Final Fantasy Tactics Review
Well, I haven't completed the game, but I feel well enough entrenched
in it to make my opinions known. So, without further ado, here goes:
Graphics: 6/10
Don't get me wrong, the graphics are good: Not on the same
level as Final Fantasy VII, but it probably works out for the best
considering the way the battle system works (the less clutter, the
better). But something about the way the battle grids are set up
bothers me: There seems to be far too much clutter every time one
tries to attack, and often bits of the scenery can get in the way when
one is trying to attack: Vandal Hearts, for instance, had much better
battle field design. Plus, whoever choose this font should be drug out
into the street and lynched: It's godawful: Hard to read and just
plain *ugly*. The few FMV sequences in the game, however, are amazing:
Better than FF7.
Music: 8/10
It's a shame Nobuo didn't work on this, but the soundtrack is
nonetheless very respectable and well done. But, overall, it suffers
from a more mediocre flavor than most FF soundtracks, with only a few
truly standout tunes (such as the opening theme). I would have liked
to hear the traditional victory song instead of that grating victory
music they used, but, oh well.
Job/Ability System: 9/10
I love this. The job system not only flawlessly incorporates
classic Final Fantasy commands such as Steal, Mimic, and so forth, but
also manages to add in newer commands that apply specifically to the
unique (for FF) gameplay. In addition, two of the elements I was most
wary about: the ability-based use of items and magics, were integrated
perfectly, allowing for a degree of freedom in a genre of games never
noted for their nonlinearity. The only thing that marks this system
down is the piss-poor interface, and a lack of explanation as to how
everything works...
Story 8/10:
The problem with most strategy games is that they tend to be
battle after battle with only the loosest of "plots" to connect them
together. FFT still has some of that battle-directed feel, but still
manages to create an interesting story. Characterization is somewhat
lax, and often many characters come out as absurd exaggerations, but
the overall plot is intriguing, and holds the player's interest, IMHO.
Challenge: 7/10
Let me explain this rating: I don't mean the game isn't
difficult! If I were to grade it by that criterion, it'd get an 11/10.
What I'm judging here is the effect of the steep difficulty on the
game. The game is so difficult, it can, more than once, border on the
frustrating. Don't get me wrong: It's nice to have some challenge
after the cakewalks that were FF6 and FF7, but FFT may have gone so far
in the opposite direction as to actually detract from the game.
Other:
It's clear that the developers had a fun time making this game:
They seem to have delighted in throwing in just about any piece of the
FF mythos into the game, thus we are treated to guest appearances by
Boco from FF5, and Cloud and Aerith from FF7. FFT is markedly
different from every other game in the series, obviously, but somehow
manages to maintain that FF "feel."
Overall: 8/10
A great game, and worthy of the name. It's got some major
flaws, but once one gets involved in the game enough, they're easy to
overcome. I wouldn't recommend it to casual fans of the series, but
for those who are willing to expend the effort, it's well worth it.
-----
Sean Daugherty (seancdaug@erols.com)
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