12-Nov-2003 After an eight-year absence, Final Fantasy is once again playing on a Nintendo console near you
Until recently, the very idea of Final Fantasy on a Nintendo console was akin to Jesus appearing on Songs Of Praise and freestyle rapping the New Testament - a hugely entertaining prospect, but ultimately implausible.
But after a long drawn-out spat, Final Fantasy is once again Nintendo bound. And get this: it's like time has stood still because, being a GBA game, it's back to 2D graphics and midget sprites.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a whole new game, and a call to arms for anyone who thought Advance Wars was the best invention since electricity. It's a strategy game high on chin-stroking dilemmas and team management, and it will eat your life if you so much as make eye contact with the little blighter.
But like Advance Wars and Final Fantasy Tactics for PSone, this isn't something designed for casual gaming. Battles can take upwards of an hour and the micro management can take as long as you're prepared to invest. It's all about longevity and depth, and only you'll know if this is for you.
A Gem Of A Game If it is for you, you can prepare for a title with gameplay that sparkles like king of bling Jay-Z caught in a laser light show. Planning battles is as rewarding as fighting in them, as you're given a massive amount of tweakability with a raft of items, weapons, magic and abilities to fiddle with.New things are won all the time, and deciding who gets them is totally absorbing.
But all this freedom does come at a price, with an overly complex series of menus to navigate, and not enough explanation of what does what and how it'll effect your clan.
The missions themselves are bought from pubs in the game, and range from turf wars to search-and-destroy missions, and take place on multi-levelled maps, broken down into a grid of squares.
Each battle feels different to the last, requiring a completely different set of tactics. Some encounters are all about weapons, while others require an expert command of magic. This all adds up to a game that constantly surprises, and which should be on every strategist's wish list.
This is one of the best GBA strategy games. It makes no excuses for its depth and complexity - despite its kiddie storyline - and will reward those who give it their time.
One of Final Fantasy Tactics' best features is the way your squad members can change jobs as the game goes on. One might start as a thief before becoming an archer - and the great thing is they'll remember the abilities from their previous careers.
Actually, it does seem he’s got a deadly aim. Have that in your eye!
Marche is the hero, and his starting job is as a soldier
But maybe you decide he’s better suited to a bit of archery
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
