Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions (psp: 2007): Reviews

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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions


8.9

based on 40 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 65 votes
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Cheat Code Central

[Metacritic's 2007 PSP Game of the Year] 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. In development exclusively for the PSP system, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: The Lion War features PSP system exclusive content not found on the original classic including 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. [Square Enix]

PUBLISHER:	Square Enix
DEVELOPER:	Square Enix
GENRE(S):	Turn-Based Strategy, Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	2
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	October 9, 2007

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GameSpy

The core tactical gameplay is the real gem here, and its quality still shines 10 years after its first release. It's grinding, demanding gameplay that presumes a level of dedication and competence that many modern games don't, and it's all the better for it.

100

Playstation Official Magazine UK

An absolute masterpiece. [Nov 2007, p.104]

100

Pocket Gamer UK

A masterpiece of art and design. Its technicalities might take a little time to get to grips with but, once understood, this distinguished and exemplary video game demands to be savoured and adored.

100

GameShark

The biggest change to the formula is a number of graphical updates to the entire system.

Digital Entertainment News

Anyone who doesn’t think Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions isn’t worth owning just doesn’t like RPGs.

Game Informer

Combine its lengthy single-player experience with the new co-op and head-to-head modes, and you can’t help but love this classic reborn.

PSM Magazine

About as perfect as games come, and you must play it. [Nov 2007, p.72]

AtomicGamer

Overall, War of the Lions is definitely a fun play through for anyone that has yet to try the game. It is, quite possibly, the most popular strategy RPG of all time and with very good reason.

Cheat Code Central

A true PSP system seller if ever there was one. The sheer amount of content coupled with the in depth battle system and epic story provide a game that will keep you busy on-the-go for months.

Pelit (Finland)

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions has a brilliant storyline and addictively deep battle mechanics. The game is pure gold from the beginning to the very end. [Sept 2007]

GameTrailers

A rare breed. Despite being a veritable grandfather of console RPGs, a galvanized retranslation and timeless gameplay make for a feline that simply refuses to age. If you missed it the first time, don’t miss it again.

RPG Fan

With vibrant visuals, excellent music and voice acting, a deep and complex gameplay system, and one of the best storylines ever to grace a RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is one of the few must-have titles on the PSP, not only for the RPG aficionado, but for any gamer in general.

Gaming Age

Overall, the port from PS1 to PSP has been handled exceptionally well. The redone translation adds a new layer of detail to an already deep experience, and it's definitely enough to bring the old school players back into the fold one last time.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

With more than seventy hours of tactical RPG battling, intricately woven story and an army of characters to build up, Final Fantasy Tactics is an immensely addictive and rewarding experience, even for those who managed to import a copy of the PSone original.

VideoGamer

Despite these flaws, FFT remains one of my favourite games on the PSP. It might not have the best in-game graphics we've ever seen on the handheld, or the best multiplayer options, but few games have as much charm and tactical depth.

PSX Extreme

Square did just about everything right the first time around, so despite not taking big enough strides with this remake, they can fall back on something that was damn close to perfection in the first place. And that's not a bad way to look at it.

Play Magazine

This is a beautiful and adult game, whose transition to the PSP is only marred by nearly imperceptible delays in combat. [Nov 2007, p.74]

GameTap

From the wireless versus mode to the intriguing approach to the cutscenes, this classic revision really shines. And I've always said that turn-based games are well suited for handheld gaming.

Games Radar

This is one of the most in-depth strategy games and touching RPGs ever made.

Edge Magazine

This still stands as one of videogaming’s greatest achievements, one finally properly served by an excellent English translation to reveal a game that feels far fresher than its age, setting and rivals might otherwise suggest. [Nov 2007, p.97]

IGN

New story elements and missions, new multiplayer modes and brand new job classes strengthen what was already one of the best strategy titles around.

EuroGamer

Gorgeous, complex, well-written and beautifully presented, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions has been polished and refined to make it into the best version of one of the best games of the 1990s.

GameZone

Whether you have the PSone original or have just begun to appreciate the value of a great strategy/RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is not a must-play release – it is a must-own.

GotNext

A couple of years ago it was easy to recommend the must-own titles on the PSP, but with so many stellar games these days, I'll simply say that if Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions disappoints you, then maybe this genre isn't what your looking for.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Epic, tactical and polished - this will work your brain. [Nov 2007, p.82]

Game Almighty

There are some programming errors on the game that some veterans find game breaking. Any simple moves such as throwing a stone during battle, causes this relatively long slow down.

Play UK

Tactics is as immense as it is intense. With a brilliant storyline and a wealth of options for creating and customising characters, there is no finer RPG on the PSP. [Issue#159, p.88]

TotalPlayStation

This game is a must have for any RPG-fan out there past and present because we still know Cloud make you guys cream your silkies.

1UP

Its intricate gameplay isn't for everyone, but there's a reason it commands such deep devotion among its fans -- and this definitive version of the game is the perfect place to learn why.

GamePro

A decade after the original's release, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is a faithful improvement on what is still one of the best tactical RPGs around. [Nov 2007, p.97]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

While the flow of battles are definitely slower by today's gaming standards, the strategic depth is still far better than most games released today. [Nov 2007, p.60]

Deeko

Overall, FFT: The War of the Lions is an impressive port to the PSP. A solid title is always welcomed in the rather hungry for games handheld and this game packs so much content you'll be busy with your PSP for a while.

Game Revolution

Althought wrapped in a mediocre package, Final Fantasy Tactics is a stellar game. If Square Enix had spent just a bit more time on the in-game graphics, writing, and user interface, this could have been one of the top titles for the PSP.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

But Tactics is still engrossing, time-consuming fun. [Nov 2007, p.116]

games(TM)

As for consolidation and logical expansion, Final Fantasy Tactics: War Of The Lions achieves more for SRPGs than recent efforts from other studios. [Aug 2007, p.108]

GameDaily

The original PSOne game finds a new home on the PSP, sporting some new features that enhance the already incredibly deep tactical role-playing game, but at the same time retaining some of the flaws.

GameSpot

War of the Lions proves that even a decade-old game can pack quite a punch.

Games Master UK

Tough, slow but containing oodles of depth. A proper strategy game for the PSP. [Nov 2007, p.83]

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

With this many ways to organise your team and develop abilities, everyone will find something to suit their style. [Nov 2007, p.123]

PALGN

War of the Lions is a good game, but players who've never played Final Fantasy Tactics might find it a bit old and cumbersome, while veterans may find the new game a little scant on new content.

The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 65 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Max C. gave it a5:
Why is this game getting such great scores? Because it has Final Fantasy in the title, thats why. This game was decent at best on the ps1 and now it really shows how dated the game is. If you want a great turn-based, grid-based strategy game, pick up Disgaea or Jeanne 'D Arc. Those games have great stories and graphics, and are actually FUN.

Dan P. gave it a4:
This game hurts my eyes. I mean that literally. My eyes hurt after playing it for more than a few minutes. The reason is simple: the entire screen is blurry! For some unknown reason they apparently render the screen slightly smaller than the PSP's resolution and then scale it up. The end effect is that my eyes hurt after playing. Add in the ridiculously slow effect animations and the complete lack of improvement to the game UI, and you're lefting wondering if Square-Enix did anything beyond recompiling the code for the PSP. Along with the poor video quality comes poor sound quality - things like thunder claps and roaring wind instead sound like high pitched squeals. It almost seems that no one at Square Enix ever tested this game on a real PSP, assuming they tested it at all.

H. P. gave it a0:
Final Fantasy Tactics was my favorite PSOne game of all time. I spent a year looking forward to this game coming out. Here is how my first day witht he game went: -Went to BestBuy to get game. -Unwrapped game and put it into PSP. -Giggled like a little girl -Turned on PSP, watched cutscene, Great Stuff, (what's with the different dialogue?) -Started first level (Wow the graphics are worse than the PSOne, everything is stretched out, rather that it being turned into true widescreen it was just stretched horizontally) -Put in my FFT copy inot PSOne just to make sure I wasn't imagining things (I wasn't) -Beat first level, went on to next cutscene and the first bandit battle (Wow the dialogue is completely different and now has weird pseudo-Elde-Englishe tone) -Cringed -Took game out of PSP, put back into case. -Put up for sale on Amazon.com Auctions.

Jake F-A gave it an8:
The original was favorite game ever when it came out ten years ago and I've been addicted to Tactical RPG ever since. However, alot of great TRPGs have come out in those ten years and I'm not sure if it's still tops. I just finished Jeanne D'Arc before playing this and I have to say the graphics there are much more impressive. The job system here is great, and the level of challenge is fantastic (hard) which is what we like. However the game does seem slow and it's so frustrating how hard it is to see what you are doing in the battles! The game really feels a little rushed, or maybe there saving the smoother interface for FFT 2 which comes out soon. Overall I would say great for anyone who hasn't played it, but maybe hold off if you played the original. There's little new here. Also, it must be noted that Disagea and the other NIS games really re-wrote the genre.

Adam gave it a9:
This game is addicting, and well worth your money. This game will annoy some games with it's supreme difficulty. If you don't mind challenge, pick this gameup for the PSP.

Taylor gave it a10:
Amazing addictive game with heaps of replay value, Final fantasy tactics is one of the best games in the PSP library and is a worthy remake of an already great game.

Ben gave it a7:
The new mission, job class, scripts, and cut scenes are welcoming. The extremely slow down during gameplay, small and dull graphics, and out of syn audio is very disaapointing. This game looks like an emulation than actual PSP game. This game SHOULD NOT be tag at $40+.