Square Enix; 2007
Final Fantasy XII: International Zodiac Job System is the ironically-titled Japan-only “international” update to the original version of the PS2 RPG. It features the English voice acting and the widescreen option of the North American version and comes with the bonus DVD that was also packaged with the Collector’s Edition version. New features include the ability to control guest characters, a high-speed option for travel through tedious areas, new items, new gambits, more tolerable treasure chest randomization, and a complete redesign of the licence board.
Unlike the original version, in which every character uses an identical generic licence board, the international version forces the player to choose between several class-specific boards. The choice is permanent, and locks the character into the selected job for the rest of the game. This system limits characters to certain sets of skills related to the selected job, so care must be taken when organizing a party.
I haven’t started the game yet (it is still sealed), and it’s not going into the queue because I don’t plan on playing it any time soon, but it gets posted because it’s a worthy addition to the collection.
Tags: Acquired, Import, PS2, Video Games
