Remember: disagree and die.
Number Ten - Final Fantasy XII
This one is almost just to piss you guys off.
Final Fantasy VII held this spot for a bit, but then I realized a game doesn't deserve a spot on this list if it's only here for nostalgia purposes. And let's face it: FFVII is only amazing until you leave Midgar. It's all downhill from there.
On with why Final Fantasy XII does deserve this spot.
While everybody at IGN except Jeremy Dunham seems to inexplicably write off this title, I see it for what it truly is.
Final Fantasy XII is so incredibly refreshing in so many ways. It allows you to explore a massive world with barely any "invisible walls" to stop you. Instead, if you venture off to explore, the shear challenge of the wild beasts in the area give you hints that you're not quite powerful enough to be there yet.
But still you feel the need to explore because every area calls to you. There is no longer a bizarre, perspective-altering overworld like the PSX generation iterations. There is no longer just a plain arbitrary path connecting one destination to the other like in Final Fantasy X.
No, in XII you feel like you're actually embarking on a real journey each time you gear up to take travel. You cross plains and duck through caves usually taking one of many paths that could lead you to where you want to go.
Although the story -- while intricate -- is a bit too boring to care about, the storytelling is spectacular.
Final Fantasy XII easily sets the standard for voice-acting in a video game. Which is a huge relief after the terrible work done in X. Not only are the voices stellar, but the direction of the scenes are compelling and inventive.
While Vaan and Penelo are annoying, Ashe and Basch are boring and only Fran and Balthier are interesting, you still care about every scene because of how well it's put together.
If this is continued in XIII with a more engaging storyline and consistently interesting characters, imagine the possibilities.
Finally the controversial battle system. Here's the final word: it's refreshing, engaging, customizable, and fun. It's beyond me how so many IGN editors seem to write XII off as another boring notch on the Final Fantasy series when so much was improved upon from the mediocrity that was X.
(Can you tell X won't be on this list?)
Agree with me yet?
Look forward to agreeing with me again when Number 9 comes tomorrow.
There will be no rapidfire while this feature is running, but feel free to comment below.
_ethan
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