How open world is this game (and how much customization)?

[WickedRequiem]

I've heard this was basically a "single player mmo version of FFT", where every character can be given a different class, weapon, armor, etc etc... and you can go on different areas to just mess around and do side quests / hunts.

Is this true?

[Anthroid]

Basically yeah. Its open world very early on. But a lot of parts of the map are closed off until you reach points in the story

[WickedRequiem]

Fantastic.
One of the things I hated about recent FF games is that customization was rather limited (Cloud can only use swords, Zell can only use gloves, Fang can only use spears, etc etc).

Do the appearances of characters change depending on armors / classes?

[Inssengrimm]

It`s very open as a game world. Of course by today's estandars the world map might seem small, but during its time and its platform it was vast.

There are zones that are locked out from exploration till certain story events occur, but you can get out of your way a few maps/zones in almost every situation.

About the classes, unlike tactics where you could be everything and level up all classes in each character, here you get to pick 1 job when you get a character and later another, so 2 jobs per character out of 12 posible jobs. The fun part is in experimentation and how you want to setup your party!

It has an undoubtly MMORPG feel to it, very typical of the PS2 era filled of offline MMO kinda games. And its open world nature, was probably an answer to the critics FFX recived for being so linear. Also the game runs in the FFXI engine, so open world was a natural fit for it.

Originally posted by WickedRequiem:

Do the appearances of characters change depending on armors / classes?

No, it doesn't, sadly, it would have been a terrific addition.

Only diferences are in how every character swings their weapons and the weapon models themselves. But they all get to keep their same clothes.

[Marius]

It's much a offline MMORPG with elements of Dragon Age automatic system-thingy, and an 'Star Wars-que' atmosphere/ambiance.

[doom of anubis]

nope, characters appearences are pretty well set as what they are. any character can pick any job, but jobs are lock in (you cannot change them once they are picked. 2 max per character (requires you progress a bit to unlock a second job)). you can have multiple people be one job, or have every job used once (6 characters, 2 jobs each, 12 total jobs in the game). each person does have innate strengths and weaknesses to some of the jobs, but in the end, you could make them all have the worst job in the game, and still win...would just be spending a ton of time farming and using items. it becomes pretty much open world the second you finish the basic tutorial hunt. you obviously cannot go everywhere at that point, some areas are locked behind story progression, but you are free to go all over the place and do whatever you want. you want to grind till you are level 99 with hundreds of thousands of gil before you even get a permanent second party member? you can do that. there are a few places where you are locked into finishing them for story reasons, but otherwise, it is a fairly open door policy.

[Kblocks]

Originally posted by Alexander Dragonfang:

they all get to keep their same clothes.

classic weaboo mechanics

[WickedRequiem]

A tad disappointed about the appearance, but everything else seems great.

The class system reminds me a bit of old school AD&D human characters.

If I unlock a second job, do I gain exp for both classes?
Or do I stop progressing in the first class and only gain experience for the second class?

Oh, also... without being spoilerish... does this game have "post-game" free play mode (continue exploring the world after beating the final boss) and "optional super/secret bosses" (like Weapons)?

[FuzedBox]

Originally posted by WickedRequiem:

A tad disappointed about the appearance, but everything else seems great.

The class system reminds me a bit of old school AD&D human characters.

If I unlock a second job, do I gain exp for both classes?
Or do I stop progressing in the first class and only gain experience for the second class?

Oh, also... without being spoilerish... does this game have "post-game" free play mode (continue exploring the world after beating the final boss) and "optional super/secret bosses" (like Weapons)?

In this game, Exp is just for level. Enemies also drop license points, or LP. You save up and spend on the class license boards for character growth.

Edit: Yes, there are a lot of post-game activities. I spent over 200hrs on one of my old PS2 slots and didn't even do everything. Main story is usually 55-70hrs depending on your pace and how many diversions you take. Most of the sidequests are monster hunting for a guild, but it's fun.

[Inssengrimm]

Hunting rare mosters is also very time consuming, and getting the cooler weapons can take your playtime well into the 100hrs if not beyond.

[No.1 The Larch]

It's KOTOR by way of Final Fantasy. Very very similar in the broad strokes.