A group of teenagers save the world from a supernatural threat.

What game did I just describe?

A lot, I know.

I see a lot of talk on message boards and the like about how the Japanese-style RPG (or JRPG) is a dying breed, and this is mostly brought on because their storylines are all so similar. You have a group of plucky teens with stylish hair, a few giant swords, maybe a tough old guy who will probably die, and some insurmountable juggernaut that they somehow wind up surmounting.

People bitch and people moan that they’re all the same. Then, when a game comes along that DEFIES that cliché and creates an active battle system to appeal to those who detest a turn-based system, no one likes it.

Final Fantasy XII was awesome because it was different. Unfortunately, different also means that people think it sucks. When you think about it, though, it has everything that people claimed to desire for a JRPG, but these are the same things that are pointed to for the game’s “failure.”

Every Final Fantasy game thus far (except XI, which doesn’t count) eventually comes to the predictable point in the story where the ragtag group of fighters become the only people who can prevent the world’s demise. People cry, “do something different!” so they did.

Final Fantasy XII isn’t about saving the world. It’s a story about one particular kingdom, and overcoming the government of one part of the world. No one outside of Dalmasca gave a damn what Ashe and the others were doing. So what’s the consensus from Johnny Internet about the story of Final Fantasy XII?

“It’s boring.”

Riiiiiight.

Okay, so, combat. The turn-based system is growing a bit stale for some. Understandable. In an effort to revitalize the series’ reputation as far as the battle system goes, Square Enix blended menus and real-time conflicts, with the ability to customize the AI of your entire party. Everyone will dig this, right?

Johnny?

“They should do turn-based again.”

Gah.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no pleasing some people, and there’s far too many “some people” these days. Everyone needs to just shut up. Except me.