Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a tactical role-playing game that was released by Square in 2003 for the Gameboy Advance. The game , while not a sequel, shares much in common with Final Fantasy Tactics , a game released in 1997 for the PlayStation 1. The game later inspired a sequel titled Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift . The game has since been re-released on the Nintendo Wii U Virtual Console in 2016. The game has received positive reception in the gaming community and is held in high regard for its superb music, engaging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and captivating storyline.
Plot
The game's story focuses on the lives of four children: Marche, Mewt, Ritz, and Doned, who all live in a small town called St. Ivalice. After discovering an ancient magical book, the world is transformed into a different realm that shares their town's name and is simply called "Ivalice." The story then focuses on Marche's adventures as he attempts to return the world to normal while facing opposition from those around him. The group eventually confronts the game's main antagonist, Queen Remedi, the ruler of Ivalice, who constantly thwarts Marche Radiuju's attempts to transform Ivalice back into St. Ivalice.
Characters
- Marche Radiuju - The hero and main protagonist of the story. After St. Ivalice becomes Ivalice, he attempts to find a way to return the world to its original state. He has yellow hair and wears a blue shirt and brown shorts, along with several belts and pouches.
- Ritz Malheur - Marche and Mewt's outgoing companion. She had to dye her white hair pink in the real world. She is the only human to gain the powers of the Viera race.
- Montblanc - A young Moogle who comes to the aid of Marche after their world is transformed.
- Shara - A Viera and member of the Ritz clan. Like most Viera, she has many rabbit-like characteristics, but also has white hair.
- Babus Swain – Servant and guardian of Prince Mewt. He is a member of the Nu Mou race.
- Ezel Berbier - Inventor of the Antiloi cards. He is a unique troublemaker and self-proclaimed genius.
- Cid Randell – Mewt's father. Although he is actually a drunkard, in Ivalice he is a Judge Master, one of the highest authority figures in Ivalice.
Gameplay
The player takes on the role of Marche, who joins a clan and must manage its members as they participate in missions to gain experience, increase their status, and unlock new content. Missions range from simple fetch quests to complex battles that can result in liberating areas from another clan's control. Regardless, all missions are offered in pubs and spread across the world map. An entry fee must be paid to begin a mission, and missions are often tasked with advancing the main story, receiving items, and earning experience points. Some missions require the completion of previous missions as a prerequisite to begin, while others require a specific item, skill, or job class.
Tactics Advancement features five playable races: humans, Moogles , the powerful reptilian Bangaa, the swift and agile Viera, and the talented magician Nu Mou. Some jobs are only available to certain races.
The game uses a job system, something that should be familiar to veterans of theFinal Fantasy series. Each job has its own specialties, weaknesses, associated abilities, and strengths. Some of the jobs in Advancement of Tactics include dragon, white mage, ninja, defender, thief, and soldier.
The player controls a small clan traversing a grid-like landscape. Turn-based battles take place as characters move across a 3D isometric map. Battles take place within a menu system where the player can choose between "Move," "Action," "Wait," and "Status" immediately, without needing to load the battle bar. When battles are won, players earn ability points, which allow them to master abilities and use them regardless of equipped items or their currently selected job. The game uses a mechanic called the "Law System." In this system, certain laws must be followed and are enforced by Judges, invincible referees present during combat who issue penalties and punishments for breaking certain combat rules. Eventually, Law and Anti-Law cards are unlocked, which can be used to change the laws in effect during battle. In some parts of the world, no laws apply during combat.
Development
Rumors about the game surfaced after Square announced its partnership with Nintendo. Advancement of Tactics was later confirmed by lead producer Yasumi Matsuno. Hitoshi Sakimoto and others composed the music, while Yuichi Murasawa was assigned the role of lead director. Work on the game began in 2002 with a team at Quest Corporation. While its gameplay is similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, Advancement of Tactics introduces several changes, such as a customizable map.
