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In the never-ending pantheon of Final Fantasy, there is one title that has stood out the most due to how well it combines tactics and JRPG elements, and I’m talking about Final Fantasy Tactics. While many of us thought returning to Ivalice in a modern setting was just a dream induced by the magic of the Mothercrystal, that’s not the case anymore. Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is on its way. While I’m excited to return to one of my favorite Final Fantasy settings, I’m even more excited about the newcomers who will experience the perfect blend of strategic gameplay and an intricate, compelling story.
The Bridge Between Two Genres
When I look at modern strategy games that attempt to add RPG elements or a deeper story, they often compromise on one of those aspects. You either get an excellent story with underwhelming gameplay or the other way around. However, back in 1997 or 1998, depending on where you lived, Square Enix, at the time only known as Square, released Final Fantasy Tactics and showed the world it could bridge two genres. Now, it is about to do it again with Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles.
Whether you’re a fan of one genre or the other, you should know that this upcoming remaster is the game that will welcome gamers of both worlds. In terms of gameplay, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles features deep strategic battles that take place in a grid-like arena with turn-based mechanics. However, the cherry on top of it all is the superb job system, which, at least in my opinion, is one of the best in the whole Final Fantasy franchise. This system allows you to customize your character’s roles and mix and match abilities from different jobs after you’ve unlocked them. If you love having dozens of classes to pick from with the ability to customize their skills further, The Ivalice Chronicles will be right up your alley.
In terms of story, many fans, myself included, still see the political intrigue of Ivalice as one of the greatest in the series, which should be perfect for those who look for a compelling narrative that you can only find in JRPGs. I won’t spoil it, of course, especially to those who didn’t get the chance to play any of the earlier FFT versions, but you’re in for an unforgettable ride that starts a bit slow, but its buildup toward the climax and the ending is terrific.
One of the Best Final Fantasy Games Ever Made
If there is one thing that will spark a Dalamud-sized debate on the Final Fantasy fandom, it is asking players about the best games of the series. While many have different opinions, the majority agrees that Final Fantasy Tactics is among the greatest and holds, to this day, one of the most unique gameplay and storytelling combinations in the franchise.
Everything in Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is character-driven, and stays like that from the start and all the way to the end. Whether you’re trying to create the perfect unit or following Ramza’s mercenary journey, everything is there to grip you into this immersive world that refuses to let you go. The job system alone is enough to make you spend dozens of hours trying to perfect all of your units. You’ll get lost while trying to unlock new jobs and create the perfect composition for your mercenary company. However, if you prefer to follow the story, it is just as enthralling as the gameplay systems behind it. This 40-hour journey, full of political intrigue, has all the Final Fantasy staples but enhances the plot by featuring one of the strongest casts in the series, which carries the narrative all the way to the end.
In short, fans of both types of games are in for a treat, and one that is finally landing on modern platforms with several QoL features but without losing its iconic touch that we all remember fondly. Often, people say that they would like to wipe a game from their memory just to experience it again for the first time. For me, one of those games is Final Fantasy Tactics. Nothing will ever beat your first campaign through the lands of Ivalice, and frankly, I feel a bit envious of new players who will finally get to experience one of the best Final Fantasy titles out there. Yet, I’m still excited because, after many years, I’ll get to experience the game that made me fall in love with strategy titles and one of the best JRPG series out there again.
