Final Fantasy Tactics PlayStation
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Jan 28, 1998
Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
view
per page
  1. Into Liquid Sky
    100
    Think of this as Final Fantasy on a 3-D chess board, where your men/women have certain movements and abilities. The spell effects are gorgeous and you can easily find yourself spending lengths of time just building your party the way you like.
  2. PSX Nation
    92
    While I still prefer "Vandal Hearts," this is still the best turn based strategy game on the market.
  3. netjak
    92
    While it may be dragged down somewhat by the brief running time, Tactics has the wonderful gameplay that makes it worth that replay or two.
  4. Absolute Playstation
    91
    After you get over this titles considerable learning curve, you can really begin to settle in and appreciate the game for what it is... a wonderfully crafted story!
  5. Games Domain
    90
    The battles, the jobs, the graphics, and the extras make this a wonderful package.
  6. GameSpot
    89
    From the impressive 3D terrain, to the expertly animated characters, to the gorgeous soundtrack, to the sheer volume of available gameplay options, Final Fantasy Tactics is a masterpiece.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    89
    Square's first entry in the strategy-RPG genre. Uneven, but a classic. [Jan 2004, p.188]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. IGN
    85
    For those who are expecting an in-depth story, prepare yourself, because it is deep. Never have I seen so many twists and backstabs in a plot.
  9. Total Video Games
    80
    One of the most unique role-playing games you will ever play.
  10. Game Revolution
    75
    I usually prefer the speed of real-time strategy, but FFT has made me go both ways (you know what I mean).
  11. Happy Puppy
    70
    Some console role-players might just find this style of deep preparation and chess-like battle sequences too sluggish. Strategists who have been truly bored by trying to play "Panzer General" or even "X-Com" on a TV screen, however, will appreciate how much lush graphics, soundtrack, and effects can goose up a wargaming system.
  12. All Game Guide
    50
    While interesting in the short run, this quickly becomes old as there is nothing else to do besides watch the (admittedly interesting) story unfold.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. chronoT
    10
    My oh my, what a fantastic game Final Fantasy Tactics is. This, FF7, and FF9 are the best IMO, but Tactics is genuinely unique all the while being completely fulfilling and rewarding. I don't care if it is 100 years from now, I will still enjoy playing this game, it is THAT good. There's basically an unlimited amount of characters you can use, until your screen fills up, and each character can select from over 20 different classes and learn numerous abilities. There is so much content available it is amazing, and it plays like a 3D tactical board game. The first time I saw it in action I was completely HOOKED, all I wanted to do was get Ramza to master a monk, ninja, and then a samurai. Seriously folks, this is one of the funnest games ever made, and takes true tactics and skill to progress. Even though the graphics aren't marvelous, they certainly suffice, the experience here is absolutely one of a kind. If you like any FF, strategy, or even board game, I HIGHLY reccommend playing this, your in for a real treat. Also, you can literally pick this game up at any time and play it is so intriguing. I am going to be honest, you could literally spend 300+ hours with it, there are so many possibilities with the class system in Final Fantasy Tactics. Please, if you haven't played this game, do me a favor and try it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.… Full Review »
  2. Citan
    10
    SHORT NOTICE
    Must-have for just anybody ready to use his brain a bit:
    * Complex, twisted story that makes you dive into conspiracies, fraterni    ty and treasons, revolutions.
    * Charismatic and likeable characters
    * Slick graphics (for a tactical and a PS), with a aesthetic design that outstands the technical age of the title.
    * Moving musics, always right on spot: lyrical, dramatical, glorious musics will engrave in your memory.
    * AND, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ASTOUNDING GAMEPLAY: * challenging but not insurmountable battles; * jaw-dropping number of jobs and abilities, each with own skills and tactics; * total freedom in jobs/skills combination, allowing limitless strategies; * great exploration value, with secret characters/dungeons/equipment to discover.

    Buy it, rent it or download it... But just play it ;)

    LONG NOTICE:
    The games takes place in an heroic-fantasy setup, putting you in the hide of a yound soldier, going into battle with his friend. They'll soon be separated though, and will follow different ways as they struggle to survive in the storm of conspiracies that fall on the kingdom.
    Graphics: In spite of its age, the game still shines, to anyone who accepts to see the pixels. :) Character design is very original, yet brands a real identity. Although the battle environments are simplistic, they do the task and player quickly forgets about them (save for taking height and obstacles into account). The magics and invocations however are very pretty considering the platform. Anyways, you generally don't play tactical games for their graphics. ;)
    Scenario: twisted plot, numerous charismatic characters will join or battle you during your quest. While not as complex as Xenogears, the scenario could be hard to follow if you don't play on a regular basis. All in all, you won't ever get bored.
    Music: just one of the BEST OSTs EVER. Made by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, the various themes immerse the player into the action. There is a good chance you'll remember some of the main themes your whole life.
    Gameplay: The gameplay is mainly divided into 2 phase:
    - the "exploration phase": on the world map, you progress directly from a place to another (no free-ride). In towns, you can recruit new people, buy equipments, and send some of your men to accomplish jobs. While they do so, you (obviously) cannot use them in battle. If they come back successful, they gain a hefty number of experience points and nice trophies.
    It's all here that you manage each soldier, changing its job or learning skills. In battle, soldier earn job points for his current job only, but can use 2 jobs's skill sets. So you can have a Black Mage using White Magic, a Knight with Monk's special attacks, and so forth. With 40 jobs and hundreds of skills, your freedom to develop every character and job/skills combination is the order you want allows limitless strategies, while also preventing the player to form a fun-dumping "godlike team".
    Little story to illustrate: I made a 6-man team back then that just easily blew out any and every enemies on story battle... But I still got obliterated in a random fight by just a bunch of high-level Chocobos... lol).

    - the battle phase: you choose, among your whole army, a group of 5-8 people to battle the enemy on a 3D, cubical map. Each soldier can move AND do something, in whichever order you want. Movement is limited and vary depending on the job, and actions take varying time to resolve. For example, magics can take a few turns to launch, so you have to anticipate. Environment also comes into play, with archers firing further if they are above ground, or rocks blocking projectiles.

    Just exploring the possibilities of combining jobs and skills and trying them in battle will entertain you for at least 50 hours. If you add to this the thrilling scenario, enchanting music, the great number of secret characters/equipment/dungeons to find, you know now that this game will make you dream of another world for dozens hours.

    WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE by the way? lol Thanks for reading this review.

    PS: It's true that Ogre Battle was the ancestor of the genre, and FFT obviously takes some elements from it, but FFT is just far richer than his illustrate parent imo and thus is the top-notch reference of TRPG.    … Full Review »
  3. Ghost67
    10
    Square's undervalued masterpiece. Groundbreaking. Unbelievable. One of the greatest games of all time. FFT set a precedance for tactical strategy rpg's for years to come. FFT had it all - genius gameplay, a deepy complex storyline and amazing soundtrack. With the release of FFT and Final Fantasy 7, 8 and 9, Square set themselves as one of the best developers for the PSX. Square in the late 90's was the Japanese version of Blizzard - hit after hit after hit. FFT is the culimation of Square's talent. Its gameplay is still valued to this day, and has a dedicating modding community that continues to improve the map. It has a deep, rich story that took me a very long time to understand and appreciate.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »