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Title: Final Fantasy Tactics Genre: Strategy RPG Number of players: 1 Memory space: 1 block Release date: 1/28/98 Publisher: Sony Developer: Square Compatible peripherals: Standard controller

OVERVIEW:
Tired of all those hotshot RPGs that are way too easy? Are looking for something with a new twist? Or are looking for a game that has a great challenge, colorful graphics, awesome music, and a near perfect storyline? Well, guess what... SquareSoft's Final Fantasy Tactics is all that plus a little more. This is one game that doesn't disappoint!

STORYLINE:
Set in a "Feudal Age" (Medieval), Final Fantasy Tactics' story is one of the best in video game history. The Fifty Years War is finally over. But new threat to Ilvalice is about to arise. During the Fifty's War, the king came down with a terminal illness. The heir to the throne was a mere 2 years old. His guardian would rule in the child's stead. The rightfully assigned guardian, Larg, (the queen's younger brother) was fully assumed to take control. The Council Of Elders thought it would be better to appoint Prince Goltana (the king's elder cousin), as guardian. Goltana had support of powerful nobles. But Larg clearly had the support of disfranchised nobles and commoners. When this conflict arose it triggered what was known as "The Lion War." Goltana was represented by a White Lion, and Larg by a Black Lion. The war caused many people to seek the Church for help. When High Priest (like a Pope) Funeral decided to revive the legend of the "Zodiac Braves" a great evil would befall Ilvalice. Temple Knight Vormav was in charge of scouting out recruits for the "Zodiac Stones." The souls whom he finds sell their souls to Lucavi (the devil). And these new "Zodiac Braves" want to reincarnate St. Ajora (the equivalent of God), who in fact is an evil being. And the story becomes deeply involved with tales of betrayal, murder, and even political struggles between commoner and noble. I repeat, one of the best stories in video game history.

"...one of the best stories in video game history."

CHALLENGE:
Talk about your really challenging Strategy games. I mean when I say challenging, I mean it! This not a game for amateurs! You want something simple ... go play something else, cause if you make ONE mistake, you'll seriously regret it. And unlike RPG's where it really isn't necessary to spend an hour leveling up, that's exactly what happens when you try and beat a battle ASAP. Not mention the time you'll spend trying to get coveted jobs like Ninja, Dancer, or Samurai. Leveling up is not only a good idea in this game, its probably mandatory. They trick you too. You'll go through 5 easy missions and then WHAM! A three battle mission which will take you at minimum 3 tries! Not to mention the 2 Subquests for Cloud and the Deep Dungeon (which is played in total darkness). NOT A GAME FOR SISSIES! When YOU beat FF Tactics, then we'll talk about master gameplaying.

GRAPHICS:
So what if it came out months it the FF 7 era, and got no attention because of its "mediocre" graphics. At first glance they look like supped up graphics from previous FFs. But if take the time to truly examine the graphics, you'll probably learn to get used to them and have a growing respect for them. In an honest opinion, they really aren't that bad.

"... take the time to truly examine the graphics, you'll probably learn to get used to them and have a growing respect for them."

SOUND:
Why stop the good stuff now, eh? Let's discuss how awesome the music is. Its not the best in video game history. But no music fits the game better than this. During all cutscenes, the music has this mystical power to it that gives you a sense of wonder, fear, or worry. The music during battles all use the game's "theme" but there are about 10 different battle music which is a definite plus, because you don't always listen to the same song over and over. In my opinion, this is some the best music in video game history. Now for sound effects. You'll really grow to appreciate them. They are so amazing. When people hug, throw hats, etc., you hear the sound of clothes rustling. You'll hear swords penetrate bodies, groans of agony, and so on. Just one more thing that adds to how amazing this game is.

PLAYABILITY:
Controlling the game is rather cut and dry, but it will take at least 3 battles for you get the battle system down. But just when you have controlling your characters down, then you have to deal with Jobs and Abilities. The game has 19 different jobs with different skills. And the possibilities of your "Perfect Warrior" are endless. You can have 2 "attack" abilities. The default for your job. (i.e., Knight has "Battle Skill") and a secondary from another job. (i.e.,: Squire's "Basic Skill"), then you have a Counter Ability (i.e.: Monk's "Counter"), a support skill (i.e.: Ninja's "Two Swords") and a Movement skill (I.e.: Bard's "Move+3"). By the way, this is one of my fighters setup. You can have physical fighters use magic or vice versa. It'll take you a while to learn how to properly manipulate the Job and Abilities system. But don't worry, the game has an "In-Game Tutorial" that covers all features about playing the game. Its available at anytime except cutscenes or battles.

"...it's the storyline that really keeps you playing."

FUN/REPLAY VALUE:
I rented it, loved it, bought it. But after about one month of nothing BUT this game gets on your nerves, especially since the story doesn't really pick up speed until early Chapter 3. You may leave it hanging at first, but once you hit that point, every battle has a tendency to reveal a new development in the story. Which will just wanting you to keep playing. As for Replay value, its a real question about "Do I really wanna do that again?" FF Tactics is great game the first time around, and it's the storyline that really keeps you playing. And they even keep a record of ALL events and you can re-watch cutscenes without replaying the game. Which truly is a plus or minus.

OVERALL: 9.75
Final Fantasy Tactics is one those games you can never forget. The songs will stick with you. You'll come to enjoy all the characters good or evil. It's totally awesome storyline is more than you expect from today's slew of games. It truly is a memorable game. I can't guarantee you that you will like it, but I do guarantee you that it truly is a great game. Rent it for a while, you might like it, but then again you might not.

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