them, which really took away the gameplay experience from me. There's the Gambit system, which allows you to prioritize attacks and magicks in order of which is most important, which really helps in a fight and must be used if you want to get anywhere far in the game. Quick note- to anyone new to FINAL FANTASY, the game can take 40-50 hours to beat thoroughly.

Lumminara
kid, 13 years old
 
very very L O O O O N G......
This game is awesome theres infinite things to do! (although i only found THAT out after i started using guides =.=)

 
I loved this game! And after playing this, I will seriously follow up into the Final Fantasy series. I think the language may be a little archaic and there is partial nudity, but other than that it's a great game.

 
Not for Final Fantasy fans, but if you want to start liking Final Fantasies, you should start with this.
I dislike the game, as it may have the title "Final Fantasy" in the name, it is the starting point of the games' decline. XII is the first Final Fantasy game that I spent under 100 hours on, and (wish there'd be a bold function) got a refund. The game just isn't as good as it's predecessors (not including XI, that horror of a MMORPG). 'Tis tad boring and "dumbed down", I suggest that anyone who's liked a Final Fantasy game (that wasn't XI, XII or XIII) to avoid this, while those who have not played Final Fantasy games yet, use this game as a leverage of sorts, to allow access to the other, better Final Fantasy games.

Cm20014
teen, 16 years old
 
not best ff game i ever played but i still like it.
hardest and longest final fantasy game i ever played because hard bosses and lots of cut scenes but still fun.

bonso
kid, 11 years old
 
cool but not the best
I think this one is cool but not the best. my favorite final fantasy character is in this one and he is baltheir.

3m0-kid
teen, 16 years old
 
If you are thinking of buying this game read my review!
Ok if you haven't played any of the Final Fantasy games, you are going to have so much fun. Final Fantasy is an RPG, or role-playing game. The graphics and story are wonderful. You will have so much fun with this game, you will forget about all of the other games you have. It takes a much longer time to complete than most PS2 games, and you will have a ton of fun playing it. COMMONSENSE MADE A MISTAKE, THIS GAME SHOULD BE AROUND 11+! The violence is mild, no blood or gore, and very little language. I hope you have fun playing this fantastic game!

 
fun for my child
my game playing child who i want to protect from the worldly evils is 12 years old. he plays this game almost everyday i sometimes watch him and i have no objections whatsover except for one charecter wheres a small skirt and one charecter who wheres practicly a one peice swim suit.

Cjbear_10
teen, 16 years old
 
Seriously, just get it. Don't ask about it.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwesome!!! It is 3D and takes place in the past even though it has airships. I love the storyline. The action is cooooooool! Hard to understand for someone under the age of 11.By friend of Cjbear._10

 
Good Game
I have played FFXII and i got to say it is a wonderful game. I think it is the best game out for PS2 that i have seen come out this year

Totalmovie555
teen, 16 years old
 
The best yet!
So far, this is the best Final Fantasy game yet! If I was a parent, I would rate the game like this: On 11+ Sexual content: Blank Violence: Yellow Language: Blank Social Behavior: Green Educational Value: Green Commercialism: Yellow Drugs And Alcohol: Blank Note that my ratings would be a bit different since I am a parent. But because I am a kid, I would go easy on anyone under the age of 8. Overall, this is a perfect family game for reunions and whatnot.

inuyasha_775
teen, 17 years old
 
YES!
BEST GAME EEEEEEVVVVAAAAR =D

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age