E3 2003 previews

Introduction
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
» Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy XI
Sword of Mana
Unlimited: SaGa

E3 2003 media

Absent the Machiavellian tenor and nose-less character designs of its predecessor, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is surely poised to become the most maligned Square title since Final Fantasy VIII, which was assailed for breaking the supposed mold (of excellence?) established by the likes of Final Fantasy VII and even Final Fantasy VI. Even the inclusion of obscenely cute moogles may not be enough to overcome the brunt of crass expectations: whereas the adoring fans of FFVII don't know what they really want for Part 2 and spend the intervening time (VII-2 will come out someday, right?) lambasting every new incarnation of FF or pining for the Golden Days of... Something, the imperious fans of the "original" Tactics pretend to know.

So while those who clamor for the second coming of Final Fantasy Sellout, um, Tactics frame their debate over FFTA with trite questions on what elements would have been present in a worthy sequel, pertinent questions remain unasked. What business did Yasumi Matsuno (the producer behind the Ogre Battle series, mastermind of the most blatant self-ripoff job in history--we're talking FFT here--producer of Vagrant Story, and director of the upcoming Final Fantasy XII) have producing a Game Boy Advance title? And what came of that acquisition of Quest?

Whatever the answers, FFTA represents quite the departure, in mood and in spirit, from Matsuno's signature titles. Long accustomed to games that adhere to that "bloody war epic/young man coming of age" mold (any Koei title, Fire Emblem, recent "inspired by" titles à la Onimusha Tactics), some fans of tactical RPGs will be taken aback at gaming's latest version of a C.S. Lewis tale.

Like a C.S. Lewis tale... with raunchy sexual innuendo!

The game's fanciful premise sets the stage for a romp through fantasy world. After a group of school-age kids--Marche, his wheelchair-bound younger sibling, and friends Mewt and Ritz--regale themselves with tales from a mysterious book (the Gran Grimoire), their world is transformed in the night into Ivalice, a kingdom of swords and sorcery right out of the story "Final Fantasy." Not only that, alternative "Final Fantasy" personae have been bestowed upon the world's inhabitants, including Marche and his companions, who, mostly left to their own devices, must cope with Ivalice's kooky internal logic while seeking out the familiar Final Fantasy crystals, which somehow hold the key to returning the world to normal.

"Internal logic" pertaining to FFTA takes the form of gameplay features such as the "Judgement System," which restricts what abilities or actions may not be used in battle. (For example, disallowed actions include the use of black magic or healing commands-items or magic-that restore hit points.) The system is not entirely punitive: the judges who preside over battle will award JP to units that defeat units lawfully, and the JP may then be used for special attacks, including powerful summon magic. But characters who violate the law are penalized accordingly, receiving warnings (in the form of cards) from the Judge and incurring a loss of all Judge Points (JP). When a Judge issues a red card, the offending character is removed from battle in placed in jail, where he may be required to serve time before being released (bail may also apply in order to remove cards from a character's "record"). It is also possible in battle to repeal or add laws with the use of "Law Cards."

I got the magic stick...

"Clans" or mercenary groups dominate this version of Ivalice, and most battles and other events occur in a framework of "quests" or missions that Marche's clan and its members take on, either to advance the story or simply to attain extra gil or obtain treasure on the side. Successful completion of missions raises clan profile and bestows rewards in the form of gil or items and sometimes landmark symbols. These symbols are used in the "Region Create System," a feature similar to the "Landmake" system in Legend of Mana, to recreate the Ivalice world map.

Final Fantasy's esteemed (and long-neglected) job/ability system is given another layer of complexity with the addition of four tribes of anthropomorphized creatures (including the previously mentioned moogles); each tribe has a set of exclusive jobs suited to its physical characteristics. Advanced jobs may be attained by acquiring abilities, which in turn are learned by donning certain pieces of equipment and earning ability points in battle, a mechanism similar to Final Fantasy IX's. Several traditional, "basic" jobs absent in the first FFT make appearances (blue and red mage, hunter, animal trainer), as do a few novel, unusual ones (moogle knight, juggler, mechanic).

Although the GBA hardware necessarily limits FFTA's presentation, the Tactics Ogre-style graphics are clean, vibrant, and colorful and are accompanied by an appropriately exuberant and light-hearted soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto, of all people. The whimsical artwork of character designer Ryoma Ito lends a sweet touch.

FFTA even makes use of the GBA link cable for head-to-head battles and trading items or units. Indeed, it may be this interactivity and not the moogles that will be FFTA's saving grace among those who swear by FFT as tactical role-playing par excellence. At least FFTA is somewhat of a novelty in the cookie-cutter world of tactical RPGs. The one thing that made FFT distinctive, Daravonese, is unlikely to make an encore appearance.

Top of Page | Staff Contact | Bug Report | Support Square Haven | Jobs @ Square Haven | LUNARPAGES SUCKS!