Final Fantasy Tactics (Second Opinion)
PlayStation
Reviewed: 10/22/2003

packaging

I’ll also take a brief time here and express a second opinion of this game.

Final Fantasy Tactics is game that you can play through again and again, and still retain the same enjoyment as you did in your first time through the game. This is largely thanks to the game’s incredible depth. There are so many different paths players can choose for any charcter to take through the mass of job classes, and an infinite number of possible soldier combinations that can form your army. This is the reason that, every time I restart this game, it takes the spotlight from all of my other engagments–the depth to the gameplay makes the game incredibly addicting in the best way.

FFT’s graphics are great. I look at them, and say “…I love this.” Tactical RPGs must use so much space to hold the battle system that graphics to the caliber of games like Metal Gear Solid or FFX would be physically impossible. However, the graphics in FF Tactics remain impressive, especially considering they appear on the original Playstation.

The music is also very good. Just like the graphics, the music takes on a different style in this game, and the change of pace is a good one. I for one bought the soundtrack, and don’t regret a thing. Whatever the situation–battle or cutscene–the music fits right into the scene, and is so well placed that it might even go unnoticed.

What can make the game frustrating is a few harsh rules to the game. If a player in battle gets knocked out, there is only a certain time to revive them before they seriously “die.” At battle’s end, those characters will no longer be in the party, as they are seriously dead. If this fate should befall an integral part of the player’s dream team, s/he will sometimes be best off to reset the PS and play the battle again. This isn’t a major problem, but it is a setback. In addition to those, there will be certain battles (Elmdor on the roof comes to mind) when the player may end up losing the battle before they even get a turn. These are very few in number, but are extremely frustrating to come accross.

When all is said and done, this game stands out as one of the premiere tactical RPGs of all time. If you’ve played the recently-released Game Boy Advance sequel and are curious about the original, don’t hesitate to pick this gem up. At the current retail price of $15, you can’t go wrong.

-Heath Hindman

Score Breakdown
Overall
Excellent
Out of 10
See our Review Criteria
Gameplay Excellent
Story Great
Graphics Excellent
Sound/Music Great
Replay Value Legendary
The Verdict: 9