Final Fantasy Tactics Turns 25

History and how to know which version is for you?

Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite FF game, mainline or spinoff. The game has multiple versions. This article will hopefully help you figure out which version of FFT to play. As a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the North American release of Final Fantasy Tactics we will go over the differences of the two versions of Final Fantasy Tactics and help you decide which version is for you!

Fans have even made patches for the PSP and Playstation one versions of the game to bring some of the best features of all the versions together.

Establishment of Ivalice

Final Fantasy Tactics established the Ivalice setting, which would go on to boast a main-series entry (FFXII) nearly a decade later. Ivalice made it into the MMO FFXIV as a series of quests and raids during the Stormblood expansion.

Best Version of Final Fantasy Tactics?

The two versions of Final Fantasy Tactics to consider:

• The Original PlayStation (PS1) release
• Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions

Let’s compare how these two versions differ. You may want to keep a tally.

The Script

The most notable difference for many is that War of the Lions bears an entirely new English translation of Final Fantasy Tactics’ substantial script. The original release contained a substantial amount of Ye Olde English, War of the Lions tells the same story in a more modern vernacular. All the meaning is the same; it’s almost purely of a stylistic change, and so up to personal preference.

Some folks will be fond of the pseudo medieval English dialogue for adding a unique flavor to the script. Some people find it endlessly distracting. So if you’re mostly interested in Final Fantasy Tactics as a good Final Fantasy story, how it’s told may be a serious factor for you.

Go with The Original if you don’t mind “thee” and “thou” in your dialogue.

Go with War of the Lions if that’d drive you up a wall.

Ease-of-Play

Ease of Play matters to most, Final Fantasy Tactics is split yet again.

The original English release on the Playstation is easier. This may be a carry-over from the Gameboy era, when Japanese developers assumed Western players were less adept at numbers-forward games or maybe they were just feeling generous. But the fact stands that all manner of things are tipped in the player’s favor in the U.S. Playstation release, from lower experience-point costs to easier bosses to the main character having improved stats.

While more difficult mechanically, War of the Lions is easier to play in some ways. Importantly more information is displayed in more readable typefaces, classes have been re-named to more closely match Final Fantasy staples, and even the menu inputs have been changed to the international standard where “X” means “Confirm”. They even squashed a round of bugs – though the PSP version struggles a bit when processing flashy animations. Do note there are fan made patches to fix this bug.

Sadly the mobile ports of Final Fantasy Tactics don’t natively support game controllers, meaning you have to use touchscreen controls. They are sensible – especially for a game that’s navigated by menus, anyway. Still a hard sell for players who want more precise input or struggle with issues like repetitive stress injuries. 

The ability to quick-save your game is another quality of life feature that is nice to have in War of the Lions ports.

Want easier combate? Play The Original

Want quality of life upgrades? Play War of the Lions: Please note the PSP version has fan made patches to address bugs and other issues. 

Graphics 

War of the Lions added a few cut-in videos to the game, and they look amazing. They maintain and accentuate the charm of Akihiki Yoshida’s character designs. They are shown though lightly-textured and sepia-toned filters. These sell the look of an illustration on a page. The mobile ports of the game make additional changes to the game’s art.

Play The Original for the authentic true pixel art experience.

Play War of the Lions if you’re down for an overhaul that maintains the spirit while improving textures.

The Final Verdict

As much as I love the original game I prefer the War of the Lions ports, especially the PSP/Vita version with the fan patches applied. We won’t make a guide on how to do that BUT know reddit is your friend sometimes!

Happy birthday FFT, North American Release: January 28, 1998