Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

The Good
Where do I start! It looks very cute n colourful and its music is catchy, but maybe a little too tedious as the game only has around 5 tracks (seriously!). Also there is ALOT to do - choosing right equipment, picking missions, customizing units, selecting abilities, and fighting, which most of the game is based. Instead of moving around in a world map and dungeon like environments like most final fantasies, you simply 'click' where you want to go on a symbol based map making the game seam simple, but the battles and the decisions you can make in each one can make it very involving. Also I like the way you can customize your clan and soon get attached to your many members you raise. Also the depth of job classes, secret units, items, weapons, missions and moves make this final fantasy one of the best ever...

The Bad
The battle animations aren’t very far reaching and can get very repetitive; also it takes a long time before you get good moves and equipment... Also you need a lot of free time to play this - I racked 192 hours on it, which is pretty long for a game. The final bad thing about this game is the rubbish storyline and stupid ending ' I’ve played through a 100 odd missions for this!!’ There is a secret ending which is also equally bad! Also there is a general lack of rewards for completing the game - Also its prequel (final fantasy tactics on Sony playstation) is apparently better, but since I have not played this I can not comment on this...

The Bottom Line
It takes a lot of time, has a weak story, but the feeling of involvement and accomplishment is worth it.

The Good
This is simply a regular Final Fantasy RPG but without all the graphical "bells and whistles" of the PS1/2 releases. As such it makes you realize that said "bells and whistles" are actually pretty unnecessary. I really like having between four and six characters in each battle having always felt that the roster of three per battle, on other FF games, was limiting rather than tactical. Ok..the story is simpler than you expect from Square but this doesn't really hinder the enjoyment. (I haven't played the original "tactics" so cannot compare it to this title.) The little characters who initially all seem so samey do really begin to matter to you. They become like twenty small virtual pets that you've nurtured and raised to their current levels, through different jobs, imprisonment and hard fought battles(though never that hard) As always with this sort of game it comes down to stats/items and progression. This game certainly delivers. You can spend an unhealthy amount of time equipping and unequipping, trying to learn that last spell or defensive technique. Suddenly you do and new job options open up extending the lifespan of the game as you train up in a whole new set of techniques.

The Bad
I felt quite "dirty" getting so obsessed about learning every last job and fulfilling every last one of the 300 odd missions. It's just lucky I spend a few hours per week on long train journeys.

The Bottom Line
Excellent, deep, obsessive and rewarding. It may take a while to get into but it's really worth it. It's everything that's good about the other Final Fantasy games without the cheap eye-candy. Graphics-whores need not apply! Buy this if you truly want to play a real RPG.

The Good
Tactics Advance made many minor improvements to an already winning format. The weapons teaching abilities is a nice change from the first game's "job points." Once again, Tactics is very addictive once you give it a chance.

The Bad
Overall, it is too easy. It seems like a kiddie version of the first Tactics. The story is quite watered down compared to the first game. Feels more like 5th grade level. Music gets old quick.

The Bottom Line
A good game that manages to be different from its predecessor. Still, it is strikingly easier than FF Tactics. It has replaced the serious plot and mature mood of the first, however, with a simple-minded, lackluster, and childish story. Even with its flaws, Tactics Advance is worth a look!