Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles Reviews
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles is a glorious return to one of the all-time nearly-forgotten RPGs of the '90s. While it may not have everything from other incarnations of the game, the story and gameplay stand the test of time.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles walks the line between completely faithful original experience and modern masterpiece better than perhaps any other remaster in history, and Square Enix has once again raised the bar for just what to expect from these types of games.
Final Fantasy Tactics was a masterpiece in the 1990s, standing as one of the milestones in the turn-based tactical RPG genre. The remastered The Ivalice Chronicles, while not particularly daring, brings this great classic back to life, a must-have for all role-playing enthusiasts. Unmissable, yes, even if we could have expected something more: while the original game still deserves a full 9 out of 10 today, the re-release has been rather lazy in some respects.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Even in 2025, Final Fantasy Tactics remains a monument to game design and storytelling. The morally ambivalent story about class struggle and religious fanaticism has lost none of its relevance. The job system offers a depth that even modern games rarely achieve, and the tactical battles are both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.
Review in German | Read full review
It's high time to discover why this remains a gaming legend and, in my opinion, THE best Tactical RPG of all time!
Review in French | Read full review
After nearly 30 years, Final Fantasy Tactics remains a timeless classic. Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles knocks the rust off the original, shines it up like new, and makes lots of subtle changes that only enhance the classic. And if you want a version without any changes, that’s here too, just as grainy as you remember. I couldn’t have hoped for more.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles not only brings back a fan-favorite spinoff of the Final Fantasy series, but also delivers a wealth of improvements to create a polished tactical-RPG experience, complete with a culturally relevant story that has been given new life with stellar voice acting.
Even more of a masterpiece in 2025 than it was 28 years ago, Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is quite simply the best game I've played all year, and the best Final Fantasy game since 1997.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is an incredible package that brings back a classic to new audiences in stellar fashion.
The gameplay is a bit rough around the edges, particularly in difficulty and class balancing, but everything holds up remarkably well. More importantly, the story and themes of Final Fantasy Tactics have aged like fine wine, and the voice acting does wonders at fully fleshing out and finally bringing this classic tale to modern audiences.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a beautiful reimagining of a tactical classic. For nostalgic fans, there's the original version, but the Enhanced Edition is the one you'll want to play. With improved visuals, voice acting, and modern extras, there's no excuse not to try this classic. The downsides are minor (ultrawide doesn't work and sometimes a character disappears behind a rock). But they're offset by a mature story, a deep tactical system, and an epic gameplay experience that can keep you entertained for weeks. And as someone discovering the game for the first time, I can say that with this reissue, Square Enix has not only satisfied fans but also a new generation of players.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The story for FF Tactics remained entertaining throughout. As a first-time player, it zigged when I thought it would zag and I will always appreciate when stories in RPGs like this can feel somewhat grounded with a focus on politics, inter-personal relationships and plenty of time for the characters to sit and reflect on the events in-game. Yes, there are still plenty of crystals, magic and other FF staples but Tactics feels like a cut above most other JRPG stories and is now one of my favorites in the Final Fantasy series.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles delivers its gripping tale of intrigue, politics, betrayal, loss, and friendship with full Japanese and English voice acting, enhanced HD visuals (though not in 2.5D pixel art), quality-of-life upgrades, a deep yet demanding Job System, generally challenging battles with especially punishing final bosses, and the option to play the original version—though it’s unfortunate that not all available content was included for greater replay value.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is a rare re-release that understands exactly why the original is revered, and carefully builds upon that legacy without suffocating the original's clear vision. The additions, be it a smoother UI, flexible difficulty modes, or the welcome sheen of voice acting, serve to make the game more approachable while still respecting the uncompromising heart that made it truly iconic. A rugged, respectful restoration ensures one of Square Enix’s most celebrated tactical RPGs can stand proudly in the modern era, and I can only hope that a revival of such a cult classic is a sign of what the future may hold for us. Whether you’re a newcomer like me or a battle-hardened Ivalician veteran, this is the definitive way to experience a classic that has managed to stand the test of time. It's also essentially flawless on the Steam Deck, feeling perfect to play on the go, whether you choose the remastered or classic version of the game. This is a fantastic purchase, and one we can wholly recommend.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings the granddaddy of tactics to a whole new audience, and it's still bloody brilliant.
At the end of the day, The Ivalice Chronicles does what any great remaster should do: make an already great game even better. It modernizes the gameplay to make it more accessible for newcomers, while retaining the depth and strategy that long time fans will love/expect.
Packed with smart quality of life updates and a refined script, Final Fantasy Tactics is a gorgeous revitalization of a classic that deserves celebration as art conservation done right.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a fantastic new edition of a tactical classic that will delight old fans and newcomers alike. The turn-based combat system requires strategic thinking and careful planning, as every move needs to be carefully considered. The Enhanced Edition impresses with razor-sharp graphics, buttery smooth camera movements and high-quality English and Japanese dubbing that breathes new life into the epic story.
Review in German | Read full review
I think anyone with a passing interest in RPGs or tactical gameplay should play Final Fantasy Tactics at some point in their lives. The Ivalice Chronicles remains a strong addition to the Tactics lineup, despite a few missteps and strange development choices.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles delivers a rich, emotionally resonant narrative and refined tactical gameplay that welcomes newcomers while honoring its legacy, though it stumbles in offering a definitive version for longtime fans.