Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Final Fantasy Tactics marked a significant expansion of the franchise into new areas. Tactics combine traditional Final Fantasy series elements with new game mechanics and battle systems. It was the first game to use a 3D, isometric, rotatable playing field, bitmap sprite characters, and a turn-based strategy system during the Final Fantasy 32-bit era. In the game, you build a team by recruiting many available characters you meet along the way and stockpiling plenty of items to defeat enemies who stand in your way. The game has a very complex character class (job) system, with each character starting with a job like Squire or Chemist. After successfully participating in battles, characters can later choose one of the more advanced jobs, of which there are 19. There are also monsters and computer-controlled “guests” with their own jobs and special abilities to learn. Over 400 capabilities are available in total, allowing for nearly limitless combinations. The PSP version of the game mostly repeats the PSOne version. The visual presentation is almost a 1:1 copy of the old version, with a zoomed-in camera to fit the PSP screen. Tose, the port’s creator, added cel-shaded intro movies and numerous animation sequences that play after each chapter ends. Some maps have been completely remade, but you cannot skip event scenes. In addition, two new playable characters are included in the PSP version: Balthier from Final Fantasy XII and Luso from Final Fantasy Tactics A2. Two new job classes have been added: the new Onion Knight and the Dark Knight class, previously only available via a cheat code on the PSOne. Once you’ve reached the world map, you have two wireless multiplayer options (just go into a bar in any town). The first is Coliseum (vs. Battle Mode), and the second is Cooperative Challenge (team mission).