When the release of FFXI was announced to be an online version, the world thought that this could mark the end for the Final Fantasy series. It was a wild theory but one that could be believed when shown certain facts and evidence of how Square had been acting lately with their new project that would be an ongoing online game. However, now with the announcement of FFXII soon coming out there is no longer a need to worry but a need for excitement.

For those of you who have played FFTA, you will know of the world of Ivalice; the locations and the type of races that live within the world. FFXII shows a lot of similarities and also claims that the story will take place within the world of Ivalice, which means that many of the same wonderful and amazing races will be present.

In many of the trailers and also announcements of the game, it is said to take place two years after FFX. This is very confusing, as it says the game is set within Ivalice but two years after FFX---and FFX was not set in Ivalice.

This aside, it looks as though Square-Enix seem to be getting more fantastical with each game they create and this one is the most promising yet.

In this new epic, you follow the life of a young air pirate named Vaan. As usual (bar FFVIII and FFXI) he has the young boyish looks and yes, you guessed it---blond hair. Following this hero you will have to battle your way through a kingdom that is on the brink of falling to pieces by war and together, with the princess no less, you will strive to bring peace back to the nation.

Just as there was in the world of Ivalice for FFTA, there are a few races within the world that differ from the norm.

Firstly there are the Humes and these are basically the human race of the world. There are five main characters in the game that are of this race. Vaan for one, Ashe is the princes of Ivalice, Penelo is a fellow air pirate, Basch who was once a knight and finally Balflear who is also another air pirate. All of these characters have their own styles and quirks, with a personal history to each of them that draw them into the story.

Next there is the Bangaa race; these were the strong and grumpy lizard like race in FFTA. There is no information as yet if one of these strong warriors will feature as a main character in the game but then not all information has been given out. They are a very strong race that do more than well in battle and have a very ferocious streak to them.

Viera are also in the game. Fran is one of the main characters with her long bunny like ears and slender limbs as the rest of her race have. These are known as a hunting race that long ago used to live within the forests of the world. However, because of the war that has struck the land, they have been forced to merge with the Humes and live amongst them. Some have chosen to go back to their roots and return to hunting in the forests once again but there are many who stay within the civilisation of the Humes.

Other races are also mentioned such as the wonderful moogles that have always been in the Final Fantasy series since the dawn of its creation. However, as it was the case in FFTA, it is the first time that they have been used as actual fighting characters. Now they have given up their squinty eyed and pompom on a string look for taking up weapons and showing their stuff!

There is also a new race that has been mentioned and featured in the screens and trailers. These creatures are called the Seeg. These are a large and fat toad like race that live amongst the others in the great city and other locations of Ivalice. Not much has been revealed of this race but there have been many of them around in the information and media.

Like said, there is a load of elements in here form FFTA and the Ivalice world that has come together in a new 3D form to create this amazing and complex game.

This game looks better than amazing; truly, there are no words that can describe the creativity and pure brilliance behind this game and its epic story. From the screens, trailers and information announced, it looks to be the best Final Fantasy ever to be created by square and it deserves this title.

The graphics of the game are amazing, the cinematic scenes almost life like in themselves; the people look so real that they could actually exist and even though such races like the Bangaa, who are lizard men, are not real, they could well be with the amazing and life like look they have to them. Stunning scenes such as magical explosions, masses of troops parading through the streets, armoured chocobo battles and airship skirmishes in the skies above Ivalice blow your mind away.

Each and every one of the character models---whether they are main characters or even simple towns people---have had such great detail paid attention to them. Although you can see the difference between the cinematic scenes and the in-game models, it will not be long before it will be impossible to compare the two against one another.

As there was in FFTA, all of the locations in Ivalice are stunning and exotic; ranging from monster-infested desserts to prosperous cities of gigantic proportions with skyscrapers and rows of buildings as far as the eye can see.

The overall look of the game has had a slight change compared to that of FFX. Although it still has the main components---such as airships---the game has gone back to the roots of FFTA with the races, stunning locations and overall style.

Just like many of the other Final Fantasy titles, it still has the same turn based fight system but it has a slight twist. This is where it does differ from FFTA; there are no team tactic battles. Although the old classic battle system remains, the fighters do not stand stationary. This is to add to the more realistic feel to the battles that you engage in. When an attack is selected, the character does not hop forward, make the attack and then retreat back to the spot from where they came. Instead, they move around the fighting area, still only attacking when you select them to and it is their turn but they do not return to the point where they started.

In all other respects, the battle system still looks amazing with all of the usual weapon, magic and summon choices to dispose of the enemy that has the nerve to confront you. These of course look fantastic and add to the overall style and amazing quality that will have your jaw dropping to no end.

There is no doubt that FFXII is going to re-awaken the fans of long ago, filling them once again of hopes and dreams that the series brought when it first came about and was then revived on the next-gen consoles with FFVII. It is full with amazing and action packed moments of battle from airships to chocobos and still has the same puzzle and mystery element to it. Ivalice has come to life the way it should be and all of the wonderful creatures have become so life like that it is not unbelievable but believable. This game is believable. This is why it is so amazing and that all credit should be given to Square-Enix for it. Making a fantasy world that everyone can connect with and to some extent truly believe, now that is a masterpiece.

This game is the peak of the Final Fantasy series, if you are a collector of the games, then this is one that cannot be missed. TR