People have said the story in Final Fantasy XII is similar to the one in Star Wars; and in part its an accurate statement since you play as members of a resistance group fighting against an evil empire. In Final Fantasy XII, the mighty Archadian Empire is conquering its small neighbors, one of them being the kingdom of Dalmasca, home of Vaan, Penelo, Basch and Princess Ashe. Their lives will no longer be the same after the Archadians attack Dalmasca, with Vaan losing his brother in the war, Basch captured as a prisoner, and Ashe exiled from her throne.
Two years later their lives will be intertwined and together they plan to restore Dalmasca back to Princess Ashe, the only sole surviving heir. Joining them will be two sky pirates, Balthier, and his sidekick, the Viera (elvish looking creature) called Fran.
Ivalice is the world which Final Fantasy XII is based on, so anyone who has played Final Fantasy Tactics or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will be familiar with the cultures and the characters. It's a beautiful world to walk around and explore, with rich cultures that show through in the Final Fantasy XII art designs of the towns and the characters. Like your party members, many NPCs have a sophisticated taste for fashion, with a variety of colors and intricate designs on their shirts, headbands, pants, and accessories.
Many of the characters in Final Fantasy XII are political figures who talk about political things. Conversations can get pretty boring. But this direction also allows the story to be refreshing without having to rely on clichés.
The cut scenes will have its share of terrific action sequences and drama, but most of the conversations is tied down to political business rather than giving us a more personal look at the relationships between Vaan, Ashe, and the other main characters. Don't expect an intimate story like Final Fantasy X. At least Vaan, Penelo, and Balthier help keep the story from being so serious, bringing their shares of sarcasm, humor, and laid back atmosphere.
