Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
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The nation of Dalmasca lies in an uneasy peace with the Archadian Empire, defeated in an earlier war that saw the Empire take control by force. This delicate balance begins to shift when Vaan, a young man eager to be free of their rule, finds himself drawn into the dealings of sky pirates and crosses the paths of revolutionaries eager to restore Ashe, the nation’s princess, to her throne. From there, these unlikely allies form a party and journey forth toward a new peace, not only for their home nation, but for all of the cultures and peoples within and outside of the empire.
Full of deception, sinister plots and intrigue, Final Fantasy XII was something special even in the heyday of JRPGs. It’s no surprise then that the honed and refined remaster, The Zodiac Age, is just as good if not better: Combat has received an overhaul, with quality of life features like fast forwarding through battles and a reworked character progression system allowing for better, faster options to combat. Likewise, the visuals have received a minor visual makeover to help the game stand alongside modern works and better illustrate the intellectual storytelling to its fullest. Though it may take some time to get into, it’ll be worth it to cross this under-appreciated classic off of your list.
