Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Review

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles marks the triumphant return of Square Enix’s genre-defining strategy RPG, initially released in 1997 and later reimagined for the PSP as Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions. This definitive remaster faithfully preserves the essence of the original while introducing modern enhancements for a new generation of players.

Set in the war-torn continent of Ivalice, the saga resumes with the retelling of Ramza Beoulve’s journey, a forgotten hero whose story unfolds amidst political intrigue, betrayal, and the clash of noble ideals. With updated visuals, refined mechanics, and immersive voice acting, The Ivalice Chronicles invites both longtime fans and newcomers to experience the legend as never before.

Return To Ivalice

In this latest version of Final Fantasy Tactics, players are offered two experiences depending on their preference: The Ivalice Chronicles, a definitive remaster tailored for modern audiences that introduces a suite of quality-of-life enhancements and refined visual fidelity, and the original version for purists seeking to preserve the classic feel by remaining faithful to the spirit of the 1997 release.

If there’s anything that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles does well, it’s to evoke the nostalgia of playing on a CRT television with a PlayStation controller in hand. The reworked pixel art retains the iconic aesthetic from years ago, but now rendered with a clarity that makes it feel modern.

While the slick and updated UI layered over pixelated visuals may feel slightly weird at first, similar to the effect seen in Final Fantasy: The Pixel Remaster, this minor hiccup is easily overcome by everything else that makes the game so playable, even with nostalgia brushed aside.

The reimagined opening cinematic sets the tone, transporting players back to the iconic prologue and reintroducing the unforgettable cast. The remastered soundtrack further enriches the experience, striking a delicate balance between modern production and the emotional impact of the original compositions.

Perhaps the most notable enhancement is the addition of voice acting. Both Japanese and English performances are impressively executed, adding depth and nuance to the narrative. Drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy XVI, the English voice cast mirrors the strength and tone of Clive Rosfield’s saga, with authentic accents that elevate the medieval fantasy setting and breathe new life into the drama of Ivalice.

Another Take At The War of the Lions

While Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles remains faithful to the visual, audio, and atmospheric essence of the original, its gameplay and quality-of-life enhancements introduce a more accessible experience, welcoming both newcomers and returning veterans who may have drifted away from the genre.

The job system is still in full effect in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, which is arguably one of its defining features. Players will be allowed to switch between jobs, recruit characters, and fill out their party with an optimized group of members that can learn skills from each job, allowing for extreme flexibility and theorycrafting for combos and attacks that will leave enemies defenseless.

Strategy RPGs have long been known for their difficulty curves, and Final Fantasy Tactics was no exception. Many players will recall the grind-heavy progression and level scaling that, while rewarding, often disrupted the narrative momentum. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles addresses this with a flexible difficulty system designed to suit a range of playstyles.

Players can now opt for a Story difficulty, allowing them to enjoy the saga with minimal grinding and the option to skip random battles entirely. The Default setting offers a balanced challenge, while the highest difficulty level faithfully recreates the brutal tactical demands of the original, which is perfect for those seeking a test of skill.

This approach opens the door for more players to experience the game on their own terms. For purists, the original version remains available, preserving the classic mechanics and pacing. Meanwhile, the remaster’s thoughtful quality-of-life upgrades offer meaningful improvements for returning fans.

The addition of a tactical view enhances strategic planning, especially in tight scenarios where visibility is key. The fast-forward feature streamlines gameplay, enabling players to skip repetitive animations and concentrate on progression.

Reworked UI and menu systems make character management intuitive, while active tutorials provide newcomers with a clear onboarding experience. It’s really a well-done installment, polishing parts of the game that need it, while retaining what made the original beloved in the first place.

Verdict: Buy It!

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is the definitive edition and preferred version for revisiting one of Square Enix’s most iconic strategy RPGs. Faithfully preserved with subtle visual enhancements, immersive voice acting, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements, this remaster offers a compelling experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Whether you’re drawn to the nostalgia of the original 1997 release or prefer a more modern take with fantastic upgrades, this edition delivers on both fronts. With hours of tactical gameplay and a richly woven narrative, The Ivalice Chronicles earns its place in any collection, making it an essential return to a timeless classic, reimagined for today’s players.

*Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has been reviewed on the PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.