Originally released on June 20, 1997 in Japan for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics is celebrating its 28th anniversary as one of the most influential and beloved titles in the tactical RPG genre. Developed by Square (now Square Enix), the game marked a turning point by combining the strategy mechanics of titles like Tactics Ogre with the rich Final Fantasy universe, creating a deep, mature and technically ambitious experience for its time.
Check out below here at Game On how this masterpiece that redefined the genre and left an unforgettable mark on the video game industry came about.
Behind the creation of the game is the vision of Yasumi Matsuno, director and screenwriter who, after his acclaimed work on Tactics Ogre, brought all his genius to create a work with a deep narrative and mechanics rarely seen in RPGs of the time, introducing complex themes of war, religion, politics and betrayal.
The story of Final Fantasy Tactics is set in the fictional kingdom of Ivalice and focuses on Ramza Beoulve and his struggle to uncover the truths behind a war of succession and a religious cult. A far cry from the generally more optimistic tone of traditional Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy Tactics embraces human complexity, showing that there are not always clear heroes or villains, but rather individuals with their own beliefs and weaknesses.
This dark and realistic approach to the plot was a striking difference, raising the level of narrative in games of the genre.
But beyond the narrative, Final Fantasy Tactics also revolutionized the mechanics of tactical combat games. The game used a turn-based combat system on a 3D isometric map, where the height of the terrain, the direction of attacks and the position of the characters made a difference.
But the class system was the real breakthrough: it not only allowed progression through multiple classes, but also the combination of skills between them. This offered unprecedented freedom in character customization, encouraging experimentation and the creation of complex strategies. A knight could use healing spells, or a mage could wield a heavy sword, opening up a huge range of tactical possibilities.
It was the perfect balance of dramatic storytelling and cerebral combat. Battles required careful planning, strategic positioning, and a deep understanding of each character’s abilities. Permanent character death (in some situations) and high difficulty contributed to FFT’s reputation as a challenging yet incredibly rewarding game.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles was recently announced and is an expanded and remastered edition of the classic Final Fantasy Tactics, and will allow you to play two different versions of the game: one of them is the enhanced version, which has an “updated and enriched” script, voice acting in all dialogues, an updated and optimized interface, graphical enhancements and other quality of life improvements, including a lower difficulty level called “Squire”, aimed at those who want a more accessible experience.
The other version is the classic, which combines the graphics and gameplay of the original 1997 game with the renowned version The War of the Lions, released for the PSP handheld in 2007. Whoever plays it will have an experience faithful to the PS1 game in almost every aspect, but with some additional features, such as automatic saving.
It’s important to note that despite the improvements, the development team chose not to include the additional content that was introduced in the PSP version of War of the Lions (such as new guest characters, additional classes, and co-op missions). The goal is to focus on the core experience of the original game.
The game is set to release on September 30, 2025 for PC and consoles, including the recent Nintendo Switch 2.
The Legacy of Final Fantasy Tactics
Almost three decades later, the legacy of Final Fantasy Tactics lives on. The game is often cited as an inspiration for modern titles such as Fire Emblem, Disgaea, Triangle Strategy, and even independent projects that seek to replicate its formula. The Ivalice universe itself would reappear in other games directed by Matsuno, such as Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story, reinforcing the importance and cohesion of the world he created.
Final Fantasy Tactics is more than just a game; it’s a milestone in video game history. It proved that tactical RPGs could have mature narratives, deep mechanics, and a lasting cultural impact. And even after nearly 30 years, the adventure in Ivalice remains one of the most memorable and influential experiences in the genre, one that continues to be rediscovered by new generations.
Source: https://www.terra.com.br/gameon/plataformas-e-consoles/final-fantasy-tactics-faz-28-anos-como-ele-reinventou-o-rpg-tatico,2a3867ea434b390d2ec27199a63c2bc9ddtzaowo.html
