When I started playing the game I noticed that the "Imperials" had particularly British accents, with all the usual slang things such as dropping letters out and so on. Lump this together with the quest for world domination and you have a pretty clear overlap with the British Empire.

Lets face it, in history the British Empire extended to include 25% of the world and the methods employed to reach this state of 'glory' were anything but honourable, much like the murder, tyranny and oppression you experience from the Empire during XII.

I've just recently played through the Archades section of the game and if there was any doubt in my mind before, it was certainly stamped out then.

From the starving social outcasts, to snobbiness (no disrespect), to scientific pursuits, to the social hierarchy and class distinction.

Playing a little further on I noticed the resistence troops have a decidely Indian accent.

Now I'm not sure if it's just me, but does anyone else thinks that the political interactions of XII closely parallel that of the historical events of the expanding British Empire and resistances of occupied countries such as India?

I just wonder if Square doesn't draw details from real life history and scenarios when making these games, for example, VII looking at TransNational companies and their effect on the health of the environment, dressing it as the ShinRa harvesting the planet's spirit energy.

Anyone else noticed any other potential overlaps between the game and reality?

EDIT: The "East Ivalice Company", come on! There couldn't be a clearer comparison being made by Square.

Not at all, in fact I think I would appreciate the more if that was the case. I love the idea of something having meaning, like most songs have a message to spread. Why not do it through games as well?

If Square did take it's inspiration from real life events, then I think it will only work to enhance the story lines.

It could well be that I'm just digging a bit deep but I enjoy pondering anyway!

There are alot of similarities/comparisons, yes. Biggest navy, British accents, Classical Liberal economy, poor underclass, aristocracy, etc.
Though its politics are more Roman. Senate, Emperor, regicide. Dalmasca seemed more Arabic/Indian in its Architecture. Dalmascan people seemed to be a mix of Spanish and Arabic with paler skin and Euro-American accents.
Mt Bur-Omisace seemed more of a Nepalian thing minus the monks with shaved heads and robes.
And the Garif, you don't have to be a genius to see that they are a total rip-off of Native American culture.

Bhujerba is probably more Spanish/Portugese/Italian than anything else.

So yeah, of course there's a link between real life issues and FFXII. I think it's evident in all kinds of games which tell strong stories.


Also, I would disagree that the British Empire had an overall negative impact on the world.
For instance, just like other global empires, it brought civilization to places which would otherwise be in the dark ages. The impact of the British Empire is something to be discussed elsewhere, though.

Hey there Iron Legion, those are some excellent points you bring up there.

Yes the Garif are very clearly based on Native American culture. I never actually thought about Mt Bur-Omisace in that way but when you mention it, it does actually make sense.

I do agree that the British did facilitate a lot of positive change, but like anything the good comes with the bad, I suppose.

Square confirmed that the whole game is flavoured by the Middle East, but it seems Rabanastre and Bhujerba in particular for their use of architecture and language – bhadra, svagatam, parijanah, etc are all direct Sanskrit translations

The other argument for this scenario is that although we never meet the rozarrians en masse, from al-cid margrace’s accent they are western European – a French foil to the British Empire of Archades perhaps?

Hmm, I was hoping the game would eventually lead you to Rozarria for a two reasons.

1. I wanted to figure out where on the map this massive civilisation was, as there didn't seem to be a lot of space left for it.

2. And because they seemed really unique, if that guy looking after Larsa was anything to go by, Sunglasses in a medieval setting? Interesting, so I was figuring on them being more futuristic than the rest of Ivalice.

Sadly I won't ever make the trip to Rozarria! *cries*

Indeed. I would have liked to see this Rozzaria. One can only speculate on what it looks like.

Al-Cid Margrace was a pretty cool character, shame he was only in 3 cutscenes.