LogFAQs > #896701996

30. Final Fantasy Tactics (SaveEstelle)


Final Fantasy Tactics wasn't originally supposed to be a Final Fantasy game, but it was repurposed into one to take advantage of the massive success of Final Fantasy VII, which had released the year before. They even shoehorned Cloud into the game as a guest character. It was probably a smart move since it got people who jumped into the series with VII (like me) and were still hyped up about how great it was to get this one, too. I might have gotten it anyway because, as I said in earlier writeups, I played practically everything Square put out in the late '90s and early '00s, but it was definitely an added incentive for me to do so. Right away, you know you're getting something totally different from Final Fantasy VII because of the graphics, the setting, and the gameplay. Tactics has a very strong opening sequence though, so you're willing to deal with the changes. You're introduced to a cool group of characters with awesome-looking moves (and chants: "Life is short! Bury! Steady Sword!") in a practically impossible to lose (even if you're actively trying to sabotage your own squad) first battle, followed by Delita making off with the princess anyway with a classic line that I don't even need to quote for you to know what it is at this point.

For a lot of people, the main draw of Final Fantasy Tactics is the battle system. While I do like the strategy aspect of it and aesthetically it looks and feels great, I'll admit that I'm not a huge fan of the job system in general. I've beaten this game several times, and I've probably never even touched half of the job classes. I stick with the ones I already like and know will get the job done (pun intended), and I'll gradually phase out the generic units as the special characters join with their unique classes. Yes, I am the guy who loves completely wrecking everything in Chapter 4 with Orlandu. It's my reward for making it that far. However, on my last playthrough, I did complete a Geomancer SCC (Straight Character Challenge), which was a lot of fun and a pretty good challenge (although Golgorand and the second Balk fight were super annoying). I don't think I'd ever do another one though.

Final Fantasy Tactics is also often lauded for its complex storyline (and silly translation, regardless of which one you're using). It's a plot full of political intrigue, backstabbing, and a bunch of demons trying to take over the world. Some people don't like how the Lucavi stuff eventually overtakes the whole story, but I didn't mind it so much. I love Ramza though. He's one of my absolute favorite heroes. In a world where virtually everyone is conspiring against each other using devious and underhanded methods for personal gain, Ramza is the one guy who's adamant about doing the right thing for Ivalice's sake, not his own. For all of Delita's bluster about going against the tide, Ramza is the dude who actually does it. Even when it seems like everything's falling apart, everyone's turned against him, and he's not going to get anything out of it, he just keeps fighting for what he believes he's right. He's awesome like that.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite job class?
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