Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions Review for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions box art

System: PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Square Enix	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Square Enix	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 9, 2007	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Just like the original, the game will be as difficult as you allow it to be. The player can choose to level up and pound opponents with ease, though I found it much more enjoyable to see just how low a level I could still manage to tactically defeat foes. Occasionally the game still finds a way to throw you a curveball though, and players would be wise to keep a second save file just a few battles back, as occasionally you may find yourself faced with a foe you simply cannot defeat with your present party and without a way to return and level up or purchase different equipment.

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions screenshot

It can also be difficult to fight with the camera, as the 16 angles present just can't always give the view you need on certain maps. With endgame content that will keep even the best players hard at work, Final Fantasy Tactics packs in hundreds of hours of content to keep you busy.

The most welcome addition for me though is the multiplayer content; it's just a shame it feels to half-baked. Without the ability to play over the internet, instead being trapped in local games, I fear I'll never be able to test my mettle against the best of the best. Even more of a shame is that most of the game's best items are tied into playing through these modes: one being a battle against your friend and another where you will work together to defeat your foes. A nice feature is that any items you use or characters lost will not be gone to you forever. Less pleasant is that enemies are scaled to the highest characters level, meaning that if you and your friend are more than a few levels different, they'll find themselves overwhelmed quickly. It's still nice that the modes are there to extend the game's legs though.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is 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. If only the game had spent a few extra months in development, it could have achieved the perfection the original never managed. The improvements warrant a purchase for fans and newcomers alike, but it could have been so much more.

By Justin Conte
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Character designer Akihiko Yoshida's character illustrations come to life in all-new animated sequences that combine hand-drawn style visuals with the fluidity of computer. graphics - fully voiced exclusively for the English version.

All-new enhancements update the experience for a new generation of gamers - enhanced widescreen presentation, new jobs, new characters and a new English translation deepen the Ivalice experience.

Challenge friends in head-to-head battles with the all-new multiplayer function or team up in the all-new co-operative mode and try to outwit the game's advanced computer opponents.

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Slowdown not present in the original along with graphics behind the times on the PSX, though beautiful new cinemas are a welcome addition.

4.5

Control
The controls are as responsive as necessary for a turn-based game, though fighting with the game's camera can be frustrating at times.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The score is as perfect as ever, it's just too bad the PSP sound system can't do it justice. Wear headphones.

5.0

Play Value
The amount of content you get for your dollar here in almost unmatched. You could play for hundreds of hours and still not see and find all the game has to offer.

4.6

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.