Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (Review 3)

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Gameboy Advance

Square Enix

I could finish this review in five words, that's all but that would be pointless. Those five words would be "This game is so addicting". I find it hard to put this game down after playing it for an hour. The way this final Fantasy spin off works is the battleground is a grid, you move your characters in turns, first with the highest speed and attack your enemies. Doesn't sound that much but believe me, it's more than that. For starters with the characters, they are split into five different races which are Humans, Moogles, Bangaas, Viera and Nu Mou. Each class specialises in different things, Humans are balanced, Moogles are more advanced with gadgets, Bangaas are the powerhouse, Viera excel in speed and Nu Mou are the best magic casters. Even though each race has their separate classes, what they specialise in helps with the stat growths on levels.

The game starts with you on your first day of school in an ordinary winter town called Ivalice. Which you make friends with a female called Ritz and a male called Mewt who gets bullied by the students. The whole game starts with a snowball fight, after a certain amount of turns, it finishes and comes into another cut scene. After school you invite your friends over later which Mewt brings over a book he just bought, this book is magical. After trying to read it but not making any process due to being a different language, everyone leaves. Once the night kicks in and everyone is asleep, the book opens up and kicks in, the town Ivalice turns into a country based around Mewt's favourite game, Final Fantasy (coincidence..?). You then wake up and find yourself talking to a Moogle called Mont Blanc. He is your new alley and decides to help you out after you run into a Bangaa which starts an engagement (or known as a battle). That's the beginning so far, I wont spoil the rest.

There is a huge variety of items on this game ranging from Amour, weapons, shields and items. Certain items when equipped allows the unit to learn certain skills after a certain amount of time wearing or wielding them. These skills range from Fire Magic to Beat down (higher power, lower accuracy) to Counter. Also each class has its own unique combo. A unit can have its primary class technique, a secondary from the skills it has learned, a reaction after getting attacked, a support skill and their combo.

The graphics of this game are really good for Gameboy Advance, the game maybe on a grid but its on a diagonal angle so it gives a 3D effect which works really well. Also the sound is alot of new music with the Final Fantasy feel, it gets in your head, easy to remember and recognise.

Overall this is a brilliant game, truly worth every penny, every part of it is brilliant. It's addicting, it's fun, it's Final Fantasy. Fans of Final Fantasy or newcomers to the series will love this game, a great spin off for sure.

Gameplay - Brilliant, simple and challenging, worth it 9.5
Sound - Classic styled Final Fantasy 9.4
Graphics - Brilliant, new styled graphics on the Gameboy Advance 9.2
Lifespan - You will want to finish all the missions and unlock all the hidden characters 9.4
Overall Score - 9.3
Another great addition to the Final Fantasy series.