Board 8 > FF12: The Zodiac Age gets new story trailer and developer details

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25M5rVtrWYI

https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/06/08/the-long-path-to-final-fantasy-xii-the-zodiac-age/

The core members from the original development team got together this time to develop Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age, but the first thing that we thought was “to not only improve visual and sound expression, but also to reconstruct the game design itself so that the players can experience a new Final Fantasy XII as a modern game.”

We created this game as a new game for PS4 by devising multiple mechanics based on the Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System that was only released in Japan in 2007. It featured a more comfortable gameplay experience for our players, including changes to the growth system and the battle design where different strategies can be used compared to the original Final Fantasy XII. I’m sure that this experience will surpass the memories of those who played the original Final Fantasy XII. For those playing for the first time, this will be an experience like never before.

When creating the HD version of the visuals, we were careful to preserve the unique graphical texture of Akihiko Yoshida’s character illustrations while enhancing the expressiveness with modern technology.

And so, not only did we increase the resolution of the character models, but we have also strived to improve the textures such as the skin, hair, cloth, leather, metal, and any other material.

We have also improved the expressiveness of light and shadow by implementing modern lighting technology. The world inside the game can now be enjoyed with a greater sense of atmosphere and depth as we have enhanced the natural blur (depth of field) and soft lighting (ambient occlusion).

Oh yes, the resolution increases even more if you play this title on a 4K compatible TV with a PS4 Pro, so please try it out if you have the environment to do so.

We have re-recorded all tracks (Approximately 100!) with live performances, at the hands of Hitoshi Sakimoto who was also the composer on the original FFXII. When we first started developing FFXII TZA, we thought that having two types of tracks — the PS2 internal sound source version and the Original Soundtrack version released as a CD — was enough. However, when I mentioned to Hitoshi Sakimoto about that, he said “re-recording with live performances would be more effective as a modern game,” and I was tricked into doing so by that too-good-to-be-true offer.

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As a result, it was definitely the right decision to re-record the tracks! I’m confident that the sustaining sounds and lingering emotion unique to live performance has further enhanced the sense of presence and immersion in FFXII TZA.

We have even asked Hitoshi Sakimoto to compose new tracks (Eight!) for boss battles and maps, so I would love for his fans to look forward to that as well. We have also devised the following improvement to sound expressiveness aside from the tracks: We have fully included both Japanese and English voices, and those can be switched anytime from the configuration menu. We have strived to playback the voices in high definition, which will make the characters’ lines sound clearer than ever. This should help you to feel the details and nuance of each cutscene even more. The sound for FFXII was compatible with Dolby Pro Logic II, but this title is now compatible with 7.1ch surround sound.

We have greatly reduced the loading times, allowing for a more light-footed adventure. We have added an auto-save functionality aside from the ability to save at a save crystal, which was present in FFXII. We have incorporated a double speed functionality that will increase the speed of movement throughout the entire game. We have included a useful feature that overlays a location map on the screen with a push of the L3 button. This allows you to seamlessly check your current location and destination, even in a complex map.

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Glad to see they went all out on this. Dual audio is nice. Auto-save is kind of redundant since I remember save crystals being plentiful. You'll just have to keep a separate save at the crystals in case you need to redo something you messed up on.
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barreldragon88 posted...

Glad to see they went all out on this. Dual audio is nice. Auto-save is kind of redundant since I remember save crystals being plentiful. You'll just have to keep a separate save at the crystals in case you need to redo something you messed up on.

Oh man I just remembered about the Save Crystals.

LMAO Crystalbug enemies
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Who'da thunk my hype for this game would actually become justified at some point.
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"We have fully included both Japanese and English voices, and those can be switched anytime from the configuration menu. We have strived to playback the voices in high definition, which will make the characters’ lines sound clearer than ever."

oh good, they didn't throw away the uncompressed files. that's a relief.
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The problem is it's still FFXII.

But I'll probably at least try and give it a 4th shot.
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What's the problem with the second best FF of them all
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I never even liked FFXII, myself.

But man I saw potential for a good game there, and they're doing everything they possibly can to realize that as more and more stuff is revealed about the game. Trial mode looks hype.
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*2nd worst
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it's my 4th favorite

I wonder if Zodiac Edition will be able to boost it up more ^_^
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Did they fix the final quarter of the game? If not no sale.
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ff ranking in less than ten posts

impressive
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Ctrl F "Steam"

0 of 0

Why :(
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Looking awesome. Definitely going to get this.
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This sounds great, I love XII.
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Jeff Zero posted...

And so, not only did we increase the resolution of the character models, but we have also strived to improve the textures such as the skin, hair, cloth, leather, metal, and any other material.

did they fix Vaan's abs
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Jeff Zero posted...

We have strived to playback the voices in high definition, which will make the characters’ lines sound clearer than ever.

Omfg thank god
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also smart move to include the best FFXII song in the trailer
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Lopen posted...

Who'da thunk my hype for this game would actually become justified at some point.

For realz
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iiicon posted...

"We have fully included both Japanese and English voices, and those can be switched anytime from the configuration menu. We have strived to playback the voices in high definition, which will make the characters’ lines sound clearer than ever."

oh good, they didn't throw away the uncompressed files. that's a relief.

This is the first trailer I've seen where the audio doesn't sound compressed. Perhaps earlier trailers used samples from the PS2 version of the game because they sounded tinny.

Either way, I'm thrilled that they fixed that issue. Game looks fantastic
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Can't wait to hear the HD version clip of "I'm THE Basch fon Ronsenburg" or however its spelled. Square burned me once on this game and I have no desire to play it again since all the adjustments in the world can't fix a boring story and cast

Hey BUCKETHEAD

I'm Basch!
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Fuck you I'm the real Basch
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but what about vaan's abs
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Lopen posted...

I never even liked FFXII, myself.

But man I saw potential for a good game there, and they're doing everything they possibly can to realize that as more and more stuff is revealed about the game. Trial mode looks hype.

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay). The ideal would be a proper finale for it but this is good enough. Here's to hoping it releases on PC!
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That was a good trailer, but the voices still sound like shit.
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smart to make the plot look almost compelling by showing essentially nothing of vaan
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KanzarisKelshen posted...

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay).

no way ffxii's plot resembles tales at all lmfao
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pjbasis posted...

KanzarisKelshen posted...

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay).

no way ffxii's plot resembles tales at all lmfao

In quality? It absolutely does. Have you actually looked at the quality of your average Tales plot? >_>
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Oh man this looks fucking awesome. Maybe I should finally play my copy of FFXII that's remained unopened for 10 years?

Jeff Zero, thoughts?
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FFXII's overall plot is fine.

The characterization is meh.
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Tales plots are all trash but some have a few likeable characters and loads of charm. That's enough for me these days tbqh.
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Although FFXII and Tales games both include stupid terminology words like nethicite and fonons and blastia and shit like that.
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Nelson_Mandela posted...

Tales plots are all trash but some have a few likeable characters and loads of charm. That's enough for me these days tbqh.

Exactly (plus great gameplay). The FF12 story is unfixable without a bigger remake, but it looks like they're working on the charm and the characters ain't that bad so it's pretty close to how Tales games usually are.
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OlDirtyNumbers posted...

smart to make the plot look almost compelling by showing essentially nothing of vaan

I noticed that too

TheRock1525 posted...

Although FFXII and Tales games both include stupid terminology words like nethicite and fonons and blastia and shit like that.

yesss
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TheRock1525 posted...

FFXII's overall plot is fine.

The characterization is meh.

Half the playable cast is fantastic and two of the villains are, too.

The rest, not so much.
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LeonhartFour posted...

TheRock1525 posted...

FFXII's overall plot is fine.

The characterization is meh.

Half the playable cast is fantastic and two of the villains are, too.

The rest, not so much.

Which half?
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TheRock1525 posted...

LeonhartFour posted...

TheRock1525 posted...

FFXII's overall plot is fine.

The characterization is meh.

Half the playable cast is fantastic and two of the villains are, too.

The rest, not so much.

Which half?

The Balthier half.

Yes, Balthier alone is half the cast.
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Comparing FFXII's plot to Tales is an insult

... to Tales
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KanzarisKelshen posted...

pjbasis posted...

KanzarisKelshen posted...

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay).

no way ffxii's plot resembles tales at all lmfao

In quality? It absolutely does. Have you actually looked at the quality of your average Tales plot? >_>

I...I was saying FFXII is way better! Alright it's true I didn't finish it, but I'd rather it be boring or dry than be dumb most of the time
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Balthier, Ashe, and Basch are all great.

Also, I'll take dumb and campy over dry and boring any day.
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FFXII's an interesting plot with dry execution that you have no relevant part in.

Tales games tend to be a fairly standard plot with derpy execution that you're at least pretty central to.

I'll take the latter 10 times out of 10.
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Berseria raised the standard for Tales plots a ton! The series total mean/average is still below FF12 though.
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KanzarisKelshen posted...

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay).

This is the most insulting post I've read in years, and I regular the politics topic.
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LapisLazuli posted...

KanzarisKelshen posted...

It's at minimum gonna be a solid 'tales style' game now (in the sense of having garbo-ass plot but very fun gameplay).

This is the most insulting post I've read in years, and I regular the politics topic.

To.
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Fuck yea, XII Main Theme!!! It's so good it moves me to tears.

Did any of the scenes in the trailer look new? It's been too long since I've played the original, so I can't remember what's old and what's not.
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