Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

Template:Infobox CVG Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy*(The caption "duodecim" indicates the intended pronunciation of 012) is the prequel to Dissidia Final Fantasy. It is playable on the PlayStation Portable and has been released in Japan. Most of North America, save Canada, which had been delayed due to a shipping error, received the game on March 22, 2011 ^[1]. Australia, Europe, and Canada received the game on March 25, 2011, and it will be available to the rest of the world sometime later in Spring 2011.

Gameplay

Dissidia012 howto1 — The gameplay controls of *Dissidia 012*.

Gameplay of Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy is similar to the original's, featuring all of the original gameplay elements, characters and arenas. Fighters will attack to steal Bravery from opponents, which increases their own, as a character lands Bravery attacks. By reducing an opponent's Bravery below zero, they inflict Break status, preventing the opponent from inflicting Bravery or HP damage until their Bravery regenerates to a base amount, while the one who inflicted Break gets a large boost in Bravery from the Map. When an HP attack connects with the opponent, they take damage equal to the attacking player's Bravery. By collecting EX Force, characters can enter EX Mode, boosting their strength, adding exclusive abilities and letting them execute EX Bursts similar to Limit Breaks. New summons, arenas, music tracks and characters have been included.

One of the main new gameplay features is the Assist system, which allows characters to call an ally into battle to attack, allowing new combos to be created by chaining the two characters' moves in different fashions. The Assist system acts as a counterbalance mechanic to the EX Mode system, as landing an Assist attack can deplete the opponent's EX gauge. The EX gauge can also be utilized to execute a new technique titled "EX Revenge," which will slow down the opponent's movement for several seconds at the cost of consuming the EX gauge without entering EX Mode. Several characters have gained new attacks since the original Dissidia, and several returning moves have had their properties changed. Firion, Kefka and Shantotto in particular have been stated to be heavily rebalanced. Several other small tweaks have been implemented as well. A character's HP can now exceed the normal limit of 9999 - characters have been shown to be able to exceed even over 99,999 HP, meaning the new HP Limit could be 999,999; at the start of the game if the player says they're a master they will be put into a battle against Feral Chaos, who has over 120,000 HP.

The extra damage dealt by Wall Rush has been reduced to 25% of the base damage from the original 50%. Chase Sequences are much faster and absorb the EX Force around when entering chase or continuing the chase. Critical Hits now do twice the normal damage instead of quintuple.

Dungeon 012 — The board gameplay of the original *Dissidia* returns in the form of dungeons.

Players are given the choice between "Action mode" or "RPG Mode" before starting the game. "RPG Mode" is essentialy a renamed version of Command Mode from Dissidia and is aimed at making the game more accessible for players who are not used to action-based games.

"Party" battles are introduced, in which 5 characters from each side face each other. A "Watch" Mode allows players who are not participating in current battles to watch them on their PSP. The characters can be assigned profiles based on the Job System to help them in battle, such as Black Mages receiving a boost to the power of magic attacks.

Map dissidia 012 — The ruins of Cornelia on the world map in *Dissidia 012*.

Dissidia 012 features a story structure similar to the original game's Destiny Odysseys, and includes the ability to play as the warriors of Chaos as well. The story mode utilizes a different method of storyline gameplay than the original Dissidia; a world map is used rather than tiled boards, and players are able to form parties and wander the world freely. However, when the player enters a dungeon, the gameplay is reverted to that of the board of the first Dissidia. The player can use skills in dungeons like straight chain, which sets up in the player's line of sight (specifically a cross around the player) in a chain of battles. Completing the chain earns extra KP or Kupo Points. Kupo Points are used to buy items from moogles on the world map. Before entering a dungeon players have a choice to lower their level. If the player completes a dungeon below the bonus line limit, they'll earn bonuses such as extra KP and items. Player levels are restored after leaving a dungeon.

The map layout is based on the original Final Fantasy. Depending on the story mode, players can either form their own parties, or they are predetermined by the storyline.

The "Skills" command returns. Treasure chests, enemies, shops and other features can be encountered on the map. The enemy system is similar to Final Fantasy XII or Final Fantasy XIII, where enemies are visible on the map and approaching one initiates battle. Enemies can attack the player while on the world map. If, however, the player attacks the enemy, the enemy's initial Bravery at the start of the subsequent battle will be zero, effectively allowing the player a preemptive strike. Other in-battle mechanics, such as Quickmove, are included on the world map gameplay. Players can also create their own scenarios using creation mode. Tetsuya Nomura has stated it will take around 60 hours to beat the game.^[2]

When starting a new game, save data from the original Dissidia can be transferred to Dissidia 012. Players are able to choose between a New Game + option, which will retain character levels, abilities, accessory slots, AP, Player Icons and bought PP Catalog items, and an option that will retain all of the above except for levels, abilities and PP. Equipment, accessories and summons may not be transferred. As a bonus for transferring save data, the player will receive an "Elixir Pack"; a mix of Dusty Elixirs, Elixirs and a single Hi-Elixir. The storyline of the original Dissidia, adapted to the new story gameplay mechanics, is playable after the new storyline of Dissidia 012 has been completed.

Characters

Dissidia 012 Main Cast — The Main Cast of Dissidia 012

All twenty-two playable characters in the original Dissidia return. In addition to the original roster, nine new characters have been included: Kain from Final Fantasy IV, Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII, Tifa from Final Fantasy VII, Vaan from Final Fantasy XII, Laguna from Final Fantasy VIII, Yuna from Final Fantasy X, Prishe from Final Fantasy XI, and Gilgamesh from Final Fantasy V, and introducing a new character: Feral Chaos. Aerith from Final Fantasy VII is included as an Assist character for people who buy the demo, Dissidia Duodecim Prologus. It had been reported there would be more than a handful of new characters, but not necessarily an equal number of heroes and villains as in the first game, and there would not be an equal amount of characters per game or per faction.^[3] In addition, Dissidia 012 offers the first Dissidia-original playable character, Feral Chaos, a form of the game's main antagonist, Chaos.

The characters, Shantotto, Gabranth, Prishe, Gilgamesh and Feral Chaos have to be purchased in the PP Catalog before they can be used. Shantotto and Gabranth are available in the catalog from the start, while the others have to be unlocked before they can be purchased.

Original Game	Returning Characters	New Characters
Final Fantasy	Warrior of Light Garland Chaos(Boss only) Cid of the Lufaine(Narrator)	None
Final Fantasy II	Firion The Emperor	None
Final Fantasy III	Onion Knight Cloud of Darkness	None
Final Fantasy IV	Cecil Harvey Golbez	Kain Highwind
Final Fantasy V	Bartz Klauser Exdeath	Gilgamesh
Final Fantasy VI	Terra Branford Kefka Palazzo	None
Final Fantasy VII	Cloud Strife Sephiroth	Tifa Lockhart Aerith Gainsborough*(Assist only)
Final Fantasy VIII	Squall Leonhart Ultimecia	Laguna Loire
Final Fantasy IX	Zidane Tribal Kuja	None
Final Fantasy X	Tidus Jecht	Yuna
Final Fantasy XI	Shantotto	Prishe
Final Fantasy XII	Gabranth	Vaan
Final Fantasy XIII	None	Lightning
Dissidia Final Fantasy	Cosmos*(NPC)	Feral Chaos

Arenas

All arenas present in the original Dissidia are back, with seven new additions: Orphan's Cradle, Sky Fortress Bahamut, the Crystal Tower, the M.S. Prima Vista, Pandaemonium-Top Floor, the Phantom Train and the Empyreal Paradox. It had been stated there would be as many new stages as there would be new characters, but there wouldn't necessarily exist a connection between the new stages and the new characters. The M.S. Prima Vista, Pandaemonium-Top Floor, Phantom Train and Crystal Tower stages cannot be purchased in the catalog until after the main scenario of 012 has been completed, but they have no Omega version.

Original game	Arenas
Final Fantasy	Old Chaos Shrine
Final Fantasy II	Pandaemonium Pandaemonium-Top Floor
Final Fantasy III	World of Darkness Crystal Tower
Final Fantasy IV	Lunar Subterrane
Final Fantasy V	The Rift
Final Fantasy VI	Kefka's Tower Phantom Train
Final Fantasy VII	Planet's Core
Final Fantasy VIII	Ultimecia's Castle
Final Fantasy IX	Crystal World M.S. Prima Vista
Final Fantasy X	Dream's End
Final Fantasy XI	Empyreal Paradox
Final Fantasy XII	Sky Fortress Bahamut
Final Fantasy XIII	Orphan's Cradle
Dissidia Final Fantasy	Edge of Madness Order's Sanctuary

Music

Main article: Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack was released on March 2nd, 2011, on three CDs. A Firstcut Limited Edition version was also released (three CDs + DVD). The soundtrack features arranged music from the series, rearranged by Takeharu Ishimoto.

Summons

Eight additional summons have been added to Dissidia 012: Brynhildr, Calcabrina, Syldra, Ultima, Land Worm, Hecatoncheir, Giant of Babil and Zalera.

Plot

Template:Spoilers

Dissidia 012 World — The World Map of the game, which is directly based on the world of *Final Fantasy*.

Main Scenario 012

Main Scenario 012 has eight chapters, all centered around the new characters, except Gilgamesh and Prishe, and their journey to end the conflict. The game begins with the six new characters on their way to the Sanctuary. Cosmos calls upon her warriors and embues them with her powers in order to stop Chaos and bring an end to the conflict. The Warriors set out on their journey to find their crystals. Lightning separates from the others after Kuja and Kefka appear. On her way to the Sanctuary to catch up with the others she encounters Kain and an injured Bartz. Bartz reveals that Kain has attacked him and Kain turns his lance on Lightning. After a brief battle between the two, Garland and Exdeath appear and Kain escapes with Bartz. Exdeath pursues Kain and Garland informs Lightning of a horde of Manikins and tells her to enjoy the time she has left.

While Vaan is traveling alone he comes across Kefka, who is tormenting Terra. Vaan rescues Terra and the two journey together. With inspiration and encouragement from Vaan, Terra decides to fight to protect her friends.

Laguna meets up with Vaan again but then becomes lost in the World of Darkness and encounters the Cloud of Darkness. Intrigued by Laguna's odd manner, the Cloud of Darkness tells Laguna of a Rift that is the source of all the Manikins, saying that she is curious to see how he chooses to die. Laguna sets off to let the others know about the Rift.

Having been journeying with Jecht, Yuna becomes separated from him and encounters Tidus who does not seem to remember her. She follows him and find him at a stand off with Jecht but Yuna intervenes and tries to help Tidus remember his past. The Emperor suddenly appears and attacks Yuna but Tidus takes the blow himself, recieving grave injuries. While Yuna fights off the Emperor, Jecht sacrifices himself for Tidus by giving him his power. Yuna promises to stay with Tidus until he remembers who she is.

Meanwhile, Lightning makes it to Order's Sanctuary and tells Cosmos of Kain's betrayal. Lightning believes the Warriors of Cosmos cannot possibly win the war and the Warrior of Light agrees, suddenly turning his blade on Lightning. After their battle, Cosmos tells the Warrior of Light to reveal what he knows. He and Kain have come up with a plan to put the Warriors "to sleep" and let them rest until the next cycle begins so that they have more time to recieve their crystals. With this revealed, Laguna arrives with Vaan and Yuna to inform the group he knows where the Manikins are coming from. Lightning, Laguna, Yuna and Vaan decide to find this Rift and close it.

Kain briefly journeys elsewhere with Firion before putting him to sleep as well. Not long after an encounter with Exdeath who has been following him to learn where Kain is taking the warriors, Kain encounters Tifa who is struggling with Ultimecia. Kain saves Tifa and she confronts him over Ultimecia's claims that Kain is a traitor. Even though he refuses to tell her the truth, Tifa tells him that he will go with him anyway. Together, Tifa and Kain head off to join the others and aid in closing the Rift.

On the way to the rift, Golbez and Exdeath appear and tell the party that the horde of Manikins are headed toward Cosmos. Leaving Kain behind, they move on to the source of the Manikins, but before they can close it Garland, Kefka, the Cloud of Darkness, the Emperor and Ultimecia interrupt and challenge the Warriors one last time. They are defeated and leave the Cosmos Warriors, knowing the Manikins will finish them off. The Warriors come to accept their fate and battle to the end.

After a long and tiring battle, Lightning and the party fall and an overwhelming number of Manikins remain. Before Lightning completely falls she witnesses the Rift finally close. Back at Order's Sanctuary, the Warrior of Light continues to fight an overwhelming number of Manikins. As a Manikin is about to deal the final blow, Cosmos uses her strength and destroys all of the Manikins. The Warrior of Light wakes up to see Lightning and her group fade away and Shinryu start the cycle over again.

Spoilers end here.

Development

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy was announced in the Japanese magazine Shonen Jump in early September 2010. It had previously been hinted at by the Dissidia development team, who stated they would love to make a sequel, and that the decision would depend on the first installment's success; and JD Cullum, Kuja's English voice actor, who offhandedly stated he had recorded his lines for Dissidia 012 in the Summer 2010. Judging from statements by the other voice actors, it appears the whole English script of Dissidia 012 was recorded at the start of Summer 2010.

According to an interview between Takashi Arakawa and Yoshinori Kitase (director, writer and producer of Dissidia) with a German gaming site, Kitase stated a sequel would be "very interesting", and might even include Kingdom Hearts characters, although it would still have to be discussed with Disney. Tetsuya Nomura has stated that for a potential sequel, he would like to include Kain Highwind, Gilgamesh and Sazh Katzroy, but would not include Kingdom Hearts characters. Nomura had previously expressed a desire to have Kain and Lightning in the first Dissidia, but they were left out.

Dissidia Duodecim Prologus Final Fantasy

On January 18, 2011, Square Enix released Dissidia Duodecim Prologus Final Fantasy over the PlayStation Network, available in Japan for 300 Yen, in North America for $2.99 and in Europe for £2.39 or €2.99. Prologus features an 8-character arcade mode and a single story scenario following Lightning and the Warrior of Light.

Downloadable Content

It has been said that several games and demos will contain codes and such, which will allow full experience of the game. These are:

A free DLC version costume for Warrior of Light minus his helmet is available in the PlayStation Store for download.
Dissidia 012 Prologus Final Fantasy: Aerith as battle character (Assist only)
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Legacy Edition (EU) or pre-ordering from Amazon (US) : Bonus outfit for Tifa (Yoshitaka Amano art costume)
April edition of V Jump (JP) or Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Legacy Edition (EU): Bonus outfit for Squall (Kingdom Hearts costume)
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix (JP) or pre-ordering Dissidia 012 from Gamestop (US): Bonus outfit for Cloud (Kingdom Hearts costume)
The 3rd Birthday (JP and US) or The 3rd Birthday Twisted Edition (EU): Bonus outfit for Lightning (Aya Brea costume)
Final Fantasy IV The Complete Collection: Bonus outfit for Cecil (costume based on the super deformed artwork)
Bonus outfits for both Zidane and Kuja specially designed by Hideo Minaba have been announced. They are scheduled to be released in Japan's PlayStation Store on March 31st for 300 yen each.^[4] At the same time, three in-game usable music tracks from Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy IX was also released for 300 yen each.
June edition of V Jump (JP): Bonus outfit for Vaan (original design costume)^[5]
Dissidia Duodecim Ultimania -RPG SIDE-: In-game usable music from Final Fantasy XIII^[6]
A fourth DLC costume for Sephiroth, based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts, and a 4th costume for Laguna (Sorceress Knight) on PSN, set for release in Japan on April 7.

Square Enix also plans to make more downloadable content for the game in the future, and more battle themes and outfits will be purchasable this way.^[7]

Merchandise

Similar to the first Dissidia, the Dissidia 012 cast will be made into Trading Arts Figures, posing in their positions as depicted in their Dissidia 012 artwork.

In Europe and Australia, a special limited edition under the title of Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Legacy Edition was released, which includes a special packaging, a set of lithograph prints of the new characters and a fourth costume for both Tifa and Squall, and also a PSN code to get 50% off Final Fantasy on the PSN.

Etymology

Duodecim, which is normally pronounced with a hard "c," is instead pronounced with a hard "s" for purposes of the game's title. Duodecim is Latin for "twelve," which gives the title relevance to the game's story as it revolves around the battles waged during Dissidia's twelfth cycle.

Gallery

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Packaging Artwork