Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

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Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age is the shining example of how remasters should be -- improving the game in multiple aspects while keeping the core gameplay intact.

Minor grievances aside, the fact remains that Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is easily the best version of the game. Those who were deterred by it the first time around are unlikely to warm up to it this time, as its divisive battle system remains completely intact. That being said, the sweeping narrative and endearing cast of characters, alongside the drastically improved character upgrade system, provide an expansive and refined role-playing experience that still manages to charm even a decade after its original release. As someone who saw most everything that the original game offered, t...

Final Fantasy XII has aged very well indeed – and that's not something you can say about a lot of role-playing games that launched over ten years ago. Following on from the admirable remastered collection that is Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster, Square Enix has seen fit to rework one of the most divisive mainline Final Fantasy games in its portfolio. Enter Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an extremely solid and polished remaster of the most unusual mainline entry. If you’ve never played FFXII this is the best way to give it a go and if you are a veteran, having the changes from the previously Japan only IZJS version give you another reason to revisit Ivalice.

Though I remember having a huge amount of fun with XII when it came out, it’s always been Final Fantasy X that was ‘my’ Final Fantasy game growing up. However, having replayed them both again in remastered form, it’s clearly XII which comes away the winner. A wonderful remaster with welcome enhancements, it’s remarkable just how fresh, fun and involving Final Fantasy XII feels over a decade later, with elements that still feel modern in a franchise well known for hanging onto the past.

The smartest game in the series has finally made it to PC.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age shows what remasters should be all about. The improved visuals and audio, along with the tweaks made to the gameplay, make the game much more enjoyable. Any fan of Final Fantasy or JRPGs in general can't go wrong with this title.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age has finally made its way onto the ever-so-portable Nintendo Switch, and the game has made itself right at home on the contemporary device. Ever a fan of the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XII was one title I could not get into when it first released. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to the title, despite never having the opportunity to give it another fair shot. Years later, Final Fantasy XII has made its way to the Nintendo Switch with its The Zodiac Age edition.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, despite my misgivings, is a triumph that still holds up all these years later. Modern conveniences like upping the tempo of combat are far more valuable than the new coat of paint, and despite a slow-going narrative it’s a blast to just roam the open countryside, mess around with Gambits, and go on hunts. Slowly but surely XII has wormed its way into my heart — it only took 11 years.

A quick look at the performance of Zodiac Age's PC Port.

And I am going to keep doing things in The Zodiac Age. It’s taken the game I already loved so much and given me more. The Zodiac Age doesn’t add things for the sake of adding them. I can see myself putting 300 more hours into this version of Final Fantasy 12, trying different combinations of job classes and testing out new tactics on the optional bosses I could never quite conquer in the original game. The Zodiac Age takes a game I could play in my sleep and makes me wake up and appreciate it again.