PSP Review: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions

Final Fantasy: Tactics is really one of those games that come along very very rarely, it doesn’t sparkle in the graphics department, it is long and very difficult, yet somehow manages to just get it all right. Make no sense? I understand. FF:T was released on Playstation One back in 1997 or 1998 depending on if you were living in Japan or America. It was innovative, it was dramatic, and above all it was still Final Fantasy; just in a new format. Now 10 years later the game is given new life on the PSP, beautifully ported over and with all new animated cut scenes, you’re definitely going to want this for your PSP game collection.

A wave of nostalgia certainly overcame me as I watched Hiroshi Minagawa’s art come to life in full video sequences, a fitting tribute on the PSP’s ever easy on the eyes screen. Let it be known though that FF:T was one of the hardest games around for the Playstation and it translates begrudgingly well to the PSP, but despite that they keep the gamers picking their PSPs out of the fresh dent in the wall and back into their easy chairs for another go. War of the Lions is an amazing story, and this time around it’s a much better written story to boot. The purists will no doubt be upset with a few name changes here and there but I believe most will agree that these are for the better.

The story is set in Ivalice, the same world of Final Fantasy XII fame. It tells the tale of an unsung hero who had a large effect on the outcome of “The War of the Lions”. The main character Ramza Beoulve is a squire of noble blood who befriends Delita Hyral. As a war for the throne erupts they are both caught up in a world that is choosing sides, and their friendship is put on the line. The story has many many plot twists and could be a book all by it’s self. The story is presented in both in game and animated movie cutscenes. The gameplay remains the same as it has ever been, you select your characters from your “army” and place them on the tactical map. You move them through a grid placed on a plot of land, how far on that grid depends on the “speed” of the character, and you attack with equipped weapons and cast spells that drain MP. Winning conditions vary on the maps from killing all foes, protecting an ally, killing a particular enemy, or getting to a certain spot on the map.

One particularly important aspect of battle is having the correct class mix, and with 21 total classes that is no small feat. Several classes develop with experience into more powerhouse classes and many are difficult to unlock (the internet is your best friend with that problem). However customization remains the name of the game here, with your army you can customize everything from armor, to class, to even the moves that appear on the in game menu. Also the very in depth tutorial will teach you everything you need to know about the game if you take the time to learn. It remains a formula that has gained Tactics the cult following and awards it well deserves.

A simple port would probably have been enough to get me to buy this game, but Square-enix takes it a step further and ads new classes: Onion Knight and Dark Knight, they add fully voiced and animated cut-scenes, new characters, online playability, and new additions to the story and script. Now some problems do still plague the game, the beautiful music in the Cut-Scenes makes you wish you didn’t have to settle for the representations of instruments in the game engine. The slow down experienced during some spells and abilities has also somehow found it’s way to the psp, which these days you’d think they’d have the technology to counter. Cloud Strife of Final Fantasy 7 fame is still about as strong as a certain flower-girl when you first meet him, and the difficulty of some battles is to the point sometimes where you may find yourself grinding for an hour to level up your party for one fight.

I can honestly say though, that despite it’s flaws, this game will make you look past them easily. The graphics may be dated and the camera isn’t perfect but gamers who purchase FF:T for that didn’t look at the back of the box I’d imagine. No, Tactics was created for another kind of animal, the gamer who is looking for excellent strategy RPG, a moving story, and maybe even a trip down memory lane. Overall I consider Tactics a game well worth the 40.00 you’ll pay for it, great gameplay, huge replay value, and a classic story make this an easy choice.

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