Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings a PS1 classic to modern audiences. Our beginner-friendly review covers gameplay, story, and whether this tactical RPG holds up today.
What is Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles?
If you’ve never heard of Final Fantasy Tactics, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This isn’t your typical sword-swinging, spell-casting Final Fantasy adventure. Instead, it’s a tactical RPG where you move characters around a grid-based battlefield like chess pieces, planning every move carefully to outsmart your opponents.
Originally released for PlayStation 1 in 1998, Final Fantasy Tactics became a cult classic known for its incredibly deep story and challenging gameplay. Now, Square Enix has given it the remaster treatment with “The Ivalice Chronicles,” bringing this nearly 30-year-old game to modern platforms.
TL;DR: Should You Buy It?
Buy if: You love strategic gameplay, don’t mind grinding, and want a mature story that tackles serious themes like politics and class warfare.
Skip if: You prefer action-heavy games, get frustrated by difficulty spikes, or don’t have patience for lots of dialogue.
Bottom line: This is tactical RPG perfection, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
What Makes This Remaster Special?
The Good Stuff
- Dual experience: You get both the remastered version AND the original 2007 release
- Quality-of-life improvements: Fast-forward buttons, mid-battle saves, and better UI
- Visual upgrade: Crisper graphics while maintaining the original’s charm
- Full voice acting: Brings the epic story to life
- Tactical View mode: See the entire battlefield from above (game-changer!)
The remaster work here is genuinely impressive. Playing the original version after experiencing the remaster feels like going back to dial-up internet after having fiber – technically functional, but painfully slow.
What Hasn’t Changed (For Better or Worse)
This is still very much a PS1 game at heart. That means:
- Heavy grinding required: Expect to replay battles to level up your characters
- Steep learning curve: The game doesn’t hold your hand
- Dialogue-heavy: Lots of story exposition (though you can fast-forward now)
- Complex job system: Can be overwhelming for newcomers
The Story: Shakespeare Meets Final Fantasy
Forget the typical “save the world from evil” plot. Final Fantasy Tactics tells a mature, political story about:
- Class struggles between nobles and commoners
- Religious corruption and manipulation
- The cost of war on ordinary people
- Friendship torn apart by ambition
Think Game of Thrones meets medieval fantasy. It’s surprisingly sophisticated and deals with heavy themes you rarely see in modern games. The dialogue can get wordy, but the payoff is worth it if you’re into complex narratives.
Gameplay: Chess Meets RPG
How Battles Work
- Grid-based movement: Move your characters around a 3D battlefield
- Job system: Change your characters’ classes (Knight, Mage, Thief, etc.)
- Ability mixing: Combine skills from different jobs for unique strategies
- Positioning matters: High ground gives advantages, backstabs deal more damage
The Job System Explained
This is where Final Fantasy Tactics shines. Your characters can learn different “jobs” (classes):
- Basic jobs: Squire, Chemist, Knight, Archer
- Advanced jobs: Black Mage, White Mage, Thief, Monk
- Unique jobs: Special classes for story characters
- Hidden jobs: Unlock through specific combinations
Pro tip: Don’t stick to one job per character. Mix and match abilities for devastating combinations!
Beginner Tips for New Players
Before You Start
- Expect a challenge: This isn’t a casual experience
- Save often: Use those new mid-battle autosaves
- Don’t neglect side quests: You’ll need the experience points
- Experiment with jobs: Try different class combinations
Combat Strategy Basics
- High ground advantage: Always try to attack from above
- Flanking is crucial: Side and back attacks deal more damage
- Control the battlefield: Use terrain to your advantage
- Plan ahead: Check turn order before making moves
Character Building
- Level multiple jobs: Don’t just stick to one class
- Learn key abilities: Some skills work across all jobs
- Balance your team: You need healers, damage dealers, and tanks
- Customize equipment: Gear makes a huge difference
How Does It Compare to Modern Games?
What It Does Better Than Modern Tactical RPGs
- Deeper job system: More customization than most current games
- Mature storytelling: Tackles serious themes without being edgy
- Strategic depth: Every move matters significantly
- Character progression: Extremely satisfying growth systems
Where It Shows Its Age
- Pacing: Slower than modern games expect
- Tutorial: Doesn’t explain everything clearly upfront
- Grinding: More repetition than current players might prefer
- Interface quirks: Some menu navigation feels dated
Technical Performance
The remaster runs smoothly on modern hardware with:
- 60 FPS gameplay: Buttery smooth animations
- Quick loading: No more waiting between battles
- Multiple resolution options: Looks great on any screen
- Cross-platform availability: Play on PC, console, or mobile
FAQ: Everything New Players Want to Know
A: Expect 60-80 hours for the main story, 100+ hours for completionists. This isn’t a weekend game.
A: Nope! This is a standalone story. Knowing other FF games helps with some references, but isn’t required.
A: Yes, but the remaster’s quality-of-life features make it much more manageable. Mid-battle saves are a lifesaver.
A: Maybe. If you enjoyed games like Fire Emblem or XCOM, you’ll probably like this. If you bounced off those, this might not be for you.
A: If you appreciate complex political narratives, absolutely. If you prefer simple good vs. evil stories, you might find it overwhelming.
A: No reason to torture yourself. Start with the remaster and check out the original if you’re curious.
The Verdict: A Masterpiece with Caveats
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles represents remaster craftsmanship at its finest. Square Enix has taken a genuine classic and made it accessible to modern audiences without sacrificing its soul.
This is perfect for:
- Strategy game enthusiasts
- Players who love deep customization
- Anyone wanting a mature, complex story
- Fans of games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Fire Emblem
This might frustrate:
- Action game fans
- Players who dislike grinding
- Anyone wanting quick, casual sessions
- Gamers who get overwhelmed by complex systems
Final Score: 8.5/10
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do – preserve a classic while making it playable for modern audiences. It’s not for everyone, but for the right player, this is tactical RPG nirvana.
The bottom line: If you have the patience for its old-school design philosophy and love strategic depth, this is an easy recommendation. Just know what you’re getting into before you dive in.
Have you played Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles? Share your thoughts and beginner tips in the comments below!
