Currently Playing: Final Fantasy XII

I've been playing FFXII for the first time. Instead of going on a rant, I'd like to to do something a bit different.

So instead, I'm going to sketch out a scene from Star Wars or Final Fantasy XII and you tell me which one I'm describing.

Let's get started with: Star Wars or Final Fantasy XII?

Game on.

We're going to start with our blond-haired protagonist. He's grown up in some sort of foster care, as his parents are presumed

But, I was going to Toshi station to pick up some power converters...

to have died when he was very young, perhaps in the previous war. At the beginning of the story, he spends his days running errands for an older gentlemen, but dreams of being more, perhaps becoming a pilot of some kind?

After finding himself in a bit of trouble, our hero teams up with a mercenary-scoundrel type anti-hero and his extremely tall, animal-like sidekick, who incidentally is also a very good pilot and has a knack for using various weapons including something that looks like a bow.

Apparently, Fran has really let herself go.

You must learn the ways of the Force, if you are to come with me to Alderaan.

Our ragtag team also joins forces with an aging knight who fought in the last war. Apparently, public opinion is that he failed in his role as a protector and through his actions, essentially led to the Empire becoming even more powerful.

Eventually our hero and his band find themselves near capture on a huge Imperial superweapon. Mere mention of this superweapon strikes fear into the hearts of the Empire's enemies. Fortunately, our heroes are able to evade a one-way ticket to the brig by having someone trick the dimwitted Imperial Troops by dressing in their own armor!

Once free, our heroes then locate the Princess (whom they are obviously going to save) in the detention area. After sneaking through various corridors and hallways without so much as even raising an alarm, they arrive at the detention area, only to be met by resistance. Once dispatching all the guards and their officers, our hero hurries to free the Princess before reinforcements arrive.

Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?

Despite freeing the Princess without too much trouble, our heroes failed to plan an effective escape. To complicate issues, the forced entry into the cell block has raised the alarm and Troopers throughout the vessel are now rushing to stop the rescue attempt.

The team decides to return to the

Now I am the master...

hanger to make their escape. Despite facing off against Imperial Troopers the entire way, the team makes it to their destination. Unfortunately, a malevolent man, dressed completely in unique and intimidating armor, and possessing powerful magic was there and a battle ensues. Unfortunately, the masked man is not defeated and the team must beat a hasty retreat before he is able to marshal his forces to stop them.

Escaping on a speedy vessel, our heroes barely avoid the fighters that escort the massive superweapon and are able to continue on their quest.

I sure hope the old man got that tractor beam out of commission!

Okay, I know that I am not the first to draw extensive comparisons between Star Wars and FFXII, but, seriously, this is freaking ridiculous. Nearly the entire portion of the game involving the Leviathan is a direct copy of Death Star scenes from A New Hope.

I know Square has a love of Star Wars. The addition of Biggs and Wedge into many of the FF games is a fitting Star Wars tribute. But when it comes to the Leviathan, in there simply aren't enough direct references to make the player view it as a tribute. Instead it seems like Square simply had written themselves into a corner, couldn't think of how to make a 'Save the Princess' quest fit, and said, 'Screw it, let's just copy Star Wars.