LogFAQs > #961351780

Evillordexdeath posted...

5

I actually like the focus on political intrigue, but the story as a whole is just really emotionally dead.

This is beating a dead horse, but I think the biggest reason - outside of a simple lack of story content in general after the first 1/3 is over - for the 'emotionally dead' thing is Vaan's fault. Political stories need a strong emotional character hook to succeed, as it keeps the audience invested when it comes time for those characters to sit around and start talking about international matters bigger than themselves. Final Fantasy Tactics has Ramza and Delita's relationship. Game of Thrones has Ned's death. FF12 initially has Rek's death, but Vaan seems to forget about that plot point shockingly early. It's a strong hook they did absolutely nothing with! Afterwards, FF12 waffles between Ashe wanting her country back, Basch's redemption, and Balthier's relationship with Cid, without giving sufficient time to develop any of those things. Maybe it could've worked okay if Vaan's hook was still running in the background, but it's just not, and there's long stretches of game where you're left with little to care about.