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Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Game Information

User Rating Rated 3.02/5 (145 Votes) 1 2 3 4 5

Release Dates
	Japan	North America	Europe	Australia
Sony PSP	May 10, 2007	October 9, 2007	October 5, 2007	October 8, 2007

Official Websites
Japan	North America	Europe	Australia
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Japan	North America	Europe

Review

, I can now take the ultimate strategy RPG experience with me anywhere I go.

Weapon Rank
- What's this?
Worse/Better Than
Better Than: Final Fantasy TA Worse Than: Revenant Wings
Quote of the Game
Do you truly believe you can change the world? Not even I am so naive as that. Ramza Beoulve
Track of the Game
Memories
TWotL fans will like...
- Final Fantasy Tactics for the Sony PlayStation - Final Fantasy TA for the GBA - Final Fantasy TA2 for the Nintendo DS - Final Fantasy XII: RW for the Nintendo DS - Crisis Core: FFVII for the Sony PSP

Gameplay
The gameplay in The War of the Lions is exactly the same as the original Final Fantasy Tactics. You are given control of an array of characters units, each given a specific job, such as White Mage, Black Mage, Soldier, Fighter, and many more. Each job is diverse and generally has a unique way of playing. The battlefield on which you fight is like a glorified chess board. You are only able to move a set number of tiles per turn, and if you are next to an enemy, or sometimes far away if using a spell, you are able to attack and deal damage. Each unit, both friendly and enemy has a Health (HP) bar, which depletes when hit by an offense move, a Magic (MP) bar, which fills as the battle goes on and allows your player to use certain moves, and an Charge Time (CT) bar, which determines when it is your turn for your units to perform an action. This tactical set up runs smoothly and delivers a satisfying experience. However, the gameplay can feel a little sluggish at times, especially towards the beginning of the game.

Graphics
The graphics are slightly dated, which is understood as the game is a direct PlayStation port. The frame rate tends to drop when heavily vibrant spells are cast. However, the game manages to run smoothly most of the time, and the brand new added in-game cut scenes are beautifully detailed.

Story
Final Fantasy Tactics' story was one of the deepest and most interesting stories when the game was first released. The War of the Lions brings the entire adventure into your hands flawlessly. Full of war, murder, and betrayal, each character is instantly brought to life within the story, and you will find yourself turning with each plot twist. The added cut scenes, brand new in the port, help the players understand the complex story much better.

Learning Curve
If you've never played a tactical strategy game before, The War of the Lions may be hard to get into. The core gameplay itself may take an hour or so to adjust to, and the deeper elements even longer.

Music
Each track in The War of the Lions has been taken from the original game, and although slightly aged, it does not disappoint. Catchy tunes and beats manage to fit the game's overall darker appeal.

Replay Value
Seeing that there are four races with certain specific jobs and stats, it is rather satisfying to go through the game another time with a completely different team. The tactical gameplay is as addicting as ever and there is even an Ad-Hoc mode in case you want to play along with your friends.

Summary
Gameplay - Ported directly from the original classic, the gameplay proves that the tactical genre is far from dead.
Graphics - Dated, but still good. Added cut-scenes modernize the graphics to a certain extent.
Story - You won't find a more satisfying story on the PSP, if not on any console.
Learning Curve - Complex gameplay elements make it hard for gamers new to the tactical genre.
Music - Classic music from the original Final Fantasy Tactics.
Replay Value - You'll find yourself wanting to play a second go around, possibly even a third.

Screenshots

Balthier	Ramza Beoulve	Ramza & Alma Beoulve with Princess Ovelia

[View more Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions screenshots]

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