Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Reviews
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an excellent example of a holistic approach to producing a well-made remaster. Not only does it feature the usual remaster fare of significantly improved visuals up to their maximum capabilities but it also includes significant and positive improvements and additions to its audio and gameplay that take into consideration both its past strengths and weakness, the resources of the current times, and both its past and current potential audience. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is undoubtedly a remaster worth playing for both newcomers and fans of the original.
Final Fantasy XII is an epic, sprawling tale that many gamers — myself included — missed the first time around because of when it was released. Don't make that mistake again. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is one of the best, if not the best, remaster of a Final Fantasy game in recently memory, and is objectively better now than it was a decade ago. For $49.99 on PlayStation 4, the game is a steal to fans new and old interested in an old(er)-school JRPG experience.
Square-Enix hasn't pulled off any miracles with this remaster, but The Zodiac Age gives players one of the great Final Fantasies, looking sharper and playing better than it ever has before. The battle and progress systems that once infuriated aficionados haven't become less abrasive with time, but they also help give the game its pace and a feel that's unlike any other game in the series. More immediately entertaining than FF13 and surprisingly innovative and forward-looking for its time, FF12 has worn very well. If you didn't get a chance to play it a decade ago, now's your chance.
If you absolutely couldn't stand the gameplay of Final Fantasy XII, The Zodiac Age's improvements may not ultimately be enough to sway you to the other side. However, the remaster makes some truly important quality of life changes to its design that results in The Zodiac Age being much more approachable.
Whether you memorized every map of the original game, or you've yet to set foot in the most intricate version of Yasumi Matsuno's Ivalice ever rendered, there's more than enough incentive in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age to jump in.
Final Fantasy XII : The Zodiac Age is a beautiful remaster which makes us love the game even more. Thanks to the second job addition, the fast forward rhythm or the magnificent re-orchestration of the original soundtrack, this version deserves a run, wether you already finished the original game or not.
Review in French | Read full review
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is, easily, the definitive edition of FFXII. It offers the same great adventure that many played and loved in PS2 and enhance it with many elements and additions that improve the overall experience. However, even with all of these, the game cannot evade in showing some aspects that look like little bit aged. Neverthless, all of them are minimun and do not affect harshley the game by any means.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gameplay-wise and visual an impressive remaster and a great JRPG, which has a dissapointing story and a combat system you need getting used to.
Review in German | Read full review
The remastered version of Final Fantasy XII is the perfect opportunity to rediscover one of the most underestimated chapters of the series. With new gameplay mechanics and some graphic improvements, The Zodiac Age is the best edition of Final Fantasy XII without any doubt.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Final Fantasy XII released to mixed opinions when it first hit back in 2006, and even today, fans will still argue over where it deserves to land on a listing of the best chapters of the franchise. It received those opinions because it was a bold, daring, and different chapter of a series that up-ended our expectations for what Final Fantasy should be—and all these years later, those elements are part of the reason why I still think it's one of the best entries we've ever received.
“Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age” brings back a pivotal title in the series' modern period that has proved to be ahead of its time. It's like a time capsule that bridges the transition from the series' classic roots to its more modern iterations. Like the original game it's based on, the game is not perfect. If you love JRPGs, however, this is one history lesson you'll want to take.
There are still some core narrative issues with the main characters and the game can be a bit too easy at times, but the new job system alone made this journey back to Ivalice so much more enjoyable. Whether you're returning or playing this game for the first time, Final Fantasy XII is a JRPG that deserves to be played.
So much of the game is build up to minor privileges and plot points that other RPGs freely give to the player.
Final Fantasy XII – The Zodiac Age is far from the perfect game, but it is one of the few in the series I bothered to complete. From its lofty melodrama and rewarding combat and character systems to its missed story beats and sloggy late-game, it's an adventure I will not soon forget. More importantly, it's one I do not want to forget, which is more than I can say for almost every entry in the series released since this game first saw light 11 years ago.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age soars onto the Nintendo Switch, proving itself to be another successful and highly entertaining port of a Square Enix classic.
The main appeal of Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is going to be for newcomers and Switch owners looking to play on the go. In addition to Zodiac Age being the definitive experience, one that includes several additions that improve the overall experience, it even results in a more satisfying experience. Unfortunately, despite some steps forward, it doesn't stop this remaster from having muddy visuals when on the go. That being said, it really is a must have for JRPG fans and worth the cost.
A loyal and heartfelt remaster, but no matter how much Square Enix polishes Final Fantasy XII, the company is never going to wear down those occasional bumps that affected the overall package the first time. New RPG systems, rebalanced enemies, UI updates and speed options all boil down to a much smoother, nicer (prettier!) version of the game than the original European release. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is a wonderfully nostalgic, but undeniably flawed, return to Ivalice.
Final Fantasy XII is a fascinating game, and the International and HD additions make it even better.
The Zodiac Age eases Final Fantasy XII's progressive engine into a modern chassis. Some of Final Fantasy XII's problems were addressed some never will be, and that's OK. It's a one-of-a-kind model with tasteful upgrades and efficient tuning, and it leaves little doubt that The Zodiac Age is the best Final Fantasy XII has ever performed.
In short, Final Fantasy XII was a great RPG, swapping out gunblades and epic, world-destroying storylines in favour of ones revolving around political intrigue; it remains as such. It's as fun to play now as it was back in the dying stages of the PS2, and is perfect for returning fans or those who missed out previously.