Joystiq impressions: Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 12th 2007 at 9:54PM }
The game is directed by Motomu Toriyama, who handled Final Fantasy X & X-2, and who is currently directing Final Fantasy XIII. Final Fantasy XII's executive producer and composer are also on board. The team has created a spin-off sequel to XII that focuses on Vaan and Penelo, now deeper in the game (of sky pirating). The action is pint-sized and crowded, as your party alone can reach numbers of 15 characters on screen, but distinct CG cut scenes help to enhance the emo-narrative. Still, the relatively tiny dual-screens make it difficult to be lulled by the sentimentalism.
Gallery: Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings
Revenant Wings is divided into simple missions (mini-areas in the game world), and players are able to configure their parties before beginning each mission and preview stats of the enemy types they'll face. This is where the majority of strategy comes into play, and it's not unlike any other Final Fantasy game in which the most successful player constantly tweaks the party outfitting. The action itself is rudimentary, but suits the DS. The stylus is used to guide your entire party and its various sub-groups, and to select enemies to attack (and occasionally an un-automated skill/spell). There are similarities to the RTS genre in this aspect of the gameplay, and despite sounding overly-simplistic, it's a refreshing fit for Nintendo's handheld.
Some have already written off Revenant Wings as shovelware -- further exploitation of the Final Fantasy brand -- but we were surprised to discover a title that has been uniquely designed for DS. It's a test run (much like Dragon Quest Monsters Joker) for Dragon Quest IX. But even as a first-try of sorts, Revenant Wings offers compelling evidence that DS is capable of handling new and satisfying RPG experiences. There's hope for Square Enix and Final Fantasy beyond console-bound XIII.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stu @ Jul 12th 2007 10:06PM
The cartoony styling of FFIX was fantastic, but it seems they dropped that for the realistic look of characters. Which always bummed me out.
But the drawings and renderings of the characters in this are so great, toned down that little bit and they look so much better. I would vastly prefer these style characters over the existing ones in FFXII.
"Good graphics" doesn't necessarily mean realism. It can still look good and be right off the wall.
Rubang B @ Jul 12th 2007 11:44PM
Seriously, since when did the word "realistic" replace the word "good?" Do people like the sounds of light sabers because they're realistic or because they're just awesome and hilarious sounding?
Anyway, is this game really more of a My First Final Fantasy than Mystiq Quest?
rayk @ Jul 13th 2007 12:43AM
Really looking forward to this! Hope the pal region doesn't get shafted on the release date per usual.
Zacharias @ Jul 14th 2007 11:34AM
Having already played this through the first 5-6 stages, I hung it up and thought, this is too much like a Final Fantasy Tactics Advance with ATB. Although the cutscenes look nicer than even those from FF3.
http://www.bsgeek.com/2007/06/11/final-fantasy-xii-reverant-wings-nintendo-ds-previewfirst-impressions/
Eh, I'd say play it before you buy it. Or just play Ogre Battle again.