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is a Tactical Role-playing Game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix ) for the Sony PlayStation Video Game Console . The game is set in the kingdom of Ivalice during a period of war. The story follows Ramza Beoulve, a young cadet who finds himself thrust into the middle of the conflict.2 The game combines thematic elements of the '' Final Fantasy '' video game series with a Game Engine and battle system unlike anything previously seen in the franchise. In stark contrast to other 32-bit Era ''Final Fantasy'' titles, ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' uses a 3D , Isometric , rotatable playing field, with Bitmap Sprite characters. A '', was announced as part of Square Enix's new '' Ivalice Alliance '' project.3 GAMEPLAY The gameplay of ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' differs in several key areas from other titles in the ''Final Fantasy'' series. Instead of a generic battle screen, with the player's characters on one side and the enemies on the other, encounters take place on three-dimensional, isometric fields. Characters move on a battlefield composed of square tiles; movement and action ranges are determined by the character's statistics and job class.4 Battles are Turn-based ; a unit may act when its CT (Charge Time) reaches 100. Charge time is increased once every CT unit (a measure of time in battles) by an amount equal to the unit's speed statistic. When CT reaches 100 or greater, the unit may act. During battle, whenever a unit performs an action successfully, it gains Experience Points (EXP) and Job Points (JP).5 battlefields found in the game. The blue panels on the ground mark where the Wizard (with straw hat and "AT" icon) can move to.]] Another difference is the manner in which random battles are encountered. Like other ''Final Fantasy'' games, random battles occur on the world map. However, in ''Final Fantasy Tactics'', random battles only occur in pre-set locations, marked in green on the world map.6 Passing over one of these spots may result in a random encounter. Another major aspect of battles is magical attacks. Certain magical attacks cause Area Of Effect damage, and many of the more powerful magical attacks require several turns of charging.7 Hit Points of enemy units are also visible to the player (except in the case of Certain Bosses ), allowing the player to know exactly how much damage they still have to inflict on a particular unit. Movement on the world map is limited to predefined paths connecting the towns and battle points. When the character icon is over a town, a menu can be opened with several options: "Bar" for taking sidequest job offers, "Shop" for buying supplies and equipment, and "Soldier Office" for recruiting new characters. Later in the game, some towns contain "Fur Shops" for obtaining items by way of Poaching monsters. .]] Like several installments in the series, ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' features a Character Class System , which allows players to customize characters into various roles. The game makes extensive use of most of the original character classes seen in earlier ''Final Fantasy'' games, including Summoners , Wizards (Black Mages), Priests (White Mages), Monks , Lancers (Dragoons), and Thieves .8 New recruits start out as either a Squire or a Chemist , the base classes for warrior and magician jobs, respectively. The game features twenty jobs accessible by normal characters. In battle, JP are rewarded for every successful action. JP are used to learn new abilities within each job class. Accumulating enough JP results in a job level up; new jobs are unlocked by attaining a certain level in the current job class (for instance, to become a Priest or Wizard, the unit must first attain Job Level 2 as a Chemist), which also allows the character to gain more JP in that class in battles. Once all of the abilities of a job class have been learned, the class is "Mastered". A soldier in a specific Job always has its innate skill equipped (Wizards always have "Black Magic," Knights always have "Battle Skill") but a second job-skill slot and several other ability slots (Reaction, Support, and Movement) can be filled with any skill the particular soldier has learned. PLOT Setting The story takes place in the kingdom of Ivalice , a country where castles and forts are the stronghold of nobles, the church is a powerful religio-political entity, and warring factions remain in the struggle for dominance over the land. The story is told by Alazlam J. Durai, a character who attempts to piece together the truth of what happened during the Lion War. Characters See Also: Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics The main character's name by default is Ramza Beoulve , the third-youngest of four siblings who is conscious about his surroundings and remains firm in his quest to seek the truth behind the war. He is joined by a cadre of characters which include Delita Hyral , his closest friend; and Agrias Oaks , the holy knight in charge of protecting Princess Ovelia , candidate heir to the throne of Ivalice. Alongside Ramza are more than a dozen characters that are recruited to join his quest. There are also many non-playable characters that join in the fray, each playing a role in the many factions' elaborate plots to control Ivalice. The most prominent factions at the beginning of the story are that of Prince Goltana and Prince Larg , of which both seek to obtain control of the throne by being guardians of the young heirs. The story progresses to include characters from the Glabados Church that is engineering the war in question. The characters were designed by Akihiko Yoshida , who was also in charge of the illustration and character designs of '' Tactics Ogre '', ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', ''Final Fantasy XII'', and ''Vagrant Story''. Story ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' begins with Ivalice just recovering from the Fifty Year War against Ordalia,News:A war that caused terror for nearly 50 years between Ivalice and Ordalia, known as the "Fifty Year War".9 and the power vacuum caused by the death of its ruler soon after, King Omdoria, sparked another conflict. Princess Ovelia and the younger Prince Orinas are both candidates to the throne, with the former supported by Prince Goltana of the Black Lion,News: Goltana went to Lesalia and confined Ruvelia in Bethla for kidnapping the Princess, and let the Princess accede to the throne. 10 and the latter by Queen Ruvelia and her brother, Prince Larg of the White Lion.News: But Larg insisted Orinas was the legitimate successor and had him accede to the throne. 11 This erupted into a full scale war known as the "War of the Lions", with either side using whatever means possible to secure their place in the throne, this included bearing an illegitimate child,'''Vormav''': Larg may have had "seeds" planted to make his sister the King's mother. 12 killing other possible heirs,'''Vormav''': They killed 2 older Princes making it look like illness 13 betrayal,'''Dycedarg''': Quiet, Zalbag! / '''Larg''': You...betraying me...? You killed Balbanes... not only to inherit the Beoulve estate... But, to kill...me... 14 assassination'''Rofel''': Who do you think let you assassinate Duke!? / '''Dycedarg''': What a thing to say... Larg was killed by someone sent by the Nanten. Or... are you saying you sent the assassin...?15 and false identities.'''Vormav''': The real princess died long ago. You're a substitute. / '''Ovelia''': No, that's a lie!!16 At this time, nobles regarded commoners and peasants as animals,Algus: Human? Hmph, ridiculous! From the minute you were born you had to obey us! From the second you were born you were our animals!! 17 and most commoners have given up life, choosing to revolt against the nobles for having abandoned them after the war.'''Narrator''': Many soldiers who returned from the war, had no jobs, little money, and even less loyalty to the crown.18 Most joined the so-called Death Corps to fight against the nobles' soldiers, and many died in vain.'''Golagros''': The Death Corps lost most of their men and now are surrounded by the Hokuten. 19 Ramza, part of the noble Beoulve family of knights, and Delita, his childhood friend who was an ordinary commoner, were witnesses to this phenomena. Events such as meeting an arrogant noble Algus and negligent killing of Delita's sister Teta during an uprising caused Delita and Ramza to abandon the Beoulve, both going separate ways.Algus: Heh! Commoners are all alike. You'll never be nobles! Delita, You don't belong here! Understand, rascal!? 20 Ramza joins a mercenary group,Ramza: ...I'm no longer a Knight. Just a mercenary like you. / '''Gafgarion''': ...That's right. Well then. Let's go! 21 led by Gafgarion, who protects Princess Ovelia from being hunted by both sides. Delita has joined the Black Lion to rise up through the ranks and gain control over his own destiny.'''Delita''': You won't confuse me! Nobody uses me!! 22 They were reunited when Gafgarion attempts to take Ovelia to Larg, though this was futile. Agrias suggests seeking Cardinal Draclau of the Glabados Church to protect Ovelia, while Delita continues to work in the shadows, working with multiple sides to realize his ambition.'''Delita''': You and I are the same... Miserable people forced to live false lives. Always being used by someone... Try hard and you'll be rewarded they say. Lies... Only those close to the top are rewarded without trying, It's the way of the world. Most people have to act the roles given to them... Then again, most of them haven't even noticed they're even acting. No way I'd do that. I won't be used. I'll be the one using! Those who used me must pay for what they've done! 23 On their way, Ramza meets Mustadio, a machinist in possession of a holy stone called the Zodiac Stone. Hunted by a trading company for the power it contains,'''Mustadio''': I don't know what power the stone has... But Rudvich wants to use its power to make weapons. My father told me never to give the stones to him. So they abducted him. 24 Mustadio also sought Draclau's intervention. However, soon after the encounter with Cardinal Draclau, Ramza discovers that an elaborate plot was set by the Murond Glabados Church. In their desire to control Ivalice, the Church, particularly the High Priest Marge Funeral, used the legend of the so-called holy Zodiac Braves to gather the Zodiac Stones,Ramza: Why do you think the Cardinal wanted the stone? People are sick of long wars and political in fighting. Draclau wants to use the 'Zodiac Brave Story'. Creating 'Zodiac Braves' by collecting holy stones, he can control the world. 25 and fueled the Lion War between Larg and Goltana.'''Simon''': Simon: High Priest and his sect are trying to regain power. First, they're reducing Larg and Goltana's military power by causing in-fighting. If the war drags on, it not only reduce their power, but trust in the royal family. 26 To stave off Ramza's interference, Draclau used the stone to transform into a Lucavi,'''Draclau''': Ha, ha, ha... You're the one holding the stone. You can change not only the world, but the truth of everything with its power. Since you don't seem to understand, let me show you. 27 ancient demons of legend, and Ramza had no choice but to slay him/it. As a result, Ramza was regarded a heretic of the Church, approached by the Heretic Examiner Zalmo at Lesalia Imperial Capitol.Ramza: Why am I a 'heretic'? I haven't done anything. / '''Zalmo''': Don't be coy! You killed Draclau and took the Holy Stone to give it to a demon! 28 While noble in name, the Beoulve family was succeptible to corruption, due to their ambition. Dycedarg the eldest sibling conspired with Larg and the Church to ensure Beoulve remain in power, the second-eldest Zalbag unaware of his dealings.Dycedarg: If only you hadn't interfered... Ivalice would've been ours, the Beoulve's... You fools... 29 Alma, Ramza's younger sister remained in church, unaffected by the situation until Ramza was branded a heretic in front of her.'''Ramza''': You should run, Alma! Or you too, will be branded a 'heretic'! Hurry and run!! / '''Alma''': I can't leave you alone here! 30 Ramza seeks to rescue her when she was captured while helping Ramza escape the Heresy Examiners. Only Ramza and Alma bear a strong resemblance to their father's sense of justice. Ramza was chased throughout the story by the Shrine Knights, the soldiers of the Church hunting the Zodiac Stones, though he managed to gain allies, either by saving their lives,Olan: Ramza, you're not alone! You have friends! Allies who'd risk their lives! I'm one of them! 31 or by showing them the truth.Meliadoul: I'm going to give you this Zodiac Stone. In return, let me go along. I want to know why my father... Besides... 32 Some individuals with knowledge of the Zodiac Stones attempted to conspire with the Shrine Knights for its power, though most fail.'''Rudvich''': Why him...? / '''Draclau''': You failed enough. Now you must take responsibility... 33'''Barinten''': Don't do anything funny! The odds are against you! / '''Vormav''': Odds? What do you think you weak humans can do? 34 Ramza also acquired proof of the Church's lies about Saint Ajora, a central figure in the religion,'''Germonik Scriptures''': "After Ajora's death, the church had to unite St. Ajora with God making him divine. To do that, unsuitable facts had to be deleted from history and St. Ajora had to become a 'Child of God'." 35 and attempts to use it along with the Zodiac Stone to reveal their plot.'''Ramza''': The stones are evil...and so are the Zodiac Braves. The legends we believed in were all lies! 36 In the course of the story, the two sides face off in a major battle that saw the deaths of many soldiers, including their leaders Larg and Goltana. Ramza manages to stop the bloodshed from continuing, though the Church had succeeded in eliminating the two Lions to secure their power over Ivalice. Deeper into the story, Ramza discovers that the Shrine Knights are in reality Lucavi, and are the real conspirators behind the Church's plot.Ramza: But collecting the stones and using the Brave Legend to use the people... / '''Malak''': You mean even the High Priest's being used? 37 The Lucavi are seeking to resurrect their leader Altima, who in the past was Saint Ajora, and they needed much bloodshed and a suitable body to complete the resurrection, which they found in Alma.'''Vormav''': No, it will work... It just needs more... You didn't hear? It just needs more blood... Lots of blood is needed for the Angel's resurrection. Much bloodshed since Ajora's death, but I guess it wasn't enough... I guess I'll have to go on another rampage...!! Heh, heh, heh.... Don't worry... I'll 'sacrifice' you first.38'''Velius''': Why, why is Virgo responding? You...can't be... Very nice! I didn't expect to meet you here! I thought it would take 100 years to find you! I never dreamed you were the one!39 Ramza races off to rescue her, on the way witnessing Dycedarg's evil side materializing, and Zalbag's death. At the end of the story, though Altima was successfully resurrected, Ramza and his allies ended her short appearance. Their final fates were unknown. Delita successfully becomes king of Ivalice with Ovelia as his queen after much manipulation, though in the end he did not find true satisfaction as even Ovelia distrusted him.Olan: Delita married Ovelia. A commoner brings peace to a chaotic kingdom, marries the Princess, becoming King. A legend that will be passed down for centuries. Delita may be a good person as you said... He made it look like he killed her then let her go, when her identity was clear. I guess he identified with her, having been used by Vormav... 40 Olan Durai, a historian who had many encounters with Ramza, attempts to reveal the Church's evil plot with the "Durai Papers", though this was confiscated and he was burned at the stake for heresy.'''Alazlam''': But the church which feared public disclosure of the truth decided to arrest Durai and burn him at the stake for the crime of heresy. 41 The story ends years later with the historian Alazlam J. Durai intent on revealing the truth of the Lion War and the Durai Papers.'''Narrator''': I am Alazlam, a scholar of ancient Ivalice history...42'''Alazlam''': But I have uncovered the truth... Let me now revive his honor. Let his way of life be absorbed by the next generation. 43 DEVELOPMENT ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' was developed mostly by developers who had worked on '' Ogre Battle '' and '' Tactics Ogre '', and was Yasumi Matsuno 's first project with Square following his departure from Quest in 1995 . The translation of the North American release of ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' is somewhat rough in areas, rendering the storyline difficult to understand. Names of characters and locations are often spelled more than one way. Several historical and mythological references were altered by translators: for instance, the Norse World Tree, Yggdrasil , makes an appearance as Yugodorasil; the word "breath" is consistently rendered as "bracelet" in attack names44; and Wiglaf's name, homonymous with A Character From ''Beowulf'' , is rendered as Wiegraf.45 The in-game tutorial function also shows examples of Engrish , including lines such as "This was the darkened Items won't appear."Daravon: "This was the darkened Items won't appear." - In-game Tutorial 46 The game also includes references to several specific characters, places, and situations from earlier games in the ''Final Fantasy'' series — '' Final Fantasy VII '' AUDIO The game's soundtrack is composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata , both of whom later collaborated to compose music for '' Stella Deus '' and '' Final Fantasy XII ''. Matsuno approached his long time friends Sakimoto and Iwata to compose the music soon after the initial release of ''Final Fantasy VII''.48 Sakimoto composed 47 tracks for the game, and Iwata was left to compose the other 24. The orchestral nature of the game's music was made possible using synthesizing operated by the synthesizer operator Katsutoshi Kashiwabara and sound programming Hidenori Suzuki. Some reviewers made comparison with Nobuo Uematsu 's ''Final Fantasy'' compositions, though the soundtrack received positive reviews from critics. Chudah's Corner summarized its review by stating that the soundtrack is an "astoundingly memorable classic of videogame music".49 This is also supported by other professional reviews, such as in RPGfan.com that "don't believe that any other soundtrack known to man surpasses it", and Soundtrackcentral.com who quotes that "the orchestral music is beautiful nonetheless".5051 The album was first released on two Compact Disc s by now-defunct DigiCube on June 21 , 1997 bearing the catalog number ''SSCX-10008'', and was re-released by Square Enix on March 24 , 2006 with the catalog number ''SQEX-10066/7''. It spans two discs and 71 tracks, covering a duration of 2:31:03. RECEPTION ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' received positive reviews upon its release, and critical opinion of the game has improved further over time. IGN awarded the game the Editor's Choice Award on 1998, praising the in-game graphics as "amazing" and the battle environments with its extra details as being "extremely well designed". The spells and summoning visuals were compared with ''Final Fantasy VII'' 's detailed graphics. IGN found that the game's plot was confusing at times, and that the item system was repetitive.54 Gamespot lauded the game's battle sequences as challenging and requiring more strategy making than ordinary RPGs; they found this a welcomed element that deviated from the countless enemy encounters featured in typical Japanese RPGs. GameSpot has named ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' as one of its Greatest Games of All Time55—the first ''Final Fantasy'' game to be so honored. However, its legacy remains fairly obscure compared to '' Final Fantasy VII '', also released for the PlayStation that year. The intricate plot was also the strength of the game as reviewers found it to be more in-depth, with numerous plot twists. Even during battle sequences, the story unfolds to create a serious atmosphere of the plot, even with simple and "cute" character design. However, the game's localization effort was criticized by reviewers as poorly written, being rife with grammatical mistakes that almost stopped players from enjoying the storyline.56 Legacy The world of ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' has been featured in several other Square video games. After the game's release, the development staff went on to develop ''''. In 2003 , Square released '' Final Fantasy Tactics Advance '' for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance . The game setting and engine are similar to the ones of its predecessor, but the characters and plot are notably different; the cast of characters is considerably smaller, and the plot is considerably simpler.57 Additionally, ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'' has a shorter main campaign, but more side missions, and a secret campaign at the end of the game. A s. The English version will contain full voice acting during the cinematic cut scenes, whereas the Japanese version does not. An indirect Sequel to ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', titled '' Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Fūketsu No Grimoire '', is currently in development. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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