Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA takes place in a town by the name of Ivalice - a fairly normal (aside from the fact that the children have organized, militia style snowball fights) countryside community. A group of four kids that have fallen into the “outcast” role in their school, decide to get together and read an extremely rare book about magic and adventure. Little did they know that this “book” would change their quiet, little countryside town into the bustling continent known as Ivalice. It didn’t take long to realize that their quaint town of Ivalice was transformed into something out of every child’s favorite videogame, Final Fantasy. While this version’s story falls way short of interesting it does its job well enough to make you curious to find out what will happen, as well as, to see if the story will get any better

Now graphically FFT for the GBA looks very good for a handheld game. The game almost looks identical to the PlayStation version, which means it carries an amazing amount of detail for such a simple looking game. While it is true that the original Final Fantasy for the PSOne looks just marginally better, the GBA version is definitely no slouch and the difference isn’t very noticeable; unless you are nitpicking (like I am).

The true strength of Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA is the gameplay mechanics. As I write, this is one of the deepest, most customizable games I have played for a handheld system. A person can literally spend hours upon hours just leveling up to customize their characters; believe because that’s what I did! Want a ninja that can cast white magic spells (healing magic)? No problem! How about an archer who can counter attack any physical attack within his or her range, while also being deft at the deadly arts of black magic (combat magic)? All you have to have is the right equipment and level up each skill.

The level system in Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA is the heart and soul of the entire game. First of all you simply level-up your characters by gaining 100 experience points in combat, this gives your characters more hit-points and vital stats. I know what you are thinking right now “All this ranting and raving for a 100 point experience system?!?”, but there is more much more. Most of the weapons in FFT for the GBA give your characters specific abilities related to their classes. For example, the rod, allows Black Mages to learn the abilities fire, blizzard, and thunder. However, the rod is completely useless for the other classes that use rods as their primary weapon; outside being a rod for attacking, which is pretty much useless. Once a Black Mage is equipped with the rod, they can then master the fire, blizzard, and thunder allowing them to use black magic when they decide to change classes without the use of the rod. In order to master abilities you must earn AP (action points) from combat; each of the abilities requires a different amount of AP to master them. Each of the five races in FFT has a range of classes that are available to them. Some of the classes cross races, but all the races have quite a few classes that are exclusive to that race only. This gives FFT ultimate handheld combination of flexibility and long-range planning when it comes to character development; something very rare in a handheld game.

Combat takes place on a quasi 3D map that does a brilliant job of imitating the original Final Fantasy style maps from the PlayStation version. Each map is multi-leveled, as well as having multi-terrain. Each of these factors can be used to your advantage during combat. For example, finding your way to higher ground will grant your character a bonus to hit, as well as a bonus for defense.

The basic combat is rather simple, but refined. Each character on the map has a speed rating, which determines when he or she will be able act during each combat turn. Every turn a character can move once and do an “action”, before he or she cannot do anything else. Weaker characters most of the time use the hit-and-run tactic, which means they strike and run as far from the enemy as their stubby little Final Fantasy legs can carry them. While stronger, bolder characters will use their movement to position themselves behind or beside an enemy, so they can gain a bonus to strike for their ability turn. Range combat works in basically the same way as melee combat, except from far away. Magic combat also works in the same way, but there are group attacks and friendly power-up spells also included in a mage’s arsenal.

Overall Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA finally fills that awful void that was left from the absence of a new Final Fantasy Tactics title. With the pleasant blend of simple combat mechanics and deep character development makes FFT for the GBA easy to get into, while not being too simple so that it loses your attention. The only blemish on this otherwise fine masterpiece is the God-awful story that they tried to pan off as a serious RPG style story. The story alone has the power to turn off some people; but take my word for it and overlook the story and keep playing this rich, rewarding game that has almost the perfect blend depth, simplicity, and strategy all rolled up into a beautiful little GBA cartridge. Square-Enix has been bringing gamers fantastic games for the past decade (each company respectfully before the merger) and Final Fantasy Tactics for the GBA is no expection to the rule. If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy series, strategy games, or a gamer with a Jones to play something worthwhile, then scoop up FFT and enjoy its brilliance.