08-24-2003, 01:39 AM
I'll give it a shot. ;)
Basically, because Tactics doesn't play like the other FFs at all. The vast majority of the game consists of tactical battles (thus the title) which take place in various battlefields. You have to use your characters/units to jockey for position, putting yourself in place to attack enemies from the flanks and prevent them from getting near your defenseless spellcasters, that sort of thing. A battle in progress looks alot like a chess game.
I'll see if I can get a reference pic uploaded soon.
It's not as well-developed as some of the later ones (I'm thinking VII and VIII), but it's there, and it works. It's more political intrigue and backstabbing than a FFVII-like 'save the world' plotline. There's also quite a bit of religious overtones, which AFAIK is a first for a FF game. The Church figures prominently in the aforementioned intrigue.
Heh, I don't know who is responsible for what eras, but IMO the character sprites remind me more of the 1-6 games, in that they're kinda short and cute. The Priest and Wizard job class sprites are almost identical to the FF1 White Wizard and Black Wizard sprites. FFIV-type Dragoons make an appearance as Lancers, as well.
It was a while back (1994?) for the Playstation. One of the early titles for it, but not what you would call a "launch title".
I don't know. The gameplay is fundamentally different than all the other FFs. Most everything is recognizable (Chocobos, Protect/Shell/Wall spells, same status conditions, etc), but the combat is much more in-depth (don't necessarily want to say 'complicated') than the others. For example, you could move your Knight to an enemy's flank and thus expect to do bonus damage, but if he isn't supported by your other units he'll probably be surrounded by the other enemies and trounced, because they also get damage bonuses for attacking from the flank or rear, and he'll be trapped unable to move through them.
Similarly, if your Wizard is winding up a Bolt spell, you have to judge whether to aim it at the tile the target's in, or the target itself - if you aim it at the tile and the target moves before it finished casting, you've wasted MP; but aim it at the target and it moves next to one of your units and they'll suffer fringe damage. You also have to take into account that units have very little defence while casting, so if the enemy can attack him he'll take alot of damage.
Battles end up as shifting skirmishes; you're trying to put your units in place to damage the enemy without being damaged in turn (or to protect your wounded units) and they're trying to do the same. It's not at all like the contemporary FF battle system.
Quote:1. Why doesn't this game have a roman numeral like all the other FF-games? What makes this thing different?
Basically, because Tactics doesn't play like the other FFs at all. The vast majority of the game consists of tactical battles (thus the title) which take place in various battlefields. You have to use your characters/units to jockey for position, putting yourself in place to attack enemies from the flanks and prevent them from getting near your defenseless spellcasters, that sort of thing. A battle in progress looks alot like a chess game.
I'll see if I can get a reference pic uploaded soon.
Quote:2. How is the storyline compared to regular Final Fantasy-games.
It's not as well-developed as some of the later ones (I'm thinking VII and VIII), but it's there, and it works. It's more political intrigue and backstabbing than a FFVII-like 'save the world' plotline. There's also quite a bit of religious overtones, which AFAIK is a first for a FF game. The Church figures prominently in the aforementioned intrigue.
Quote:3. Is Nubou Uematsu involved?
Heh, I don't know who is responsible for what eras, but IMO the character sprites remind me more of the 1-6 games, in that they're kinda short and cute. The Priest and Wizard job class sprites are almost identical to the FF1 White Wizard and Black Wizard sprites. FFIV-type Dragoons make an appearance as Lancers, as well.
Quote:4. When was it released and for what format, Playstation, or PS2?
It was a while back (1994?) for the Playstation. One of the early titles for it, but not what you would call a "launch title".
Quote:5. I love Final fantasy VII and VIII. They are easily two of the best games I've played, and Final Fantasy X was also a lot of fun. Will I like FF Tactics?
I don't know. The gameplay is fundamentally different than all the other FFs. Most everything is recognizable (Chocobos, Protect/Shell/Wall spells, same status conditions, etc), but the combat is much more in-depth (don't necessarily want to say 'complicated') than the others. For example, you could move your Knight to an enemy's flank and thus expect to do bonus damage, but if he isn't supported by your other units he'll probably be surrounded by the other enemies and trounced, because they also get damage bonuses for attacking from the flank or rear, and he'll be trapped unable to move through them.
Similarly, if your Wizard is winding up a Bolt spell, you have to judge whether to aim it at the tile the target's in, or the target itself - if you aim it at the tile and the target moves before it finished casting, you've wasted MP; but aim it at the target and it moves next to one of your units and they'll suffer fringe damage. You also have to take into account that units have very little defence while casting, so if the enemy can attack him he'll take alot of damage.
Battles end up as shifting skirmishes; you're trying to put your units in place to damage the enemy without being damaged in turn (or to protect your wounded units) and they're trying to do the same. It's not at all like the contemporary FF battle system.
![[Image: 9426697EGZMV.png]](http://sigs.guildlaunch.net/wsig.php/9426697EGZMV.png)