Does it get... better?

[★ Smokes, Let's Go Ψ]

Big FF fan. I've played 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10-2, and Tactics Advanced (and Dimensions!). I bought 12, 13 (and its sequels), and 15 - figured I'd go through 12 first.

The problem?

I'm having a lot of trouble getting into the combat. I can't really describe it... I just don't like it very much. I had the same issue with DQ11's combat, this style just may not be for me. I also feel like the game is too difficult? I'm in the sewers after getting Basch and my party got wiped before reaching the second save point. I used up all my potions and downs, the one healer ran out of MP quickly...

At this point, I really don't feel like playing. But I was intrigued by the story and I'd still like to try. So, does it get better/different? Or is it really more of the same? Is the game actually tough or am I just a noob?

[Hinnyuu]

It's good to see a different complaint, many people say it's too easy ;) Just goes to show how subjective this is.

The section you're at in particular can be a bit tricky for new players, because you run the risk of getting overwhelmed when you fall behind and it's early enough for players to still be figuring things out.

Generally speaking, though, it does get better from there. Combat is really the strong point in this game - there's a lot you can do thanks to the gambit system, but getting to grips with that is the first big hurdle for new players.

The game is somewhat nonlinear as well. Sticking strictly to the story will be fairly easy, but straying into optional/high-level zones early on will be a much greater challenge. My suggestion to you would be to stick with it for a while longer and try to figure out the intricacies of the combat system. Once you get used to the gambit system it should be a lot smoother, and it also improves considerably once you unlock the ability to select a second job for everyone (which is coming to you in a couple of hours play, based on where you're at). That's really a big turning point in the game, and I'd definitely try and check out how it feels after that.

[Andrea Honeybee]

the auto attack premise will always remain the same, that said you will get more flashy things as you invest in your licence board. the leveling system has a heavy emphasis on the license board, the stats you gain through leveling are all preset, so your characters strengths are going to be in how much you farm the LP up to grow your board.

It can be a difficult game if your not farming enough LP and just trying to blow through the game, the bosses are no joke either. IMO the game does scale pretty harshly in the beginning, so you have to take a little time to farm the LP.

But YES it DEFINITELY get better!

[Casurin]

There are also a few tricks early on.
Like the is a tech that allows one to heal a character that is in critical condition - for free.
Early on it is also important to not waste MP too much, so try to only fight 1 enemy at a time to not take too much damage, use elemental weakness to kill them easier, only let your healer cast magic when it really is needed, farm a bit near a save-crystal (just talking to one insta-heals the entire party completely.)

[ezzypixel]

It's a system that gets easier as you master it. I wish I knew exactly what your struggling with to better help you. One thing I didn't notice anyone mention is your equipment. Making sure you upgrade your equipment often is important, since equipment increases your characters attack power and defenses more than leveling up. Maybe your characters defenses are too low and they need better armor? That might be why your healer is struggling and your running out of potions and phoenix downs.

[Deathwish40K]

I love the streamlined gambit combat system and am totally bored with the lame political driven story. if I wanted to watch politics I'd turn on [insert literally any media network here] instead.

[Skopin]

Originally posted by Deathwish40K:

I love the streamlined gambit combat system and am totally bored with the lame political driven story. if I wanted to watch politics I'd turn on [insert literally any media network here] instead.

The story gets much better as you go. The politics sets a background, but it gets much deeper.

[CloudSeeker]

Originally posted by Deathwish40K:

I love the streamlined gambit combat system and am totally bored with the lame political driven story. if I wanted to watch politics I'd turn on [insert literally any media network here] instead.

It isn't that bad. BBEG just want to overthrow the current gods while achieving world domination.

Also. Politics is not a bad thing. Just because they are not talking about Trump or Biden does not mean it is forced. The way the politics in this game is handled is actually rather good.

[burningmime]

Originally posted by Deathwish40K:

I love the streamlined gambit combat system and am totally bored with the lame political driven story. if I wanted to watch politics I'd turn on [insert literally any media network here] instead.

That's not a really fair comparison at all. It's like saying "I don't like FF10 because of the lame sports driven story. If I wanted to watch sportsball I'd turn on ESPN".

Nothing in FF12 story is like modern politics. There's no focus groups, polls, votes, etc. The "politics" consists of assassinations and backstabbing, alliances and wars. It's far closer to Game of Thrones. If you don't enjoy the story, fair enough, but your criticism is entirely incorrect.

[Scheneighnay]

If you're running out of MP you definitely need to adjust your gambits to stop burning through it.
The barheim passage, which I'm assuming you're referring to, is the first learning curve area of the game where you see what you're doing wrong.

I'm a big fan of the political story myself. Vayne and Cid make for very likeable antagonists.

[「Lukja」]

lol the game is easier than its ever been

[Sephiroth]

remember you regain mp when running, you run faster when you dont have your weapon readied

the girls all start out with cure.

vaan balthier and fran all have steal.

[Tatherwood]

Short answer: no, it doesn't get better. I played the original for PS2 way back when, dropped it for the reasons you give and a few others. I've yet to play this "remake" myself (seriously, not sure what the difference is yet), but...doubt it's much different.

[Arcade Bumstead]

You played every single other FF game, but this is where you draw the line? I'm just going to ignore how little sense that makes. You have nothing to gain from lying here.

It doesn't get "better". You just don't like the game on a basic level.

[★ Smokes, Let's Go Ψ]

Originally posted by Exodus:

You played every single other FF game, but this is where you draw the line? I'm just going to ignore how little sense that makes. You have nothing to gain from lying here.

It doesn't get "better". You just don't like the game on a basic level.

You're correct, I just didn't like FF12. I stopped playing and uninstalled shortly after making this thread. Not sure what I was lying about though.

[Scheneighnay]

Originally posted by Tatherwood:

Short answer: no, it doesn't get better. I played the original for PS2 way back when, dropped it for the reasons you give and a few others. I've yet to play this "remake" myself (seriously, not sure what the difference is yet), but...doubt it's much different.

There's mostly a lot of balance changes.