Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

aka: FFTA
Moby ID: 10325
Game Boy Advance Specs
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Description official descriptions

Marche and a few friends are out on a usual venture through their local town, St. Ivalice, only to discover a book filled with fantasy and magic. Setting their mind to the thoughts of a magical land, they get transported to the world of Ivalice, which happens to be based on one of the friends' favourite games, Final Fantasy.

Finding himself alone, Marche must join a clan of warriors and travel through this new land of mystery to find his lost friends, and return to the real world, while learning all about this new place and the magic it holds.

Not a direct sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics, FFTA combines the many elements of the tactical original with a slightly modern feel, and an original storyline for the GBA. As a clan leader, you must manage your team (from their combat skills and inventory to each and every battle you face).

Both your basic handheld weapons and magic are available to you, with the ability to summon monsters for support. Two players can link GBA's for battles, trading items and clan members as well.

Spellings

  • ファイナルファンタジータクティクスアドバンス - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (Game Boy Advance version)

68 People · View all

Directed by
Character Designed by
Design Work Directed by
Music & Original Score
Music Composer
Scenario Writer
Planners
Event Script Editor
Assistant Planner
Main Programmer
Programmer
Assistant Programer
Artistic Supervisor
Art Director
Background Creators
Visual Effects Creator
Animation Creators
Assistant Creators
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 86% (based on 63 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.6 out of 5 (based on 70 ratings with 5 reviews)

An Obsessives Paradise

The Good
This is simply a regular Final Fantasy RPG but without all the graphical "bells and whistles" of the PS1/2 releases. As such it makes you realize that said "bells and whistles" are actually pretty unnecessary. I really like having between four and six characters in each battle having always felt that the roster of three per battle, on other FF games, was limiting rather than tactical. Ok..the story is simpler than you expect from Square but this doesn't really hinder the enjoyment. (I haven't played the original "tactics" so cannot compare it to this title.) The little characters who initially all seem so samey do really begin to matter to you. They become like twenty small virtual pets that you've nurtured and raised to their current levels, through different jobs, imprisonment and hard fought battles(though never that hard) As always with this sort of game it comes down to stats/items and progression. This game certainly delivers. You can spend an unhealthy amount of time equipping and unequipping, trying to learn that last spell or defensive technique. Suddenly you do and new job options open up extending the lifespan of the game as you train up in a whole new set of techniques.

The Bad
I felt quite "dirty" getting so obsessed about learning every last job and fulfilling every last one of the 300 odd missions. It's just lucky I spend a few hours per week on long train journeys.

The Bottom Line
Excellent, deep, obsessive and rewarding. It may take a while to get into but it's really worth it. It's everything that's good about the other Final Fantasy games without the cheap eye-candy. Graphics-whores need not apply! Buy this if you truly want to play a real RPG.

Game Boy Advance · by kemmysunshine (9) · 2003

not as good as the first

The Good
Tactics Advance made many minor improvements to an already winning format. The weapons teaching abilities is a nice change from the first game's "job points." Once again, Tactics is very addictive once you give it a chance.

The Bad
Overall, it is too easy. It seems like a kiddie version of the first Tactics. The story is quite watered down compared to the first game. Feels more like 5th grade level. Music gets old quick.

The Bottom Line
A good game that manages to be different from its predecessor. Still, it is strikingly easier than FF Tactics. It has replaced the serious plot and mature mood of the first, however, with a simple-minded, lackluster, and childish story. Even with its flaws, Tactics Advance is worth a look!

Game Boy Advance · by matt moore (7) · 2004

An amazing game just like every other FF game.

The Good
This game is quite long. I have spent about 70 hours on this game and I have still only beaten 200 of the missions. It is intensely long and very fun. The sheer number of abilities and magic spells are amazing. I absolutely love it.

The Bad
The game does tend to be anoying at some levels where you need one item to beat a mission to get to new missions, but you got rid of that item a long time ago and so you can't go any further. Simply Annoying.

The Bottom Line
This is a wonderful game even if you do not know anything about final fantasy games.

Game Boy Advance · by Jester236 (34) · 2004

[ View all 5 player reviews ]

Trivia

Awards

  • GameSpy
    • 2003 – Game Boy Advance Game of the Year (Readers' Vote)
    • 2003 – #8 Game of the Year
    • 2003 – #2 Game Boy Advance Game of the Year
    • 2003 – Game Boy Advance Strategy Game of the Year

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Related Sites +

  • FF-Fan
    A fansite that offers all kinds of information on the entire Final Fantasy franchise, including walkthroughs, game media, discussion boards and fan art.
  • Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
    Official FFTA website by Nintendo

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 10325
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Kartanym.

Wii U added by Michael Cassidy.

Additional contributors: Shoddyan, —-, Fred VT, Patrick Bregger.

Game added September 12, 2003. Last modified January 2, 2024.