Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Remaster Launches to Critical Acclaim

A Tactical RPG Classic Returns: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Now Available

Gamers around the world can now dive back into (or discover for the first time) the critically acclaimed world of Ivalice, as Square Enix has officially released Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. This highly anticipated remaster brings one of the most iconic tactical role-playing games in history to modern platforms, promising to satisfy both long-time fans and a new generation of players.

Originally debuting the rich and intricate world of Ivalice – a setting that would later become home to Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy XII – Final Fantasy Tactics tells the compelling story of Ramza Beoulve. Players follow Ramza as he becomes deeply embroiled in the 'War of the Lions,' a fierce conflict where warring noble factions battle for control of the throne, rife with political intrigue, betrayal, and deep character drama.

Two Ways to Experience Ivalice: Classic and Modern Modes

Square Enix approached this remaster with a clear goal: to honor the original while making it accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences. To achieve this, The Ivalice Chronicles offers two distinct gameplay modes:

• Classic Mode: For purists, this mode retains the original gameplay mechanics and visual style, allowing veterans to relive the experience exactly as they remember it.
• Modern Mode: This option introduces a refined gameplay experience, enhanced graphics, a redesigned user interface (UI), a host of new features, and, notably, fully voiced dialogues that breathe new life into the beloved characters and story.

Critics Praise the Remaster's Quality

Leading up to its launch, Square Enix lifted the embargo on reviews, and critics have responded with overwhelming positivity. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has earned an impressive average score of 88 on Metacritic (for the PS5 version) and 89 on OpenCritic, with a strong 94% recommendation rate. Here’s a quick look at what some reviewers are saying:

• Hardcore Gamer (100/100): Hailed as an “ideal remaster,” the review praises the ability to play a classic on modern hardware with fresh features. The new voice acting adds unexpected depth to characters, and improved graphics charmingly align with cherished memories.
• IGN (90/100): While noting it's not a 'definitive' edition (missing some past content and end-game balance fixes), IGN commends the fantastic story and character progression. Smart UI changes, quality-of-life improvements, and excellent voice acting are highlighted for making the game feel new again, especially for newcomers.
• Checkpoint Gaming (85/100): This review describes the remaster as a successful revamp, celebrating its luxurious art style, quality-of-life upgrades, and smoother yet equally challenging battles. The fully voiced story with a talented cast is lauded for elevating the Shakespearean narrative.
• TechRadar Gaming (80/100): Appreciates the faithful and expanded recreation of a genre-defining classic. Features like improved graphics, quick rewind, and autosave make it accessible. Minor criticisms include occasional voice acting issues, camera quirks, and difficulty spikes, but the epic plot, music, and deep combat shine through.
• Metro GameCentral (80/100): While calling it the best version of Final Fantasy Tactics to date, the review suggests room for further improvement through a full remake or more extensive remaster changes. It commends the engaging gameplay, voice acting, impressive plot, and significantly improved UI, but points out that pixel graphics and dialogue quality remain subjective, and lamented the exclusion of PSP version features.

Available Now for a Global Audience

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is now available on a wide range of platforms, including PC (via Steam), PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch. While there isn't a Russian localization, the game offers a fantastic opportunity for a global audience to experience this pivotal title. Whether you're revisiting a cherished memory or stepping into the War of the Lions for the first time, this remaster ensures the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy Tactics continues to captivate players.