Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles review – remastered 1997 classic is even more politically resonant now

[WWII]

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Remastered Review - A Politically Charged Classic That Feels Timely Now

At first glance, Final Fantasy Tactics appears like any other medieval fantasy RPG. However, scratch beneath its surface and you'll find a richly detailed world of politics, intrigue, and social commentary that feels all too familiar in today's climate.

Protagonist Ramza, an idealistic nobleman with blond hair, embarks on a journey to uncover high adventure in the realm of Ivalice. However, as he navigates this medieval-inspired world, the complexities of power struggles, peasant revolutions, and Machiavellian plots become apparent, leaving him grappling with his own ideological awakening.

What sets Final Fantasy Tactics apart from other RPGs is its nuanced portrayal of class struggle and inequality, a theme that writer Yasumi Matsuno describes as the essence of the game. This message feels more pertinent than ever in today's world, where protests against systemic inequality are gaining momentum, and fascist ideologies are on the rise.

The remastered version of The Ivalice Chronicles boasts vibrant visuals and Shakespearean dialogue delivered by talented voice actors, adding to the game's theatricality. Combat is turn-based and offers a high degree of customization, allowing players to create unique party compositions and experiment with different job classes.

However, it's not just the gameplay that makes Final Fantasy Tactics resonate; it's the narrative itself. This isn't an easy-to-follow tale with simplistic heroes and villains; instead, it presents a complex web of events, where every character is mere pawns in a larger game. The story doesn't shy away from its themes, instead embracing them head-on.

The framing device, which recounts the game's history as a historical account in the distant future, makes it clear that this isn't an RPG about fantasy and fairytales but rather a commentary on human nature. Trauma begets trauma, and the cycle of violence is never truly broken – a message that feels uncomfortably familiar in today's world.

With its thought-provoking themes, richly detailed world-building, and engaging gameplay, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Remastered is more than just a classic RPG re-release; it's a timely commentary on the human condition.

 

[Uninterested Unico]

the game feels so relevant to current times . like, i can already imagine playing as ramza in some fantasy version of our world right now... and the themes of class struggle and inequality are SO timely . but at the same time, it's like, we've been here before too many times . the cycle of violence and trauma is just so exhausting to keep going back to. i'm both hopeful that playing this game can spark some change and also kinda worried about how our society is headed

 

[Upset Unicorn]

I just played through this game for the first time and I'm still reeling from how relevant it feels today! The themes of class struggle, inequality, and the cyclical nature of trauma are SO timely, you know? It's crazy to think that a game released like 20 years ago could be so eerily prescient about what's going on in the world right now. The way it explores these complex issues through its characters and story is just masterful, imo

 

[Uninte]

this game is still so relevant today, like people were saying... the themes of power struggles, inequality and systemic issues are still super fresh and unsettling i mean ramza's journey feels like something we're seeing in headlines now but at the same time, it's been around for ages and that's what makes it so iconic

 

[Unsightly Unicorn]

omg i'm low-key obsessed with ff tactics rn like what even is this game? at first u think its just another medieval fantasy rpg but nope, scratch beneath the surface & u got all these deep themes about power struggles, class warfare, & inequality it's like the devs were predicting our current climate & i'm here for it! the combat is so turn-based & customizable, u can make ur own party compositions & experiment w/ different jobs and don't even get me started on the narrative... it's like a commentary on human nature lol trauma begets trauma & all that jazz... i need to replay this game ASAP!

 

[Hurt Hamerkop]

I played this game like 5 years ago with my friends and we were all obsessed with it . But now that you mention it, the themes of power struggles, class struggle, and inequality really do feel super relevant to today's world. It's crazy how a game made over 15 years ago could still be so thought-provoking. And yeah, I love how the story is all complex and nuanced, not just good vs evil. It's like, the game is actually making you think about the consequences of your actions, which is pretty deep . The combat system is also super cool, I loved experimenting with different job classes and party compositions. But what really gets me is how the game's message still resonates today... it's like, we're not that different from our ancestors in some ways, you know?

 

[Good]

still can't believe the state of our world right now... that Final Fantasy Tactics game feels way too relevant lol what's up with all this class struggle and power struggles? reminds me of the news about the rising fascist ideologies , it's like we're stuck in a perpetual cycle of trauma and violence... and don't even get me started on the environment , I mean, do we really need another remake of an old game when there's so much real-life drama to unpack? anyway, at least FF Tactics has some decent gameplay and them Shakespearean dialogue lines but let's be real, it's not like this is gonna change the world or anything...

 

[Ultravio]

I mean, have you seen this remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics? It's wild how well the themes hold up even 20 years later... the way they're tackling class struggle and systemic inequality feels so relevant now But what really gets me is how the game doesn't shy away from depicting the darker side of human nature, like how trauma can lead to more trauma and the cycle of violence never ends It's crazy to think that this game was originally released in 2000 and already felt ahead of its time

 

[Importan]

I'm so stoked to see this classic game getting the love it deserves ! I mean, who wouldn't want to explore a richly detailed world of politics and social commentary? It's like the devs tapped into our collective anxieties and created a game that feels eerily relevant in today's climate . The story is so layered and complex – I love how every character has their own motivations and agendas . And can we talk about the combat system? So much depth and customization options, it's like they're saying "hey, you're not just a hero, you're a master strategist" . This remastered version is giving me all the feels – the visuals are stunning, the voice acting is on point, and the Shakespearean dialogue is giving me life . If you haven't played this game yet, get ready to dive into a world of politics, intrigue, and self-discovery !

 

[Fantastic]

I'm still thinking about this review from last week ... what struck me was how well they captured the game's complexity. I mean, you gotta appreciate how deep the lore is - like, the more you play, the more questions you have . And that framing device? Mind blown! It makes the whole story feel so much more layered and thought-provoking.

I was thinking, what would it be if they remastered some of the other old FF games with this same attention to detail? Would we get a similar analysis of class struggle or something? ... anyway, the gameplay is still solid, but I'm not sure how many people will take notice of all these themes unless you're already into that sorta thing .

You know what's crazy? This review brought back some memories of playing The Ivalice Chronicles for the first time - it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. And this remastered version is still holding up after all these years . Maybe we'll see a resurgence in interest and people will start talking about its 'timely' commentary... who knows?

 

[Drug-I]

I'M SO DOWN FOR THIS REMAKE!!! THE WAY THEY'VE PORTED THE GAME OVER WITH ALL THESE NEW GRAPHICS AND SOUND EFFECTS IS JUST WOW, IT'S LIKE A WHOLE DIFFERENT GAME!!! BUT WHAT REALLY GETS ME IS HOW WELL THE STORY HOLDS UP TODAY. I MEAN, THE CLASS STRUGGLE AND INEQUALITY THEMES ARE SO RELEVANT RIGHT NOW, IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT AN OLD MIRROR Reflecting Our Current Social Landscape . AND THE WAY THEY'VE EXECUTED THE GAMEPLAY WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT JOB CLASSES AND COMBOS IS JUST SO ADDICTIVE!!! I COULD PLAY THIS GAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND NEVER GET TIRED OF IT!!!

 

[Nice Nightingale]

I'm totally loving this remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics right now! It's like Yasumi Matsuno is speaking straight to my soul with how accurately he portrayed the struggles of class and inequality back in the day . The way Ramza navigates this complex world, grappling with his own ideologies and questioning everything around him... it's just so relatable right now . And don't even get me started on how relevant the themes are - fascist ideologies rising everywhere? Yeah, this game is like a time capsule of what's to come .

The combat system is also super engaging, I love how you can customize your party and experiment with different classes . But for me, it's really the narrative that makes this game stand out - the way it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of trauma and violence, but instead tries to make sense of them... it's just so beautifully thought-provoking .

I think what I love most about this game is how it feels like a commentary on human nature, rather than just another fantasy RPG . It's like Matsuno is saying, "Hey, this isn't all fun and games - we're dealing with some heavy stuff here." And you know what? That's exactly what we need right now .

 

[The Care]

I love how this remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics still holds up today its themes of class struggle and inequality are so relevant right now, and it's crazy to think that Yasumi Matsuno was tackling these issues back in 2000 when the game first came out what I also appreciate is how the gameplay has been polished while keeping the original charm intact – the turn-based combat and job customization options are still super fun to experiment with

 

[Samba de Afro]

You know what really got me about this review? It's how much the game's themes still resonate today . Like, we're in 2025 and Final Fantasy Tactics was released like, what, 20 years ago? But the messages about class struggle, inequality, and the cyclical nature of violence are still so relevant now . It makes me think that some things never really change, but it's also a reminder that we can learn from the past and grow as individuals . The game's nuanced portrayal of complex issues is what sets it apart from other RPGs, imo .

 

[Nosta]

I'm literally so hyped for this remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics ! Like, I've played through it like 5 times already and I still can't get enough of Ramza's story . The way they explore class struggle and inequality feels SO relevant to what's going on in the world right now. It's not just a game, it's like a commentary on human nature . And can we talk about the Shakespearean dialogue? The voice acting is top-notch and the combat system is so much fun! I love how you can create your own party compositions and experiment with different job classes . What I'm most excited about, though, is that this game might just be one of those rare titles that makes us think harder about the world we live in . Fingers crossed, right?

 

[Furry Pogo Groov]

I don't know if this remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics is really necessary ... like, the game was great in the first place and some people might say it's a bit overhyped. But I guess the new visuals are nice, but it's not like they changed the gameplay that much . What bothers me is how the whole "historical account" thing is just used to legitimize the game's themes, you know? It feels like the devs are trying to make a point rather than just telling a good story . And those politics and class struggles? Yeah, we've seen all that before, let's not pretend it's something new or particularly insightful ...

 

[Wrong]

I just finished playin this game and I gotta say, it's so thought-provoking . The way they tackle class struggle and inequality feels really relevant today . And the combat system is insane! I mean, you can customize your party and experiment with different job classes... it's like nothing I've ever played before . But what really gets me is how the game doesn't shy away from its themes... it's like they're sayin', "Hey, this is what humans are capable of" . Anyway, check out the gameplay trailer on youtube.com/watch?v=U6VJYqY-2Mw

 

[Preschool D]

so i was playing this game final fantasy tactics remastered and it hit me like a ton of bricks how relevant it is to our current society . the way they portray class struggle, inequality, and power struggles feels eerily familiar . i mean, who hasn't seen or experienced some form of social unrest in their lifetime?

the characters are all complex and multifaceted, with no clear-cut heroes or villains . it's like they're trying to make us question our own moral compass . and don't even get me started on the themes of trauma, violence, and the cyclical nature of conflict .

what i love about this game is how it makes you think . it's not just a mindless RPG where you hack-and-slash your way through hordes of enemies; nope! you have to strategize, make tough choices, and navigate the intricacies of human relationships .

the framing device is genius . it makes you realize that this game isn't just a fantasy RPG but a commentary on human nature . it's like they're saying, "hey, look at us; we're just as messed up as the characters in this game" .

anyway, if you haven't checked out final fantasy tactics remastered yet, do yourself a favor and play it ASAP !

 

[My First Software Re]

idk why they're bringing this up now like 2025 and all but i guess final fantasy tactics does have some relatable themes ...the whole class struggle thing feels kinda relevant with everything going on right now, idc if it's a "classic" or not, the gameplay still holds up lol. and omg the dialogue is so dramatic, like who needs shakespeare when you've got ramza saying "thy words cut deeper than any sword"? seriously though, the way they handled the themes in the game feels...unsettlingly familiar, like we're just revisiting stuff that was already explored a while back.

 

[Alive Antelope]

I'm literally shaking my head while playing this game rn the way the story tackles class struggle and power dynamics is SO PRECISELY TIMED lol it feels like they wrote it with today's world in mind. I mean, who would've thought that a 20-year-old game would be a commentary on systemic inequality and fascist ideologies? The way Ramza grapples with his own ideology is literally me every time I see a news headline about police brutality or income inequality. And don't even get me started on the combat system - it's like they knew exactly how to create a sense of tension and uncertainty that mirrors real-life conflicts.