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Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions | 
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| From: Square Enix
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $12.93
You Save: $7.06 (35%)
New (59) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $12.93
Rating:  48 reviews
Sales Rank: 907
Platform: Sony Psp
Genre: role_playing_games;adventure_games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: Sony PSP
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0 x 0
MPN: 90711
Model: 90711
UPC: 662248907116
EAN: 0662248907116
ASIN: B000SSPH3E
Release Date: October 9, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Animated sequences combine hand-drawn style visuals with computer graphics | | • | Enhanced widescreen presentation, new jobs and new characters | | • | Challenge friends in head-to-head battles with the multiplayer function | | • | team up in the co-operative mode and try to outwit the game's computer opponents |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
In days now long past, the War of the Lions rent the land of Ivalice in two. And it is here that two young men of note first stepped onto history's stage. The first is a man named Delita Heiral, the hero who would draw the curtain on the War of the Lions, this dark act of Ivalice's history. The other, whose role is now forgotten, is a man by the name of Ramza Beoulve. Peer through the eyes of these two young men, and uncover the secrets that lie hidden within history's darkened folds. Originally released in 1997, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is a portable update on the classic turn-based strategy game that gave birth to the world of Ivalice. New features include all-new CG sequences, all-new jobs, new 16:9 widescreen presentation, new head-to-head multiplayer and new storyline elements that refine the genesis of the Ivalice Alliance.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 43 more reviews...
 Remake of a PS1 Classic January 19, 2008
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
This review was written by my son, James Shea
A remake of the hit game for the PS1, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions updates many of the little pieces of the original game in addition to carrying the game over to the Playstation Portable platform. It has been 10 years since the original's release; now the update brings it to a new generation.
As a refresher for those unfamiliar with the original game, Final Fantasy Tactics is a turn-based tactical game using many of the abilities and classes made familiar in the Final Fantasy series of games. The story takes place in the kingdom of Ivalice, where civil war has erupted following a great war against foreign enemies and the death of the old king. The main character, Ramza, must navigate these mazes of treachery and deceit to discover the true secret of the ancient prophecies that govern the kingdom.
The English translation to the original was notoriously bad, with such lines as "I got a good feeling!" and "Bracelet" used instead of "Breath" (as in, a Dragon's breath). The main thing done by the remake was the rewriting/retranslating of almost the entire script to be much more period-appropriate. For the most part this is a good thing, matching the epic, elegant scale of the story, though certain fan-favorite lines were lost ("Don't blame us! Blame yourself or God!" and "Surrender, or die in obscurity!" being two of those). Many names were also changed; besides the re-familiarization of characters (for fans who got used to the old names), the only other problem is the abundance of "th" sounds to replace "s" sounds ("Algus" becomes "Argath", like how "Aeris" from Final Fantasy 7 became "Aerith" in later games).
In certain scenes, illustrated cinematics were used to replace the game-engine cutscenes or CG cutscenes used in the old versions. These cinematics have a distinct art style and coloring scheme and are very well done. These scenes also have voice acting, which is done with English accents similar to much of Final Fantasy XII. Several new scenes are also inserted to either add backstory to the game or to establish a new character. On that note, two new characters from other Final Fantasy games are recruitable through the story (much like Cloud from FF7 was and still is): Balthier from FFXII and Luso from the upcoming FFT Advance 2. Two new classes are also obtainable for regular (IE non-unique) characters. Onion Knight is gained by gaining levels in the two basic classes (chemist and squire) while, on the other end, Dark Knight is gained by gaining a high level of classes in many specialized classes.
The War of the Lions also adds a multiplayer mode, accessible through ad-hoc wireless (the PSPs must be within range of each other; no online mode is available). Through this, two players can either fight head-to-head or work cooperatively on unique missions. Characters do not die permanently in this mode, but there are treasures that can be gained from it, including some unique equipment. While it isn't as developed as it could be, its addition is certainly welcomed.
Graphically, the game is the same. While the older sprites might seem dated, the smaller screen means that they seem more artistic than pixelated. The only troubling spot is major slowdown when spells are cast or abilities are used; this problem is recurring and noticeable, but such is only to be expected with the transition between systems.
Final Fantasy Tactics is still acclaimed as one of the best games of all time. With this remake, there were a lot of worries that the original formula would be watered down. Fortunately, this is definitely not the case; the additions are almost entirely good, and make for a much more serious, solid experience. This game has done a great service in many ways to this classic game, despite occasional troubles.
Rating: 9/10.
Best game for the PSP! October 15, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This game is without a doubt the best game on the PSP.
I was a huge fan of the original Final Fantasy Tactics on the PSP and this new version is able to improve on almost every thing that was in the original.
Even though most all of the script was changed from the original, it is still very, very well done. Granted, this may mean we lose classic quotes from the original such as "Blame yourself, or blame God." but overall, that's fine. The script is much more refined and all of the translation issues have been fixed.
The voice cast is very well done, starring Phil LaMarr as Ramza. The voices picked for the characters were exactly what I had pictured their voices to be.
The only minor thing wrong with the game is the slowdown experienced when characters and NPCs perform special attacks. While this may seem very obvious at first, after playing the game for 15 hours, the slowdown doesn't bother me at all. It is an issue that was big on the Japanese release and was supposed to be fixed for the American release, but sadly wasn't. Yes, it is an issue, but a very tiny issue that the user will become accustomed to after playing the game for a while. It isn't enough of an issue to warrant lowering the score of the game.
With the addition of new hidden characters, new missions, animated cutscenes, fixed script, and everything else new, this is a must buy game for the PSP. I've beaten the original version 5 or 6 times, at around 80 hours each time. I anticipate this version to be the same way.
Highly addictive and well-written storyline and the replayability factor are top notch. Kudos to Square-Enix!
My addiction October 22, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Coincidentally, I had just dug up my old PS version of FFT to replay, when I discovered that it was going to be re-released on PSP. This was my first tactics game, which led me to try others, but FFT by far surpassed them all. So I blew the dust off my PSP. Yes, the PSP version is the same game (shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone: read the title), but the additional scenes and updated translation are well worth it. The plot and even particular conversations make more sense, and the Renaissance-like dialogue really enhances the aesthetics. I recall putting in 100+ hours (the clock only went up to 99) on the original, and I expect I'll be doing it again.
Wow, not usually a strategy RPG player... November 18, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm not usually a strategy RPG player (or an FF player at that), but this game has got me hooked. I bought it last week and I've already sunk 30 hours into it. The gameplay is amazingly complex, and completely revitalizes the 1997 FFT game. The cutscenes are wonderful also.
Definitely grab it if you're interested. People hype up Jeane d'Arc and Disagea, but this game is where it's at.
If you don't have this game, you should seriously rethink your life. November 20, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Let's see, you just picked up War of the Lions, excited, because you love tactic-based RPGs. What you got was the best tactical RPG port of all time, full with new jobs, and improved graphics, storylines, depth, and basically everything.
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is the best role-playing game on the PSP. It has everything you could ask for a tactical RPG. First off, you have over twenty jobs to unlock and choose from. This increases the depth tenfold, even if you beat the game, you probably have many jobs to master completely, which is a joy for the replay value. The battle system is well thought out, with hardly any bugs. The camera starts out awkward, but you can move it, so problem solved. It plays out like an average tactical RPG, full with spells, normal attack, the "wait" option, as well as support, reaction, and passive abilities, to add even more depth to certain characters. You can do this to any character, which immerses you in the world quickly, and joyfully.
The graphics have solid sprites, great attacks, and most of all, cel-shaded cut-scenes. It truly looks like the game is alive, and the story-telling is now truly mastered. Also, you can replay them, as well as other, normal game-based cut-scenes, which is a great feature. Although, the graphics suffer a lot in this game. Every magic attack suffers a slowdown, which is annoying. The sound works properly, but it finishes before the attack, because the attack is slowed down, which practically kills the enjoyability of the attacks. To be honest, I usually play with the sound off, but it's still nice to listen too. Speaking of sound, let's talk about sound. The soundtrack is wonderful, the voices for the cut-scenes well matched, and not to mention, the attack sounds are perfect. Although, some sounds in the normal game-based cut-scenes are a bit dinky and bland, but otherwise it's alright.
Let's talk about the story. It is set in a very medieval setting, it has the divided kingdom, lords, dukes, and most of all, the church, which is, as you might guess: Corrupt. Of course, everyone talks in the "ye olde speake". Some of the translating went haywire, so we end up with some spoony bards. If anyone knows what "spoony" means, please don't hesitate to tell me. But enough of that. This game is full of switching sides, corrupt dukes, backstabbing, and many more believable situations in the times of ye olde speake. Ye verrily.
The depth of this game is great. Many jobs are included, as well as the new introduction of the Onion and Dark Knight, both very powerful and challenging to get. There are new missions, as well as "errands" where you dispatch three members of your party to gain job points, gil and as well as ancient artefacts. It's nifty, to say the least. Also, the re-playability is fantastic. The job classes are good to try out new things, as well as the story-line is worth re-watching again. And maybe again. And most of all, four slave slots. Yes, four. It's what many of us like to call "awesome".
Overall:
Graphics- 8.5
Solid sprites, great looking attacks, backed up by the cut-scenes. Although, it suffers from frequent slowdown.
Sound- 9.0
Some sounds are a bit dinky, but everything sounds wonderful from attacks to voices.
Gameplay- 10
New missions, new multiplayer, new jobs, new errans, and more artefacts, once again, story-line is backed up by the cut-scenes.
Lasting Appeal - 10
Overall, more content, which means more time. With this you'll have a great time, and you'll have it many times, for this is all backed up with four save slots.
This is my favorite game for the PSP, and I can say one thing, it'll be staying in my PSP for a while.
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