SpectralTime
Since: Apr, 2009
06/06/2015 00:00:00
This? This right here? *This* is a review.
Not because it complements the work, but because it actually discusses the ups and downs of different aspects of the work, rather than hatefully ranting about how one thing sucks for twenty paragraphs, tossing together a one-sentence sum-up of the rest of the game in one go, and calling it a day.
...But, again, good review, broad coverage, fair assessments.
Valiona
Since: Mar, 2011
06/07/2015 00:00:00
I'm glad to hear this. Some say the 400 word limit is overly strict, but I've found that if you use your words well and don't get bogged down on one aspect of the game, you can go a long way with what you have.
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An excellent tactical RPG
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is one of the best RPGs on the Game Boy Advance, providing a deep and engaging gameplay experience.
The story involves Marche moving to a town called St. Ivalice after his parents' divorce, but one of his new friends somehow transports Marche and most of the people he knows to a world known as Ivalice, in which clans fulfill people's requests and fight for supremacy. Marche feels empowered in and enjoys his new world, but also begins to wish to go home.
While the story is apparently controversial in some circles, I like that it has those who want to stay in Ivalice being portrayed sympathetically, while forcing Marche to seriously ask himself whether bringing the world back to normal is right and/or something he wants to do.
The gameplay is generally quite entertaining. The job system, by allowing characters to switch between classes between battles, and use abilities from other jobs, is quite deep and engaging, and allows for a great deal of character customization, and many different viable parties.
The Laws, however, can be annoying. While many of them are not likely to apply to more than a few abilities, there are those that can put the player at a severe disadvantage, and make battles almost impossible to win unless the player uses special Antilaws to negate them. However, with some exceptions, such as bosses, enemies are also subject to these laws, so using the right law cards in the right circumstances can give players a significant advantage.
The missions have a good variety of foes and objectives, and the dispatch missions, in which one clan member is sent out to do the job for the clan, do effectively encourage players to develop characters besides the six they use on most missions.
Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to get all 300 missions, since some of the dispatch missions require strong followers in classes you may not have, or you may need to complete many other missions to even be able to see them. The payoff- a last set of missions- is good on paper, but too easy to be very worthwhile.
As might be expected of Square Enix, the game has an excellent soundtrack, even if the default battle theme is quite bland.
All in all, FFTA is a very enjoyable, deep and rewarding experience, so it's well worth your time if you're a fan of RPGs.