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How Metascores Are Calculated
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1 vs. 100
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
School is out for the summer, but mischievous Luso Clemens must first face detention to make up for his misbehavior. Alone in the library, he stumbles upon an ancient book with magical powers that summons him to the mystical land of Ivalice. Warped into the middle of a battlefield, Luso joins Cid and his clan to set off on an adventurous journey looking for a way home. Explore the fantastic world of Ivalice and join forces with famous heroes from FINAL FANTASY XII – Vaan, Penelo and Al-Cid. All-new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, new jobs, new classes, and a new clan system that enrich the Ivalice experience for fans and newcomers alike. The North American release will allow players to command characters in battle and navigate through menus all with a tap of the stylus Witness vibrant and colorful visuals in dual-screen presentation, made possible by Nintendo DS. Increased replay value with up to 400 available quests, allowing players to immerse themselves in a multi-faceted storyline. [Square Enix]
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... 94
Cheat Code Central
It is a great crossover title and has appeal both as an Ivalice adventure and as a full-throttle tactics title.
 94
AtomicGamer
In spite of the standard-fare visuals, FFA2 is a game no RPG fan should miss.
90
GameSpy
The production values in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 are top-notch and Square Enix has really punched up the graphics and sound.
90
IGN
Four hundred quests, lots of customization options, and some of the best turn-based strategy around will keep you playing for a long time.
90
GamerNode
A great addition to the Final Fantasy Tactics family. Gaming on the go never felt more fun than having an army of sprites fighting on your side.
90
GameZone
Without really breaking new ground in tactical gameplay, the game is still able to give you plenty to think about during the excessively long battles. Character and job classes offer something different on the battlefield and this is good news seeing as there are hundreds of quests to take on aside from the main quest.
89
Console Gameworld
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is an excellent game by all merits.
88
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 carries on the fine tradition of the series and, a couple of stylus issues aside, is a natural fit on the DS.
88
Game Informer
When it all clicks, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 is a well-oiled adventure combining good design and fun gameplay that any strategy/RPG fan will appreciate. [July 2008, p.94]
87
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
It's a daunting pospect but there are rewards for the brave here. This is a classy, addictive and sophticated RPG. [Aug 2008, p.78]
86
Worth Playing
The gameplay is solid as ever, the visuals and music are well worth a look, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is a very solid game for anyone in need of a Final Fantasy or turn-based strategy fix on the go.
85
Kombo
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 offers everything that FFTA offered plus some.
84
GamingTrend
In conclusion, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 is a very good game that could have been a lot more. They could have put more effort into the music and graphics and made it a must-have, but it's still good and worth a play.
84
RPG Fan
It's hard to understand why Square Enix didn't put any effort into the story, which would have upped the greatness of this game significantly had it been good. Even after some disappointments, FFTA2 remains worth it for all the reasons that FFTA was: great presentation and solid gameplay.
83
Gaming Age
It's not the best in the genre, but it's a solid title with a ton of value for someone that's looking for something that'll last a while.
82
NGamer UK
Engrossing tactical fun withthe depth and attention to detail we've come to expect from the new wave of Final Fantasy games on Nintendo consoles. Well worth it. [Sept 2008, p.62]
82
Gamers' Temple
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 once again takes us to the world of Ivalice and brings along the same addicting tactical gameplay from the last game with some new additions to keep it feeling fresh.
82
GameTrailers
Grimoire of the Rift rewards players with a rich tactical RPG experience, but the lack of a meaningful and well-developed plot will leave many desiring more.
80
G4 TV
So, yes, there is a little bit of hand-holding going on here. When you're going to play a game for dozens of hours, it’s nice to feel like the game's designers care enough about you to stand by your side.
80
Games Radar
With a whopping 400 quests total, it's amazing that the gameplay never gets stale during the 100+ hours it's going to take you to complete A2.
80
GamePro
With its deep Clan system and 400 missions worth of downright addictive quests, I can't help but recommend it. [July 2008, p.82]
80
Cubed3
While not without its flaws, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is a truly excellent turn-based strategy title.
80
AceGamez
Aside from being visually beautiful in a perfect, picture book way, it has one of the smartest combat mechanics around for any RPG, managing to balance the pace of combat with the patient thought of a strategy game effortlessly.
80
Thunderbolt
It’s one of the best single-player games on the DS. Though the story and characters are terrible, it’ll take you several hours to complete the main quest. That aside, you’ll have hundreds of secondary quests, tons of jobs to master, and massive collection of items and abilities to acquire.
80
NintendoWorldReport
A quite uncommon (if not flawless) coupling of remarkable depth with relative accessibility, although it will not take players by the hand through all of its intricacies.
80
VideoGamer
Despite these minor grievances Grimoire of the Rift is a deep and involving game, with excellent presentation and a great sense of scale.
80
Edge Magazine
The expanded range of strategic choice and admirably polished presentation push Grimoire Of The Rift right into the top tier. [Sept 2008, p.93]
80
Gamervision
High production values take the game to a level of quality usually unreached on the Nintendo DS, and the game’s sound and graphics, while a little bit dated, help the battles from becoming too chaotic and move the game’s story along.
80
games(TM)
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 takes all of the divisive elements of its predecessor and runs with them. [Sept 2008, p.119]
80
Modojo
Overall, Grimoire of the Rift is an excellent example of quality DS gaming.
80
Level7.nu
A fantastic turn-based adventure that builds directly on top of the same formula used in it's predecessor. It does demand a tad bit too much time due to the slow paced gameplay, but from the time invested you'll be awarded with a great experience. Great battles and a great variety in character development will keep you motivated for this 60 hour plus adventure.
80
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
Good-class and nice looking fantasy turn-based strategy game with very simple controls, but with a lot of possibilities, missions and tasks. It’s definitely a long-time run. [Aug 2008]
78
Gamer 2.0
In fact, games such as these are really losing their style due to the fact that they're sometimes too long—FFTA2 should actually take you 30-40 hours to finish, while taking more than 80 if you intend on finishing every mission and finding every nook and cranny with the job system.
76
Games Master UK
Continues the fine work of the originals, but "Fire Emblem" and "Disgaea" are tighter games. [Aug 2008, p.76]
70
Gamer.nl
A strategic role playing game that does the right things, but hasn’t made any progress from the previous games. Thanks to the quality and the quantity of the product it’s still a very entertaining game and for gamers that haven’t had the pleasure to play the previous games, it’s even better.
70
Zentendo
If you were thinking about getting this game as an attempt to delve into the world of turn-based strategy RPG’s, I strongly suggest you go buy the first Tactics Advance instead because you will probably have more fun with it, and it will probably be cheaper. Or better yet, go pick up a Fire Emblem game.
70
Pocket Gamer UK
The perfect beginner's strategy role-player, even if it's one you'll eventually abandon for better and more involved alternatives.
70
Electronic Gaming Monthly
It remains worth it for all of the reasons that made the original Tactics so engrossing: Switching between different jobs, mastering new abilities from your gear, and recruiting and building your clan all remain as appealing as ever. [July 2008, p.82]
70
Nintendo Power
As a result, although Grimoire of the Rift is another solid effort that's sure to scratch your tactical itch, the original Tactics remains the pinnacle of the series. [July 2008, p.86]
70
GameSpot
Grimoire of the Rift offers a surprising amount of depth, as highlighted by its impressive number of quests and skills, real-time area auctions, clan management, and unlockables, but many a Tactics fan might be put off by its cheapened quest-based plot progression and battle rules.
70
EuroGamer
With a convincing story and some innovation in the fight system FFTA2 could have been so much more, but it still stands as the best example of the genre currently available for the handheld.
67
1UP
Based on the series' past legacy of excellence, it's just a shame that Grimoire of the Rift feels more like an expansion pack than a bona fide sequel.
67
GameShark
The gameplay is open-ended yet lacks a compelling plot and the combat is as solid as ever but veterans of the series will miss being able to fully flex the might of the job system.
65
Ferrago
With a game like FFTA2 it's not really about the why as the how, only it's a bit too simplistic and uninteresting to make a winning formula.
Wayne E. gave it a10: Steve M gave it a10: Ken H. gave it a9: Brandon S. gave it a10: Allen H. gave it a2: Rhody T. gave it a10: Steven M. gave it a7: |
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