Final Fantasy Tactics is largely considered one of the greatest RPGs (if not one of the greatest games) of all time. From its deep story in the world of Ivalice to its engrossing and engaging gameplay, it is no wonder that fan adoration has endured the test of time. Now, Square Enix has taken steps to satisfy fans by re-releasing it, but also enhancing the game to make it palatable for newcomers.

Before we get into the new bits of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, let’s dig into the overall premise for the uninitiated. Final Fantasy Tactics defined the Tactical Turn-Based JRPG genre (in the west anyway) in 1997 and takes place in the world of Ivalice. Chronologically, it is the (as I understand it) earliest point in Ivalice’s timeline (prior to Final Fantasy XII) and is a Medieval Drama that covers royal succession, betrayal, and more.

The story is a historical retelling that details the role of Ramza Beoulve in the War of the Lions. Ramza comes from a well-known Beoulve family, but his name was buried in history. The Ivalice Chronicles explains what really happened.

I would not call Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles a simple remaster. When you open the game, you have two options: The Enhanced Version (what is being reviewed today) and the Classic version. The classic version is a remastered version of the original release, with upscaled visuals, but no real bells and whistles. The enhanced version, on the other hand, now that’s the juicy bit.

The enhanced version of Final Fantasy Tactics, upon which The Ivalice Chronicles itself is built, has a whole host of quality-of-life adjustments. The first (and most important) of which, is full voice acting. Final Fantasy Tactics is a story-heavy and cut-scene-heavy game. Sometimes, even during battle, there will be dialogue between characters.

The voice acting really aids medieval drama and adds immersion. Older fans may not mind a lack of voice acting, but I can see this being really helpful for newer players. The voice acting required a revised script for a smoother dialogue flow. While that may turn off purists, if you’re that worried, there’s always classic mode. Personally, I like the dialogue changes, and there are some old references (including a spoony bard or two) that still stuck the landing.

Other elements of the enhanced version of The Ivalice Chronicles include revamped graphics, an easier understanding of things like damage and turn-order, auto-battle options, battle speed-up options, a fully visible job tree menu, and my favorite addition: adjustable difficulty. There are now three difficulty levels, though I will admit that even Squire (the easiest difficulty) is challenging. There is also a new overhead tactical camera that helps in some of the more cluttered environments.

Another great addition is Autosaving. Long gone are the days of losing power to your PlayStation 1 and losing a whole hour-long boss battle’s worth of progress. You not only autosave between battles, but also in battles too. Granted, manual saving is still an option and is highly recommended.

The Ivalice Chronicles is a fun, engaging experience. The soundtrack is fantastic, the story is deep and immersive, and the art style gives a painterly vibe. There is a lot of lore to read (or listen to), and you can keep track of the current socio-political state of the world as you play, with differing factions updating over time.

As an enhanced remake, The Ivalice Chronicles is fantastic. Even if you don’t want to engage with the new enhancements, the classic mode offers the stellar experience from the original games. In any other year that wasn’t full of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Ghost of Yōtei, I’d say that The Ivalice Chronicles was a great contender for awards. However, I think the year is just too stacked.

Overall, if you loved the original Final Fantasy Tactics, this is a no-brainer. If you know a fan of Tactics-based RPGs that hasn’t gotten to play the original, then I’d absolutely add it to your gift list. The Ivalice Chronicles is a perfect expression of a game that was sorely in need of modern attention.

A Nintendo Switch 2 Review Copy of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles was provided by Square Enix for the purposes of this review.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

$49.99 USD

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Beautiful Upscaled Visuals
• Engaging Medieval Drama tale
• Quality of Life Features including Difficulty Options
• Gorgeous Soundtrack
• Stellar Voice acting