Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Looms Large

Thanks to IGN Pocket for their hands-on impressions of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, in which they discuss the tactical RPG GameBoy Advance title due out September 8th, and mention "The release of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is pretty historical, as it's the first [U.S.] Square game released on a Nintendo system since the company decided to pull the plug on Nintendo development back in the N64 days." Also discussed is the shrewd opening act, where there are "...a group of kids on a school's playground during wintertime, as a snowball fight breaks out... it's a very clever implementation of a training mission." Nintendo are pushing FFTA with an enticing bundle deal, although final English-language reviews, excepting this 'well-researched' one, are still pending.

Comments

16 bit bonanza

[ihatesco]

Ok, Gameboy Advance is a 32 bit console, but games like this, and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow still show how 16 bit style games still have something to tell.

These tecnological days, 2d tile-based games are like black and wite movies at your hometown cineplex. But in contrast to black and white (which is used only when a director wants to convey something with his story because otherwise it would be seen as a cheap gimmick - well... expensive cheap gimmick), 16bit style gaming is still a viable technology and a viable market and a viable channel to produce stories (in contrast to the old 8-bit days gaming).

I already love Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, I loved Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis (also on GBA), and I will buy this title when it comes out.

Re:16 bit bonanza

[nitehawk214]

Ok, Gameboy Advance is a 32 bit console, but games like this, and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow still show how 16 bit style games still have something to tell.

To an extent I agree, but FFT was a 32 bit game using the 2d/3d mixed capabilities of the Playstation.

Re:16 bit bonanza

[Anonymous Coward]

Halo's on a "32-bit console" too.

Isn't it amazing how much the number of colors a system can display is related to how good the graphics are?

Re:16 bit bonanza

[Anonymous Coward]

bad joke, bro.

RPGs

[darkmayo]

I'm not sure if its a good or bad thing that Nintendos handheld market sports more RPG type games than there flagship systems have in quite some time. Other than the NES and SNES everything after has been lacking in this Genre yet the gameboy incarnates have always kept putting out these games.

As a fan...

[jimius]

As a fan of the original FFT i've been looking forward to this one. Although the more serious medieval setting has been traded in for kids in a suburb (as far as i've seen) it should be interresting to see what they'll do with it. Although it doesn't really help Nintendo with getting rid of their "kiddy" image.

Re:As a fan...

[PainKilleR-CE]

As the article states, the kids find a book which gives them wishes, and they become Final Fantasy characters in the FF setting. The kids in the suburb is basically a quick tutorial and intro sequence.

http://www.insertcredit.com/reviews/ffta/ ?

[leuk_he]

is is my dns or does the DNS name www.insertcredit.com not exist?

Sept 8 !?!?!

[IIRCAFAIKIANAL]

NOOO! I'm still playing Celda, Golden Sun 1 & 2, Tactics Ogre GBA, Final Fantasy Origins, Wizardry: Tales of a Foresaken Land, Final Fantasy X, and Dragon Warrior VII!

I thought I was making headway when I beat GTA3, Vice City, Metroid Prime, Aliens VS Predator 2, and Quest For Glory VGA (mastered the thief quest last night =).

And I haven't even touched Final Fantasy VIII or Kingdom Hearts yet.

Dammit, I need to quit my job just to have time to play all these games :) But then I can't play em anymore...

Or I could just stop being a consumer whore, but I don't like the sound of that idea...

Seriously though, I have had to stop buying games until I get all caught up. I used to only have one or two on the go at a time :)

Re:Sept 8 !?!?!

[brkello]

I know what you mean. I have a similar problem. There really are so many great games out there that I want to play. Unfortunately, I am out of college and in the real working world where I just can't enjoy gaming as much (plus dating and soccer suck up most after work time). But at the very least, I have learned how to be cheap about it. I will read reviews on some of the older games, find ones that are rated highly and buy them for $20 (as opposed to $50 when they are first released). Patience really can pay off when it comes to prices dropping.

Re:Sept 8 !?!?!

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess this would be a bad time to point out that Disgaea kicks major, major ass.

*Fwoooosh*

Heh, was that sound another $50 leaving your wallet? :D

Re:Sept 8 !?!?!

[Anonymous Coward]

Dont forget, just 5 more months til FF:CC This is the one you should be going ape shit over.

Re:Sept 8 !?!?!

[IIRCAFAIKIANAL]

Dont forget, just 5 more months til FF:CC This is the one you should be going ape shit over.

I hate you.

Re:Sept 8 !?!?!

[shadowcabbit]

Good to know I'm not the only one who went "@!$@, I still haven't beat the last boss in Tactics Ogre..."

And the best part is, since I work nights now, I can play 'em at work. The GBA games, at least.

Well, then, here's my list:
Breath of Fire III, Mega Man 8, Mega Man X4, Suikoden II, Wild ARMs (2nd trip through before Alter Code: F comes out next year), Halo, Knights of the Old Republic, Advance Wars 2, Pokemon Sapphire, Phantasy Star Collection, and Neverwinter Nights.

very last post, I win again!

[muirhead]

last post!
Baby Ruby says "bwarghhhhh!"