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Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 21st, 2019, 7:50 pm
by ptdebate
Recently, across a succession of long flights, I have made significant headway into Final Fantasy Tactics and will hopefully be writing a review soon. I am in a quandary, however, on which version to cover.

I have been playing the mobile version pretty extensively - this is basically a straight port of the PSP version. I also have the PSP version and have played it for comparison. They are effectively identical.

Then there is the PS1 version, which I have as well but have only played a short while. I was struck immediately by how inferior the English translation is. Is there anything particular to recommend this version at all or should I focus on the PSP/Mobile release? This is a phenomenal game that many people adore so I want to be sure to do it justice. Should I consider reviewing both versions?

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 21st, 2019, 11:02 pm
by DrLitch
Agreed, great game. An ATF of the franchise. Review the one you like best and casually mention the other version citing where improvements were made and if anything was lost in the porting. I only played the original so would enjoy reading a write up that focuses on the PSP edition.

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 23rd, 2019, 10:10 am
by Retro STrife
Good to hear that you're finally playing this classic game. I know it can take a few hours to get rolling, but it's hard to put down once you get locked in. I always waver about whether Final Fantasy Tactics is my all-time favorite game... either way, it's definitely in my top 3 all-time, and I prefer it over all the mainline Final Fantasy games (despite how much I like those too). So I'm happy to weigh in.

I've played both version from start to finish -- the PS1 version in the early 2000s, and the PSP version sometime circa 2010. (I was worried that replaying it on the PSP would make me realize that my love for the game was clouded by nostalgia... but that wasn't the case -- whether played in 2000 or 2030, the game is timeless through and through.) I'll say this about the PS1 version -- despite the lousy translation, I still thought it was the best video game story of all time when I played it. That said, the PSP version does a huge improvement to the translation, as well as a few other quality of life improvements. I'm sure the PS1 version has a couple advantages too, but none that boost it enough to beat the PSP version. Both are excellent, and not really all that different, but I always recommend the PSP version due to the improved translation. At the end of the day, it's kind of a toss up -- do you review the PS1 version because it's the original and thus more significant, or do you review the PSP version because it's a slight upgrade? I leave that to you - maybe just easiest to decide based on which one you've played more.

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 23rd, 2019, 10:16 am
by Retro STrife
Also, one trouble with reviewing the PS1 version is that VGC gave Vandal Hearts an A+, which is a good tactical RPG but not in FFT's league. Can't rank FFT below VH. So you're kind of locked into an A+, or figuring out some other way around the VH score, if you review it on the PS1. On the PSP, you have more flexibility.

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 23rd, 2019, 7:43 pm
by newmodelarmy
One of the best games of all time. Played it to completion at least 3 times. Become the Ninja! I think they are the best class in the game. Easy A+ in my book. I wish they would do a proper sequel.

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: January 23rd, 2019, 8:00 pm
by Retro STrife
newmodelarmy wrote:I wish they would do a proper sequel.


Same here. It's too bad that the sequels are such a step backwards. Especially how they shifted away from telling a great story. The first FFT is a classic story - it's a lot like Game of Thrones, with all its twists and turns as everyone vies for power. As for the two sequels - those are standard storybook hero tales...straightforward and nothing special about them at all. The sequels are still good tactical RPGs, but they are not classics like the original. (I agree with you about the A+ score as well, btw.)

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: February 4th, 2019, 12:40 am
by Tron
Awesome news. I loved this game on the PS1 as well. I never got into the other FF games. I have the PSP version,but haven’t played it yet.

Sorry to do this,but alas I must.... anytime Final Fantasy Tactics gets brought up I feel it is my sworn duty to just mention that Tactics Ogre is even better.

Re: Final Fantasy Tactics

Posted: February 4th, 2019, 11:14 am
by Retro STrife
Tron wrote:Sorry to do this,but alas I must.... anytime Final Fantasy Tactics gets brought up I feel it is my sworn duty to just mention that Tactics Ogre is even better.


I can't fault you for that, as it's a common opinion, and Tactics Ogre is a very good game. But I still prefer FFT. FFT became my favorite game when I played it on the PS1, so of course I wanted to rush out and play more games like it. From that, I learned about Tactics Ogre and the fact that many of the same developers worked on FFT. And I read a lot of debate about whether FFT or TO was the better game. So of course I had to get my hands on TO. I did that and beat the game. The two games have very similar mechanics and are great in there own ways. It's been forever since I played TO, so I don't remember the nuances of my reasons for preferring FFT, but I do remember it being a strong preference. One thing I do recall though, is that the FFT story is one of the main things that pushes it over the top. The TO story was good too, but not in the same memorable way as FFT.