Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, now remastered for modern eyes, offers a richly layered narrative that feels more timely than ever in today's climate. At its core, the game tells the story of Ramza, an idealistic nobleman navigating the treacherous landscape of medieval-inspired Ivalice, as it is ravaged by peasant revolutionaries and gilded monarchists. As Ramza becomes embroiled in this complex web of power struggles, he must confront his own ideological awakening.
The game's strong narrative case can be made against its contemporary classic, Final Fantasy VII. While Cloud Strife and his eco-terrorist allies take on the megacorporation Shinra, Ramza and his comrades face a far more insidious enemy: the rise of fascism. The two may seem worlds apart, but in reality, they are closely intertwined.
In this remastered version, the plot remains as compelling as ever, with Shakespearean dialogue that is now fully voice-acted to devastating effect. One can almost feel the venomous spittle on their face as a royalist delivers a scathing tirade against the common folk.
What truly sets Final Fantasy Tactics apart, however, is its turn-based combat system. With an astonishing level of customization, each character has their own unique "job" that can be changed and remixed with ease. This flexibility is matched only by the exquisite diorama levels, where battles unfold like a symphony on a chessboard.
These encounters are not just a riotous romp; they are also poignant. As Ramza navigates this maelstrom of events, he must confront the tragedy that has befallen everyone around him – heroes and villains alike mere pawns on the battlefield, hurtling towards their predetermined fate.
The Ivalice Chronicles is a game that eschews narrative flexibility in favor of a more rigid framework. Its framing as a historical account in the distant future makes this abundantly clear: events are not resolved with ease; instead, trauma begets trauma in an endless cycle of battle and consequence.
This might sound bleak, but it's precisely this moral clarity that suffuses writer Yasumi Matsuno's gripping tale of inequality, division, and the power struggles of the elite. Matsuno himself has described Final Fantasy Tactics as a work of "class struggle," and it's hard to deny that the game feels even more resonant in today's world.
Ramza offers a powerful model for resistance, one that is both principled and uncompromising. He seeks to do what is right, no matter the cost, and his reward is to be branded a heretic by those in power. In an era marked by protests against monarchies and the erosion of civil liberties, Ramza's story feels like a clarion call – a reminder that opposition must always be principled, even when it seems futile.
Ultimately, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a game that will continue to resonate in today's world. It is a testament to Yasumi Matsuno's skill as a storyteller and the enduring power of its themes. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and experience this classic for yourself – but be warned: once you enter the world of Ivalice, there's no turning back.
The game's strong narrative case can be made against its contemporary classic, Final Fantasy VII. While Cloud Strife and his eco-terrorist allies take on the megacorporation Shinra, Ramza and his comrades face a far more insidious enemy: the rise of fascism. The two may seem worlds apart, but in reality, they are closely intertwined.
In this remastered version, the plot remains as compelling as ever, with Shakespearean dialogue that is now fully voice-acted to devastating effect. One can almost feel the venomous spittle on their face as a royalist delivers a scathing tirade against the common folk.
What truly sets Final Fantasy Tactics apart, however, is its turn-based combat system. With an astonishing level of customization, each character has their own unique "job" that can be changed and remixed with ease. This flexibility is matched only by the exquisite diorama levels, where battles unfold like a symphony on a chessboard.
These encounters are not just a riotous romp; they are also poignant. As Ramza navigates this maelstrom of events, he must confront the tragedy that has befallen everyone around him – heroes and villains alike mere pawns on the battlefield, hurtling towards their predetermined fate.
The Ivalice Chronicles is a game that eschews narrative flexibility in favor of a more rigid framework. Its framing as a historical account in the distant future makes this abundantly clear: events are not resolved with ease; instead, trauma begets trauma in an endless cycle of battle and consequence.
This might sound bleak, but it's precisely this moral clarity that suffuses writer Yasumi Matsuno's gripping tale of inequality, division, and the power struggles of the elite. Matsuno himself has described Final Fantasy Tactics as a work of "class struggle," and it's hard to deny that the game feels even more resonant in today's world.
Ramza offers a powerful model for resistance, one that is both principled and uncompromising. He seeks to do what is right, no matter the cost, and his reward is to be branded a heretic by those in power. In an era marked by protests against monarchies and the erosion of civil liberties, Ramza's story feels like a clarion call – a reminder that opposition must always be principled, even when it seems futile.
Ultimately, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a game that will continue to resonate in today's world. It is a testament to Yasumi Matsuno's skill as a storyteller and the enduring power of its themes. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and experience this classic for yourself – but be warned: once you enter the world of Ivalice, there's no turning back.