Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

I just recently picked up this game, and I am absolutely furious.

I have been a long time fan of the Final Fantasy series. I own practically every numbered game, and I also liked the various Chrystal Chronicles spinoffs. I started this game with high expectations.

Now, I already knew the combat was going to be different than a standard RPG. In fact the combat is perfect. What kills this game is the something else. I have been playing this game for a while, and I haven't even gotten to walk around yet. All I've done is a few fights that lasted 5 minuets at most, and then I have to sit through fifteen minuets of cutscenes. That's all there is: fights and cutscenes.

Now, normal FF cutscenes entertain me, but these are just boring as hell. The dialogue is completely uninspired. I especially hate how they keep breaking the fourth wall by mentioning their favorite game "Final Fantasy". Now, occasionally breaking the fourth wall can be funny, but this isn't done in any clever way, and it is done so many times that it becomes annoying rather quickly. Its almost like product placement...for their own game.

My question is, why is this game so popular? Granted, I never played the original Tactics for the PS1, but this game is horrible.

HERESY.
Absolute HERESY.

FFTA is one of my favorite GBA games ever.
I have no idea how you could dislike it so much unless you dislike the tactical strategy genre.

The origional Tactics is one of the best games ever but when I first played FFTA I cried a little inside. Its not like it was a horrible game its just that it didn't live up to what I thought it was going to be and I absolutely hated the judges, I mean there are no rules when it comes to battle its win by any means necessary(just my personal opinion).

The Final Fantasy game they play is really the only thing that could be considered 4th wall breaking. It's also a major plot point, because it's Mewt's favorite game, and also the world that he based Ivalice off of when he created it with the Gran Grimoire. What would you rather they call it? Final Fantasy is a logical name to call it.

Originally Posted by attackʞɔɐʇʇɐ

My question is, why is this game so popular? Granted, I never played the original Tactics for the PS1, but this game is horrible.

Let's take a look back at 2003 - Back then, there was a massive drought of Final Fantasy games for Nintendo systems for like, 5-6 years. When Tactics Advance was released for the GBA, it was, for many Nintendo-only-hicks, their first time they've been able to pick up a new Final Fantasy title without feeling guilt.

So, it had that going for it. Another thing is that the job system, the bread and butter of any strategy-RPG, was pretty damn addicting. Granted, it's not too heavy in the narrative department, but if you're looking for a thick yarn, check out the original Tactics.

FFTA is brilliant. When you can spend 200 hours on a game and not yet have completed the storyline missions, you know it's got something special. Hell, you can spend 50+ hours just customizing your TEAM. I sure as hell know I did.

Oh, and attackattack, you'll never be able to walk around in FFTA outside a battle. It surprised me at first too (I hadn't played FFT either), but I got used to it.

But yeah. If you want good narrative, look elsewhere.



Oh, and they stop mentioning Final Fantasy quite quickly after the beginning, so there's not really anything to complain about there.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

HERESY.
Absolute HERESY.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

HERESY.
Absolute HERESY.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

HERESY.
Absolute HERESY.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was excellent, especially playing against a friend via GameBoy Player and 6" screen for GameCube (YES!)

Seriously, we would do all nighters on that game on the SP and mini-TV and have a blast. I don't know any other game for a handheld which I could do that with. I got pissed off at him because he unlocked like, three new job classes which I didn't even know existed in the game. At that point I learned that you could get them by learning so much of different jobs, and I was like OMG I LOVE DIES GAME.

A2 for DS is great, but not as exciting as when we did that with the first, since I pretty much play it by myself and it feels like the same game (in a bad way I guess.)

Actually the whole "Fights and Cutscenes" format is standard among pretty much all Strategy RPGs. Fire Emblem also follows this format. The only strategy game I've played that allows any movement outside of battle is Gladius for the Xbox, which allows you to navigate a miniature overworld like in most FF games.

With a little help from the perspective tool, this is pretty much how I played FFTA. Playing like this with local-link was insane. I'll bet you anything you don't get any sort of DS player or Wii Screen for the Wii. That's 'cause it SUCKS.Nintendo should go back to making kick ass peripherals. Anyway, back to FFTA!

Tactics on the PS1 was worse. And its abysmal PSP remake is the plaque.

I see not why you come into RPG threads and put the games down every time. You don't like the genre, that's great.

Not as great as War of the Lions is though (remake), it's fantastic.

Originally Posted by GK: 5895/9999

I see not why you come into RPG threads and put the games down every time. You don't like the genre, that's great.

Not as great as War of the Lions is though (remake), it's fantastic.

I do like Dragon quest 8, Mario and Luigi, Paper Mario and a handfull of Final Fantasies, but this is a tactics game!

Well, okay then. The tactics games are great though, if you can get into them. If you're that kind of person, you can probably emulate FFTA for free so it's no use bawwing if you don't like it!

Originally Posted by attackʞɔɐʇʇɐ

My question is, why is this game so popular? Granted, I never played the original Tactics for the PS1, but this game is horrible.

Final Fantasy Tactics > FFTA

Anyways, the first 10 minutes of the game are long, and it does get kind of boring, but afterword it gets better. I do know what your talking about, as I hate the long intro.

Originally Posted by Phazon goron

Tactics on the PS1 was worse. And its abysmal PSP remake is the plaque.

*points at his CR*

Originally Posted by GK: 5895/9999

if you can get into them.!

I couldn't. They are just too complex. What with all the Zodiac mumbo Jumbo, movement rangess, attacks and spells and gender and all that. It was a very convoluted game with a cnvoluted story to boot.

I have the original FF Tactics, that game kicks ass.

Originally Posted by Phazon goron

I couldn't. They are just too complex. What with all the Zodiac mumbo Jumbo, movement rangess, attacks and spells and gender and all that. It was a very convoluted game with a cnvoluted story to boot.

That's fair, though I didn't understand how people thought they were so confusing. I picked it up without any problems at all, but I guess it's different for everyone.

Tactics on the PS1 was worse.

I cannot believe anyone could make this statement. Even I, the One Who Continuiously Drops Feces on Final Fantasy, can appreciate that game! Shame on you, sir!
I really havent played much of FFTA but what i did play, i thought was feces, like most the series.

It's FF:Tactics except worse in every way. The Law System was an utterly terrible idea.