I have a few unhealthy cravings. Videogame-wise, there are three games that take priority in a King of the Hill game for my mind and pleasure centers. The Orange Box being one, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions being another, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2 being the third.
Despite being critically acclaimed by critics, who I wouldn’t dare bestow the duties of holding my grain of salt, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was shunned by fans of the original PS1 Final Fantasy Tactics. Why was this? Well, because those said fans loved the original and all its trappings and had waited years for another game of the same trappings, yet instead, Square tried to do something it does from time to time: something different.
“Please sir, I want some more.”
So Matsuno gave you a slight change of pace, and you gave a bitter face. Complaints of the inconvenient judges and Law System and story revolving around the fantasy of children come to life were what the whiny curmudgeons held to their bosoms. If you actually welcomed this game into open arms and mind, you’d find yourself amidst a truly enjoyable adventure of a heartwarming group of cast abouts finding their place.
Even now, without Yasumi Matsuno (Tactics Ogre, Ogre Battle, Vagrant Story, FFTA, FFXII), the game still seems to be one the same path he set. The game starts similarly to FFTA with your character Luso in his regular world. He plays a prank and is punished and sent to the library, where he finds a book just as the FFTA gang had. Yet, this time, Luso is transported to a type of Ivalice we all know and love from FFXII, not the Ivalice created from strong emotions. Even Vaan and Penelo make guest appearances to semi-cement this, with FFTA2 taking place some time after FFXII.
Upon fan reception of FFTA, the team has made some changes to the indirect sequel. Judges won’t be mandatory. Instead, other clans will have their own judge, but you may choose whether or not to bring one into your guild. While being free of penalties and restrictions, having a judge could be to your benefit, as you won’t receive certain rewards for obeying the law and your party members won’t revive after a battle without one.
Other mainstays are six familiar races (Hume, Moogle, Viera, Bangaa, Seeq, Nu Mou) along with a new race (Gria), some FFXIII espers, and of course, a Cid. Some old and new jobs make an appearance: Yojimbo, Master Monk, Cannoneer, Arcane Mage, Magic Fencer, Knight, Magic Gunner, Raptor, Bastard, Lanista, Pirate, Hunter, Ranger, Chocobo Jock, etc. As for battle it looks like the same grid-based, Conditional Turn-Based system. Though, Tim Rogers makes mention of an Active Time System. Whether that’s for two-player versus matches or not, I’m not entirely assured. If you’re a happy NeoGAF camper, please feel free to make that point clear. Also returning is the Pub HQ where you accept missions.
No official mention of a US release has been made, but I wouldn’t fret. But if anything, I have to figure out how I’m going to pay for both a DS Lite and PSP Slim. Jeanne d’Arc and Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions both look so nice. Ah, crap. SRPG fans, the doors to poverty are open. Greet them sans tears.
I don't get what the deal is on the internets, because I really loved the law system. It put you firmly in the world, and helped you to understand what the residents of Ivalice felt - and the importance of law cards, which you get within the 4 hour. Before you got the law cards you either had to evolve/change how you played the game - which was really interesting - or you could walk around like a ronin waiting for the laws to become advantageous.
The law system was criticized, as well as FFTA at large, for not conforming precisely to what FFT had done before.
That said, I'm really not looking forward to FFTA2 that much, but this reminded me of its existence.
see, the thing with FFTA reviews and opinions are that they always use a crutch known as FFT. people don't think for themselves, don't widen their horizons, and most of all, love to whine. also, they want confirmation of adulthood in their games. yet, you can't shake a stick with out hitting a game injected with at least a bit of immaturity.
I totally agree with that statement. Most of my favorite games filled me with that child-like sense of wonder. My favorite example is the part in minish cap where miniaturized Link is running down a path and dodging falling raindrops. My jaw dropped in awe.
I really hate strategy games. "Fire Emblem", "Advance Wars", "Warcraft 3"... But that's not because of the games. It's because of me. I suck at strategy games.
But I love "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance". Because it is the first strategy game I beat. So I'm really looking forward to "Final Fantasy Tactics A2". And "The War of the Lions".
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The law system was criticized, as well as FFTA at large, for not conforming precisely to what FFT had done before.
That said, I'm really not looking forward to FFTA2 that much, but this reminded me of its existence.
childlike innocence was never a bad thing.
We need more of that, not less.
But I love "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance". Because it is the first strategy game I beat. So I'm really looking forward to "Final Fantasy Tactics A2". And "The War of the Lions".