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Final Fantasy Tactics 2025
Final Fantasy Tactics is a 1997 tactical role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation. It launched in Japan in June 1997 and in North America in January 1998 under Sony Computer Entertainment. This title marks the inaugural release of the Tactics sub-series within the Final Fantasy universe, as well as the first entry set in the fictional realm later recognized as Ivalice. The narrative centers on Ramza Beoulve, a noble cadet thrust into the midst of a military struggle called The Lion War, where two rival noble houses vie for control of the kingdom’s throne.
Development started in 1995 under Yasumi Matsuno, a newcomer who had previously made the Ogre Battle series at Quest Corporation. Matsuno aimed to create an approachable tactical game with a plot focused on class-based tensions and the reshaping of history. He served as both director and writer, while Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi acted as producer. Battle mechanics were conceptualized by Hiroyuki Ito. Many contributors had prior experience in the Ogre Battle series, such as artists Hiroshi Minagawa and Akihiko Yoshida, and composers Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata. The game garnered critical praise and evolved into a cult favorite following its release. The PlayStation edition sold over one million copies in Japan during 1997 and more than 2.4 million globally by August 2011. It has been named among the greatest video games ever made.
The Ivalice world later served as backdrop for several additional titles, including further Tactics entries and the 2006 mainline Final Fantasy XII. An enhanced version titled Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions debuted in 2007 as part of the Ivalice Alliance initiative. A remastered edition for eighth and ninth generation consoles along with Windows, labeled The Ivalice Chronicles, was issued on September 30, 2025.
Crew
- Director
- Yasumi Matsuno
- Designer
- Hiroyuki Ito
- Programmer
- Taku Murata
- Artist
- Hiroshi Minagawa, Akihiko Yoshida, Hideo Minaba
- Writer
- Yasumi Matsuno
- Producer
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Music
- Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata
Details
- Developer
- Square
- Publisher
- Square Enix Creative Studio III, The Ivalice Chronicles
- Platforms
- PlayStation, The Ivalice Chronicles, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
- Modes
- Single-player
- Series
- Final Fantasy, Ivalice Alliance
