Things Confirmed For Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

by

Summary

  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles offers Classic & Enhanced modes for a new and old look.
  • The remaster adds pencil-shaded cutscenes and voiced dialogue, enhancing the PSP version.
  • New features include turn order display, numbered icons, and an auto-battle option.

In 1998, the game “Final Fantasy Tactics” was first introduced for PlayStation 1 consoles in North America. At first, it didn’t receive as much attention as “Final Fantasy 7,” but it eventually gained a dedicated fan base. A few years later, in 2007, it was remade and released for the PSP under the title “Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions.” This version included additional features such as cutscenes and characters. Eventually, this improved version found its way onto mobile devices as well.

The upcoming hit is expected to make its return, this time through “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles”. While specifics are scarce at the moment, let’s review the main confirmed details thus far. Fingers crossed, it should be released as scheduled on September 30, 2025.

6. Square Enix’s Creative Studio 3 Is Working On It

The MMO Team Is On The Case

Creative Studio 3, a division of Square Enix, is known for its significant contributions to the development of both Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14. These two massively multiplayer online games were key accomplishments for this team. Later, they took on the development of FF16, which received widespread acclaim.

Typically, when a port is released, a third-party developer such as Matrix Software, known for remaking Final Fantasy 3 and 4 for the DS, is involved in the project. If Square Enix assigns an elite internal team like Creative Studio 3 to this task, it may indicate that there are larger plans for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles waiting in the wings. This might be a rehearsal for a new Ivalice game, but it’s advisable to refrain from spreading rumors and speculation at this point.

5. A New Look Or An Old Look

From Smoothed Models To Sprites

The majority of Square Enix’s recent remasters and remakes have adopted the HD-2D art style, which they pioneered with Octopath Traveler. Rather than updating the PS1 game’s sprites to have a cleaner pixelated appearance, they opted for a smoother design for characters and backgrounds. From afar, it retains the nostalgic look fans are familiar with, but upon closer inspection, the differences become apparent.

An interesting aspect of “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles” is its flexibility, as players can toggle between the original PS1 look, known as Classic, and the updated version, called Enhanced. Exactly how this switch is performed isn’t explicitly detailed, but during the trailer, some keen-eyed viewers noticed “L1 Change Display” on the control bar. It’s speculated that this could alter the camera angle or switch between Classic and Enhanced modes, although this is only a theory.

4. The Pencil-Shaded Cutscenes From The PSP Version Are Returning

And Voices!

Among the notable enhancements made to the PSP version was the inclusion of more cutscenes. While the original game featured only an initial CG cutscene and a concluding one, the PSP adaptation enriched the storyline with additional cutscenes. The design of these scenes were transformed to resemble animated colored-pencil drawings, which is a remarkable artistic choice. It would have been intriguing to see this style applied to Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, but the remastered edition maintains its visual appeal nonetheless.

From the trailer’s content, it seems that the original PSP cutscenes might make a comeback. However, it remains uncertain whether they will be direct ports or improved versions. Additionally, there is speculation about the inclusion of new cutscenes not found in the initial release. As for the PSP port, the cutscenes were the only instances of voiced dialogue; but now, characters are expected to have voices even outside of these scenes. This significant alteration promises an enhancement to the gameplay experience in “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles”.

3. There Is A Turn Order Displayed

Along With Numbered Icons

On the PlayStation 1, tactical RPGs weren’t particularly popular despite their existence dating back to the NES era. However, with the release of Final Fantasy Tactics, it seemed as if more developers were willing to venture into this genre. Now, there’s an overwhelming number of choices, a situation that is both advantageous and challenging. Thanks to its remaster, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will be modernized and equipped with more contemporary features.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve spotted an intriguing feature in the trailer that gamers like me will appreciate: during combat scenes, there’s a neat little turn order displayed on the left side of the screen. This helps us understand if characters are readying a skill or spell, which comes in handy when we’re strategizing. Furthermore, each character and adversary has a number both on their model and the turn display, making it easier for us to grasp the sequence of turns.

2. There Is Auto-Battle

Replacing The Mobile AI Option

In many modern RPGs, or updated versions of them, t The Ivalice Chronicles.

In the original PlayStation 1 release of “Final Fantasy Tactics,” this new feature wasn’t present across the entire series. However, the mobile adaptations did include an AI option that allowed characters to act independently. Is the auto-battle function in the upcoming version simply going to be a revamped version of this AI system, or will there be more substantial changes and modifications involved?

1. The Job Tree

Plan Recruitments Better

One standout feature that made the original game a must-play was the Job system, as it was the first of its kind in North America where players could customize their characters’ roles. Games like FF3 and FF5 pioneered this concept, but Western fans had to exercise patience before they could officially play these games in English.

In the game ‘Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles’, every character you play or encounter can change their job, from a White Mage to a Dragoon and many more. To switch jobs, players must learn and master other roles first, with no clear method provided in any edition. The trailer hinted at a Job tree structure, showing branches for various classes, which seems like an excellent addition for user convenience. Let’s hope they add new job options as well.

Read More

2025-06-06 20:06