Final Fantasy Tactics

Released on January 28th for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics was the first of it's kind for the series. Spearheaded by Hironobu Sakaguchi and Yasumi Matsuno, the game would be the first endeavor for Final Fantasy into the tactical role-playing game realm. A remake was released in 2007, featuring additional jobs, characters, cutscenes, voice acting, an updated script, new items, and a multiplayer mode.

Gameplay of this particular title took place on a three-dimensional battlefield mapped isometrically to allow the entrance of many units. Players could include up to six units of their party to participate in battle, and when the AT meter charged up, they would take their turn accordingly. The job system returned in this game to allow many facets of strategy to seep in by making offensive, defensive, or support characters.

Ivalice, the land in which Final Fantasy Tactics introduced for the first time, is a politically turbulent kingdom. After the end of the Fifty Year War, Ivalice is struggling to stay afloat. The king's recent death has created a power vacuum, subsequently creating two factions that want to see their choices ascend to the throne. Prince Goltana of the Black Lion wants to see the Princess Ovelia become Queen, while Prince Larg of the White Lion wants to send Prince Orinas to the Crown. The ensuing conflict grew into a full-scale war, known as The War Of The Lions. The Beoulve are a noble family of knights, and Ramza is the youngest of which. As the main character, he soon finds out the workings behind the war, and of a plot far darker than any ever imagined.

Final Fantasy Tactics is considered one of the best of it's kind, if not the best tactical RPG yet. With deep as deep gameplay, excellent storytelling, suspense, and score, Final Fantasy Tactics has become a memorable part of the series, even though it was not given a direct number.