Comparisons can be drawn to various myths, and one sub-plot of the game even mirrors some aspects of the role of the church in our history. There are so many layers to the plot that playing again only serves to further the player’s understanding of the plot, as compared to many RPGs where you know everything after completing the game once. While many are sadly neglected (a result of the number of characters), it make sense that a story about a single man would not concentrate much on the overall motives and goals of those people peripheral to the events at hand. While Ramza and Delita are the focus of the game, literally dozens of characters step into and outside of the main plot, each with their own dreams and ambitions. Even though the fate of a small kingdom is at stake (instead of the entire world, as in many Square games), it packs more sub-plots and characters than many RPGs even dream of.

The plot of Final Fantasy Tactics is truly epic. Final Fantasy Tactics tells the story of a man forgotten by history. In truth, Ramza Beoulve was the true hero of the Lion War. Delita’s opportunity came when he was a young man, and friend to Ramza Beoulve – a member of a noble family, and a man later branded a heretic by the church.Īs any scholar knows, however, the winners write the history books, and facts can be used selectively. In the end, a man named Delita Hyral, a peasant, became the hero that stopped the war and grew to take the throne of Ivalice. This war became to be known as the Lion War, and grew to engulf many factions within the land. Ultimately, a war broke out between two Princes of Ivalice – Larg, the White Lion, and Goltana, the Black Lion – so named for their crests. The land of Ivalice had just finished the immensely draining Fifty-Years War, and there was general chaos in the land – food supplies were low, the peasants were unhappy, and various ruling lords of Ivalice were feuding for power. Unlike most games, where the plot is open and yet to be determined, Final Fantasy Tactics tells a story of history – one that is fixed in its outcome. The end result, while flawed, is still an immensely rewarding and entertaining game.

Developed by the same team that produced another strategy RPG, Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics attempted to balance an intricate plot with challenging gameplay. Released with much fanfare, it marked one of the first major games released by the venerable publisher that wasn’t a standard or action RPG. Final Fantasy Tactics, released in February of 1998, was one of Squaresoft’s early efforts on the PlayStation console.

Final fantasy tactics translation