[PSP] First Glance: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS
- 26th November , 2007 by KNDY in Video Game Reviews: PSP
- 0 comments
VIDEO GAME TITLE: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS
PLATFORM: Sony PSP
COMPANY: SQUARE ENIX
RATED: T for Teen - Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
INFO: 1 player, Memory Stick Duo 512KB, Wi-Fi Comaptible (Ad Hoc - 2 players)
One of the best known tactical RPG’s that was released on the original Sony PlayStation was released for the Sony PSP.
“Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions” is the latest of the new Ivalice Alliance Project that first started with “Final Fantasy XII” for the Sony PlayStation 2 (note: the actual latest from the project since the release of the PSP FFT is “Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings” for the Nintendo DS) which are games that take place in the world of Ivalice.
But before we get into all that, let’s do a little rundown of the history of the game.
“Final Fantasy Tactics” is a game that came out on the original Playstation back in 1998. The game was unlike previous “Final Fantasy” video games which were RPG but in this case, the game was strategy and only allowed movement on an isometric plane and your character could move up, down, left or right on tiles. Also, the video game was turn-based but what people loved about it was the fact that it was a game that featured a cool storyline, cool gameplay but also something very unique and different in the “Final Fantasy” series. And it also helped that the game included obtaining Cloud of “Final Fantasy VII”.
Throughout the series, you control Ramza and other fighters which can specialize in different jobs. From squires, they can become knights, archers, white or black mages and much more. And the game is not for the squeamish because for those who love grinding and building their character levels, FFT required strategy because as you advance in level, your enemies also advance in level. You end up spending time finding ways to level up your characters, learn new jobs and finding ways to beat the opponent which is not easy at all.
The storyline is about royalty, kidnapping of a princess and helping Ramza who comes from a power family go on the search for the kidnapped princess. Throughout the game you meet characters but at the same time you can enlist characters and build their levels and whatever job you select them to be, take them on battles and help grow their abilities by earning JP points which allows you to obtain certain abilities from a job. Also, by partnering with other people in your group, the other characters learn other jobs as well, so you can help different characters, learn other jobs.
So, the game was amazingly fun and addictive and it was no surprise that many people clamored for a new sequel to the game and five years after the first Final Fantasy Tactics game was released, came the spin off for the Game Boy Advance titled “Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced” which featured a simpler version of the popular tactics game. Then several years later, another Ivalice inspired game titled “Final Fantasy XII” which was an RPG game and not Tactics related was released.
In 2007, we have the release of “FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS”, a remake of the popular PlayStation games which feature hand drawn animatics with voice acting, 16:9 widescreen and and jobs (Onion Knight from “Final Fantasy III” and Dark Knight which is now available to learn for all characters instead of one character as in the previous game). The game also includes “Final Fantasy XII” character Balthier and “Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift” (for the DS in Japan) character Luso.
I have been addicted to this game for the past few weeks since it’s release and I’m just enjoying the game. But would you?
If you enjoy games such as “Warcraft”, “Starcraft” and other PC turn based strategy games and also enjoy games such as “Advanced Wars” for the GBA or DS, you’re definitely going to get into this game.
Not only does it feature cool characters, a cool storyline and awesome jobs, the certain chapters that you have to take on is fun and addictive and very challening. No gameshark on this one people. Get prepared for hours of grinding and building your characters.
One thing that you will notice on message boards are discussions of deleveling. For those who are wondering about this, by deleveling gives people a chance to go down a level because if you are level 1-20, your chances of increasing your abilities increase and by using a powerful character that has deleveled to level 1, gives you an opportunity to bring other characters in your team to a higher level and increase abilities as well with their new jobs.
Personally, I have chosen not to delevel and just playing this game for the first time through it. I’m now beginning the fourth chapter and certain final levels for the early chapters have been interestingly challenging that I won by luck at times by one shot. But at some times frustrating that I win a level but I lose a character.
Yes, unlike other games which if you character dies, you can still use them. Not on “Final Fantasy Tactics”. Similar to a “Fire Emblem” game, once your character dies, they’re dead. Granted, you can take that hard earned money you win and create another character with a similar job and build them up but it’s not the same for me, so I end up playing the level again and again until everyone lives.
All in all, I’m enjoying “FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS”. The gameplay is awesome, I love games that are like a game of chess and you are just playing over and over until you find the best strategy to beat the opponent. It’s not a game that you can finish each level quickly but nevertheless, this game has all the components that what makes a great game.
Also, the benefits of it being portable on the PSP is awesome (no more hogging that TV from a family member and loved one) and if you are a “Final Fantasy” or RTS fan, definitely give this game a try.
Now, I’ve been praising this game throughout this first glance review but are there any negatives? Well, for one, this game might prove to be very difficult for those who are not familiar with tactical/strategy based games. It’s a thinking person’s game and that also means it is not a short game. Expect to put in hours into this game and once you become addicted, playing for a half hour can end up being two hours or more for the busy gamer.
Also, I did notice some slowdown in some parts. Nothing as bad as “WWE Smackdown vs. Raw” slow. I’m also using an original PSP, so not sure if it runs quicker on the newer PSP.
For some, the look might be a bit old school as the original Final Fantasy games in terms of chibi characters but if you are staunched on games that need to look as good as a next gen game, then you may be disappointed by it. Personally, gameplay is more important and this game is great when it comes to gameplay!
I can’t say too much but to buy this game! It’s the game that makes owning a PSP so worth it! Highly recommended!
Tags: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS, Sony PSP