FF12 looked fantastic. The voice acting was also good. No questions on either of those fronts. Now, if we were judging the game on a still frame, or quality of voice acting, my score would be different.
Music? I loved Sakimoto's work on BoF V, and can still hear the haunting melodies that fit perfectly with the mood of that game. I cannot recall a single song in Final Fantasy XII that was not used in another game.
Female leads? Let's examine:
Penelo - Childhood friend, along for NO REASON. RPG Cliche quota: 10/10
Fran - Outcast from her race for interacting with Humes... cept you meet about 569 other Viera outside who are pretty interactive with humes. Also, she doesn't like bondage. Nonsensical Quota 10/10.
Ashe - I'm a princess who's seeing the ghost of my dead husband and forget about him at random intervals, and I'm from a destined bloodline! Umm, amazing. Deep. Awesome. Sarcastic. At least she's not an embarassment like the other two. No 10/10 for her.
The story is as deep as the Sea of Tranquility is wet. And yes, I did expect a Final Fantasy experience, only to recieve an emptiness that only matches the most emo of emos, the most goth of goths.
See Ya George.
"He did not die - He passed Away"
At least following a comedians own jokes makes his death easier.
