Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Review – A Masterpiece Reborn on Switch 2

More than twenty-five years since its iconic PlayStation debut, Final Fantasy Tactics makes a triumphant return with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles.

Released on September 30, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, Square Enix’s legendary tactical RPG receives its most comprehensive and accessible iteration yet.

Previously overshadowed by the blockbuster success of Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy Tactics gradually earned recognition as one of the genre’s defining classics.

Now, as tactical RPGs regain popularity among both veterans and newcomers, Square Enix demonstrates its commitment to the genre by delivering a lovingly restored and expanded version tailored for modern hardware. At its heart, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles follows Ramza Beoulve, a young knight cadet pulled into a tangle of political intrigue, betrayal, and all-out war.

The narrative, praised for its complexity and maturity, resonates as deeply today as it did in 1998, grounding sweeping conflicts in relatable human motivations—ambition, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice in a turbulent world.

Ramza’s journey becomes a moving exploration of disillusionment and solidarity, showcasing timeless themes that extend beyond its fantasy setting. Gameplay is where The Ivalice Chronicles truly excels.

Players engage in carefully orchestrated battles on isometric, grid-based maps that demand strategic foresight and adaptability.

Every character action carries weight, making victories feel genuinely hard-fought.

This new release maintains the intuitive controls fans remember, but also introduces welcome modern refinements: speed-up features during battle, AI automation, and skippable cutscenes.

These enhancements keep the pace brisk without sacrificing the tactical depth the series is known for. Central to the game’s enduring appeal is its celebrated job system.

Players can freely customize characters, unlocking new abilities across a spectrum of jobs—transforming a soldier into a spell-slinging monk, a chemist with teleportation, or even a team of bards and dancers who alter the flow of battle with their performances.

The Geomancer class, for example, stands out as a versatile, self-sufficient option, offering instant-cast spells that blend physical and magical power.

This flexible system encourages experimentation and strategic creativity, ensuring that every playthrough feels personal and rewarding. Visually, The Ivalice Chronicles strikes a careful balance between preservation and polish.

Akihiko Yoshida’s iconic character portraits retain their original charm, while battle maps benefit from sharper resolution and subtle improvements ideally suited for the Nintendo Switch 2’s advanced display.

Expanded voice acting lends emotional heft to key scenes, and the entirely reworked English script flows more naturally than ever.

One of the rerelease’s most notable achievements is the inclusion of long-missing lore previously exclusive to Japanese editions, now seamlessly connecting Tactics to the wider Ivalice Alliance, including Final Fantasy 12 and Vagrant Story. In a statement from Square Enix, producers emphasize their intention to "offer the definitive experience for old and new fans alike, preserving the strategic essence and rich storytelling of the original, while making it approachable for a global audience." This release finally brings the complete saga to Western players, strengthening the connections and themes that made Ivalice one of JRPGs’ most beloved settings. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is not just a remaster; it is a restoration and celebration of one of the tactical RPG genre’s finest achievements.

By coupling thoughtful refinements with long-requested content, Square Enix delivers a version that feels both faithful and fresh.

For longtime fans, it’s an opportunity to revisit Ivalice in its most complete form.

For new players, this is the perfect entry point into a world of strategic depth and enduring narrative power.

Available on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch via the Nintendo eShop, The Ivalice Chronicles ensures that the legacy of Final Fantasy Tactics will inspire a new generation of players—proving, once again, that true classics never fade.

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