Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

The original Final Fantasy Tactics, a tactical RPG that has captivated players for nearly three decades, intricately weaves a narrative of political intrigue within the medieval kingdom of Ivalice. As factions vie for control of a vacant throne, the game’s mature themes and class-based strategic gameplay quickly established it as a classic on the PlayStation. While an enhanced port, The War of the Lions, made its way to the PlayStation Portable and mobile devices, PC gamers have long awaited their chance to experience this iconic title. Now, with the release of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles priced at .99, players can finally immerse themselves in this remastered version, which enhances graphics, refines the user interface, and brings the game to modern platforms including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch 2, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.

What Is Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles?

This isometric, turn-based RPG continues to depict the tumultuous landscape of Ivalice, where the death of the king leaves a power vacuum. With the rightful heir too young to assume the throne, two regent candidates engage in covert maneuvers to undermine each other. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of two knights who find themselves on divergent paths amid the chaos. Players will assemble a party of five heroes to navigate the battlefield, employing strategic prowess to overcome their foes.

The Ivalice Chronicles remains faithful to its predecessor, offering over 20 job classes for characters, many of which are inspired by classic Final Fantasy archetypes such as Black Mage, Knight, and Monk. The interplay of terrain and weather mechanics adds depth to these roles, as elevation impacts targeting capabilities. For instance, melee units struggle against foes positioned above or below them, while archers gain a significant advantage when stationed at higher elevations. This intricate system fosters an engaging tactical experience.

Players can choose between two gameplay modes: Classic and Enhanced. The Classic mode serves as a faithful port of the original PlayStation release, while the Enhanced mode introduces animated character portraits, more intuitive controls, and voice acting. The user interface has also seen significant improvements, featuring a cleaner and more legible menu system. The localization has been updated with the development team consulting with the original director and writer, Yasumi Matsuno, to ensure fidelity to the original script. The Classic version, however, utilizes the script from The War of the Lions, presenting dialogue in Early Modern English, reminiscent of Shakespearean prose.

While the new Enhanced script strikes a commendable balance between simplicity and complexity, some long-time fans may prefer the original PlayStation localization, which was ultimately discarded due to numerous inaccuracies. In discussions with director Kazutoyo Maehiro, he expressed openness to the possibility of offering the PlayStation script as a patch, contingent upon addressing these errors.

However, it is worth noting that several features from The War of the Lions are absent in this remaster. Notably, characters such as Balthier and Luso, along with the Dark Knight and Onion Knight classes, are missing, as are the multiplayer modes: Rendezvous and Melee. While the focus on remastering the original title is appreciated, the exclusion of these elements may leave some players wanting more.

Classic Turn-Based Tactics

Final Fantasy Tactics is renowned for its diverse cast of characters, job roles, and special abilities that enrich combat. Players will encounter a steady stream of new characters, while also having the option to recruit additional units from the Warrior’s Guild. These recruits can be molded into various classes, allowing for strategic customization. Whether it’s equipping them with elemental damage abilities or teaching them to pilfer rare items, the freedom to experiment with different classes and abilities adds to the enjoyment of gameplay.

The Ivalice Chronicles enhances the tactical experience with a clearer user interface and visual improvements. Key information is now displayed more prominently, including turn order on the side of the screen, akin to the queue list in Final Fantasy X. Players can easily inspect units to check their equipment and level, which is crucial for gear-breaking and stealing mechanics. A new birds-eye view command simplifies navigation across uneven terrain, and the ability to reset movement allows for more forgiving planning of assaults. Overall, the remaster captures the essence of the classic tactical experience while making it more accessible and enjoyable.

Extra Features

The Ivalice Chronicles introduces a wealth of additional features that enrich the overall experience. Among these is The Chronicle, an encyclopedia brimming with lore about characters, locations, and key terms, offering fans a deeper understanding of the game world. This feature evokes the flavor text found in Final Fantasy XII, enhancing the immersive quality of the narrative.

Another intriguing aspect is The State of the Realm, which functions similarly to Final Fantasy XVI’s Active Time Lore system. As players progress through the campaign, this dynamic map tracks significant events and political shifts, making it easier to follow the evolving plot. Additionally, players can revisit key events through The Chronicle.

Extensive tutorials cover every nuance of the game’s combat, ensuring that both newcomers and veterans can navigate the complexities of battle with confidence.

System Requirements

Despite the graphical enhancements, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is not particularly demanding on PC hardware. The minimum system requirements include an AMD Ryzen 3 2300X, Intel Core i3-8100, or a comparable CPU; an AMD Radeon RX 460, Intel Arc A380, Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti, or equivalent GPU; 8GB of RAM; and 15GB of storage space. For those seeking optimal performance, the recommended specifications suggest an upgrade to an AMD Radeon RX 470. My testing setup, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU, and 16GB of RAM, allowed for smooth gameplay at 1440p/60 frames per second.

The Ivalice Chronicles supports both controller and keyboard-and-mouse configurations, with both control schemes providing a satisfying experience. Additionally, the game incorporates various Steam features, including Steam Achievements, Remote Play, and Trading Cards. However, it is important to note that publisher Square Enix employs Denuvo Anti-Tamper, a DRM that has garnered mixed reviews in the past.