It's been a long time in the making, and after a complete revamping of the game engine, Final Fantasy XII is finally upon the US market. Final Fantasy fans everywhere have been waiting for this very moment, but before you jump into the land of Ivalice there are a few basics that will greatly help you as you embark on this massive journey. Final Fantasy XII plays like a mixture of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XI with a bit of its own flare thrown in for good measure. Take a look at the basic elements you'll need to know before you get lost in the Ivalice.

Maps

Just like Final Fantasy XI, you won't start off with maps of every area. In some of the previous Final Fantasy titles this wouldn't have been a problem. However, Final Fantasy XII is quite possibly the largest Final Fantasy game to date, filled with large cities and even larger battle grounds surrounding each city. Without the proper set of maps you'll be lost attempting to traverse these huge areas.

To obtain maps of each area you'll need to purchase them from various NPCs or find them near the start of an area. You'll automatically receive maps of certain areas just by following the general progression of the storyline. However, many of the maps that you'll need to find or buy. Under most circumstances, certain Moogles that are found in cities and towns will be selling maps for the surrounding areas. The prices of these maps will range in price, but it's important to pick up as many maps as you can to ensure you're properly equipped when you reach a new area.

Maps of the cities will show the entire city, as well as specific icons for the locations of interest in the area of the city you're currently in. You can pull up a key of the map icons to find out what everything represents. When you reach an area that contains the location of your next objective, that location will also be present on your map so it's a good idea to take a look at your map each time you reach a new area.

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