Square Enix has finally given Final Fantasy Tactics the treatment fans have been asking for: a modern remaster that preserves the brilliance of the original while updating it for today’s hardware and audiences. The Ivalice Chronicles isn’t just a nostalgic trip back to 1997—it’s a reminder of why this tactical RPG remains one of the genre’s finest.
A Dark Tale Retold
The story of Final Fantasy Tactics is as gripping now as it was on the PlayStation. Framed as a historical chronicle, the game follows Ramza Beoulve, a young noble who becomes entangled in civil war, religious conspiracies, and betrayals that shape the kingdom of Ivalice.
Unlike many RPGs of its era, the narrative doesn’t shy away from moral complexity. Ramza’s idealism is constantly tested as he watches nobles manipulate power while common people suffer. His childhood friend Delita takes a very different path, creating one of gaming’s most memorable dual character arcs.
What makes The Ivalice Chronicles stand out is how accessible the story has become. Features like the State of the Realm timeline and an expanded encyclopedia ensure players can follow the shifting alliances and betrayals without needing a wiki open on another screen.
The Job System: Still Untouchable
The heart of Final Fantasy Tactics has always been its job system, and The Ivalice Chronicles lets it shine brighter than ever. With around 20 unique classes—ranging from staples like Knight and Black Mage to quirky options like Geomancer and Arithmetician—the freedom to experiment remains endless.
Each job provides its own active, passive, and reaction abilities. The magic happens when you start mixing them:
- A Ninja’s dual-wielding paired with a Monk’s martial arts.
- A Dragoon’s high jumps fused with summoning magic.
- Even a White Mage who also steals weapons and teleports across the map.
Progression has been fine-tuned to feel more rewarding. Every action in combat grants experience and job points, meaning even a long grind session in a single battle can help you master entire classes.
Combat That Stands the Test of Time
Battles unfold on isometric, grid-based maps where terrain, elevation, and turn order matter just as much as stats. The remaster adds a dynamic turn order bar, fast-forward options, and the ability to undo movement before committing, all of which make combat more fluid without altering its depth.
Three difficulty modes—Squire (easy), Knight (standard), and Tactician (hard)—give both veterans and newcomers the challenge they want. Hard mode, in particular, raises the stakes by reducing casting times for enemies and making overlooked abilities genuinely threatening. Even classic difficulty spikes, like Riovanes Castle, feel fresh again.
Optional content also returns, including Midlight’s Deep, the infamous hidden dungeon filled with brutal encounters and pitch-black maps. It remains a test of patience and skill, rewarding only the most dedicated players.
Visuals and Presentation
The new art style sparked debate among fans, but it’s clear Square Enix aimed to balance fidelity and modernization. The painterly, canvas-like filter gives battlefields the feel of handcrafted dioramas, while maintaining the retro isometric charm. For purists, the untouched classic version is also included—though you can’t switch between them on the fly.
Full voice acting elevates cutscenes and combat alike. Nobles speak with grandeur, commoners with rough accents, and death cries carry real weight. Characters like Rapha, who once felt underdeveloped, now resonate emotionally thanks to their performances.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
Dozens of small but vital improvements make The Ivalice Chronicles far more approachable than the original:
- Streamlined UI with visible job points, health bars, and spell previews.
- Quick retry and reload options directly from the pause menu.
- Formation setup directly on the battlefield instead of a separate screen.
- Skippable random encounters or the ability to trigger them on demand.
- Autosaves, rewatchable cutscenes, and clearer tutorials for complex systems like zodiac compatibility.
These tweaks may sound minor individually, but together they transform the pacing of a game that can easily stretch past 50 hours.
What’s Missing
Not everything made the jump. Content from the PSP’s War of the Lions—extra characters like Balthier, bonus jobs, and multiplayer—has been cut. While the remaster’s improved translation and voice acting soften the blow, long-time fans may still feel the absence of those extras.
Some visual elements, like shortened summon animations or overly smoothed textures, may also disappoint players who prefer the raw punch of the original sprite work.
Final Verdict
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles isn’t just a remaster—it’s a careful restoration of one of the greatest tactical RPGs ever made. It keeps the political intrigue and endlessly flexible job system intact while sanding down the rough edges that made the original intimidating.
Yes, some content from War of the Lions is missing, and the new art style won’t please everyone. But the addition of voice acting, quality-of-life features, and optional difficulty modes makes this the definitive way to experience Ivalice. Play Now!
Score: 4.5/5 – A classic reborn, with just enough new touches to make it essential for both veterans and newcomers.
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