Tactics Advance means so much to me and more, it's one of my favorite games of all time and one I've come back to again and again since childhood to present-day. I feel like this game doesn't particularly excel in anything particular; its story is okay, its characters are pretty alright, the level design is a bit bland, and its combat never reaches the highs of its predecessor while also being bogged down by the Law system which only gets more strict as you progress.
And yet there's magic in this game that is hard to find anywhere else. The world of Ivalice is so dear to me, it's a fantasy world unlike any other with unique races that you can actually play as (Looking at you, FFXII. Yes, I'm still mad) and has such a fantastical and grand, yet grounded, setting. What FFTA lacks in writing depth, it makes up for in the ways you can imagine your clan members behaving on the battlefield or between missions. I'm completely positive that the role-playing this game offers planted the seed for me loving making OCs and fantasy worlds as I grew up and through adulthood.
While not a particularly complex or deep story, it shares one with surprisingly mature themes that are relevant for its younger audience. Themes of escapism, of grief and healing, of family abuse, of learning to own up to your own mistaken beliefs, of realizing you need to grow and be better; FFTA presents topics that everyone will experience as an adult and presents it to kids in a memorable and wondrous fashion. Tactics fans were rightfully disappointed with this entry being free from the political intrigue and philosophical prose set by the first game, but I think FFTA holds its own unique candle well beside its older brother.
I love this game with my whole heart, and I continue to look at all my art and creative work and see it rooted in my love for Tactics Advance. Similar to Explorers of Sky, I love to replay this game at least once a year and am currently on an all-Bangaa run! One day, I hope we can return to Ivalice and all its glory, but until then I take the world head on with all the wonderful memories Tactics Advance gave me.
And yet there's magic in this game that is hard to find anywhere else. The world of Ivalice is so dear to me, it's a fantasy world unlike any other with unique races that you can actually play as (Looking at you, FFXII. Yes, I'm still mad) and has such a fantastical and grand, yet grounded, setting. What FFTA lacks in writing depth, it makes up for in the ways you can imagine your clan members behaving on the battlefield or between missions. I'm completely positive that the role-playing this game offers planted the seed for me loving making OCs and fantasy worlds as I grew up and through adulthood.
While not a particularly complex or deep story, it shares one with surprisingly mature themes that are relevant for its younger audience. Themes of escapism, of grief and healing, of family abuse, of learning to own up to your own mistaken beliefs, of realizing you need to grow and be better; FFTA presents topics that everyone will experience as an adult and presents it to kids in a memorable and wondrous fashion. Tactics fans were rightfully disappointed with this entry being free from the political intrigue and philosophical prose set by the first game, but I think FFTA holds its own unique candle well beside its older brother.
I love this game with my whole heart, and I continue to look at all my art and creative work and see it rooted in my love for Tactics Advance. Similar to Explorers of Sky, I love to replay this game at least once a year and am currently on an all-Bangaa run! One day, I hope we can return to Ivalice and all its glory, but until then I take the world head on with all the wonderful memories Tactics Advance gave me.