Is it a Love Story?

[Strife Lyengard]

Im not really sure. The subject hasnt come up in any talk. :confused:

[Punishment]

Another surprise is that love is not a dominant theme in Final Fantasy XII, if a theme at all. This is unexpected; of Matsuno’s lardmark works (Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics), the stories have never been centered around love. However, this would probably be unexpected in a Final Fantasy, where strong hints of romance have been so ever present since Final Fantasy IV. In other words, this is probably the first Final Fantasy since FFIV to not have a strong theme of romance. There are only very slight hints of romance throughout the entire game, but nothing really major or evident. This will probably be a disappointment to fans who were waiting for Vaan to hook up Ashe (although the thought of that street urchin “hooking up” a princess like her terrifies me), but one may ask if the theme of romance here is even necessary; this game is a political piece of work, and the love mentioned in this game has nothing to do with romance, but love for one’s people and one’s country.

This is a part of a review written by a friend of mines. :detective:

[SgtToppin]

Well I hope there is at least a little bit of a love story involved. I have always oved ho Final Fantasy could put a great love story inside of the actual story that is going on. Not to mention that I am a romantic sap.

[Dhóchas]

I actually hope for a little romance in this game; who can resist a good love affair? I can't. :D

[SB]

Romance is supposed to be present. Vaan and Penelo are supposed to be dating however i've not heard of this being confirmed or even denied. The biggest thing is that Vaan and Ashe arent supposed to be an item, which is possible considering the events which happen in the opening FMV

["X"]

I have loved the romance that has been in the Final Fantasy games since I first played FFVIII, so I hope that it will have some form in FFXII.

[SgtToppin]

The love stories is what puts Final Fantasy above all the games doing about the same things in my opinion. It just wouldn't be a Final fantasy without some sort of romantic involvement.

[Hina]

no

love is not the main component in this ff. Which is quite surprising looking at the previous ffs which most players can feel the "love" component. No, not in this ff. Disappointment to players who prefer the usual love story kind of ff.

[Punishment]

Hina is right. There are slight hints between Vaan and Penelo and nothing more. As Bond4151 said it's "love for one’s people and one’s country".

[SgtToppin]

Wel the game play is looking great so I guess We can miss out on the love story a bit. I am still very excited about this game.

[Hina]

and like what i've written in here (http://forums.ffinsider.net/showthread.php?t=5151)

there isn't really a main character :) that's something new too

[gizabunny]

Oh thank god. The love stories were pretty dire. I really enjoy the hints of romance between Vaan and Penelo so much more than all the previous teenage angst.
I'm also really pleasantly surprised at how much more mature most of the characters seem! I was worried Penelo would be another Selphie or Rikku type, but she's way more laid back and it just fits into the mood of the game. Yay! :D

[_dogma_]

I liked the previous love stories in the games. Even in the beginning you can tell there is something between Penelo and Vaan. It may not be obvious as the story continues but there is seemingly something there.

[Stygiandeath]

Nope not one thing really based on love the whole story revolves around revenge and freeing a country thats pretty much it.

[SolidMetal]

I thought Basche and Ashe had a thing seeing as they had that little scene at the end of the game with Penelo's note.

[Ainathiel]

Yes and no, I'd say. There's the obvious connection between Ashe and Rasler; yes, he's quite obviously dead, but the relationship is constantly reflected upon during the course of the game through flashbacks and the frequent appearance of Rasler's "spirit" before Ashe. The princess' dead husband still drives a great many of her actions in life, so in a way, the constant reflection could easily remind you of a love story.

But beyond that...there are so many different couple possibilities during the actual timeline of the game that I honestly can't tell. None of them, though, are actually official; no declarations of love, and no tender moments (that can go over friendship, I mean) besides Ashe and Rasler.

[Exodus]

I thought Basche and Ashe had a thing seeing as they had that little scene at the end of the game with Penelo's note.

Basch is merely just loyal to Ashe, that's all it was.

There's the obvious connection between Ashe and Rasler

Of course, they were married. That and he did state that everyone thought he and Ashe got married as a sign of peace, a treaty if you will, and he said that's not his reasoning and Ashe agreed. It's not exact word for word obviously, but it's close to it.

Also as Punishment said, mainly about "love for one’s people and one’s country". That's basically is the focus of Final Fantasy XII, in my opinion.

[SgtToppin]

The only connection really shown between the 6 main characters is between Vaan and Penelo. Too bad Vaan is the only one who doesn't know about it.

[SolidMetal]

The only connection really shown between the 6 main characters is between Vaan and Penelo. Too bad Vaan is the only one who doesn't know about it.
Yeah how can he not notice that?(I'm being negative to what you said but what Vaan's characters go by)

I bet you theres like a billion fan-fics including every character in some what of what the fans wanted for love.

[AdventChild]

I thought i saw a little something with Ashelia and Balthier. Nothing obvious, but if you think of the scene where he tells her that he used to be a judge...why did he tell her, of all people? and the note at the end, two. Friendship, possibly, but it's something i have considered.

[Naruto]

Im not really sure. The subject hasnt come up in any talk. :confused:
Its more of a war story.

[Demyx]

I thought that the love story was between Baltheir and Ashe
I was glad to see a change from the main character being involved in the love story (I consider Vaan to be the main character in FFXII even though he has no major role IMO)

[ZombieG]

As much as I hate cliche love stories, I really felt that it would've worked to the advantage of XII to have one. When the end of the game rolled around, I didn't care about any of the characters. I was so emotionally disconnected, the only reason left to beat it was pride. In retrospect, it might've been a good idea to make the characters appear more human and less... ungodly optimistic in such a mechanic way.

Haven't seen such disgusting comradery since Captain Planet.

[Forever_Punk]

The loss of a love story was the only real let down int his game for me. I love watching characters fall in love. It's like playing a real good movie. I was really excited when Vaan planned that date with Penelo, but then as soon as he started to kind of connect with Ashe, I knew it was doomed. How disappointing. :(