The Final Fantasy series is huge, with many different games, including the main numbered titles, spin-offs, movies, board games, and tons of merchandise. While games like Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 14 are fan favorites, some other equally great entries don’t receive as much attention.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a standout title in the Final Fantasy series, but it was overshadowed by the release of Final Fantasy 7 in the same year. Fortunately, strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews kept it popular over time. Although it never got a direct sequel, it did inspire several excellent spin-off games, though they haven’t received as much attention.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Is the Most Underrated Entry in the Franchise
Released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance differs from the original Final Fantasy Tactics. While the first game took place in the fantastical land of Ivalice, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance begins in a relatable, real-world setting, focusing on a group of children facing difficult circumstances.
The group discovers a book called the Gram Grimoire, and it magically sends them to a place named Ivalice. This new world isn’t what they expected.
The story takes place in Ivalice, where Marche is a respected leader of an adventurer’s guild and the central character. This is a contrast to his real life, where he often feels overshadowed by his brother, Doned, who requires a lot of parental care due to illness and uses a wheelchair. Interestingly, Doned is perfectly healthy in the world of Ivalice.
Their friend Ritz, who started going grey at a young age, now has bright pink hair. Another friend, Newt, is actually a prince – his mother, who had passed away, has been brought back to life as the queen. And his father, who was devastated by his wife’s death, now leads the influential Judges.
Despite its bright and cheerful appearance, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance features a surprisingly somber storyline. The central plot revolves around Marche trying to persuade his friends that their fantasy world is simply an illusion, a difficult task that involves separating Newt from the family he’s happily reunited with.
What Makes Final Fantasy Tactics Advance’s Gameplay So Good?
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance plays much like the original Final Fantasy Tactics, featuring turn-based combat on a grid, different character classes, and abilities you can unlock. However, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance also builds upon those core ideas and adds some new elements.
Like Final Fantasy IX and later Final Fantasy 7 Remake, this game lets characters learn new skills by equipping different weapons and armor. Finding better gear is crucial because it’s the only way to unlock the most powerful abilities.
In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, the world of Ivalice is filled with diverse species, and each one has its own special abilities, or ‘jobs’. This is different from the original Final Fantasy Tactics, where most characters were humans who could all choose from the same set of jobs. This new approach encouraged players to create teams with a variety of fantastical races, carefully considering each one’s unique strengths and weaknesses.
What sets Final Fantasy Tactics Advance apart is its unique Judge system. Battles in the game’s world of Ivalice aren’t free-for-alls; they’re carefully controlled by powerful Judges. These Judges enforce rules during combat, like prohibiting the use of certain types of magic, such as fire.
Breaking the rules in the game can land your characters in jail, requiring you to rescue them after a fight. This encourages players to be flexible with their strategies and use a variety of moves, because sticking to just one approach might get them into trouble with the game’s authorities.
Why Is There No Final Fantasy Tactics Advance HD Remaster?
One of the main reasons Final Fantasy Tactics Advance isn’t widely known is because it hasn’t been released on many platforms. Originally a Game Boy Advance title, it was only re-released once, on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2016. It’s never been available on the Nintendo 3DS, and currently isn’t playable on the Nintendo Switch or through the Switch’s Game Boy Advance app.
Unlike the original Final Fantasy Tactics, which has been updated and re-released on several platforms including PSP and PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance hasn’t received a modern port. While the game itself isn’t costly to find used, you need a Game Boy Advance or an emulator to play it, which may be a barrier for some players.
A remake of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance would really benefit from updated graphics and the original story, perhaps with some added extras. The success of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles in 2025 could encourage Square Enix to revisit and revitalize other games in the series for current consoles.
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2026-03-24 20:46