George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is one of my all-time favorite book series, but like millions of others, it’s been a painful 14 years waiting for the next installment, The Winds of Winter. I’ve read countless other fantasy novels, but nothing has quelled my desire for that particular brand of dark fantasy. Thankfully, and to my delight, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has scratched that particular itch.
The Ivalice Chronicles is a remake/remaster of the 1998 PlayStation classic, but with the script of 2007’s updated War of the Lions for the PSP. I played some of the latter around 15 years ago, but dropped it for another game. I got to check out the new Tactics during an event, and it finally clicked for me. Having finished the full game, I'm now a fan of this Final Fantasy spin-off.
Like A Song of Ice and Fire, Final Fantasy Tactics is inspired by the real-life English Wars of the Roses. Because of that, both works feature layered narratives revolving around nobles seeking power and how those conflicts affect the commoners they rule over. And like Martin’s story, Final Fantasy Tactics also has an otherworldly menace looming and scheming in the background.
Though Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles doesn’t completely satiate my desire for The Winds of Winter, it gives me enough of what I love about A Song of Ice and Fire. Additionally, it’s an engrossing tactical RPG featuring an incredible score and phenomenal voice acting. If you’re a fan of George R.R. Martin’s (in)famous fantasy novels, you need to play Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. Here’s why.
A game of thrones
Final Fantasy Tactics is set in the fictional medieval realm of Ivalice, which is recovering from a conflict called The Fifty Years' War, where the provinces of Ivalice fought against the Kingdom of Ordalia — a war Ivalice initiated when its king sought to seize the latter’s vacant throne. Facing economic collapse and civil unrest after years of fighting, Ivalice surrendered and signed a peace treaty.
With Ivalice in ruins, hostilities between the kingdom’s two most prominent houses grew, resulting in the War of the Lions that occupies most of the game. As the narrative unfolds, key players take and switch sides to suit their ends. Like A Song of Ice and Fire, there are no true good guys or bad guys — just people doing what they can to survive in a brutal world. For the nobles of Ivalice, it’s a vicious game of thrones.
If you’re a history buff, I’m sure Ivalice’s Fifty Years’ War will remind you of the real-life Hundred Years’ War between England and France. The War of the Lions, fought between Duke Larg, under the banner of the White Lion, and Duke Goltanna under the Black Lion banner, alludes to the red and white rose banners of Lancaster and York (respectively) of the Wars of the Roses. However, Final Fantasy Tactics’ conflict, though still intricate, is far easier to follow since its belligerents aren’t all named Edward, Henry, or Richard.
Nuanced characters
Final Fantasy Tactics’ main characters are as complex as the conflict they’re embroiled in. Ramza Beoulve is the bastard son of the murdered King Beoulve and effectively the game’s Jon Snow. Like Snow, Ramza has a naive perspective on chivalry and nobility in his youth, but grows more world-weary and cynical as the years pass. However, Ramza never loses his innate sense of justice, and acts as a beacon of hope… even after he’s branded a heretic by Ivalice's equivalent of the Pope.
Ramza’s friend Delita is arguably the most interesting character in the game. Rising from a lowborn commoner to the highest ranks of nobility through cunning and deceit, he also maintains his own code of honor as he plots and schemes. Depending on your perspective, Delita is either an opportunistic traitor or a pragmatic would-be savior of the kingdom.
There are many (and I mean many) more characters woven into the game’s labyrinthine plot, each with realistic motivations. Even when things get more fantastical towards the third act, the villains’ motivations remain very human — even if they’ve undergone horrific transformations. These are the character journeys I love reading in A Song of Ice and Fire, and it’s great to see similar arcs in a genre (JRPG) that typically has characters with simple motivations.
Dark fantasy
The tone is another huge reason Final Fantasy Tactics feels so much like A Song of Ice and Fire. While there are some instances of levity in side quests, this is the exception. Don’t let the charming art style fool you; this is one intense game! If you’re into this type of nihilistic fantasy, you’ll drink deep of the dark brew on offer.
The political intrigue and scheming characters can sometimes make it difficult to discern friend from foe. In fact, there are times when members of your own party turn against you — which is something you rarely see in a video game. Because of that, I always wondered if new or existing party members would betray me. While it’s unsatisfying to lose control of a character from a gameplay perspective, it helps and elevates the narrative.
I know this is an old game, but I’m purposely avoiding spoilers for anyone (like me) who never played or finished the original. I will say you won’t find a stereotypically happy ending before the credits roll. Days after I beat the game, I’m still thinking about how matters got resolved (or didn’t) in Final Fantasy Tactics. That’s the hallmark of great storytelling, both in this game and in A Song of Ice and Fire.
A true masterpiece
While I might have initially missed out on the glory that is Final Fantasy Tactics, I’m glad I got to play it now via The Ivalice Chronicles. Not only is it a brilliant experience in its own right, but it satisfies the yearning I still have for The Winds of Winter. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this game on the same level were it not for that novel’s absence.
Though it’s looking less likely we’ll ever see George R.R. Martin’s next A Song of Ice and Fire novel, we can at least be content with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. If you’re looking for another dark fantasy world featuring rich storytelling, deep lore, and multifaceted characters, this is about as close to The Winds of Winter as you’re going to get… at least in video game form.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
- Ghost of Yotei is a cinematic and visually stunning PS5 sequel
- Silent Hill f is one of the most disturbing games I’ve ever played
- Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi are excellent modern takes on classic franchises
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
