So did anyone have a problem with this area first time 'round?

I did it without a guide for the first time yesterday. On my first two playthroughs I basically wandered around for ages before giving up and using the wlakthrough guide.

Also, what other areas did you guys have trouble with? I always found the Pharos' Third Ascent pretty damn hard to work out without a guide.

Discuss.

I still hate the Garamsythe Waterway. It's not too bad the first time, but once I start opening/closing sluice gates I get confused fast.

The Draklor Laboratory didn't bother me much and as I got through fairly quickly (mostly by luck) but I wasn't a high enough level to beat Cid and was stuck in there for ages trying to level up on Imperials.

I personally don't like the Nechrohol of Nabudis as there is no save crystal which always make me feel a little vulnerable at low levels.

I had no trouble with the Draklor labs, and I have never used a guide for that part...I guess its because I try to explore everywhere on a map though. The part that I had trouble with was the Great Crystal. I spent about 2 hours trying to find my way out after I wandered in for a second time...No complaints though, because I got a ton of leveling/money building done.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that place. I lost my guidebook and was stuck in there for hours (had saved at that crystal near Ultima). If the place looks exactly the same wherever you go - except for the odd waystone - they should really give you a map...

The only thing I have used a guide for is the Great Crystal...

I bloody hate Draklor. I wandered around in there for hours the first time I played trying to get into all the little rooms on the map.

I also hated Ultima's half of the Great Crystal. That place was a right pain in the arse.

I got stuck at the boss on the lift at the end of Pharos: Subterra and never played FFXII ever again.....

I was just worried because I wanted Old Dalan to show up in my Sky Pirate's Den...I wasn't sure how much exploring I had to do in areas that didn't show up in area maps, such as the Subterra and the Great Crystal. I don't mind aimless exploring, but I'll admit to using a nap to navigate the latter.


...Once I finally got the old man I was much relieved!

Draklor is actually pretty straightforward. You gain access to the map as soon as the segment begins. Just hit select, map out your route, and when you come across a closed bulkhead, enter the nearest switch room; chances are, if you flip the switch, you'll be able to proceed.

Fuck the great crystal and it's "artist's rendering" map. Fuck it! Right in the ear! :)

Terabyte, you have the most random posting patterns ever. You seem to go 2-3 months without posting and then make about 30 posts in two days, only to disappear again.

For me, the bulkheads were only part of the problem. I kept getting ambushed by Imperials meaning that I had to stop and fight them before being able to continue, by which time I'd completely forgotten where I was and what direction I needed to go in.

Terabyte, you have the most random posting patterns ever. You seem to go 2-3 months without posting and then make about 30 posts in two days, only to disappear again.

Hey man, I don't have much time to devote to forumboarding these days. Last semester = clusterfuck to finals. Throw on top of that working my network so I can find a job that pays the billz, plus getting out of tha hizzay to tie one on with my peeps, I be hella short on time, yo.

As they say, pimpin' ain't easy. ;)