A new chance to revisit one of gaming’s best
Video games age differently. While some stand the test of time, others carry with them the aches and pains of early gaming—from unintuitive control schemes to downright dated graphics—that sometimes make them tedious and unpleasant experiences for the modern player.
Nostalgia alone makes up for it for gamers revisiting their childhood. But without the rose-tinted glasses, it’s a shame when these classics are dismissed as dated messes by a new generation of players. Not to sound like a boomer, but they’re definitely missing out on the care and passion that went into the early stages of game development—timeless classics that were made despite the absence of modern technology.
Case in point: “Final Fantasy Tactics.”
First released on the PlayStation in 1997, “Final Fantasy Tactics” is widely regarded as one of the best strategy games of all time. It features an in-depth character progression system that allows for various team configurations and customization as well as a difficulty level that is both challenging and encourages different player approaches.
Not to mention, it also tells one of the best stories in the “Final Fantasy” franchise—one of political intrigue, inequality between nobles and commoners in the medieval setting, and the true meaning of heroism.
Just this Sept. 2025, Square Enix released “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles,” a modern remaster of the 1997 title, which features improved graphics, fully voiced dialogue, and refined gameplay. It is the definitive version of the timeless classic, offering both a refreshing and accessible experience to first-timers, all while keeping the heart and soul that made it a beloved title to returning players.
Ivalice, we meet again
“Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles” is set in war-torn Ivalice, a kingdom reeling from the effects of a 50-year-long war. Amid existing frustration from widespread poverty due to increased taxes, Ivalice’s king passes away, thrusting the kingdom into further chaos and a power struggle between two dukes.
Right in the middle of this political instability, the game follows Ramza Beoulve, the son of a renowned military family, and his childhood friend Delita Heiral, a commoner raised by the Beoulves.
Pushed apart by a tragedy that highlights the inequality between nobles and commoners, the game traces how these once-friends push against the corrupt foundations of Ivalice—with Ramza, who follows the example set by his family and nobly fights against whatever evil he faces; and Delita, who seeks to take over the kingdom that discarded him, using whatever means necessary to achieve his goal.
The game also follows a rich cast of characters, all with their own set of backgrounds and motivations—from a princess caught in between a battle for the throne to a renowned commander who fought alongside Ramza’s father in the war.
A classic repackaged with the comforts of modern gaming
The graphics were updated, making the game’s unique pixel art style shine in current-generation hardware. Fully voiced dialogue, updated translations, and in-game story summaries take advantage of the game’s world-building and make its narrative easier to follow and understand. Meanwhile, quality-of-life changes—from fast-forwarding battles to optional random encounters—remove any semblance of ’90s video game datedness, and allow for a deeply satisfying, no-hassle gameplay experience.
Not to mention, the game now offers three difficulties: squire, for those who prefer a story-focused experience; knight, for first-time players seeking extra challenge; and tactician, recommended to returning or experienced players. The “tactician” difficulty also makes several notoriously difficult battles even more cumbersome.
As someone who’s played the 2007 “War of the Lions” re-release for the PlayStation Portable multiple times, the “Ivalice Chronicles” remaster contains the bones that made it a classic to all who’ve played it before, while making it refreshing and accessible to a new generation of players.
“Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles” is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, Steam, and Xbox
