Hi,

I'm looking to buy book/s containing Final Fantasy XII game artworks, illustrations, sketches, background art, concept art, character design sketches, etc.

I've come across this thread Thread 45177 which pretty much lured me into wanting to buy the Ultimania Omega book.

A few questions before I buy:

1. Is there an English version of the FFXII Ultimania Omega book?
I'm most interested in the artworks side, but I do play the game as well, so wouldn't mind getting some playing tips along the way. Interviews and "artists' thought notes" are always interesting read too, if there are any.

2. How much of the book actually contains artwork, sketches, etc?
I wouldn't want to buy a big guidebook with only 10 or so pages of artwork and the rest in Jap ..

3. Does it contain the artworks from the limited edition game booklet?

4. For its similar artworks worth, which other Final Fantasy guidebooks would you recommend?
I've briefly looked into Final Fantasy X Ultimania Omega and Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Reunion Files, just wondering if they're worth purchasing.

Thanks!

1) There's no English version of Ultimania, sadly. There are actually multiple Ultimania books, but Omega is the one known for the artwork while the other two cater more strongly towards specific gameplay elements. It really is a massive game, so it's not really surprising. There are interviews contained within (the main characters' Japanese seiyuus are interviewed), but once again, they're all in Japanese.

2) I'd say there's a great deal of artwork inside, but the book format is about 5"x8" so I consider it more a collectible than say, a coffee table book in regards to display. If you're more a casual fan, I'd say jump online and head to Ambrosia (that site I mentioned in the thread you referenced) and nab the pictures. The artwork in the book is lovely, though. Illustrations, not CG, so the images aren't the typical ones that saturate the internet.

3) The limited edition game booklet? I believe those are all CG artworks and they can be easily obtained online (check Ambrosial, once again). I have the limited edition game booklet and it's really just okay in comparison to Ultimania, despite being in a much larger format. The limited edition game booklet is really large and the pages are somewhat glossy. The Ultimania book has a smaller, more intimate feel. The paper is quite unlike any American game guide.

4) I have the FF8 Ultimania book and it does not really offer any new artwork I've never seen before. The same goes for the FF7 Ultimania book (for the original game, not the reunion files) but other than that I can't say for certain.


Yes, I write a lot, but after shipping one of these books can easily cost you forty bucks or so, and I think it's important to know facts before purchasing them. Bottom line: if you love a particular Final Fantasy game, buy one, if only for the sheer novelty of having something special. They're all written in Japanese, but unless you're buying it for actual gaming advice, it's not going to diminish the experience of having one by much, if at all.

1) There's no English version of Ultimania, sadly. As expected - but at least now I know there's no English version so I won't kick myself if there was one.


2)The artwork in the book is lovely, though. Illustrations, not CG, so the images aren't the typical ones that saturate the internet.I'm a huge fan of FFXII esp the artwork side - which is why I want to actually buy the book, instead of just downloading scans. Sketches and illustrations are exactly what I'm looking for, more than CG works.

Question - is there a specific section of the book dedicated for the artworks, or are they just 'page-fillers' scattered throughout the book kind of thing?


4) I have the FF8 Ultimania book and it does not really offer any new artwork I've never seen before. The same goes for the FF7 Ultimania book (for the original game, not the reunion files) but other than that I can't say for certain.I looked into the FFX, FF8 and the FF7 Reunion Files but couldn't really find much info or sample pages online. Never mind, think I'll skip them for now.


Yes, I write a lot, but after shipping one of these books can easily cost you forty bucks or so, and I think it's important to know facts before purchasing them.Exactly why I posted here before buying :)

Thanks heaps for the detailed reply, appreciated it!