Most Gripping Part of the Game *MAJOR SPOILERS*

I found two parts of this game to be the most intense. The first one was where Ashe cuts through Rasler’s holograph in the Pharos at Ridorana. To gather up the strength and look beyond the Occuria’s facade really helped prove Ashe’s worth to me. She started off as a strong independent woman in the beginning of the game, then seemed to get more and more confused along the way. I was starting to lose interest in her because she was turning into a tool for the Occuria. Seeing her cut down the false image of her late husband was the perfect way to show that her resolve was stronger than ever. Also that she was on the right path to becoming a great leader.

Secondly, I loved finally getting a closer look at the whole Basch and Gabranth story. To see Gabranth’s dedication to Larsa at the end was really inspiring. It showed how the twins both held the virtue of loyalty very dear to them (Basch to Ashe, Gabranth to Larsa). Gabranth was near death (a second time) and he still found the strength to fight Vayne, a man he had defended for years, for the sake of Larsa’s vision and life. Also, the way SE handled him coming to terms with his betrayal and reaching out to make amends with Basch was rather well done.

My only regret is that the storyline of FFXII seemed to have all it’s really good, in depth moments, near the very end.

That scene with Ashe is pretty freaking awesome. Actually, I loved her throughout the game. I loved that she was not all fluffy and goody-two-shoes – that she MIGHT actually take the path of REVENGE I found to be refreshing and interesting. She was so much deeper and stronger a character than I have come to expect from Square.

Obviously in the end she turns away from that path and realizes there are more important things than her own glory… but honestly I think it makes her character way cooler that she was considering the path of darkness.

Made me think of KOTOR lol… I kind of wish you could choose to have Ashe sieze the Dawn Shard and rule the world!!! Mwahahah…

Honestly… I sort of wish they had made the Basch/Gabranth arc a little more spread out. All the important stuff was near the end like you said.

That scene with Ashe is pretty freaking awesome. Actually, I loved her throughout the game. I loved that she was not all fluffy and goody-two-shoes – that she MIGHT actually take the path of REVENGE I found to be refreshing and interesting. She was so much deeper and stronger a character than I have come to expect from Square.

Obviously in the end she turns away from that path and realizes there are more important things than her own glory… but honestly I think it makes her character way cooler that she was considering the path of darkness.

Made me think of KOTOR lol… I kind of wish you could choose to have Ashe sieze the Dawn Shard and rule the world!!! Mwahahah…

Yeah, that would be awesome! I was thinking about how cool it would be to play someone who doesn’t take the righteous path. If Ashe had used the Sun Cryst to destroy Archadia, just like Nabudis was destroyed, I think that would’ve been quite some ending. (Not to mention better than the one we got).

Honestly… I sort of wish they had made the Basch/Gabranth arc a little more spread out. All the important stuff was near the end like you said.

Yeah, I really wish it had been addressed more. Basch mentions he has a twin that betrayed him in the beginning and that’s pretty much all you get until the end when they finally confront each other. Sure, you get hints and figure out that Gabranth is the "evil twin", haha, but I think their story could have been explored so much more.