So I'm getting used to Final Fantasy XII's battle system (see post below for more on that), and I gotta say...as great as I thought this game would be before, it's exceeding even those expectations now.

First of all, this game's battle sequence isn't entirely action-based. It's still turn-based to a degree, but it;s a vastly different from the Final Fantasy titles of old. The turn-based mechanics are disguised by a free-roaming camera, real-time enemy movements (and AI!) and a more fluid engine that resembles those used in MMORPGs to give the illusion of action-based combat.

Still, the formula, combined with an intuitive Gambit system and the License boards, works brilliantly, so much so that going back to the battle systems of old FF titles almost seems dreadful.

Almost.

That said, it pains me to think how long this game's going to take to complete. Nearly eight hours into the game, I'm almost at level 10, and apparently I have quite a way to go. Granted, I'm taking part in the game hunting side quests as much as possible, but as it stands...I've played eight hours, but feel as if I've already logged in about 20.

But that's okay, because as far as I'm concerned, most games are far too short today. And if it takes me fewer than 40 hours to beat a Final Fantasy game (the first time through, anyway), then I'm left disappointed.

For as long as it took to come out, for how disappointed I was in the series' change of direction with the online-only FFXI, I'm more than happy to report FFXII is every bit as good as everyone said it was. It's no FFVII or FFX, but it's no FFX-2, either.