Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Review – A Masterful Remaster for Nintendo Switch 2

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Review – A Masterful Remaster for Nintendo Switch 2 Few strategy RPGs carry the legacy, complexity, and reverence of Final Fantasy Tactics, a genre-defining title from Square Enix celebrated for its mature storytelling and strategic depth.

First released in 1997 for PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics became a touchstone for tactical RPG fans, with later iterations like the War of the Lions expanding its acclaim.

Now, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings this classic to the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering a remaster that both honors its origins and refines the experience for new and returning players. Final Fantasy Tactics’ narrative strength lies in its intricate plot, where Ramza Beoulve is swept into a brutal war for power in the land of Ivalice.

The story’s focus on class struggle, personal identity, and ethical ambiguity has kept it at the forefront of genre discussions for decades.

According to the development team at Square Enix, their transition to modern hardware presented an opportunity to refresh the gameplay and visuals, while retaining the story’s soul.

"We aimed to make the game approachable for a new generation, without compromising its complexity or thematic weight," said Square Enix’s producers. At launch, players are met with a choice between the Enhanced and Classic versions.

The Enhanced edition features a fully reworked user interface, visually overhauled graphics with cleaned-up sprites and detailed character portraits, and for the first time, full English and Japanese voice acting.

The script, overseen by original creator Yasumi Matsuno, receives an additional pass, with new scenes added for narrative depth.

Meanwhile, the Classic version offers a faithful port of the original PlayStation experience, now paired with the revered War of the Lions script, catering to purists who value nostalgia. Technical improvements mark The Ivalice Chronicles as a standout remaster.

Beyond a consistent 60 frames per second that eliminates the PlayStation Portable version’s slowdown, Square Enix incorporated modernized quality-of-life features such as undoing movement before a turn’s end and a clear battle timeline, making it easier to strategize.

Gameplay is still anchored by the beloved Job system—an iteration of Final Fantasy V’s model—where characters earn Job Points to unlock and combine Action, Reaction, Support, and Movement abilities.

These mechanics encourage experimentation and unique party compositions, a hallmark of the series’ lasting appeal. Behind-the-scenes systems also enrich the experience: weather, terrain, and even a Zodiac-based compatibility system influence each encounter.

While the balance has been adjusted in Enhanced mode, allowing quicker progression without diluting challenge, the game retains the notorious difficulty curve fans remember.

Difficulty options and the ability to retry major battles with level resets further modernize accessibility without sacrificing depth. Still, some content from the War of the Lions version, including certain jobs and cutscenes, is absent.

Although the remaster offers polished visuals and overhauled presentation, long-time players may lament the lack of an orchestrated soundtrack or broader customization options for display.

The Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not utilize features like Joy-Con mouse input, which may disappoint those seeking full hardware integration. At its heart, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles preserves what made the original game a milestone: a mature, politically charged story helmed by Ramza’s struggle to find justice amidst systemic corruption, beautifully translated for modern audiences with evocative voice acting.

As the narrative confronts issues of class, power, and personal conviction, Matsuno’s writing remains as resonant today as it was in the late '90s.

The result is a remaster that stands as a definitive way to experience this tactical RPG masterpiece on contemporary platforms. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is available now for Nintendo Switch 2, reaffirming Square Enix’s legacy as a steward of the genre.

For strategy RPG fans and newcomers alike, it represents not just a return to Ivalice, but an invitation to rediscover how masterful game design and narrative ambition can combine to create something truly timeless.

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