It's a brave new world
Note: I don't usually spend so much time and space on the introdcution to the basics of gameplay, but since, at the time of writing, the game was only available in Japanese, I thought maybe it could help people figure out what's going on....
(1) From the game's opening sequenceSquare's done it again! The game is introduced by a breathtakingly beautiful 6 minutes CG sequence, after which we learn a bit more about the current events through the writings of a man named Harem Ondore. After a few screens, the game can really begin. You wake up (literally) as Reks, young and, I should add, scantily clad (look at this page which sums up pretty well the whole issue), soldier. You are taken under the wing of one general Basch who begins to explain a little bit about the basics of playing - yep, we're in a tutorial, which isn't all that bad since the game introduces many changes from previous installements in the series
(2) That's the talk iconSo.....let's start with the brand new: turn your right stick for a panoramic view of the place. As for the old: use the left stick to walk, or run, depending on how much pression you apply. Approach Basch and you'll see a smiling icon above his head: it signals that you can talk to him. To do so, press O (X in NA and Europe versions). He will point out that the soldier a little bit ahead also needs some company as he also displays the talk icon. Go talk to him, then come back to Basch
(3) And that's the Action IconWalk in the direction of the door: at first, a single exclamation mark appears above your head. Basch explains that it's an action icon: basically it appears everytime you get close to something worth noticing. I can already hear some cynical people saying that after the mini-maps with the way to go clearly indicated in FF X and FF X-2, they are getting one step closer to taking you by the hand through the game. Well, actually, you'll be thankful for this action icon because, and I'll never stress it enough, areas are huge and chests appear randomely. Not to mention that some are hard to find. Get closer and the action icon becomes a double exclamation mark with written below the nature of the item you're standing before. Press O (X in NA and European versions) to examine, trigger, open, etc, depending on the item you're close to
(4) The first entries in the party menuNow that you've covered the basics of exploration, you can go upstairs for your next lesson. First you can access the party menu by pressing triangle to have access to various types of information, as well as equip and improve your party - but more about that later. For now, as you can see (4), the menu is limited to (from top to bottom), status, inventory and config (details on party menu: coming soon!)
(5) You're presented with some of
the battle basicsAt this point, an Achadian soldier approaches - too bad for him, he's about to become your testing subject. You'll see a red line emanating from your opponent that will link to you: this indicates he's preparing an action against you. Your actions towards an opponent are signaled with a blue line, and a character's action towards an ally are in green; while it may seem superfluous here since it's a one against one, you'll quickly find yourself with up to eight or even ten people at the same time on the battlefield, and you'll be happy to have them to understand better what's going on. If they really bother you too much, you can turn them off in the "config" menu (the last entry of the list on the left of your party menu). Now how about you do some actions of your own? Press O (X in the NA and European versions) and you'll bring up the battle menu. For now, you'll have three possible commands: attack, magicks and technics and items. Choose attack: it will open another window with the list of opponents within reach. Select one and confirm - you'll see your ATB bar fill up until you can make your move. Now the real news about FF XII is that once you've done that, you will automatically fill up your ATB bar again to perform another attack: you don't have to select attack anymore until you've beaten your opponent or unless you want to perform another action - you'll resume attacking once that selected action is completed. Now the gambits system will bring some changes to that if it's activated, but gambits will only be introduced later on
(6) And your first boss....well, in theoryFollow captain Basch to trigger a short cutscene and voilą, you're already facing your first boss! Fear not though, since you'd have to try very hard to lose that one. Just keep attacking and let your allies do the healing - they'll do this whenever your HP fall below a certain level. Use that rather easy battle to observe that the boss' HP bar isn't above him, like for regular opponents, but at the top of your screen. Also, if you look at the screencaps on the right (6), you'll see something written below it - it's warning you that the boss is about to perform a special attack. Many informations are given to you that way, so keep an eye peeled for whatever appears in that part of your screen. Here, it will allow you to run away from the boss before it performs its damaging attack, effectively dodging it. Again, here there's little chance of you dying, but in later battles, this could prove your life saver! Once the boss loses arund 50% of its HP, a new scene with an introduction to Basch' first Mist Knack will occur. Enjoy the show because you won't see them again before a little while
(7) Your first map - it doesn't look like
it, but levels are hugeContinue north, fight against a few soldiers on the way, until you get to the limit to the next area. There Basch will explain about another useful feature - press [select] to bring up a map of the region where you are. Maps will usually only show the area(s) already explored, unless you buy one or you receive one at some point. Here the map of the Nalbina Fortress was in your inventory, so it shows the whole region. The orange dot shows where you are, and the red cross your next goal - which doesn't mean you have to go there straight away. Process to the next area for another tip, that has little importance here but could avoid you a few game over throughout the game: keep pressing the [R2] button to escape from battle or to avoid one - (note that some enemies will be faster and thus will close in on you even when in escape mode)
(8) It's not save sphere anymore, it's
save crystalDon't bother here - instead, why not look around for a couple of potions, and to admire your surroundings? Just keep going north to move along the story line. Next stop is by a big blue crystal that replaces FF X' save sphere. By pressing X you'll heal your entire party's HP and MP, and be prompted to choose whether or not to save - btw, remember to save as often as you can - some dungeons can offer very few save crystals, and even in outside environments, you never know when you'll end up in front of an insanely tough enemy and you'll be glad not to lose a few hours worth of leveling up just like that. Continue and after yet another cutscene, you'll be in your first real test (albeit an easy one): you must defeat three soldiers on your own - while wondering how come you can survive anything with armor leaving your midrif completely bare. Anyway.....again, it's not difficult, but keep an eye on your HP and don't hesitate to use a potion if need be. Now progress all the way until you reach the place noted on your map for another cutscene, which concludes this first part of the game
Next stop: the Royal City of Rabnastre
