One of the greatest video games of all time is back in style with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, and it manages to breathe some new life into the classic.
Square Enix has done strong work making its classic titles available on modern platforms, whether it’s through remakes, remasters, or slightly enhanced ports. Final Fantasy Tactics, unfortunately, ducked all that for years. The long wait has ended though, and fans finally have a great way to experience the classic on current-gen hardware.
The Good:
- Extraordinary voice acting
- Additional dialog adds extra life to major characters
- Modern QoL features complement the classic gameplay
The Bad:
- Cut content from the War of the Lions PSP version is sorely missed
- Some more additions to the story could have done a lot
Review Details:
- What Platform Did the Reviewer Play On?: PC
- Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Official Release Date: September 30, 2025
Ivalice Chronicles shows that Final Fantasy Tactics is still the GOAT
Re-releasing Final Fantasy Tactics is, theoretically, an easy gig. The story remains a deep one; full of twists, turns, and tragedy. The gameplay is still amazing, offering players an incredible amount of space for expression. The PS1 original already had a solid re-release in War of the Lions that was available on mobile devices and the PSP.
Even if Square Enix simply dusted off the original and threw it onto digital marketplaces, it would’ve been a critical success. It didn’t stop there, though.
The Ivalice Chronicles adds a comprehensive UI overhaul alongside a variety of quality-of-life improvements. While things like the modernized HUD might have purists harrumphing, features like the story tracker and improved encyclopedia will be seen as a godsend by all. Those looking for a pure nostalgia run do have the option to use the classic UI, if they prefer.
Where Square Enix really outdid itself was the voice acting. Rather than just a few cutscenes, the game is fully voiced with phenomenal performances turned in by the entire cast. Relatively minor characters like Argath, Milleuda, Gaffgarion, and Zalbaag were elevated through incredible work by their voice actors, while strong direction lets Ramza and Delita shine.
The combination of a timeless classic with great modern trimmings could have made for a perfect gaming experience. Unfortunately, there’s still a bit more that could have been done.
The cut content from The War of the Lions is an unfortunate omission. A multiplayer mode would have been wild fun on modern platforms, and a few more unique characters would have been a welcome addition. A bit more could also have been done to flesh out characters. Extra voice lines during combat breathe extra life into Agrias, Mustadio, Beowulf, and all the rest, but seeing more direct character interactions would’ve been very welcome.
Still, this is the best version of arguably the best video game of all time. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a must-play for RPG fans of any sort.
The Bottom Line: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles makes an all-time great game even better, though it could have gone a bit further in terms of adding new story content.
Score: 9/10
